RT Book, Section
A1 Tham, Edward
A2 Carmody, Kristin A.
A2 Moore, Christopher L.
A2 Feller-Kopman, David
SR Print(0)
ID 56301988
T1 Chapter 21. Ultrasound for Arthrocentesis
T2 Handbook of Critical Care and Emergency Ultrasound
YR 2011
FD 2011
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-160489-5
LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=56301988
RD 2024/04/19
AB Joint  pain  and  swelling  are  common  complaints  in  the  acute  care  setting.  Diagnostic  arthrocentesis  may  be  required  to  rule  out  an  infectious  process  or  hemarthrosis.  Joint  aspiration  may  also  relieve  joint  pain  and  allow  for  infusion  of  medications  when  appropriate.  Much  of  the  technique  and  equipment  for  ultrasound-guided  arthrocentesis  is  the  same  as  for  a  landmark-based  approach.  The  use  of  ultrasound  can  determine  the  presence  of  a  joint  effusion  and  increase  the  success  rate  of  arthrocentesis  while  decreasing  complications.  Ultrasound  may  also  assist  in  directing  a  needle  into  a  joint  space  even  when  no  effusion  exists  (ie,  for  injection  of  dye  to  determine  joint  disruption  in  trauma  or  for  injection  of  medications).