Acromion types and morphometric evaluation of painful shoulders.

BACKGROUND: Due to its many variations, the scapula is among the most frequently examined bones. Especially the acromion can be of different shapes and sizes. Measurements of the morphometric structures in the shoulder joint make it easier to explain the cause of the various shoulder problems. The objective of this study is putting emphasis on the importance of acromion types, os acromiale presence and acromial morphometric measurements in the aetiology and diagnosis of shoulder pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study, based on 100 patients of both genders who presented with the complaints of shoulder pain and underwent magnetic resonance imaging, was conducted. Within this scope, types of acromion, slope of acromion, length of acromion, length of coracoid process, the distance between acromion and coracoid process, lateral acromial angle (LAA), critical shoulder angle (CSA), acromial index (AI) and acromiohumeral distance were measured. The data were analysed considering the gender and acromion types and the presence of os acromiale is investigated. RESULTS: The most common acromion was type II (curved) (frequency rate 62%) while the rate of type I (flat) and type III (hooked) acromions were 21% and 17%, respectively. The length of acromion and coracoid process were found to be significantly longer in males, while no significant difference between genders in terms of the distance between acromion and coracoid process were observed. Furthermore, while negative correlation between LAA and AI as well as LAA and CSA were observed; positive correlation between AI and CSA was found. In addition, there was negative correlation between slope of acromion and acromiohumeral distance. Besides, acromiohumeral distance was significantly higher in males. Regarding the presence of os acromiale, it was observed in 3 women out of 59 and 2 men out of 41, which indicated no significant difference between genders. CONCLUSIONS: It is evaluated that the morphometric measurement is of importance in contributing clinically in distinguishing the problems that may occur according to gender and acromion types.

Shear wave elastography evaluation of testes with non-communicating hydrocele in infants and toddlers: A preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a new technology and non-invasive ultrasound device that can measure tissue rigidity and elasticity. OBJECTIVE: This controlled prospective study aimed to demonstrate using SWE whether there was a difference between the elasticity of testes with non-communicating (NC) hydrocele in infants and toddlers and elasticity of controls' testes without hydrocele, and to reveal quantitative values of elasticity reflecting histological findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Testes of 37 cases at an average age of 6.32 months and diagnosed with NC hydrocele between December 2016 and April 2017 were evaluated for hydrocele and testicular volumes, and testes elasticity through ultrasonography and SWE. RESULTS: Of all cases, 15 had bilateral hydroceles, while 22 were diagnosed with unilateral hydrocele. Testes with NC hydrocele (n = 52) in infants and toddlers were compared with testes without hydrocele (n = 36) in controls. Median hydrocele volume of 52 testes with NC hydrocele was 5.0 cm3 (0.2-37). Median volume of testes with hydrocele was 0.6 cm3 (0.2-1.5) in the study group, and 0.5 cm3 (0.3-1) in controls (P = 0.577). Although median elastography values were measured as 1.67 m/s (1.29-2.59) and 10.0 kPa (2.1-23) in patients, those of controls were found to be 1.61 m/s (1.27-2.34) and 8.25 kPa (5.1-18.9) (P = 0.03, P = 0.005, respectively). While there was no between-group difference in testes volumes, a statistically significant difference was observed in SWE-derived quantitative data (Summary Table). DISCUSSION: As a novel elastographic method, SWE is used to track shear waves passing through tissues by quantifying the elasticity of structures and nodules, such as liver fibrosis, and to improve the characterization of breast and thyroid nodules. Shear wave elastography was assessed to be a beneficial ultrasonography tool to predict the histologic features of undescended testicles, which might replace testicular biopsy in the modern management of undescended testes. This study also quantitatively measured whether there was a change in testicular tissues with NC hydrocele through SWE, and found that SWE values of testes with NC hydrocele were significantly higher compared with those of controls, despite the absence of a significant difference in testes volumes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed that quantitative changes in testes elasticity can reliably be evaluated through SWE. Non-communicating hydrocele may be damaging to testicular tissues. More definitive results will be achieved with further comprehensive studies including larger patient populations. It is believed that the operation age of children with NC hydrocele can be re-evaluated in the future.

Evaluation of orbital arteries with colour Doppler ultrasonography in patients with psoriasis.

AIM: To evaluate the blood flow in arteries of the orbit in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: In total, 30 patients with psoriasis and 30 healthy control subjects were recruited to the study. Standard ophthalmic evaluation, fundus examination and retrobulbar colour Doppler ultrasonography assessment were performed. The ophthalmic, posterior ciliary and central arteries were evaluated, and peak systolic blood flow velocity, end diastolic velocity, resistance index and pulsatility index were measured. Results of the measurements were compared between the two study groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences in blood flow parameters of the orbital arteries between the psoriasis group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The haemodynamics of the orbit might be affected in patients with psoriasis.