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NeuroRehabilitation 2016Dysfunctional postural control and pathological thorax and pelvis motions are often observed in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and can be considered as an indicator... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Dysfunctional postural control and pathological thorax and pelvis motions are often observed in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and can be considered as an indicator of diminished dynamic stability.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the differences between children with CP and typically developing children in three-dimensional thorax and pelvis kinematics during walking.
METHODS
Three electronic databases were searched by using different combinations of keywords. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by two researchers with the Strobe quality checklist.
RESULTS
Ten studies (methodological quality: 32% to 74%) with in total 259 children with CP and 220 typically developing children (mean age: 7.6 to 13.6 year) were included. Compared to typically developing children, children with bilateral CP showed an increased range of motion of the thorax, pelvis and spine during walking. The results of the children with unilateral CP were less clear.
CONCLUSION
In general, children with bilateral CP showed larger movement amplitudes of the trunk compared to children without CP. This increase in movement amplitudes could influence the dynamic stability of the body during walking. In children with unilateral CP, the results were less obvious and further research on this topic is required.
Topics: Adolescent; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cerebral Palsy; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Pelvis; Thorax
PubMed: 26923354
DOI: 10.3233/NRE-161303 -
Bioinspiration & Biomimetics May 2020Insects with asynchronous flight muscles are believed to flap at the effective fundamental frequency of their thorax-wing system. Flapping in this manner leverages the...
Insects with asynchronous flight muscles are believed to flap at the effective fundamental frequency of their thorax-wing system. Flapping in this manner leverages the natural elasticity of the thorax to reduce the energetic requirements of flight. However, to the best of our knowledge, the fundamental frequency of the insect wing-muscle-thorax system has not been measured. Here, we measure the linear frequency response function (FRF) of honeybee Apis mellifera thoraxes about their equilibrium state in order to determine their fundamental frequencies. FRFs relate the input force to output acceleration at the insect tergum and are acquired via a mechanical vibration shaker assembly. When compressed 50 μm, the thorax fundamental frequency averaged across all subjects was about 50% higher than reported wingbeat frequencies. We suspect that the measured fundamental frequencies are higher in the experiment than during flight due to boundary conditions and posthumous muscle stiffening. Next, we compress the thorax between 100-300 μm in 50 μm intervals to assess the sensitivity of the fundamental frequency to geometric modifications. For all specimens considered, the thorax fundamental frequency increased nearly monotonically with respect to level of compression. This implies that the thorax behaves as a nonlinear hardening spring when subject to large displacements, which we confirmed via static force-displacement testing. While there is little evidence that insects utilize this non-linearity during flight, the hardening characteristic may be emulated by small resonant-type flapping wing micro air vehicles to increase flapping frequency bandwidth. Overall, methods established through this work provide a foundation for further dynamical studies on insect thoraxes moving forward.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Biomechanical Phenomena; Computer Simulation; Flight, Animal; Muscle, Skeletal; Stress, Physiological; Thorax; Vibration; Wings, Animal
PubMed: 32209745
DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ab835b -
Journal of Thoracic Imaging Apr 1989The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of thoracic disease is emerging amidst much debate and study. Recent technical advances have led to new... (Review)
Review
The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of thoracic disease is emerging amidst much debate and study. Recent technical advances have led to new applications of this modality, and a reappraisal of previous conclusions seems warranted. This article reviews our 5 1/2 years' experience with thoracic MRI.
Topics: Contrast Media; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Regional Blood Flow; Thoracic Diseases; Thorax
PubMed: 2654408
DOI: 10.1097/00005382-198904000-00007 -
The American Review of Respiratory... Jan 1989
Review
Topics: Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mediastinum; Thoracic Diseases; Thorax
PubMed: 2643375
DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm/139.1.254 -
Current Medical Imaging 2022Radiological diagnosis of thoracic nerve diseases is difficult because they are rare, and nerves cannot be seen directly on radiological images. The major nerves of the...
BACKGROUND
Radiological diagnosis of thoracic nerve diseases is difficult because they are rare, and nerves cannot be seen directly on radiological images. The major nerves of the thorax can be listed as the phrenic, vagus, recurrent laryngeal, long thoracic nerve pairs, sympathetic chains, costal nerves, and brachial plexus. Diseases of thoracic nerves have various causes, including traumatic injury, neuromuscular diseases, infection, compression, radiation, drugs, and tumors.
