Marcelo Novelino Simão

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Achilles Tendon Repair After Percutaneous Sectioning for the Correction of Congenital Clubfoot Residual Equinus

Background Most cases of congenital clubfoot treated with the Ponseti technique require percutaneous Achilles tenotomy to correct the residual equinus. Clinical evidence suggests that complete healing occurs between the cut tendon stumps, but there have not yet been any detailed studies investigating this reparative process. This study was performed to assess Achilles tendon repair after percutaneous section to correct the residual equinus of clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method. Method A prospective study analyzed 37 tenotomies in 26 patients with congenital clubfoot treated with the Ponseti technique, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year after the section. The tenotomy was performed percutaneously with a large-bore needle bevel with patient sedation and local anesthesia. Ultrasonographic scanning was performed after section to ascertain that the tenotomy had been completed and to measure the stump separation. In the follow-up period, the reparative process was followed ultrasonographically and assessed at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year posttenotomy. Results The ultrasonography performed immediately after the procedure showed that in some cases, residual strands between the tendon ends persisted, and these were completely sectioned under ultrasound control. A mean retraction of 5.65 mm±2.26 mm (range, 2.3 to 11.0 mm) between tendon stumps after section was observed. Unusual bleeding occurred in one case and was controlled by digital pressure, with no interference with the final treatment. After 3 weeks, ultrasonography showed tendon repair with the tendon gap filled with irregular hypoechoic tissue, and also with transmission of muscle motion to the heel. Six months after tenotomy, there was structural filling with a fibrillar aspect, mild or moderate hypoechogenicity, and tendon scar thickening when compared with a normal tendon. One year after tenotomy, ultrasound showed a fibrillar structure and echogenicity at the repair site that was similar to a normal tendon, but with persistent tendon scarring thickness. Conclusions There is a fast reparative process after Achilles tendon percutaneous section that reestablishes continuity between stumps. The reparative tissue evolved to tendon tissue with a normal ultrasonographic appearance except for mild thickening, suggesting a predominantly intrinsic repair mechanism.

Freqüência de sintomas digestivos em pacientes brasileiros com Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE: To determine the frequencies of digestive symptoms in an unselected sample of Brazilian diabetics, in comparison to those verified in the general population. METHODS: The frequencies of 13 digestive symptoms were determined in 153 type 1 and type 2 diabetics and in 50 apparently healthy controls, utilizing a structured, standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: The percentage of diabetics with at least one symptom was significantly higher than in controls (70% vs 36%, p = 0.01). Higher frequencies of upper digestive symptoms, such as postprandial epigastric fullness (30% vs 35%), heartburn (30% vs 34%), as well as constipation (17% vs 12%) were observed in both groups. Nevertheless, only the prevalence of dysphagia (13% vs 2%) was significantly increased (p = 0.02) in diabetics. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that gastrointestinal symptoms are common in diabetics, but this seems also to be the case in the general population, with the exception of dysphagia. The frequencies of symptoms observed in Brazil were similar to those reported in studies from the North Hemisphere, a finding that does not support the hypothesis that external factors may influence the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in diabetics.PURPOSE To determine the frequencies of digestive symptoms in an unselected sample of Brazilian diabetics, in comparison to those verified in the general population. METHODS The frequencies of 13 digestive symptoms were determined in 153 type 1 and type 2 diabetics and in 50 apparently healthy controls, utilizing a structured, standardized questionnaire. RESULTS The percentage of diabetics with at least one symptom was significantly higher than in controls (70% vs 36%, p = 0.01). Higher frequencies of upper digestive symptoms, such as postprandial epigastric fullness (30% vs 35%), heartburn (30% vs 34%), as well as constipation (17% vs 12%) were observed in both groups. Nevertheless, only the prevalence of dysphagia (13% vs 2%) was significantly increased (p = 0.02) in diabetics. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that gastrointestinal symptoms are common in diabetics, but this seems also to be the case in the general population, with the exception of dysphagia. The frequencies of symptoms observed in Brazil were similar to those reported in studies from the North Hemisphere, a finding that does not support the hypothesis that external factors may influence the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in diabetics.

