RESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in assessing the different patterns of lower limb muscle strain with suggestion of sonographic classification of muscle strain. Between January 2004 and July 2005, 85 professional male football players with suspected acute muscle injury were examined using 7-12MHz linear array in both longitudinal and transverse plains. The following parameters were measured: The muscle injured, the site of injury within the muscle, the longitudinal injury length, and the presence of inter- and intramuscular hematoma. Of the examined 85 patients strain of the adductor group detected in 33 [38.8%], hamstring muscle strain in 27 cases [31.8%], 10 [11.8%] in the quadriceps and 15 [17.6%] in the calf muscles. Focal hyperechogenicity was only seen in 25 [29.4%] cases. Intramuscular hypoechoic area of variable size was seen in 57 [67.1%] patients. Heterogeneous echo pattern was seen only in 3 cases [3.5%] with intramuscular hematoma. The size of the tear varied from 3mm up to 30mm, full thickness tear was seen only in 3 cases [3.5%]. The site of tear was either surface muscle tear [33%] or intramuscular tear [66.6%]. Regarding the intermuscular hematoma, it was seen in 37.6% of cases of them hyperechoic pattern was seen in 2 patients [3.3%] while the remaining 30 [96.7%] patients showed hypoechoic pattern similar to fluid. Intermuscular hematoma was seen in 3 [3.5%] cases and 3 cases of periosteal detachment. Sonography offers a high degree of sensitivity in evaluation of lower limb tear. This non invasive easily available imaging technique should be considered in the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected tears