OBJECTIVE
This pictorial review aims to describe the anatomic locations of the major thoracic nerves on radiological images, comprehensively describe the causes of thoracic nerve diseases and define the clinical signs and primary and secondary imaging findings of dysfunction of the thoracic nerves.
METHODS
This paper was designed to illustrate primary and secondary imaging findings of nerve diseases. Firstly, the normal anatomy of nerves is shown with diagrams. Secondly, we explained primary and secondary imaging features with variable radiological methods, including chest X-Ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography.
CONCLUSION
Primary findings of nerve diseases can be detected if radiologists are familiar with the courses of the nerves on radiological images. Knowledge of the normal functions of the nerves can aid in diagnosing thoracic nerve diseases identified from secondary imaging findings such as diaphragmatic elevation, muscular atrophy, and winged scapula. It is essential to know the normal anatomy, function, and possible causes of thoracic nerve diseases to make a correct diagnosis and apply the prompt treatment.
Topics: Humans; Thorax; Brachial Plexus; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Radiography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 35692155
DOI: 10.2174/1573405618666220610092612 -
Prenatal Diagnosis Jul 2008In the following review, the development of the thorax and abdomen, as described by embryologists and anatomists in modern embryological text books, is compared with... (Review)
Review
In the following review, the development of the thorax and abdomen, as described by embryologists and anatomists in modern embryological text books, is compared with sonoanatomic descriptions from 2D and 3D ultrasound studies, week by week in the first trimester. The anatomic descriptions are limited to details that are of interest for the understanding of ultrasound examinations. For the second and third trimester, the description of the sonographic development of the thorax and abdomen is divided into thoracic skeleton, diaphragm, lungs, oesophagus, stomach, liver, spleen, bowel and gall bladder. The review is restricted to the normal development, appearance and biometric assessment of these organs; and discusses topical literature.
Topics: Abdomen; Female; Fetal Development; Humans; Pregnancy; Thorax; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 18634117
DOI: 10.1002/pd.1963 -
Journal of Thoracic Imaging Apr 1989Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used extensively to evaluate the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. MRI provides excellent contrast between normal... (Review)
Review
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used extensively to evaluate the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. MRI provides excellent contrast between normal and pathologic tissues, identifies vascular structures without the need of intravenous contrast, and is able to image in multiple planes. Until recently, physiologic motion produced artifacts that markedly limited the use of MRI in the thorax. However, with the advent of cardiac gating and respiratory motion compensation, diagnostic images can now be readily acquired. The ability to distinguish between flowing blood and adjacent tissue allows for the detection of aortic aneurysms and dissections. Prominent vessels may be differentiated from hilar adenopathy without the use of contrast agents. Preliminary experience suggests MRI may be useful in assessing central pulmonary emboli and mediastinal venous obstruction. The ready identification of flow combined with the multiplanar capability of MRI provide a means of assessing congenital abnormalities and other anatomic information. Fast scan techniques provide a dynamic means of assessing cardiac function and are sensitive to valvular stenosis and insufficiency. Combined with spin-echo techniques, areas of myocardial infarction and focal wall motion abnormalities can be detected. Currently, MRI has little application in the assessment of pulmonary nodules, bronchogenic cancer, and diffuse parenchymal disease. Sagittal MR images may more clearly show tumor extension into the axilla, brachial plexus, and spinal canal in patients with superior sulcus neoplasms. Future applications may include faster imaging techniques, blood flow measurement, detection of thrombus using phase sensitive techniques, regional perfusion, and assessment of cellular energy metabolism.
Topics: Forecasting; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Thoracic Diseases; Thorax
PubMed: 2654407
DOI: 10.1097/00005382-198904000-00006 -
Journal of X-ray Science and Technology 2014Due to the ill-posed problem, the electrical impedance within the thorax cannot be exactly reconstructed.
BACKGROUND
Due to the ill-posed problem, the electrical impedance within the thorax cannot be exactly reconstructed.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to prove that reconstruction with individual thorax geometry improved the quality of EIT (electrical impedance tomography) images.
METHODS
Seven mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were examined by EIT. The thorax contours were determined from routine computed tomography (CT) images based on automatic threshold filtering. EIT raw data was reconstructed offline with (1) back-projection with circular forward model; (2) GREIT reconstruction method with circular forward model and (3) GREIT with individual thorax geometry. The resulting EIT images were compared to rescaled CT images. The distance between the lung contour and the thorax contour was calculated for each method and the differences to that in CT were denoted as position differences. Shape differences was defined as the ratio of thorax (or lungs) size in EIT and that in rescaled CT.
