US-guided Treatment Research Articles

The Role of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Meniscal Injuries.

This review evaluates the current understanding of the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of meniscal disorders. Ultrasound (US) demonstrates similar sensitivity and specificity when compared to magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of meniscal injuries when compared to arthroscopy. Meniscal extrusion (ME) under US can be a reliable metric to evaluate for meniscal root tears in knees with and without osteoarthritis (OA). Sonographic ME is associated with development of OA in knees without OA. US following allograft meniscal transplant may be useful in predicting graft failure. US findings can be used to screen for discoid menisci and may demonstrate snapping of a type 3 discoid lateral meniscus. Shear wave elastography for meniscal injuries is in its infancy; however, increased meniscal stiffness may be seen with meniscal degeneration. Perimeniscal corticosteroid injections may provide short term relief from meniscal symptoms, and intrameniscal platelet-rich plasma injections appear to be safe and effective up to three years. Ultrasound-assisted meniscal surgery may increase the safety of all inside repairs near the lateral root and may assist in assessing meniscal reduction following root repair. Diagnostic US can demonstrate with high accuracy a variety of meniscal pathologies and can be considered a screening tool. Newer technologies such as shear wave elastography may allow us to evaluate characteristics of meniscal tissue that is not possible on conventional imaging. US-guided (USG) treatment of meniscal injuries is possible and may be preferable to surgery for the initial treatment of degenerative meniscal lesions. USG or US-assisted meniscal surgery is in its infancy.

Bemerkenswerte Publikationen von ÖGUM-Mitgliedern

We review the ultrasound (US) findings in patients who present with meralgia paresthetica (MP). The anatomy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve at the level where the nerve exits the pelvis and potential entrapment sites that can lead to MP are discussed. A wide range of pathological cases are presented to help in recognizing the US patterns of MP. Finally, our experience with US-guided treatment is discussed.

Ultrasound of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve: A Review of the Literature and Pictorial Essay.

We review the ultrasound (US) findings in patients who present with meralgia paresthetica (MP). The anatomy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve at the level where the nerve exits the pelvis and potential entrapment sites that can lead to MP are discussed. A wide range of pathological cases are presented to help in recognizing the US patterns of MP. Finally, our experience with US-guided treatment is discussed.

Treatment of lactational breast abscesses with cavity diameter larger than 5 cm via combined ultrasonography-guided percutaneous catheter placement and hydrostatic pressure irrigation

This study reports on our experience of treating lactational breast abscesses larger than 5 cm via ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous catheter placement and hydrostatic pressure irrigation. Twelve cases of puerperal single breast abscesses larger than 5 cm were collected. These patients were treated with US-guided percutaneous catheter placement and hydrostatic pressure irrigation combined with oral antibiotics. All 12 patients using US-guided treatment were completely successful without conversion to open surgical drainage. The range of recovery time was 5–16 days, and no major complications occurred. The patients were satisfied with the appearance of the scar, and there were no reports of recurrence during the follow-up period.Overall, US-guided percutaneous catheter placement and hydrostatic pressure irrigation are successful strategies for the treatment of lactational breast abscesses larger than 5 cm. These methods not only reduce the treatment time and improve the patients’ clinical course but also provide cosmetic effects. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? The current consensus on breast abscess treatment is that lesions <3 cm can be effectively treated by aspiration alone, lesions >3 cm require catheter drainage, lesions <5 cm have proven to be safe and effectively treated by US-guided ultrasound therapy, and lesions >5 cm, whether multi-loculated or longstanding, require surgical incision and drainage. What do the results of this study add? We tried to use this method to increase the cure rate of US-guided minimally invasive treatment for large abscesses. The results showed that all patients were cured successfully, requiring no further surgical intervention. Moreover, no complications occurred, and no patients developed sequelae. During the three-month follow-up period, there was no evidence of recurrence in any case. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Questions remain regarding the treatment’s generalisability, potentially lengthy hospitalisation, and technical limitations of the existing instrumentation. Long-term follow up and larger sample size Randomised clinical trials studies are still needed to rigorously and scientifically ensure the method’s benefits over conventional open surgery in the future.

Ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures around the elbow, hand and wrist excluding carpal tunnel procedures.

Ultrasound is a fast, reliable and radiation-free method for the assessment of a wide range of pathological conditions, as well as for the guidance of percutaneous interventional procedures around the elbow, hand and wrist. Intraarticular and periarticular interventional procedures can be easily performed under continuous ultrasound monitoring to ensure correct needle positioning and medication delivery to a specific target. The most common ultrasound-guided procedures performed around the elbow, wrist, and hand are described in this review, excluding carpal tunnel procedures. Specifically, elbow steroid injections are performed in patients with inflammatory disorders, while hyaluronic acid can be administered in case of osteoarthritis. Septic olecranon bursitis requires percutaneous drainage for diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Dry needling and injection of regenerative medications, such as blood derivatives, are among the treatment options for lateral epicondylosis. Steroid injections are performed to give symptom relief in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Hand and wrist steroid injections are performed in case of osteoarthritis, subsequently followed by hyaluronic acid injections, and in inflammatory disorders. Wrist ganglia can be safely aspirated and injected with steroids under ultrasound guidance. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and trigger finger are chronic tenosynovitides of the wrist and digits, respectively, which can be treated with steroid injections, subsequently followed by hyaluronic acid injections. In conclusion, proper knowledge of the musculoskeletal disorders around the elbow, hand and wrist, as well as US-guided treatment options and operator training, are prerequisites to achieve good outcomes.

US-guided Percutaneous Release of the Trigger Finger by Using a 21-gauge Needle: A Prospective Study of 60 Cases.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonographically (US)-guided percutaneous treatment of the trigger finger by releasing the A1 pulley with a 21-gauge needle. Materials and Methods This two-part study was approved by the ethics committee, and written consent was obtained from all patients. The first part consisted of 10 procedures on cadaver digits followed by dissection to analyze the effectiveness of the A1 pulley release and detect any collateral damage to the A2 pulley, interdigital nerves, or underlying flexor tendons. The second part was performed during an 18-month period starting in March 2013. It was a prospective clinical study of 60 procedures performed in 48 patients. Outcomes were evaluated through a clinical examination at day 0 and during a 6-month follow-up visit, where the trigger digit was evaluated clinically and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand outcome measure, or QuickDASH, and patient satisfaction questionnaires were administered. Results No complications were found during the cadaver study. However, the release was considered "partial" in all fingers. In the clinical study, the trigger finger was completely resolved in 81.7% (49 of 60) of cases immediately after the procedure. Moderate trigger finger persisted in 10 cases, and one thumb pulley could not be released. A US-guided corticosteroid injection was subsequently performed in these 11 cases. At 6-month follow-up, only two cases still had moderate trigger finger and there were no late complications. The mean QuickDASH questionnaire score was 4; all patients said they were satisfied. Conclusion US-guided treatment of the trigger finger by using a 21-gauge needle is feasible in current practice, with minimal complications. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

US-guided percutaneous treatment and physical therapy in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder: outcome at 3 and 12 months.

To monitor the results of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous treatment of calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder at 12months (T12) after treatment (T0). To verify the possible relations between some pre- and post-procedural variables with the clinical outcome at T12. Forty-seven patients (26 female and 21 male) were enrolled in the study. Patients' approval and written informed consent were obtained. Symptoms were assessed by Constant Shoulder Score (CSS) at T0 and T12. Thirty of these also underwent a CSS control at 3months (T3). The treatment efficacy was statistically tested for relation with location and type of calcification, characteristics of the tendon and subdeltoid bursa, impingement, and rehabilitation treatments. There was a significant increase in the average CSS value between T0 and T12 (40.7 vs. 75.3). The variables analysed did not show a statistically significant effect on the outcome at T12. A link was noticed only between patients' increasing age and score improvement, particularly among female subjects. US-guided treatment of calcific tendonitis is a viable therapeutic option. No pre- or intra-procedural parameters emerged which might help in predicting the outcome, apart from patients' needs in everyday life. • US-guided tcreatment of shoulder calcific tendinopathy is an excellent therapeutic option • Long-term results seem greatly affected by patients' features and needs in everyday life • No proven pre- or intra-procedural parameters emerged that might predict the outcome.

Management of rotator cuff calcific tendinosis guided by ultrasound elastography

BackgroundUltrasound (US) elastography can provide information about the hardness of calcification and might help decide treatment strategy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hardness of the calcific area within rotator cuffs by US elastography as an aid for the selection of aspiration or fine-needle repeated puncture for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinosis. MethodsThis prospective study included 39 patients (32 males, 7 females; mean age, 52.9 years) who received US elastography and gray-scale ultrasonography before US-guided treatment for rotator cuff calcific tendinosis. The morphology of the calcifications was classified as arc, fragmented, nodular, and cystic types. US elastography using virtual touch imaging (acoustic radiation force impulse) technique was performed to examine the calcified region to obtain an elastogram that was graded dark, intermediate, or bright. The hardness of the calcifications were recorded, and graded as hard, sand-like, or fluid-like tactile patterns during the US-guided treatment, and the tactile patterns were compared with the results of US elastography and gray-scale ultrasonography. ResultsThough the morphologies of the calcifications were significantly related to the tactile pattern of the needle punctures (p < 0.001), gray-scale US could not accurately demonstrate the hardness of the calcifications. With the aid of elastography, the fluid-like tactile pattern could be predicted well as a nondark pattern by elastography (p < 0.001). ConclusionUltrasound elastography is a useful modality for evaluation of rotator cuff calcific tendinosis, and as an aid to guide management. If elastography shows the calcified area as a non-dark pattern, then fine-needle aspiration should be performed.

