Abstract
Purposes of the study and background: This study tests the hypothesis that it is possible to visualise the cervical spine musculature using ultrasound. The use of diagnostic ultrasound is well established for assessing other anatomical regions; whereas the cervical spine has received little attention. Other available imaging procedures can be resource intensive with recognized risks and do not give an indication of structural detail. Ultrasound has the potential to resolve these inadequacies and would therefore be appealing.
Summary of the methods and the results: 10 healthy volunteers (age range: 21–36 years, 6 females, 4 males) were evaluated using a 8-16MHz linear array transducer (Diasus Dynamic Imaging, UK) and a 16MHz CL15-7 linear array scanhead transducer (Phillips ATL HDI 5000 SonoCT, Netherlands). Subjects were seated with their neck in a neutral position. The transducer was orientated transversely, and initially placed on the thyroid cartilage. Successive images were taken as the transducer was moved laterally across the anterior triangle, over the sternocleidomastoid, into the posterior triangle, ending in the posterior midline. Landmarks, with characteristic ultrasonic appearances, were identified to aid orientation e.g. carotid artery. Both machines produced images that clearly displayed the musculature of the cervical spine. Composite images were obtained of the anterior and posterior aspects of the neck (Figure 1) to provide information regarding the spatial orientation and relationship between the muscles.
Conclusion: This study concludes that modern ultrasound equipment provides cervical spine soft tissue images of a quality suitable for diagnostic applications. It also has the advantages of being a risk free, economic and portable procedure.
Correspondence should be addressed to the editorial secretary: Dr Charles Pither, c/o British Orthopaedic Society, Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN.
