Hand-Held Portable Versus Conventional Cart-Based Ultrasound in Musculoskeletal Imaging

Comparison of 6 handheld ultrasound devices by point-of-care ultrasound experts: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as an essential bedside tool for clinicians, but lack of access to ultrasound equipment has been a top barrier to POCUS use. Recently, several handheld ultrasound devices ("handhelds") have become available, and clinicians are seeking data to guide purchasing decisions. Few comparative studies of different handhelds have been done. We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing 6 handhelds readily available in the United States (Butterfly iQ + ™ by Butterfly Network Inc.; Clarius™ by Clarius Mobile Health; Kosmos™ by EchoNous; TE Air™ by Mindray; Vscan Air™ SL and CL by General Electric; and Lumify™ by Philips Healthcare). A multi-specialty group of physician POCUS experts (n = 35) acquired three standard ultrasound views (abdominal right upper quadrant, cardiac apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views) in random order on the same standardized patients and rated the image quality. Afterward, a final survey of the overall ease of use, image quality, and satisfaction of each handheld was completed.

RESULTS

Thirty-five POCUS experts specializing in internal medicine/hospital medicine, critical care, emergency medicine, and nephrology acquired and rated right upper quadrant, apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views with 6 different handhelds. For image quality, the highest-rated handhelds were Vscan Air™ for the right upper quadrant view, Mindray TE Air™ for the cardiac apical 4-chamber view, and Lumify™ for superficial views of the neck and lung. Overall satisfaction with image quality was highest with Vscan Air™, Lumify™, and Mindray, while overall satisfaction with ease of use was highest with Vscan Air™. The 5 most desirable characteristics of handhelds were image quality, ease of use, portability, probe size, and battery life. Ultimately, all 6 handhelds had notable advantages and disadvantages, with no single device having all desired qualities or features.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall satisfaction with image quality was rated highest with Vscan Air™, Lumify™, and Mindray TE Air™when acquiring right upper quadrant, apical 4-chamber, and superficial neck and lung views. No single handheld was perceived to be superior in image quality for all views. Vscan Air™ was rated highest for overall ease of use and was the most preferred handheld for purchase by POCUS experts.

Using Ultrasound to Improve Diagnostic Confidence and Management of Psoriatic Disease: Highlights From the GRAPPA 2023 Ultrasound Workshop

The sensitivity of ultrasound (US) to detect, characterize, and monitor the relevant pathologies of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), including synovitis, enthesitis, tenosynovitis, and dactylitis, has made it an attractive tool for informing clinical decisions. The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) US working group ran 2 sessions during the annual GRAPPA meeting held in July 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. During the first workshop, the group presented 2 topics, followed by a live demonstration and a group discussion. The 2 topics were (1) an overview of the Diagnostic Ultrasound Enthesitis Tool (DUET) enthesitis scoring methodology, and (2) small hand-held probes-will the promise deliver? The live demonstration that followed compared the performance of 2 hand-held US (HHUS) devices vs a console US machine in patients with PsA, and the interactive group discussion considered gaps in the literature and future research suggestions relating to HHUS and its application in psoriatic disease. During the second session, the US working group provided further updates regarding the GRAPPA US studies currently underway or recently completed.

The Emerging Role of Automation, Measurement Standardization, and Artificial Intelligence in Foot and Ankle Imaging: An Update

In the past few years, advances in clinical imaging in the realm of foot and ankle have been consequential and game changing. Improvements in the hardware aspects, together with the development of computer-assisted interpretation and intervention tools, have led to a noticeable improvement in the quality of health care for foot and ankle patients. Focusing on the mainstay imaging tools, including radiographs, computed tomography scans, and ultrasound, in this review study, the authors explored the literature for reports on the new achievements in improving the quality, accuracy, accessibility, and affordability of clinical imaging in foot and ankle.

Comparison of a handheld ultrasound device with cart-based ultrasound for the assessment of gout lesions in people with established gout

OBJECTIVES

Use of handheld portable ultrasound is increasing and would improve access for people with rheumatic disease when conventional, cart-based ultrasound is unavailable. This study compared handheld and cart-based ultrasound for the assessment of gout lesions in people with gout.

METHODS

The lower limbs of 21 participants with gout were independently scanned at six sites (1st and 2nd metatarsophalangeal joints, knee, patellar ligament, Achilles tendon, and peroneal tendons) using cart-based (LOGIQ P9) and handheld (Vscan Air™) ultrasound by two rheumatologists. One rheumatologist was randomized to scan the right or left leg first with the cart-based or handheld ultrasound. The other rheumatologist scanned the legs in the opposite order with the imaging devices reversed. Images were saved and blinded images scored for double contour, tophus, erosion and aggregates using OMERACT definitions by two rheumatologists experienced in gout ultrasound.

