Rectus abdominus tear in a collegiate cheerleader.

Acute muscle injuries can occur at all skill levels across multiple different sports. Imaging is often used for diagnosis and is necessary for recognizing the extent of injury, complications, and overall prognosis. Ultrasound can be used in diagnosing muscle tears. However, there are less than a dozen documented cases that use ultrasound in the evaluation and diagnosis of a rectus abdominus tear, though the actual number of cases are most likely underreported in the literature. This case discusses an 18-year-old college athlete that suffered a distal rectus abdominus tear after performing a stunt as a cheerleader and her subsequent treatment.

Isolated distal semitendinosus tendon tear in a collegiate athlete.

Complete distal semitendinosus tendon tears are rare hamstring injuries. They often present with a "pop" followed by delayed pain and swelling. We describe the case of a collegiate athlete with an isolated distal semitendinosus tendon tear diagnosed by MRI and ultrasound after being treated for a stress fracture of the anterior tibial shaft with an intramedullary nail. The tear progressed from partial to complete after 2 weeks of rehabilitation and return to practice. The patient was ultimately successfully treated with semitendinosus tenodesis.

Mommy's thumb: De Quervain's tenosynovitis in a new mother with cardiomyopathy.

Mommy's thumb is a lay term for de Quervain's tenosynovitis in mothers of newborn to young children. It is most commonly the result of carrying the child, leading to overuse of the wrist. Less commonly, it can also result from fluid retention resulting from lactational changes. We present a case report of a first-time mother presenting with bilateral de Quirvain's tenosynovitis which may be attributed to a previously undiagnosed cardiomyopathy leading to fluid retention.

Slipping rib syndrome presentation in a young woman.

Slipping rib syndrome (SRS) disorder is the hypermobility of the costal cartilages attached to the floating ribs. Causes include weakness of the interchondral ligaments, and less commonly congenital rib deformities or direct trauma. Due to its location (right upper quadrant) and symptomatic presentation, the differential for this syndrome is especially broad, and as a result, even though this syndrome may make up to 5% of visits for lower chest/upper abdominal pain, it is frequently underdiagnosed, and patients often undergo excessive workup. Treatment includes conservative management, physical therapy, intercostal nerve blocks and for refractory cases, surgical intervention. We describe a case of a 43-year-old female presenting with Slipping Rib Syndrome (SRS) that was confirmed with an ultrasound. In this case report, we discuss presentation of SRS, diagnostic maneuvers and image finding of SRS, and the treatment of SRS.

Imaging findings of a biopsy-proven desmoid tumor of the axilla in a young female.

Desmoid tumors (fibromatoses) are rare but locally aggressive tumors that do not metastasize. They are non-encapsulated, well-differentiated lesions made of fibroblasts and collagen, which mainly appear in the mesentery and abdominal wall. Rarely, these tumors can also occur in breasts, making up approximately 0.2% of all breast neoplasms. Treatment typically includes surgical excision and/or medical management. We describe a case of a 31-year-old female presenting with a mass in her left axilla that was biopsy proven to be a desmoid tumor. In this case report, we discuss the various imaging findings present on ultrasound, mammography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Bilateral popliteal entrapment syndrome in a young athlete diagnosed with ultrasound.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) occurs when the popliteal artery is compressed by abnormally developed or hypertrophied muscles adjacent to the popliteal fossa. When symptomatic, it most frequently presents with leg cramping while walking or running. We describe the case of an 18-year-old female runner presenting with claudication and exercise intolerance. After MRI was non-diagnostic, diagnostic ultrasound demonstrated that she had functional (Type VI) PAES. She subsequently underwent popliteal artery release surgery. Type VI PAES should be considered in young, healthy patients who present with claudication, particularly athletes.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis: a case report involving the spine and soft tissues.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health concern worldwide, and its incidence is increasing in developed countries, especially among immigrant populations. Extrapulmonary TB with musculoskeletal involvement is often a difficult and delayed diagnosis, as the disease can mimic metastases or infection. We present a case of extrapulmonary TB affecting the spine and soft tissues of a Vietnamese-born patient living in the United States. We discuss the imaging findings associated with extrapulmonary TB of the spine. Familiarity with key imaging features of disease can lead to early suspicion and detection of the disease as well as timely treatment.

Recurrent breast cancer diagnosis delayed by COVID-19 pandemic.

We describe the case of a 64-year-old female with a no relevant medical history. Screening mammography in March 2020 demonstrated calcifications in the right breast, and a diagnostic mammogram was recommended. In the months that followed, the patient experienced tissue changes in the right breast but avoided returning to the facility as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened. The patient returned for a diagnostic mammogram in September of 2020, which indicated suspicious lymph nodes and an increase in calcifications. Further analysis through ultrasound-guided core biopsy ultimately led to a right mastectomy and lymph node biopsy, which were performed in October 2020. Pathology results confirmed the diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features.

Recurrent breast cancer diagnosis delayed by COVID-19 pandemic.

