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. 2021 Jul 10;5(5):e12531.
doi: 10.1002/rth2.12531. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound in hemophilia: Results and recommendations from a global survey and consensus meeting

Nihal Bakeer  1 , Saunya Dover  2 , Paul Babyn  3 , Brian M Feldman  2   4   5   6 , Annette von Drygalski  7 , Andrea S Doria  8 , Danial M Ignas  2 , Audrey Abad  2 , Cindy Bailey  9 , Ian Beggs  10 , Eric Y Chang  11 , Amy Dunn  12 , Sharon Funk  13 , Sridhar Gibikote  14 , Nicholas Goddard  15 , Pamela Hilliard  2 , Shyamkumar N Keshava  14 , Rebecca Kruse-Jarres  16 , Yingjia Li  17 , Sébastien Lobet  18 , Marilyn Manco-Johnson  19 , Carlo Martinoli  20 , James S O'Donnell  21 , Olympia Papakonstantinou  22 , Helen Pergantou  23 , Pradeep Poonnoose  24 , Felipe Querol  25 , Alok Srivastava  26 , Bruno Steiner  27 , Karen Strike  28 , Merel Timmer  29 , Pascal N Tyrrell  30   31 , Logi Vidarsson  32 , Victor S Blanchette  33
Affiliations

Musculoskeletal ultrasound in hemophilia: Results and recommendations from a global survey and consensus meeting

Nihal Bakeer et al. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. .

Abstract

Introduction: For persons with hemophilia, optimization of joint outcomes is an important unmet need. The aim of this initiative was to determine use of ultrasound in evaluating arthropathy in persons with hemophilia, and to move toward consensus among hemophilia care providers regarding the preferred ultrasound protocols for global adaptation.

Methods: A global survey of hemophilia treatment centers was conducted that focused on understanding how and why ultrasound was being used and endeavored to move toward consensus definitions of both point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound (POC-MSKUS) and full diagnostic ultrasound, terminology to describe structures being assessed by ultrasound, and how these assessments should be interpreted. Next, an in-person meeting of an international group of hemophilia health care professionals and patient representatives was held, with the objective of achieving consensus regarding the acquisition and interpretation of POC-MSKUS and full diagnostic ultrasound for use in the assessment of musculoskeletal (MSK) pathologies in persons with hemophilia.

Results: The recommendations were that clear definitions of the types of ultrasound examinations should be adopted and that a standardized ultrasound scoring/measurement system should be developed, tested, and implemented. The scoring/measurement system should be tiered to allow for a range of complexity yet maintain the ability for comparison across levels.

Conclusion: Ultrasound is an evolving technology increasingly used for the assessment of MSK outcomes in persons with hemophilia. As adoption increases globally for clinical care and research, it will become increasingly important to establish clear guidelines for image acquisition, interpretation, and reporting to ensure accuracy, consistency, and comparability across groups.

Keywords: consensus; hemophilia; musculoskeletal; surveys; ultrasonography.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Soft‐tissue domains that survey respondents felt should be considered for assessment with ultrasound; N/A indicated respondent did not feel they were qualified to answer the question
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Summary of pathologies in the osteochondral domain that survey respondents felt could be seen on ultrasound
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Summary of attendees at 2018 Ultrasound Meeting in Toronto
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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