Ultrasound features of peripheral angiodistonic syndrome of the upper extremities in vibration disease

Introduction. Vibration disease (VD) is an example of the most common pathology due to the systematic exposure of the worker to intense vibration with sufficient work experience, the main manifestation of which is peripheral angiodystonic syndrome.

The aim of study was to learn the features of peripheral blood flow in the arteries of the forearm in vibration disease using the ultrasound method.

Materials and methods. The radial and ulnar arteries in patients with vibration disease were examined by ultrasound in B- and PW-mode. These materials present the results of an ultrasound assessment of the speed indicators of the main arteries of the forearm in vibration disease stages 1 and 2. The selection criteria for patients in the study ware the presence of pronounced clinical manifestations of angiodystonic syndrome in vibration disease, confirmed by instrumental research methods and data on the sanitary and hygienic characteristics of working conditions, the absence of cardiovascular chronic diseases (ischemic heart disease, heart defects, rhythm and conduction disturbances), rheumatic, oncological, infectious diseases, osteo-traumatic changes in the upper extremities.

Results. The groups of patients with the established diagnosis of vibration disease of 1 and 2 degrees were studied. With vibration disease stage 1 a decrease in the pulse velocity of blood flow was observed in isolation on the ulnar artery and an increase in peripheral resistance (pulsation index and resistance index) in the radial and ulnar arteries symmetrically on both upper extremities. The second stage of vibration disease differed from the first by a more significant decrease in speed indicators both on the ulnar and radial arteries on both sides, symmetrically in combination with a more pronounced increase in peripheral resistance indicators on both main arteries of the forearm (pulsation index and resistance index). The revealed changes were determined with the same frequency in men and women.

Conclusions. A significant decrease in speed indicators on the ulnar artery and an increase in peripheral resistance indicators are detected already at the initial stages of vibration disease. Thus, the method of ultrasound examination of the main arteries of the middle caliber of the upper extremities is currently the only available and objective method for examining the vascular system in vibration disease.

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