Localized BIA identifies structural and pathophysiological changes in soft tissue after post-traumatic injuries in soccer players

Localized bioimpedance (BIA) was measured with a single frequency phase-sensitive analyzer at 50 kHz in three post-traumatic types of injuries on four professional soccer players: (1) myositis ossificans, (2) intramuscular seroma and (3) trochanteric (hip) bursitis. Normal reference value (no injury) was obtained from the contra lateral not injured limb at a mirror-like location of the injury. The relative variations resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) at the time of injury was confronted with the not injured values. Relative variations between acute measurements and post medication ones on intramuscular seroma and bursitis have been computed. In intramuscular seroma and trochanteric bursitis we have obtained a percent of change between injury data and after medical intervention. On myositis ossificans, localized BIA showed a 7-8 % decrease in Xc whereas the percent of change of R was negligible (1 %). These percent of changes are in concordance with histological evidence. In the case of a presence of seroma or the lower thigh and trochanteric bursitis, the soft tissue cavity accumulates fluid. Post-injury localized BIA, relative with respect to non-injured side, confirmed sizeable soft tissue destruction evidenced by 50 % decrease of Xc and 24-31 % decrease of R due to interstitial fluid accumulation. Once the seroma and the blood in the bursitis was removed the localized the immediate post-injury BIA parameters increased as follows: a) intramuscular seroma + 10 % on R and + 74 % of Xc; b) trochanteric bursitis + 20 % of R and +24 % of Xc. Localized BIA other than classifying soft tissue injuries, can be useful to understand the pathophysiology and structural impairments of other kind of injuries and to understand their behavior.

Assessment of the Postoperative Appearance of the Rotator Cuff Tendon Using Serial Sonography After Arthroscopic Repair of a Rotator Cuff Tear

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate serial changes in sonographic findings of a rotator cuff tendon after rotator cuff repair.

METHODS

Sixty-five arthroscopically repaired rotator cuff tears (43 full-thickness tears and 22 partial-thickness tears) were retrospectively included in this study. Serial sonographic examinations were performed at 5 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. The sonographic findings of the repaired tendon were assessed for a recurrent tear, tendon thickness, morphologic tendon characteristics, vascularity, and bursitis at each time point.

RESULTS

Four recurrent tears occurred within 3 months of surgery. The postoperative tendon thickness decreased from 5 weeks to 6 months after surgery (P = .001). There were significant changes in the morphologic tendon characteristics, including the echo texture, fibrillar pattern, and surface irregularity of the repaired tendon, from 5 weeks to 6 months after surgery (P < .001). Additionally, subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis and the vascularity of the repaired tendon decreased postoperatively over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Serial sonography after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was useful for monitoring the postoperative changes in a repaired tendon. The morphologic appearance of the repaired tendon and peritendinous soft tissue changes improved over time and nearly normalized within 6 months of surgery.

Scapulothoracic bursitis in a patient with quadriparesis: a case report

Scapulothoracic bursitis is a rare disease and presents as pain or swelling around the bursa of the scapulothoracic articulation. It has been reported to be related to chronic repetitive mechanical stress of the periscapular tissue, trauma, overuse, and focal muscle weakness. The authors experienced an atypical case of scapulothoracic bursitis with shoulder and periscapular pain after quadriparesis.This case implies that muscular atrophy around the scapula and chest wall from quadriparesis may contribute to the development of scapulothoracic bursitis with shoulder and periscapular pain. In addition, clinician should be alert to it as a possible cause when a patient with quadriparesis complains of shoulder and periscapular pain and consider proper diagnostic options such as ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Pisiform bursitis: a forgotten pathology

Pisiform bursitis is a disease often forgotten in both everyday practice and medical literature. The pisiform bursa is not constant; when present, it is located between the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris and pisiform bone. Bursitis causes pain in the medial side of the wrist and enters into the differential diagnosis of various diseases of this anatomic region, in particular, with enthesitis of the flexor carpi ulnaris and the ganglion of piso-pyramidal compartment. We present the sonographic appearance of pisiform bursitis in a symptomatic patient.