Erros comuns de interpretação de ressonância magnética de joelho: como reconhecê-los e evitá-los

A ressonância magnetica tornou-se o metodo de imagem de escolha para o estudo das articulacoes, devido a sua grande diferenciacao tecidual, resolucao de estruturas, imagens em multiplos planos e estudos dinâmicos (cinematicos). Talvez a articulacao do joelho seja o exame de ressonância magnetica mais solicitado na area osteoarticular. O conhecimento detalhado da anatomia, fisiologia e aspecto de imagenologia da regiao permite uma interpretacao adequada dos exames. No entanto, por vezes, estruturas anatomicas que so aparecem esporadicamente, variantes anatomicas e artefatos podem causar erros de interpretacao desses exames. O presente artigo tem por finalidade discutir as causas mais frequentes de erros de interpretacao, suas causas e como evita-los.

Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of periosteal reactions in bone sarcomas using conventional radiography as the reference

Objective: To evaluate the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting periosteal reactions and to compare MRI and conventional radiography (CR) in terms of the classification of periosteal reactions. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of 42 consecutive patients (mean age, 22 years; 20 men) with a confirmed diagnosis of osteosarcoma or Ewings sarcoma, MRI and CR images having been acquired pretreatment. Three blinded radiologists detected periosteal reactions and evaluated each periosteal reaction subtype in CR and MRI images: Codmans triangle; laminated; and spiculated. The CR was used as a benchmark to calculate the diagnostic performance. We used the kappa coefficient to assess interobserver reproducibility. A two-tailed Fishers exact test was used in order to assess contingency between CR and MRI classifications. Results: In the detection of periosteal reactions, MRI showed high specificity, a high negative predictive value, and low-to-moderate sensitivity. For CR and for MRI, the interobserver agreement for periosteal reaction was almost perfect, whereas, for the classification of different subtypes of periosteal reaction, it was higher for the Codmans triangle subtype and lower for the spiculated subtype. There was no significant difference between MRI and CR in terms of the classifications (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We found no difference between MRI and CR in terms of their ability to classify periosteal reactions. MRI showed high specificity and almost perfect interobserver agreement for the detection of periosteal reactions. The interobserver agreement was variable for the different subtypes of periosteal reaction.

Marrow Fat Quality Differences by Sex in Healthy Adults

Several studies have demonstrated the relationship between bone marrow adiposity (BMAT) and bone mass. 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a noninvasive technique able to assess both BMAT quantity and quality. The aim of our study was to perform quantitative and qualitative analyses of BMAT and to investigate its association with bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy nonobese volunteers. Fifty-one healthy volunteers, 21 men and 30 women, underwent 1.5 T 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the lumbar spine. BMD was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine. Correlation analysis was performed to evaluate association among lipids fractions, BMD, and age. The female and male volunteers had similar body mass index and BMD (p > 0.05). Our data demonstrated an inverse correlation of BMD and BMAT with age, with a stronger correlation of saturated lipids (r = 0.701; p < 0.0001) compared with unsaturated lipids (UL) (r = 0.278; p = 0.004). Importantly, female subjects had the highest amount of UL (confidence interval: 0.685%-1.722%; p < 0.001). Our study reports that men and women with similar BMD and body mass index have striking differences in bone marrow lipids composition, namely women have higher UL than men. In addition, we believe that our study brings new insights to the complex network involving BMAT and other factors that influence bone integrity.

Anterior shoulder instability: correlation between magnetic resonance arthrography, ultrasound arthrography and intraoperative findings.

The purpose of the present study was to determine ultrasound (US) arthrography diagnostic accuracy in patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation by comparing US arthrography and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) with intraoperative findings. Fifty-six consecutive patients with diagnosis of chronic anterior instability of the shoulder were evaluated for assessment of bone and soft tissue lesions by three radiologists. Twenty-five cases were confirmed by surgery. Sensitivity, specificity, inter- and intraobserver agreement were calculated. Ultrasound sensitivity ranged from 20% to 100% and specificity from 25% to 90%. MRA sensitivity ranged from 80% to 100% and specificity from 50% to 100%. Interobserver agreement was good for MRA (0.54-0.70) and fair for US arthrography (0.19-0.40). Despite a higher interobserver variability for US arthrography than for MRA, our results indicate that US is capable of demonstrating bone and soft tissue lesions related to chronic instability of the shoulder in the presence of intra-articular fluid.

