Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnostics of non-unions

Non-union represents a severe complication and a major socioeconomic challenge in orthopedics and trauma surgery. Timely and reliable diagnostics are obligatory to be able to carry out the treatment of non-unions in a patient-specific and efficient manner. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an important interface between clinical signs, imaging investigations and the results of the paraclinical diagnostics, e.g. C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count. It can display the microperfusion inside the non-union gap in real time and provide valuable information for exclusion of an infection or on the healing progress after revision surgery. An establishment of this diagnostic modality in routine orthopedic trauma surgery contributes to optimization of the treatment of non-unions.