The impact of arthroscopic capsular release in patients with primary frozen shoulder on shoulder muscular strength

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of arthroscopic capsular release in patients with primary frozen shoulder on muscular strength of nonaffected and treated shoulder after at least two-year follow-up after the surgery. The assessment included twenty-seven patients, who underwent arthroscopic capsular release due to persistent limitation of range of passive and active motion, shoulder pain, and limited function of upper limb despite 6-month conservative treatment. All the patients underwent arthroscopic superior, anteroinferior, and posterior capsular release. After at least two-year follow-up, measurement of muscular strength of abductors, flexors, and external and internal rotators of the operated and nonaffected shoulder, as well as determination of range of motion (ROM) and function (ASES) in the operated and nonaffected shoulder, was performed. Measurement of muscular strength in the patient group did not reveal statistically significant differences between operated and nonaffected shoulder. The arthroscopic capsular release does not have significant impact on the decrease in the muscular strength of the operated shoulder.

Achilles enthesis ultrasound: the importance of the bursa in spondyloarthritis

OBJECTIVES

This paper aims to assess the prevalence and relevance of the bursa-synovial lesion in spondyloarthritis (SpA).

METHODS

A transversal blind and controlled two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) study of Achilles enthesis bursa in early SpA was undertaken. Clinical outcome measures were collected.

RESULTS

Bilateral Achilles enthesis of 66 early SpA patients (34 women) and 46 control patients (23 asymptomatic healthy subjects and 23 rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients) were analysed. Mean BASDAI, BASFI and BASRI-spine were 4.55±2.08, 2.16±1.95 and 0.65±0.77, respectively. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 10.93±12.35 mm/h and C-reactive protein (CRP) was 6.46±10.09 mg/l. The κ-values for intra-reader agreement for 2D and 3D images and bursa measurement were 0.82 and 0.98, respectively. Bursas were visualised in 89/132 SpA enthesis (67.4%) vs. 27/46 enthesis (58.7%) of healthy controls (p<0.01), and 10/46 enthesis (21.7%) of RA controls (p<0.01). When the thicknesses of the bursas were analysed, the SpA group had a mean of 1.52±1.47 mm versus 0.76±0.76 mm in the healthy control group (p<0.0001), and 0.38±0.62 mm in the RA control group (p<0.0001). A positive likelihood ratio of 4.6 with a cut-off point of bursa >2 was found. No Doppler signal was detected in controls, but 6.6% of SpA Achilles enthesis had Doppler bursitis. Heel pain was more frequent when bursa was present (p<0.05). When Doppler was present, male predominance, HLA B27 positive, heel pain, and higher number of swollen joints, CRP levels, disease activity by the patient and BASDAI questions 2 and 3 achieved statistical significance (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of bursa and Doppler signal at retrocalcaneal bursa level could have a relevant contribution to differentiate SpA patients, and were correlated with clinical outcomes of SpA disease activity.

Ultrasonography of the hip

A complete physical examination of the hip is often difficult due to its size and deep position. During the last two decades, ultrasonography (US) of the hip has been widely accepted as a useful diagnostic tool in patients with hip pain and /or limited range of motion. It is commonly used in both adults and children. This technique allows evaluation of different anatomical structures and their pathological changes, such as joint recess (joint effusion, synovial hypertrophy), changes within the bursae (bursitis), tendons and muscles (tendinopathy, ruptures, calcifications), as well as changes in the bony profile of the joint surfaces, ischial tuberosity, and greater trochanter (erosions, osteophytes, calcific deposits). US is very useful for guided procedures in hip joint and periarticular soft tissues under direct visualization. The needle aspiration of synovial fluid and steroid injections are commonly-applied activities in daily rheumatology practice. The relatively limited acoustic windows available to the US beam are the principal limitations to hip US. Therefore, conducting a detailed examination of some important structures together with the interpretation of Doppler signal (sometimes undetectable) is not easy, requiring good knowledge of the modality. The aim of this review is to analyze the current literature about US of the hip and to describe the most frequently-observed normal and pathological findings.