RESULTS

On handheld ultrasound, 90% of participants had at least one site with double contour, tophus and erosions, and 100% had at least one site with aggregates. There were similar findings using cart-based ultrasound. However, site-level inter-device analysis showed only fair-good agreement: kappa (percentage agreement) for double contour 0.22 (67%), tophus 0.46 (77%), erosion 0.63 (83%) and aggregates 0.37 (75%). There were more aggregates detected by cart-based ultrasound in joints and more tophi detected by handheld ultrasound in ligaments and tendons.

CONCLUSIONS

Handheld ultrasound can detect gout lesions in people with established gout. However, concordance between cart-based and handheld ultrasound in detection of some gout lesions is low, particularly double contour and aggregates.

Ultrasound for assessing paediatric body composition and nutritional status: Scoping review and future directions

AIM

This scoping review aims to assess the utility of ultrasound as a prospective tool in measuring body composition and nutritional status in the paediatric population. We provide a comprehensive summary of the existing literature, identify gaps, and propose future research directions.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic scoping review following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. This involved screening titles and abstracts of relevant studies, followed by a detailed full-text review and extraction of pertinent data.

RESULTS

We identified and synthesised 34 articles. The review revealed that while ultrasound has been used to assess body composition and bone properties in children, significant gaps remain in the literature. These include limited studies on ultrasound performance, insufficient attention to relevant sample characteristics, reliance on manual image measurements, and limited sample diversity.

CONCLUSION

Point-of-care ultrasound shows significant promise for assessing paediatric body composition and nutritional status. To validate and enhance its effectiveness, further research is needed. Future studies should include larger and more diverse patient cohorts and conduct longitudinal investigations to evaluate nutritional interventions. Additionally, developing artificial intelligence (AI) for standardising and automating data interpretation will be crucial in improving the accuracy and efficiency of ultrasound assessments.

An Assessment of the Imaging Performance of Hand-Held Ultrasound Scanners Using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom

OBJECTIVE

Although hand-held ultrasound devices (HHUSDs) are currently used for a diverse range of diagnostic and interventional applications the imaging performance of such scanners is rarely considered. The aim of this study was to assess the imaging performance of a wide-range of HHUSDs and compare their imaging performance to cart-based systems utilized for the same clinical applications.

METHODS

The grayscale imaging performances of 19 HHUSDs from eight different manufacturers, manufactured between 2016 and 2021, were measured using a figure-of-merit known as the resolution integral. The imaging performance of the HHUSDs were compared to 142 cart-based ultrasound scanners.

RESULTS

The HHUSD with the overall highest resolution integral (66) was a Butterfly (Burlington, MA, USA) wired phased array for small parts applications, followed by a Philips (Bothell, WA, USA) Lumify wired curvilinear transducer (57) for abdominal applications, a Butterfly wired phased array (56) for abdominal applications, a GE (Freiburg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) VScan Air wireless linear array (56) for small parts applications, and a Healcerion (Seoul, Korea) Sonon 300L wireless linear array (56) for small parts applications. A GE VScan Extend wired phased array had the highest resolution integral (44) for cardiac applications.

CONCLUSIONS

The Butterfly phased array had the highest resolution integral of all the 19 HHUSDs, although this value is still less than the majority of cart-based cardiac and abdominal ultrasound scanners manufactured from 2010 to 2017. Clinical users of HHUSDs should be mindful of the limitations in imaging performance of hand-held ultrasound devices.

Utility of Handheld Ultrasound in Identifying Millimeter-Sized Vasculature in Living and Cadaveric Subjects

Objective This study aims to investigate the utility of handheld, Bluetooth-capable ultrasound in identifying millimeter-sized vasculature in both living and cadaveric subjects. Methods Using handheld, linear ultrasound probes, the carpal tunnel of 87 living individuals (174 forearms) was assessed for the presence of a persistent median artery (PMA). Radial, ulnar, and persistent median arterial diameters were measured, along with forearm circumference. Using the same probes, 46 cadaveric forearms were assessed for the presence of a "potential" PMA. Those same forearms were subsequently dissected to confirm the presence of the artery.  Results A PMA was identified in 3.4% of individuals (1.7% of forearms). Radial, ulnar, and persistent median arterial diameters were 2.12 ± 0.40 mm, 1.89 ± 0.41 mm, and 0.82 ± 0.33 mm, respectively. The radial artery was significantly larger than the ulnar artery (p < 0.0001). In cadaveric subjects, four "potential" PMAs were identified by pre-dissection ultrasound. Upon dissection, only one of the "potential" PMAs was confirmed, and three previously unidentified PMAs were identified.  Conclusions The prevalence of PMA in living subjects was lower than previously reported. Additionally, handheld ultrasound had low accuracy in identifying PMAs in cadavers prior to dissection. This could be an indication that current handheld ultrasound lacks the sensitivity to identify millimeter-sized vasculature, such as a PMA. In both populations of subjects, key, non-anomalous anatomy was readily seen, indicating the utility of handheld ultrasound in the proper context.

