[Ultrasonic examination of the shoulder joint]

The anatomical basis of the application of ultrasonography to the examination of the shoulder joint and the diagnostic information gained by the technical possibilities of it are discussed. The author claims that by means of ultrasonic examination it is possible to judge the fact and localization of the rotatory cuff, the lesions of the tendon of the long head of the biceps muscle and inflammation of the joint, as well as certain lesions of the soft parts. In addition, it is possible to form by means of ultrasonography an objective judgement of the result of reconstructive joint operations. The values of the information gained by ultrasonic examination is compared to that of arthrography, computertomography and magnetic resonance examination. The author is of the opinion that of all these methods ultrasonic examination should be applied first.