A study on repair method of type Ⅱc injury in lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area of porcine knee / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the repair method of type Ⅱc injury in the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area based on the porcine knee joint.@*METHODS@#Eighteen commercially available fresh porcine knee joints were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=6). After preparing a type Ⅱc injury in the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area, and the anterior (group A), posterior (group B), or anterior and posterior (group C) of the popliteal hiatus (PH) was sutured by vertical mattress. The tension meter was used to apply gradient tensions of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 N along the tibial plateau horizontally, respectively, to pull the midpoint of the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area. The displacement values before modeling, after modeling, and after suture were recorded. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture were calculated and compared between groups.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference between groups ( P>0.05) in the displacement values before modeling, after modeling, and after suture under different tensions. There was no significant difference between groups A and C ( P>0.05) in the reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture under different tensions. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture in group B were lower than those in groups A and C. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement under tension of 2 N and the reduction rates under tensions of 2, 4, and 6 N between groups A and B showed significant differences ( P<0.05). The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and the reduction rate under tensions of 2, 4, and 6 N between groups B and C showed significant differences ( P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Suturing the anterior area of PH is the key to repairing type Ⅱc injury of lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area.

Effects of eccentric exercise on muscle architecture in adults: a systematic review / Efectos del ejercicio excéntrico en la arquitectura muscular en adultos: una revisión sistemática

SUMMARY: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effects of eccentric training on muscle architecture in the adult population. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements were followed using keywords associated with architecture muscular and eccentric training. Four databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. A total of 1260 articles were retrieved, 18 included in this review. The parameters most frequently evaluated in the studies consulted were pennation angle (PA), fascicle length (FL), and muscle thickness (MT). These were assessed mainly in lower limb muscles such as biceps femoris long head (BFlh), vastus lateralis (VL), medial gastrocnemius (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG), respectively. Eccentric training for at least four weeks generates adaptations in these parameters, mainly by increasing MT with FL and decreasing PA, determining muscle function. These results provide evidence on the effects of eccentric training on muscle architecture, which could be helpful to prevent injuries and favor muscle recovery processes.

RESUMEN: El propósito de esta revisión sistemática fue determinar los efectos del entrenamiento excéntrico sobre la arquitectura muscular en la población adulta. Se siguieron las recomendaciones del Ìtems de referencia para publicar Revisiones Sistemáticas y Metaanálisis (PRISMA) utilizando palabras clave asociadas con la arquitectura muscular y el entrenamiento excéntrico en cuatro bases de datos: PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus y Web of Science. La calidad metodológica se evaluó mediante la escala PEDro. Se encontró un total de 1260 artículos, del los cuales, 18 fueron incluidos en esta revisión. Los parámetros más frecuentemente evaluados en los estudios fueron el ángulo de penación (AP), la longitud del fascículo (LF) y el grosor muscular (Gm). Estos fueron evaluados principalmente en músculos de los miembros inferiores como la cabeza larga del bíceps femoral (CLBf), el vasto lateral (VL), el gastrocnemio medial (GM) y el gastrocnemio lateral (GL), respectivamente. El entrenamiento excéntrico durante al menos cuatro semanas genera adaptaciones en estos parámetros, principalmente aumentando el GM con la LF y disminuyendo el AP, determinando de esta manera la función muscular. Estos resultados aportan evidencias sobre los efectos del entrenamiento excéntrico en la arquitectura muscular, que podrían ser útiles para prevenir lesiones y favorecer los procesos de recuperación muscular.

Microenvironment and repair methods of peripheral nervous system injury / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury has been very common in clinical work. Although microsurgical technique can restore the continuity of the injured nerve well, the nerve repair effect is still unsatisfactory due to the high degree of differentiation and low regeneration ability of the peripheral nerve tissue, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. At present, there is no unified conclusion on the microenvironment of peripheral nerve injury, and there are many repair methods in common use. OBJECTIVE: To review the microenvironment of peripheral nerve injury and the repair methods of peripheral nerve injury. METHODS: A computer-based online search of PubMed and CNKI databases was performed for the articles published from January 1964 to September 2019. The key words were “peripheral nerve injury; microenvironment; microsurgical technique; small gap bridging” in English and Chinese, respectively. Finally, 57 eligible articles were included to review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After a series of animal experiments and clinical studies, changes in microenvironment such as the establishment of nerve regeneration channels, neurotrophic factors, immune response, inflammatory response, and hormone regulation have been confirmed to be important factors affecting peripheral nerve repair. (2) It is feasible to repair the peripheral nerve injury by using biological conduit small gap bridging instead of the traditional external and fascicular membrane.

