Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnostic Usefulness of Ultrasound Measurement of the Median Nerve Area and Quantitative Elastographic Measurement of the Median Nerve Stiffness.

OBJECTIVES: To correlate the ultrasound (US) measurements of the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) and the measurements of its stiffness by shear wave elastography (SWE) with the severity grade of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using electrodiagnostic testing (EDT) and to determine the cutoff points for CSA and SWE measurements to allow us to discriminate patients with moderate and severe CTS from those with mild or negative EDT findings. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with 105 hands with a clinical suspicion of CTS were studied with US and SWE. We measured the median nerve CSA and elasticity (E) at the tunnel inlet (CSAu and Eu), in the quadratus pronator (CSAo and Eo), and the differences (CSAu - CSAo and Eu - Eo). RESULTS: The nerve area and stiffness increased according to the EDT severity of CTS; the CSA increased proportionally as CTS increased from negative to severe according to EDT, and the stiffness was not different between patients with negative and mild EDT findings but was higher in patients with moderate and severe EDT findings versus negative and mild EDT findings. The cutoff points of a CSAu of 14 mm2 or greater and an Eu - Eo of 57 kPa or greater together allowed the discrimination of moderate and severe CTS from the rest. CONCLUSIONS: The joint use of US and SWE is an alternative to EDT in the clinical management and treatment of patients with a clinical suspicion of CTS.

Ultra-minimally invasive sonographically guided carpal tunnel release: anatomic study of a new technique.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to measure a safe zone and a path for ultra-minimally invasive sonographically guided carpal tunnel release with a 1-mm incision in healthy volunteers and then test the procedure in cadavers. METHODS: First, a previously reported sonographic zone was defined as the space between the median nerve and the closest ulnar vascular structure. Axially, the safest theoretical cutting point for carpal tunnel release was set by bisecting this zone. Magnetic resonance imaging was used for axially determining the limits of the sectors (origin at the cutting point) that did not enclose structures at risk (arteries and nerves) and coronally for determining whether our release path could require directions that could potentially compromise safety (origin at the pisiform's proximal pole). Second, in cadavers, we performed ultra-minimally invasive sonographically guided carpal tunnel release from an intracarpal position through a 1-mm antebrachial approach. Efficacy (deepest fibrous layer release rate), safety (absence of neurovascular or tendon injury), and damage to any anatomy superficial to transverse carpal ligament were assessed by dissection. RESULTS: All 11 of our volunteers (22 wrists) had safe axial sectors located volar and radially of at least 80.4º (considered safe). Release path directions were theoretically safe (almost parallel to the longitudinal axis of the forearm). In 10 cadaver wrists, ultra-minimally invasive sonographically guided carpal tunnel release was effective (100% release rate) and safe without signs of intrusion into the superficial anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: Ultra-minimally invasive sonographically guided carpal tunnel release in a safe sonographic zone may be feasible The technique preserves the superficial anatomy and diminishes the damage of a surgical approach.

Myxomas and myxoid liposarcomas of the extremities: Our preliminary findings in conventional, perfusion, and diffusion magnetic resonance.

Background: The differentiation between myxomas and myxoid liposarcomas (MLPS) often is a serious challenge for the radiologists. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most useful imaging technique in characterization of the soft tissue tumors (STT). Purpose: To evaluate in a sample of myxomas and MLPS of the extremities, what morphological findings in conventional MRI allow us to differentiate these two types of myxoid tumors, in addition to analyzing the validity of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI). Material and Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging studies in myxomas and MLPS of extremities searched in our PACS between 2015 and 2019. All studies had conventional MRI with T1, T2, and PD SPAIR sequences, while DW-MRI with ADC mapping and perfusion MRI with a T1 sequence repeated for 4 minutes after contrast injection were additional sequences only in some explorations. Two radiologists evaluated independently the MRI studies by examining the qualitative parameters. Apparent diffusion coefficient values were calculated using two methods-ADC global and ADC solid, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were applied for analysis. Results: The features were consistent with MLPS: size greater than 10 cm, heterogeneous signal on T1, and nodular enhancement, while the common findings for myxomas were a homogenously hypointense signal on T1 and diffuse peritumoral enhancement. The solid and global ADC values were higher in myxomas. We observed that the solid ADC value less than 2.06 x 10-3mm2 x s would support the diagnosis of MLPS against myxoma. Conclusion: Overall, MRI with its different modalities improved the diagnostic accuracy when differentiating myxomas from MLPS of extremities.

Sonographic measurement of cross-sectional area of the median nerve in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: correlation with nerve conduction studies.

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of sonographic measurement of the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and grading of its severity using nerve conduction (NC) studies as the standard. METHOD: The CSA of the median nerve was measured at the tunnel inlet and outlet using the ellipse formula and automatic tracing in 72 hands with suspicion of CTS. RESULT: The lack of inter-reader reliability led to excluding CSA measurements obtained at the tunnel outlet. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curves, the following cut-off points for the CSA of the median nerve at the tunnel inlet was selected: 9.8 mm and 12.3 mm(2) for the ellipse formula and 11 and 13 mm(2) for automatic tracing. For the ellipse formula, a CSA less than or equal to 9.8 mm(2) excluded CTS whereas a CSA greater than or equal to 12.3 mm(2) was diagnostic of CTS with measurements between 9.8 and 12.3 mm(2) being indeterminate and requiring NC studies. For automatic tracing, the cutoff value of 11 mm(2) was excluded because of the high percentage of false negatives, whereas CSAs greater than or equal to 13 mm(2) were diagnostic of CTS. There were no statistically significant differences in CSA measurements between the various degrees of CTS severity determined by NC studies. CONCLUSION: Sonographic measurement of median nerve CSA at the tunnel inlet is a good alternative to NC studies as the initial diagnostic test for CTS, but it cannot grade the severity of CTS as well as NC studies.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity and rheumatic diseases.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune systemic disease having among its clinical manifestations frequent symptoms common to rheumatologic diseases such as musculoskeletal pain, asthenia, and cognitive fatigue. It is associated with other autoimmune diseases like Sjögren disease. It is a well-characterized disease with specific diagnostic tests. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is an emerging entity with symptoms similar to celiac disease, but without specific diagnostic tests. The concept of non-celiac gluten sensitivity and its diagnostic problems are reviewed, and the hypothesis of its association with fibromyalgia, spondyloarthritis, and autoimmune conditions is proposed. Clinical observations supporting the hypothesis are described, highlighting the benefit of treating non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Nódulo reumatoide benigno en sóleo. Reporte de un caso / Benign rheumatoid nodule in the soleus muscle. Case report

RESUMEN Los nódulos reumatoides benignos son nódulos subcutáneos, idénticos en su morfología e histología a los que ocurren en el transcurso de la artritis reumatoide (AR), que aparecen en personas sin síntomas de artritis y con factor reumatoide (FR) negativo. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 46 arios de raza caucasiana que consultó por tumoración en la pierna derecha. Destacaba negatividad de factor reumatoide, anticuerpos anti péptido citrulinado, anticuerpos antinucleares y anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo, así como normalidad de los reactantes de fase aguda. Una ecografía musculoesquelética mostró una tumoración sólida de 3,5 x 1,5 cm, de márgenes bien definidos, en músculo sóleo, con una estructura heterogénea hipoecoica con vascularización intra y perilesional. La resonancia magnética evidenció una tumoración de carácter fibroso sin datos sugestivos de agresividad. Una biopsia guiada por ecografía mostró histología característica de nódulo reumatoide. Se discuten la clínica, el diagnóstico, el diagnóstico diferencial y el tratamiento de los nódulos reumatoides benignos.

ABSTRACT Benign rheumatoid nodules are subcutaneous nodules, identical in morphology and histo logy to those that occur in the course of rheumatoid arthritis. They appear in people without symptoms of arthritis and with negative rheumatoid factor. The case is presented of a 46-year-old Caucasian man who consulted for a tumour inthe right leg. He was negative for rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, as well as for acute phase reactants. A musculoskeletal ultrasound showed a solid tumour of 3.5 × 1.5 cm with well-defined margins in the soleus muscle, and with a heterogeneous hypoechoic structure with intra- and peri-lesional vascularisation. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a fibrous tumour with no signs suggestive of aggressive growth. An ultrasound-guided biopsy sho wed the characteristic histology of the rheumatoid nodule. The clinical picture, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of benign rheumatoid nodules are discussed.

Sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca y enfermedades reumatológicas / Non-celiac gluten sensitivity and rheumatic diseases

La enfermedad celíaca es una enfermedad autoinmune sistémica que tiene entre sus manifestaciones clínicas síntomas frecuentes en las enfermedades reumatológicas, como dolor musculoesquelético crónico, astenia y fatiga mental. Se asocia a otras enfermedades autoinmunes, como la enfermedad de Sjögren. Es una enfermedad bien caracterizada con pruebas diagnósticas específicas. La sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca es una entidad emergente, con sintomatología similar a la de la enfermedad celíaca, pero sin pruebas diagnósticas específicas. Se revisan el concepto y los problemas diagnósticos de la sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca y se propone como hipótesis la asociación de la sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca a la fibromialgia, las espondiloartropatías y las enfermedades autoinmunes. Se describen observaciones clínicas que apoyan esta hipótesis, destacando el beneficio clínico del tratamiento de la sensibilidad al gluten (AU)

Celiac disease is an autoimmune systemic disease having among its clinical manifestations frequent symptoms common to rheumatologic diseases such as musculoskeletal pain, asthenia, and cognitive fatigue. It is associated with other autoimmune diseases like Sjögren disease. It is a well-characterized disease with specific diagnostic tests. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is an emerging entity with symptoms similar to celiac disease, but without specific diagnostic tests. The concept of non-celiac gluten sensitivity and its diagnostic problems are reviewed, and the hypothesis of its association with fibromyalgia, spondyloarthritis, and autoimmune conditions is proposed. Clinical observations supporting the hypothesis are described, highlighting the benefit of treating non-celiac gluten sensitivity (AU)

Osteoartropatía hipertrófica asociada a cirrosis hepática / Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy associated to liver cirrhosis

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Valoración de calidad de imagen y dosis en exámenes de tomografía computarizada helicoidal de abdomen y de pelvis en pacientes con linfoma / Evaluation of image quality and dose in abdominal and pelvic helical CT in patients with lymphoma

Objetivo: Valorar la calidad de los exámenes de tomografía computarizada (TC) de abdomen y de pelvis para la indicación de linfoma, de acuerdo con los criterios propuestos en la Guía de la Comisión Europea (CE). Material y métodos: Los criterios se evaluaron en una muestra de 100 pacientes, procedentes de cinco hospitales públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid, estudiados mediante TC helicoidal de corte único. Cinco radiólogos, uno de cada centro participante en el estudio, evaluaron de forma independiente el cumplimiento de los criterios de imagen en los exámenes seleccionados. Se ha definido el indice de calidad de imagen (ICI) para el examen completo de abdomen y pelvis. En paralelo se efectuaron medición de las dosis para estimar los valores del índice de dosis en TC (IDTC), producto de dosis por longitud (PDL) y dosis efectiva (E). Resultados: Se ha encontrado un alto cumplimiento de los criterios de imagen individual en el abdomen. En la pelvis el cumplimiento ha sido menor, especialmente para tres criterios. El ICI por centro se encuentra entre el 83 y el 92%, con grados variables de desviación interna. Los valores medios de IDTCw por centro estuvieron entre 16 y 23 mGy; los de PDL entre 430 y 750 mGy/cm, y la dosis efectiva entre 7 y 12 mSv. En general, no se ha encontrado correlación entre el ICI y la dosis al paciente (PDL) en la totalidad de la muestra (r = 0,04) ni por centros (r ¾ 0,36). Conclusiones: Se ha confirmado la utilidad de los criterios de calidad de la CE. Se ha elaborado una lista única de criterios de calidad de imagen y sugerimos niveles de dosis de referencia para exámenes de TC de abdomen-pelvis en pacientes con linfoma

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of pelvic and abdominal CT images performed for lymphoma according to the criteria proposed in the European Commission Guidelines on radiation imaging.( En castellano dice: la Guia de la Comisión Europea. Lo que pasa es que hay muchas guias publicadas por la Comisión: aseguranse que sea esta la citada) Material and methods: The criteria were evaluated in a sample of 100 patients attended at five public hospitals in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. All patients underwent single-slice helical CT studies. Fulfillment of the imaging criteria in the selected images was evaluated by five radiologists, one from each center, working independently. The Index of Image Quality (IIQ) was determined for the complete abdominal and pelvic examination. The dose was also measured to estimate the values of the CT Dose Index (CTDIw), Dose by Length Product (DLP), and effective dose (E). Results: A high rate of fulfillment of the criteria was found for individual abdominal images. In the pelvis, the rate of fulfillment was lower, especially for three criteria. The IIQ for each center was between 83%-92%, with variable degrees of internal deviation. The mean values of CTDIw per center were between 16-23 mGy; DLP values were between 430 and 750 mGy cm, and the effective dose was 7-12 mSv. In general, no correlation was found between IIQ and dose per patient, either for the entire sample (r = 0.04) or by centers (r£0.36). Conclusions: The utility of the European Union's Quality Criteria was confirmed. We have elaborated a single list of criteria of image quality and suggest reference dosage levels for abdominal-pelvic CT examinations in patients with lymphoma