Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Cross Sectional Anatomy

This atlas will provide a roadmap of normal sonographic anatomy of the musculoskeletal system with optimized images that emphasize spatial relationships and three-dimensional orientation. It will help novices acquire pattern recognition skills to resolve images into their anatomic components by pairing ultrasound scans with comparable MRI images and drawings, and enhance familiarity with musculoskeletal anatomy as it appears on ultrasound imaging for practitioners at any level. Taking a sectioned approach, the author presents a visual baseline for evaluating tendon, muscle, ligament, and nerve problems in the upper extremity, lower extremity, and cervical regions. Multiple high resolution views of each structure are accompanied by correlative images and regional drawings to foster understanding of anatomic relationships and ultrasound appearances. Brief text points will emphasize key features and landmarks and offer technical tips for obtaining and interpreting scans.

The atlas should become an indispensable tool for clinicians learning diagnostic ultrasound by providing images that the user can immediately compare to the images they acquire while scanning. It will also be a useful reference for the skilled sonographer looking to confirm exam findings.

John Cianca, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine; Human Performance Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Dr. Cianca is fellowship trained in musculoskeletal medicine and board certified in sports medicine. He lectures nationally on diagnostic ultrasound and serves as director for the AAPM&R's annual musculoskeletal ultrasound preconference course.