From the Research
Yes, an ultrasound (US) can show sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle pain by revealing structural abnormalities associated with pain. When examining the SCM muscle with ultrasound, clinicians can identify inflammation, tears, hematomas, or muscle thickening that may be causing pain, as seen in studies focusing on the treatment of chronic neck pain, such as the one published in Musculoskeletal science & practice 1. The procedure typically involves applying gel to the neck and using a high-frequency linear transducer (7-15 MHz) to visualize the muscle from various angles. During the examination, the sonographer may apply pressure to identify tender points, correlating the patient's pain with visible abnormalities.
Ultrasound is particularly valuable because it provides real-time, dynamic assessment of the muscle during movement, allowing visualization of functional issues that static imaging might miss. It's also non-invasive, radiation-free, and relatively inexpensive compared to MRI. However, it's essential to note that while ultrasound can identify structural causes of pain, pain itself is not directly visible on imaging, so clinical correlation with the patient's symptoms remains essential for diagnosis. This is highlighted in case reports where differential diagnosis is crucial, such as distinguishing between sternocleidomastoid syndrome and Eagle's syndrome 2.
Key points to consider when using ultrasound for SCM muscle pain include:
- The ability to visualize the muscle in real-time during movement
- The non-invasive nature of the procedure
- The importance of clinical correlation with patient symptoms
- The potential for identifying structural abnormalities associated with pain, as supported by recent studies on the treatment of chronic neck pain 1.