[Treatment of acute ankle distortion in footballers : Are we doing it particularly right or particularly wrong?]

BACKGROUND

Despite the high incidence of ankle sprains, the ideal treatment is controversial and a significant percentage of patients who have suffered an ankle sprain never fully recover. Even professional athletes are affected by this post-traumatic complication. There is strong evidence that permanent impairment after an ankle injury is often due to an inadequate rehabilitation and training program and too early return to sport.

THERAPY AND REHABILITATION

Therefore, athletes should start a criteria-based rehabilitation after ankle sprain and gradually progress through the programmed activities, including e.g. cryotherapy, edema reduction, optimal load management, range of motion exercises to improve ankle dorsiflexion and digital guidance, stretching of the triceps surae with isometric exercises and strengthening of the peroneus muscles, balance and proprioception training, and bracing/taping. The fact that this is professional sport does not exempt it from consistent, stage-appropriate treatment and a cautious increase in load. However, there are a number of measures and tools that can be used in the intensive care of athletes to improve treatment and results.

Influencing Physical Therapist's Self-efficacy for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Through Blended Learning: A Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

With the growing interest for physical therapists to incorporate musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound comes a need to understand how to organize training to promote the transfer of training to clinical practice. A common training strategy blends asynchronous learning through online modules and virtual simulations with synchronous practice on live simulated participants. However, few physical therapists who attend MSK ultrasound continuing education courses integrate ultrasound into clinical practice. Self-efficacy is a significant predictor of training transfer effectiveness. This study describes to what degree and how a blended learning strategy influenced participants' self-efficacy for MSK ultrasound and transfer of training to clinical practice.

SUBJECTS

Twenty-one outpatient physical therapists with no previous MSK ultrasound training.

METHODS

Twenty-one participants assessed their self-efficacy using a 26-item self-efficacy questionnaire at 3 intervals: before asynchronous, before synchronous training, and before returning to clinical practice. Participants were interviewed within 1 week of training using a semi-structured interview guide. Quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics and repeated-measures ANOVA. Thematic analysis was used to examine participants' experiences, and "following the thread" was used to integrate findings.

RESULTS

Self-efficacy questionnaire mean scores increased significantly across the 3- time points ( F [2, 40] = 172.7, P < .001, η 2 = 0.896). Thematic analysis indicated that asynchronous activities scaffolded participants' knowledge, enhanced their self-efficacy, and prepared them for synchronous learning; however, it did not replicate the challenges of MSK ultrasound. Synchronous activities further improved self-efficacy and helped participants better calibrate their self-judgments of their abilities and readiness to integrate MSK ultrasound training into clinical practice. Despite individual-level improvements in self-efficacy, interviewees recognized their limitations and a need for longitudinal training in a clinical environment.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

A blended learning approach positively affects participants' self-efficacy for MSK ultrasound; however, future training designs should provide learners with additional support during the transition phase.

[Ultrasound in sports traumatology]

Ultrasound (US) has numerous applications in sports traumatology. The technical progress of mobile US devices has led to increasing use of ultrasound as a primary diagnostic tool. New applications such as elastography and 3 D vascularization are used for special indications.The purpose of this review is to present the current status of ultrasound in the diagnosis of sports injuries and sport traumatology including established applications and new technical advances. US is presented both in its comparison to other imaging modalities and as a sole diagnostic tool.US can be used for initial diagnosis to improve the clinical examination and for intensive shortterm follow-up imaging. The main areas of application are currently the diagnosis of acute muscle and tendon injuries as well as overuse injuries. In particular, the exclusion of structural muscle injuries can be adequately ensured with US in the majority of anatomical regions. The recently published guideline on fracture ultrasound has strengthened the clinical evidence in this area, especially in comparison to conventional radiography and in the development of algorithms and standards. The increasing use of mobile ultrasound equipment with adequate image quality makes US a location-independent modality that can also be used at training sites or during road games.

Reliability of Ultrasound Measurements of the Median Nerve in Asymptomatic Subjects Using a Handheld Device

This study investigated the reliability of measuring the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) at the carpal tunnel inlet using a handheld ultrasound device (HUD) compared to a standard ultrasound system, focusing on intra- and inter-operator reproducibility among novice and expert operators. Employing a prospective cross-sectional design, 37 asymptomatic adults were assessed using both devices, with measurements taken by an expert with over five years of experience and a novice with less than six months. The CSA was determined using manual tracing and ellipse methods, with reproducibility evaluated through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and agreement assessed via Bland-Altman plots. Results showed a high degree of agreement between the devices, with excellent intra-operator reproducibility (ICC > 0.80) for the expert, and moderate reproducibility for the novice (ICCs ranging from 0.539 to 0.841). Inter-operator reliability was generally moderate, indicating acceptable consistency across different experience levels. The study concludes that HUDs are comparable to standard ultrasound systems for assessing median nerve CSA in asymptomatic subjects, with both devices providing reliable measurements. This supports the use of HUDs in diverse clinical environments, particularly where access to traditional ultrasound is limited. Further research with a larger sample and symptomatic patients is recommended to validate these findings.

