SIGNIFICANCE OF SONOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOS IS OF INFECTIONS OF THE LOCOMOTOR APPARATUS

Significance of sonography in the detection of soft tissue infections is unclear and discussed controversial in literature. In a retrospecti ve study sonograms of 40 hematomas and 23 infections were evaluated to examine the possibility of detecting infections by means of sonograph y alone. Accumulation of fluid, however, could not be differentiated b y the established sonomorphological criteria. Especially in postoperat ive infections with unclear clinical pattern no differentiation betwee n hematoma and abscess could be made. Only ultrasonically guided trans cutaneous needle aspiration biopsy can prove the character of sonograp hic findings.