Ultrasound: Soft tissue

Revision as of 16:31, 5 January 2015 by Neil.m.young (talk | contribs)

Background

  • Soft tissue u/s can help with differentiating abscess from cellulitis
  • Many types of foreign bodies can be visualized

Abscess

  • Novice sonographers can predict a positive I&D with SN 0.97 and SP 0.67 (vs clinical exam 0.76 and 0.83)[1]

Images

Instructions

  1. Select linear probe (high freq probe)
  2. Scan area of concern (orientation of probe not as important)
  3. Rotate 90° over area of concern
  4. If hypoechoic area is identified, apply gentle pressure over area

Findings

Cellulitis

Images

Instructions

  1. Select linear probe (high freq probe)
  2. Scan area of concern (orientation of probe not as important)
  3. Rotate 90° over area of concern

Findings

Foreign Body

Images

Instructions

  1. Select linear probe (high freq probe)
  2. Scan area of concern (orientation of probe not as important)
  3. Rotate 90° over area of concern

Findings

External Links

Sources

  1. Berger, T, et al. Bedside ultrasound performed by novices for the detection of abscess in ED patients with soft tissue infections. Am J Emerg Med. 2012; 30(8):1569-73. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2011.08.002.