Preoperative Ultrasound-A worthy investigation in de Quervain's Disease

Divya shree; Harsh vardhan; Jagannath B Kamath; Binoy P S; Anup Kumar; Mrinal Shetty

Volume : V, Issue : VIII, August - 2016

Preoperative Ultrasound-A worthy investigation in de Quervain's Disease

Divya Shree, Harsh Vardhan, Jagannath B Kamath, Binoy P S, Anup Kumar, Mrinal Shetty

Abstract :

de Quervain�s disease is a common clinical condition seen by a hand surgeon. The diagnosis is usually clinical which can be confirmed by ultrasound and the treatment varies from conservative management to surgical decompression of the first extensor compartment .The commonest cause of persistent symptoms post operatively is incomplete release of the compartment. Objective : This study was done to study the ultrasound features of de Quervain�s disease and to study the ability of Ultrasound to detect anatomical variations of first extensor compartment preoperatively which will help to prevent the incomplete release of the compartment and hence recurrence of disease. Materials & Methods: All clinically diagnosed cases of de Quervain�s disease were included and underwent ultrasound examination of both the affected and unaffected wrists. In patients who were operated the ultrasound findings were compared with intra operative findings. Results: In acute cases ultrasound revealed presence of fluid in the sheath, which decreased with chronicity.In the latter internal echoes were observed. More percentage of chronic case required surgery. Ultrasound also correctly picked the anatomical variations of the first extensor compartment. Conclusions: Ultrasound can aid in diagnosis as well as guide in choosing the mode of management. It can also pick up anatomical variations of the first extensor compartment pre operatively and prevent the complication of incomplete surgical release.Thus a routine ultrasound scan in all patients of de Quervain�s disease is suggested.