Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Application in Cervical Spine: Pictorial Essay

Ultrasound (US) can depict of various anatomical structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerve roots, and vessels, around the neck. The usage of US around the neck is increasing due to its quick and easy application for guided injection for nerves, tendons, and joints. This article elaborates the degenerative diseases causing neck pain, sonoanatomy, and the use of US for diagnosis and intervention; for example, small nerves around the neck, cervical root, stellate ganglion, medial branches, greater occipital nerve (GON), and third occipital nerve (TON). The aim of this review article is to lead readers to understand the anatomy around the neck and structural relations, and to get to know about several US-guided intervention of the neck.

Asymptomatic Bladder Diverticulum Can Develop New Urinary Symptoms after a New Onset of Stroke: a Case Report

Bladder diverticulum can be caused by many varying factors. It is usually asymptomatic in nature and thus often found by chance. In adult males, it can develop as a result of increased intravesicular pressure in the presence of an underlying benign prostatic hyperplasia. We observed a case in which a patient with asymptomatic bladder diverticulum developed new urinary symptoms owing to an underlying neurogenic lower urinary tract disorder which occurred following a cerebral infarction.

Elbow Pain Brought on by a Minuscule Angioleiomyoma

Angioleiomyoma is an infrequent benign smooth muscle tumor that arises from smooth muscle cells of arterial or venous walls in the tunica media layer. It would be found in the dermis, the subcutaneous tissue, or the superficial fascia of the anywhere in the body and is most often seen in the lower extremities. The typical lesion is a small, slowly growing, round, but firm and mobile nodule. We report a case of angioleiomyoma located on the anterior aspect of the elbow, which was mistaken for extradigital glomus tumor after history taking, physical examination. With point tenderness and worsening sharp pain in cold exposure for several years, the patient was referred for a further evaluation, and the lesion was 5 mm sized well-circumscribed mass in the anterior elbow with vascular signals on color and power Doppler by ultrasonography and finally diagnosed as angioleiomyoma following complete excision and histological evaluation.

Asymptomatic Bladder Diverticulum Can Develop New Urinary Symptoms after a New Onset of Stroke: a Case Report

Bladder diverticulum can be caused by many varying factors. It is usually asymptomatic in nature and thus often found by chance. In adult males, it can develop as a result of increased intravesicular pressure in the presence of an underlying benign prostatic hyperplasia. We observed a case in which a patient with asymptomatic bladder diverticulum developed new urinary symptoms owing to an underlying neurogenic lower urinary tract disorder which occurred following a cerebral infarction.

Elbow Pain Brought on by a Minuscule Angioleiomyoma

Angioleiomyoma is an infrequent benign smooth muscle tumor that arises from smooth muscle cells of arterial or venous walls in the tunica media layer. It would be found in the dermis, the subcutaneous tissue, or the superficial fascia of the anywhere in the body and is most often seen in the lower extremities. The typical lesion is a small, slowly growing, round, but firm and mobile nodule. We report a case of angioleiomyoma located on the anterior aspect of the elbow, which was mistaken for extradigital glomus tumor after history taking, physical examination. With point tenderness and worsening sharp pain in cold exposure for several years, the patient was referred for a further evaluation, and the lesion was 5 mm sized well-circumscribed mass in the anterior elbow with vascular signals on color and power Doppler by ultrasonography and finally diagnosed as angioleiomyoma following complete excision and histological evaluation.

Asymptomatic Bladder Diverticulum Can Develop New Urinary Symptoms after a New Onset of Stroke: a Case Report

Bladder diverticulum can be caused by many varying factors. It is usually asymptomatic in nature and thus often found by chance. In adult males, it can develop as a result of increased intravesicular pressure in the presence of an underlying benign prostatic hyperplasia. We observed a case in which a patient with asymptomatic bladder diverticulum developed new urinary symptoms owing to an underlying neurogenic lower urinary tract disorder which occurred following a cerebral infarction.

Degenerative Diseases and Ultrasound-guided Intervention in Lumbar Spine

Degenerative disease of the spine affects all people and several distinct degenerative processes can be observed. These processes are associated with characteristic radiographic and pathologic abnormalities. Intervertebral osteochondrosis, spondylosis deformans, osteoarthritis of the facet joint, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) are the major forms of degenerative diseases in lumbar spine. Ultrasound is frequently used to guide several lumbar procedures before and after operation, or just for nerve block and intra-articular injection even though fluoroscopy have been used preferentially in interventional procedures due to well visualization of the needle and of the spreading of the injections. However, more and more clinicians have applied ultrasound-guided intervention with several advantages, such as no radiation exposure, relatively inexpensive in cost, and smaller space in occupancy. We reviewed sonoanatomy and well established several ultrasound-guided interventions in lumbar spine, such as medial branch block, facet joint injection, caudal block, and lumbar epidural block.

Acquired Change and Pain of Foot in Elderly People

As the aging of the foot progresses, the stiffness of the soft tissues, the reduction of the range of motion, the decrease of the muscle strength, and the flattening of foot are manifested. These changes increase the risk of foot pain, the problem of weight distribution and transmission, and the risk of falls, resulting in secondary complications and lowering quality of life. The most common deformities and diseases of the elderly foot are hallux valgus, hammertoes, hallux rigidus, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, hyperkeratosis, and other deformities of the feet caused by chronic conditions. Systemic diseases that promote these foot problems include diabetes, peripheral nerve damage, repetitive ankle ligament injuries, deformities due to fractures, and obesity. Understanding the mechanisms of aging and the processing of biomechanics in the elderly will enable them to reach a healthy life through appropriate rehabilitation, exercise and educations during aging. In addition, it is necessary to promote the healthy life in elderly by customized exercise, training, and shoes.

Correlation of Radiographic and Patient Assessment of Spine Following Correction of Nonstructural Component in Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between progression of curvature of scoliosis, and correction for functional component in patients with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (JIS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical data of patients prescribed custom molded foot orthosis (FO) to correct inequality of RCSPA (resting calcaneal stance position angle), and chose 52 patients (26 females, 26 males) with Cobb angle ≥10° in radiology and uneven pelvic level at iliac crest by different RCSPA (≥3°) as a factor of functional scoliosis. They had different hump angle ≥5° in forward bending test, for idiopathic scoliosis component. Their mean age and mean period of wearing FO were 79.5±10.6 months and 18.6±0.70 months. RESULTS: Cobb angle was reduced from 22.03°±4.39° initially to 18.86°±7.53° after wearing FO. Pelvis height difference and RCSPA difference, were reduced from 1.07±0.25 cm initially to 0.60±0.36, and from 4.25°±0.71° initially to 1.71°±0.75° (p < 0.01). Cobb angle improved most in 9 months. However, there was no significant improvement for those with more than 25° of Cobb angle initially. Mean Cobb angle improved in all age groups, but patients less than 6 years had clinically significant improvement of more than 5°. CONCLUSION: JIS can have functional components, which should be identified and managed. Foot orthosis is useful in correcting functional factors, in the case of pelvic inequality caused by different RCSPA, for patients with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis.

Effects of Electric Cortical Stimulation (ECS) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Rats With a Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of electric cortical stimulation (ECS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor and cognitive function recovery and brain plasticity in focal traumatic brain injury (TBI) of rats model. METHODS: Forty rats were pre-trained to perform a single pellet reaching task (SPRT), rotarod test (RRT), and Y-maze test for 14 days, then a focal TBI was induced by a weight drop model on the motor cortex. All rats were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: anodal ECS (50 Hz and 194 μs) (ECS group), tDCS (0.1 mA, 50 Hz and 200 μs) (tDCS group), and no stimulation as a control group. Four-week stimulation, including rehabilitation, was started 3 days after the operation. SPRT, RRT, and Y-maze were measured from day 1 to day 28 after the TBI was induced. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry staining evaluations were performed at 4 weeks. RESULTS: SPRT was improved from day 7 to day 26 in ECS, and from day 8 to day 26 in tDCS compared to the control group (p < 0.05). SPRT of ECS group was significantly improved on days 3, 8, 9, and 17 compared to the tDCS group. Y-maze was improved from day 8 to day 16 in ECS, and on days 6, 12, and 16 in the tDCS group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Y-maze of the ECS group was significantly improved on day 9 to day 15 compared to the tDCS group. The c-Fos protein expression was better in the ECS group and the tDCS group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Electric stimulation in rats modified with a focal TBI is effective for motor recovery and brain plasticity. ECS induced faster behavioral and cognitive improvements compared to tDCS during the recovery period of rats with a focal TBI.