Ressonância magnética na avaliação das reações periosteais

The objective of the present essay was to encourage a careful evaluation of periosteal reactions on magnetic resonance images. The initial approach to bone lesions is made by conventional radiography and, based on the imaging findings, periosteal reactions are classified into classical subtypes. Although magnetic resonance imaging is considered as the gold standard for local staging of bone tumors, the utilization of such method in the study of periosteal reactions related to focal bone lesions has been poorly emphasized, with relatively few studies approaching this subject. The literature review revealed a study describing an experimental animal model of osteomyelitis suggesting that magnetic resonance imaging is superior to other imaging methods in the early identification of periosteal reactions. Another study has suggested a good correlation between conventional radiography and magnetic resonance imaging in the identification and classification of periosteal reactions in cases of osteosarcoma. The present essay illustrates cases of periosteal reactions observed at magnetic resonance imaging in correlation with findings of conventional radiography or other imaging methods.

Ressonância magnética na avaliação das variações anatômicas meniscais e da anatomia ligamentar perimeniscal: potenciais causas de erro de interpretação

The knowledge of meniscal anatomic variants and of the normal perimeniscal structures is essential to understand magnetic resonance imaging studies of the knee, both for the diagnosis of meniscal lesions and to avoid potential interpretation pitfalls. The present article reviews anatomic variants that change the size, shape and stability of the menisci, including the different types of discoid menisci, other less frequent meniscal malformations and the meniscal ossicle. Additionally, the anatomy of perimeniscal structures, particularly those including the meniscocapsular, intermeniscal, meniscofemoral ligaments and other menisco-ligamentous structures is reviewed.

Giant thrombosed venous aneurysm in the calf: MRI characteristics and the target sign

Primary venous aneurysms are not as common as arterial aneurysms. Venous aneurysms have been described in the popliteal, jugular and saphenous veins but are rarely observed in other veins such as the visceral veins.1–3 A popliteal venous aneurysm (PVA) is occasionally characterized by local signs and symptoms and notably may cause fatal complications, such as pulmonary embolism and other thromboembolic episodes, if it remains undiagnosed or untreated. Although many cases of popliteal venous aneurysms have been reported, to date, there have been no previous descriptions of the MRI features of PVAs. The present case study describes a giant thrombosed venous aneurysm in the calf that simulated a soft tissue mass in its clinical presentation. The thrombosed venous aneurysm presentation, as observed via MRI, showed characteristics that could represent potential pitfalls resulting in a misinterpretation of the lesion as a peripheral nerve tumor.

Uso de agulha de grosso calibre na secção percutânea do tendão calcâneo no pé torto congênito

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percutaneous Achilles tendon sectioning technique using a large gauge needle for the correction of residual equinus of congenital clubfoot treated by the Ponseti method. METHODS: Fifty-seven Achilles tendon sections were prospectively evaluated in thirty-nine patients with clubfoot, treated by the Ponseti method between July 2005 and December 2008. The tenotomy was performed percutaneously with a large gauge needle. Ultrasound scan was performed immediately after the section, to ascertain whether the tenotomy was complete, as well as stump separation. RESULTS: There was complete tendon section in all cases, but the need to perform the section maneuver more than once was common, due to the persistence of the residual strands between tendon stumps. The Thompson test and dynamic ultrasound evaluation were able to detect incomplete tenotomies. The mean ultrasound measurement of the tendon gap was 5.70 ± 2.23 mm. Two patients had abnormal bleeding, which was controlled by digital pressure and did not compromise foot perfusion. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous Achilles tendon sectioning with a needle proved to be efficient and safe to correct residual equinus of clubfoot treated by the Ponseti technique.