Quote Originally Posted by 1234nale View Post
Low-frequency Ultrasound Penetrates the Cranium and Enhances Thrombolysis In Vitro.
Technique Assessments
Neurosurgery. 43(4):828-832, October 1998.
Akiyama, Masahiko MD; Ishibashi, Toshihiro MD; Yamada, Tetsu MD; Furuhata, Hiroshi MD
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Refinements of treatment methods are sought to rapidly reduce the volume of intracranial clots and to decrease patient exposure to possible complications of thrombolytic therapy for intracranial hematomas. We assessed the possibility of adding ultrasonication using model systems including human blood clots and temporal bone in vitro.
METHODS: The transmittance of ultrasound through temporal bone obtained at autopsy was compared between the frequencies 211.5 KHz and 1.03 MHz, using a meter to determine the power delivered. The frequency 211.5 KHz was chosen to assess the ultrasound effect on the weight of 24-hour-old clots prepared from human blood after exposures at 37[degrees]C to 2 mg/ml urokinase with no additional treatment, ultrasound, or agitation during an interval of up to 12 hours. At these times, fibrin degradation products also were measured.
RESULTS: The transmittance of low-frequency ultrasound (211.5 KHz) through temporal bone was approximately 40%, which is four times higher than that of high-frequency ultrasound (1.03 MHz). Ultrasound but not agitation significantly increased clot lysis (140% of lysis with urokinase alone), with correspondingly increased fibrin degradation products.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that low-frequency ultrasound transmits well through human temporal bone and enhances thrombolysis in vitro. Clinically, this method may be promising for reducing dosages of thrombolytic agents and shortening the period of clot removal. Copyright (C) by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons
I expect this persons post is pasted from an online text book. However, after reading your post I am not sure what your point is here. Lysis by definition refers to the death of a cell by bursting, often by viral or osmotic mechanisms that compromise the integrity of the cellular membrane. Formation of blood clots lies at the basis of a number of serious diseases. By breaking down the clot, thrombolysis, the disease process can be arrested, or the complications reduced. I expect the reference in this study therefore refers to the breakdown of a blood clot (I think therefore a positive thing?).

I cannot see any reference therefore for the NON-use of Ultrasound in the treatment of facial palsy - when specifically directed at a more superficial structure. Also most physio ultrasound heads are either 1 or 3Mz and are therefore high-frequency? The study would only suggest a 10% deeper penetration at high-frequencies, or am I missing your point?

Please do correct me if I have missed an important consideration that your study is highlighting.