Correlation between thoracic kyphosis and dry needle length required to reach the pleural space needling the upper trapezius: A cadaveric fluoroscopic assessment.

Background: It is unknown whether greater prone thoracic kyphosis increases pneumothorax risk during upper trapezius dry needling.

Objectives: To fluoroscopically assess for a correlation between prone thoracic kyphosis and needle length required to reach the pleural space dry needling the upper trapezius in prone.

Design: Cadaveric study.

Radiographic evaluation of pedal osseous tumors.

Osseous tumors of the foot are uncommon lesions. The approach to making the correct diagnosis should be based upon a knowledge of the types of tumor that may be encountered and a systematic analysis of the characteristics of the lesion. Proper use of imaging techniques will help to narrow the differential diagnosis.

Anatomy of the flexor retinaculum.

For an accurate definition of the anatomic limits of the carpal tunnel, 26 cadaver upper extremities were studied by gross (10), histologic (3), and radiographic (13) methods. The mean proximal limit of the central portion of the flexor retinaculum was 11 mm distal to the capitate-lunate joint, and the mean distal limit of the distal portion was 10 mm distal to the carpometacarpal joint of the third metacarpal. Carpal tunnel width at the hook of the hamate (20 mm) was significantly smaller than its proximal (24 mm) or distal (25 mm) extent.

Establishment of carpal contents/canal ratio by means of magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine cross-sectional areas and volumes of carpal canals and carpal canal contents in five cadaver specimens in an assessment of the reliability of MRI for establishing contents/canal ratios. Volumes of the carpal canals and their contents were accurately calculated from MRI with a previously described correction factor (0.8161) for carpal tunnel volumes and a calculated correction factor (1.

The carpal tunnel as a compartment. An anatomic perspective.

Previously, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have exhibited an elevated carpal tunnel pressure compared with that of control subjects. The etiology and maintenance of this pressure remains controversial, however. Both the open- and closed-compartment theories have their own advocates, although the closed-compartment theory has no apparent anatomic support.

Effect of soluble and immobilized plasmin on fibrinogen and platelets.

Plasmin was immobilized on collageno-elastic tubes (CET) using carbodiimide as the cross-linking agent. The effects of plasmin-CET grafts and corresponding soluble plasmin on fibrinogen, thrombin-mediated fibrinogen activation, and platelet activity, were investigated. There was a significant increase in fibrinogen deposition on plasmin-CETs over non-plasmin (i.

In vitro and in vivo studies of heparinized-collageno-elastic tubes.

Heparin was covalently coupled to collageno-elastic grafts (CET) derived from lamb carotid arteries, by using the crosslinking agent 1-ethyl-3 (3-dimethyl-aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC). The collagenous grafts were pretreated with various aminating agents in order to enhance the number of available binding sites on the collagen surface. By varying the EDC/heparin weight ratio, the pH of the immobilization media, and the pretreatment agent, a global search pattern maximized heparin loading at 3.

MR-tutor: a program for teaching the interdependence of factors which influence signal intensity in magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a valuable diagnostic radiologic procedure. The appearance of tissues on the MR scan is dependent upon a complex relationship among a number of variables. We have written a computer program which teaches students of magnetic resonance imaging the interdependence of these variables and how they affect the appearance of tissues on MR images.

Cine-gradient-refocused MR imaging of central pulmonary emboli.

We studied the use of MR imaging with a limited-flip-angle, gradient-refocused pulse sequence to show central pulmonary emboli in 11 patients and to distinguish acute from chronic emboli. The central pulmonary vasculature was imaged by using a cine-limited-flip-angle (cine-MR) pulse sequence with 63/13 (TR/TE) and a 30 degrees flip angle (theta), as well as standard spin-echo sequences. Patients were selected on the basis of suspicion of central pulmonary embolism and correlative studies done within 24 hr of the MR examination.

Optic nerve atrophy and CT scanning: the target sign.

Three patients are described who demonstrate the "target-sign" of optic nerve atrophy on CT scanning. This sign is produced by the centrally located atrophic optic nerve surrounded by a patulous perioptic subarachnoid space. An explanation for this phenomenon is proposed.

Displacement of mediastinal clips by postoperative mediastinal hemorrhage.

We have reported a case in which the separation of radiopaque surgical clips after cardiac operation proved to be a sensitive sign of mediastinal hemorrhage. Echocardiography was done for confirmation.

TECHSCORE: a program for tabulating the results of multiple choice questions and correcting multiple choice examinations.

TECHSCORE is a computer program which tabulates the responses to multiple choice questions, calculates the percentage of each response and displays this information in tabular form. The program also provides a means for correcting and grading multiple choice examinations. We have used this program successfully in our department for tabulating the results of supervisor evaluations and also for correcting student examinations.

Radiologic evaluation of the liver in the alcoholic patient.

It has been well documented that long-term abuse of alcohol leads to dysfunction of multiple organ systems of the body. The liver, which is the primary organ responsible for alcohol metabolism, is also a major target for damage. Cirrhosis of the liver is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

The disposable umbrella catheter: an alternative to the standard balloon enema catheter.

The authors describe the use of a new catheter for barium enema examination that eliminates the hazards of the straight and balloon type catheters.