title: The plantaris tendon graft: an ultrasound study.
abstract: To assess the value of ultrasound in imaging the plantaris tendon, ultrasounds were done on 26 legs in 25 patients who had a variety of surgical procedures on the posterior leg. Eighteen ultrasounds were done and interpreted before operation and eight after operation by a radiologist. The sonographic results were compared with the status of the plantaris as determined at surgery. The plantaris was present in 21 of 23 patients for a prevalence of 91%. Eighteen plantaris tendons were well visualized on ultrasound for a sensitivity of 86%. Of the three false-negative results, two occurred with thinned plantaris tendons that were less than 2 mm thick and hence considered inadequate for grafting. Therefore, the sensitivity for detecting a tendon suitable for grafting was 95%. All patients with positive studies had a plantaris tendon present for a specificity of 100%. A learning curve for the radiologist was demonstrated. Ultrasound appears to be effective in the preoperative imaging of the plantaris tendon.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Surgery Service, Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA 30905-5650.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hertzog
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Barja
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013710:Tendons / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000637:transplantation*; D014463:Ultrasonography