Ultrasound diagnosis of anterior shoulder dislocation

Mok Ka Leung, FHKCEM Kan Pui Gay, FHKCEM Wong Yau Tak, FHKCEM We describe the ultrasound evaluation technique and sonographic findings of a case of anterior shoulder dislocation. The sonographic features of anterior shoulder dislocation include: "sign of widening of subacromial space", "sign of disappearance of humeral head", "artery/vessel sign", "humeral head below coracoid process sign" and "empty glenoid fossa sign". It is a safe, real time, readily available, convenient, and well tolerated diagnostic technique. The time to confirming the diagnosis of anterior shoulder dislocation may be shortened and hence close reduction in a timely manner may be achieved. We suggest the use of high resolution ultrasound for confirmation of the diagnosis of anterior shoulder dislocation and relocation of the humeral head after close reduction. The potential of using ultrasonography to replace pre-reduction radiograph should be explored. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2009;16:29-34)