One of the major tasks in the forensic field is age estimation in living individuals, especially in adolescents and young adults. The X-ray examination of left hand, panoramic radiograph and CT scan of the sternal end of clavicles are mature means that are widely used. However, the X-ray technique has great radiation on the human body, and imaging radiation for non-diagnosis and treatment purposes does not conform to the current mainstream medical ethics. MRI is nonradioactive tomographic imaging and is one of the research and development directions in forensic age estimation in living individuals now. This paper summarizes the common indicators and analysis methods of MRI in previous research of age estimation, in order to get better understanding of its trends and provide a clue for future relevant studies.
Adolescent ; Age Determination by Skeleton ; Clavicle/diagnostic imaging* ; Forensic Anthropology ; Hand ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Young Adult

We propose a novel palm-vein recognition model based on the end-to-end convolutional neural network. In this model, the convolutional layer and the pooling layer were alternately connected to extract the image features, and the categorical attribute was estimated simultaneously via the neural network classifier. The classification error was minimized via the mini-batch stochastic gradient descent algorithm with momentum to optimize the feature descriptor along with the direction of the gradient descent. Four strategies including data augmentation, batch normalization, dropout, and L2 parameter regularization were applied in the model to reduce the generalization error. The experimental results showed that for classifying 500 subjects form PolyU database and a self-established database, this model achieved identification rates of 99.90% and 98.05%, respectively, with an identification time for a single sample less than 9 ms. The proposed approach, as compared with the traditional method, could improve the accuracy of palm vein recognition in clincal applications and provides a new approach to palm vein recognition.
Algorithms ; Databases, Factual ; Hand ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Veins ; diagnostic imaging

Bipedalism (using only two legs for walking) and having the capability to use tools have long been considered characteristic features that differentiate human beings from animals. Being able to walk upright freed up human hands, allowing us to reach, grasp, carry food, make and use tools, which greatly increased the survivability of our ancestors. Hand actions not only involve muscles and joints to execute actions but also require computations in the brain to analyze the visual environment and select the appropriate action, as well as formulate the action before execution and correct it in real-time during execution. Here, we review the behavioral and brain imaging research of human hand actions from a perspective of cognitive neuroscience. The review includes the research contents and methods of visually-guided action, existing theories, current debates, new evidence of existing theories, and the applications of action research in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Hand ; Humans ; Neuroimaging ; Psychomotor Performance

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

Although colonoscopy was originally a diagnostic imaging procedure, it has now expanded to include an increasing range of therapeutic interventions. These procedures require precise maneuvers of instruments, execution of force, efficient transmission of force from the operator to the point of application, and sufficient dexterity in the mobilization of endoscopic surgical instruments. The conventional endoscope is not designed to support technically demanding endoscopic procedures. In case of colonoscopy, the tortuous anatomy of the colon makes inserting, moving, and orientating the endoscope difficult. Exerting excessive pressure can cause looping of the endoscope, pain to the patient, and even perforation of the colon. To mitigate the technical constraints, numerous technically enhanced systems have been developed to enable better control of instruments and precise delivery of force in the execution of surgical tasks such as apposing, grasping, traction, counter-traction, and cutting of tissues. Among the recent developments are highly dexterous robotic master and slave systems, computer-assisted or robotically enhanced conventional endoscopes, and autonomously driven locomotion devices that can effortlessly traverse the colon. Developments in endoscopic instrumentations have overcome technical barriers and opened new horizons for further advancements in therapeutic interventions. This review describes examples of some of these systems in the context of their applications to advanced therapeutic colonoscopy.
Colon ; Colonoscopy* ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Endoscopes ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Locomotion ; Robotics* ; Slaves ; Surgical Instruments ; Traction

No abstract available.
Bone Diseases, Developmental/diagnosis/drug therapy/*genetics ; Child ; Fibrillin-1/*genetics ; Hand/diagnostic imaging ; Heterozygote ; Human Growth Hormone/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Limb Deformities, Congenital/diagnosis/drug therapy/*genetics ; Male ; Pelvis/diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo measure the synovial thickness in the bilateral wrist joints, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints using high-resolution intraoperative ultrasound probe in healthy young and middle-aged volunteers to determine the normal reference ranges of synovial thickness in the joints.

METHODSThis study was conducted in 100 healthy young and middle-aged volunteers, including 50 male (mean age 36.2∓5.0 years; range 18-54 years) and 50 female (mean age 38.8∓5.5 years; range 20-56 years) individuals. The synovial thickness in the bilateral wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints was measured using the GE Logiq S8 18 MHz polo stick-like linear probe array.

RESULTSs No statistical significance was found in the synovial thickness of the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints between the left and right hands, between young (<40 years) and middle-aged (≥40 years) subjects, or between the flexor surface and the extensor surface. In the male subjects, however, the synovial thickness in the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints was significantly greater than that in female subjects. A significant difference was noted in the synovial thickness between the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints.

CONCLUSIONMeasurement of the synovial thickness of the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints using high-resolution intraoperative ultrasound probe is beneficial for early diagnosis and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Hand ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Synovial Membrane ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist ; diagnostic imaging ; Wrist Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

A 54-year-old woman presented with a large mass on her right hand that was progressively enlarging over a period of a few years. She had cosmetic concerns about the enlarging mass and experienced interference with routine activity. Physical examination revealed a soft, mobile, non-tender, lobulated mass with well-defined margins. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the soft lump to be a lipomatous mass in the deep palmar space of the hand, which was subsequently surgically resected. The imaging features of deep palmar lipomas of the hand and other common benign lesions at this location are discussed.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Hand ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Hemangioma ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Lipoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Tenosynovitis ; diagnostic imaging

BACKGROUND: Glomus tumors were first described by Wood in 1812 as painful subcutaneous tubercles. It is an uncommon benign neoplasm involving the glomus body, an apparatus that involves in thermoregulation of cutaneous microvasculature. Glomus tumor constitutes 1%-5% of all hand tumors. It usually occurs at the subungual region and more commonly in aged women. Its classical clinical triad consists of pain, tenderness and temperature intolerance, especially cold sensitivity. This study reviews 15 cases of glomus tumor which were analyzed according to its anatomic location, surgical approach and histologic findings. METHODS: Fifteen patients with subungual glomus tumors of the hand operated on between January 2006 and March 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated preoperatively with standard physical examination including ice cube test and Love's test. Diagnostic imaging consisted of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. All procedures were performed with tourniquet control under local anesthesia. Eleven patients underwent excision using the transungual approach, 3 patients using the volar approach and 1 patient using the lateral subperiosteal approach. RESULTS: Total of 15 cases were reviewed. 11 tumors were located in the nail bed, 3 in the volar pulp and 1 in the radial aspect of the finger tip. After complete excision, patients remained asymptomatic in the immediate postoperative period. In the long term follow up, patients exhibited excellent cosmetic results with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate diagnosis should be made by physical, radiologic and pathologic examinations. Preoperative localization and complete extirpation is essential in preventing recurrence and subsequent nail deformity.
Anesthesia, Local ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Female ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomus Tumor* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Ice ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microvessels ; Physical Examination ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tourniquets ; Ultrasonography ; Wood

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to develop a workstation computer that allowed intraoperative touchless control of diagnostic and surgical images by a surgeon, and to report the preliminary experience with the use of the system in a series of cases in which dental surgery was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A custom workstation with a new motion sensing input device (Leap Motion) was set up in order to use a natural user interface (NUI) to manipulate the imaging software by hand gestures. The system allowed intraoperative touchless control of the surgical images. RESULTS: For the first time in the literature, an NUI system was used for a pilot study during 11 dental surgery procedures including tooth extractions, dental implant placements, and guided bone regeneration. No complications were reported. The system performed very well and was very useful. CONCLUSION: The proposed system fulfilled the objective of providing touchless access and control of the system of images and a three-dimensional surgical plan, thus allowing the maintenance of sterile conditions. The interaction between surgical staff, under sterile conditions, and computer equipment has been a key issue. The solution with an NUI with touchless control of the images seems to be closer to an ideal. The cost of the sensor system is quite low; this could facilitate its incorporation into the practice of routine dental surgery. This technology has enormous potential in dental surgery and other healthcare specialties.
Bone Regeneration ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dental Implants ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Gestures* ; Hand ; Medical Informatics Computing ; Pilot Projects ; Surgery, Oral ; Tooth Extraction ; User-Computer Interface