Recently I’ve heard of incorporating spinal scanning during routine abdominal ultrasounds? Is that something that needs to be done routinelly? I can see the value in “unknown origin of abdominal pain” cases with possible pain radiating from spine-IVDD/ calcified disk, masses, etc. Any info/ data/ protocols on that?
Thank you,
Calin
Recently I’ve heard of incorporating spinal scanning during routine abdominal ultrasounds? Is that something that needs to be done routinelly? I can see the value in “unknown origin of abdominal pain” cases with possible pain radiating from spine-IVDD/ calcified disk, masses, etc. Any info/ data/ protocols on that?
Thank you,
Calin
Comments
Often have these cases sent
Often have these cases sent for abdominal ultrasound where the problem is IVDD. In the majority of cases, abdominal scan is normal and a good clinical examination localizes the spinal pain.
you are right; does other
you are right; does other sonographers ‘scan’ the spine during AUS routinelly?
if yes what are you looking for?
Calin
One cant look “behind the
One cant look “behind the mirror” unfortunately which would be necessary to assess any potential compressive effect of IVD disease with US. ONly the ventral and ventrolateral aspects of the spine are seen, the view on the spinal cord is procluded. We did some intraoperative US in hemi- & laminectomies and ventral slots to check the decompression during the surgery or to guide sampling in non-IVD cases – but that is more an acedemic apllication.
We do implement it though in patients where we localized a focus of possible discospondylitis/spondylitis/neoplasia/nerve root thickening or similar to guide our sampling.
i understand. So not
i understand. So not something that should be done routinelly. Thank you Dr Ondreka