Aim: The sonographic examination of the shoulder and elbow joint is demonstrated in standardized sectional planes providing a reproducible representation of anatomical structures.
Method: In ultrasound examination of the shoulder joint the following standardized planes are employed transverse and longitudinal planes in the dorsal, superior/lateral and ventral region. In ultrasound examination of the elbow joint the following standardized planes are employed: a transverse and two longitudinal planes in the ventral region, a transverse and a longitudinal plane in the dorsal region. These standardized sectional planes, performed in a real-time-procedure using a 7.5 MHz linear transducer, as well as the images on the screen, correspond to the guidelines provided by the German Society of Ultrasonography in the Locomotor Apparatus (DEGUM). In cases without pathological findings two standardized planes have to be documented. Otherwise the pathological finding has to be documented in two standardized planes.
Results: The introduced examination technique in standardized sectional planes provides an excellent overview of the shoulder and elbow joint with a sufficient evaluation of the periarticular soft tissue and the bony surface. The main advantages in comparison to other diagnostic means (i.e. CT, MRI) lies in the possible dynamic examination which allows excellent imaging especially in rotator cuff lesions.
Conclusion: Because of the excellent evaluation of the periarticular structures, ultrasound plays a major diagnostic role in shoulder joint diseases. Furthermore this technique provides important information about intra- and periarticular disorders of the elbow joint. The standardized procedures are a useful means of assuring and improving the quality of sonographic examinations of articular and periarticular structures.