Shoulder impingement in overhead athletes: An uncommon complication of distal clavicle fracture

Impingement syndrome is one of the most common pain disorders of the shoulder. The causes are numerous and most frequently it is due to structural alterations of coracoacromial arch; however, in in rare cases it may be caused by malunion of distal clavicle fractures. We report our experience in the case of a young tennis player with shoulder impingement after a conservative management of distal clavicle fracture

Calcific tendinopathy of supraspinatus tendon in elite volleyball players: A point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis

In overhead sports like volleyball, the onset of a rotator cuff tendinopathy due to functional overload is a not uncommon observation. Herein, we present the case of a symptomatic calcific tendinopathy involving the supraspinatus tendon with a subacromial impingement syndrome in a young elite volleyball player. Shoulder and supraspinatus tendon evaluation with static and dynamic ultrasonography (US) can assist in the rapid diagnosis of tendinopathy. Thus, sports physicians must be aware of this in order to expedite rapid referral to a musculoskeletal specialist who can perform a point-of-care US examination of the shoulder. This approach to sports pathology potentially improves patient outcomes

Synchronous tumours detected during cancer patient staging : prevalence and patterns of occurrence in multidetector computed tomography

Purpose: The incidental detection of one or more additional primary tumours during computed tomography (CT) staging of a patient with known malignancy is rare but possible. This occurrence should be considered by the radiologist when a new lesion is detected, especially if the lesion location is atypical for metastases. The purpose of this report was to document the usefulness of total body CT scan to detect synchronous primary malignancies in cancer patients undergoing a staging workup. Material and methods: This was done by reviewing the staging CT studies of the adult patients with a newly diagnosed cancer evaluated during a five-year period in a single cancer institute in order to identify any possible correlation, establishing which tumours are more frequently combined with a second tumour and which second tumours are more commonly present. Results: Among the patients with a second tumour, the most frequent first primary tumours were melanoma (eight patients, 17.8%), lymphoma (seven patients, 15.6%), and prostate carcinoma (seven patients, 15.6%). The most frequent incidentally detected second tumours were hepatocellular carcinoma (nine patients, 20% of 45 incidental tumours), renal carcinoma (eight patients, 17.8%), lung carcinoma (seven patients, 15.6%), and bladder carcinoma (four patients, 8.9%). One patient had three primary tumours synchronously. Conclusions: We believe that the radiologist's knowledge of the prevalence and pattern of occurrence of these multiple primary malignancies represents added diagnostic value

The role of interventional radiology in the treatment of lower limb vascular injuries after orthopaedic surgery

Purpose: This paper focuses on the role of interventional radiology embolisations in a series of patients presenting with iatrogenic vascular injuries of the lower limbs following orthopaedic interventions. Material and methods: Fourteen patients (mean age: 64 years, range 23-90 years) were retrospectively analysed. Clinical presentation consisted of palpable pulsatile mass, pain, reduced lower limb motion, or visible haematoma; 11 patients had also anaemia (haemoglobin < 7 g/dl). Results: The time between orthopaedic surgery and embolisation ranged between 0 and 67 days (mean: 15 days). Injured arterial vessels were as follows: inferior gluteal artery (2), superficial external pudendal artery (2), deep femoral artery (1), lateral circumflex femoral artery (3), medial circumflex femoral artery (2), articular branch of descending genicular artery (1), perforating femoral arteries (3), posterior tibial recurrent artery (1), and anterior tibial artery (1). The typologies of vascular lesion were: pseudoaneurysm 57%, bleeding with extraluminal contrast agent blush of the terminal arterial segment 36%, and laceration and bleeding with extraluminal contrast agent blush of the arterial main trunk 7%. Embolising agents adopted were microcoils 57%, glue 14%, microplug 7%, particles 14%, and covered stent 7%. In all cases clinical and procedural technical successes were obtained (100%). Conclusions: For the management of vascular injuries occurring after different orthopaedic interventions of the lower limbs, endovascular embolisations have proven to be safe and effective; orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the support that interventional radiology could provide in the case of iatrogenic vascular complications

Obstructive oligospermia : the role of interventional radiology in its diagnosis and treatment

Purpose: According to the latest World Health Organization guidelines (2010), oligo-sperm it is due to a sperm concentration of less than 15 million/ml of seminal fluid. The cause can be obstructive and non-obstructive. Interventional radiology allows diagnosis and, in some cases, minimally invasive treatment. Case presentation: A 28-year-old man with oligospermia (7 million/ml of seminal fluid), surgically treated 2 years ago for clinical grade III bilateral varicocele (according to Dubin’s classification), was admitted to the Urology Department for suspected accidental surgical ligation of the left vas deferens. The patient underwent several diagnostic tests including phlebography of the left pampiniform plexus, bilateral vesico-deferentography. The steno-occlusion of the ejaculatory ducts was diagnosed, which was resolved through an innovative interventional radiology treatment. Conclusions: Interventional radiology has played a decisive role in the diagnosis and treatment of the causes of male infertility. In our experience, it has considerable potential in the minimally invasive treatment of steno-obstructive pathologies of the vesico-deferential system

Diastasis of rectus abdominis muscles : patterns of anatomical variation as demonstrated by ultrasound

