Thomas H Marshburn1, Chris A Hadfield2, Ashot E Sargsyan3, Kathleen Garcia3, Douglas Ebert3, Scott A Dulchavsky4. 1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. 2. Canadian Space Agency, John H. Chapman Space Centre, Saint Hubert, Quebec, Canada. 3. Wyle Science, Technology & Engineering Group, Houston, Texas. 4. Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Changes in the lumbar and sacral spine occur with exposure to microgravity in astronauts; monitoring these alterations without radiographic capabilities on the International Space Station (ISS) requires novel diagnostic solutions to be developed. STUDY OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the ability of point-of-care ultrasound, performed by nonexpert-operator astronauts, to provide accurate anatomic information about the spine in long-duration crewmembers in space. METHODS: Astronauts received brief ultrasound instruction on the ground and performed in-flight cervical and lumbosacral ultrasound examinations using just-in-time training and remote expert tele-ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound examinations on the ISS used a portable ultrasound device with real-time communication/guidance with ground experts in Mission Control. RESULTS: The crewmembers were able to obtain diagnostic-quality examinations of the cervical and lumbar spine that would provide essential information about acute or chronic changes to the spine. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal ultrasound provides essential anatomic information in the cervical and lumbosacral spine; this technique may be extensible to point-of-care situations in emergency departments or resource-challenged areas without direct access to additional radiologic capabilities.
BACKGROUND: Changes in the lumbar and sacral spine occur with exposure to microgravity in astronauts; monitoring these alterations without radiographic capabilities on the International Space Station (ISS) requires novel diagnostic solutions to be developed. STUDY OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the ability of point-of-care ultrasound, performed by nonexpert-operator astronauts, to provide accurate anatomic information about the spine in long-duration crewmembers in space. METHODS: Astronauts received brief ultrasound instruction on the ground and performed in-flight cervical and lumbosacral ultrasound examinations using just-in-time training and remote expert tele-ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound examinations on the ISS used a portable ultrasound device with real-time communication/guidance with ground experts in Mission Control. RESULTS: The crewmembers were able to obtain diagnostic-quality examinations of the cervical and lumbar spine that would provide essential information about acute or chronic changes to the spine. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal ultrasound provides essential anatomic information in the cervical and lumbosacral spine; this technique may be extensible to point-of-care situations in emergency departments or resource-challenged areas without direct access to additional radiologic capabilities.
Authors: Adil S Ahmed; Raahul Ramakrishnan; Vignesh Ramachandran; Shyam S Ramachandran; Kevin Phan; Erik L Antonsen Journal: J Spine Surg Date: 2018-06
Authors: Nina Kolbe; Keith Killu; Victor Coba; Luca Neri; Kathleen M Garcia; Marti McCulloch; Alberta Spreafico; Scott Dulchavsky Journal: J Ultrasound Date: 2014-09-20