PURPOSE: Currently, using perforator artery flaps especially anterolateral thigh flaps are widely used for reconstruction of extremities, head and neck. Obtaining a precise anatomical picture prior to operation will translate to a more accurate, efficient and safe procedure. Authors used 3D-image work up via 64-slice MDCT to make a more precise preoperative plan. METHODS: A total of 10 patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction with anterolateral thigh flap from December 2006 to December 2007. The 64-Channel MDCT (LightSpeed VCT, GE, USA) was used and 3D images were reconstructed. Findings from MDCT were applied to the preoperative planning and confirmed with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: The average number of perforator arteries from lateral circumflex femoral artery was 2. The average lengths of vascular pedicle from the origin of lateral circumflex femoral artery to the first and second perforator artery were 11.0cm and 20.0cm, respectively. The average diameter of the pedicle artery was 2.2mm. The locations of the perforator arteries were mapped and localized on the body surface based on the MDCT result. These were confirmed through direct visualization intraoperatively. CONCLUSION: MDCT has an advantage of obtaining accurate images of the general anatomy and even fine structures like perforator arteries. By using this state- of-the-art diagnostic imaging technique, it is now possible to make an operative plan safely and easily.
Arteries ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Extremities ; Femoral Artery ; Head ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Neck ; Nitro Compounds ; Thigh

Missed or neglected foreign bodies are not infrequent in surgical practice. This case report highlights the fact that thorough clinical examination and detailed evaluation of trauma patients are very necessary so that any associated injuries or foreign bodies will not be missed and any unforeseen clinical or medico-legal complications can be prevented. We present a case of a 35-year- old male patient who had traumatic transfemoral amputation of the right lower limb with a clean laceration (size 2 cm multiply 1 cm) over the medial aspect of the left thigh. Radiographs suggested a single radioopaque foreign body which proved misleading, as during surgical removal multiple radiolucent and radiopaque foreign bodies were discovered. Postoperative ultrasound was performed and showed no retained foreign bodies. A secondary closure of the right thigh amputation was done and patient was discharged. At the last follow-up, 9 months after injury, the patient had no complaints, and both the amputation stump and the wound over the left thigh were healthy. Thus in the cases of retained foreign bodies, in addition to thorough clinical examination and radiography, ultrasonograpy should be supplemented. And if required, use of CT scan as well as MRI should be also considered.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Amputation ; Diagnostic Errors ; Foreign Bodies ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; complications ; Male ; Radiography ; Thigh ; surgery ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the skeletal muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the lower limbs in common subtypes of muscular dystrophy (MD) and the experience in the application of MRI in the diagnosis of MD. METHODS: A total of 48 children with MD who were diagnosed by genetic testing were enrolled as subjects. The muscle MRI features of the lower limbs were analyzed. Cumulative fatty infiltration score was calculated for each subtype, and the correlation of cumulative fatty infiltration score with clinical indices was analyzed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). RESULTS: DMD was characterized by the involvement of the gluteus maximus and the adductor magnus. Becker muscular dystrophy was characterized by the involvement of the vastus lateralis muscle. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy was characterized by the involvement of the adductor magnus, the vastus intermedius, the vastus medialis, and the vastus lateralis muscle. For DMD, the cumulative fatty infiltration score of the lower limb muscles was significantly correlated with age, course of the disease, muscle strength, and motor function (P<0.05), while it was not significantly correlated with the serum creatine kinase level (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Different subtypes of MD have different MRI manifestations, and MRI may help with the diagnosis and assessment of MD.
Child ; Humans ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/diagnostic imaging* ; Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle/pathology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/diagnostic imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Thigh/pathology*

