Ultrasonography in the evaluation of muscular trauma.

Ultrasonography was performed to assess muscle injuries in 120 advanced-level athletes. Real-time sonography was chosen for evaluation since it allowed a comparison between the muscles at rest and during contraction. Pathologic patterns are reported and compared with the normal ultrasonic muscular anatomy. Twenty-five subjects were referred for surgery. All lesions had abnormal sonograms, and these were correctly described in 21 cases (84 per cent). Ultrasonic investigation is a reliable, useful method to confirm, locate and evaluate traumatic muscular lesions and to assess the need for surgical repair.