الفهرس 
Anatomy of the ankle jointOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 217 |  |  |
| | | from | 217 | | |
Abstract
The ankle is commonly affected in trauma as well as overuse disorders and inflammatory conditions. Various imaging techniques may be used to assess the ankle, including X ray , CT, MRI , and sonography.
Ultrasonography has advantages over other imaging modalities in terms of availability, comfort, safety, and diagnostic potential. Operating costs are low compared with both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The portable equipment is accessible at locations distant from medical centres. Importantly, ultrasonography is performed while patients lie in a comfortable position, without pain or claustrophobia. It can be performed in real time helps in clinical correlation of the site of pain and comparison with the contralateral side. US allows dynamic evaluation of tendons and muscles. In many instances, the entire length of the tendon can be assessed. Subluxation and tendon function can be assessed dynamically.
The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of high resolution ultrasonography as a growing and useful diagnostic tool in the assessment of causes of ankle joint pain.
This study included 30 patients, ranging in age from 17-60 years. They were referred to the Ultrasound unit at Ain Shams University hospitals, during the period between 2013 and 2015.
Those patients was be examined first by high resolution ultrasound, then MRI was performed as a gold standard test.
In our study US could diagnose many cases of soft tissue abnormalities with high accuracy. The main noticeable limitation was the assessment of the bone marrow, deep intrarticular structures and deep soft tissues. Both Ultrasound and MRI are used in the evaluation of superficial structures, such as tendons and ligaments. The choice between ultrasound and MRI in such evaluations is determined by availability, referring physician preference, and the experience of the radiologist because in many settings accuracies can be similar.
.
US is superior to MRI in evaluation of peripheral nerves, foreign bodies, soft-tissue abnormalities adjacent to hardware, and evaluation of abnormalities that require specific extremity movement or positioning to provide a diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Ultrasound provides a good alternative to other modalities, such as MRI, for diagnosing tendon, joints and ligament pathology. The most important limitations lie in its limited field of view and penetration, which potentially can result in incomplete evaluation of bony and joint anatomy. from an equipment stand point, MSK US also is limited by the variable quality and variable expense of the equipment. from the operator/examiners point, MSK US is limited by the examiner’s skill level.
US can be used as first step scan, and if negative and the patient is still complaining; complementary MRI should be done. If US findings are positive and are going with the patient clinical diagnosis; no further investigation is needed.