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What is Ultrasound (Sonography)?

Ultrasound (also called sonography) is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues or blood flow inside the body. The high-frequency sound waves are transmitted to the area of interest and the returning echoes recorded. This type of procedure is often referred to as a sonogram or ultrasound scan. First developed in World War II to locate submerged objects, the technique is now widely used in virtually every branch of medicine.

Diagnostic ultrasound is noninvasive, involves no radiation, and avoids the possible hazards such as bleeding, infection, or reactions to chemicals of other diagnostic methods.
Clinically Indicated Conditions Indicating Paraspinal Sonography
  • Strains (acute and chronic)
  • Sprains (acute and chronic)
  • Hyper flexion/hyperextension of the spine/whiplash syndrome
  • Compression and distraction injuries to the muscle
  • Muscle tears
  • Direct external trauma
  • Myositis / myofascitis
  • Overuse syndromes / cumulative trauma
Documentation
At the very least, an initial ultrasound examination should be ordered on all patients presenting with symptoms indicative of paraspinal musculo-ligamentous involvement. An initial exam report in the patient's file is a strong documentation of the need for care. Advances in health care technology has put more tools into the hands of health care providers. Sonography confirms or negates musculoskeletal pathology indicated, but not identified by clinical examination. Ultrasound is a good screening tool that can objectively determine the need or lack of need for further diagnostic testing. This adds a sequential protocol to the diagnostic workup of a patient.

Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on a comparison of symptoms of two or more similar diseases. Many musculoskeletal diseases mimic one another. Distinct clarification of signs and symptoms by visualization rules in or out a multitude of conditions.

Increased Patient Retention
In a clinic providing treatment primarily to the musculoskeletal system, for patients to receive maximum benefit of a treatment program, they must complete the prescribed curriculum. Initial ultrasound examination enables the treating doctor to concisely state the extent of soft tissue damage and/or involvement. Follow-up studies provide significantly more useable information about the current physiologic state of the patient's problem, which is often easier to present/describe to a patient than follow-up x-rays for example

Utility and Suitability of Findings
Musculoskeletal ultrasonography of the paraspinal soft tissues provides information the treating doctor can actually use in caring for his or her patient. In the absence of intramedullary pathology ultrasound is the "first best shot" in diagnostic imaging.

Appropriate and suitable treatment recommendations are given with increased accuracy and timing according to patient condition when the physiologic state of the tissue is known.

The physician presenting this data is utilizing state of the art ultrasound technology to provide excellent diagnostic quality images. Standards and protocols are strictly adhered to and interpretations are timely and useful. Spine experts can confidently rely on the quality of this imaging modality.


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