title: B-Mode Sonographic Assessment of the Posterior Circumflex Humeral Artery: The SPI-US Protocol-A Technical Procedure in 4 Steps.
abstract: Elite overhead athletes are at risk of vascular injury due to repetitive abduction and external rotation of the dominant arm. The posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) is prone to degeneration, aneurysm formation, and thrombosis in elite volleyball players and baseball pitchers. The prevalence of PCHA-related thromboembolic complications is unknown in this population. However, the prevalence of symptoms associated with digital ischemia is 31% in elite volleyball players. A standardized noninvasive imaging tool will aid in early detection of PCHA injury, prevention of thromboembolic complications, and measurement reproducibility. A standardized vascular sonographic protocol for assessment of the proximal PCHA (SPI-US protocol [Shoulder PCHA Pathology and Digital Ischemia-Ultrasound protocol]) is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. daanvandepol@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van de Pol
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maas
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Aart
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terpstra
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pannekoek-Hekman
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: P Paul F M
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Kuijer
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: R Nils
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Planken
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D056352:Athletes; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D054798:Volleyball / Q000293:injuries*
keywords: aneurysm; embolization; humeral artery; posterior circumflex humeral artery; sonography; vascular ultrasound; volleyball