Comparing human skeletal muscle architectural parameters of cadavers with in vivo ultrasonographic measurements.

The purpose of this study was to document and compare the architectural parameters (fibre bundle length, angle of pennation) of human skeletal muscle in cadaveric specimens and live subjects. The medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius, and posterior (PS) and anterior (AS) soleus were examined bilaterally in 5 cadavers (mean age 72.6, range 65-83 y) and 9 live subjects (mean age 76.3, range 70-92 y). Data were obtained from direct measurement of cadaveric specimens and from ultrasonographic scans of the live subjects. In cadaveric muscle, fibre bundles were isolated; their length was measured in millimetres and pennation angles were recorded in degrees. In live muscle, similar measurements were taken from ultrasonographic scans of relaxed and contracted muscle. For the scans of relaxed muscle, subjects were positioned prone with the foot at a 90 degrees angle to the leg, and for scans of contracted muscle, subjects were asked to sustain full plantarflexion during the scanning process. Fibre bundle length and angle of pennation were compared at matched locations in both groups. It was found that the relationship between cadaveric and in vivo values for fibre length and angle of pennation varied between muscle parts. The cadaveric architectural parameters did not tend to lie consistently towards either extreme of relaxation or contraction. Rather, within MG, PS and AS, cadaveric fibre bundle lengths lay between those for relaxed and contracted in vivo muscle. Similarly both the anterior and posterior cadaveric fibre angles of pennation lay between the in vivo values within LG and PS. In summary, architectural characteristics of cadaveric muscle differ from both relaxed and contracted in vivo muscle. Therefore, when developing models of skeletal muscle based on cadaveric studies, the architectural differences between live and cadaveric tissue should be taken into consideration.

Sonographic studies of human soleus and gastrocnemius muscle architecture: gender variability.

The purpose of this study was to establish if there are gender differences in muscle architecture in relaxed human soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of normal, live subjects. Ultrasonography was used to measure fiber bundle length, muscle thickness, and angles of pennation in a total of ten predetermined sites in the medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius and the anterior and posterior soleus in 19 males and 16 females. Percentage differences between males and females for each parameter were recorded. Gender differences were statistically analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. In the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of males and females the differences between the overall fiber bundle length, angle of pennation and muscle thickness were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Overall, females were found to have longer average muscle fiber bundle length and males thicker muscles and larger angles of pennation. The greatest percentage differences of the architectural parameters between males and females were in the posterior soleus: 13% difference in fiber length and 26% difference in angle of pennation in the midline of posterior soleus and 26% difference in muscle thickness of the lateral part of posterior soleus. No correlation was found between leg length and fiber length, angle of pennation or muscle thickness. Fiber length (decreased), angle of pennation (greater) and muscle thickness (greater) of most parts of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were significantly different in males and females. Leg length of males and females did not correlate to these architectural parameters.

Computed tomographic analysis of the intratemporal facial nerve and facial nerve neuromas.

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has replaced multidirectional tomography in the detailed analysis of the temporal bone because of its excellent resolution of fine bony detail. Small soft-tissue masses not discernible on plain tomograms are easily seen using HRCT. Unsuspected early disease which has not caused recognizable bone erosion in also demonstrable by HRCT. Last but not least, the amount of radiation received by a patient as a result of HRCT is considerably less. We illustrate the normal course of the facial nerve through the temporal bone, its anatomical relationship to various adjacent structures, and the numerous branches given off during its course through the temporal bone. The clinical features of facial nerve neuromas (schwannomas) depend on their location and include facial nerve weakness or paralysis, otalgia or facial pain, hearing loss or imbalance, and loss of taste sensation. HRCT allows the identification of a soft-tissue mass along the course of the facial nerve, with its bony canal usually enlarged by the mass. Pressure erosion of the underlying bone is often noted and erosion of the ossicles may be demonstrated in the case of middle ear involvement. The importance of both clinical and radiological correlation cannot be overemphasized in the discovery of these tumors.

Inversion of gallbladder secondary to traumatic herniation of liver: CT findings.

This report describes the CT and radioisotope diagnosis of a suprahepatic gallbladder with partial inversion of the liver resulting from traumatic rupture of the diaphragm.

Portal venous tumor casts causing defect on hepatic imaging.

A dilated portal vein has been reported as a cause of a portal defect on liver scan. This report describes a similar defect caused by tumor thrombus casts invading the portal vein and its main branches.

Displaced calcium as a sign of transitional cell carcinoma in analgesic nephropathy.

Transitional cell carcinoma is associated with analgesic nephropathy. Detection of this neoplasm may be delayed because hematuria and colic are the usual symptoms in both conditions. Plain film findings of displacement of the renal calcifications occurring in analgesic nephropathy may be the first sign of transitional cell carcinoma.

Sonographic demonstration of a patent umbilical vein in portal vein tumor thrombosis.

A patent umbilical vein is a well-known sonographic sign of portal hypertension. We here describe this finding in a patient with extensive tumor thrombosis of the portal vein and its branches.

Sonography of milk of calcium in a calyceal diverticulum: a case report.

Ultrasonography is the modality of choice in differentiating between cystic and solid renal lesions. It is somewhat less effective in demonstrating renal calculi. We report here a patient referred for investigation of a calcified renal mass, in whom ultrasonography permitted the diagnosis of milk of calcium in a calyceal diverticulum.

The sonography of renal columnar hypertrophy.

An enlarged Column of Bertin is a frequent cause of renal pseudotumor. In a retrospective study of the ultrasound findings in 11 patients with columnar hypertrophy, we have attempted to establish objective sonographic criteria of this entity. Columnar hypertrophy appears as a renal mass with the following characteristics: (1) indents the renal sinus laterally; (2) clearly defined from the renal sinus; (3) largest dimension of less than 3 cm; (4) continuous or contiguous with the renal cortex; and (5) Echogenicity close to that of the cortex. Two minor criteria are also presented, and the present appropriate use of the criteria is suggested.