Imagerie de la trachée de l'adulte

Imaging of normal and pathologic trachea at the thoracic and cervical levels is described extensively. Beside congenital abnormalities discovered in adulthood, acquired tracheal abnormalities are artificially divided in two subgroups. One group consists of diffuse abnormalities, with all but one diseases associated with a diffuse narrowing of the tracheal lumen. The other group comprises focal abnormalities that lead to tracheal stenoses of various lengths, with a postintubation stenosis as probably the most frequent cause, followed by tumours. The main modality for tracheal imaging is now multidetector-row spiral CT. This technique allows for faster volume coverage and higher spatial and temporal resolution. The improved spatial resolution impacts on both axial images and all reconstructions techniques that have become indispensable for interpretation of a vertical structure such as the trachea. Chest X-ray is no longer the frontline imaging technique. MRI has not yet reached all its potential as compared to CT.     

Variabilité de la fréquence cardiaque en fonction de l'intensité de la pratique physique chez la femme ménopausée

Aim. – Study was to asses the heart rate variability related to the physical practice intensity in post menopausal women.Method. – Time domain measurement of heart rate variability has been realised from the electrocardiogram at rest and during exercice in 3 groups of 6 women : untrained, active and trained. At rest, no significant difference betwen groups appears. But, in the standing position, RR interval and the dispersion around RR interval decrease in trained group only. During submaximal exercise, this dispersion is more elevated in active and trained groups.Conclusion. – Physical practice induces a higher response of sinus node to vagal modulation during standing position and submaximal exercise.     

Effets de la pratique de la gymnastique d’entretien chez des seniors sur la condition physique,la fonction cognitive et la prise médicamenteuse

Objective. – The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of regular gymnastic activity practice on fitness, cognitive function and medication in healthy elderly women.Method. – Twenty-four women were separated into 2 groups, a sedentary group and a gymnastic group. In order to be included in the gymnastic group, women needed to have participated for at least 2 consecutive years in gymnastic sessions for a minimum of 10 months per year. Subjects were on average aged 60.3 ± 1.4 years. All the women filled in clinical and physical activities questionnaires. Then the following tests were taken: Martinet, 6 min walking test, 3 static balance tests and a memory test.Results. – Walking speed (P < 0.01) and distance of walking (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the gymnastic group in comparison with the sedentary women and the consumption of medicine was significantly lower in active compared with sedentary women (P < 0.05). So, regular gymnastic practice reduces the consumption of medicine and could preserve autonomy by maintening an optimal walking speed, thus decreasing the risk of falls.     

Évolution de la puissance maximale anaérobie au cours de la croissance chez le footballeur

Purpose – The aim of the study was to assess the improvement in Maximal Anaerobic Power (PMAna) from two tests in soccer players during growth.Methods – The experiment was carried out in 328 players, 11–18 years old, during their stay at the Clairefontaine National Soccer Center. PMAna was measured from the last 10 meters of the a 40 m-sprint test (ST) and a jump test (JT). The skeletal age (AO) is used as reference, and not the chronological one.Results – The results of the two tests are highly correlated (r= 0.8–0.9), PMAna values being always higher in the ST than in the JT.The most significant increase in PMAna occurs between 13 and 14 years AO (+47% for the ST, +27% for the JT), remains still significant up to 16 AO (respectively +38% and +24% between 14 and 16 AO), but the maximum value is reached at 17 AO. Between 12 and 16 AO, the PMAna value is multiplied by 2.29 for the ST and 1.81 for the JT.Conclusions – Sprint and jump tests seem well adapted to estimate PMAna in soccer players. The measure of the skeletal age during growth is needed for a better interpretation of the results. In addition, results obtained during growth allow a reliable estimation of PMAna in adulthood.     

Imagen de la hipoacusia postraumática

Objective

Hearing loss is the most frequent complication of temporal bone trauma. The role of the radiologist is of great importance; the adequacy and selection of the imaging technique, as well as its correct interpretation, are crucial to establish the diagnosis, prognosis and enable the selection of appropriate treatment. With the aim of systematizing the most relevant concepts in the evaluation of image studies in this scenario, this review will be outlined according to the hearing loss type. The potential lesions of its components will be assessed; In each case the most appropriate imaging technique will be suggested and the findings will be described and depicted.

