Ultrasound recommended as first choice for diagnosing muscle hernia
Ultrasound has outperformed MRI in a small Chinese study focused on muscle hernias, prompting the authors to recommend sonography as the first-line imaging modality for diagnosing these not-uncommon sports injuries.
The European Journal of Radiology published the findings online July 1.
Lead author XiuPing Zhou of Wenzhou Medical University and colleagues reviewed the cases of 26 patients with muscle herniation confirmed by surgery. Most of the injuries were located in the leg (19 in various muscles of the calf and four in the quadriceps).
All patients were examined by both ultrasound and MRI, and the team compared both sets of imaging findings with final lab results.
They found the ultrasound diagnoses reached 92.3 percent accuracy (24 of 26). MRI wasn’t far behind, at 84.6 percent (22 of 26).
The authors note ultrasound’s low cost compared with MRI and state that it can be used to observe the shape, size, location, internal echo and fascial defect of muscle hernia mass “in a dynamical way.”
“Ultrasound is a convenient method with high accuracy,” they add. “It should be used as the first choice of imaging modality.”
The authors acknowledge as limitations their study’s small sample and un-blinded, retrospective design.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.