Role of Sonication in the Microbiological Diagnosis of Implant-Associated Infections: Beyond the Orthopedic Prosthesis.

Implant-associated infections are difficult-to-treat conditions associated with high morbidity, mortality and length of hospitalization. They are characterized by biofilm formation on implant surface, which makes the microbiological diagnosis difficult and requires a complete device removal for the correct management. The sonication method, which is based on the application of long-wave ultrasounds radiating in a liquid medium, has been recently validated for the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections. Additionally, this technique has been considered a potential tool in order to improve the microbiological diagnosis of infections associated with other foreign bodies, such as breast, urinary, endovascular and cerebral implants. In the present study, the application of sonication in the setting of implant-associated infections other than orthopedics will be reviewed.