Síndrome del ocho y medio secundario a vasculopatía lúpica: presentación de un caso / Eight-and-a-half syndrome secondary to lupus vasculopathy: a case presentation

RESUMEN Introducción: El manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico en los pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico que desarrollan una afectación neuropsiquiátrica representa un reto, debido a la heterogeneidad de las formas en que puede presentarse y la ausencia de criterios diagnósticos. Objetivo: Reconocer las formas clínicas de presentación de los síndromes neuroftalmológicos que traducen afectación pontina. Presentación del caso: Hombre de 71 años con antecedente de lupus eritematoso sistémico con afectación neuopsiquiátrica, que de forma aguda desarrolla un cuadro emético en el curso de una emergencia hipertensiva seguido de una parálisis de la mirada horizontal hacia la izquierda, una oftalmoplejía internuclear posterior derecha y una parálisis facial izquierda. En la neuroimagen se constata una afectación multifocal con marcado daño pontino. Conclusiones: Reconocer las formas clínicas de presentación de estos trastornos neuroftalmológicos raros que generalmente se presentan de forma aguda/subaguda permite al neurólogo realizar el diagnóstico topográfico de la lesión a nivel protuberancial con elevada precisión desde la Sala de Urgencias, así como reducir los posibles diagnósticos diferenciales a una etiología vascular, desmielinizante u ocupativa de espacio(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who develop a neuropsychiatric involvement represents one of the biggest challenges due to the heterogeneity of the ways in which it can occur and the absence of diagnostic criteria. Objective: To recognize the clinical forms of presentation of neurophthalmological syndromes that express pontine involvement. Case presentation: Seventy-one-year-old man with history of systemic lupus erythematosus with neuropsychiatric involvement who acutely develops an emetic episode in the course of a hypertensive emergency followed by a paralysis of the horizontal gaze to the left, a right-sided posterior internuclear ophthalmoplegia and a left facial palsy. In the neuroimaging, a multifocal involvement with marked pontine damage is observed. Conclusions: Recognizing the clinical forms of presentation of these rare neurophthalmological disorders that generally occur in an acute or subacute form allows the neurologist to perform the topographic diagnosis of the lesion at a protuberancial level with high precision from the time when the patient attends the Emergency Department and reduces the possible differential diagnoses to a vascular, demyelinating or occupational etiology of space(AU)

Fascículo distal del ligamento tibiofibular anterior: presencia, biometría y relación con la tróclea talar / Distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament: presence, biometric characteristics and relation with the talar trochlea

El ligamento tibiofibular anterior suele presentar un fascículo distal independiente de la banda principal, denominado fascículo distal del ligamento tibiofibular anterior (FD-LTFA). Este discurre oblicuamente, cubriendo sus fibras más inferiores la zona anterolateral de la articulación talocrural. Su presencia se asocia a pellizcamiento del tobillo en esta zona, el cual puede producir un desgaste cartilaginoso de la cara anterolateral de la tróclea talar. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar la presencia y biometría del FD-LTFA, y su relación con la troclea talar en tobillos de un grupo de individuos Chilenos. En este estudio se utilizaron 30 miembros inferiores de cadáveres de individuos adultos. Se evaluó en el fascículo distal: Ancho en la inserción tibial, ancho en la inserción fibular, longitud del margen superior, longitud del margen inferior y el espesor. Se determinó si había contacto talar por parte del FD-LTFA y se observó desgaste articular en la superficie del domo talar, a nivel de la región de contacto del mencionado ligamento. El FD-LTFA fue encontrado en un 76,7 % de los casos, su anchura a nivel del sitio de fijación tibial fue de 5,30 mm (± 1,4) y a nivel fibular 4,43 mm (± 0,85). En cuanto a su longitud en el margen superior fue de 14,26 mm (± 3,66) y a nivel del margen inferior fue de 16,74 mm (± 2,91). Su espesor fue de 2,1 mm (± 0,36). En las 23 muestras de tobillo con presencia del FD-LTFA, hubo contacto talar en el 100 % de los casos y desgaste articular en esta zona en 3 de ellas (13,04 %). Los datos biométricos aportados por este estudio complementarán el conocimiento anatómico del FD-LTFA en la población Chilena.

