Athletic injuries of the lower extremities are commonly encountered in clinical practice. While some pathology can be diagnosed on physical exam, others are a clinical dilemma with nonspecific symptomatology. In these situations, ultrasound imaging can be utilized as an exceptional diagnostic tool, offering unique advantages over other imaging modalities. This article will review the imaging characteristics of commonly encountered athletic injuries of the lower extremity.
Athletic Injuries* ; Lower Extremity* ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Pathology ; Sports* ; Ultrasonography*

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a potentially fatal connective disorder that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with a prevalence of around 2-3 in 10000 live births. It is characterized by defects in the cardiovascular, skeletal and ocular systems. Evidence from genetic indicates that mutations in FBN1, the gene that encodes fibrillin-1 are responsible for MFS. In addition to skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular feathers, patients with MFS have also involvement of skin, integument, lungs, and muscle tissue, and the condition in sudden death is also very common due to severe abnormalities of cardiovascular system.
Cardiovascular Diseases/pathology* ; Eye Diseases/pathology* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Marfan Syndrome/pathology* ; Microfilament Proteins/genetics* ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/pathology* ; Mutation ; Phenotype

Musculoskeletal intervention has significantly evolved over the last decade. A major reason for recent advancements could be attributed to the widespread use of image-guided techniques utilizing computed tomography, fluoroscopy, and ultrasonography. This change improved the approach of needles to the areas of pathology and decreased complication rates. This article reviews basic principles of the common image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic techniques as they relate to patients with musculoskeletal disease.
Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Image-Guided Biopsy ; Injections, Spinal ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Needles ; Pain Management ; Pathology ; Radiology, Interventional ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of visualizing hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders by Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) high-definition CT (HDCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients who suffered from hand or foot pain were scanned with GSI mode HDCT and MRI. Spectrum analysis was used to select the monochromatic images that provide the optimal contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for tendons. The image quality at the best selected monochromatic level and the conventional polychromatic images were compared. Tendon anatomy and disease were also analyzed at GSI and MRI. RESULTS: The monochromatic images at about 65 keV (mean 65.09 +/- 2.98) provided the optimal CNR for hand and foot tendons. The image quality at the optimal selected monochromatic level was superior to conventional polychromatic images (p = 0.005, p < 0.05). GSI was useful in visualizing hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders. There were no statistical differences between GSI and MRI with regard to tendon thickening (chi2 = 0, p > 0.05), compression (chi2 = 0.5, p > 0.05), absence (chi2 = 0, p > 0.05) and rupture (chi2 = 0, p > 0.05). GSI was significantly less sensitive than MRI in displaying tendon adhesion (chi2 = 4.17, p < 0.05), degeneration (chi2 = 4.17, p < 0.05), and tendinous sheath disease (chi2 = 10.08, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GSI with monochromatic images at 65 keV displays clearly the most hand and foot tendon anatomy and disorders with image quality improved, as compared with conventional polychromatic images. It may be used solely or combined with MRI in clinical work, depending on individual patient disease condition.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Foot/pathology/*radiography ; Hand/pathology/*radiography ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/diagnosis/radiography ; *Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Tendon Injuries/diagnosis/*radiography ; Tendons/pathology/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect the correlation between the congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) and HOXB9 gene or COL1AI gene.

METHODSA microsatellite DNA marker D17S1820 was chosen in the region of chromosome 17q21 where exists the HOXB9 gene which regulates the embryonic limb development and exists the COL1AI gene. The genotypes of 303 members in 101 CDH nuclear family trios were analyzed by the techniques of polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Then transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) was used to test the data of genotypes.

RESULTSThere exist 12 alleles at this polymorphic locus. Transmission disequilibrium was found between CDH and the fourth allele of D17S1820 (chi-square=6.025,P=0.014).

CONCLUSIONCDH is associated with the region of chromosome 17q21. HOXB9 gene and/or COL1AI gene may be susceptibility genes of CDH.

Bone Diseases, Developmental ; genetics ; Child ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; genetics ; Family ; Female ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Homeobox ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Hip Dislocation ; genetics ; pathology ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Ischium ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction