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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2020; 24(02): 156-166
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3402746
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Ultrasound Elastography in Musculoskeletal Radiology: Past, Present, and Future

Žiga Snoj 
1   Radiology Institute, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2   Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
,
C. H. Wu
3   Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
,
M.S. Taljanovic
4   Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, Business, SimonMed Imaging, Scottsdale, Arizona
,
I. Dumić-Čule
5   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
,
E. E. Drakonaki
6   Medical School of the European University, Cyprus
,
Andrea S. Klauser
7   Department of Radiology, Division of Rheumatology and Sports Imaging, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
21 May 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Ultrasound elastography (USE) is becoming an important adjunct tool in the evaluation of various musculoskeletal (MSK) traumatic conditions and diseases, with an increasing number of applications and publications in recent years. This rapidly evolving technique enhances the conventional ultrasound (US) examination by providing information on the elastic properties of tissue alongside the morphological and vascular information obtained from B-mode US and Doppler imaging. Those performing USE must have basic knowledge of its proper imaging techniques and limitations. In this review article, we place the USE in historical perspective and discuss basic techniques and current applications of USE in the evaluation of various traumatic and pathologic conditions of fasciae, nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and MSK soft tissue masses.

Keywords

ultrasound - elastography - musculoskeletal - quantitative imaging - shear deformation
 

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