Approche électromyographique de la fatigue musculaire

Aims – The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an external apport of protein after a tiring exercise. Surface electromyography was used to evaluated muscular activity.Methods and results – The subjects were lied on the back and performed 3 sets (2 of 10 repetitions and 1 of 5) isometric contraction of the leg during 20 s. Bipolar surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the level of electrical activity for vastus lateralis (VL) at 1000 Hz. Integrated electromyography (EMGi) and mean power frequency (MPF) were calculated using the raw signal collected throughout the entire phases. The linear increase of the EMGi was very significant (p<0.001), is associated with an increase in fiber recruitment and/or motor neurone firing rates.Conclusion – The study show the interest for electromyography to approximate the muscular activity and particularly muscular fatigue.     

L’étude des forces de réaction au sol peut-elle être un indicateur de la stabilité de la chaussure lors de la locomotion ?

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of ground reaction forces on the footwear stability.

Material and methods

Twelve healthy men have walked on a treadmill ergometer ADAL with five different shoe models and in a barefoot condition. Here, the shoe called “shoe 1” is known for its capacity to stabilize the foot. Ground reaction forces (F_x, F_y, F_z) were recorded at constant speed (2, 4 and 6 km h⁻¹), and during transition phases (0 to 2, 0 to 4, 0 to 6 km h⁻¹). Two running conditions (8 km h⁻¹ at constant speed and 0 to 8 km h⁻¹ in transition) have completed this protocol. Then, each subject filled in a questionnaire to evaluate, for each shoe, different sensations: stability during walking and running, foot support, heightening of the rearfoot, width of shoe at the heel, general comfort, cushioning. At last, different geometrical parameters of each shoe were measured.

Results and discussion

The results show that, in all tested conditions (constant speed and transition phases, walking and running), medial force peaks are significantly more important in barefoot condition than all shod conditions, except for the shoe 1. As the barefoot condition is, according to the literature, the best condition of stability and as the shoe 1 is known for its capacity to stabilize the foot, these results could suggest that a better stability could be associated with more important medial force peaks.     

Effet de la course d’endurance et/ou des isoflavones sur la masse osseuse de la rate castrée

Aim – To study the effects of endurance running (15 m/min during 20 min/day to 28 m/min during 1 h/d, 6 days/week during 12 weeks, corresponding to 62% of the VO₂ max of the animals) or of a treatment by isoflavones (Soylife 100 : 400 μg j^–1 g^–1 of body weight during 12 weeks), either only or cumulated with running, on the osteopenia induced by castration in adult female rat.Results and discussion – Each one of these two treatment has a protective effect of the bone mineral density at the femoral total, diaphysaire and metaphysaire level. But contrary to what had been reported on the cumulated effects of long term endurance running and of a 17β-estradiol treatment 〚3〛, we did not note any additive effect of these two treatments.     

Utilidad de la ecografía intestinal en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal

Imaging techniques play a fundamental role in the initial diagnosis and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease. Intestinal ultrasound has high sensitivity and specificity in patients with suspected Crohn's disease and in the detection of inflammatory activity. This technique enables the early diagnosis of intra-abdominal complications such as stenosis, fistulas, and abscesses. It has also proven useful in monitoring the response to treatment and in detecting postsurgical recurrence. Technical improvements in ultrasound scanners, technological advances such as ultrasound contrast agents and elastography, and above all increased experience have increased the role of ultrasound in the evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. The features that make ultrasound especially attractive include its wide availability, its noninvasiveness and lack of ionizing radiation, its low cost, and its good reproducibility, which is important because it is easy to repeat the study and the study is well tolerated during follow-up. This review summarizes the role of intestinal ultrasound in the detection and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease.     

Dynamique de la locomotion en fauteuil roulant manuel : influences de la masse totale et de sa répartition antéropostérieure sur la résultante des forces de freinage

Purpose. – This study presents a new method for determining the resultant braking force during wheelchair displacement and investigates the respective effects of the level and the distribution of the system’s mass.Method and results. – A three-dimensional accelerometer was fixed directly under the seat of wheelchair and was used to measure the deceleration of the mass-and-wheelchair’s system. Three masses (50, 70 and 90 kg) were laid on a support in 3 positions corresponding to three distributions (10, 40 and 70%) of the system’s total mass upon the front casters. A series of 15 deceleration trials was performed for each of the 9 combinations. Statistical results showed that the system’s deceleration was mainly explained by the mass distribution upon the front casters (92%) and in the least by the system’s total mass (8%).Conclusion. – Considering the fore-and-aft movements of the subject’s centre of mass during wheelchair locomotion, the results of this study let us assume that the resultant braking force does not remain constant along the propulsion cycle. Moreover, the present method could be used to investigate the influence of wheelchair’s adjustments and floor’s characteristics on the resultant braking force.