A New Instrument for Measuring Tibial Torsion in Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVE: To develop and test the validity and reliability of a new instrument for measuring the thigh-foot angle (TFA) for the patients with in-toeing and out-toeing gait. METHODS: The new instrument (Thigh-Foot Supporter [TFS]) was developed by measuring the TFA during regular examination of the tibial torsional status. The study included 40 children who presented with in-toeing and out-toeing gaits. We took a picture of each case to measure photographic-TFA (P-TFA) in the proper position and to establish a criterion. Study participants were examined by three independent physicians (A, B, and C) who had one, three and ten years of experience in the field, respectively. Each examiner conducted a separate classical physical examination (CPE) of every participant using a gait goniometer followed by a TFA assessment of each pediatric patient with or without the TFS. Thirty minutes later, repeated in the same way was measured. RESULTS: Less experienced examiner A showed significant differences between the TFA values depending on whether TFS used (left p=0.003 and right p=0.008). However, experienced examiners B and C did not show significant differences. Using TFS, less experienced examiner A showed a high validity and all examiner's inter-test and the inter-personal reliabilities increased. CONCLUSION: TFS may increase validity and reliability in measuring tibial torsion in patients who has a rotational problem in lower extremities. It would be more useful in less experienced examiners.

Musculoskeletal Problems in Upper Extremity after Stroke

Musculoskeletal problems in the upper extremity after stroke are common conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, which are often symptomatic. These symptomatic conditions include complex regional pain syndrome type 1, secondary adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, spasticity, secondary mechanical injuries, which often presents simultaneously in combined nature, so that one targeted treatment is not always successful. Musculoskeletal pain and complication is one of the reasons, for patients not being possible to start or participate in the daily regular rehabilitation programs actively after stroke.

Relationship Between HbA1c and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Stroke Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in stroke patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of stroke patients from January 2012 to December 2013. We reviewed 331 patients and included 200 in the analysis. We divided them into CRPS and non-CRPS groups and compared them by age, gender, stroke lesion, cause of stroke, duration of T2DM, HbA1c (%), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, affected shoulder flexor muscle strength, Fugl-Meyer Assessment score, motricity index, Functional Independence Measure, Korean version of Modified Barthel Index, blood glucose level on admission day, duration from stroke onset to HbA1c check, and duration from stroke onset to three-phase bone scan for CRPS diagnosis. Thereafter, we classified the patients into five groups by HbA1c level (group 1, 5.0%–5.9%; group 2, 6.0%–6.9%; group 3, 7.0%–7.9%; group 4, 8.0%–8.9%; and group 5, 9.0%–9.9%) and we investigated the difference in CRPS prevalence between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 200 patients, 108 were in the CRPS group and 92 were in the non-CRPS group. There were significant differences in HbA1c (p<0.05) between the two groups but no significant differences in any other factors. Across the five HbA1c groups, there were significant differences in CRPS prevalence (p<0.01); specifically, it increased as HbA1c increased. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that higher HbA1c relates to higher CRPS prevalence and thus that uncontrolled blood glucose can affect CRPS occurrence in stroke patients with diabetes.

