PM&R
Volume 4, Issue 1 , Pages 37-49, January 2012

Ultrasound Applications in Electrodiagnosis

  • Andrea J. Boon, MBChB

      Affiliations

    • Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, PM&R 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905⁎
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to A.J.B.
    • ,
  • Jay Smith, MD

      Affiliations

    • Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN†
    • ,
  • C. Michel Harper, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN‡

Received 16 March 2011; accepted 5 July 2011.

This review article discusses the current scope of high-resolution diagnostic ultrasound in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease, both as a complementary tool to electrodiagnosis and in some cases as a stand-alone imaging modality. Indications, limitations, potential for research, and training and credentialing are discussed. Indications include needle guidance for nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography, diagnosis of nerve entrapment, diagnostic muscle imaging via grayscale analysis, and dynamic real-time imaging, including sonopalpation, to provide additional diagnostic information. The role of neuromuscular ultrasound in research is discussed, including the need to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and cost-effectiveness of these techniques when they are used alone or in combination. Training and credentialing are reviewed, specifically noting the challenge of the lack of formal training programs and the relatively long, flat learning curve of diagnostic ultrasound.

 
  • ⁎ Disclosure: nothing to disclose
  • † Disclosure: nothing to disclose
  • ‡ Disclosure: nothing to disclose

 This CME activity is designated for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and can be completed online at me.aapmr.org. Log on to www.me.aapmr.org, go to Lifelong Learning (CME) and select Journal-based CME from the drop down menu. This activity is FREE to AAPM&R members and $25 for non-members.

 Peer reviewers and all others who control content have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

 Disclosure Key can be found on the Table of Contents and at www.pmrjournal.org

PII: S1934-1482(11)00464-3

doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2011.07.004

PM&R
Volume 4, Issue 1 , Pages 37-49, January 2012

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