Ultrasound in sports traumatology

BACKGROUND

 Ultrasound (US) has numerous applications in sports traumatology. The technical progress of mobile US devices has led to increasing use of ultrasound as a primary diagnostic tool. New applications such as elastography and 3 D vascularization are used for special indications.

METHOD

 The purpose of this review is to present the current status of ultrasound in the diagnosis of sports injuries and sport traumatology including established applications and new technical advances. US is presented both in its comparison to other imaging modalities and as a sole diagnostic tool.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

 US can be used for initial diagnosis to improve the clinical examination and for intensive short-term follow-up imaging. The main areas of application are currently the diagnosis of acute muscle and tendon injuries as well as overuse injuries. In particular, the exclusion of structural muscle injuries can be adequately ensured with US in the majority of anatomical regions. The recently published guideline on fracture ultrasound has strengthened the clinical evidence in this area, especially in comparison to conventional radiography and in the development of algorithms and standards. The increasing use of mobile ultrasound equipment with adequate image quality makes US a location-independent modality that can also be used at training sites or during road games.

KEY POINTS

  · Typically used for quick, focused initial diagnostic assessment and short-term follow-up after injury. · Mobile US devices allow increased use in training centers and training camps. · New US applications (SWE, 3 D) increase standardization in follow-up of tendon injuries. · Targeted use of US for musculoskeletal diagnostic assessment saves money and frees up capacity.

CITATION FORMAT

· Lerchbaumer MH, Perschk M, Gwinner C. Ultrasound in sports traumatology. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; 196: 440 - 449.

A Cadaveric Study Examining the Accuracy of Wireless Hand-Held Guided Ultrasound Injections Versus Blind Injections in the Flexor Tendon Sheath

Purpose

Hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) is gaining popularity among clinicians. Although its use for procedural guidance could have several advantages in hand surgery, other surgeons may wonder about its added benefits. This cadaveric study aimed to examine the hypothesis of increased accuracy of wireless HHUS-guided injections versus that of blind injections into the flexor sheath.

Methods

Our series included 20 fresh cadaveric hands with 80 fingers randomly assigned to 2 groups. In group A, 10 hands were randomly assigned to receive a landmark injection and then received a blinded injection to the flexor tendon sheath (FTS). In group B, 10 hands were blinded in the same manner and received an ultrasound-guided injection with HHUS. Methylene blue was injected, and anatomic dissection was performed to evaluate the injection accuracy based on the dye's filling pattern in the FTS as stage I (no filling), stage II (<50% filling), and stage III (>50% filling). Statistical analysis was performed, and P <.05 indicated a significant difference.

Results

One finger was excluded because of severe Dupuytren contracture. In group A, 39 blind injections of the FTS were performed, with 82% (32/39) fingers achieving stage III filling. In group B, 40 ultrasound-guided FTS injections were performed, with 90% (36/40) of fingers achieving stage III filing. Our study did not reveal any superiority in accuracy when ultrasound guidance was used (P = .35).

Conclusions

Hand-held ultrasound-guided FTS injections were not more accurate than blind injections performed by an experienced hand surgeon. These findings suggest that blind injections can be used as routine practice when performed by experienced operators to treat trigger finger. However, the use of HHUS may offer other advantages in hand surgery practice.

Clinical relevance

Ultimately, choosing to perform HHUS-guided injection versus blind injection to treat trigger finger depends on the surgeon's experience and preference for a particular technique.

The Emerging Role of Automation, Measurement Standardization, and Artificial Intelligence in Foot and Ankle Imaging: An Update

In the past few years, advances in clinical imaging in the realm of foot and ankle have been consequential and game changing. Improvements in the hardware aspects, together with the development of computer-assisted interpretation and intervention tools, have led to a noticeable improvement in the quality of health care for foot and ankle patients. Focusing on the mainstay imaging tools, including radiographs, computed tomography scans, and ultrasound, in this review study, the authors explored the literature for reports on the new achievements in improving the quality, accuracy, accessibility, and affordability of clinical imaging in foot and ankle.