Effect of Pneumatic Compressing Powered Orthosis in Stroke Patients: Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a knee-ankle-foot orthosis powered by artificial pneumatic muscles (PKAFO). METHODS: Twenty-three hemiplegic patients (age, 59.6+/-13.7 years) were assessed 19.7+/-36.6 months after brain lesion. The 10-m walking time was measured as a gait parameter while the individual walked on a treadmill. Walking speed (m/s), step cycle (cycle/s), and step length (m) were also measured on a treadmill with and without PKAFO, and before and after gait training. Clinical parameters measured before and after gait training included Korean version of Modified Bathel Index (K-MBI), manual muscle test (MMT), and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) of hemiplegic ankle. Gait training comprised treadmill walking for 20 minutes, 5 days a week for 3 weeks at a comfortable speed. RESULTS: The 10-m walking time, walking speed, step length, and step cycle were significantly greater with PKAFO than without PKAFO, and after gait training (both p<0.05). K-MBI was improved after gait training (p<0.05), but MMT and MAS were not. CONCLUSION: PKAFO may improve gait function in hemiplegic patients. It can be a useful orthosis for gait training in hemiplegic patients.

Effect of Epidural Electrical Stimulation and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Rats With Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of epidural electrical stimulation (EES) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor recovery and brain activity in a rat model of diffuse traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to the control group. METHODS: Thirty rats weighing 270-285 g with diffuse TBI with 45 kg/cm2 using a weight-drop model were assigned to one of three groups: the EES group (ES) (anodal electrical stimulation at 50 Hz), the rTMS group (MS) (magnetic stimulation at 10 Hz, 3-second stimulation with 6-second intervals, 4,000 total stimulations per day), and the sham-treated control group (sham) (no stimulation). They were pre-trained to perform a single-pellet reaching task (SPRT) and a rotarod test (RRT) for 14 days. Diffuse TBI was then induced and an electrode was implanted over the dominant motor cortex. The changes in SPRT success rate, RRT performance time rate and the expression of c-Fos after two weeks of EES or rTMS were tracked. RESULTS: SPRT improved significantly from day 8 to day 12 in the ES group and from day 4 to day 14 in the MS group (p<0.05) compared to the sham group. RRT improved significantly from day 6 to day 11 in ES and from day 4 to day 9 in MS compared to the sham group. The ES and MS groups showed increased expression of c-Fos in the cerebral cortex compared to the sham group. CONCLUSION: ES or MS in a rat model of diffuse TBI can be used to enhance motor recovery and brain activity.

Balloon Dilatation for an Esophageal Stricture by Long-Term Use of a Nasogastric Tube: A Case Report

In the present report, we describe a case of long-term follow-up esophageal stricture occurring in a patient with nasogastric tube use. A 63-year-old man who had experienced dislocation of the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae as the result of an external injury received treatment at another hospital and was admitted to the rehabilitation department of our hospital. After he exhibited normal swallowing in a videofluoroscopic swallowing test, the nasogastric tube was removed and oral feeding with a dysphagia diet was initiated. However, during oral feeding, the patient complained of swallowing difficulties in his lower throat. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed to examine the lesions below the pharynx and a 2-mm stricture was observed. A balloon dilatation was performed for a total of 9 times to extend the stricture. After the procedure, the patient was able to easily swallow a normal diet through the esophagus and the vomiting symptoms disappeared. An esophagography showed that the diameter of the esophageal stricture was 11 mm.

Development and Application of a Newly Designed Massage Instrument for Deep Cross-Friction Massage in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a newly designed massage instrument, the Hand Grip T-bar (HT-bar) and use it to relieve chronic non-specific low back pain (nLBP) through deep cross-friction massage (roptrotherapy). METHOD: 22 subjects (9 males and 13 females, aged 51.6+/-6.7) with chronic nLBP were allocated randomly to a Roptrotherapy group (n=12) and a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) group (n=10). The Roptrotherapy group received deep cross-friction massage with the HT-bar, which was made of metal and had a cylinder for increasing weight and grooves for an easy grip. It was applied across the middle and lower back for 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week for 2 weeks. The TENS group received TENS for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 2 weeks. The outcome was measured on the pain numeric rating scale (PNRS), by the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and by the Roland & Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) at pre-treatment, at immediate post-treatment and 2 weeks later. The application of the HT-bar was assessed by a questionnaire to 19 therapists. RESULTS: At post-treatment, immediately and 2 weeks later, both groups showed significant improvement in PNRS, ODI and RMDQ. During the two weeks after post-treatment, however, the Roptrotherapy group improved in PNRS, ODI and RMDQ, but the TENS group did not. Over 80% of the therapists responded that the HT-bar was useful and comfortable. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that deep cross-friction massage can be a beneficial therapeutic technique and that the HT-bar can be a useful instrument in deep cross-friction massage for chronic nLBP patients.

