BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Flow-mediated brachial artery vasoactivity has been proposed as a noninvasive means for assessing endothelial function. The present study is designed to assess the influence of aging on endothelial function and when vasoactivity developed initially, peaked. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We measured brachial artery diameter for 60 seconds continuously using 7.5 MHz ultrasound following 5 minutes of lower arm occlusion in 22 normal volun-teers (young group: 10 volunteers, 26.5+/-1.9 years; old group: 12 volunteers, 55.9+/-3.3 years). After sublingual administration of 0.6 mg nitroglycerine, 240 seconds continuously. And then we measure vasoactivity every 3 seconds. RESULTS: Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was started earlier in young group (24.3+/-2.8 sec; old group 28.8+/-3.6 sec, p=0.017). After release of occlusion, peak vasoacitivity time was at 35.5+/-4.7 seconds and peak vasoactivity was 8.4+/-1.7% in young group (old group 6.9+/-1.5%, p=0.099). Endothelial independent vasodilation (EID) was started at 80.7+/-13.3 seconds after sublingual nitroglycerine in young group (vs 80.0+/-19.0 sec), peaked at 177.5+/-16.9 seconds (vs 171.3+/-13.8 sec). Peak vasoactivity was higher in young group (19.1+/-3.1%; old group 15.9+/-2.5%, p=0.033). CONCLUSION: We conclude that 1) Aging has influence on endothelial function about initiating time of vasoactivity as well as peak vaso- activity. 2) FMD can be measured around 50 seconds after release of brachial artery occlusion and EID at 180 seconds after application of sublingual nitroglycerine. 3) The initiating time of vasoactivity (under 30 seconds) can be used for evaluation of endothelial function.
Administration, Sublingual ; Aging* ; Arm ; Brachial Artery ; Nitroglycerin ; Ultrasonography* ; Vasodilation ; Volunteers

OBJECTIVE: To determine an ideal stimulation site of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MACN) using ultrasound measurement and to compare the efficiency of the new stimulation site with the conventional stimulation site on the nerve conduction study. METHODS: Both arms of 15 healthy participants were measured using ultrasound. The MACN was identified in the transverse view at each 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 cm proximal sites from the medial epicondyle, and the distances to the median nerve and to the skin from the MACN were measured. The ideal stimulation site should be located at the level which can give the shortest distance from the skin and the longest distance from the median nerve in terms of volume conduction. To confirm the efficiency of the ideal site, we measured the amplitude of the MACN conduction study at the ideal site against one at the 4 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle (conventional site). RESULTS: The ultrasound showed the ideal stimulation site for the MACN could be the elbow crease line. However, the nerve conduction study revealed that the amplitudes of the MACN were significantly larger at the 4 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle compared with ones at the ideal site. CONCLUSION: The ideal stimulation site based on the ultrasound did not permit better stimulation site for the nerve conduction study of the MACN compared with the conventional site. Careful adjustment of the stimulation site on the basis of this study would contribute to an accurate conduction study of the MACN.
Arm ; Elbow ; Median Nerve ; Neural Conduction ; Skin ; Ultrasonography*

Pilomatricoma is an uncommon benign skin neoplasm arising from the hair matrix. The radiologic features of this uncommon tumor have occasionally been described in the literature however, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports in Korea on the sonographic and MR imaging findings of pilomatricoma involving the upper arm. In this article, we describe the imaging findings of a case of pilomatricoma involving the upper arm, with the emphasis being placed on the sonographic and MR imaging findings and a review of the literature.
Arm* ; Hair ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Pilomatrixoma* ; Skin Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVE: To determine which mode of ultrasonography (US), among the conventional, spatial compound, and tissue-harmonic methods, exhibits the best performance for the detection of Implanon(R) with respect to generation of posterior acoustic shadowing (PAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients, referred for localization of impalpable Implanon(R), underwent US, using the three modes with default settings (i.e., wide focal zone). Representative transverse images of the rods, according to each mode for all patients, were obtained. The resulting 63 images were reviewed by four observers. The observers provided a confidence score for the presence of PAS, using a five-point scale ranging from 1 (definitely absent) to 5 (definitely present), with scores of 4 or 5 for PAS being considered as detection. The average scores of PAS, obtained from the three different modes for each observer, were compared using one-way repeated measure ANOVA. The detection rates were compared using a weighted least square method. RESULTS: Statistically, the tissue harmonic mode was significantly superior to the other two modes, when comparing the average scores of PAS for all observers (p < 0.00-1). The detection rate was also highest for the tissue harmonic mode (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tissue harmonic mode in uS appears to be the most suitable in detecting subdermal contraceptive implant rods.
Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Arm/*ultrasonography ; *Contraceptive Agents, Female ; *Desogestrel ; Female ; Foreign Bodies/*ultrasonography ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography/*methods