Accuracy of Wireless Hand-Held Guided Ultrasound Injections in the Trapeziometacarpal Joint: A Cadaveric Study

Background Symptomatic trapeziometacarpal osteoarthrosis can be treated with an ultrasound-guided injection in the early stages. This cadaveric study aimed to assess the hypothesis suggesting enhanced accuracy and reliability of hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) injections compared to blind injections into the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMC). Materials and method Our series included 20 fresh cadaveric hands, with a total of 20 TMC randomly assigned to two groups. In group A, 10 TMC received a blinded injection, and in group B, 10 TMC received an ultrasound-guided injection with HHUS. Methylene blue was injected, and anatomical dissection was performed to assess the intra-articular location of the dye. The injection was considered accurate if the intra-articular synovial fluid was stained after opening the articular capsule on the dorsal approach. If there was no injection, it was inaccurate. A statistical analysis was performed, and p <.05 indicated a significant difference. Results Two thumbs were excluded during the study due to an existing trapeziectomy. In group A, 10 blind injections of TMC were performed, with 70% (7/10) of injections graded as accurate. In group B, eight ultrasound-guided injections were performed, with 75% (6/8) achieving accuracy. A Fisher's exact test was performed, and the results indicated no statistically significant difference in injection accuracy between the two groups (P = 1, odds ratio = 0.788). Conclusion Hand-held ultrasound guided TMC injections were not more accurate than blind injections performed by an experienced hand surgeon. Nonetheless, additional studies with a larger sample and comparative studies with conventional cart-based machines are necessary to evaluate the potential of this newly accessible device.

Physicians' perceptions of the daily use of a handheld ultrasound device in the labor room

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to describe the perception of physicians who use a handheld ultrasound (US) device in an intensive perinatal care unit.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study in the labor ward of an intensive perinatal care unit between November 2021 and May 2022. Obstetrics & Gynecology residents in rotation in our department during this time were recruited as participants in this study. All the participants were provided with a handheld US device Vscan Air™ (GE Healthcare, Zipf, Austria) to use during their normal days and nights practice in labor ward. At the end of their 6 months rotation, participants completed an anonymous surveys about their perceptions of the handheld US device. The survey included questions about the ease of use in clinical situations, the amount of time of initial diagnosis, performances of the device, feasibility to use, and patient's satisfaction with the use of the device.

RESULTS

6 residents in their last year of residency were included. All the participants were satisfied with the device and would like to use it in their future practice. They all agreed that the probe was easy to handle and that the mobile application was easy to use. Image quality was always considered good by the participants and 5/6 of them declared that the handheld US device was always sufficient and did not require any confirmation with a conventional US machine. 5/6 of the participants considered that the handheld US device allowed them to gain time for clinical decision but half of them did not estimate that the use of the handheld US device improved their ability to make a clinical diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that the Vscan Air™ is easy to use, with a good quality image and reduces the amount of time to make a clinical diagnosis. Handheld US device could be useful in the daily practice in maternity hospital.

A Qualitative Analysis of Clinician Perspectives of Ultrasound Biofeedback for Speech Sound Disorders

PURPOSE

Ultrasound biofeedback therapy (UBT) is a relatively new type of technology-assisted speech-language therapy and has shown promise in remediating speech sound disorders. However, there is a current lack of understanding of the barriers and benefits that may influence the usage behavior and clinical decision making for the implementation of UBT from a clinician perspective. In this qualitative study, we explore the perspectives of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who have used ultrasound biofeedback in programs of speech sound therapy using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model.

METHOD

Seven SLPs who had clinical experience treating speech sound disorders with UBT participated. Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted and video-recorded. Two coders coded and categorized the transcribed data, with consensus established with a third coder. Using thematic analysis, the data were exploratorily grouped into themes along components of the UTAUT model.

RESULTS

The highest number of codes was sorted into the "effort expectancy" theme, followed by "performance expectancy," "social influence," and "facilitating conditions" themes of the UTAUT model. Clinicians identified multiple perceived barriers and benefits to the use of ultrasound technology. The top identified barrier was limited accessibility, and the top benefit was the ability to visualize a client's articulatory response to cues on a display.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians prioritized "effort expectancy" and "performance expectancy" when reflecting on the use of ultrasound biofeedback for speech sound disorders. Clinicians spoke favorably about using UBT for speech sound disorder treatment but acknowledged institutional barriers and limitations at organizational and social levels.

Lumbar multifidus muscle ultrasound imaging: Is handheld technology reliable?

BACKGROUND

Advancement in ultrasound imaging technology has led to the development of handheld devices that are more accessible to physical therapists due to decreased cost, reduced size, and improved ease of use relative to current established units. Physical therapists use ultrasound imaging of the lumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) to assist in rehabilitation of patients with lumbar pathology.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the inter-device reliability of measuring the LMM thickness during a sustained contraction when comparing handheld (Butterfly iQ+) and established (SonoSite M-Turbo) ultrasound units. A secondary purpose was to determine the reliability of a student physical therapist using both devices.

DESIGN

A reliability measurement study METHOD: A blinded examiner identified the LMM at the L4 vertebral level and measured the thickness of the contracted muscle utilizing both the handheld and established ultrasound devices. ICC values were calculated to determine the inter-device and intra-rater reliability.

