Pancione L, Gatti G, Mecozzi B
Department of Radiology, Ospedale Civile Maria Vittoria, Turin, Italy.
Acta Radiol. 1997 Jul;38(4 Pt 1):523-6. doi: 10.1080/02841859709174380.
The Hill-Sachs lesion is a compression fracture caused by impact on the trabeculae of the humeral head during anterior glenohumeral dislocation. The early and accurate identification of patients who risk recurrence of shoulder dislocation requires a suitable screening method. This should be characterized by high sensitivity and specificity, low cost, and repeatability.
The results of ultrasound examination as a screening method were evaluated, the indicator being the identification of the Hill-Sachs lesion. Using ultrasonography and conventional radiological techniques, and double contrast CT (arthro-CT), we studied 60 patients with posttraumatic instability of the shoulder.
Against arthro-CT as the true standard, ultrasonography showed a sensitivity of 95.6%, specificity of 92.8%, and diagnostic accuracy of 95%.
Ultrasonography is an acceptable screening examination for recurrent scapulohumeral dislocation and should be applied prior to other techniques of investigation such as arthro-CT or MR imaging.
