Spine stabilization exercises are not superior to flexion exercises for ultrasound-detected muscle thickness changes in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar spondylolisthesis / Los ejercicios de estabilización de la columna vertebral no son superiores a los ejercicios de flexión para los cambios de grosor muscular detectados por ecografía, en pacientes con lumbalgia crónica y espondilolistesis lumbar

Abstract: Introduction: exercise programs can reduce pain and improve functionality in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and chronic low back pain. However, there is still no consensus surrounding the superiority of any specific routine for exercise-induced trophic changes of lumbar muscles. The aim was to compare the changes in the primary lumbar stabilizing muscle thickness after spine stabilization exercises and flexion exercises in patients with spondylolisthesis and chronic low back pain. Material and methods: prospective, longitudinal and comparative study was carried out. Twenty-one treatment-naive patients with a diagnosis of both chronic low back pain and degenerative spondylolisthesis over the age of 50 were included. A physical therapist taught participants either spine stabilization exercises or flexion exercises to execute daily at home. The thickness of the primary lumbar muscles was measured through ultrasound (at rest and contraction) at baseline and three months. A Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed for comparisons, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated for associations. Results: we did not find statistically between the exercise programs: all patients presented significant changes in the thickness of the multifidus muscle but in none of the other evaluated muscles. Conclusion: there is no difference between spine stabilization exercises and flexion exercises after three months in terms of the changes in muscle thickness evaluated by ultrasound.

Resumen: Introducción: el ejercicio reduce el dolor y mejora la funcionalidad en pacientes con dolor crónico lumbar y espondilolistesis degenerativa. Sin embargo, no existe a la fecha un consenso sobre la superioridad de algún programa de ejercicio para inducir cambios tróficos de los músculos estabilizadores lumbares, por lo que el objetivo fue comparar el trofismo de estos músculos mediante ultrasonido, con dos programas de ejercicio distintos: estabilización vertebral versus ejercicios flexores. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y comparativo, en veintiún pacientes mayores de 50 años, con dolor crónico lumbar y espondilolistesis degenerativa. Se entrenó a los pacientes para la ejecución diaria de ejercicio: estabilización lumbar o ejercicios flexores, los cuales fueron asignados por aleatorización como parte de un ECA en desarrollo. El trofismo muscular fue evaluado mediante ultrasonido al inicio y a tres meses. Las pruebas de U de Mann-Whitney y prueba de Wilcoxon se usaron para comparaciones entre grupos y para correlaciones se usaron los coeficientes de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: todos los pacientes presentaron ganancia en el trofismo de los músculos multífidos a tres meses, pero sin diferencias entre grupos de tratamiento. No se detectaron cambios significativos en el resto de los músculos evaluados. Conclusión: no encontramos diferencia significativa entre los ejercicios de estabilización lumbar y los ejercicios flexores, a tres meses de seguimiento, en términos de los cambios tróficos medidos por ultrasonido de los músculos estabilizadores lumbares.

Spine stabilization exercises are not superior to flexion exercises for ultrasound-detected muscle thickness changes in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar spondylolisthesis.

INTRODUCTION: exercise programs can reduce pain and improve functionality in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and chronic low back pain. However, there is still no consensus surrounding the superiority of any specific routine for exercise-induced trophic changes of lumbar muscles. The aim was to compare the changes in the primary lumbar stabilizing muscle thickness after spine stabilization exercises and flexion exercises in patients with spondylolisthesis and chronic low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: prospective, longitudinal and comparative study was carried out. Twenty-one treatment-naive patients with a diagnosis of both chronic low back pain and degenerative spondylolisthesis over the age of 50 were included. A physical therapist taught participants either spine stabilization exercises or flexion exercises to execute daily at home. The thickness of the primary lumbar muscles was measured through ultrasound (at rest and contraction) at baseline and three months. A Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed for comparisons, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated for associations. RESULTS: we did not find statistically between the exercise programs: all patients presented significant changes in the thickness of the multifidus muscle but in none of the other evaluated muscles. CONCLUSION: there is no difference between spine stabilization exercises and flexion exercises after three months in terms of the changes in muscle thickness evaluated by ultrasound.