RESULTS

The study included 42 healthy participants, 30 females and 12 males, with a mean age of 38.5 years. The inter-device reliability during a sustained LMM contraction was excellent (ICC = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.94) and the intra-rater reliability was good for both the handheld (ICC = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73-0.92) and established (ICC = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82-0.93) ultrasound units.

CONCLUSION

Results support the use of handheld ultrasound by physical therapists and students to measure the LMM thickness. Future studies could investigate the reliability of handheld ultrasound in a variety of musculoskeletal and pathological structures important to PT practice.

Development of Single-Channel Dual-Element Custom-Made Ultrasound Scanner with Miniature Optical Position Tracker for Freehand Imaging

Handheld ultrasound has great potential in resource-limited areas, and can improve healthcare for rural populations. Single-channel ultrasound has been widely used in many clinical ultrasound applications, and optical tracking is considered accurate and reliable. In this study, we developed a 10 MHz lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) dual-element ultrasound transducer combined with a miniature optical position tracker, and then measured the rectus femoris of the thigh, upper arm, and cheek muscles. Compared to single-element transducers, dual-element transducers improve the contrast of near-field signals, effectively reduce noise, and are suitable for measuring curved surfaces. The purpose of position tracking is to calculate the location of the ultrasound transducer during the measurement process. By utilizing positioning information, 2D ultrasound imaging can be achieved while maintaining structural integrity. The dual-element ultrasound scanner presented in this study can enable continuous scanning over a large area without a scanning width limitation. The custom-made dual-element ultrasound scanner has the advantage of being a portable, reliable, and low-cost ultrasound device, and is helpful in popularizing medical care for remote villages.

Utility of hand-held ultrasound for image acquisition and interpretation by trained Kenyan providers

BACKGROUND

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) plays a prominent role in the timely recognition and management of multiple medical, surgical, and obstetric conditions. A POCUS training program for primary healthcare providers in rural Kenya was developed in 2013. A significant challenge to this program is the acquisition of reasonably priced ultrasound machines with adequate image quality and the ability to transmit images for remote review. The goal of this study is to compare the utility of a smartphone-connected, hand-held ultrasound with a traditional ultrasound device for image acquisition and interpretation by trained healthcare providers in Kenya.

METHODS

This study took place during a routine re-training and testing session for healthcare providers who had already received POCUS training. The testing session involved a locally validated Observed Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) that assessed trainees' skills in performing the Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (E-FAST) and focused obstetric exams. Each trainee performed the OSCE twice, once using a smartphone-connected hand-held ultrasound and once using their notebook ultrasound model.

RESULTS

Five trainees obtained a total of 120 images and were scored on image quality and interpretation. Overall E-FAST imaging quality scores were significantly higher for the notebook ultrasound compared to the hand-held ultrasound but there was no significant difference in image interpretation. Overall focused obstetric image quality and image interpretation scores were the same for both ultrasound systems. When separated into individual E-FAST and focused obstetric views, there were no statistically significant differences in the image quality or image interpretation scores between the two ultrasound systems. Images obtained using the hand-held ultrasound were uploaded to the associated cloud storage using a local 3G-cell phone network. Upload times were 2-3 min.

CONCLUSION

Among POCUS trainees in rural Kenya, the hand-held ultrasound was found to be non-inferior to the traditional notebook ultrasound for focused obstetric image quality, focused obstetric image interpretation, and E-FAST image interpretation. However, hand-held ultrasound use was found to be inferior for E-FAST image quality. These differences were not observed when evaluating each E-FAST and focused obstetric views separately. The hand-held ultrasound allowed for rapid image transmission for remote review.

Handheld Ultrasound Does not Replace Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosis of Rotator Cuff Tears

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of handheld ultrasound (HHUS) alone versus conventional ultrasound (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis of rotator cuff tears and versus MRI plus computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis of fatty infiltration.

Methods

Adult patients with shoulder complaints were included in this study. HHUS of the shoulder was performed twice by an orthopedic surgeon and once by a radiologist. RCTs, tear width, retraction and FI were measured. Inter- and intrarater reliability of the HHUS was calculated using a Cohen's kappa coefficient. Criterion and concurrent validity were calculated using a Spearman's correlation coefficient.

Results

Sixty-one patients (64 shoulders) were included in this study. Intra-rater agreement of HHUS for assessment of RCTs (к = 0.914, supraspinatus) and FI (к = 0.844, supraspinatus) was moderate to strong. Interrater agreement was none to minimal for the diagnosis of RCTs (к = 0.465, supraspinatus) and FI (к = 0.346, supraspinatus). Concurrent validity of HHUS compared to MRI was fair for diagnosis of RCTs (r = 0.377, supraspinatus) and fair-to-moderate FI (r = 0.608, supraspinatus). HHUS shows a sensitivity of 81.1% and specificity of 62.5% for diagnosis of supraspinatus tears, 60% and 93.1% for subscapularis tears, 55.6% and 88.9% for infraspinatus tears.

