The Usefulness of Ultrasound Diagnosis of Acute Tendon Injury in Hand

Abstract

PURPOSE: The evaluation and management of a completely transected tendon of the hand is relatively clear. In most cases, the integrity is assessed by physical examination(eg, broken normal cascade, motion loss) but occasionally, It happens in troubles. because of pain, limited patient cooperation(eg, child, unconscious patient), and other associated injuries(eg, fractures, foreign bodies). METHODS: From september 2006 to August 2007, 28 patients were evaluated with real time ultrasonography preoperatively and postoperatively. Twenty eight patients with injured tendon were evaluated using an HDI 5000 Sono CT(Philips Medical Systems, Bothell, WA) machine with a high resolution, 7.5MHz hockey stick linear probe. Dynamic evaluation was performed in real time. RESULTS: Surgery was performed after the ultrasonographic evaluation. Sonographic diagnosis and intraoperative findings were correlated. Ultrasonographic findings show tendon discontinuity, gaps, and fluid collection. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ultrasonography is helpful in evaluating and managing acute tendon injury. Especially, in cases of completely lacerated tendon, ultrasonography can identify the location of the proximal tendon stump and partial lacerated tendon, ultrasonographic diagnostic tool can decrease misdiagnosis.