OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy of color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and CT angiography (CTA) in the preoperative evaluation of perforator vessels in free posterior interosseous artery perforator (PIAP) flaps. METHODS: Between January 2020 and December 2023, 19 patients with hand skin and soft tissue defects caused by trauma were admitted. There were 11 males and 8 females, with a median age of 45 years (range, 26-54 years). The interval between injury and admission was 5-11 days (mean, 7.2 days). The skin and soft tissue defects were located on the dorsum of the hand in 8 cases and on the fingers in 11 cases. The size of defect ranged from 4.0 cm×2.5 cm to 7.5 cm×3.5 cm. After locating the perforator vessels through CDU and CTA before operation, the free PIAP flaps were designed to repair hand defects, with the size of 4.5 cm×3.0 cm-7.5 cm×4.0 cm. The defects of donor sites were directly sutured. The number and diameter of perforator vessels in the posterior interosseous artery detected by CDU and CTA were compared. The differences in localization of perforator vessels using CDU and CTA and their clinical effects were also compared to calculate the accuracy and recognition rate. During follow-up, the survival of the skin flap was observed, and the Vancouver scar scale (VSS) score was used to evaluate the healing of the donor site, while the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the patient's satisfaction with the appearance of the skin flap. RESULTS: The number and the diameter of PIAP vessels was 5.8±1.2 and (0.62±0.08) mm assessed by CDU and 5.2±1.0 and (0.60±0.07) mm by CTA, showing no significant difference between the two methods ( P>0.05). The number, course, and distribution of perforator vessels of the PIAP vessels observed during operation were basically consistent with those detected by preoperative CDU and CTA. Compared with intraoperative observation results, the recognition rates of dominant perforating vessels by CDU and CTA were 95.0% (18/19) and 89.5% (17/19), respectively, and the accuracy rates were 100% (19/19) and 84.2% (16/19), with no significant difference between the two methods ( P>0.05). All flaps survived after operation, and all wounds and incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-13 months (mean, 8.2 months). At last follow-up, the skin flaps had elasticity and soft texture，with the patient satisfaction VAS score of 9.2±0.8. The donor sites had no obvious scar hyperplasia with the VSS score of 11.7±0.9. CONCLUSION CDU and CTA accurately identify the dominant perforator vessels and provide reliable information for vessel localization, facilitating precise flap harvesting and minimizing donor site injury. However, CDU offers superior visualization of distal end of perforator vessels in the forearm compared to CTA.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/methods* ; Computed Tomography Angiography/methods* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Hand Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Hand/surgery* ; Preoperative Care ; Arteries/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology in preoperative planning for anterolateral thigh flap transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 11 patients with skin and soft tissue defects treated with free anterolateral thigh flap transplantation between January 2022 and January 2024, who met the selection criteria. There were 8 males and 3 females, aged 34-70 years (mean, 50.8 years). Causes of injury included traffic accidents (4 cases), machine trauma (3 cases), heavy object crush injury (3 cases), and tumor (1 case). The time from injury to flap repair ranged from 7 to 35 days (mean, 23 days). Preoperatively, the patients' CT angiography images were imported into Mimics21.0 software. Through the software's segmentation, editing, and reconstruction functions, 3D visualization and measurement of the vascular pedicle, perforators, wound size, and morphology were performed to plan the flap harvest area, contour, vascular pedicle length, and anastomosis site, guiding the implementation of flap transplantation. RESULTS: The length of the vascular pedicle needed by the recipient site was (9.1±0.9) cm, and the maximum length of vascular pedicle in the donor area was (10.6±0.6) cm, with a significant difference ( t=4.230, P<0.001). The operation time ranged from 220 to 600 minutes (mean, 361.9 minutes). One patient had poor wound healing at the recipient site, which healed after dressing changes. All 11 flaps survived well without necrosis. All patients were followed up 6-19 months (mean, 11 months). Four flaps showed bulkiness and underwent secondary debulking; the remaining flaps had good contour and soft texture. The donor sites healed well, with no sensory disturbance around the incision or complications such as walking impairment. CONCLUSION Preoperative planning using CT angiography data and 3D reconstruction software can effectively determine the flap area, contour, required vascular pedicle length, anastomosis site, and whether vascular grafting is needed, thereby guiding the successful execution of anterolateral thigh flap transplantation.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Thigh/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Surgical Flaps ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Free Tissue Flaps/blood supply* ; Preoperative Care

BackgroundHand injuries are very common in sports, such as skiing and ball sports. One of the major reasons causing hand and finger deformity is due to ligament and tendon injury. The aim of this study was to investigate if the high-resolution 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can demonstrate the complex anatomy of the fingers and thumb, especially the tendons and ligaments, and provide the accurate diagnosis of clinically important fingers and thumbs deformity due to ligamentous and tendinous injuries during sport activities.

MethodsSixteen fresh un-embalmed cadaveric hands were harvested from eight cadavers. A total of 20 healthy volunteers' hands and 44 patients with fingers or thumb deformity due to sports-related injuries were included in this study. All subjects had MR examination with T1-weighted images and proton density-weighted imaging with fat suppression (PD FS) in axial, coronal, and sagittal plane, respectively. Subsequently, all 16 cadaveric hands were sliced into 2-mm thick slab with a band saw (six in coronal plane, six in sagittal plane, and four in axial plane). The correlation of anatomic sections and the MRI characteristics of tendons of fingers and the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at the metacarpal phalangeal joint (MCPJ) of thumb between 20 healthy volunteers and 44 patients (confirmed by surgery) were analyzed.

ResultsThe normal ligaments and tendons in 16 cadaveric hands and 20 volunteers' hands showed uniform low-signal intensity on all the sequences of the MRI. Among 44 patients with tendinous and ligamentous injuries in the fingers or thumb, 12 cases with UCL injury at MCPJ of the thumb (Stener lesion = 8 and non-Stener lesion = 4), 6 cases with the central slip injury, 12 cases with terminal tendon injury, and 14 cases with flexor digitorum profundus injury. The ligaments and tendons disruption manifested as increased signal intensity and poor definition, discontinuity, and heterogeneous signal intensity of the involved ligaments and tendons.

ConclusionsSports injury-related fingers and thumb deformity are relatively common. MRI is an accurate method for evaluation of the anatomy and pathologic conditions of the fingers and thumb. It is a useful tool for accurate diagnosis of the sports-related ligaments and tendons injuries in hand.

Adult ; Athletic Injuries ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Hand Deformities ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Ligaments ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tendon Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Thumb ; abnormalities ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo review current knowledge of the Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) to help clinicians become familiar with this entity. Familiarization may decrease missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses. It could also help steer the clinician to the proper treatment choice.

DATA SOURCESA search was performed via PubMed and EMBASE from 1966 to July 2013 using the following keywords: Morel-Lavallee lesion, closed degloving injury, concealed degloving injury, Morel-Lavallee effusion, Morel-Lavallee hematoma, posttraumatic pseudocyst, posttraumatic soft tissue cyst.

STUDY SELECTIONChinese and English language literatures relevant to the subject were collected. Their references were also reviewed.

RESULTSMorel-Lavallee lesion is a relatively rare condition involving a closed degloving injury. It is characterized by a filled cystic cavity created by separation of the subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fascia. Apart from the classic location over the region of the greater trochanter, MLLs have been described in other parts of the body. The natural history of MLL has not yet been established. The lesion may decrease in volume, remain stable, enlarge progressively or show a recurrent pattern. Diagnosis of MLL was often missed or delayed. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging have great value in the diagnosis of MLL. Treatment of MLL has included compression, local aspiration, open debridement, and sclerodesis. No standard treatment has been established.

CONCLUSIONSA diagnosis of MLL should be suspected when a soft, fluctuant area of skin or chronic recurrent fluid collection is found in a region exposed to a previous shear injury. Clinicians and radiologists should be aware of both the acute and chronic appearances to make the correct diagnosis. Treatment decisions should base on association with fractures, the condition of the lesion, symptom and desire of the patient.

Humans ; Radiography ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of visualized acupotomy.

METHODSThe ultrasound-guided acupotomy was applied to 52 cases of soft tissue injury and osteoarthropathy. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was adopted. VAS score was observed before and after treatment. The modified knee joint scale of hospital for special surgery (HSS) and Constant-Murley shoulder function scale were used to assess the joint function of patients with arthritis of knee and periarthritis of shoulder.

RESULTSAfter treatment, VAS score was improved apparently as compared with that before treatment (6.560 +/- 0.893 vs 1.058 +/- 0.857, P < 0.05). The curative rate after one treatment was 48.1% (25/52) and the total effective rate was 98.1% (51/52). After treatment, HSS and Constant-Murley scores were improved apparently (both P < 0.05). In follow-up, the complications were not discovered, such as infection and nerve injury.

CONCLUSIONThe ultrasound-guided acupotomy is the safe and effective therapy for soft tissue injury and osteoarthropathy and this therapy deserves to be promoted in clinical practice.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography

A 48-year-old man sustained a traffic accident injury to his left leg. It was an open fracture of the left tibia and fibula accompanied by a large soft tissue defect (27 cm multiply 7 cm). Doppler examination revealed the posterior tibial artery was occluded due to thrombosis. Three weeks after injury, the latissimus dors myocutaneous flap was elevated with a T-shaped vascular pedicle and was interposed between the two vascular ends of the posterior tibial vessel of the contralateral leg. Two end to end anastomoses were performed between the two vascular ends of the posterior tibial vessel of the contralateral leg and the latissimus dors myocutaneous flap's T-shaped vascular pedicle. The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was used for repair of a large soft tissue defect of the left leg. The vascular pedicle was cut off after 28 days and the flap survived completely. After 3-years'follow-up postoperatively, a good contour was confirmed at the recipient area. The right tibia and fibula fractures were confirmed healing radiologically. The posterior tibial artery of contralateral leg was demonstrated patent by clinical and Doppler examinations.
Accidents, Traffic ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Fibula ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Superficial Back Muscles ; transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Thrombosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Tibial Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Tibial Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

OBJECTIVE: To compare the value of four imaging examinations, including the X-ray, CT, MRI and gas-iodine double contrast CT analyses, in the forensic expertise of shoulder joint injury. METHODS: Imaging data of shoulder joint injury, by the X-ray, CT, MRI and gas-iodine double contrast CT were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: The correct diagnosis rates of fracture and soft tissue injury by X-ray, CT and MRI were 52.8%, 72.0% and 63.2%, as well as 0.0%, 32.9% and 82.5%, respectively. The correct diagnosis rate of soft tissue injury by gas-iodine double contrast CT was 100%. CONCLUSION X-ray is a useful screening method, CT is better for diagnosis of fracture, and MRI is fit for diagnosis of soft tissue injury. Gas-iodine double contrast CT can reflect not only the soft tissue injury but also its severity. Thus, combined application of X-ray, CT, MRI and gas-iodine double contrast CT can provide important imaging information for forensic expertise in shoulder joint injury.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Fractures, Bone/pathology* ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Joint Diseases/pathology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Shoulder Injuries ; Shoulder Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/pathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Young Adult

Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; etiology ; Spondylolisthesis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle ; pathology ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Radiography ; Sciatica ; diagnostic imaging ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; diagnostic imaging