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Diagnosis of later-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can be challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic properties of the detection of muscle fasciculations for SMA diagnosis in adolescents and adults with proximal muscle weakness. A cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study was performed, in which 10 subjects with SMA (5 with type II and 5 with type III) and 9 subjects with genetic muscle diseases were evaluated by physical examination, muscle ultrasound (MUS) and electromyography (EMG). Inter-rater reliability of MUS was higher than physical examination and in a sensitivity analysis of MUS, all SMA subjects and a single patient with genetic muscle disease presented fasciculations in at least 2 different muscle groups, resulting in a sensitivity of 1 (95% CI: 0.69 to 1) and a specificity of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.52 to 1) for SMA diagnosis. Forty-two percent of evaluated subjects did not agree to perform EMG, limiting this method results. Muscle ultrasound presented the best diagnostic accuracy and physical examination combined with MUS seemed to be a good strategy for screening adolescents and adults with proximal muscle weakness for SMA. These results might improve diagnostic guidelines for later-onset SMA, leading to earlier diagnosis, treatment and specific care.

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We retrospectively analyzed clinical, NCS/EMG, and NMRI aspects of five COVID-19 intensive care unit inpatients that received mechanical ventilation. After awakening from sedation, they experienced peripheral neuromyopathic symptoms. Teaching Point: Acquired peripheral nerve injury has been described in COVID-19 infection and knowledge of the clinical, nerve conduction studies/electromyography (NCS/EMG) and neurographic magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) findings are crucial.

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OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of synovitis and tenosynovitis detected by grayscale (GS) and by power Doppler (PD) ultrasound (US) in relation to failure of tapering disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Long-standing RA patients who de-escalated treatment were included in this prospective cohort study. All patients underwent 3 ultrasonographic and clinical assessments, at baseline and every 3 or 4 months, over a period of 6-8 months. US investigation of 32 joints was performed. Synovitis was assessed by GS and PD semiquantitative scoring (0-3) and a global score was calculated for each individual by summing single joint scores. The presence of tenosynovitis was recorded whenever detected during ultrasound assessment. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients completed the follow-up period (29 women; 4 men). Eight patients (25%) relapsed. Using the optimal cutoff values determined by receiver operating characteristic curve, patients with a PD synovitis ≥1 at baseline had significantly greater chances to relapse than those without PD activity. During follow-up, GS tenosynovitis was detected in 6 patients (5 with PD) who failed and in 3 patients (1 with PD) who succeeded in tapering therapy. Having at least 1 joint with PD synovitis resulted in a relative risk of 3.14 and having GS tenosynovitis resulted in a relative risk of 11.4 (95% CI: 1.03-9.60 and 2.82-45.9, respectively) for relapse in the multivariate Poisson model. CONCLUSIONS: PD synovitis and GS tenosynovitis may be useful to identify RA patients in risk of relapse after DMARD tapering.

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The persistent sciatic artery is a rare anatomical variant, representing the persistence of the sciatic artery in adult life that is responsible for the major blood supply to the lower limb in early embryologic development. Such persistence may be bilateral and can remain asymptomatic for many years. However, aneurysmal degeneration has been described as a complication of the persistent sciatic artery, which may cause critical limb ischemia resulting from thrombosis or embolization of aneurysm thrombus. Digital subtraction angiography, Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography are the most frequently used diagnostic tools to detect, classify and determine the presence of complications of a PSA. Early detection of this vascular abnormality on imaging studies can avoid life-threatening complications. We describe 4 patients with PSA that were diagnosed as an incidental finding in magnetic resonance imaging of the hip and demonstrate its characteristic imaging appearance.

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Objective: To analyze anatomical variations associated with celiac plexus complex by means of computed tomography simulation, assessing the risk for organ injury as the transcrural technique is utilized. Materials and Methods: One hundred eight transaxial computed tomography images of abdomen were analyzed. The aortic-vertebral, celiac trunk (CeT)-vertebral, CeT-aortic and celiac-aortic-vertebral topographical relationships were recorded. Two needle insertion pathways were drawn on each of the images, at right and left, 9 cm and 4.5 cm away from the midline. Transfixed vital organs and gender-related associations were recorded. Results: Aortic-vertebral - 45.37% at left and 54.62% in the middle; CeT-vertebral - T12, 36.11%; T12-L1, 32.4%; L1, 27.77%; T11-T12, 2.77%; CeT-aortic - 53.7% at left and 46.3% in the middle; celiac-aortic-vertebral - L-l, 22.22%; M-m, 23.15%; L-m, 31.48%; M-l, 23.15%. Neither correspondence on the right side nor significant gender-related associations were observed. Conclusion: Considering the wide range of abdominal anatomical variations and the characteristics of needle insertion pathways, celiac plexus block should not be standardized. Imaging should be performed prior to the procedure in order to reduce the risks for injuries or for negative outcomes to patients. Gender-related anatomical variations involved in celiac plexus block should be more deeply investigated, since few studies have addressed the subject. .

Objetivo: Analisar variações anatômicas relacionadas ao bloqueio do plexo celíaco por meio da simulação por tomografia computadorizada e avaliar a possibilidade de transfixação de órgãos pelo método transcrural. Materiais e Métodos: Cento e oito imagens de tomografias computadorizadas transaxiais abdominais foram analisadas. As relações aorto-vertebral, tronco celíaco (TCe)-vertebral, TCe-aórtica e celíaco-aorto-vertebral foram registradas. Em cada imagem foram dispostas duas trajetórias de agulhas, a 9 cm e a 4,5 cm à esquerda e à direita da linha média. Os órgãos vitais transfixados e associações relacionadas ao gênero foram registrados. Resultados: Aorto-vertebral - 45,37% esquerda e 54,62% central; TCe-vertebral - T12, 36,11%; T12-L1, 32,4%; L1, 27,77%; T11-T12, 2,77%; TCe-aórtica - 53,7% esquerda e 46,3% central; celíaco-aorto-vertebral - L-l, 22,22%; M-m, 23,15%; L-m, 31,48%; M-l, 23,15%. Em nenhum dos critérios analisados houve correspondência no lado direito e nem associação significativa entre os gêneros. Conclusão: O bloqueio do plexo celíaco não deve ser padronizado, em razão das amplas variações anatômicas abdominais e das características próprias de cada acesso, sendo necessário o registro de imagem prévio ao procedimento para cada paciente, visando diminuir riscos de lesão. Registros sobre a variação anatômica quanto ao gênero, relacionados ao bloqueio do plexo celíaco, devem ser aprofundados. .

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OBJECTIVE: To analyze anatomical variations associated with celiac plexus complex by means of computed tomography simulation, assessing the risk for organ injury as the transcrural technique is utilized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eight transaxial computed tomography images of abdomen were analyzed. The aortic-vertebral, celiac trunk (CeT)-vertebral, CeT-aortic and celiac-aortic-vertebral topographical relationships were recorded. Two needle insertion pathways were drawn on each of the images, at right and left, 9 cm and 4.5 cm away from the midline. Transfixed vital organs and gender-related associations were recorded. RESULTS: Aortic-vertebral - 45.37% at left and 54.62% in the middle; CeT-vertebral - T12, 36.11%; T12-L1, 32.4%; L1, 27.77%; T11-T12, 2.77%; CeT-aortic - 53.7% at left and 46.3% in the middle; celiac-aortic-vertebral - L-l, 22.22%; M-m, 23.15%; L-m, 31.48%; M-l, 23.15%. Neither correspondence on the right side nor significant gender-related associations were observed. CONCLUSION: Considering the wide range of abdominal anatomical variations and the characteristics of needle insertion pathways, celiac plexus block should not be standardized. Imaging should be performed prior to the procedure in order to reduce the risks for injuries or for negative outcomes to patients. Gender-related anatomical variations involved in celiac plexus block should be more deeply investigated, since few studies have addressed the subject.

OBJETIVO: Analisar variações anatômicas relacionadas ao bloqueio do plexo celíaco por meio da simulação por tomografia computadorizada e avaliar a possibilidade de transfixação de órgãos pelo método transcrural. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Cento e oito imagens de tomografias computadorizadas transaxiais abdominais foram analisadas. As relações aorto-vertebral, tronco celíaco (TCe)-vertebral, TCe-aórtica e celíaco-aorto-vertebral foram registradas. Em cada imagem foram dispostas duas trajetórias de agulhas, a 9 cm e a 4,5 cm à esquerda e à direita da linha média. Os órgãos vitais transfixados e associações relacionadas ao gênero foram registrados. RESULTADOS: Aorto-vertebral - 45,37% esquerda e 54,62% central; TCe-vertebral - T12, 36,11%; T12-L1, 32,4%; L1, 27,77%; T11-T12, 2,77%; TCe-aórtica - 53,7% esquerda e 46,3% central; celíaco-aorto-vertebral - L-l, 22,22%; M-m, 23,15%; L-m, 31,48%; M-l, 23,15%. Em nenhum dos critérios analisados houve correspondência no lado direito e nem associação significativa entre os gêneros. CONCLUSÃO: O bloqueio do plexo celíaco não deve ser padronizado, em razão das amplas variações anatômicas abdominais e das características próprias de cada acesso, sendo necessário o registro de imagem prévio ao procedimento para cada paciente, visando diminuir riscos de lesão. Registros sobre a variação anatômica quanto ao gênero, relacionados ao bloqueio do plexo celíaco, devem ser aprofundados.

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Abdominal angiostrongyliasis (AA) is a disease caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis, a nematode that can infect humans accidentally through the ingestion of larvae. Worms live inside intestinal small vessels and can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel necrosis in otherwise healthy patients. Therefore, abdominal angiostrongyliasis may be important in the differential diagnosis with systemic vasculitides and other rheumatic diseases with vascular involvement. We report a case of abdominal angiostrongyliasis in an 18-year-old woman presenting with necrosis of the terminal ileum.

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