Prevalence study of iliopsoas bursitis in a cohort of 860 patients affected by symptomatic hip osteoarthritis

We used ultrasound to evaluate iliopsoas bursitis (IB) prevalence in 860 patients (568 males, 292 females, 62 ± 7 years) suffering from symptomatic Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III-IV hip osteoarthritis. Lequesne index and visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded. Anterior hip was scanned and images recorded. Maximum IB diameter was measured and drained (volume recorded). Two radiologists evaluated the presence of IB, joint effusion, synovial hypertrophy, communication between bursa and articular space. IB was found in 19/860 (2.2%) patients (16 males, 3 females, 65 ± 11 years; grade II osteoarthritis = 4; III = 9; IV = 6). Mean bursa diameter = 2.9 ± 0.9 cm, volume = 35 ± 34 mL. Effusion was present in 9/19 patients, hypertrophy in 6/19 and communication in 9/19. In patients with no IB, effusion was detected in 27/860 and hypertrophy in 25/860 (p < 0.001 compared with IB patients). κ = 1 for all. VAS index and Lequesne index were not significantly different between patients with or without IB (p ≥ 0.468). Ultrasound can detect associate findings in grade II-IV hip osteoarthritis patients with high reproducibility.

Sonography of supraspinatus tendon abnormalities in the neutral versus Crass and modified Crass positions: a prospective study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate how well the neutral arm position correlates with the Crass and modified Crass positions in sonographic evaluation of supraspinatus tendon abnormalities.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed on 32 shoulders in 31 patients with shoulder pain. Images were acquired in the long axis of the supraspinatus tendon in the neutral, Crass, and modified Crass positions and were reviewed independently of each other by 2 radiologists in consensus. The images were evaluated for visualized tendon length, tendinosis, partial- or full-thickness tears, calcific tendinosis, subdeltoid bursitis, and enthesopathic changes. Kappa values of agreement between neutral and Crass and neutral and modified Crass positions were determined.

RESULTS

The mean visualized tendon lengths were 1.78, 2.83, and 2.77 cm in the neutral, Crass, and modified Crass positions, respectively. Kappa agreements between neutral and Crass and neutral and modified Crass positions were as follows: perfect agreement for calcific tendinosis (neutral versus Crass, κ =1.00; neutral versus modified Crass, κ = 1.00), almost perfect agreement for full-thickness tears (neutral versus Crass, κ = 0.85; neutral versus modified Crass: κ= 0.92) and tendinosis (neutral versus Crass, κ = 0.93; neutral versus modified Crass, κ = 0.86), substantial agreement for enthesopathic changes (neutral versus Crass, κ= 0.80; neutral versus modified Crass, κ= 0.61) and subdeltoid bursitis (neutral versus Crass, κ = 0.63; neutral versus modified Crass, κ = 0.75), and moderate agreement for partial tears (neutral versus Crass, κ = 0.44; neutral versus modified Crass, κ = 0.47).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who cannot tolerate the Crass or modified Crass position, the neutral position can show full-thickness tears, tendinosis, calcific tendinosis, enthesopathic changes, and bursitis.

Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injections combined with shoulder exercises in the treatment of subacromial adhesive bursitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the association of exercises for the shoulder with ultrasound-guided injection into the bursa significantly improves the treatment outcome in adhesive bursitis. Two groups of 35 patients, one treated with ultrasound-guided injection (UGI) and the other one with ultrasound-guided injection and home exercise program (UGI-exercise) for 1 month, were assessed for pain and shoulder function before treatment, 1 and 3 months post-treatment. Fourteen patients in UGI group and 23 patients in the UGI-exercises group were completely free of pain after 1 month (p = 0.031). At 3 months' follow-up, patients in the UGI-exercise group showed a significant improvement with respect to the other group (p = 0.005). No differences were found in function assessment. The UGI combined with shoulder exercises in the treatment of subacromial adhesive bursitis is effective to ensure a more frequent complete pain relief in the medium term.

