Hamstring Strain Ultrasound Case Series: Dominant Semitendinosus Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Athletes.

Authors of previous studies of patients with acute hamstring strains have reported injury to the biceps femoris and semitendinosus (ST) in 50% to 100% and 0% to 30%, respectively. This retrospective case series of hamstring injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate athletes exhibited an injury pattern on ultrasound imaging that differed from what would be expected based on prior literature. We examined ultrasound images of 38 athletes with acute hamstring strains for injury location (proximal muscle, proximal myotendinous junction, midportion of muscle, distal muscle) and affected muscles (biceps femoris, ST, or semimembranosus). Twenty-six athletes (68.4%) injured the ST, and 9 athletes (23.7%) injured the biceps femoris long head. Most athletes (23, 60.5%) injured the proximal portion of the muscle or myotendinous junction. Though this study had many limitations, we demonstrated more frequent involvement of the ST and less frequent involvement of the biceps femoris than reported in the literature.

American Medical Society of Sports Medicine Position Statement: Mononucleosis and Athletic Participation.

ABSTRACT: Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a common illness in children and young adults caused primarily by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Transmission occurs primarily through sharing oral secretions, thus IM is known as the "kissing disease." Common clinical manifestations include fever, pharyngitis, posterior cervical lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. Atypical lymphocytosis and transaminase elevations are common, and the diagnosis of IM is confirmed with laboratory findings of a positive heterophile antibody ("Monospot"), polymerase chain reaction, or antibodies specific to EBV. Individuals with acute IM may be quite symptomatic and not feel well enough to participate in sports. Splenic enlargement is common, with rupture a relatively rare occurrence, typically occurring within a month of symptom onset, but this risk complicates sports participation, and is often the reason for restricting activity. The management of IM is primarily supportive, with no role for antivirals or corticosteroids. The variability of clinical presentation and the risk of splenic rupture in patients with IM present clinicians with challenging return to play/return to sport (RTS) decisions. This position statement updates the Evidence-Based Subject Review on Mononucleosis by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine published in 2008 and reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory assessment, and management including RTS for the athlete with IM. This statement also addresses complications, imaging, special considerations, diversity and equity considerations, and areas for future clinical research. Understanding the evidence regarding IM and sport is essential when communicating with athletes and their families and incorporating shared decision-making in the RTS decision.

Ultrasound Identifies First Rib Stress Fractures: A Case Series in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Athletes.

Isolated first rib stress fractures in athletes are thought to be rare. In this case series, 3 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes developed isolated first rib stress fractures over the span of 1 year, indicating that these injuries may occur more often than previously understood. These fractures can be easily missed because of the low incidence, lack of clinical suspicion, and vague presentation. Further, radiographs can fail to reveal such fractures. To our knowledge, this is the largest case series of athletes with first rib stress fractures presenting with vague rhomboid interscapular pain. We also demonstrated that ultrasound successfully visualized these injuries; in the hands of an ultrasonographer or clinical provider trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound, this technique offers an advantageous point-of-care screening imaging modality.

Recommended Musculoskeletal and Sports Ultrasound Terminology: A Delphi-Based Consensus Statement.

OBJECTIVES: The current lack of agreement regarding standardized terminology in musculoskeletal and sports ultrasound presents challenges in education, clinical practice, and research. This consensus was developed to provide a reference to improve clarity and consistency in communication. METHODS: A multidisciplinary expert panel was convened consisting of 18 members representing multiple specialty societies identified as key stakeholders in musculoskeletal and sports ultrasound. A Delphi process was used to reach consensus which was defined as group level agreement >80%. RESULTS: Content was organized into seven general topics including: 1) General Definitions, 2) Equipment and Transducer Manipulation, 3) Anatomic and Descriptive Terminology, 4) Pathology, 5) Procedural Terminology, 6) Image Labeling, and 7) Documentation. Terms and definitions which reached consensus agreement are presented herein. CONCLUSIONS: The historic use of multiple similar terms in the absence of precise definitions has led to confusion when conveying information between colleagues, patients, and third-party payers. This multidisciplinary expert consensus addresses multiple areas of variability in diagnostic ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-guided procedures related to musculoskeletal and sports medicine.

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Sports Ultrasound Curriculum for Sports Medicine Fellowships.

ABSTRACT: Sports ultrasound is commonly used by sports medicine physicians to enhance diagnostic and procedural accuracy. This expert consensus statement serves as an update to the 2015 American Medical Society for Sports Medicine recommended sports ultrasound curriculum for sports medicine fellowships. Although written in the context of the American sports medicine fellowship training model, we present a stepwise progression in both diagnostic and interventional sports ultrasound that may be applicable to the broader sports medicine community. The curriculum is divided into 12 units with each unit including didactic instructional sessions, practical hands-on instruction, independent scanning practice sessions, and mentored clinical experience. To assist with prioritization of learning, we have organized relevant pathology and procedures as essential, desirable, and optional. The expanded content can serve as an outline for continuing education postfellowship or for any physician to further advance their sports ultrasound knowledge and skill. We also provide updated scanning protocols, sample milestones, and a sample objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to aid fellowships with implementation of the curriculum and ongoing assessment of fellow progress.

Ultrasound in Trauma and Other Acute Conditions in Sports, Part II.

The utility of ultrasound in sports medicine is improving the sports medicine physician's ability to rapidly diagnose and treat a multitude of sports related pathologies. In this article, we clearly outline the current status of the evidence in support of using sports ultrasound in the setting of acute ocular injury, evaluation of elevated intracranial pressures, deep venous thrombosis, and soft tissue complaints.

Identification and Analysis of Bacterial Contamination of Ultrasound Transducers and Multiuse Ultrasound Transmission Gel Bottle Tips Before and After the Aseptic Cleansing Technique.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a descriptive analysis for species identification of culture and Gram stain results from ultrasound transducers and multiuse ultrasound transmission gel bottle tips in active clinical use and to compare bacterial cultures from ultrasound transducers before and after aseptic cleansing. METHODS: A prospective blinded descriptive analytic study of 18 distinct clinical care sites within a single primary clinical institution was conducted. Before and after a disinfectant towel cleanse, transducers were pressed against tryptic soy agar contact plates. Plates were deidentified and submitted for blind incubation, Gram staining, and species identification with microsequencing. Results were classified as clinically relevant (CR) or non-clinically relevant. In total, 188 samples were analyzed: 80 from ultrasound transducers before and cleansing, 13 from multiuse gel bottle tips before and after cleansing, and 2 precleansing samples from the data collector's pen and badge. RESULTS: Fifty-nine precleansing samples (73.8%) grew cultures with CR bacteria, and 21 samples (26.3%) did not. Staphylococcus simulans represented 31.0% of all positive culture samples. Thirteen postcleansing samples (16.3%) grew cultures with CR bacteria, equating to a 78.0% reduction of CR bacterial growth (likelihood ratio, 57.10; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound transducers have a notable CR bacterial burden and may serve as potential infective vectors. Aseptic cleansing effectively eliminates most of the bacterial load from ultrasound transducers, but some bacteria persist, presenting a risk of nosocomial infection with ultrasound-guided interventions. These findings support American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine 2018 guidelines intended to ensure an appropriate level of transducer preparation based on the examination type while emphasizing rational infection control measures to minimize the risk of potential patient harm.