Legends of MSK: Advancing Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

To begin, Dr. Jacobson provides insight into his professional journey, from training at Henry Ford Hospital to his current practice at Lenox Hill in New York City. He reflects on the formative period of his career spent under the mentorship of Dr. Marnix Van Holsbeeck, who played a key role in his training over MSK ultrasound. Dr. Jacobson also discusses his specific areas of interest, in particular, microvascular imaging, especially in the context of assessing blood flow following the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. He underscores the need for further research and exploration on this topic.

Next, Dr. Jacobson explores the significance of MSK ultrasound education across various specialties, emphasizing the mutual learning that takes place across different specialties. Dr. Jacobson has led an annual MSK ultrasound course in San Diego for nearly two decades. He believes that MSK ultrasound has the potential to be scaled up to a level comparable to MSK imaging with CT and MRI. He emphasizes the important role that a skilled technologist plays in this process. He advocates for investing in training efficient and experienced technologists. This includes designating a lead technologist with expertise who can train other newer technologists.

Dr. Jacobson further addresses ultrasound-guided interventions such as joint, bursa, and tendon sheath injections. The conversation also delves into the different paradigms of interventional radiology, which can sometimes be viewed as the provision of a clinical service versus the performance of order-based procedures.

Finally, Dr. Jacobson elaborates on his collaboration with a nonprofit organization called Imaging the World. Their primary mission centers around ultrasound in Uganda, with a particular emphasis on advancing shoulder ultrasound capabilities in remote and underserved areas, both in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Jacobson provides training to physical therapists and technologists in ultrasound procedures and ultrasound-guided injections. The next phase of these nonprofit’s efforts is directed towards underserved rural communities in North America.