The tibialis posterior tendon.

The tibialis posterior tendon is the largest and anteriormost tendon in the medial ankle. It produces plantar flexion and supination of the ankle and stabilizes the plantar vault. Sonographic assessment of this tendon is done with high-frequency, linear-array transducers; an optimal examination requires transverse retromalleolar, longitudinal retromalleolar, and distal longitudinal scans, as well as dynamic studies. Disorders of the posterior tibial tendon include chronic tendinopathy with progressive rupture, tenosynovitis, acute rupture, dislocation and instability, enthesopathies. The most common lesion is a progressive "chewing gum" lesion that develops in a setting of chronic tendinopathy; it is usually seen in overweight women over 50 years of age with valgus flat feet. Medial ankle pain must also be carefully investigated, and the presence of instability assessed with dynamic maneuvers (forced inversion, or dorsiflexion) of the foot. Sonography plays an important role in the investigation of disorders involving the posterior tibial tendon.

[Imaging features of pubalgia]. / Imagerie des pubalgies.

Pubalgia is a generic term used to describe groin pain due to a multitude of different etiologies such as skeletal (microtraumatic pubic symphysis arthropathy), muscular (adductor or rectus abdominis disorders), or abdominal wall (inguinal hernia) disorders. Diagnosis relies mainly on MRI for musculoskeletal disorders and ultrasound for abdominal wall disorders.

[Sonography of muscles]. / Echographie des muscles.

Sonography constitutes a method of choice in the evaluation of muscular structures. Traumatic lesions represent the majority of muscular injuries. A good anatomical knowledge of the weakness sites, as well as knowledge of traumatic signs and symptoms is essential in order to deliver a precise report to the referring physician. Sonography may suggest other causes of muscle lesions, tumoral or dystrophic, before confirmation by MRI.

[Pulmonary nodules: dosimetric and clinical studies at low dose multidetector CT]. / Evaluation dosimétrique en exploration TDM thoracique multibarrette faible dose dans la détection des nodules pulmonaires.

PURPOSE: To measure breast radiation dose from multidetector CT using three different low dose protocols and compare it to a standard two view chest examination. To compare the number of pulmonary nodules detected at low and standard dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thermoluminescent dosimetry was used to measure the absorbed dose on a phantom (Rando) and 10 patients. Then, we compared the standard dose to the low dose examinations. The Wilcoxon rank test and the kappa test were used to assess differences in the detection of nodules. RESULTS: The absorbed dose of these low dose protocols correspond to the radiation dose for the acquisition of two to ten chest radiographs (two views). This study suggests that only the 30 mA protocol is sufficient for the detection of all pulmonary nodules; nodules smaller than 5 mm were overlooked at 10 mA. CONCLUSION: A good image quality can be obtained with low dose protocols at multidetector CT (correspond to 2 to 10 chest radiographs).

[Ophthalmologic manifestations of systemic vasculitis: report of six cases and review of the literature]. / Manifestations ophtalmologiques des vascularites systémiques: analyse de six observations et revue de la littérature.

PURPOSE: Study of characteristics of ocular involvement in systemic vasculitis. METHODS: We describe six cases of systemic vasculitis with ocular involvement observed between 1992 and 2000. These cases are compared with those reported in the literature. RESULTS: Our patients suffered from Wegener's granulomatosis (four cases), periarteritis nodosa and Churg-Strauss syndrome. Ocular manifestations were conjunctivitis, scleritis, orbital pseudotumor, optic neuritis and extraocular muscle palsy. These manifestations are similar to those reported in the literature. Their treatment requires steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. In one of our cases, intravenous immunoglobulins were effective in controlling an optic neuritis. CONCLUSION: Ocular involvement in systemic vasculitis may concern any orbital structure. It usually occurs during the course of vasculitis but may be one of its first manifestations. It requires an appropriate treatment to prevent ophthalmic complications and especially blindness.

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of the female pelvis: radio-anatomy and pathologic applications. Preliminary results.

Dynamic MRI of the pelvis was performed in 16 young nulliparous, normally continent women. The examinations were performed in the dorsal decubitus position. Using Turbo-Flash scans (acquisition time: 2.1 sec), sagittal images were obtained at rest and with maximal pelvic straining. The sacral promontory-subpubic (PSP) and the subpubic-subsacral axes (SPSS) measured respectively 80.5 degrees and 30 degrees in relation to the horizontal plane, without a statistically significant difference between rest and straining. A marked deformation of the posterior wall of the bladder was observed in 13 cases and the bladder neck was frontally deformed in 10 cases. With straining, the base of the bladder did not descend beyond 15 mm below the SPSS, and the cervix stayed at least 14 mm above the SPSS. These were established as the normal criteria for pelvic assessment. 20 multiparous patients (mean age 65 years), referred for urinary stress incontinence and/or prolapse, were investigated using the criteria previously established. The PSP, SPSS, and vaginal angle measured 80.95 degrees, 30.57 degrees, and 69.69 degrees respectively in relation to the horizontal. No statistically significant difference was detected between straining and rest conditions. The angle of the uterus in relation to the horizontal was 57.36 degrees at rest and 65.90 degrees in straining with a difference that was statistically significant. In six patients, the base of the bladder descended more than 1.5 cm while straining and in seven patients the cervix descended at least 1.4 cm below the SPSS while straining, both statistically significant differences. Overall, between our control and study populations, there were no significant differences between PSP and SPSS measured on straining and at rest. However, differences were detected in the vaginal angle, bladder-base position, and cervical position. These results suggest the potential substitution of MRI for colpocystography.

Computed tomographic appearance of three intrapulmonary lymph nodes.

Intrapulmonary lymph nodes are rare lesions, usually appearing as small subpleural nodule (coin lesion), at or under the height of the carina. Computed tomography (CT) is very accurate in their detection. Three observations are reported.