The Usefulness of Ultrasound Diagnosis of Acute Tendon Injury in Hand.

Choi, Chang Yong; Lee, Han Jeong; Choi, Hwan Jun; Kim, Mi Sun

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2008;35(6):729-734.
Published online November 1, 2008.

The Usefulness of Ultrasound Diagnosis of Acute Tendon Injury in Hand.

Chang Yong Choi, Han Jeong Lee, Hwan Jun Choi, Mi Sun Kim

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. ccysy@hanmail.net

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.

Keywords: Ultrasonography; Tendon