Purpose:To evaluate the objective difference of the shoulder position during ultrasound examination regarding diagnostic value for shoulder lesion, view range and visibility. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was performed enrolling 312 patients who underwent diagnostic ultrasonography due to shoulder pain between January 2016 and June 2016. Examination was performed by a single orthopaedic surgeon with 5 years of musculoskeletal ultrasonography experience. Images of the longitudinal and transverse plane of the supraspinatus tendon and the nearby soft tissues (subscapularis and biceps long head tendon, subdeltoid bursa, etc.) were obtained in the three different positions, shoulder extension, modified Crass, and Crass position. The correlation between the demographic data (age, sex and body mass index) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the affected shoulder & the capable shoulder position was analyzed. Another orthopaedic independently measured the size of the tear and using classified the image visibility of the supraspinatus, subscapularis, and biceps long head tendon on the shortaxis view from the rotator interval into I to III and X. Results: Of the 312 patients, 126 were excluded and total of 186 cases were included in this study. None of the demographic data were related to the possible arm position. However, VAS for pain was the only factor related with the number of possible arm positions during sonography. Kappa agreements for the diagnosis were mostly high of over 0.90. Grades of the short-axis view from the rotator interval in each position were mostly grade II or grade III, which refers to that the anterior portion of supraspinatus tendon, which is the most fragile portion to the tear and it was well-defined regardless of the arm position. The average longitudinal tear sizes were 1.48, 1.52, and 1.61 cm in the shoulder extension, modified Crass (Middleton), and Crass position, respectively. Conclusion: Shoulder extension position during ultrasonography examination of shoulder shows similar diagnosis rate of supraspinatus tendon tear or calcific tendinitis compared to modified Crass (Middleton) or Crass position, the two well-known standard positions. It is also a useful position for patients who suffer with severe shoulder pain.

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Literature review. Objective: Ultrasound-guided injections are a common clinical treatment for lower lumbosacral pain that are usually performed before surgical treatment if conservative treatment fails. The aim of this article was to review ultrasound-guided injections in the lumbar and sacral spine. Summary of Literature Review: Ultrasound-guided injections, unlike conventional interventions using computed tomography or C-arm fluoroscopy, can be performed under simultaneous observation of muscles, ligaments, vessels, and nerves. Additionally, they have no radiation exposure and do not require a large space for the installation of equipment, so they are increasingly selected as an alternative method. Materials and Methods: We searched for and reviewed studies related to the use of ultrasound-guided injections in the lumbar and sacral spine. Results: In order to perform accurate ultrasound-guided injections, it is necessary to understand the patient's posture during the intervention, the relevant anatomy, and normal and abnormal ultrasonographic findings. Facet joint intra-articular injections, medial branch block, epidural block, selective nerve root block, and sacroiliac joint injections can be effectively performed under ultrasound guidance. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided injections in the lumbar and sacral spine are an efficient method for treating lumbosacral pain.

Nowadays shoulder ultrasound is commonly used in the assessment of shoulder diseases and is as accurate as magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of several pathologies. Operator dependence is the main disadvantage of shoulder ultrasound. After adhering to a strict examination protocol, good knowledge of normal anatomy and pathologic processes and an awareness of common pitfalls, it can be used as a focused examination providing rapid, real-time diagnosis, and treatment by ultrasound-guided interventions in desired clinical situations. Also shoulder ultrasound can help the surgeon decide whether treatment will be surgical or nonsurgical. If arthroscopy is planned, sonographic findings help to counsel patients regarding surgical and functional outcomes. If a nonsurgical approach is indicated, ultrasound can be used to follow patients. This review article presents the examination techniques, the normal sonographic appearances and the main pathologic conditions found in shoulder ultrasound. And also addresses a simplified approach to scanning and ultrasoundguided intervention. Knowledge of optimal techniques, normal anatomy, dynamic maneuvers, and pathologic conditions is essential for optimal performance and interpretation of images. (Clin Shoulder Elbow 2015;18(3):172-193)