A cross-sectional representative sample of 1722 sonographers and vascular technologists was analyzed using quantitative/qualitative methods to reveal that 60% are experiencing wrist-hand-finger discomfort, believed to be from work-related repetitive injury. The years of scanning accumulated by the participants was chosen as a variable to determine the relationship to the range of discomforts reported. A strong statistical correlation was noted between years of experience and the side of discomfort as well as the severity of hand-wrist-finger discomfort. In this study, a strong statistical association was also noted between increasing years of scanning and decreasing aggravation due to the transducer. A complete linkage between work-related exposure and hand-wrist-finger discomfort is difficult to make because of the contribution of leisure-time activities. A controlled experimental study is needed to determine the contribution that grip and pushing on the transducer may have on the incidence of hand-wrist-finger discomfort, leading to diagnoses such as carpal tunnel syndrome.As has been previously reported, a representative sample of diagnostic medical sonographers and vascular technologists reported that 90% are experiencing discomfort while completing sonography examinations. 1 This represents a potential increase in reports of physical pain compared with previous studies of this typology completed in the 1990s. 2-7 However, because work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) tend to be reported in terms of the frequency per occupational workers, obtaining data at specific anatomical sites may have greater impact. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Diagnostic medical sonographers (DMSs) and vascular technologists (VTs) make use of high-frequency transducers to conduct medical imaging examinations of the human body to collect screening and diagnostic information. 17 Therefore, it is of particular interest to determine to what extent the use and manipulation of the transducer contribute to pain in these occupational workers. Pike et al. 2 provided limited survey information relative to pain at this level, with his cohort reporting 65% of pain in the wrist and 61% in the hand-finger from manipulating the transducer (N = 793).Evaluating the relationship between exposure and WRMSD is extremely difficult, as insults to the wrist/ hand can be acute or chronic as well as having occurred on the job or at home. Because it is challenging to control all exposures to WRMSDs, survey research and observational studies are presently the main method for collecting data information. 18 With extensive data available from a large survey of DMSs and VTs who were asked to provide detailed information about WRMSD, 1 a further analysis of the data set was deemed appropriate to answer a more discrete research question: What factors contribute to WRMSDs in DMSs and VTs who report pain in the area of the wrist-hand-finger?

A prospective cohort of 47 symptomatic patients who reported for nerve conduction studies and 44 asymptomatic controls was examined with sonography to evaluate the median nerve. Doppler studies of the median nerve were collected with handheld sonography equipment and a 12-MHz linear broadband transducer. Strict inclusion criteria were established for assessing 435 waveforms from 166 wrists. Two sonographers agreed that 245 waveforms met the a priori criteria and analyzed the corresponding data. Spectral Doppler waveforms provided direct quantitative and qualitative data for comparison with indirect provocative testing results. These Doppler data were compared between the recruitment groups. No statistical difference existed in waveforms between the groups (P < .05). Trending of the overall data indicated that as the number of positive provocative tests increased, the mean peak systolic velocity within the carpal tunnel (mid) also increased, whereas the proximal mean peak systolic velocity decreased. However, by using multiple provocative tests as an indirect comparative measure, researchers may find mean peak spectral velocity at the carpal tunnel inlet a helpful direct measure in identifying patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objective: Three-fourths of diagnostic medical sonographers (DMS) and vascular technologists (VT) experiencing discomfort due to job demands indicate having discomfort in the shoulder region. An analysis of factors related to shoulder discomfort highlighted salient factors requiring further investigation and intervention. Participants: The respondents were a convenient sample of DMS and VT that answered a survey, hosted on a secure website. Methods: The responses of 2,163 DMS and VT from a survey of a representative sample were analyzed to determine personal factors, work demands, and workstation design characteristics of those experiencing discomfort in the shoulder region. Frequencies and response distributions were calculated and cross tabulation with chi-square analysis was completed. Results: A majority of respondents with shoulder discomfort have co-morbid reports of discomfort in other locations. While overall sonographer discomfort is linked to age and years of experience, shoulder discomfort was also noted to be linked to specific workstation characteristics. A lack of adjustability in equipment, picture archiving and communication system (PACS) workstations, and awkward positions required to complete bedside exams contributes to discomfort due to sustained and repetitive shoulder abduction and twisting of the neck and trunk. Conclusions: There is a need for studies investigating redesign of equipment and workstations or interventions with DMS and VT specifically focused on improving adjustability and improved positioning of sonographers in order to reduce shoulder discomfort while performing job demands.

A preclinical study of 15 Macaca fascicularis monkeys was conducted to determine (1) the ability of detecting median mononeuropathy (MMN) within the median nerve after a work intervention and (2) the relationship between the layers of the median nerve during an acute inflammatory process by using sonography in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were imaged using MRI and sonography proximal to the carpal tunnel inlet (defined by the most distal portion of the radius) and further distal into the carpal tunnel (defined by the most proximal portion of the pisiform) at the prework exposure stage. CSAs measured on the outer edge of the median nerve were obtained from both modalities, at both anatomical locations. An intermodality t test demonstrated no statistical differences between the two sets of measurements (radius, P ≤ .15; pisiform, P ≤ .46). At the postwork exposure stage, sonographic measurements were obtained on the outer and inner borders of the median nerve at both anatomical levels. A two-tailed t test showed statistically significant differences within the carpal tunnel comparing pre- and postwork CSA measurements (radius, P ≤ .01; pisiform, P ≤ .297). The epineurial layer area was then determined as the difference between outer-border and inner-border CSAs. Pearson correlations between the epineurial layer and overall median nerve CSA within the carpal tunnel demonstrated a strong positive correlation that was statistically significant ( r = 0.97; P ≤ .01) after postwork exposure. Possible factors contributing to this acute phase of MMN could be hyperemia within the layers of the nerve and the development of Renault bodies. This work would need to be translated to human studies for further confirmation of the anatomic and clinical significance of this effect.

This preclinical study was conducted to develop discrete sonographic instrumentation settings and also safe contrast dosing that would consistently demonstrate perineural vascularity along the median nerve. This set of imaging studies was conducted with a convenience cohort of young adult female monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Sonographic equipment settings and dosing were refined throughout the imaging series to ensure consistent contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. A mechanical index of 0.13 was consistently used for imaging. Perineural vessels were imaged with a suspension solution of 0.04 mL Definity/0.96 mL saline introduced over 5 minutes for a total dose of 0.8 mL of contrast solution. Blinded studies of high and low dose contrast, along with saline injections, were correctly identified by two experienced sonographers. This preclinical study established adequate equipment settings and dosing that allowed for a valid demonstration of vascularity surrounding the median nerve.