Applications of artificial intelligence in musculoskeletal ultrasound: narrative review.

Ultrasonography (US) has become a valuable imaging tool for the examination of the musculoskeletal system. It provides important diagnostic information and it can also be very useful in the assessment of disease activity and treatment response. US has gained widespread use in rheumatology practice because it provides real time and dynamic assessment, although it is dependent on the examiner's experience. The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in the process of image recognition and interpretation has the potential to overcome certain limitations related to physician-dependent assessment, such as the variability in image acquisition. Multiple studies in the field of AI have explored how integrated machine learning algorithms could automate specific tissue recognition, diagnosis of joint and muscle pathology, and even grading of synovitis which is essential for monitoring disease activity. AI-based techniques applied in musculoskeletal US imaging focus on automated segmentation, image enhancement, detection and classification. AI-based US imaging can thus improve accuracy, time efficiency and offer a framework for standardization between different examinations. This paper will offer an overview of current research in the field of AI-based ultrasonography of the musculoskeletal system with focus on the applications of machine learning techniques in the examination of joints, muscles and peripheral nerves, which could potentially improve the performance of everyday clinical practice.

Electrochemical monitoring of bronchial inflammation in pediatric athletes: A prospective study.

The assessment of inflammation by accessible, reproducible and especially non-invasive methods is one of the main goals for numerous medical specialties. One variable for assessment is the fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FeNO), which correlates with the inflammatory syndrome of the airways. The objective of the present study was the biochemical evaluation of FeNO in children practicing sports in Oltenia, Romania. Between January and December 2018, children practicing sports (football, track and field, judo, fencing, handball, volleyball and basketball) were enrolled in the study. The FeNO values were compared with the asthma history and with the spirometric evaluation. A total of 23 children without a previous asthma diagnosis exhibited positive spirometry results. The prevalence of the disease was 3.6% in the cohort, and FeNO dosing showed higher values in the group at risk in children diagnosed with asthma, compared with that in children without this diagnosis. The children who performed outdoor sports (soccer, and track and field) had higher electrochemical levels of nitric oxide compared with those who performed indoor sports (mean, 29.70 vs. 20.56; P<0.0005), which led to the hypothesis that these children had an increased risk of developing bronchospasm. FeNO dosing can thus be a useful and easy-to-use tool in practice for assessing bronchial inflammation in children practicing various types of sports. The spirometric data of undiagnosed asthma patients from the present study may indicate that the disease is still underdiagnosed within Romania.

Osteoarthritis induces gender-related changes in the knee range of motion.

In time, osteoarthritis (OA) generates the misalignment of the affected joint structures. However, due to the nature of bipedal gait, OA in the lower limb can also cause pathological gait patterns, which can generate instability and falls, with great consequence, especially in the aged population. With goniometry used to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) of joints, we wanted to evaluate how gender impacts gait dynamics in OA patients. For this study, we have compared 106 OA patients (74 females and 32 males) to age matched controls. All participants had their right leg as dominant. Video recording of normal gait was analyzed with a digital goniometry tool phone application, and the knee's ROM was measured in midstance and midswing moment of the gait. During midstance, significant extension and flexion of the knee excursion have been observed in both males and females. During midswing, knee OA presents more differences, whereas subjects with hip and knee OA present changes on the dominant knee. Midstance changes suggest that the knee's joint degenerative changes, such as synovitis, can be linked to hip OA secondary changes. Midswing changes in lower limb OA suggest a connection to the activities of daily life. Gender differences generated by OA must furthermore be studied in both lower limbs so that the best therapeutic approach can be chosen.