Bedside Ultrasound to Facilitate Early Diagnosis and Ease of Follow-up in Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification: A Pilot Study From the Intensive Care Unit.

To explore the potential role of ultrasound (US) as a bedside tool in intensive care unit patients with presumed neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO). Tertiary university teaching hospitals. Critical care patients with acquired brain injury. A multicenter prospective study of critical care patients with possible NHO. Following a screening clinical examination, the major joints were evaluated with US, serum laboratory work, and x-ray. A total of 310 patients had decreased range of motion by clinical screen and all received US interrogation. Sonographic signs of NHO were identified in 21 of the 310 patients (6.8%), of which 17/21 (81.0%) showed hyperemia; 9/21 (42.8%) showed the reverse zone phenomenon, and 4/21 patients (19.0%) showed the prezone phenomenon. All 21 patients progressed to the zone phenomenon within 15 weeks. Laboratory parameters were not significantly correlated with US (r = 0.11, r = 0.13; P > .05, respectively), whereas x-rays were associated with a mean diagnostic delay of 2 ± 0.5 weeks (P < .05) compared with US. All 21 sonographic NHO patients survived to intensive care unit discharge. Twelve months after admission, 3/21 had died; 6/21 still had abnormalities by x-ray, US, and clinical examination; and 12/21 had resolution by x-ray, US, and clinical examination. Our pilot study suggests potential benefits for bedside US in NHO, especially when compared with x-ray or laboratory investigations. These include the possibility of earlier diagnosis, consideration of therapy before ossification, and ease of follow-up. Our study also provides insights into the morphologic, sonographic, radiologic, and clinical course of NHO.