Introduction Small bowel lipomas are rarely encountered benign adipose growths found within the small intestine wall or mesentery. Limited up-to-date evidence exists regarding such lipomas. We aim to aid clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes through this comprehensive review. Methodology The terms ‘small bowel,’ ‘small intestine,’ ‘jejunum’ and ‘ileum’ were combined with ‘lipoma.’ EMBASE, Medline and PubMed database searches were performed. All papers published in English from 01/01/2000-31/12/2019 were included. Simple statistical analysis ( t -test, Anova) was performed. Results 142 papers yielded 147 cases (adults = 138, pediatric = 9). Male = 88, female = 59 (average age = 49.9 years). Presenting symptoms: abdominal pain = 68.7%; nausea/vomiting = 35.3%, hematochezia/GI bleeding = 33.3%; anaemia = 10.9%; abdominal distension = 12.2%; constipation = 8.9%; weight loss = 7.5%. Mean preceding symptom length = 58.1 days (symptoms >1 year excluded (n = 9)). Diagnostic imaging utilised: abdominal X-Ray = 33.3%; endoscopy = 46.3%; CT = 78.2%; ultrasound = 23.8%. 124/137 (90.5%) required definitive surgical management (laparotomy = 89, laparoscopcic = 35). 9 patients were successfully managed endoscopically. Lipoma location: ileum = 59.9%, jejunum = 32%, mesentery = 4.8%. Maximal recorded lipoma size ranged 1.2–22 cm. Mean maximum lipoma diameter and management strategy comparison: laparotomy 5.6 cm, laparoscopic = 4.4 cm, endoscopic = 3.7 cm, conservative = 4.5 cm. One-way Anova test, p value = 0.21. Average length of stay (LOS) was 7.4 days (range = 2–30). T-test p value = 0.13 when comparing management modalities and LOS. 4 complications, 0 mortality. Conclusions Important previously undocumented points are illustrated; a clearer symptom profile, diagnostic investigations utilised, size and site of lipomas, types and effectiveness of management modalities, associated morbidity and mortality. Open surgery remains the primary management. No statistically significant difference in LOS and lipoma size is demonstrated between management strategies. Endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques may reduce utilising invasive surgery in the future as skillset and availability improve.

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[Purpose] To investigate the effects of a seven-week quadriceps stretching program on the muscle fibre orientation of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis in the lower limbs by ultrasound imaging. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-seven healthy, physically fit, asymptomatic females and males (age 21.5 ± 1.3, Tegner activity level score ≥4) were recruited. Their initial vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis fibre angles were determined using ultrasound. They then undertook a seven-week quadriceps stretching program, 3 sets of stretches to be performed on both lower limbs, 3 times a week on 3 separate days. One volunteer was assigned as an intra-rater control and did not take part in the stretching program. The vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique fibre angles were measured again on completion of the exercise regime. [Results] A statistically significant decrease in muscle fibre angle was observed in both the right and left vastus medialis oblique, and the right and left vastus lateralis. [Conclusion] A 7-week stretching program can result in a significant decrease in muscle fibre angle in both the vastus medialis oblique and the vastus lateralis. This can help in understanding the effects of prescribed stretching exercises on athletic patients with PFP.

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