The anterior tibiofibular ligament usually presents an independent distal fascicle of the main band, denominated distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament (DF-ATiFL). Which obliquely passes, covering its most inferior fiber to the anterolateral corner of the talocrural articulation. Its presence is associated with the anterolateral impingement of the ankle in this area, which can produce cartilage wear of the anterolateral surface of the talar trochlea. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence and biometry of DF-ATiFL and its relation with the talar trochlea on the ankles of a group of Chilean individuals. Thirty inferior members were used in this study, all from adult individuals. It was evaluated: Width of the tibial insertion, width of the fibular insertion, length of the top margin, length of the bottom margin, and the thickness. It was determined whether there was talar contact by the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament. Also, it was observed the articular wear on the surface of the talar dome, at the level of the contact region of the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament. The DFATiFL was found in 76.7 % of the cases, its width at the level of the place of tibial fixation was 5.30 mm (± 1.40), and at the fibular level 4.43 mm (± 0.85). Regarding its length on the top margin was 14.26 mm (± 3.66), and at the bottom, the margin level was 16.74 mm (± 2.91). Its thickness was 2.1 mm (± 0.36). In the 23 ankles samples with the presence of DF-ATiFL, there was talar contact in 100 % of the cases and articular wear in this area in 3 of them (13.04 %). The biometric data contributed by this study will supplement the anatomical knowledge of the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament on the Chilean population.

Microanatomy of the nerve to iliacus muscle and its clinical significance / Microanatomía del nervio del músculo ilíaco y su importancia clínica

The iliacus muscle, arising from iliac fossa is innervated chiefly by nerves to iliacus and femoral nerve. The tendon of iliacus muscle in the caudal part fuses with the tendon of psoas major muscle to form iliopsoas tendon As the iliacus/iliopsoas is responsible for flexing of the thigh and the forward tilting of the pelvis, body posture, Olympic lifts, daily activities like walking and running, so impairment of above functions, due to spinal cord injury or injury to nerves to iliacus, remained a grey area to explore manifestation of nerve lesions at fascicular level. Therefore an experimental study was designed to map the complex fascicular pathways suffering from splits, fusions and multiplexing coupled with measurement of distances of closely sampled histological slides. Tracking, correlation and interpretation of fascicles, in these slides of a cropped femoral nerve in iliacus region from a 70 year old female cadaver were analyzed. The study resulted in three schematic models of fascicular pathways in 3 nerves to iliacus and 2 tabular models of 2 remaining nerves to iliacus revealing complete picture of fascicles interrupted by dynamic transformational processes. These results would facilitate MRI neurographic interpretation at fascicular level and neurosurgical treatment through identification. The fascicular identification and setup would also discover anatomical complications and location of injury. Besides the huge data volume evolved off this experiment, the study would not only open up grey area for neuroanatomical research but also would revolutionize the neurosurgical repair and grafting of nerves to iliacus at fascicular level.

El músculo ilíaco, que se inserta en la fosa ilíaca, está inervado principalmente por los nervios ilíaco y femoral. El tendón del músculo ilíaco en la parte caudal se fusiona con el tendón del músculo psoas mayor para formar el tendón del músculo iliopsoas. Los músculos ilíaco e iliopsoas son responsables de la flexión del muslo y la inclinación hacia delante de la pelvis, la postura del cuerpo, los levantamientos olímpicos, las actividades diarias como caminar y correr, por lo que el deterioro de las funciones anteriores, debido a lesiones de la médula espinal o de los nervios ilíacos, constituyen una dificultad para explorar la manifestación de lesiones nerviosas a nivel fascicular. Por lo tanto, se diseñó un estudio experimental para mapear las complejas vías fasciculares que presentan divisiones, fusiones y multiplexación, junto con medición en muestras histológicas. Se analizó el seguimiento, correlación y la interpretación de los fascículos en muestras de secciones del nervio femoral en la región ilíaca de un cadáver femenino de 70 años. Se obtuvieron tres modelos esquemáticos de vías fasciculares en 3 ramos del nervio ilíaco y dos modelos tabulares de los 2 ramos nerviosos restantes del nervio ilíaco, que muestran una imagen completa de los fascículos interrumpidos por procesos de transformación dinámica. Estos resultados facilitarían la interpretación neurográfica de la resonancia nuclear magnética a nivel fascicular y el tratamiento neuroquirúrgico a través de su identificación. La identificación y configuración del fascículo también permitirían descubrir complicaciones anatómicas y la localización de la lesión. Además del enorme volumen de datos que se desprendió de este estudio, éste no solo contribuiría a la investigación neuroanatómica, sino también puede aportar a la reparación neuroquirúrgica y al injerto de nervios al músculo ilíaco a nivel fascicular.

