Journal article
Ultrasonography Detects Deep Tissue Injuries in the Subcutaneous Layers of the Buttocks Following Spinal Cord Injury
Jillian M Swaine, William Breidahl, DL Bader, CWJ Oomens, Edmond O'Loughlin, Nick Santamaria, Michael C Stacey
TOPICS IN SPINAL CORD INJURY REHABILITATION | THOMAS LAND PUBLISHERS, INC | Published : 2018
DOI: 10.1310/sci17-00031
Abstract
Background: Ultrasonography may have potential as an effective diagnostic tool for deep tissue injury (DTI) in tissues overlying bony prominences that are vulnerable when under sustained loading in sitting. Methods: Three cases of DTI in the fat and muscle layers overlying the ischial tuberosity of the pelvis in 3 persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with different medical histories and abnormal tissue signs are described. Conclusion: There is a need for prospective studies using a reliable standardized ultrasonography protocol to diagnose DTI and to follow its natural history to determine its association with the development of pressure injuries.
Grants
Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation, the Australian Wound Management Foundation, and the National Health and Medical Research Council (grant #634388). Ms. Swaine was funded by the University of Western Australia/Warren Jones Postgraduate scholarship for her doctorate. The authors declare no other conflicts of interest.