Joe A Shaw PA-C - 8/26/2008

Question
Hello Joe,
I'm wondering if ultrasounds have the ability to diagnose soft tissue injuries and conditions (muscle/ligament, cysts, etc) as do MRIs and CT scans?  I have a wrist injury that is possibly a ganglion cyst and/or a sprain.  It hasn't completely healed and I'd really like to know what is causing the discomfort.  I'd much rather have an ultrasound, and am wondering if it's a reliable test and can diagnose such injuries/conditions.

Thank you for your help,
K

Answer
K,
I suppose US could be used if the person doing it was exp w ganglion cysts. I have never ordered one and rarely an MRI in 17 yrs to dx just a Ganglion cyst. If you have some vague presentation and history of wrist pain, then most orthos would want an MRI b/c it can look at other things that the US can't.
attached is an article about MRI and US

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00767.html