Objective
To investigate longitudinal changes in plantar pressure examinations and plain radiographs and to assess the correlations between these two modalities in pediatric patients with flexible flatfoot (FFF).
Methods
Pediatric patients diagnosed with FFF were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. Medical records were reviewed to collect data on plain radiographs and plantar pressure examinations. Changes in radiographic angles and plantar pressure parameters were analyzed over a follow-up period exceeding 1 year. Statistical analyses included paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Spearman’s correlation analysis.
Results
A total of 52 subjects was included in the plantar pressure analysis, with a mean age of 9.9 years at the first visit and a median follow-up duration of 52 months. The lateral tarso-first metatarsal angle decreased by 1.3° (p<0.001) and calcaneal inclination angle increased by 2.5° (p<0.001) in these patients. The percentage value of midfoot width (WMF) divided by forefoot width (WFF) decreased by an average of 9.8% p (p<0.001), and the maximal pressure on the medial midfoot (MMF) decreased by 1.6 N/cm2 (p<0.001). However, no correlations were found between plantar pressure and radiographic changes.
Conclusion
During follow-up of patients with FFF, the maximal pressure on the MMF and the ratio of WMF to WFF decreased in successive plantar pressure examinations. Changes observed in plantar pressure and plain radiographs were not consistent, indicating that these two testing modalities can complement each other.

Objective
To evaluate the effect of fascia penetration and develop a new technique for lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) conduction studies based on the fascia penetration point (PP) identified using ultrasound.
Methods
The fascia PP of the LFCN was localized in 20 healthy subjects, and sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) were obtained at four different stimulation points—2 cm proximal to the PP (2PPP), PP, 2 cm distal to the PP (2DPP), and 4 cm distal to the PP (4DPP). We compared the stimulation technique based on the fascia penetration point (STBFP) with the conventional technique.
Results
The SNAP amplitude of the LFCN was significantly higher when stimulation was performed at the PP and 2DPP than at other stimulation points. Using the STBFP, SNAP responses were elicited in 38 of 40 legs, whereas they were elicited in 32 of 40 legs using the conventional technique (p=0.041). STBFP had a comparable SNAP amplitude and slightly delayed negative peak latency compared to the conventional technique. In terms of the time required, the time spent on STBFP showed a more consistent distribution than the time spent on the conventional technique (two-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, p<0.05).
Conclusion
SNAP of the LFCN significantly changed near the fascia PP, and stimulation at PP and at 2DPP provided high amplitudes. STBFP can help increase the response rate and ensure stable and consistent procedure time of the LFCN conduction study.

Citations

• Meralgia Paresthetica as a Result of Surgery With an Emphasis on Harvesting Iliac Bone Grafts: A Review
  Sonia N. Singh, Ruby R. Taylor, Chaimae Oualid, Mutaz B. Habal, Seth R. Thaller
  Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.2024; 35(7): 1964.     CrossRef
• Dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve conduction study based on nerve ultrasound
  Eunjin Park, So-youn Chang, Hye Jung Park, Ho-geon Namgung, Sun Jae Won
  Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

Objective
To determine a diagnostic cut-off value for the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the radial nerve using ultrasonography for radial neuropathy located at the spiral groove (SG).
Methods
Seventeen patients with electrodiagnostic evidence of radial neuropathy at the SG and 30 healthy controls underwent ultrasonography of the radial nerve at the SG . The CSAs at the SG were compared in the patient and control groups. The CSA at the SG between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides (ΔSx–Asx and Sx/Asx, respectively) were analyzed to obtain the optimal cut-off value. The relationship between the electrophysiological severity of radial neuropathy and CSA was also evaluated.
Results
Among the variables examined, there were statistically significant differences in the CSA between the patient and control groups, ΔSx–Asx, and Sx/Asx at the SG. In a receiver operating characteristics analysis, the cut-off CSA was 5.75 mm² at the SG (sensitivity 52.9%, specificity 90%), 1.75 mm² for ΔSx–Asx (sensitivity 58.8%, specificity 100%), and 1.22 mm² for Sx/Asx (sensitivity 70.6%, specificity 93.3%) in diagnosing radial neuropathy at the SG. There was no significant correlation between CSA and electrophysiological severity score for either patient group.
Conclusion
The reference value obtained for CSA of the radial nerve at the SG may facilitate investigation of radial nerve pathologies at the SG.

Citations

• Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies
  Domenico Albano, Gabriella Di Rocco, Salvatore Gitto, Francesca Serpi, Stefano Fusco, Paolo Vitali, Massimo Galia, Carmelo Messina, Luca Maria Sconfienza
  Insights into Imaging.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Sonographic peripheral nerve cross‐sectional area in adults, excluding median and ulnar nerves: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
  Sarah F. Eby, Masaru Teramoto, Joshua Lider, Madison Lash, Marc Caragea, Daniel M. Cushman
  Muscle & Nerve.2023; 68(1): 20.     CrossRef
• Review Article “Spotlight on Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Nerve Disease: The Evidence to Date”
  Andrew Hannaford, Steve Vucic, Matthew C Kiernan, Neil G Simon
  International Journal of General Medicine.2021; Volume 14: 4579.     CrossRef
• Ultrasonographic evaluation of common compression neuropathies in the upper limb
  Jung Im Seok
  Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology.2020; 22(1): 1.     CrossRef