Ultrasound-guided interventional release of rotator interval and posteroinferior capsule for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder using a specially designed needle

BACKGROUND

Adhesive capsulitis is a common but poorly understood disorder of the shoulder. Various treatments have been developed to manage this condition, but the efficacy of these treatments is controversial. We developed an ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive interventional technique to manage adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder using a specially designed needle.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the methodological approach of our intervention.

STUDY DESIGN

Technical report.

SETTING

Pain management clinic.

METHODS

Thirteen participants with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder underwent ultrasound-guided interventional release of the rotator interval and posteroinferior capsule using a specially designed curved Round Needle. A convex ultrasound probe was placed along the oblique coronal plane over the supraspinatus muscle and acromion. Under ultrasonographic guidance, the needle was passed through the supraspinatus muscle and superior labrum and reached the rotator interval. It was moved forward and backward until no resistance was felt. After finishing the rotator interval release, the needle was inserted toward the posteroinferior capsule. While the operator released the adhesion in the posteroinferior capsule by moving the needle forward and backward, an assistant gradually abducted the shoulder. When full abduction of the affected shoulder was achieved, the intervention was completed.

RESULTS

  Following our intervention, significant improvements in pain levels, glenohumeral range of motion, and Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores were attained at follow-up.

LIMITATIONS

Technical report only. Efficacy of this technique is beyond the scope of the article.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided interventional release of the rotator interval and posteroinferior capsule appears to have clinical significance in the management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

Relationship between width of greater trochanters and width of iliac wings in tronchanteric bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis is a common disorder that is characterized by inflammation of the bursa, superficial to the greater trochanter of the femur, leading to pain in the lateral hip, and often occurs because of acute trauma or repetitive friction involving the iliotibial band, the greater trochanter, and the bursa. In the study reported here, we hypothesized that the increased incidence of bursitis may be the result of the increased prominence of the trochanter in relation to the wings of the iliac crest. Distances between the outermost edges of trochanters and iliac wings were measured in 202 patients from the University of North Carolina Health Care System-101 without a known diagnosis and 101 with a clinical diagnosis of trochanteric bursitis. To determine significance, t tests for nonpaired data were used. Mean (SD) difference between trochanter and iliac wing widths was 28 (20) mm in the group diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis and 17 (18) mm in the control group. The difference between the groups in this regard was significant (P<.00005). In addition, mean (SD) ratio of trochanter widths to iliac wing widths was 1.09 (.06) in the bursitis group and 1.05 (.06) in the control group. The difference between these groups was significant (P<.0005) in this regard as well. Having trochanters wider in relation to iliac wings was associated with the diagnosis of trochanteric bursitis.

Ultrasound imaging for the rheumatologist XXXV. Sonographic assessment of the foot in patients with osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES

The aims of our study were to investigate the prevalence of ultrasound (US) abnormalities in the foot of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and to compare them with clinical findings.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with foot OA were investigated by clinical and US examinations. Bilateral US of the midfoot and forefoot joints was performed by using a Logiq9 machine, equipped with a multi-frequency linear probe, operating at 14 MHz; in addition, power Doppler was applied (frequency 7.5 MHz; gain 50%; PRF 750 Hz). Clinical evaluation included the registration of demographic data, disease duration, current treatment undergone, joint swelling and tenderness. US study included the assessment of both inflammatory (joint effusion, synovial hypertrophy, local pathologic vascularisation at PD, big-toe bursitis) and structural (osteophytes, MTP joints subluxation) abnormalities.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were studied. At midfoot level, clinical examination demonstrated signs suggestive for joint inflammation (tenderness and/or swelling) in at least one joint in 43/200 feet (21.5%) of 23 patients; US showed inflammatory abnormalities in 87/200 feet (43.5%) of 63 patients and structural lesions in 100/200 feet (50%) of 70 patients. At forefoot level, clinical examination found inflammatory signs in at least one joint in 128 feet (64%) of 64 patients; US showed inflammatory abnormalities in at least one joint in 176 feet (88%) of 88 patients and structural lesions in 189 feet (86%) of 86 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

