[Sonography of the musculoskeletal system]

Beside standard radiographs, bone scintigraphy and MR imaging, ultrasonography plays an important role in assessing abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system. Ultrasonography is widely available, inexpensive and provides high-contrast resolution; however, interobserver variability is a major problem. Ultrasonography should only be employed by experienced examiners and for proven indications in order to prevent inadequate results. Most peer-reviewed publications have evaluated the role of ultrasonography for abnormalities of the rotator cuff and the achilles tendon. Ultrasonography also commonly provides useful information in hip, knee, foot, and wrist abnormalities as well as in the initial work-up in suspected infection or neoplasm; moreover, the role of ultrasonography in some less accepted indications is discussed, such as in meniscal and cruciate ligament injuries as well as in Morton's neuroma.