title: Comparison of ultrasonographic and intraoperative findings in Achilles tendon rupture.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Traumatology Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. margetic_petra@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Margetić
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miklić
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rakić-Ersek
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Doko
authors.forename: Zvonimir Ivan
authors.initials: ZI
authors.lastname: Lubina
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brkljacić
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture; D014463:Ultrasonography