Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: Current Concepts on the Diagnostic Work-Up and Evidence-Based Protocol for Radiological Evaluation.

Adhesive capsulitis is an idiopathic and disabling disorder characterized by intense shoulder pain and progressive limitation of active and passive glenohumeral joint range of motion. Although adhesive capsulitis has been traditionally considered a diagnosis of exclusion that can be established based on a suggestive medical history and the detection of supporting findings at the physical exam, imaging studies are commonly requested to confirm the diagnostic suspicion and to exclude other causes of shoulder pain. Indeed, clinical findings may be rather unspecific, and may overlap with diseases like calcific tendinitis, rotator cuff pathology, acromioclavicular or glenohumeral arthropathy, autoimmune disorders, and subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis.

Compartments of the crural fascia: clinically relevant ultrasound, anatomical and histological findings.

Purpose: Compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency that can occur in any part of the body and can cause cell necrosis when maintained over time. The resulting defects can affect the nerves, muscle cells, bone tissue, and other connective tissues inside the compartment, and fasciotomy has to be performed. The anatomical and histological characteristics of the leg make acute, chronic, and exertional compartment syndrome more likely in this limb.

Possible Points of Ulnar Nerve Entrapment in the Arm and Forearm: An Ultrasound, Anatomical, and Histological Study.

Background: Ulnar nerve entrapment is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies, usually occurring in the cubital tunnel of the elbow and in Guyon's canal of the wrist. However, it can also occur at other anatomical locations.

Purpose: Our aim was to review other possible locations of ulnar nerve entrapment in an ultrasound and anatomical study.

Variations in the Course and Diameter of the Suprascapular Nerve: Anatomical Study.

(1) Background: Suprascapular neuropathy is an important factor contributing to shoulder pain. Given the prevalence of nerve injury and nerve block in the suprascapular notch region, as well as the frequency of arthroscopic procedures on the suprascapular notch, which are recommended in shoulder pain management, its morphology is relevant from a clinical perspective. (2) Methods: Suprascapular nerve course was studied in twelve shoulders by dissection.

The Course of Posterior Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve: Anatomical and Sonographic Study with a Clinical Implication.

The course of the posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve (PACN) was studied via ultrasound (US) and dissection. The aim of this study was to reveal the anatomical relationships of PACN with the surrounding structures along its pathway to identify possible critical points of compression. Nineteen cryopreserved cadaver body donor upper extremities were explored via US and further dissected.

Compartments of the antebrachial fascia of the forearm: clinically relevant ultrasound, anatomical and histological findings.

Purpose: Acute compartment syndrome is defined as a limb-threatening condition caused by bleeding or oedema in a closed muscle compartment surrounded by fascia or bone. It is most commonly encountered in the forearm, which has three compartments: posterior, anterior and lateral. These are surrounded and closed in by the antebrachial fascia, formed by dense connective tissue that facilities their study on ultrasound and is key to fasciotomy treatment.

A Comprehensive Review of Radiohumeral Synovial Plicae for a Correct Clinical Interpretation in Intractable Lateral Epicondylitis.

Purpose Of Review: Radiohumeral synovial plicae (RHSP) have been studied by different authors in different ways; in spite of this, the evidence is poor and the results are controversial and inconclusive even when it comes to referring to this elbow structure. The aim of this article is to review the embryologic development, anatomy and histology, pathophysiologic features, clinical manifestations, physical examination, imaging findings, and treatment of radiohumeral synovial plicae, for their correct clinical interpretation in patients with intractable lateral epicondylitis.

Recent Findings: Radiohumeral synovial plicae syndrome (RHSPS) can cause intractable lateral epicondylitis and can be easily confused with other clinical conditions affecting the elbow.

Ultrasound and Anatomical Study of Accessing the Nerves in the Knee by Fascial Planes.

The fascia is an undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue related to the peripheral nerves. Both can be identified by ultrasound, which is useful when performing peripheral nerve blocks. However, there is no unanimity about the approaching point of each nerve, nor is there a consensus on how to name the appropriate infiltration zone, although the paraneural zone is frequently mentioned.

Anatomical causes of compression of the sciatic nerve in the pelvis. Piriform syndrome.

Objective: The piriformis syndrome is one of the etiologies of pelvic pain due to the sciatic nerve's entrapment by the piriformis muscle. Nowadays this syndrome might be difficult to be diagnosed. The aim of this study is to know the prevalence of anatomic variations in our population that may contribute to the appearance of piriformis syndrome.

High-resolution ultrasound in the assessment of the distal biceps brachii tendinous complex.