Comparison of the analgesic effect of xylocaine only with xylocaine and corticosteroid injection after ultrasonographically-guided percutaneous treatment for rotator cuff calcific tendonosis

BackgroundThe analgesic effect of xylocaine alone versus xylocaine with corticosteroid injection after ultrasonographically (US)-guided treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendonosis has not been described in English literature. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effect of xylocaine only with xylocaine and corticosteroid following US-guided percutaneous treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendonosis. MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 88 patients who were given different analgesic treatments [xylocaine only, n = 23; xylocaine with corticosteroid, n = 44; control (no xylocaine or corticosteroid), n = 21]. The assessment of a patient's painful symptoms was recorded before treatment, and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment using the visual analogue scale (VAS). ResultsThere were no significant differences in age, sex, calcification size before and after treatment, and amount of calcification decrease after treatment, but there was a significant difference in calcification morphology among the groups (p = 0.010). General linear model analysis indicated that the three groups had no difference in pain prior to treatment. After treatment, the xylocaine only and the xylocaine with corticosteroid groups had less pain than the control group at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after treatment. At 3 months after treatment, the xylocaine only group had less pain than the control group (p = 0.039), and the xylocaine with corticosteroid and control groups had similar levels of pain. ConclusionInjection of xylocaine alone after US-guided treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendonosis provided a longer pain relief period than that of a mixture of xylocaine with corticosteroid.

US in ankle impingement syndrome.

Ankle impingement is a common condition occurring secondary to sprain or repeated microtrauma. Clinical symptoms are chronic pain located in the affected region and limited range of ankle motion. There are three types of ankle impingement syndrome: anterior impingement, which can be subdivided into anterolateral, anteromedial and purely anterior impingement; posterior impingement, which can be subdivided into posterior and posteromedial impingement; and calcaneal peroneal impingement which is secondary to planovalgus foot deformity. This paper evaluates physiological and clinical elements of these three types of ankle impingement syndrome as well as the role of ultrasound (US) imaging and US-guided treatment.

Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis: Does Warm Saline Solution Improve the Short-term Outcome of Double-Needle US-guided Treatment?

To determine whether saline temperature influences procedure performance and outcome in patients undergoing ultrasonography (US)-guided lavage for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinitis (RCCT). This study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. From December 2009 to May 2011, 462 patients (191 men and 271 women; mean age, 39.7 years) with painful RCCT diagnosed at US were prospectively enrolled and randomized into two groups. Operators subjectively classified calcifications as hard, soft, or fluid according to their appearance at US. US-guided percutaneous treatment of RCCT (local anesthesia, double-needle lavage, intrabursal steroid injection) was performed with warm saline (42°C, 107°F) in 229 patients and with room-temperature saline in 233. Operators and patients were not blinded to saline temperature. The ease of calcium dissolution was subjectively scored (easy=1, intermediate=2, difficult=3). Procedure duration was recorded. Patient discomfort was assessed by using a visual analog scale (VAS). The occurrence of postprocedure bursitis was recorded. Statistical analyses were performed with Mann-Whitney U, χ2, and analysis of variance tests. Procedure duration was significantly shorter (P<.001) in patients treated with warm saline (mean, 576 seconds±121) than in those treated with room-temperature saline (mean, 777 seconds±151). Calcium dissolution was significantly easier in patients treated with warm saline (median score, 1) than in those treated with room-temperature saline (median score, 2). Subgroup analysis according to calcification appearance at US showed a significant difference between groups for both soft (P=.003) and hard (P<.001) calcifications. No overall significant differences were found for VAS score (warm saline group: baseline=8.9±0.6, 1 month=4.7±0.6, 2 months=4.0±0.7, 3 months=3.4±0.4, 1 year=3.0±0.7; room-temperature saline group: baseline=9.2±0.4, 1 month=4.5±0.7, 2 months=4.1±0.9, 3 months=3.1±0.7, 1 year=3.2±0.8; P=.491). Postprocedural bursitis was observed in eight patients in the warm saline group and 20 in the room-temperature saline group (P<.022). In the treatment of RCCT, warm saline appears to reduce procedure duration and improve calcification dissolution while reducing the frequency of postprocedural bursitis.