5p deletion syndrome, also known as Cri-du-Chat syndrome, is a chromosomal abnormality caused by a deletion in the short arm of chromosome 5. Clinical features of 5p deletion syndrome are difficult to identify prenatally by ultrasound examination, thus most cases of 5p deletion syndrome have been diagnosed postnatally. Here, we report eight cases of 5p deletion syndrome diagnosed prenatally, but were unable to find common prenatal ultrasound findings among these cases. However, we found that several cases of 5p deletion syndrome were confirmed prenatally when karyotyping was performed on the basis of abnormal findings in a prenatal ultrasound scan. Hence, it is necessary to carefully perform prenatal ultrasonography for detection of rarer chromosomal abnormalities as well as common aneuploidy.
Aneuploidy ; Arm ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 ; Cri-du-Chat Syndrome* ; Karyotyping ; Prenatal Diagnosis* ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

The authors have used a B-mode real-time sector scanner and a 10-MHz probe for measurement of the skin thickness at 21 different sites in healthy Koreans. Subjects consisted of 35 adults(17 males, 18 females) who were divided into three age groups .' young(20 39 years, 12 subjects), middle-aged(40 59 years, 13 subjects), and old(over 60 years, 10 subjects). The results were as follows. 1, The measurements of the skin thickness in examined sites varied from 1.99 to 4.59 milimeters . flexor aspect of the upper arm, dorsum of the hand, extensor aspect of the forearm and flexor aspect of the forearm were thinner, and heel, upper back, metatarsus were thicker than other sites. 2, The skin thickness in males was generally thicker than that in females '. cheek, extensor aspect of the thigh were highly significantly thicker (p<0.01), and chest, upper back, lower back, flexor aspect of the upper arm and extensor aspect of the lower leg were significantly thicker(p< 0.05) in males than in females, 3. The skin was thickest in the old age groups.
Arm ; Cheek ; Female ; Forearm ; Hand ; Heel ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Metatarsus ; Skin* ; Thigh ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND: Fascial free flaps have been widely used for reconstruction of the hand because they are thin. However, studies reporting objective data regarding the advantages of this approach are lacking. Thus, we report our experience with such flaps. METHODS: Forty-five cases of fascial free flaps between November 2006 and March 2014 were reviewed. Nine cases involving reconstructed dorsal or lateral defects were included. Four anterolateral thigh fascial free flaps and 5 lateral arm fascial free flaps were examined. Maximal flap contour was assessed by measuring reconstructed tissue thickness at the central area from the surface of the skin to below the bone in a vertical manner using ultrasonography and X-ray data. Contralateral regions were examined in the same manner and a comparative analysis was performed. A questionnaire survey regarding aesthetic satisfaction was also administered. RESULTS: All reconstructed parts had a thicker contour than the contralateral side. The average relative percentage of reconstructed tissue thickness was found to be 152% using ultrasonography and 143% using X-ray imaging. According to the aesthetic satisfaction survey, the average rate of satisfaction for patients was 62%, and satisfaction with the flap contour was 72%. CONCLUSIONS: Using a fascial free flap, the reconstructed tissue was approximately 1.5× as thick as the contour of the normal side, which led to positive responses regarding aesthetic satisfaction.
Arm ; Fascia ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Patient Satisfaction ; Skin ; Thigh ; Thinness ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography as a follow-up tool for evaluating the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT) in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). METHODS: Twenty patients with BCRL were enrolled in this study. All patients had undergone therapy in the CDPT program for 2 weeks. Soft tissue thickness of both the affected and unaffected upper limb was measured before and after CDPT. The measurements were taken at 3 points (the mid-point between the medial and lateral epicondyles at the elbow level, 10 cm proximal and 10 cm distal to the elbow) with and without pressure. We then calculated the compliance of soft tissue before and after CDPT. Circumferences of both the affected and unaffected upper limb were also measured before and after CDPT at the 3 defined points. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of the CDPT program, the circumference and soft tissue thickness of the unaffected upper limb did not significantly change. In the affected upper limb, the circumference was significantly reduced in the 3 point, when compared with measurements taken prior to treatment. Additionally, soft tissue thickness was significantly reduced at the elbow and 10 cm proximal to the elbow. After CDPT, compliance at each of the 3 points had increased, but this trend was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that arm circumference and ultrasonography-derived soft tissue thickness was useful as a way of assessing therapeutic effects of CDPT.
Arm ; Breast* ; Compliance ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphedema* ; Ultrasonography ; Upper Extremity