US is a useful imaging tool for analysing both inflammatory and structural damage lesions at foot joints level in OA. In addition, it demonstrated to be more sensitive than clinical examination in the detection of inflammatory abnormalities.

A one-stop approach to the management of soft tissue and degenerative musculoskeletal conditions using clinic-based ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

One-stop clinics aim at assessment, investigation and initiating treatment in a single hospital visit. They have been proven to be cost-effective and to increase patient satisfaction in various specialties. The aim of this study was to describe the one-stop approach to managing soft tissue and degenerative musculoskeletal conditions using clinic-based musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS).

METHODS

A retrospective case record review was carried out of patients assessed and managed in the musculoskeletal clinic by a musculoskeletal and sports physician over a 10-month period.

RESULTS

A total of 1,166 patients were assessed and managed in a total of 155 outpatient clinics. The age range of patients was 19 to 85 years (median age 45 years). The diagnoses included traumatic or overuse tendinopathy, degenerative arthritis, bursitis, acute/chronic sporting injuries and acute/chronic back pain. A total of 1,012 patients (87%) had conditions related to the appendicular system (shoulder girdle, upper limb, pelvic girdle and lower limb) and 154 patients were referred with spinal pain. All patients with appendicular system problems had a definite diagnosis and treatment initiated on the first visit to the clinic. In 658 (65%) patients, a diagnostic ultrasound was deemed an appropriate investigation to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and more than half of them (352 patients) needed ultrasound-guided injections as part of the management of their conditions. A portable GE Healthcare LOGIQe machine with a 10 MHz linear probe and colour Doppler flow imaging was used to perform all scans. No adverse incidents were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of clinic-based MSUS enables a one-stop approach, reduces repeated hospital appointments and improves quality of care in an outpatient musculoskeletal clinic.

Sonographically guided therapeutic injection for primary medial (tibial) collateral bursitis

The purpose of this article is to describe a sonographically guided technique to perform therapeutic injection into the medial collateral ligament bursa. Scans are performed using a high-frequency linear transducer with the scan plane corresponding to the anatomic coronal plane. The transducer is positioned along the medial aspect of the knee; a 25-gauge needle is placed along the inferior border of the bursa; and a standardized therapeutic mixture (anesthetic and long-active corticosteroid) is injected. Distention of the bursa is the determining factor for a successful injection. Sonography allows confirmation of correct injection placement, resulting in increased accuracy and more successful patient outcomes.

Ultrasound-guided continuous suprascapular nerve block for adhesive capsulitis: one case and a short topical review

We present a case with an ultrasound-guided (USG) placement of a perineural catheter beneath the transverse scapular ligament in the scapular notch to provide a continuous block of the suprascapular nerve (SSN). The patient suffered from a severe and very painful adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder secondary to an operation in the same shoulder conducted 20 weeks previously for impingement syndrome and a superior labral anterior-posterior tear. Following a new operation with capsular release, the placement of a continuous nerve block catheter subsequently allowed for nearly pain-free low impact passive and guided active mobilization by the performing physiotherapist for three consecutive weeks. This case and a short topical review on the use of SSN block in painful shoulder conditions highlight the possibility of a USG continuous nerve block of the SSN as sufficient pain management in the immediate post-operative period following capsular release of the shoulder. Findings in other painful shoulder conditions and suggestions for future studies are discussed in the text.