Objective: To establish a high-resolution US technique that enables a systematic morphometric examination of the three components that form the distal biceps brachii tendinous complex; the internal bicipital aponeurosis, the distal biceps brachii tendon and the external bicipital aponeurosis (also known as lacertus fibrosus).

Materials And Methods: Fifty cryopreserved cadaver body donor elbows were dissected to obtain morphometric reference values and to establish reliable landmarks for the US examination. Then, a systematic US technique was designed and validated by a one-to-one US/dissection analysis of 11 cryopreserved cadaver body donor elbows.

An anatomical and histological study of the structures surrounding the proximal attachment of the hamstring muscles.

Introduction: The proximal attachment of hamstring muscles has a very high incidence of injuries due to a wide number of factors and its morphology may be one of the underlying factors as scientific literature points out. The connective tissue component of the attachment of hamstring muscles is not well known. For this reason the aim of this study is to describe the anatomy and histology surrounding the proximal attachment of the hamstring muscles (PAHM) and its direct anatomic relations.

Anatomical and histological study of human deep fasciae development.

Purpose: To characterize the connective tissue found between the subcutaneous adipose tissue and the underlying muscle tissue in different regions and at different stages of human fetal development. We aim to identify its structural similarities to adult deep fascia, and to establish its role in myofascial development.

Methods: Samples from the arm, forearm, low back and thigh regions (from sites topographically homologous to the adult deep fascia) of five fetus body donors were obtained to perform gross anatomy dissection and histologic sections.

Contribution of ultrasound in the assessment of patients with suspect idiopathic pudendal nerve disease.

Objective: To assess if Ultrasound (US) is contributive in patients suspected of having idiopathic pudendal neuralgia.

Methods: Between July 2012 and April 2013, 10 consecutive female patients with suspected idiopathic pudendal neuralgia (mean age: 47±14 years; mean BMI: 24±3) were included. Two radiologists blinded to the clinical and neurophysiological data performed pudendal nerve evaluation with broadband linear array transducers (12-7 MHZ, and 17-5 MHZ).

Can local corticosteroid injection in the retrocalcaneal bursa lead to rupture of the Achilles tendon and the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle?

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explain the cause-effect relationship in three patients who reported combined ruptures of the Achilles tendon and the gastrosoleus complex 6 months after they had received corticosteroids injections for the management of retrocalcaneal bursitis.

Methods: Three cryopreserved cadavers (three men, three left legs) were examined to assess the anatomic connection between the retrocalcaneal bursa and the Achilles tendon (distal and anterior fibers). Blue triptan medium contrast was injected.

Multidisciplinary approach to the persistent double distal tendon of the biceps brachii.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to correlate the ultrasound (US) appearance of the persistent double or bifid distal tendon of the biceps brachii muscle with anatomical and histological data. This will provide a new model to study the pathological distal biceps brachii tendon (DBBT).

Methods: The DBBT of 20 cadaveric elbows were examined with linear array broadband US transducers (frequency band 14-6 MHz) using an anterior approach.

Minimally invasive ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release: a cadaver study.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition frequently requiring surgical intervention. We describe a new minimally invasive surgical technique for carpal tunnel release utilizing ultrasound (US) visualization.

Methods: The technique was performed on 20 fresh frozen cadaver specimens.

The soleus muscle: MRI, anatomic and histologic findings in cadavers with clinical correlation of strain injury distribution.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the normal anatomy of the soleus muscle using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, anatomic dissection and histologic correlation in cadavers. The second objective of this study was to analyse the morphometry of the soleus muscle in normal volunteers. The final objective was to undertake a retrospective review of soleal strain injuries confirmed with MR imaging, with correlation made between the cadaveric anatomic findings and the MR imaging features.

Ultrasonography and color Doppler of proximal gluteal enthesitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a descriptive study.

Background: The presence of enthesitis (insertional inflammation) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is difficult to establish clinically and may influence classification and treatment of the disease. We used ultrasonography (US) and color Doppler (CD) imaging to detect enthesitis at the small and deep-seated proximal insertion of the gluteus medius fascia on the posterior iliac crest where clinical diagnosis is difficult. The findings in JIA patients were compared with those obtained in healthy controls and with the patients' MRI results.

Imaging of neuropathies about the hip.

Neuropathies about the hip may be cause of chronic pain and disability. In most cases, these conditions derive from mechanical or dynamic compression of a segment of a nerve within a narrow osteofibrous tunnel, an opening in a fibrous structure, or a passageway close to a ligament or a muscle. Although the evaluation of nerve disorders primarily relies on neurological examination and electrophysiology, diagnostic imaging is currently used as a complement to help define the site and aetiology of nerve compression and exclude other disease possibly underlying the patient' symptoms.