Reliability of measuring abductor hallucis muscle parameters using two different diagnostic ultrasound machines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diagnostic ultrasound provides a method of analysing soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system effectively and reliably. The aim of this study was to evaluate within and between session reliability of measuring muscle dorso-plantar thickness, medio-lateral length and cross-sectional area, of the abductor hallucis muscle using two different ultrasound machines, a higher end Philips HD11 Ultrasound machine and clinically orientated Chison 8300 Deluxe Digital Portable Ultrasound System.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The abductor hallucis muscle of both the left and right feet of thirty asymptomatic participants was imaged and then measured using both ultrasound machines. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to calculate both within and between session intra-tester reliability. Standard error of the measurement (SEM) calculations were undertaken to assess difference between the actual measured score across trials and the smallest real difference (SRD) was calculated from the SEM to indicate the degree of change that would exceed the expected trial to trial variability.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ICCs, SEM and SRD for dorso-plantar thickness and medial-lateral length were shown to have excellent to high within and between-session reliability for both ultrasound machines. The between-session reliability indices for cross-sectional area were acceptable for both ultrasound machines.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of the current study suggest that regardless of the type ultrasound machine, intra-tester reliability for the measurement the abductor hallucis muscle parameters is very high.</p

Ultrasound evaluation of the abductor hallucis muscle: Reliability study

© 2008 Cameron et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

THE EFFECT OF PARENTERAL PENTOXIFYLLINE THERAPY ON SKIN FLAP SURVIVAL

The effect of pentoxifylline as a hemorrheologic agent on skin flap survival has been observed. A caudally pedicled dorsal flap with an ischemic component in rats was used as the model. The flap survival was calculated to be 0.807+/-0.049 in the control group (n = 15), where flap survival was found to be 0.9713+/-0.018 in the pentoxifylline treated group (n = 15) (t = 12.19, p < 0.005). In the meantime, living flap length was measured as 9.96+/-0.72 in the control group, and 11.84+/-0.18 in the pentoxifylline treated group. With these results, we have come to the conclusion that parenteral pentoxifylline therapy is effective on ischemic skin flap survival in the rat model

A nomogram for predicting the degree of breast augmentation according to implant size

Choosing the right implant size for a specific patient is a challenging aspect of breast augmentation. Bust circumference is obtained by measuring the chest circumference at the level of the nipple-areola complex. Pre- and postoperative bust circumference measurements obtained from 147 patients who underwent primary bilateral breast augmentation using round, textured, gel-filled implants were evaluated, and a practical reference list for future operations was developed. According to the results, each additional 100 ml in implant size yielded an approximate 2-cm increase in bust circumference. The authors believe these results gathered from systematic measurements may serve as a useful guide for choosing the right size implant for a satisfactory augmentation procedure

Effect of distant septic foci on the patency of microvascular anastomoses

Despite all technical improvements, some free-tissue transfers are still subject to failure in the early postoperative period due to anastomotic occlusion. Local or distant foci of sepsis may be present in most of these cases. Using 40 Sprague-Dawley adult small female rats, distant septic abscesses were formed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (including 2 x 10(8) bacteria/ml) suspension. Microarterial and microvenous anastomoses were carried out and animals were divided into experimental and control groups. With the use of postoperative exploration, anastomotic patency was evaluated, cultures of wound, blood, and tissue were taken, and the anastomosis line and thrombi were evaluated using different staining techniques on prepared histopathologic sections. Compared to the control groups, thrombus formation in animals with distant septic foci, both with arterial and microvenous anastomosis, was found to be greater, and the difference was statistically significant. Colonies of Pseudomonas were not demonstrated in samples taken from wound infections, hemocultures, cultures of Vessel wall and thrombi, and in histopathologic sections. In this experimental model, it appears that distant septic foci have an occluding effect on the microanastomosis

False aneurysm of the princeps pollicis artery of the hand

Aneurysms of the arteries of the wrist and hand are uncommon, and traumatic aneurysm of the princeps pollicis artery is extremely rare. In this paper, a 24-year-old man who had a traumatic aneurysm of the princeps pollicis artery in his right wrist is presented

Ptosis caused by pachydermoperiostosis

A 39-year-old man with pachydermoperiostosis is presented. He had enlarged, thickened upper eyelids that made it difficult for him to open his eyes. Eyelid correction was performed by resecting the excessive skin and orbicularis muscle in a fusiform shape and shortening the levator aponeurosis by plication. A wedge resection of the lateral third of the upper lid shortened the horizontal width and also changed the unpleasant fan shape to a better shape, with a natural curvature of the lid. The authors also performed a 5-mm transconjunctival tarsectomy. Visual impairment was corrected with a satisfactory aesthetic outcome

The effect of short- versus long-term administration of alpha tocopherol on the survival of random flaps in experimental diabetes mellitus

The effects of short- versus long-term alpha tocopherol administration on oxidative stress and survival of dorsal random flaps were studied in diabetic rats. Seven groups, with 20 rats in each, were constructed: (1) control, (2) noncontrolled diabetes, (3) noncontrolled diabetes+short-term a tocopherol, (4) noncontrolled diabetes +long-term alpha tocopherol, (5) insulin treatment, (6) insulin +short-term alpha tocopherol, and (7) insulin+long-term a tocopherol. After 3 months of diabetes, dorsal McFarlane flaps were raised. Flap viability and free-radical measurements with histopathological examination were investigated. Mean flap survival in Groups I to VII were 84.0 +/- 2.2%, 55.0 +/- 2.4%, 57.0 +/- 2.5%. 57.8 +/- 3.7%, 64.1 +/- 4.1%, 70.0 +/- 4.9%, and 77.0 +/- 6,6%, respectively. Free-radical concentration, as assessed with luminol-and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminiscence, was inversely correlated with flap survival. The results for viability and free-radical concentrations were significant between Groups 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7. Random flaps in diabetic animals showed significantly greater necrosis compared with controls. Among the diabetic animals, group receiving combination of insulin and long-term a tocopherol treatment had the greatest flap viability and least tissue free-radical concentration. Histopathological studies showed a hyalinization of arterioles in diabetics with long-term a tocopherol treatment protecting the vessel wall. In conclusion, random flaps in experimental diabetes mellitus show greater tissue oxidative stress and necrosis, which is only partially corrected with insulin treatment. Long-term antioxidant supplementation as an adjunct to insulin further lowers the oxidative stress, protects vessel structure and function, and therefore increases flap survival. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved