PURPOSE: Indication for surgery in spine trauma patients depends on the extent of destruction of the spine. Computer-assisted tomography scan (CAT scan) is not suitable to diagnose type B-injuries. Aim of the study was to investigate whether ultrasound is able to detect destruction of the posterior ligament complex (PLC). METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were included. The results of ultrasound were compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CAT scan, X-ray, intraoperative findings. Statistical analysis was carried out by an independent observer. RESULTS: In 27 cases both ultrasound and MRI had the same result. In two cases, ultrasound failed to detect ligamentous injury. The sensitivity of ultrasound was 0.82 (CI 0.48-0.98), its specificity: 1. MRI and Ultrasound findings had a strong positive correlation (phi = 0.85, Cohen's kappa: 0.85, with 95 % confidence interval 0.65-1) and a high significance (Fischer's exact test: p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound may indicate rupture or integrity of PLC in cases where MRI is missing.
PURPOSE: Indication for surgery in spine traumapatients depends on the extent of destruction of the spine. Computer-assisted tomography scan (CAT scan) is not suitable to diagnose type B-injuries. Aim of the study was to investigate whether ultrasound is able to detect destruction of the posterior ligament complex (PLC). METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were included. The results of ultrasound were compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CAT scan, X-ray, intraoperative findings. Statistical analysis was carried out by an independent observer. RESULTS: In 27 cases both ultrasound and MRI had the same result. In two cases, ultrasound failed to detect ligamentous injury. The sensitivity of ultrasound was 0.82 (CI 0.48-0.98), its specificity: 1. MRI and Ultrasound findings had a strong positive correlation (phi = 0.85, Cohen's kappa: 0.85, with 95 % confidence interval 0.65-1) and a high significance (Fischer's exact test: p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound may indicate rupture or integrity of PLC in cases where MRI is missing.
Authors: Bruno C R Borges; Paul Wieczorek; Paul Wieczoreck; Mrinalini Balki; Jose C A Carvalho Journal: Reg Anesth Pain Med Date: 2009 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 6.288
Authors: Lutz Arne Mueller; Jürgen Degreif; Rainer Schmidt; David Pfander; Raimund Forst; Pol Maria Rommens; Lars Peter Mueller; Lothar Rudig Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2006-09-15 Impact factor: 3.468