title: Localized cervical pain: advantages and limits of ultrasound evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cervical pain is very frequent in the general population. In clinical practice, plain X-ray and, in selected cases, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, are performed. However, the feasibility and utility of ultrasound examination have been poorly investigated. Aim of the present study was to evaluate whether ultrasound could be useful in the diagnosis of localized cervical pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects suffering from posterior cervical pain without irradiation to surrounding tissues were enrolled. After clinical and functional evaluation (demographic and anthropometric data, VAS at rest and during neck movements, symptoms duration, and characteristics of pain onset [atraumatic or traumatic]), an ultrasound exam of the cervical spine was performed according to standard protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The anatomic structures of the neck district were visualized in 124/127 enrolled patients and pathological features were observed in 58. Significant ultrasound differences were registered between the patients with traumatic and atraumatic onset of neck pain. In the first group, articular effusion, capsular bulging, disalignment and avulsion of the articular apex were observed, whereas in the latter cortical irregularities, osteophytosis, and articular ankylosis were prevalent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound examination can be used as diagnostic tool in the evaluation of selected patients suffering from localized cervical pain, particularly in cases of pain due to traumatic injuries.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal ultrasound School, Italian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (SIUMB), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galletti
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal ultrasound School, Italian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (SIUMB), Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Galletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, University "G. d' Annunzio", Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti Scalo, CH Italy.
authors.forename: Cosima
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schiavone
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, University "G. d' Annunzio", Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti Scalo, CH Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Salini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, University "G. d' Annunzio", Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti Scalo, CH Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abate
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cervical spine; Pain; Trauma; Ultrasound; Whiplash