US-guided Percutaneous Treatment of Shoulder Calcific Tendonitis: Some Clarifications Are Needed

US-guided Percutaneous Treatment of Shoulder Calcific Tendonitis: Some Clarifications Are Needed

Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendonitis: Short-term and 10-year Outcomes after Two-Needle US-guided Percutaneous Treatment—Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendonitis: Short-term and 10-year Outcomes after Two-Needle US-guided Percutaneous Treatment—Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

0225: Calcifying Tendinitis of the Rotator Cuff: Is Percutaneous US-Guided Treatment More Effective than Simple Steroid Injection?

Calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff occurs in up to 20% of the population. No standard of care has been established. Our work compares the outcome of a US-guided percutaneous treatment of patients affected with calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff with the outcome of patients affected with the same disease treated with a simple steroid injection.

Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendonitis: Short-term and 10-year Outcomes after Two-Needle US-guided Percutaneous Treatment— Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

To compare short- and long-term outcomes of patients with rotator cuff calcific tendonitis who did and did not undergo ultrasonographically (US)-guided percutaneous treatment. Institutional review board approval and informed patient consent were obtained. Of patients referred for US-guided treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendonitis, 219 (86 men, 133 women; mean age, 40.3 years +/- 10.9 [standard deviation]) were treated; 68 (31 men, 37 women; mean age, 40.2 years +/- 11.3) patients refused treatment and served as control subjects. After local anesthesia was induced, two 16-gauge needles were inserted into the calcific deposit. Saline solution was injected through one needle, and the dissolved calcium was extracted through the other needle. Shoulder joint function was assessed by using Constant scores, and pain was assessed by using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. Mann-Whitney U and chi(2) tests were performed. At baseline, no significant difference in age or sex distribution, Constant score, or VAS score was detected between treated and nontreated (control) patients. Compared with control subjects, treated patients reported a significant decrease in symptoms at 1 month (mean Constant score, 73.2 +/- 6.2 vs 57.5 +/- 3.9; mean VAS score, 4.8 +/- 0.6 vs 9.1 +/- 0.5), 3 months (mean Constant score, 90.2 +/- 2.6 vs 62.6 +/- 7.2; mean VAS score, 3.3 +/- 0.4 vs 7.3 +/- 1.8), and 1 year (mean Constant score, 91.7 +/- 3.1 vs 78.4 +/- 9.5; mean VAS score, 2.7 +/- 0.5 vs 4.5 +/- 0.9) (P < .001). Symptom scores were not significantly different between the groups at 5 years (mean Constant score, 90.9 +/- 3.6 vs 90.5 +/- 4.8; mean VAS score, 2.6 +/- 0.5 vs 2.8 +/- 0.7) (P >or= .795) and 10 years (mean Constant score, 91.8 +/- 5.0 vs 91.3 +/- 9.6; mean VAS score, 2.5 +/- 0.6 vs 2.7 +/- 0.6) (P >or= .413). US-guided percutaneous treatment facilitated prompt shoulder function recovery and pain relief. Treated patients had better outcomes than did nontreated patients at 1 year. However, 5 and 10 years after the procedure, the nontreated group reported outcomes similar to those of the treated group.

Treatment of breast abscesses with ultrasound-guided aspiration and irrigation in the emergency setting

The purpose of our study was to describe the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided aspiration and intracavitary irrigation of breast abscesses in the emergency setting. Ten cases of mastitis clinically suspected of having a breast abscess were referred from the emergency department for breast ultrasound. Eleven abscesses depicted at US were treated with US-guided aspiration and intracavitary irrigation. All patients were given antibiotics, and the success of US-guided treatment was determined. Three abscesses that were smaller than 3 cm were treated with single aspiration and irrigation. Ninety-one percent of patients were cured with US-guided aspiration and irrigation requiring no further surgical intervention. One case of chronic mastitis fistulized to the skin and was drained surgically. No recurrences were observed in the follow-up period. US-guided percutaneous aspiration and irrigation is a successful method for treatment of breast abscesses in the emergency setting. This method is more successful in abscesses with a maximum dimension smaller than 3 cm and should be preferred to the surgical drainage.

