Comparison of ultrasonographic and intraoperative findings in Achilles tendon rupture

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Petra Margetić
• Author: Dina Miklić
• Author: Vera Rakić-Eršek
• Author: Zoran Doko
• Author: Zvonimir Ivan Lubina
• Author: Boris Brkljačić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

The purpose of the study was to assess the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture, by comparing initial ultrasonographic scans and direct intraoperative findings, as well as to follow up the healing process in operatively and conservatively treated patients. Ultrasound examination was performed in 100 patients (91 males and 9 females, with mean age of 46 years) with clinically suspicious Achilles tendon ruptures. Ultrasonographic findings were compared with intraoperative findings. Eighty-eight patients underwent surgery and twelve patients were treated conservatively. Complete ruptures were diagnosed by ultrasound in 88 patients, and partial ruptures in 12 patients. The length of the tendon (Pearson r = 0.973, p < 0.001, Spearman p = 0.972, p < 0.001) and the size of the rupture (Pearson r = 0.940, p < 0.001, Spearman p = 0.905, p < 0.001) measured before surgery by ultrasound and directly during surgery showed a high correlation. Out of 88 operatively treated patients, 86 had a complete rupture and two had a partial rupture. All patients were examined 3, 5, 8, and 12 weeks after injury or after surgery. In the first five weeks, there were statistically significant differences noted between these two groups. Operatively treated tendons healed more quickly, but after eight and twelve weeks this difference had disappeared. Our study showed that ultrasound is an excellent imaging method for confirming the clinical diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture as well as for following up the process of tendon healing.

Abstract (croatian)

Cilj rada bila je procjena vrijednosti ultrazvuka u dijagnostici rupture Ahilove tetive, komparirajući ultrazvučni i intraoperacijski nalaz, kao i praćenje procesa cijeljenja kirurški i konzervativno liječenih pacijenata. Ultrazvučno je pregledano 100 ozljeđenika (91-M, 9-Ž, prosječne dobi 46) pod kliničkom sumnjom na rupturu Ahilove tetive. Ultrazvučni nalaz kompariran je s intraoperativnim. 88 ozlijeđenika je operirano, a 12 je liječeno konzervativno. Kompletna ruptura nađena je ultrazvukom u 88 ozlijeđenika, a parcijalna u 12. Dužina tetive (Pearson r=0.973, p<0.001, Spearman r=0.972, p<0.001) i dužina defekta (Pearson r=0.940, p<0.001, Spearman r=0.905, p<0.001) mjerena ultrazvukom i intraoperativno bile su u visokoj korelaciji. Od 88 operativno liječenih ozljeđenika u njih 86 je intraoperativno nađena kompletna, a u 2 parcijalna ruptura. Svi su ispitanici pregledavani ultrazvukom 3, 5, 8 i 12 tjedana nakon operacije ili ozljede. U prvih pet tjedana nađena je statistički značajna razlika između te dvije grupe. Operativno liječene tetive cijelile su brže, ali nakon dvanaest tjedana ta razlika je nestala. Naš rad je pokazao da je ultrazvuk visoko senzitivna i specifična metoda za potvrdu kliničke dijagnoze i praćenje cijeljenja rupture Ahilove tetive.

• Keywords (english): Achilles Tendon - injuries - surgery - ultrasonography; Athletic Injuries - surgery - ultrasonography; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Rupture
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Collegium Antropologicum
• Numbering: vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 279-284
• p-ISSN: 0350-6134
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:898496
• Publication: 2007-03
• Document URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/27311
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 10:56:02