Conclusions

On the basis of findings in this study, we conclude that HHUS is an aid in diagnosis of RCTs and higher degrees of FI in patients who are not obese, but it does not replace MRI as the gold standard. Further clinical studies on the application of HHUS comparing HHUS devices in larger patient populations and healthy patients are required to identify its utility in clinical practice.

Level of Evidence

Level III.

Review of Reliable and Valid Noninvasive Tools for the Diagnosis of Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

Background

Currently, invasive dynamic intracompartmental pressure (ICP) measurements are considered the gold standard for diagnosis of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). During recent years, different noninvasive imaging modalities have been presented as a possible replacement for ICP measurement.

Purpose

To provide an overview of the current state of evidence and possibilities regarding noninvasive diagnostic methods for CECS.

Study Design

Scoping review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

The PubMed (MEDLINE) and Embase databases were searched using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Full-text articles were included if they reported on noninvasive diagnostic methods for CECS, included ≥5 patients with CECS, and were published between 1994 and 2022. Articles not written in English were excluded. Systematic reviews, letters to the editor, and case reports were not eligible for inclusion. Out of 961 articles identified in the initial search, 25 studies (N = 1257 participants) were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-Comparative (QUADAS-C) tool for comparative studies and the QUADAS-2 tool for noncomparative studies. Narrative synthesis was used to present results.

Results

The level of evidence for the 25 studies ranged from 2 to 4. Four studies were classified as having a low risk of bias, 21 studies were classified as being at risk of bias. The following noninvasive diagnostic tools for CECS were reported: magnetic resonance imaging/diffusion tensor imaging (n = 8), near-infrared spectroscopy (n = 6), electromyography (n = 4), single-photon emission computed tomography (n = 5), ultrasound (n = 2), myotonometry (n=1) and predictive clinical model (n = 1). There was insufficient evidence in the literature to support the use of any of these noninvasive diagnostic tools as a gold standard for CECS.

Conclusion

Despite the need to replace the controversial use of ICP for the diagnosis of CECS, our review indicated a lack of validity on all discussed noninvasive diagnostic tools as a replacement.

Comparison of four handheld point-of-care ultrasound devices by expert users

Background

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is rapidly becoming ubiquitous across healthcare specialties. This is due to several factors including its portability, immediacy of results to guide clinical decision-making, and lack of radiation exposure to patients. The recent growth of handheld ultrasound devices has improved access to ultrasound for many clinicians. Few studies have directly compared different handheld ultrasound devices among themselves or to cart-based ultrasound machines. We conducted a prospective observational study comparing four common handheld ultrasound devices for ease of use, image quality, and overall satisfaction. Twenty-four POCUS experts utilized four handheld devices (Butterfly iQ+™ by Butterfly Network Inc., Kosmos™ by EchoNous, Vscan Air™ by General Electric, and Lumify™ by Philips Healthcare) to obtain three ultrasound views on the same standardized patients using high- and low-frequency probes.

Results

Data were collected from 24 POCUS experts using all 4 handheld devices. No single ultrasound device was superior in all categories. For overall ease of use, the Vscan Air™ was rated highest, followed by the Lumify™. For overall image quality, Lumify™ was rated highest, followed by Kosmos™. The Lumify™ device was rated highest for overall satisfaction, while the Vscan Air™ was rated as the most likely to be purchased personally and carried in one’s coat pocket. The top 5 characteristics of handheld ultrasound devices rated as being “very important” were image quality, ease of use, portability, total costs, and availability of different probes.

Conclusions

In a comparison of four common handheld ultrasound devices in the United States, no single handheld ultrasound device was perceived to have all desired characteristics. POCUS experts rated the Lumify™ highest for image quality and Vscan Air™ highest for ease of use. Overall satisfaction was highest with the Lumify™ device, while the most likely to be purchased as a pocket device was the Vscan Air™. Image quality was felt to be the most important characteristic in evaluating handheld ultrasound devices.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13089-022-00274-6.

Medial Meniscal Extrusion Evaluation With Weight-Bearing Ultrasound: Correlation With MR Imaging Findings and Reported Symptoms: Correlation With MR Imaging Findings and Reported Symptoms

OBJECTIVES

To compare medial meniscal extrusion on weight-bearing ultrasound (US) with supine US and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging correlating with meniscal pathology and reported symptoms.

METHODS

IRB approved study with informed consent. Patients obtaining routine knee MR imaging for suspected knee pathology were prospectively evaluated with supine and weight-bearing US of the medial meniscus. Meniscal extrusion was measured independently by two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. Correlation was made to presence or absence of meniscal degeneration or tear on MR imaging, as well as reported symptoms. Statistical significance was calculated via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

Ninety-nine knees from 95 subjects (50 males, 45 females; mean age 45 ± 15 years) were included. Mean medial meniscal extrusion measured at US for a normal meniscus (n = 36) was 0.8 mm when supine, increasing to 1.6 mm on weight-bearing. Mean meniscal extrusion in subjects with mucoid degeneration (n = 20) and those with meniscal tears (n = 43) was 1.6 mm, increasing to 2.3 mm with weight bearing. Inter-reader reliability showed ICC values of 0.853 to 0.940. There was a significant difference in medial meniscal extrusion comparing subjects with a normal medial meniscus at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and subjects with either meniscal degeneration or tear. There was no significant difference in degree of meniscal extrusion between subjects with meniscal degeneration or tear. There was trend of worsening symptoms and increasing functional limitations moving from normal meniscus to meniscal degeneration to meniscal tear.

