Role of simulation-based education in ultrasound practice training.

The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether ultrasound (US)/US procedural simulation leads to improvement in US competence, particularly in the clinical setting. The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC, and OVID were searched for relevant published articles between 1950 and April 2011. Fourteen articles of an initial 371 articles met the inclusion criteria. The eligible studies differed in terms of the study population, sample size, study design, US simulator used, and measured outcomes. Most of the studies demonstrated acquisition of knowledge and skills with suggestions of correlation with simulation training and improved performance in the same simulated environment. There is little compelling evidence based on published studies at present to support the widespread adoption of simulation-based medical education to improve clinical US competence.

Acquired unilateral pes planus in a child caused by a ruptured plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament.

A traumatic cause for acquired pes planus in children is uncommon and it is not often considered as a primary diagnosis. We describe a patient, who ruptured her plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament and presented late with an acquired unilateral flat foot similar to a tibialis posterior rupture. Corrective surgery in the form of calcaneal osteotomy with iliac graft lengthening and medial advancement of tibialis posterior achieved excellent results with patient remaining asymptomatic and returning to routine activities. In the presence of an acute traumatic onset of unilateral pes planus, spring ligament and tibialis posterior tendon rupture should be considered in the differential diagnosis.