BACKGROUND: Fetal weight is an important parameter to ensure maternal and child safety. The purpose of this study was to use three-dimensional (3D) limb volume ultrasound combined with fetal abdominal circumference (AC) measurement to establish a model to predict fetal weight and evaluate its efficiency. METHODS: A total of 211 participants with single pregnancy (28-42 weeks) were selected between September 2017 and December 2018 in the Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Capital Medical University. The upper arm (AVol)/thigh volume (TVol) of fetuses was measured by the 3D limb volume technique. Fetal AC was measured by two-dimensional ultrasound. Nine cases were excluded due to incomplete information or the interval between examination and delivery >7 days. The enrolled 202 participants were divided into a model group (134 cases, 70%) and a verification group (68 cases, 30%) by mechanical sampling method. The linear relationship between limb volume and fetal weight was evaluated using Pearson Chi-squared test. The prediction model formula was established by multivariate regression with data from the model group. Accuracy of the model formula was evaluated with verification group data and compared with traditional formulas (Hadlock, Lee2009, and INTERGROWTH-21st) by paired t-test and residual analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to predict macrosomia. RESULTS: AC, AVol, and TVol were linearly related to fetal weight. Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.866, 0.862, and 0.910, respectively. The prediction model based on AVol/TVol and AC was established as follows: Y = -481.965 + 12.194TVol + 15.358AVol + 67.998AC, R2adj = 0.868. The scatter plot showed that when birth weight fluctuated by 5% (i.e., 95% to 105%), the difference between the predicted fetal weight by the model and the actual weight was small. A paired t-test showed that there was no significant difference between the predicted fetal weight and the actual birth weight (t = -1.015, P = 0.314). Moreover, the residual analysis showed that the model formula's prediction efficiency was better than the traditional formulas with a mean residual of 35,360.170. The combined model of AVol/TVol and AC was superior to the Lee2009 and INTERGROWTH-21st formulas in the diagnosis of macrosomia. Its predictive sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 91.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Fetal weight prediction model established by semi-automatic 3D limb volume combined with AC is of high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The prediction model formula shows higher predictive efficiency, especially for the diagnosis of macrosomia. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03002246; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03002246?recrs=e&cond=fetal&draw=8&rank=67.
Birth Weight ; Child ; Female ; Fetal Macrosomia ; Fetal Weight ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Thigh/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

BackgroundMagnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides a unique, noninvasive diagnostic platform to quantify the physiological and biochemical variables of skeletal muscle at rest. This study was to investigate the difference in thigh skeletal muscles between snowboarding halfpipe athletes and healthy volunteers via multiparametric MR imaging.

MethodsA comparative study was conducted between 12 healthy volunteers and 14 snowboarding halfpipe athletes. MR scanning targeted the left leg at the level of the proximal thigh on a 3.0T MR system. The measured parameters compared between the two groups included T1, T2, T2* relaxation times, fat fraction (FF), and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the quadriceps femoris and the hamstring muscles. Statistical analysis was carried out using independent sample t-test. Interrater reliability was also assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

ResultsIt was statistically equivalent between two groups in age, body mass index, thigh circumference, calf circumference, systolic blood pressure, and resting heart rate (all P > 0.05). However, the T1 and T2 values of the hamstring muscles in the athlete group were found to be significantly shorter than those in control group (T1: 1063.3 ± 24.1 ms vs. 1112.0 ± 38.2 ms in biceps femoris, 1050.4 ± 31.2 ms vs. 1095.0 ± 39.5 ms in semitendinosus, 1053.1 ± 31.7 ms vs. 1118.4 ± 40.0 ms in semimembranosus, respectively; T2: 33.4 ± 0.7 ms vs. 36.1 ± 1.9 ms in biceps femoris, 34.6 ± 2.0 ms vs. 37.0 ± 1.9 ms in semitendinosus, 36.9 ± 1.5 ms vs. 38.9 ± 2.4 ms in semimembranosus, respectively; all P < 0.05) although T2* relaxation time was detected with no significant difference. The FF of the hamstring muscles was obviously less than the control group (5.5 ± 1.9% vs. 10.7 ± 4.7%, P < 0.001). In addition, the quadriceps' CSA in the athlete group was substantially larger than the control group (8039.0 ± 1072.3 vs. 6258.2 ± 852.0 mm, P < 0.001). Interrater reliability was excellent (ICC: 0.758-0.994).

ConclusionMultiple MR imaging parameters indicated significant differences between snowboarding halfpipe athletes and healthy volunteers in the thigh skeletal muscles.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Athletes ; statistics & numerical data ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Skiing ; physiology ; Thigh ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEto study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of low-grade central osteosarcoma (LGCOS).

METHODSnine cases of LGCOS were retrieved from the archival consultation files. The clinical, radiologic and pathologic features were analyzed, with literature review.

