title: The influence of ultrasound guidance in the rate of success of acromioclavicular joint injection: an experimental study on human cadavers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Injections of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) are performed routinely in patients with ACJ arthritis, both diagnostically and therapeutically. The aim of this prospective controlled study was to estimate the frequency of successful intra-articular ACJ injections with the aid of sonographic guidance versus non-guided ACJ injections.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 cadaveric ACJs were injected with a solution containing methylene blue and subsequently dissected to distinguish intra- from peri-articular injections. In 40 cases the joint was punctured with sonographic guidance, whereas 40 joints were injected in the control group without the aid of ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of successful intra-articular ACJ injection was 90% (36 of 40) in the guided group and 70% (28 of 40) in the non-guided group. Ultrasound was significantly more accurate for correct intra-articular needle placement (P = .025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of ultrasound significantly improves the accuracy of ACJ injection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University of Zurich, Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland. paul.borbas@balgrist.ch
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Borbas
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grechenig
authors.forename: Annelie-Martina
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: Nima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heidari
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents