BACKGROUND:As a novel noninvasive method, high frequency ultrasound has been used for the detection of skeletal muscle widely. OBJECTIVE:To detect the thickness of the dorsalLisfrancligament between the first (medial) cuneiform (C1) and second metatarsal (M2) using high frequency ultrasound to evaluate the feasibility and clinical application value of high frequency ultrasound for the detection of theLisfrancjoint. METHODS:Both feet of 100 healthy volunteers were included and the thickness of dorsalLisfranc ligament and the distance between C1 and M2wereexamined using high frequency ultrasound. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The display rate of high frequency ultrasound for the dorsalLisfranc ligament in the 100 healthy volunteers was 100%. There was no significant difference in the thickness of the dorsalLisfrancligament between both feet or sexes in adults(P> 0.05); as did the distance between C1 and M2 (P> 0.05). These findings suggest that visual dorsalLisfrancligament is detected by high frequency ultrasound. The measurement of the distance between C1 and M2by high frequency ultrasound may be a feasible, noninvasive, low-cost, and early diagnostic method forLisfrancinjuries.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Tongluo Recipe (TLR), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on experimental diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced by streptozocin in rats. Eight weeks later, the diabetic rats were assigned to 3 groups according to different body weights: untreated group, low-dose TLR-treated group and high-dose TLR-treated group. Eight normal rats were assigned to normal control group. Systemic and sciatic nerve intrinsic antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxide levels, hemorheology and sciatic nerve conduction velocity and ultrastructure changes were evaluated. RESULTS: Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were lower, and lipid peroxide levels were higher in plasma and sciatic nerve of the untreated group than those in the normal control group (P<0.05). Blood glucose and viscosity in the untreated group were higher than those in the normal control group. Sciatic nerve showed demyelination changes and decrease of conduction velocity. Vasa nervorum expanded and erythrocyte deposited in the capillary in the untreated group. TLR obviously improved sciatic nerve conduction velocity and ameliorated morphology changes, decreased blood viscosity, improved SOD and GSH-Px activities. CONCLUSION: TLR can obviously improve sciatic nerve function and ameliorate morphology changes in rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, probably through depleting free radical production, improving endothelial cell function and ameliorating hemorheology changes.