INTRODUCCIÓN: el ejercicio reduce el dolor y mejora la funcionalidad en pacientes con dolor crónico lumbar y espondilolistesis degenerativa. Sin embargo, no existe a la fecha un consenso sobre la superioridad de algún programa de ejercicio para inducir cambios tróficos de los músculos estabilizadores lumbares, por lo que el objetivo fue comparar el trofismo de estos músculos mediante ultrasonido, con dos programas de ejercicio distintos: estabilización vertebral versus ejercicios flexores. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y comparativo, en veintiún pacientes mayores de 50 años, con dolor crónico lumbar y espondilolistesis degenerativa. Se entrenó a los pacientes para la ejecución diaria de ejercicio: estabilización lumbar o ejercicios flexores, los cuales fueron asignados por aleatorización como parte de un ECA en desarrollo. El trofismo muscular fue evaluado mediante ultrasonido al inicio y a tres meses. Las pruebas de U de Mann-Whitney y prueba de Wilcoxon se usaron para comparaciones entre grupos y para correlaciones se usaron los coeficientes de correlación de Spearman. RESULTADOS: todos los pacientes presentaron ganancia en el trofismo de los músculos multífidos a tres meses, pero sin diferencias entre grupos de tratamiento. No se detectaron cambios significativos en el resto de los músculos evaluados. CONCLUSIÓN: no encontramos diferencia significativa entre los ejercicios de estabilización lumbar y los ejercicios flexores, a tres meses de seguimiento, en términos de los cambios tróficos medidos por ultrasonido de los músculos estabilizadores lumbares.

Amendment of the OMERACT ultrasound definitions of joints' features in healthy children when using the DOPPLER technique.

BACKGROUND: Recently preliminary ultrasonography (US) definitions, in B mode, for normal components of pediatric joints have been developed by the OMERACT US group. The aim of the current study was to include Doppler findings in the evaluation and definition of normal joint features that can be visualized in healthy children at different age groups. METHODS: A multistep approach was used. Firstly, new additional definitions of joint components were proposed during an expert meeting. In the second step, these definitions, along with the preliminary B-mode-US definitions, were tested for feasibility in an exercise in healthy children at different age groups. In the last step, a larger panel of US experts were invited to join a web-based consensus process in order to approve the developed definitions using the Delphi methodology. A Likert scale of 1-5 was used to assess agreement. RESULTS: Physiological vascularity and fat pad tissue were identified and tested as two additional joint components in healthy children. Since physiological vascularity changes over the time in the growing skeleton, the final definition of Doppler findings comprised separate statements instead of a single full definition. A total of seven statements was developed and included in a written Delphi questionnaire to define and validate the new components. The final definitions for fat pad and physiological vascularity agreed by the group of experts reached 92.9% and 100% agreement respectively in a web survey. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of these two additional joints components which are linked to detection of Doppler signal in pediatric healthy joints will improve the identification of abnormalities in children with joint pathologies.

Motion deficit in nodal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis by digital goniometer in housewives.

Range of motion (ROM) measured objectively in nodal hand osteoarthritis (NHOA) is missing. Evaluation of collateral ligaments by ultrasound (US) is unknown in NHOA also. To compare ROM in interphalangeal joints in housewives with nodal OA, with a control group by a digital system using angle to voltage (Multielgon). The second objective was to assess correlation between collateral radial and ulnar ligaments thickness and ROM. For this cross-sectional observational study, we assessed 60 hands with symptomatic NHOA and 30 hands of healthy housewives matched for age. We obtained clinical and demographic characteristics (a complete standardized physical examination of hand joints, DASH questionnaire, pain surveys, gross grasp hand goniometer, and ROM measurements by Multielgon. Presence of synovitis, power Doppler signal, osteophytes, and collateral ligaments thickness was evaluated by US. We used descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, X2 test, t test and odds ratio. Significant less gross grasp and ROM in the right hand were observed in NHOA (p = 0.01 for both). Presence of OA, painful joints, disease duration, and score DASH were significant correlated with reduced ROM (OR 4.12, 4.12, 1.04 and 1.09, respectively). Reduced ROM was statistical significant in thumb MCP and IP joints, second and third DIP in dominant hand. There was no association between collateral radial and ulnar ligaments and reduced ROM. Synovitis and osteophytes were more prevalent in OA group. Multielgon demonstrated the pattern of reduced ROM in nodal OA of housewives particularly in MCP and IP thumb joints, second and third distal interphalangeal joints.

Anomalías craneofaciales / Craniofacial anomalies

Las anomalías craneofaciales son un grupo de defectos congénitos que afectan, en distinto grado, el desarrollo de las estructuras óseas y tejidos blandos de la región craneofacial. incluyen un grupo de condiciones muy heterogéneas y que pueden estar asociadas con numerosos síndromes. la importancia de este grupo de patologías radica en su gran impacto a nivel funcional y estético, ya que pueden condicionar trastornos a nivel de las vías aéreas superiores, nutricionales, auditivos, del desarrollo del lenguaje y odontológicos, por lo que en la mayoría de los casos requieren de un manejo por un equipo multidisciplinar

Craniofacial anomalies are a group of birth defects that affect, in varying degrees, the development of bone structures and soft tissues of the craniofacial region. they include a variety of heterogeneous conditions and may be associated with many syndromic conditions. the importance of this group of diseases lies in its great impact to aesthetic and functional level, since they can condition disorders of the upper airways, nutritional status, hearing, language development and dental development, because of that, in the majority of cases require management by a multidisciplinary team

[Approach of the unilateral cleft lip with Meara's cheiloplasty technique]. / Abordaje de la fisura labial unilateral mediante la queiloplastia de Meara.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated cleft lip is the mildest form of the cleft lip and palate spectrum; however those patients are often treated with the same surgical techniques that are used for the more severe cases (advancement-rotation flaps, quadrangular flaps). Meara's cheiloplasty technique may be a less aggressive option for lip repair in isolated cleft lip or whenever the gap between labial segments is not wide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All children that had their cleft lip repaired following Meara's cheiloplasty between May 2014 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Duration of the surgical procedure, time to hospital discharge and complications were noted. Aesthetic results were evaluated in terms of lip height and symmetry, nose shape and symmetry, and scar appearance. RESULTS: Thirteen patients underwent Meara's cheiloplasty during this period. The average age was 6.11 months (5 to 12 months). A primary rhinoplasty was done at the same time in case of nasal asymmetry. Duration of the lip repair averaged 85 minutes. Oral feeding was started 4 hours after the procedure; bottle-feeding was withheld for 2 weeks postoperatively, as our protocol recommends after other lip repair techniques. In all 13 cases the result was a symmetrical, adequately high upper lip and a well-balanced nose, except for one case of lip scar retraction that was solved with triamcinolone infiltration. There were no other intra or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Meara's cheiloplasty corrects small or moderate gap cleft lip (usually cleft lip without cleft alveolus). Benefits over other teccniques are a shorter procedure and less geometric, undulate flaps that produce a harmonic lip.

INTRODUCCION: La fisura labial aislada es la forma menos grave de presentación del espectro de las fisuras labiopalatinas; sin embargo, para tratarla, usamos las mismas técnicas quirúrgicas que para las formas más graves (colgajos de avance-rotación, cuadrangulares). Presentamos la técnica de queiloplastia publicada por Meara, como alternativa menos agresiva para la reconstrucción del labio, en la fisura labial aislada o cuando los segmentos labiales están próximos entre sí. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de las queiloplastias con técnica de Meara de mayo 2014 a diciembre 2015. Se revisó el tiempo quirúrgico, tiempo medio de ingreso, complicaciones y resultados estéticos, evaluando la altura y simetría del labio superior, la forma y simetría nasal y el aspecto de la cicatriz. RESULTADOS: Trece pacientes han sido intervenidos. La edad media al momento de la intervención fue de 6,11 meses (rango 5-12 meses). Se asoció una rinoplastia en casos con asimetría nasal. El tiempo quirúrgico medio de la queiloplastia aislada fue de 85 minutos. Se reinició alimentación oral a las 4 horas de la intervención, reanudando la alimentación mediante biberón a las 2 semanas, siguiendo el mismo protocolo que con las otras técnicas. En los 13 casos se consiguió un labio superior simétrico con altura adecuada y nariz armónica (excepto 1 que presentó retracción, tratada con infiltración de triamcinolona). No hubo otras complicaciones intra/postoperatorias. CONCLUSIONES: La queiloplastia de Meara corrige de forma muy armónica la fisura labial con poca o moderada separación de los segmentos labiales (habitualmente la fisura labial sin fisura alveolar). Como ventajas frente a otras técnicas permite, en una intervención más corta, la queiloplastia utilizando colgajos ondulados, que son menos geométricos y aportan armonía al resultado.

Abordaje de la fisura labial unilateral mediante la queiloplastia de Meara / Approach of the unilateral cleft lip with Meara’s cheiloplasty technique

Introducción. La fisura labial aislada es la forma menos grave de presentación del espectro de las fisuras labiopalatinas; sin embargo, para tratarla, usamos las mismas técnicas quirúrgicas que para las formas más graves (colgajos de avance-rotación, cuadrangulares). Presentamos la técnica de queiloplastia publicada por Meara, como alternativa menos agresiva para la reconstrucción del labio, en la fisura labial aislada o cuando los segmentos labiales están próximos entre sí. Material y métodos. Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de las queiloplastias con técnica de Meara de mayo 2014 a diciembre 2015. Se revisó el tiempo quirúrgico, tiempo medio de ingreso, complicaciones y resultados estéticos, evaluando la altura y simetría del labio superior, la forma y simetría nasal y el aspecto de la cicatriz. Resultados. Trece pacientes han sido intervenidos. La edad media al momento de la intervención fue de 6,11 meses (rango 5-12 meses). Se asoció una rinoplastia en casos con asimetría nasal. El tiempo quirúrgico medio de la queiloplastia aislada fue de 85 minutos. Se reinició alimentación oral a las 4 horas de la intervención, reanudando la alimentación mediante biberón a las 2 semanas, siguiendo el mismo protocolo que con las otras técnicas. En los 13 casos se consiguió un labio superior simétrico con altura adecuada y nariz armónica (excepto 1 que presentó retracción, tratada con infiltración de triamcinolona). No hubo otras complicaciones intra/ postoperatorias. Conclusiones. La queiloplastia de Meara corrige de forma muy armónica la fisura labial con poca o moderada separación de los segmentos labiales (habitualmente la fisura labial sin fisura alveolar). Como ventajas frente a otras técnicas permite, en una intervención más corta, la queiloplastia utilizando colgajos ondulados, que son menos geométricos y aportan armonía al resultado (AU)

Introduction. Isolated cleft lip is the mildest form of the cleft lip & palate spectrum; however those patients are often treated with the same surgical techniques that are used for the more severe cases (advancement-rotation flaps, quadrangular flaps). Meara’s cheiloplasty technique may be a less aggressive option for lip repair in isolated cleft lip or whenever the gap between labial segments is not wide. Materials and methods. All children that had their cleft lip repaired following Meara’s cheiloplasty between May 2014 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Duration of the surgical procedure, time to hospital discharge and complications were noted. Aesthetic results were evaluated in terms of lip height and symmetry, nose shape and symmetry, and scar appearance. Results. Thirteen patients underwent Meara’s cheiloplasty during this period. The average age was 6.11 months (5 to 12 months). A primary rhinoplasty was done at the same time in case of nasal asymmetry. Duration of the lip repair averaged 85 minutes. Oral feeding was started 4 hours after the procedure; bottle-feeding was withheld for 2 weeks postoperatively, as our protocol recommends after other lip repair techniques. In all 13 cases the result was a symmetrical, adequately high upper lip and a well-balanced nose, except for one case of lip scar retraction that was solved with triamcinolone infiltration. There were no other intra or postoperative complications. Conclusions. Meara’s cheiloplasty corrects small or moderate gap cleft lip (usually cleft lip without cleft alveolus). Benefits over other teccniques are a shorter procedure and less geometric, undulate flaps that produce a harmonic lip (AU)

Educational impact of a clinical anatomy workshop on 1st-year orthopedic and rheumatology fellows in Mexico City.

We aim to study the educational impact of a clinical anatomy workshop in 1st-year orthopedic and rheumatology fellows. First-year rheumatology fellows (N = 17) and a convenience sample of 1st-year orthopedic fellows (N = 14) from Mexico City in the 9th month of training participated in the study. The pre- and the post- workshop tests included the same 20 questions that had to be answered by identification or demonstration of relevant anatomical items. The questions, arranged by anatomical regions, were asked in five dynamic stations. Overall, the 31 participants showed an increase of correct answers, from a median of 6 (range 1 to 12) in the pre-workshop test, to a median of 14 (range 7 to 19) in the post-workshop test. In the pre-workshop test, the correct median answers were 7 (range 2 to 12) in the orthopedic fellows and 5 (range 1 to 10) in the rheumatology fellows (p = 0.297). Corresponding scores in the post-workshop were 15 (range 10 to 19) and 12 (range 7 to 18) (p = 0.026) showing a significant difference favoring the orthopedic group. Our clinical anatomy workshop was efficacious, in the short term, as a teaching instrument for 1st-year orthopedic and rheumatology fellows. The post-workshop scores, although significantly improved in both groups, particularly in the orthopedic fellows, were still suboptimal. Further refinements of our workshop might yield better results.

Ochronotic arthropathy as a paradigm of metabolically induced degenerative joint disease. A case-based review.

Alkaptonuria is a rare, hereditary metabolic disorder in which a deficiency in the homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase enzyme results in an accumulation of homogentisic acid. Deposition of excess homogentisic acid in different intra- and extra-articular structures with high content of connective tissue causes brownish-black pigmentation and weakening, ultimately resulting in tissue degeneration and finally osteoarthritis. Ochronotic arthropathy is considered a rapidly progressive, disabling condition in which weight-bearing joints and the thoracolumbar spine are predominantly affected. Patients often require multiple joint replacements, such as in the case of the patient presented here. At present, there is no definitive cure for ochronosis, and management is predominantly symptomatic.

Resultados de la miectomía anorrectal posterior en el tratamiento del estreñimiento crónico idiopático / Outcome of posterior anorectal myectomy for the treatment of idiopathic chronic constipation

Objetivo. Evaluar los resultados clínicos del tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes con estreñimiento crónico incontrolable con tratamiento médico. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo de pacientes con estreñimiento crónico severo tratados mediante miectomía anorrectal posterior (técnica de Lynn). Se recogen los resultados de los últimos 15 años, con periodo de seguimiento postoperatorio mínimo de 1 año. Se incluyen pacientes con larga historia de estreñimiento, refractarios a tratamiento médico. Pruebas complementarias: enema opaco, manometría anorrectal y biopsias rectales. El resultado clínico de la técnica se clasifica según los siguientes criterios: Curación: >3 movimientos intestinales por semana, sin incontinencia/encopresis y sin necesidad de tratamiento médico. Mejoría: >3 movimientos intestinales por semana, sin incontinencia/ encopresis y con necesidad de laxante. Resultados. Se realizaron 19 miectomías (edad media de 8,47 años). Tiempo medio de estreñimiento previo de 7,89 años. Los hallazgos en la anatomía patológica fueron: presencia de células ganglionares en 10, ausencia de células ganglionares en 4 y otras alteraciones en 5. Manometría en 6 pacientes, 4 presentaron reflejo inhibitorio anal. Cuatro pacientes se diagnosticaron de enfermedad de Hirschsprung (uno se curó con la miectomía, dos precisaron cirugía correctora y uno no acudió a revisiones). En los 15 restantes, cumplieron criterios de curación 8 pacientes (53,3%), 4 mejoraron (26,6%), 1 sin mejoría sigue tratamiento fisioterápico. Dos pacientes no continuaron las revisiones. No se registró incontinencia fecal ni otras complicaciones. Conclusiones. La miectomía de Lynn es un procedimiento eficaz y seguro para los pacientes con estreñimiento crónico severo refractario al tratamiento médico. También resulta el tratamiento definitivo en la enfermedad de Hirschsprung de segmento ultracorto

Objectives. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of surgery (Lynn’s myectomy) in patients with chronic persistent constipation and failure of medical treatment. Material and methods. Descriptive study of patients with severe chronic constipation treated by posterior anorectal myectomy (Lynn’s technique). We report data from the last 15 years, with a minimum postoperative follow-up of one year. Patients included in the study suffered from a long-term constipation refractory to medical management. Data regarding contrast enema, anorectal manometry and rectal biopsy were recorded. The procedure’s outcome is classified following clinical criteria: Asymptomatic: >3 bowel movements per week, with no soiling/ incontinence and with no medical treatment. Improvement: >3 bowel movements per week, with no soiling/ incontinence but using laxatives occasionally. Results. Nineteen myectomies were performed (median age of 8.47 years). Median time of constipation before surgery was 7.89 years. Rectal biopsy findings: 10 with ganglion cells, 4 without ganglion cells and other abnormalities in 5. Anorectal manometry was performed in 6 patients, 4 presented rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Four patients were diagnosed of Hirschsprung’s disease (1 was asymptomatic after myectomy, 2 needed further surgery and 1 was lost in follow-up). Of the remaining 15 patients, 8 were asymptomatic (53.3%), 4 experienced improvement (26.6%) and 1 without clinical changes is on pelvic floor physiotherapy. Two were lost in follow-up. There were no other postoperative complications after long term follow-up. Conclusions. Lynn’s myectomy is an effective and safe procedure in patients suffering from persistent chronic constipation despite of medical treatment. It is also the definitive treatment for patients with ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung’s disease

[Outcome of posterior anorectal myectomy for the treatment of idiopathic chronic constipation]. / Resultados de la miectomía anorrectal posterior en el tratamiento del estreñimiento crónico idiopático.

OBJECIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of surgery (Lynn's myectomy) in patients with chronic persistent constipation and failure of medical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of patients with severe chronic constipation treated by posterior anorectal myectomy (Lynn's technique). We report data from the last 15 years, with a minimum postoperative follow-up of one year. Patients included in the study suffered from a long-term constipation refractory to medical management. Data regarding contrast enema, anorectal manometry and rectal biopsy were recorded. The procedure's outcome is classified following clinical criteria: Asymptomatic: >3 bowel movements per week, with no soiling/incontinence and with no medical treatment; Improvement: >3 bowel movements per week, with no soiling/incontinence but using laxatives occasionally. RESULTS: Nineteen myectomies were performed (median age of 8.47 years). Median time of constipation before surgery was 7.89 years. Rectal biopsy findings: 10 with ganglion cells, 4 without ganglion cells and other abnormalities in 5. Anorectal manometry was performed in 6 patients, 4 presented rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Four patients were diagnosed of Hirschsprung's disease (1 was asymptomatic after myectomy, 2 needed further surgery and 1 was lost in follow-up). Of the remaining 15 patients, 8 were asymptomatic (53.3%), 4 experienced improvement (26.6%) and 1 without clinical changes is on pelvic floor physiotherapy. Two were lost in follow-up. There were no other postoperative complications after long term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Lynn's myectomy is an effective and safe procedure in patients suffering from persistent chronic constipation despite of medical treatment. It is also the definitive treatment for patients with ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung's disease.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados clínicos del tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes con estreñimiento crónico incontrolable con tratamiento médico. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio descriptivo de pacientes con estreñimiento crónico severo tratados mediante miectomía anorrectal posterior (técnica de Lynn). Se recogen los resultados de los últimos 15 años, con periodo de seguimiento postoperatorio mínimo de 1 año. Se incluyen pacientes con larga historia de estreñimiento, refractarios a tratamiento médico. Pruebas complementarias: enema opaco, manometría anorrectal y biopsias rectales. El resultado clínico de la técnica se clasifica según los siguientes criterios: Curación: >3 movimientos intestinales por semana, sin incontinencia/encopresis y sin necesidad de tratamiento médico; Mejoría: >3 movimientos intestinales por semana, sin incontinencia/encopresis y con necesidad de laxante. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 19 miectomías (edad media de 8,47 años). Tiempo medio de estreñimiento previo de 7,89 años. Los hallazgos en la anatomía patológica fueron: presencia de células ganglionares en 10, ausencia de células ganglionares en 4 y otras alteraciones en 5. Manometría en 6 pacientes, 4 presentaron reflejo inhibitorio anal. Cuatro pacientes se diagnosticaron de enfermedad de Hirschsprung (uno se curó con la miectomía, dos precisaron cirugía correctora y uno no acudió a revisiones). En los 15 restantes, cumplieron criterios de curación 8 pacientes (53,3%), 4 mejoraron (26,6%), 1 sin mejoría sigue tratamiento fisioterápico. Dos pacientes no continuaron las revisiones. No se registró incontinencia fecal ni otras complicaciones. CONCLUSIONES: La miectomía de Lynn es un procedimiento eficaz y seguro para los pacientes con estreñimiento crónico severo refractario al tratamiento médico. También resulta el tratamiento definitivo en la enfermedad de Hirschsprung de segmento ultracorto.

Aplicaciones de la ultrasonografía en cadera / Ultrasound Applications on Hip

Ultrasonography (US) in the last decade has gained interest for the study of the hip, with its known advantages over other imaging techniques, although the acoustic window of this joint is small. It is useful to differentiate pathology intra of extra-articular, guide local corticosteroid infiltration and monitoring of the response to systemic or local treatment. It has application in patients with hip osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis, also the prosthetic hip.