The Effect of Electric Cortical Stimulation after Focal Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of electric cortical stimulation in the experimentally induced focal traumatic brain injury (TBI) rat model on motor recovery and plasticity of the injured brain. METHOD: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were pre-trained on a single pellet reaching task (SPRT) and on a Rotarod task (RRT) for 14 days. Then, the TBI model was induced by a weight drop device (40 g in weight, 25 cm in height) on the dominant motor cortex, and the electrode was implanted over the perilesional cortical surface. All rats were divided into two groups as follows: Electrical stimulation (ES) group with anodal continuous stimulation (50 Hz and 194 micros duration) or Sham-operated control (SOC) group with no electrical stimulation. The rats were trained SPRT and RRT for 14 days for rehabilitation and measured Garcia's neurologic examination. Histopathological and immunostaining evaluations were performed after the experiment. RESULTS: There were no differences in the slice number in the histological analysis. Garcia's neurologic scores & SPRT were significantly increased in the ES group (p<0.05), yet, there was no difference in RRT in both groups. The ES group showed more expression of c-Fos around the brain injured area than the SOC group. CONCLUSION: Electric cortical stimulation with rehabilitation is considered to be one of the trial methods for motor recovery in TBI. However, more studies should be conducted for the TBI model in order to establish better stimulation methods.

Effectiveness of Newly Designed Modified Extension-Type Sling for the Subluxated Shoulder in Hemiplegia

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of the METS (modified extension-type sling) in reducing subluxation in patients with hemiplegic shoulders, and to assess the functional support of METS as the angle of the elbow changes. METHOD: Sixteen flaccid hemiplegics were assessed by the anteroposterior shoulder radiographs. Three parameters, vertical distance (VD), horizontal distance (HD) and joint distance (JD), were measured on both affected and unaffected sides before and after the fitting of the METS and the Bobath sling. Three parameters were also measured in each elbow flexion angle (0degrees, 30degrees, 60degrees, 90degrees) after the fitting of the METS and extension-type sling with a forearm cuff to evaluate the effectiveness in the dynamic condition. RESULTS: In the Bobath sling, the mean values of VD and JD reduced significantly (p0.05). In the Bobath sling, VD, HD and JD were different from the unaffected side (p0.05). As the elbow flexion angle increased with the METS, three parameters were not different from the unaffected side (p>0.05), but with the extension-type sling with a forearm cuff, VD and JD were different from the unaffected side (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The METS was more effective not only in the reduction of the hemiplegic shoulder subluxation, but also in the maintenance of reduction as the elbow flexion angle changes within various activities.

Diabetic Muscle Infarction in a Chronic Stroke Patient: A Case Report

Diabetic muscle infarction is a rare complication of diabetes and is characterized by acute or subacute onset of painful and non-pitting swelling of the thigh or the calf, and rarely in the upper limbs. Diabetic muscle infarction and cerebral vascular accidents ocurr in patients with advanced diabetic complications. Painful swelling of the extremities is very common manifestation in patients with hemiplegia. Thus, early correct diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the underlying causes of painful swelling of the extremities are very important in these patients. We report a case of diabetic muscle infarction in a patient with hemiplegia, and suggest that diabetic muscle infarction should be considered as a disease of differential diagnosis for acute pain and swelling on the extremity.