ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Real-time shear-wave elastography (SWE) is a newly developed technique for the sonographic quantification of tissue elasticity, which already is used in the assessment of breast and thyroid lesions. Due to limited overlying tissue, the testes are ideally suited for assessment using shear wave elastography. To our knowledge, no published data exist on real-time SWE of the testes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty six male volunteers (mean age 51.86±18.82, range 20-86) with no known testicular pathology underwent normal B-mode sonography and multi-frame shear-wave elastography of both testes using the Aixplorer ® ultrasound system (SuperSonic Imagine, Aix en Provence, France). Three measurements were performed for each testis; one in the upper pole, in the middle portion and in the lower pole respectively. The results were statistically evaluated using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Mean shear-wave velocity values were similar in the inferior and superior part of the testicle (1.15âm/s) and were significantly lower in the centre (0.90âm/s). These values were age-independent. Testicular stiffness was significantly lower in the upper pole than in the rest of the testis with increasing volume (pâ=â0.007). CONCLUSION: Real-time shear-wave elastography proved to be feasible in the assessment of testicular stiffness. It is important to consider the measurement region as standard values differ between the centre and the testicular periphery. Further studies with more subjects may be required to define the normal range of values for each age group. Useful clinical applications could include the diagnostic work-up of patients with scrotal masses or male infertility.
Subject(s)
Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods , Testis/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography/methods , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Feasibility Studies , Healthy Volunteers , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Organ Size , Reference Values , Testis/physiology , Young AdultSubject(s)
Femur/anatomy & histology , Anthropometry , Humans , Male , Sex Characteristics , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Three documented European skeletal series were examined to assess the accuracy and reliability of the pubic variables described by Phenice for correctly identifying the sex of adult human skeletal remains. The accuracy and objectivity of these variables, as reported by Phenice, Kelley, Sutherland and Suchey, and Lovell, could not be confirmed on this European material. In general, the subpubic concavity feature, when used alone, proved to be the most reliable variable for sex identification. In this study, the level of correct sex identification that could be achieved using the Phenice variables was shown to be significantly affected by the previous experience of the observer.
Subject(s)
Anthropology, Physical/methods , Pubic Bone/anatomy & histology , Sex Characteristics , Europe , Female , Humans , Male , Observer Variation , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
Dental caries prevalence, distribution, and site of attack was investigated in a Scottish Mediaeval population. The findings supported previous reports, which suggested that caries prevalence in Scotland was lower than in contemporaneous English populations. Attrition of the occlusal surface of the teeth with accompanying alteration of the anatomy of the interproximal space is suggested as the principal reason for the differences in the pattern of distribution of caries between this and modern populations.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/history , Paleodontology , Age Factors , History, Medieval , Humans , ScotlandABSTRACT
Dental caries prevalence, distribution and site of attack were in broad agreement with previous reports for Mediaeval Scots, namely that caries was principally a disease of adult life and showed a different location distribution from that of modern caries. The findings reinforce evidence that caries prevalence in Scotland was lower than in England at that period. It is suggested that reliable estimates of caries prevalence can best be made by noting: (i) individual caries experience, (ii) lesion location by tooth type and area of attack, (iii) the number of carious teeth of each type as a percentage of teeth of that type present.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/history , Paleodontology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Child , Dental Caries/epidemiology , History, 15th Century , History, 16th Century , History, 17th Century , History, Medieval , Humans , Middle Aged , ScotlandABSTRACT
The sciatic notch/acetabular index and its rule of thumb application was tested on two European skeletal series of documented sex. The results showed poor consistency between documented and estimated sex. Of the two variables comprising the index, it appeared that sciatic notch width was a particularly poor discriminator of sex. It is suggested that this may be due to differences in the relationship between sciatic notch form and body size in different ethnic groups.
Subject(s)
Acetabulum/anatomy & histology , Forensic Medicine , Ischium/anatomy & histology , Sex Determination Analysis , White People , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
A simple univariate technique for sexing individuals represented by fragmentary skeletal remains is described. The results obtained were highly consistent (about 90%) with those obtained by conventional analysis of pelvic and cranial morphology. It is suggested that using maximum anteroposterior diameter of the femoral shaft as a sex discriminator has advantages over midshaft circumference even when intact femora are available.
Subject(s)
Bone and Bones/anatomy & histology , Femur/anatomy & histology , Sex Determination Analysis , Anthropology, Physical , Female , Humans , Male , Paleontology , ScotlandABSTRACT
A simple contact stimulator designed to provide quantitative assessments of thermal sensitivity of digital skin is described. The skin is tested at its normal resting temperature and thermal thresholds are given as the least differences in temperature between the skin and the stimulator which give rise to warm or cool sensations.
Subject(s)
Neurophysiology/instrumentation , Skin/innervation , Thermoreceptors/physiology , Thermosensing/physiology , Fingers/innervation , Humans , Sensory Thresholds , Skin TemperatureABSTRACT
Touch thresholds in a group of elderly people were determined for three sites on the little finger. They were found to be raised by some two and a half times in each site, in comparison with a group of young subjects. An age-associated reduction in the number of Meissner corpuscles also was observed, but it is suggested that this may reflect a general reduction in peripheral innervation and may not be necessarily directly related to the decrease in tactile sensitivity. No significant sex differences were found either in sensory thresholds, or in the population density of corpuscles.
Subject(s)
Aging , Fingers/innervation , Mechanoreceptors/cytology , Touch/physiology , Aged , Cell Count , Female , Humans , Male , Mechanoreceptors/physiology , Middle Aged , Sensory Thresholds , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Touch detection and two-point discrimination thresholds at three sites on the distal phalanx of the little finger were compared with the histology of the same three sites in amputated fingers. No consistent relationship could be demonstrated between sensitivity to touch and the population density of Meissner corpuscles or other organised endings. However, the findings do not negate the suggestion that Meissner corpuscles may be involved in two-point discrimination.