Comparison of Real-Time Intraoperative Ultrasound-Based Dosimetry With Postoperative Computed Tomography-Based Dosimetry for Prostate Brachytherapy

To evaluate whether real-time intraoperative ultrasound (US)-based dosimetry can replace conventional postoperative computed tomography (CT)-based dosimetry in prostate brachytherapy. Between December 2001 and November 2002, 82 patients underwent (103)Pd prostate brachytherapy. An interplant treatment planning system was used for real-time intraoperative transrectal US-guided treatment planning. The dose distribution was updated according to the estimated seed position to obtain the dose-volume histograms. Postoperative CT-based dosimetry was performed a few hours later using the Theraplan-Plus treatment planning system. The dosimetric parameters obtained from the two imaging modalities were compared. The results of this study revealed correlations between the US- and CT-based dosimetry. However, large variations were found in the implant-quality parameters of the two modalities, including the doses covering 100%, 90%, and 80% of the prostate volume and prostate volumes covered by 100%, 150%, and 200% of the prescription dose. The mean relative difference was 38% and 16% for doses covering 100% and 90% of the prostate volume and 10% and 21% for prostate volumes covered by 100% and 150% of the prescription dose, respectively. The CT-based volume covered by 200% of the prescription dose was about 30% greater than the US-based one. Compared with CT-based dosimetry, US-based dosimetry significantly underestimated the dose to normal organs, especially for the rectum. The average US-based maximal dose and volume covered by 100% of the prescription dose for the rectum was 72 Gy and 0.01 cm(3), respectively, much lower than the 159 Gy and 0.65 cm(3) obtained using CT-based dosimetry. Although dosimetry using intraoperative US-based planning provides preliminary real-time information, it does not accurately reflect the postoperative CT-based dosimetry. Until studies have determined whether US-based dosimetry or postoperative CT-based dosimetry can better predict patient outcomes, the American Brachytherapy Society recommendation of CT-based postimplant dosimetry should remain the standard of care.

Sonographic management of complicated cystic echinococcosis

Introduction In this survey we evaluated the usefulness of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis, and in the treatment of complicated hydatid cysts. Materials and methods From June 1985 to June 2004, 221 patients with 294 hydatid cysts were examined. Twenty patients (9.0%) presented 22 complicated cysts (7.4%): 9 with infection, 5 ruptured into the bile ducts, 2 bilomas, 2 cysto-pleural fistulas, 2 allergic reactions, 1 rupture into the peritoneum and 1 intrasplenic hematoma. In all cases, US yielded a specific or suspected diagnosis, also in complications affecting non-hepatic sites, confirmed by computed tomography (CT), endoscopic papillotomy or percutaneous US-guided sampling. All patients with complicated cystic echinococcosis were treated with Albendazole 800 mg/day for at least 3 months. In addition to this therapy, 12 underwent US-guided drainage (9 infected cysts, 2 bilomas, 2 cysto-pleural fistulas, 1 intrasplenic hematoma); of these patients 3 subsequently underwent surgery because US-guided treatment was ineffective. Five patients were treated with perendoscopic sphincterotomy for obstruction of the bile passages, while 3 patients received only medical therapy. Results Medical, echoguided and surgical treatments led to resolution of the complications and complete remission of the parasitic pathology in 19/20 patients (95%) and in 21/22 cysts (95.4%). There was partial remission in 1 case only. The therapy did not cause major complications and the results were confirmed during follow-up lasting from 5 months to 15 years (mean time 3 years). Discussion and conclusion This study shows that the incidence of complications of hydatid cysts is low and that correct echographic management allows a rapid diagnosis and optimization of treatment in most cases.

1–25 Breast Abscess in Lactating Women: US-Guided Treatment

1–25 Breast Abscess in Lactating Women: US-Guided Treatment

Breast abscess in lactating women: US-guided treatment.

To retrospectively evaluate the use of ultrasonography (US)-guided treatment of breast abscesses in lactating women. One hundred eight consecutive lactating women who were clinically suspected of having a breast abscess were examined with US. Abscesses depicted at US were treated with US guidance, and the success of US-guided treatment was retrospectively determined. Fifty-six abscesses were identified at US in 43 women; all abscesses were treated with US guidance: 23 with needle aspiration and 33 with catheter drainage. Treatment method was determined according to the size of the abscess. Abscesses that were smaller than 3 cm in maximum diameter were treated with needle aspiration, and abscesses that were 3 cm or larger in maximum diameter were treated with catheter insertion. One patient who was treated with needle aspiration subsequently underwent surgical intervention; all others were successfully treated with US intervention. Catheter placement was well tolerated (mean pain score 2.3 in 22 women by using a subjective pain scale of 0-10). US-guided needle aspiration of abscesses smaller than 3 cm and US-guided catheter drainage of abscesses 3 cm or larger are successful means of treating breast abscesses.