[Bicipitoradial bursitis]

Bicipitoradial bursitis is a rare pathological condition of the elbow and is seen as a distension of the bicipitoradial bursa in the cubital fossa. The bursa is located at the insertion of the distal biceps tendon and the role of this bursa is to reduce friction between the biceps tendon and the tuberosity of the radius. Most often, enlargement or bursitis results from repetitive mechanical trauma. In the present case report, we describe the condition in a 71-year-old woman using both MR and ultra sound scanning.

[Ultrasonographic findings of disorders of the tarsal region in 97 cattle--arthritis, bursitis, tenosynovitis, periarticular abscess and vein thrombosis]

The clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic and centesis findings of 97 cattle with disorders of the tarsal region (arthritis, bursitis, tenosynovitis, abscess, vein thrombosis) were reviewed (1994-2006), and the typical ultrasonographic findings of different tarsal disorders in cattle are presented. The following criteria were assessed: echogenicity, echopattern, size, shape, appearance of the borders of synovial or other cavities. Ultrasonographic findings were compared with the clinical, radiographic and arthrocentesis results and with intraoperative and/or necropsy findings. 50 cattle suffered from one tarsal disease only, in 47 cattle--up to three different--concurrent disorders in one tarsal region were identified. The afflicted synovial cavities and abscesses were definitely differentiated ultrasonographically in all cattle suffering from tarsal disorders a comprehensive diagnosis could be achieved due to the easy and rapid ultrasonographic differentiation of the incriminated soft tissues.

[CT/MRI image characteristics of iliopsoas bursitis in avascular necrosis of femoral head]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the spectrum of CT and MR imaging and surgical operation findings in iliopsoas bursitis in patients with avascular necrosis of femoral head so as to enhance the diagnostic ability.

METHODS

A total of 1,415 patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head were analyzed retrospectively; of them, 15 patients were complicated by iliopsoas bursitis surgically or aspiration of synovial fluid between May 2005 and May 2007. Fifteen cases were all necrosis of the bilateral femoral head and 17 hips were combined with iliopsoas bursitis. There were 14 males and 1 female, aging 29-58 years. The course of disease was 1 month to 3 years. All 15 patients had limitation of ability of the hips and the "4" type sign was positive. The Harris score of hip's function was 54-78 (mean 62.7). Five patients of them can be touched a palpable cystic mass and tenderness in the inguinal area, and 3 of them associated with femoral neuropathy and 2 patients presented slight atrophy of the thigh muscle in suffering side. All these cases were taken X-ray films of positive and frog-leg lateral position, helical CT scan with 5 mm thinness, and MRI was performed in 6 patients with TlWI, T2WI, T2WI and fat-saturated inversion recovery sequence.

RESULTS

The radiographs were the primary basis evidences for diagnosis and degrees of the avascular necrosis of femoral head. According to the standards of Association Research Circulation Osseuse, there were 2 hips at stage II (II C 2), 6 hips at stage III ( II B 1, III C 5 and 9 hips at stage IV. The X-ray films showed the bulging of the fat pad and soft tissue swelling in 6 patients. CT analysis disclosed that the enlarged iliopsoas bursae appeared as hypodense, well-defined, thin-walled (< 2 mm) cystic structures. The content of the examined bursae was homogeneous with a CT density of ranging from 12.7 to 41.2 Hu, showing fluid collection. They were round or oval in shape medial to the iliopsoas, exhibiting inyvrted water-drop cystic shadow just inferior to the femoral head. Slight contrast enhancement of the bursal wall was seen after contrast agent administration in 3 cases. MRI demonstrated that the iliopsoas bursitis presented as low signal on T1WI and water-like high signal on T2WI and markedly higher signal on STIR in 6 cases. The demonstration of the extent, size, mass effects and its relation and subsequent affection to surrounding anatomical structures were clearly shown by MRI, and by the communications between the il opsoas bursa and the adjacent hip joint.

CONCLUSION

In the diagnosis of avascular necrosis of femoral head with imaging approaches, much attention should be paid to the abnormalities around the articular capsule to early identify iliopsoas bursitis for further management.