Purpose: The aim of our study was to categorise the anatomical variations of rectus abdominis muscle diastasis (diastasis recti) by using ultrasound (US). Material and methods: In a one-year period 92 women were evaluated with US because of suspected diastasis of rectus muscles. Patients were examined in a supine position, with head extended, upper limbs aligned to the trunk, and knees flexed. US was performed with high-frequency, broad-band transducers. Trapezoid field-of-view and extended field-of-view were employed to measure diastasis exceeding 5 cm. Diastasis was defined as a margin-to-margin distance > 20 mm at rest and classified according to the following anatomical patterns: open only above the navel, open only below the navel, open at the navel level, open completely but wider above the navel, and open completely but wider below the navel. Results: Diastasis was found in 82 patients (30-61 years old, mean age 35 years). The width was 21-97 mm, mean 39 mm. The prevalence and severity of the anatomical patterns was as follows: open only above the navel in 48 patients (21-88 mm, mean 40 mm), open only below the navel in one patient (33 mm), open at the navel level in seven patients (23-39 mm, mean 34 mm), open completely but wider above the navel in 24 patients (21-97 mm, mean 41 mm), open completely but wider below the navel in two patients (21-29 mm, mean 25 mm). Conclusions: The above-navel patterns of recti muscle diastasis are the most common. Even when open completely, diastasis is usually wider above the navel. Knowledge of the anatomical type of rectus muscle diastasis could be of value to the patient (exercises to do and to avoid) and to the surgeon (abdominoplasty planning)

Left-sided omental infarction without torsion: report of a case with radiologic-pathologic correlation

Abstract Background Omental infarction is a rare disease that affects the entire omentum or a segment of the greater omentum. It presents as acute abdominal pain mainly in the right lower quadrant or right flank. Left-sided omental torsion is infrequent and it is rarely preoperatively diagnosed. Omental infarction is a differential diagnosis in the acute abdomen. As most cases of omental infarction can be adequately diagnosed via computed tomography, a conservative treatment strategy for patients without complications should be considered in order to avoid any unnecessary surgical intervention. Case presentation We herein report a case of a surgically proved left-sided infarction of the greater omentum presenting with abdominal pain, tenderness of the left flank. Specifically, we describe the ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) findings of this rare disease providing a radiological-pathological correlation of them. To date, there are few similar correlation reports in literature. Conclusions Although the classical treatment of omental infarction is surgery, more recently the conservative management has been suggested. Thus, we believe that the knowledge of the characteristic imaging findings is essential for establish a correct preoperative diagnosis, which can avoid unnecessary surgical intervention

A singular case of massive urethrorrhagia solved by transarterial embolization

Abstract Background Urethrorrhagia is frequent in pelvic trauma, rarely due to traumatic injuries of internal pudendal artery branches. Case presentation Our aim is to underline the role of transarterial embolization in selected patients, as in this case in which a young man manifested urethral hemorrhage after high-energy motorcycle crash not associated with injuries of the inferior urinary tract. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) showed pubic symphysis diastasis and perineal hematoma with pseudoaneurysm into the penis bulb. The first approach was conservative with perineal external compression and intravenous injection of tranexamic acid. Afterward, due to the decline of clinical conditions, we decided to perform a selective angiography, confirming the vascular injury of distal branches of both internal pudendal arteries with contrast agent extravasation into urethral bulb; endovascular embolization was performed with detachable micro-coils. The principal results were seen quickly, indeed urethrorrhagia arrested and hemoglobin values normalized. Erectile function was preserved at 6-months follow-up. Conclusions Endovascular embolization proved to be a minimally invasive therapeutic approach, clinically effective, with a low rate of complications and high probability to preserve erectile function

Body composition analysis in adolescent male athletes: Skinfold versus ultrasound

Introduction: Aim of this study was to compare the repeatability of the evaluation of body composition with the skinfold measuring technique and the portable ultrasound measuring technique BodyMetrix TM BX2000, in order to estimate body fat percentage in adolescents athletes. Materials e Methods: Twenty adolescent male athletes have been recruited in a basketball centre. Skinfold and ultrasound measurements were detected on the right side of the body in 2 anatomical points: triceps and subscapular. Results: The results obtained by both techniques showed a high correlation with final body fat mass (%), although differences have been observed with both methods in each anatomical site. Conclusions: The assessment of body composition is an important parameter that allows us to have an estimate of the percentage of body fat. Therefore, it is a fundamental criterion for both the professionals of wellness and the athlete, since allows to verify the results produced by dietary plans and training

Acute epiploic appendagitis : ultrasound and computed tomography findings of a rare case of acute abdominal pain and the role of other imaging techniques

Purpose: Acute epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a relatively rare, benign and local inflammatory disease involving the epiploic appendices. Unlike its mimics, EA is generally a self-limiting inflammatory disease and can be treated conservatively. Case presentation: A 33-year-old Caucasian man presented to our emergency department with a sever and sharp left iliac fossa pain. He underwent abdominal X-ray, ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) evaluations. Conclusion: We illustrate US and CT findings to increase the radiologists’ awareness of this condition and to avoid diagnostic delay and unnecessary use of antibiotics, hospitalization and surgery