RESULTS
Method (3) has the smallest position differences (6.6 ± 2.8, 5.3 ± 3.3, 2.3 ± 1.4 in pixel, for each reconstruction method respectively; mean ± SD). The thorax and lungs sizes in the transformed CT images were 514 ± 73 and 177 ± 39. Shape differences of thorax were 1.81 ± 0.26, 1.81 ± 0.26, 1.10 ± 0.12 and that of lungs were 1.69 ± 0.45, 1.52 ± 0.45, 1.34 ± 0.35 for each method respectively.
CONCLUSION
The reconstructed images using the GREIT method with individual thorax geometry were more realistic. Improvement of EIT image quality may foster the acceptance of EIT in routine clinical use.
Topics: Aged; Algorithms; Electric Impedance; Electrodes; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Male; Middle Aged; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Thorax; Tomography
PubMed: 25408396
DOI: 10.3233/XST-140464 -
BMC Medical Imaging Feb 2021To establish the normal reference range of fetal thorax by two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound VOCAL technique and evaluate the application in...
BACKGROUND
To establish the normal reference range of fetal thorax by two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound VOCAL technique and evaluate the application in diagnosing fetal thoracic malformations.
METHODS
A prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 1077 women who have a normal singleton pregnancy at 13-40 weeks gestational age (GA). 2D ultrasound and 3D ultrasound VOCAL technique were utilized to assess fetal thoracic transverse diameter, thoracic anteroposterior diameter, thoracic circumference, thoracic area, lung volume, thoracic volume and lung-to-thoracic volume ratio. The nomograms of 2D and 3D fetal thoracic measurements were created to GA. 50 cases were randomly selected to calculate intra- and inter-observer reliability and agreement. In addition, the case groups including congenital skeletal dysplasia (SD) (15), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) (30), pulmonary sequestration (PS) (25) and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) (36) were assessed by the nomograms and followed up subsequently.
RESULTS
Both 2D and 3D fetal thoracic parameters increased with GA using a quadratic regression equation. The intra- and inter-observer reliability and agreement of each thoracic parameter were excellent. 2D fetal thoracic parameters could initially evaluate the fetal thoracic development and diagnose the skeletal thoracic deformity, and lung volume, thoracic volume and lung-to-thorax volume ratio were practical to diagnose and differentiate CDH, PS and CCAM.
CONCLUSION
We have established the normal fetal thoracic reference range at 13-40 weeks, which has a high value in diagnosing congenital thoracic malformations.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fetus; Gestational Age; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Observer Variation; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Reference Values; Thorax; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 33618694
DOI: 10.1186/s12880-021-00548-w -
Journal of the Royal Society, Interface Apr 2023Insects have developed diverse flight actuation mechanisms, including synchronous and asynchronous musculature. Indirect actuation, used by insects with both synchronous...
Insects have developed diverse flight actuation mechanisms, including synchronous and asynchronous musculature. Indirect actuation, used by insects with both synchronous and asynchronous musculature, transforms thorax exoskeletal deformation into wing rotation. Though thorax deformation is often attributed exclusively to muscle tension, the inertial and aerodynamic forces generated by the flapping wings may also contribute. In this study, a tethered flight experiment was used to simultaneously measure thorax deformation and the inertial/aerodynamic forces acting on the thorax generated by the flapping wing. Compared to insects with synchronous musculature, insects with asynchronous muscle deformed their thorax 60% less relative to their thorax diameter and their wings generated 2.8 times greater forces relative to their body weight. In a second experiment, dorsalventral thorax stiffness was measured across species. Accounting for weight and size, the asynchronous thorax was on average 3.8 times stiffer than the synchronous thorax in the dorsalventral direction. Differences in thorax stiffness and forces acting at the wing hinge led us to hypothesize about differing roles of series and parallel elasticity in the thoraxes of insects with synchronous and asynchronous musculature. Specifically, wing hinge elasticity may contribute more to wing motion in insects with asynchronous musculature than in those with synchronous musculature.
Topics: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Flight, Animal; Insecta; Elasticity; Thorax; Wings, Animal; Models, Biological
PubMed: 37015268
DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0029