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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in spinal trauma in 29 consecutive patients
1Spine Surgery, SRH Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany, holgermeinig@gmx.de.
Purpose:
Indication for surgery in spine trauma patients depends on the extent of destruction of the spine. Computer-assisted tomography scan (CAT scan) is not suitable to diagnose type B-injuries. Aim of the study was to investigate whether ultrasound is able to detect destruction of the posterior ligament complex (PLC).
Methods:
Twenty-nine patients were included. The results of ultrasound were compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CAT scan, X-ray, intraoperative findings. Statistical analysis was carried out by an independent observer.
Results:
In 27 cases both ultrasound and MRI had the same result. In two cases, ultrasound failed to detect ligamentous injury. The sensitivity of ultrasound was 0.82 (CI 0.48-0.98), its specificity: 1. MRI and Ultrasound findings had a strong positive correlation (phi = 0.85, Cohen's kappa: 0.85, with 95 % confidence interval 0.65-1) and a high significance (Fischer's exact test: p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
Ultrasound may indicate rupture or integrity of PLC in cases where MRI is missing.