We describe the case of a 65-year-old female with a history of left-sided ductal carcinoma in situ in 2008. Mammography in January 2020 demonstrated calcifications in the previously affected breast. Subsequent stereotactic biopsy results were benign. In the months that followed, the patient experienced breast changes but avoided returning to the facility as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened. In August of 2020, the patient returned for a repeat mammogram, which indicated 2 suspicious masses in the left breast. Further analysis through ultrasound-guided core biopsy ultimately led to a left mastectomy and lymph node biopsy, which were performed in September 2020. Pathology results revealed multifocal invasive ductal carcinoma stage IIB.

The Hyperechoic Appearance of the Deltoid Muscle on Shoulder Ultrasound Imaging as a Predictor of Diabetes and Prediabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the ultrasound appearance of the deltoid muscle in diabetic patients differs from that in obese nondiabetic patients. METHODS: Ultrasound images of the deltoid muscle from 137 type 2 diabetic patients (including 13 prediabetic patients) and 49 obese nondiabetic patients were blindly reviewed by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists, and by a third when arbitration was needed, to determine whether the appearance was "normal," "suspected diabetes," or "definite diabetes." Age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), insulin use, and hemoglobin A1c were analyzed. This retrospective study included patients presenting between October 2005 and November 2017. Statistical analyses included a 2-sided sample t test or Wilcoxon rank sum test and a χ2 or Fisher exact test. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. RESULTS: The type 2 diabetic patients included 98 women and 39 men aged 29 to 92 years, and the nondiabetic patients included 19 women and 30 men aged 18 to 75 years. A consensus diagnosis of definite diabetes by the musculoskeletal radiologists based on a hyperechoic deltoid was a powerful predictor of diabetes, with a positive predictive value of 89%. A hyperechoic deltoid was also a powerful predictor of prediabetes. Of the 13 prediabetic patients, all had the same hyperechoic appearance of the diabetic deltoid, regardless of BMI. Although obese diabetic patients more often had a diagnosis of definite diabetes, the BMI alone could not explain the increased echogenicity, as obese nondiabetic patients' deltoid muscles did not appear as hyperechoic and were correctly categorized as not having definite diabetes with 82% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic hyperechoic deltoid appearance is a strong predictor of both diabetes and prediabetes and differs from that of obese nondiabetic patients.

Ultrasound in Sports Medicine.

This article focuses on common sports-related injuries that are amenable to diagnosis by diagnostic ultrasonography. These injuries include rotator cuff-tears, lateral epicondylitis, distal biceps tendon tears, and anterior talofibular ligament injuries. The anatomy, scanning techniques, mechanism of injury, and sonographic appearance of each injury are discussed.

Ultrasound of Soft Tissue Masses and Fluid Collections.

Soft tissue masses and fluid collections are frequently encountered in sonographic practice, either as principal indication for diagnostic examination or as an incidental finding during an examination performed for other indications. Sonography is a good first-line imaging modality for evaluation of superficial masses and fluid collections, but requires meticulous attention to technique to avoid diagnostic pitfalls. Although many superficial masses are diagnosed with ultrasound, there are several potential diagnostic challenges, including differentiating hematomas from sarcomas. This article provides an image-rich review of the sonographic features of common soft tissue masses, with emphasis on practical tips to accurately recognize important pathology.

Sonographic and radiographic findings of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: a practical step forward.

The purpose of this article is to describe the sonographic and radiographic findings in the diagnosis and treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Ultrasound and radiographs play a crucial role in the diagnosis of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and in imaging the postoperative changes related to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Early detection and diagnosis of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is important in helping to prevent further progression of disease, obviating the need for more invasive and complex procedures.

Ultrasound Elastography Applications in Pediatrics.

Ultrasound is one of the most important imaging modalities in pediatric imaging because of its accessibility, portability, lack of ionizing radiation, and ability to generally perform examinations without need for sedation. Ultrasound elastography can measure the stiffness of various tissues. This review article aims to discuss how ultrasound elastography has performed in evaluating multiple pathologies in the pediatric population. The best studied pediatric applications are in liver diseases such as fibrosis, biliary atresia, and hepatic vascular congestion. Measuring muscle stiffness in cerebral palsy is the most promising pediatric musculoskeletal application, but many other applications are in the early stages of research. Other applications in pediatric small organ imaging have been explored and still need more study before gaining clinical relevance.

Ultrasound of Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Tendon Subluxation in a Tennis Player.

Wrist pain is common among competitive tennis players. Subluxation of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon has gained recognition as a cause of ulnar-side wrist pain in athletes. In tennis, the wrist is forcibly flexed, supinated, and ulnar deviated. These repetitive motions stress the ECU tendon stabilizers allowing tendon subluxation from the ulnar groove, especially in cases of anatomic variations such as a shallow groove. We present the presurgical and postsurgical imaging findings of recurrent ECU tendon subluxation in an elite tennis player.

Isolated Rheumatoid Nodule of the Achilles.

Approximately 20% to 25% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have rheumatoid nodules. These nodules most commonly involve the soft tissues of the upper extremity, particularly adjacent to the olecranon. We present an uncommon case of a solitary rheumatoid nodule arising from the paratenon of the Achilles tendon with ultrasound and magnetic resonance images.