The objective of this study is to estimate the reference values for the lower limb peripheral nerves in adults.The demographics and physical characteristics of 69 adult healthy volunteers were evaluated and recorded. The estimated reference values and their correlations with the age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) were evaluated.The cross sectional area reference values were obtained at 5 predetermined sites for 3 important lower limb peripheral nerves. Our CSA values correlated significantly with age, weight, and BMI. The normal reference values for each nerve were as follows: Tibial nerve at the popliteal fossa 19 mm2 ± 6.9, tibial nerve at the level of the medial malleolus 12.7 mm2 ± 4.5, common peroneal nerve at the popliteal fossa 9.5 mm2 ± 4, common peroneal nerve fibular head 8.9 mm2 ± 3.2, sural nerve 3.5 mm2 ± 1.4.The reference values for the lower limb peripheral nerves were identified. These values could be used for future management of peripheral nerve disorders.

The objective of this study is to estimate the reference values for the upper limb peripheral nerves in adults.The demographics and physical characteristics of 69 adult healthy volunteers were evaluated and recorded. In addition, the side to side differences of the estimated reference values and their correlations with the age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated.Cross-sectional area reference values of the upper limb nerves did not correlate with height; however, they correlated with age, weight, and BMI in some scanned sites.The data obtained in this study could be helpful in future diagnosis of peripheral nerve disorders of the upper limb.

High-resolution US is an efficient tool for detecting the presence of paraumbilical hernias and accurately verifying not only their content, but also the possible associated complications.

BACKGROUNDThe estimated prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Saudi Arabia is 7% to 10%. Despite the high prevalence of risk factors including diabetes, obesity, and hyperlipidemia, no recent epidemiological studies have measured the disease burden. We aimed to determine the characteristics of Saudi NAFLD patients attending a university hospital, and study factors affecting alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.DESIGN AND SETTINGA prospective study among patients referred for ultrasonography in King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from February to May 2009.PATIENTS AND METHODSNAFLD was defined as an appearance of fatty liver on routine abdominal ultrasound in the absence of coexisting liver disease and alcohol consumption. Patients were classified into normal and high ALT (ALT >60 U/L) level groups for analysis.RESULTSThe prevalence of NAFLD was 16.6% (218/1312). Patients with normal ALT had the mean (SD) age of 45.9 (10.6) years and the mean body mass index of 34.5 (7.9) kg/m2. Forty percent of the 151 patients with normal ALT had diabetes, 66.2% were obese, and 29.1% had hypertension. Forty-three patients (23%) had high ALT levels. These patients had significantly lower age (P=.003) and fasting blood sugar (P=.03) than the normal ALT group. Non-diabetic patients (odds ratio 0.30, 95% CI 0.1–0.8), men (female OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.1–0.5), lower cholesterol (P=.001), high-density lipoprotein (P=.006), and low-density lipoprotein (P=.008) levels were more likely to be observed among patients with high ALT levels. In a multivariate analysis, younger age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99), being male (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.09–0.57), and a lower cholesterol level (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37–0.82) were significant predictors of high ALT levels.CONCLUSIONBased on the high prevalence of obesity and diabetes, the prevalence of NAFLD will continue to be high, unless awareness is inculcated among the local population.