Intermittent flexor hallucis longus dislocation: ultrasound findings.

We report a case of intermittent dislocation of the flexor hallucis longus at its passage in the retro-malleolar area, related to a post-traumatic detachment of the retrotalar pulley from the medial tubercle of the talus. High-resolution ultrasound depicted the anterior dislocation of the tendon during dynamic stress, by asking the patient to flex his hallux against the examiner resistance, with the ankle in slight dorsiflexion. The tendon normally relocated after the dynamic maneuver. Tendon dislocation was associated with a painful snap.

Ultrasound of the Ulnar Nerve: A Pictorial Review: Part 2: Pathological Ultrasound Findings.

This is the second part of a two-part article in which we focus on the ultrasound (US) appearance of the pathological ulnar nerve (UN) and its main branches. Findings in a wide range of our pathological cases are presented with high-resolution US images obtained with the latest-generation US machines and transducers.

Ultrasound of the Ulnar Nerve: A Pictorial Review: Part 1: Normal Ultrasound Findings.

This is the first of a two-part article in which we focus on the ultrasound (US) appearance of the normal ulnar nerve (UN) and its main branches. The detailed US anatomy of the UN course is presented with high-resolution US images obtained with the latest-generation US machines and transducers.

Radial nerve palsy: If in doubt, use ultrasound.

Sonographic demonstration of radial nerve compression by a strict permanent suture, with intra-operative correlation.

Ultrasound of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve: A Review of the Literature and Pictorial Essay.

We review the ultrasound (US) findings in patients who present with meralgia paresthetica (MP). The anatomy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve at the level where the nerve exits the pelvis and potential entrapment sites that can lead to MP are discussed. A wide range of pathological cases are presented to help in recognizing the US patterns of MP. Finally, our experience with US-guided treatment is discussed.

Ultrasound of the Radial Nerve: A Pictorial Review.

This pictorial review focuses on the ultrasound (US) appearance of the normal and pathological radial nerve (RN) and its branches and provides tips with which to locate them and avoid misinterpretation of normal findings. A wide range of our pathological cases are reviewed and presented to help in familiarizing the reader with common and uncommon clinical scenarios that affect the RN and its main branches.

Sonographic diagnosis of clinically unsuspected thrombosis of the medial marginal vein and dorsal arch of the foot.

Foot pain is common in daily clinical practice but thrombosis of the foot veins is rarely considered as a differential diagnosis. Several cases of plantar veins thrombosis are reported in literature but a detailed description of ultrasonographic findings in case of thrombosis of the dorsal venous arch of the foot is lacking. We report a case of ours with a thrombosis of the medial marginal vein and dorsal venous arch of the foot, showing its close anatomical relation with the extensor hallucis longus tendon.

Ultrasound Imaging of the Deep Peroneal Nerve.

Ultrasound is considered an excellent imaging modality to evaluate the nerves of the limbs. The deep peroneal nerve (DPN) is one of the terminal branches of the common peroneal nerve. The DPN may be affected by various disorders, which may be clinically challenging to show. This Pictorial Essay reviews the normal ultrasound anatomy of the DPN and presents disorders that may involve the nerve and its main branches along its course, from proximal to distal.

High ankle sprain: sonographic demonstration of a posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament avulsion.

Syndesmotic injuries, also referred as high ankle sprains, may cause significant ankle instability and chronic pain. Ultrasound (US) is a well-proven imaging modality to evaluate the ligaments of the ankle, due to its high spatial resolution and the possibility to perform dynamic examinations. However, considering the syndesmosis complex, the sonographic appearance of the posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL) is not well described in the pertinent literature and, to the best of our knowledge, we found no report of PITFL avulsion demonstrated at US, as in the case presented.

Ultrasound Features of Ankle Retinacula: Normal Appearance and Pathologic Findings.

Disorders of retinacula are frequent in acute and repetitive microtrauma of the ankle. Ultrasound (US), thanks to its spatial resolution and dynamic capabilities, is routinely used in the evaluation of the posttraumatic ankle for accurate delineation of ligaments and tendons. In addition, US can provide a depiction of normal retinacula and a detailed assessment of their pathologic changes. An accurate US assessment of ankle retinacula is helpful in choosing the proper treatment. In this pictorial essay, we briefly review the normal anatomy of ankle retinacula, describe their normal US appearance, and present a wide range of US pathologic abnormalities.

Ultrasound Imaging of Disorders of Small Nerves of the Extremities: Less Recognized Locations.

Ultrasound is a well-proven imaging modality for showing peripheral nerve disorders and guiding perineural injections. The aim of this review is to focus on small peripheral nerve abnormalities, which are usually not recognized by sonologists. In fact, most of these small nerves have a tiny diameter (<2 mm), and their anatomy is less familiar. We describe the most common causes of small peripheral nerve disorders, providing an accurate description of their anatomic locations and relationships with adjacent structures; we also focus on technical hints that may help in their evaluation.

Ultrasound Appearance of the Migration of Tendon Calcifications.

Calcific tendinopathy (CTe) is a frequent disorder related to the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals within tendons. Ultrasound has been shown to be an excellent imaging modality for the evaluation of CTe. During the resorptive phase of CTe, calcium deposits may migrate inside the tendons or in neighboring tissues and lead to local inflammation and severe pain. In this pictorial essay, we describe the ultrasound appearance of a spectrum of CTe migrations. Knowledge of the different migration patterns can help sonologists in their detection and in establishing the correct diagnosis.

Ultrasound Features of the Proximal Hamstring Muscle-Tendon-Bone Unit.

The hamstring muscle complex is made by a group of posterior biarticular thigh muscles, originating at the ischial tuberosity, which extend the hip and flex the knee joint. Proximal hamstring injuries are frequent among athletes, commonly involving their long myotendinous junction during an eccentric contraction. In this pictorial essay, we describe the ultrasound technique to visualize the normal anatomy of the proximal hamstring muscle-tendon-bone complex and present ultrasound findings in patients with traumatic injuries and tendinopathies.