CONCLUSIONS

A normal meniscus shows lesser mobility between supine and upright position, than a pathologic meniscus. Both mucoid degeneration and meniscal tear demonstrate extrusion in the supine position, which increases with weight-bearing position.

Pain After Preoperative Ultrasound Guided Hip Injections for Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction. Hip replacement is a frequently performed and highly successful treatment for patients with end stage osteoarthritis. Advances in technique and pain management have allowed for rapid mobilization and early discharge after surgery. We hypothesize that pre-incision intra-articular injection of local anesthetic with epinephrine under image guidance combined with post incision peri-articular injection (PAI) may be more effective than PAI alone. Methods. A prospective, randomized, controlled, comparative investigation at a single institution of 41 patients undergoing THA who received standard 30 mL post-arthrotomy, PAI of ropivacaine with epinephrine under direct visualization after prosthesis implantation before closure or an equivalent dose divided into a 10 mL pre-incision, ultrasound guided intra-articular injection and a 20 mL post-arthrotomy PAI. Results. 42 patients were included in this study before its early conclusion with 22 patients in the treatment group and 20 in the control group. There were no significant differences in age, BMI or ASA scores. Additionally, there were no significant differences noted when comparing groups by postoperative outcome measures including OMME, EBL, OR time, PACU minutes, and first and last PACU pain score. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the PROMs evaluated. Discussion. The addition of ultrasound guided pre-incision intra-articular injection to the standard PAI had no benefit when compared with standard PAI during a THA. Portable mobile phone based ultrasound devices provide a cost effective way to perform musculoskeletal blocks, and further studies on their use and comparative accuracy is warranted. A novel technique for confirmation of injection location is described.

The Emerging Era of Interventional Imaging in Rheumatology: An Overview During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Imaging has long been taking its place in the diagnosis, monitor, and prognosis of rheumatic diseases. It plays a vital role in the appraisal of treatment. Key progress in the clinical practice of rheumatology is the innovation of advanced imaging modalities; such as musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS), computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These modalities introduced a promising noninvasive method for visualizing bone and soft tissues to enable an improved diagnosis. The use of MSUS in rheumatology is considered a landmark in the evolution of the specialty and its ease of use and many applications in rheumatic diseases make it a forerunner instrument in the practice. The use of MSUS among rheumatologists must parallel the development rate of the excellence revealed in the specialty. Moreover, innovative interventional imaging in rheumatology (III-R) is gaining fame and key roles in the near future for a comprehensive management of rheumatic diseases with precision. This review article throws light on the emergence of these robust innovations that may reshape the guidelines and practice in rheumatology, in particular, efforts to enhance best practice during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are endorsed.

Performance of a Handheld Ultrasound Device to Assess Articular and Periarticular Pathologies in Patients with Inflammatory Arthritis

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and performance of a new handheld ultrasound (HHUS) machine in comparison to a conventional cart-based sonographic machine in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA). IA patients with at least one tender and swollen joint count were enrolled. US was performed on the clinically affected joints using a cart-based sonographic device (Samsung HS40) and a HHUS device (Butterfly iQ). One blinded reader scored all images for the presence of erosions, bony enlargement, synovial hypertrophy, joint effusion, bursitis, tenosynovitis, and enthesitis. Synovitis was graded (B mode and power Doppler (PD)) by the 4-level EULAR-OMERACT scale. To avoid bias by the blinded reader, we included 67 joints of two healthy volunteers in the evaluation. We calculated the overall concordance and the concordance by type of joint and pathological finding. We also measured the time required for the US examination per joint with both devices. Thirty-two patients (20 with RA, 10 with PsA, and one each with gout and SLE-associated arthritis) were included, and 186 joints were examined. The overall raw concordance in B mode was 97% (κappa 0.90, 95% CI (0.89, 0.94)). In B mode, no significant differences were found in relation to type of joint or pathological finding examined. The PD mode of the HHUS device did not detect any PD signal, whereas the cart-based device detected a PD signal in 61 joints (33%). The portable device did not offer any time savings compared to the cart-based device (47.0 versus 46.3 s). The HHUS device was accurate in the assessment of structural damage and inflammation in patients with IA, but only in the B mode. Significant improvements are still needed for HHUS to reliably demonstrate blood flow detection in PD mode.