Sonographic detection of inferior subluxation in post-stroke hemiplegic shoulders

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in painful hemiplegic shoulder patients with or without subluxation: A retrospective cohort study

The relationship between hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) and subluxation is unclear. This study aimed to determine the differences of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in HSP patients with or without subluxation after stroke, and to analyze the etiology of shoulder pain. This retrospective study included 53 patients with HSP after stroke from September 2013 to February 2020. Patients underwent MRI of the shoulder because of shoulder pain. Clinical characteristics, including age, sex, stroke duration, body mass index, stroke type, visual analog scale score, Brunnstrom stage, and MRI arthrography findings of the affected shoulder, were recorded. Patients were classified into the glenohumeral subluxation (GHS) group (n = 27) or non-glenohumeral subluxation (nGHS) group (n = 26). We found that patients with HSP may be prone to bursa effusion, rotator cuff injury, ligament injury, and cartilage injury, even though there was no significant difference between the GHS and nGHS groups. MRI revealed 14 cases of long bicipital tendon-glenoid labrum injury (51.8%) in the GHS group and 6 cases (23.1%) in the nGHS group (p = 0.030). We also found 10 cases (37%) of glenoid labrum injury in the GHS group and 2 cases (7.7%) in the nGHS group (p = 0.026). Eight cases (29.6%) and 1 case (3.8%) of bone marrow edema were found in the GHS and nGHS groups, respectively (p = 0.033). Compared with painful hemiplegic shoulder patients without subluxation, patients with subluxation may be more susceptible to some injuries, such as long bicipital tendon-glenoid labrum injury, glenoid labrum injury, and bone marrow edema. During rehabilitation, physicians need to pay attention to these injuries.

Achilles tendon degeneration on ultrasound in type 2 diabetic patients

Aim of study

The main goal of this study was to compare the various degenerative changes in the Achilles tendon of type 2 diabetic patients to that of controls. The influence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, duration of diabetes mellitus, age, and body mass index on the occurrence of degenerative changes was also evaluated.

Materials and methods

The Achilles tendons of both limbs were evaluated with high-resolution ultrasound in 80 type 2 diabetics and 80 age/sex-matched controls. A 10 g Semmes Weinstein monofilament was used to examine for peripheral neuropathy. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessment of glycemic control (fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin) were also done.

Results

The mean age of type 2 diabetic subjects and healthy controls was 60.9 ± 10.3 years (range 41–79 years) and 61.0 ± 10.3 years (range 40–79 years), respectively (p = 0.963). The median duration of diabetes mellitus was 42.0 months (range = 1–456 months). The prevalence of degenerative changes (calcifications, disorganized fibers and/or hypoechoic foci) was significantly higher in type 2 diabetic subjects than controls in both the right (55.0% vs. 18.8%, p <0.001) and left (52.5% vs. 18.8%, p <0.001) feet.

Conclusion

The Achilles tendons of type 2 diabetic subjects have significantly more degenerative changes than their age/sex-matched controls in our locality. Disorganized Achilles tendon fibers occur significantly more often among male than female type 2 diabetic subjects. Disorganization of Achilles tendon fibers and hypoechoic foci are significantly more prevalent in type 2 diabetic subjects with peripheral neuropathy than those without peripheral neuropathy. Body mass index did not affect the occurrence of degenerative changes in the Achilles tendon of participants.

Assessment of Heavy Metals Associated with Bottom Sediment of Asejire Reservoir, Southwest Nigeria

A study on the characteristic of sediment quality of Asejire Reservoir was conducted to evaluate the heavy metal content of the reservoir. Twenty stations were selected, samples and analyzed using standard methods. The result showed that the sediment was slightly acidic across the study stations, with low conductivity and organic matter content. The heavy metals order of dominance was: Fe>Pb>Cu>Zn>Mn>Al>Ba>Ni>Cr. The mean concentration levels of all the heavy metals were lower than mean background value except Fe, Cu and Pb. However, calculated Enrichment Factor (EF) values for all the heavy metals investigated showed that they were less than 1.5 (<1.5), suggesting that the heavy metals were all derived mainly from natural sources such as bedrock materials and weathering processes.