RESULTSthe mean age of the patients was 31 years. The male-to-female ratio was 3:6. All of the patients presented with painful mass and/or swelling. The sites of involvement included thigh (n = 4), tibia (n = 1), fibula (n = 1), cervical vertebra (n = 1), lumbar vertebra (n = 1) and maxilla (n = 1). Radiologic examination showed mixed lytic/blastic lesions with soft tissue shadow in 5 cases and associated periosteal reaction in 3 cases. The tumors were treated by surgical excision, with no adjuvant therapy given. The duration of follow up ranged from 2 to 43 months. Four cases had recurrence which occurred at 8 to 25 months after the operation. Gross examination showed that the tumors were fragmented on submission in 5 cases and en bloc in 4 cases. They had solid and firm cut surface, with various degree of grittiness. Histologically, LGCOS was characterized by the presence of hypocellular fibroblastic stroma associated with focal osteoid production. The spindly tumor cells showed mild degree of nuclear pleomorphism, with occasional mitotic figures demonstrated in all of the 9 cases. The newly formed neoplastic woven bone did not have any osteoblastic rimming. The bony trabeculae were slender and seam-like. Parallel arrays of woven bone were seen in 6 cases. Some of the bony trabeculae appeared irregularly branched and curved. The tumor cells permeated adjoining pre-existing bony trabeculae and bone marrow in all cases. Three cases also showed soft tissue involvement.

CONCLUSIONSLGCOS often posses important diagnostic pitfalls due to the relatively bland-looking tumor cell morphology and associated large woven or longitudinal seams of lamellar-like bone. Thorough understanding of the histologic features, when coupled with clinical and radiologic findings, are essential in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone ; pathology ; Fibula ; diagnostic imaging ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Osteosarcoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Radiography ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Reoperation ; Thigh ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of three preoperative imaging methods in the anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) transplantation.

METHODSAccording to preoperative imaging, patients who underwent the ALT flap transplantation were divided into three groups: computed tomography angiography (CTA) group, digital subtract angiography ( DSA) group and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) group. There were fifteen cases in each group. We compared the imaging quality of the ALT artery among these groups and recorded the parameters of lateral femoral circumflex artery, descending branches and perforators including type, course and size. The results from images were compared with intraoperative findings. The success rate and complications were also recorded.

RESULTSThe preoperative imaging accuracy of the types of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and descending branch was more than 92.3%, with no significant different between any two of three groups (P > 0.05). The difference in diameters of descending branches and perforators from preoperative measurement and from intraoperative measurement was also not significant between any two of the three groups; the success rate and complications were not also obviously different (P > 0.05 , P > 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative mapping using CTA, DSA and MRA is a feasible and reliable method for the flap design in ALT transplantation. As a preoperative evaluation means, CTA and MRA may replace DSA in the ALT transplantation.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Femoral Artery ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Preoperative Care ; Surgical Flaps ; transplantation ; Thigh ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Diabetic muscle infarction (DMI) is a rare condition that usually occurs in diabetic patients who have longstanding microvascular complication. The typical presentation is a painful swelling with abrupt onset in the lower limbs, particularly involving hyper-intense signals in T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. The treatment consists of bed rest, analgesics, and physical therapy. The authors encountered a case of DMI with bilateral tender swelling on the anteromedial aspect of the thighs. DMI is less likely to develop in patients with good glycemic control. Recently, however, a few cases demonstrated that DMI can also develop in patients with good glucose control. However, diffuse and extensive infarction of muscle, such as in our case, is rare. It is important to consider differential diagnoses in order to avoid misdiagnosis and non-essential treatment such as overuse of antibiotics or steroid treatment. In this case, we diagnosed the patient using MRI, muscle biopsy, and electromyography and successful treatment involved bed rest and analgesics. We herein report a case of 76-year-old man with very extensive and diffuse DMI in spite of well-controlled type 2 diabetes.
Aged ; Analgesics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bed Rest ; Biopsy ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Electromyography ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Thigh*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy of Hadeco ES-1000spm hand-held doppler during the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap harvest.

METHODSTwenty-five patients (26 sides) with ALT flaps for head and neck reconstruction between May 2005 and May 2010 received preoperative Doppler examination for the location of the cutaneous perforators of ALT flaps. The Doppler signals and body mass index (BMI) were recorded preoperatively according to ABC system. The locations of Doppler signals and of the actual cutaneous perforators at surgery were plotted and compared. The diameter of perforators was measured.

RESULTSOne to three cutaneous perforators of the ALT flap were consistently found at specific locations. They were named perforators A, B, C from proximal to distal. Perforators A, B and C were present in 15 (58%), 24 (92%) and 20 (77%) cases and the diameter (> 0.5 mm) of A, B and C were 11/15, 22 (92%) and 8 (40%) respectively. The Doppler signal was within 0.5 cm of the actual perforator location in 85% flaps. The accuracy of Doppler decreased with increase of BMI.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative assessment by hand-held Doppler is useful in predicting the perforator vessels' locations and diameter although it's accuracy is limited.

Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perforator Flap ; Preoperative Care ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Thigh ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Ultrasonography, Doppler