La ultrasonografía (US) en la última década ha cobrado interés para el estudio de la cadera, con sus conocidas ventajas sobre otras técnicas de imagen, a pesar de que la ventana acústica de esta articulación sea pequeña. Es de gran utilidad para diferenciar patología intra de la extra articular, guiar la infiltración local de glucocorticoides y monitoreo de la respuesta a tratamiento sistémico o local. Tiene aplicación tanto en la cadera de pacientes con osteoartritis, artritis reumatoide y espondiloartritis como en la cadera protésica.

¿Son las lesiones musculares adecuadamente diagnosticadas por ultrasonografía? / Are muscle injury properly diagnosed by ultrasound?

Due to the anatomical distribution and function, striated muscle is susceptible to injury especially traumatic requiring imaging methods for diagnosis, the degree of disease and establish the extent possible recovery time. Ultrasonography is a method that has gained an important place in the evaluation of muscle to be safe, affordable, and by allowing static and dynamic assessment of the muscle. The current classification of muscle injuries seen by Ultrasonography has limitations because it does not allow an adequate correlation between the percentage of condition and prognosis.

Debido a la distribución anatómica y función, el músculo estriado es susceptible de sufrir lesiones sobre todo traumáticas que requieren de métodos de imagen para determinar el diagnóstico, el grado de afección y establecer en la medida de lo posible el tiempo de recuperación. La Ultrasonografía es un método que ha ido ganando un lugar preponderante en la evaluación del músculo por ser inocua, de bajo costo, así como por permitir una evaluación estática y dinámica del músculo. La clasificación actual de lesiones musculares vistas por Ultrasonografía tiene limitantes porque no permite fundamentar una adecuada correlación entre el porcentaje de afección y el pronóstico.

Validity of ultrasonography and measures of adult shoulder function and reliability of ultrasonography in detecting shoulder synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using magnetic resonance imaging as a gold standard.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the intra- and interobserver reproducibility of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) in detecting inflammatory shoulder changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and to determine the agreement between US and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a gold standard. METHODS: Eleven rheumatologists investigated 10 patients in 2 rounds independently and blindly of each other by US. US results were compared with shoulder function tests and MRI. RESULTS: The positive and negative predictive values (NPVs) for axillary recess synovitis (ARS) were 0.88 and 0.43, respectively, for posterior recess synovitis (PRS) were 0.36 and 0.97, respectively, for subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis (SASB) were 0.85 and 0.28, respectively, and the NPV for biceps tenosynovitis (BT) was 1.00. The intraobserver kappa was 0.62 for ARS, 0.59 for PRS, 0.51 for BT, and 0.70 for SASB. The intraobserver kappa for power Doppler US (PDUS) signal was 0.91 for PRS, 0.77 for ARS, 0.94 for SASB, and 0.53 for BT. The interobserver maximum kappa was 0.46 for BT, 0.95 for ARS, 0.52 for PRS, and 0.61 for SASB. The interobserver reliability of PDUS was 1.0 for PRS, 0.1 for ARS, 0.5 for BT, and 1.0 for SASB. P values for the SPADI and DASH versus cuff tear on US were 0.02 and 0.01, respectively; all other relationships were not significant. CONCLUSION: Overall agreements between gray-scale US and MRI regarding synovitis of the shoulder varied considerably, but excellent results were seen for PDUS. Measures of shoulder function have a poor relationship with US and MRI. Improved standardization of US scanning technique could further reliability of shoulder US.

Ultrasound in rheumatology. The Mexican experience.

Over the last few years, a growing number of rheumatologists has taken great interest in ultrasonography for its well known advantages and wide spectrum of validated applications in daily rheumatological practice. Most rheumatologists actively performing ultrasonography have had a training experience mainly based on attendance in sonographic courses and/or in radiological or rheumatological units. At present, in Mexico ultrasonography has a still limited diffusion among rheumatologists even if it may play a key role as a first line imaging technique also because of the restricted availability for rheumatic patients for other imaging modalities. This report describes the Mexican experience in education and training on musculoskeletal ultrasound. In 2003, the Mexican School of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound of the Mexican College of Rheumatology (ECOMER) was founded with the intention of joining efforts to launch musculoskeletal ultrasound in Mexico. Essential requirements shared by all the members of ECOMER include: to own an ultrasound machine, to incorporate ultrasonography into clinical daily practice and to keep up-to-date in musculoskeletal ultrasound. The motto of ECOMER is una clara imagen de la reumatologia which means a clear picture of rheumatology. The statute of ECOMER can be read in its web site: www.ecomer.org.mx. This web site also provides a forum for case discussion, consultation and image review.