No abstract

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy is an autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent demyelination and remyelination with resultant thickening of the peripheral nerves. We report a case in which sonography was instrumental in demonstrating diffuse peripheral nerve hypertrophy. On sonography, both brachial plexuses were found to be diffusely hypertrophic and hypoechoic. Similar findings were noted for the median, sciatic, and femoral nerves. The brachial plexus findings were confirmed by MRI.

Although many mouse models of atopic dermatitis have been reported, few rat models have been studied. In this study, a rat chronic allergic dermatitis model was developed and evaluated as a pharmacological model of atopic dermatitis. Prominent ear thickening and scratching were induced after the application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene to the right ear of Brown Norway rats 3 times per week for 3 weeks. Histopathologically, infiltration of T cells in the ear was observed on day 7, and eosinophils and mast cells were found in addition to T cells on day 21. The expression of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 was increased on day 7 when compared with normal rats. However, interferon-γ expression had disappeared by day 21. Tacrolimus ointment applied after ear tissue thickening fully developed, suppressed chronic dermatitis in a dose-dependent manner. This model has some symptomatic and histopathological similarities to atopic dermatitis and might be useful in pharmacological studies.

The aim of this study was to clarify the degree of degradation of ultrasonic probes that results from their disinfection with alcohol. No defect in the ultrasound beams was found in any of the probes, but a significant decrease of the brightness was found after a certain period of use of the linear-type probe. Disinfection with alcohol may degrade ultrasound probes despite its high degree of effectiveness in preventing iatrogenic bacterial transmission.

The clinical significance of the diameter of the common carotid artery (CCA) measured ultrasonographically in diabetic practice has not been sufficiently established. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of the ultrasonic CCA diameter with atherosclerotic measures and diabetic retinopathy as a microvascular complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 102 patients with T2DM (men: 65%, mean age: 57 years) who had no apparent carotid arterial stenosis and no history of cardiovascular or severe renal disease. The current smoking status, body mass index, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and ultrasonic measures of carotid arteries (CCA diameter, intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque score) were measured. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and the presence of diabetic retinopathy were also assessed. The CCA diameter showed a significant positive correlation with the mean IMT or plaque score. The CAVI had a significant positive correlation with the mean IMT, plaque score, and CCA diameter, while diabetic retinopathy had a significant positive correlation with the CCA diameter, but not the mean IMT or plaque score. These results were unaltered after adjusting for multiple confounders. The CCA diameter may serve as a useful marker for atherosclerosis and diabetic retinopathy, and in particular, may be a marker associated with diabetic retinopathy more clearly than the carotid IMT and plaque score, in patients with T2DM.