Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

This issue of Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology focuses on musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US). It is a widely accepted medical imaging technique with superb resolution for small and superficial anatomical structures that McCarthy describes at the level of the wrist and hand and Picasso et al for small nerves of the neck. Zaottini et al prepared a very technical and detailed anatomical paper to describe the intrinsic ligaments stabilizing the subtalar and midtarsal joints. The very high resolution of MSK-US up to 70 MHz is covered in the article by Albano et al. They discuss the impressive technical advancements of MSK-US that can lead to image resolution as low as 30 μm. A key article also useful for clinicians by Aparisi Gómez et al presents US as an ideal triaging tool for superficial soft tissue masses and also compares US with magnetic resonance imaging.

Snoj et al discuss ultrasound elastography, an adjunct tool to standard MSK-US in the evaluation of various MSK diseases. This rapidly evolving technique enhances the conventional 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. Chianca et al take a fresh look at the role of MSK-US in the emergency department, highlighting the main bone and soft tissue conditions that can be assessed there. The final three articles by Tagliafico et al, Mirón Mombiela et al, and Ivanoski and Nikodinovska focus on the role of new applications of MSK-US such as radiomics and quantitative MSK-US in sarcopenia assessment. These authors encourage application and research on the use of US as a biomarker.

These articles were written by expert groups in the fields of MSK-US and radiologic research. Most of the information included here will be useful not only for MSK radiologists, but also for both general and academic radiologists. This issue is not only an educational tool but also will serve to encourage future MSK radiologists to use US not only for diagnosis, but also as a biomarker with potential prognostic value.

I would like to thank the authors for their excellent and up-to-date contributions to this issue. I am confident that the use of MSK-US will continue to expand in the diagnosis and prognosis of MSK pathologies including peripheral nerves.