Reliability of Morphological Measurement of Gastrocnemius Using Ultrasonography in Different Positions / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the reliability of the morphological measure of medial gastrocnemius by musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging on the standing and prone positions, and compare the differences in the structural parameters of the medial gastrocnemius in different positions. Methods:From December, 2017 to May, 2018, 30 healthy young subjects were measured the muscle thickness, fascicle length and pennation angle of medial gastrocnemius on the prone and standing position respectively by two testers with musculoskeletal ultrasound. One of the testers re-tested three days later. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), measurement standard error (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC) of all muscle morphological parameters in different positions were calculated respectively, and the differences of the morphological measurement of the medial gastrocnemius between these two positions were compared. Results:In the prone position, the ICC of inter-rater was 0.932 to 0.943 and the ICC of intra-rater was 0.880 to 0.915. In the standing position, the ICC of inter-rater was 0.922 to 0.938, and the ICC of intra-rater was 0.839 to 0.925. There were significant differences in muscle thickness, fascicle length and pennation angle of medial gastrocnemius in standing position and prone position (P < 0.01). Inter-rater SEM of muscle thickness and fascicle length was less in standing position than in prone position, while intra-rater MDC of pennation angle was less in prone position. Conclusion:It is reliable to measure medial gastrocnemius in standing and prone positions with ultrasonography. Morphological measurement of gastrocnemius is more accurate in standing position, while the measurement in prone position is more sensitive.

Architectural Changes in the Medial Gastrocnemius on Sonography after Nerve Ablation in Healthy Adults

Architectural changes in healthy muscle after denervation have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate architectural changes in the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) after aesthetic tibial nerve ablation in healthy adults using ultrasonography (US). The effects of tibial nerve ablation were verified by visual observation and surface electromyography analysis. US images of medial GCMs were taken by one trained physician using B-mode and real-time US with a linear-array probe before nerve ablation, at 1 week after nerve ablation and at 3 months after nerve ablation in an anatomic standing position with the feet about shoulder-width apart in 19 healthy adults (17 females and 2 males). Muscle thickness was significantly reduced on the left side at 1 week and 3 months after the procedure and on the right side at 3 months after the procedure (p<0.050). Although fascicle length was not significantly changed, pennation angle was significantly reduced on both sides at 3 months after the procedure (p<0.050). Muscle thickness and pennation angle of the muscle fascicle were significantly reduced, although fascicle length was not significantly changed, after tibial nerve ablation in the medial GCM of healthy adults.

Research progress in diagnosis and treatment of injury of the popliteal meniscal fiber bundle / 中国骨伤

Popliteal meniscal fiber bundle injury is relatively infrequent in clinic, which can be either isolated or associated with anterior cruciate ligament rupture, lateral meniscus injury and so on. Popliteal meniscal fiber bundle injury often leads to instability of lateral meniscus. Because of the lack of specific symptoms and signs of injury, the imaging changes are subtle, and it is easy to miss diagnosis and misdiagnosis in clinical. Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent the chronic pain and instability of the knee joint. This paper summarizes the anatomical characteristics, biomechanics, injury mechanism, diagnostic points and surgical treatment of the popliteal meniscus fiber bundle injury, in order to guide the diagnosis and treatment of the injury of the popliteal meniscus fiber bundle in the clinical work.

Low amplitude dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve sensory nerve action potential from cross over innervation. Can nerve ultrasound help?

The ulnar dorsal aspect of the hand is predominantly innervated by the dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve with variable input from the superficial radial cutaneous nerve. This cross innervation can cause difficulty in interpreting low amplitude sensory nerve action potential for the dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve particularly when facing suspected ulnar neuropathyat the elbow. In three subjects with low dorsal ulnar cutaneous sensory nerve action potential amplitude due to cross over with the superficial radial nerve, we compared amplitude with nerve circumference and fascicular count as measured by ultrasound. Dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve circumference was significantly smaller where there was low sensory nerve action potential amplitude and showed fewer fascicles. Nerve ultrasonography may be a useful additional test modality to determine if low dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve amplitude is physiological.

Pontine Infarct Presenting as Peripheral Type Unilateral Facial Palsy

Acute peripheral facial palsy usually manifests Bell's palsy of unknown cause, and rarely lacunar infarct which located in facial nucleus can mimic peripheral facial palsy. A 73 year-old man with isolated facial asymmetry diagnosed with lacunar infarction which selectively involve the facial fascicles which lie in inferolateral aspect of pons. Clinicians should take into account the possibility of central lesion and brain stem infarction, even when patients present with isolated peripheral type facial palsy.

Comunicación masiva del ramo superficial del nervio radial con el nervio cutáneo antebraquial lateral, un análisis morfométrico: 1+1 < 2 / Massive communication between the superficial branch of radial nerve and the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm, a morphometric study: 1+1 < 2

La distribución de los ramos nerviosos sensitivos en el borde lateral y en el dorso de la mano han sido descritos con mayor exactitud en las últimas décadas, debido al avance de nuevas técnicas de diagnóstico, las cuales han permitido detectar que alrededor del 40 por ciento de la población examinada presenta algún grado de variación anatómica en el territorio de distribución de los nervios involucrados. Conocer el número de fibras que componen un ramo nervioso cutáneo de la región de la mano, ha adquirido mayor relevancia con el desarrollo de técnicas de microcirugía y de ultrasonografía, procedimientos que han demostrado la utilidad de este conocimiento en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las lesiones nerviosas. Así, la arquitectura fascicular, el área adiposa y el área vascular de un ramo nervioso determinado constituyen datos que se ha demostrado se modifican con la edad y, en consecuencia, van condicionar la conducta terapéutica y el pronóstico de las lesiones nerviosas. En este caso presentamos una variación anatómica bilateral extremadamente rara, que involucra al ramo superficial del nervio radial y al nervio cutáneo lateral antebraquial; situación que aparece descrita en la literatura especializada sólo una vez y que modifica notablemente la inervación sensitiva del borde radial de la mano...

The distribution of sensory nerve branches in the lateral and the back of the hand have been described more accurately in recent decades due to advances in new diagnostic techniques, which have identified that about 40 percent of the population examined have some degree of anatomical variation in the distribution area of the sensitive nerves involved. The knowledge of the number of fibers forming a sensitive nerve of the hand has become more important with the development of microsurgical techniques and ultrasonography; procedures that have demonstrated the usefulness of this information in the diagnosis and treatment of nerve injuries. Thus, the fascicular architecture, adipose tissue area and the vascular area of a nerve branch, data that has been demonstrated that change with age, will determine the therapeutic and prognosis of nerve injuries. In this case we present an extremely rare and bilateral anatomical variation, involving the superficial branch of radial nerve and the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, a situation that is described in the literature only once and which notably alter the sensory innervations of the radial edge of the hand...

Vias fascículo ventriculares: una rareza electrofisiológica / Ventricular fascicle pathways: an electrophysiological rarity / Vias fascículo-ventriculares: uma raridade eletrofisiológica

Las vias fascículo ventriculares (FV) sustentan una forma rara de preexcitation en la que la morfologia ECG recuerda a la de las vias paraseptales superiores, pero no participan en mecanismos de taquicardia ni requieren tratamiento específico. Algumas diferencias electrocardiográficas, la respuesta a la adenosina intravenosa y, sobre todo el estudio electrofisiológico sientam el diagnóstico diferencial. Se presentan los dos casos con vias FV de una serie consectiva de 62 pacientes con vias accesorias patentes remitidos a nuestro laboratorio para ablación con radiofrecuencia. En uno no se indujeron arritmias y en otro se indujo una taquicardia por reentrada nodal, que se sometió a ablación con êxito y que permitió el diagnóstico de inserción infrahisiana de la via accessoria FC.

Ventricular fascicle connections are an unusual form of pre-excitation. The 12-lead surface ECG during sinus rhythm is similar to the ECG of patients with anteroseptal and midseptal bypass tracts. These fibers do not participate in the tachycardia circuit or need any treatment. Electrocardiographic differences, the response to adenosine and particularly, the electrophysiologicstudy will guide to the correct diagnosis. We present two cases of ventricular fascicle connections in a consecutive series of 62 patients with accessory pathways referred to our service for evaluation and ablation. In one patient, no arrhythmias were induced, and in another patient an atrio-ventricular reentrant nodal tachycardia was induced, which was successfully ablated. The study also revealed theinfra-Hisian insertion of the ventricular fascicle connection.

As vias fascículo-ventriculares (FV) sustentam uma forma rara de pré-excitação em que a morfologia ECG recorda a das vias paraseptais superiores, mas não participam dos mecanismos de taquicardia nem requerem tratamento específico. Algumas diferenças eletrocardiográficas, a resposta à adenosina intravenosa e, sobretudo, o estudo eletrofisiológico estabelecem o diagnóstico diferencial. Apresentam-se os dois casos com vias FV de uma série consecutiva de 62 pacientes com viasacessórias patentes encaminhados ao nosso laboratório para ablação com radiofrequência. Em um não foram induzidas arritmias e no outro foi induzida uma taquicardia por reentrada nodal, que foi submetida à ablação com sucesso e que permitiu o diagnóstico de inserção infra-hissiana da via acessória FV.

Supernumerary Fascicle of Abductor digiti minimi Muscle and Compression of Ulnar Nerve and Ulnar Artery: A Case Report / Fascículo Supernumerario del Músculo Abductor del dedo Mínimo y Compresión del Nervio y Arteria Ulnares: Reporte de Caso

The supernumerary fascicles of abductor digiti minimi muscle have been implicated in vascular and nerve compression. During routine dissection of an old male cadaver we observed an anomalous muscle was found to take it's origin from the antebrachial fascia and flexor retinaculum, traversed ulnar canal (Guyon's) superficial to ulnar vessels and nerves to reach the proximal part of abductor digiti minimi. The anomaly is one of a kind. Its course through Guyon's canal could be a cause for Guyon's canal syndrome. It was innervated by the ulnar nerve.

Los fascículos supernumerarios del músculo abductor del dedo mínimo han sido implicados en la compresión neurovascular. Durante una disección de rutina de un cadáver masculino adulto, se observó un músculo anómalo que se originaba en la fascia antebraquial y en el retináculo flexor, atravesaba el canal ulnar, superficial a los vasos y nervio ulnares para llegar a la parte proximal del músculo abductor del dedo mínimo. La anomalía es única en su tipo. Su curso a través del canal ulnar puede causar el síndrome del canal ulnar. El músculo estaba inervado por el nervio ulnar.

CHANGES IN MUSCLE THICKNESS, PENNATION ANGLE AND FASCILE LENGTH WITH AGING / 体力科学

The influences of age on muscle architectural characteristics, i. e., muscle thickness, pennation angle, fascicle length, were studied in 121 men and 229 women aged 17 to 85 yrs. The subjects were divided into three age groups (younger : 17-39 yrs, middle-aged : 40-59 yrs, elderly : 60-85 yrs) for both genders. Muscle thickness and pennation angle of the vastus lateralis (VL), medial gastrocnemius (MG), and long head of triceps brachii (TB) muscles were measured using B-mode ultraso-nography, and fascicle length was estimated. In all age groups, men had significantly greater relative muscle thickness (to limb length) in VI, and TB than women, but not in MG. Relative muscle thickness of VL was significantly lower in elderly than in younger and middle-aged subjects. Ilowever, the corresponding differences in MG and TB were insignificant. The pennation angle of VL was significantly lower in elderly than in younger and middle-aged subjects, although there were no significant differences in pennation angles of MG and TB among the three groups. These results suggest that the decrease in thickness of vastus lateralis muscle with aging is significant, but not significant for medial gastrocnemius and triceps hrachii muscles.

Two Cases of Partial Oculomotor Nerve Palsy due to Midbrain Infarction

Traditionally, monocular parital oculomotor pareses are localized to the cavernous sinus or retro-orbital region and are usually caused by diabetes mellitus, aneurysms of the internal carotid artery, inflammation by vrial infection or autoimmune diseases, neuropathy or neuromuscular disesases. Although rare, the monocular partial oculomotor paresis also can be caused by lesions of ventral midbrain because of their particular topographic arrangement. We present 2 cases with fascicular oculomotor nerve involvement from midbrain lesion, who presented with monocular partial ocu-lomotor nerve palsy. One patient showed partial ptosis and slow saccadic movement of the right eye. The other patient showed parital ptosis and limitation of adduction and elevation in the left eye. They had normal pupil size and light reflexes. Brain magnetic resonance images showed focal infarction in the fascicular portion of the oculomotor nerve.