The International Olympic Committee Venue Ultrasound Program: A Pilot Study From Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

• Published in: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation Vol. 102; no. 5; p. 449
• Main Authors: Onishi, Kentaro, Engebresten, Lars, Budgett, Richard, Soligard, Torbjorn, Forster, Bruce B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Athletes; Athletic Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Pilot Projects; Sports; Sports Medicine; Tokyo; Tokyo
• ISSN: 1537-7385
• DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002192

The objective of this pilot investigation was to describe the novel use of venue ultrasound at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Portable laptop ultrasound machines were made available to cover seven Olympic sports at seven venues. The responses by both the National Olympic Committee personnel accompanying the medical room visits and by the examining physicians were recorded. Athletes were followed up until the end of the Olympic Games and the ultrasound diagnostic accuracy was evaluated. Fourteen athletes were evaluated using venue ultrasound and the recorded injuries included seven soft tissue, five osseous, and two nonmusculoskeletal injuries. From these, eight athletes were evaluated further by other imaging modalities, which indicated that the ultrasound provided an accurate diagnosis in all cases. All National Olympics Committee personnel reported increased diagnostic confidence and felt that venue ultrasound should be considered for future sports events. Furthermore, all evaluating physicians felt ultrasound was helpful in refining the diagnosis. The average years of sports ultrasound experience was 8.4 yrs and the average years of clinical sports medicine experience was 9.3 yrs among the physicians. In conclusion, the International Olympic Committee Venue Ultrasound Pilot Program showed promise in improving venue triaging, suggesting its role at future sports events.