The purpose of this series was to retrospectively characterize the ultrasound findings of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The Institutional Review Board approved our study, and informed consent was waived. A retrospective search of radiology reports using the key phrase "delayed-onset muscle soreness" and key word "DOMS" from 2001 to 2015 and teaching files was completed to identify cases. The sonograms were reviewed by 3 fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists by consensus. Sonograms were retrospectively characterized with respect to echogenicity (hypoechoic, isoechoic, or hyperechoic), distribution of muscle involvement, and intramuscular pattern (focal versus diffuse and well defined versus poorly defined). Images were also reviewed for muscle enlargement, fluid collection, muscle fiber disruption, and increased flow on color or power Doppler imaging. There were a total of 6 patients identified (5 male and 1 female). The average age was 22 years (range, 7-44 years). Of the 6 patients, there were a total of 11 affected muscles in 7 extremities (1 bilateral case). The involved muscles were in the upper extremity: triceps brachii in 27% (3 of 11), biceps brachii in 18% (2 of 11), brachialis in 18% (2 of 11), brachioradialis in 18% (2 of 11), infraspinatus in 9% (1 of 11), and deltoid in 9% (1 of 11). On ultrasound imaging, the abnormal muscle was hyperechoic in 100% (11 of 11), well defined in 73% (8 of 11), poorly defined in 27% (3 of 11), diffuse in 73% (8 of 11), and focal in 27% (3 of 11). Increased muscle size was found in 82% (9 of 11) and minimal hyperemia in 87.5% (7 of 8). The ultrasound findings of DOMS include hyperechoic involvement of an upper extremity muscle, most commonly appearing well defined and diffuse with increased muscle size and minimal hyperemia.

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The differential diagnosis for a midfoot or forefoot mass or mass-like abnormality includes several common benign and malignant pathologies. Evaluation with imaging can often provide a diagnosis, or at least several likely etiologies, and guide management. Determining if a mass is cystic or solid with ultrasound or MRI can limit the differential diagnosis. Identifying the abnormality at a specific anatomical site, such as a bursa, peripheral nerve, plantar aponeurosis, or tendon, can often suggest a correct diagnosis. Correlation with radiography is essential to determine potential osseous origin or involvement and further characterize matrix mineralization. Imaging evaluation can effectively characterize a mass or mass-like abnormality of the midfoot or forefoot, which can provide a precise or limited differential diagnosis and guide further management for biopsy or other treatment.

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube (NT) arrays grown on Ti mesh and Ti foil were successfully prepared by a controlled anodic oxidation process and tested for water photo-electrolysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), combined with other electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry) in tests performed in the dark and under illumination conditions, was used to correlate the photoactivity to the specific charge transfer resistances associated with a 3D (mesh) or 2D (foil) geometry of the support. The peculiar structure of the nanotubes in the mesh (with better light absorption and faster electron transport along the nanotubes) strongly impacts the catalytic performances under illumination. H2 production and current density in water photo-electrolysis were over three times higher with the TiO2NTs/Ti mesh, compared to the foil in the same conditions. The results obtained by the EIS technique, used here for the first time to directly compare TiO2 nanotubes on two different supports (Ti foil and Ti mesh), led to a better understanding of the electronic properties of TiO2 nanotubes and the effect of a specific support on its photocatalytic properties.

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