This study is to evaluate the abnormalities in the kinetic chain in the players with little league elbow during the medical screening of middle school baseball teams. Ninety-three players were examined with elbow ultrasonography in the field. Using kinetic chain evaluation test, 27 players sonogrphically diagnosed of little league elbow in dominant arm were compared with 25 players who were normal as control. Scapular-spine distance, horizontal flexion test, combined abduction test, and glenohumeral internal rotation deficit were used for evaluating kinetic chain in the upper extremities, while tightness of quadriceps and hamstring muscles, internal rotation of stance leg, and external rotation of stride leg were used for lower extremities. Also, the single leg stance test and finger-floor distance were used for core stability and flexibility. Twenty-five of 27 players (93%) having little league elbow showed kinetic chain abnormalities of either upper or lower extremities or trunk. This rate was significantly higher for the players having the little leaguer's elbow than control (28%) (p=0.017). Each specific tests for evaluating kinetic chain were also more prevalent in little league elbow group than control, and the abnormalities in the upper extremity were more common than those in lower extremity (p=0.026). Combined abduction test (23/27) and limitation of internal rotation of stance leg (16/27) were the most prevalent abnormalities in upper and lower extremity test, respectively. Our findings showed that there are many abnormalities in kinetic chain in players having the little league elbow and it may be associated with pathogenesis of little league elbow.
Arm ; Athletic Injuries ; Baseball ; Elbow* ; Humans ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Mass Screening ; Muscles ; Pliability ; Ultrasonography ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pronator quadrates muscle in patients who underwent internal fixation with a volar locking plate for unstable distal radius fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients who underwent internal fixation with a volar locking plate for unstable distal radius fracture were enrolled. We evaluated the clinical results according to the Mayo wrist score, the wrist range of motion, and the grip strength at the last follow-up. Using ultrasonography, muscle thickness of the pronator quadrates was compared between injured and uninjured arm. RESULTS: Bone union was achieved in all cases. The mean Mayo wrist score was 82.79 points. The grip strength of the injured arm was decreased to 89.1% of the uninjured side. The decrease of pronation range of the injured wrist motions was significant (82.3degrees, p=0.004). There was significant atrophy of the pronator quadrates muscle on the injured side (injured side: 3.19 mm, uninjured side: 4.72 mm, p=0.001); and the decrement of muscle thickness in pronator quadrates showed an association with the Mayo wrist score (r=-0.35, p=0.042). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that continuity of the muscle is maintained after use of the volar locking plating for unstable distal radius fractures with repair of pronator quadrates; however, there is atrophy of pronator quadrates muscle and limitation of pronation in the injured wrist.
Arm ; Atrophy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Pronation ; Radius Fractures* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist