[Significance of 3D-ultrasonic examinations of the musculoskeletal system]

3D-ultrasonic is gaining more and more significance in many medical disciplines, e. g., in angiology and prenatal diagnostics.

The aim of this study was to make a comparison between the informative ability of conventional 2D-ultrasound with that of 3D-ultrasound for investigations of joints and to determinate whether 3D-ultrasound can reveal additional diagnostic information.

During a defined period of time all clinically necessary ultrasonic investigations of joints were done with a 3D-sonograph. However, all data recorded need a manual post-processing stage for visualisation in a 3D-mode. Due to the small impedance differences between the tissue layers, an automated tissue differentiation was not possible.

The substantial advantage is that all the DEGUM standard levels can be derived from the scanning volume without conversion of the ultrasound head.

At the current time the benefit of 3D-visualisation in the diagnostics of joints is small. The introduction of this technique to daily routine is not yet justified.