Usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ischaemic fasciitis.

We present the case of a 68-year-old woman who developed a painful subcutaneous tumour in the sacral region. Histological examinations revealed a characteristic zonal pattern with a central zone of liquefactive necrosis, surrounded by proliferated atypical fibroblasts and prominent vessels, indicating ischaemic fasciitis. We demonstrate that the characteristic features of ischaemic fasciitis revealed by ultrasonography are strongly associated with those revealed by pathological findings. We thus believe that ultrasonography is a valid tool for making an accurate diagnosis of ischaemic fasciitis.

[Sports medical counseling to promote physical activity in unemployed]. / Sportmedizinische Bewegungsberatung bei Arbeitslosen.

Although strong evidence suggests that unemployment increases health risks and physical activity results in significant health benefits, the participation rate in prevention programs among unemployed men is still low. For this reason, a sports medical counseling service was implemented at regional job centers in 2006 to refer unemployed persons into local sports for health programs. The participation rate from 741 long-term unemployed persons was analyzed with respect to gender, health, and physical activity status. Women were more active than men (p = 0.038). Among men, physically active persons differed from non-active persons in BMI, activity status, and self-reported health status (p < 0.05). Especially men with lower fitness, health, and activity status could be motivated for more physical activity (p < 0.001). The odds ratio for program participation of men with lower fitness, health, and activity status is 2.8 (95% confidence interval 1.8-4.3) compared to persons with lower risk factors. Sports medical counseling at job centers seems to be a promising and feasible intervention approach.

Acupuncture in children and adolescents with bronchial asthma: a randomised controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: This randomised controlled trial evaluates the immediate effects of acupuncture as an add-on therapy in in-patient rehabilitation of children and adolescents with bronchial asthma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a pre-post design, the severity of symptoms, lung function, illness-specific quality of life (Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire - PAQLQ) and general and asthma-specific level of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children - STAIC) were investigated in 46 acupuncture and 47 control patients. In addition to asthma sports, climate therapy and behavioural training, the intervention group received acupuncture treatment with a standardised needle pattern (12 × 30 min.). RESULTS: With acupuncture, the peak expiratory flow variability differs significantly (p<0.01) from that of the control patients' group. Moreover, the acupuncture group differs significantly in their rehabilitation response at the time of discharge concerning perceived anxiety (STAIC-S). The lung function tests do not present differences between groups. CONCLUSION: After additional acupuncture, amelioration of peak expiratory flow variability and anxiety can be shown, without any difference in objective lung function tests and quality of life between study groups. Further studies might evaluate the effects of acupuncture on childhood asthma in an outpatient setting.