Salvatore Gitto1, Carmelo Messina2,3, Vito Chianca4, Bruno Tuscano5, Angelo Lazzara6, Angelo Corazza4, Luigi Pedone4, Domenico Albano4,7, Luca Maria Sconfienza1,4. 1. Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milano, Italy. 2. Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milano, Italy. carmelo.messina@unimi.it. 3. IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy. carmelo.messina@unimi.it. 4. IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy. 5. ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy. 6. Dipartimento di Radiologia e Neuroradiologia Pediatrica, Ospedale dei Bambini "V. Buzzi", Milano, Italy. 7. Sezione di Scienze Radiologiche, Dipartimento di Biomedicina, Neuroscienze e Diagnostica Avanzata, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the current literature concerning the role of superb microvascular imaging (SMI), a novel Doppler technique that enables detection of fine vessels and slow blood flow, in the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: An online search of the literature was conducted for the period 2013 to April 2019 and included original articles written in English language. A data analysis was performed at the end of the literature search. RESULTS: Eight original articles with prospective design and one with retrospective design were included in this review: 4 studies focused on rheumatoid arthritis, 2 on rheumatoid and other arthritides, 1 on lateral epicondylosis and 2 on carpal tunnel syndrome. Sample size ranged from 26 to 83 patients. Despite some methodological differences, all studies compared the performance of SMI with that of a conventional Doppler technique such as power and color Doppler and found an improvement in vascularity detection with SMI. The main variations were in sample size, evaluated parameters and vascularity interpretation methods. Inter-observer agreement for SMI ranged from moderate to excellent. CONCLUSIONS: SMI is a promising tool for the diagnosis and treatment planning of different musculoskeletal disorders. Future investigations should include larger samples of patients with long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the current literature concerning the role of superb microvascular imaging (SMI), a novel Doppler technique that enables detection of fine vessels and slow blood flow, in the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: An online search of the literature was conducted for the period 2013 to April 2019 and included original articles written in English language. A data analysis was performed at the end of the literature search. RESULTS: Eight original articles with prospective design and one with retrospective design were included in this review: 4 studies focused on rheumatoid arthritis, 2 on rheumatoid and other arthritides, 1 on lateral epicondylosis and 2 on carpal tunnel syndrome. Sample size ranged from 26 to 83 patients. Despite some methodological differences, all studies compared the performance of SMI with that of a conventional Doppler technique such as power and color Doppler and found an improvement in vascularity detection with SMI. The main variations were in sample size, evaluated parameters and vascularity interpretation methods. Inter-observer agreement for SMI ranged from moderate to excellent. CONCLUSIONS: SMI is a promising tool for the diagnosis and treatment planning of different musculoskeletal disorders. Future investigations should include larger samples of patients with long-term follow-up.
Authors: Flavia Cobianchi Bellisari; Luigi De Marino; Francesco Arrigoni; Silvia Mariani; Federico Bruno; Pierpaolo Palumbo; Camilla De Cataldo; Ferruccio Sgalambro; Nadia Catallo; Luigi Zugaro; Ernesto Di Cesare; Alessandra Splendiani; Carlo Masciocchi; Andrea Giovagnoni; Antonio Barile Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2021-05-18 Impact factor: 3.469