The spine has a direct influence on postural alignment and movement of the whole body. Lumbar muscles constitute a critical element in trunk performance while weakness of these muscles has been associated with low back pain. Hence, strength profiling of trunk muscles is clinically significant. The objective of this research was to determine, by means of isokinetic dynamometry, peak moment (PM) values during isokinetic concentric and eccentric efforts of trunk flexion and extension in sedentary asymptomatic individuals. The sample consisted of 100 asymptomatic sedentary volunteers, fifty from each sex, aging 22.2 ± 3.3 years old. The sample underwent concentric and eccentric isokinetic assessment of the trunk flexor and extensor muscles at an angular velocity of 60 degrees/sec for each mode of contraction. The mean concentric PM for trunk flexion and extension were 139.5 and 166.6 Nm, respectively, while the respective values for the eccentric efforts were 188.8 and 221.2 Nm. The PM flexion/extension ratio was 0.87 and 0.89 for the concentric and eccentric efforts, respectively. These values of concentric and eccentric PM and PM ratio will serve as comparison parameters for future research, as well as for the assessment of symptomatic patients, and to help in the creation of the trunk muscle rebalance protocols.

Objective Quantitative analysis of chest radiographs of patients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) determining if the data obtained from such radiographic images could classify such individuals according to the presence or absence of disease. Materials and Methods For such a purpose, three groups of chest radiographic images were utilized, namely: group 1, including 25 individuals with COPD; group 2, including 27 individuals without COPD; and group 3 (utilized for the reclassification /validation of the analysis), including 15 individuals with COPD. The COPD classification was based on spirometry. The variables normalized by retrosternal height were the following: pulmonary width (LARGP); levels of right (ALBDIR) and left (ALBESQ) diaphragmatic eventration; costophrenic angle (ANGCF); and right (DISDIR) and left (DISESQ) intercostal distances. Results As the radiographic images of patients with and without COPD were compared, statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups on the variables related to the diaphragm. In the COPD reclassification the following variables presented the highest indices of correct classification: ANGCF (80%), ALBDIR (73.3%), ALBESQ (86.7%). Conclusion The radiographic assessment of the chest demonstrated that the variables related to the diaphragm allow a better differentiation between individuals with and without COPD.

OBJETIVO: Comparar dois métodos diferentes para determinar o volume da hemorragia intracerebral: volume da elipse (chamado ABC/2), e método planimétrico auxiliado por computador. MÉTODOS: Quatro diferentes observadores avaliaram as imagens de 20 tomografias cerebrais com diagnóstico de hemorragia intracerebral espontânea. Cada profissional determinou o volume da hemorragia usando os dois métodos. Foram comparadas as médias dos volumes obtidos, bem como suas variabilidades intra e interobservadores. RESULTADOS: Foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os volumes calculados por meio dos dois métodos, com uma variação média absoluta de 2,24 cm3 e com volumes até 14,9% menores para o método ABC/2. A média da variabilidade intraobservador foi de 0,46% para o método planimétrico e 0,18% para o ABC/2. As taxas de variabilidade interobservador foram de 1,69 e de 1,11%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Ambos os métodos são reprodutíveis. O volume determinado pelo ABC/2 pode ser até 14,9% menor que aquele determinado pelo método planimétrico.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two different methods for measuring intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume: the ellipse volume (called ABC/2), and the software-aided planimetric. METHODS: Four observers evaluated 20 brain computed tomography (CT) scans with spontaneous ICH. Each professional measured the volume using the ABC/2 and the planimetric methods. The average volumes were obtained, and the intra- and inter-rater variability was determined. RESULTS: There is an absolute 2.24 cm3 average difference between both methodologies. Volumes yielded by the ABC/2 method were as much as 14.9% smaller than by the planimetric one. An intra-observer variability rate of 0.46% was found for the planimetric method and 0.18% for the ABC/2. The inter-observer rates were 1.69 and 1.11% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods are reproducible. The ABC/2 yielded hemorrhage volumes as much as 14.9% smaller than those measured using the planimetric methodology.

Otosclerose é uma doença que provoca fixação do estribo, levando à perda auditiva tipicamente condutiva, corrigida com aparelhos auditivos ou cirurgia de estapedotomia, substituindo o estribo doente por uma prótese. O material mais recentemente utilizado é o titânio e no Brasil há apenas duas próteses comercialmente disponíveis. A prótese de pistão tipo Fisch, da Storz, não possui resultados relatados na literatura. OBJETIVO: Estudo retrospectivo avaliando resultado auditivo após estapedotomia com uso desta prótese. MÉTODO: Usando critérios da Academia Americana de Otorrinolaringologia, comparou-se o gap nas audiometrias pré e pós-operatórias, avaliando-se melhora auditiva. RESULTADOS: O gap pós-operatório em baixas frequências teve média de 12,9 dB, em altas frequências de 5,2 dB (média 9,1 dB), mediana 8,8 dB, mínimo 1,3 dB e máximo 21,6 dB, desvio padrão 5,7 e p < 0,001. Dividindo o resultado conforme o gap pós-operatório a cada 10 dB, em 25 pacientes (75,8%) foi < ou igual a 10 dB, em 32 pacientes (96,9%) foi < ou igual a 20 dB, em 100% dos casos foi < ou igual a 30 dB. CONCLUSÃO: Prótese de pistão tipo Fisch apresenta resultados compatíveis com a literatura, podendo ser usada com segurança como mais uma boa opção para estapedotomia.

Otosclerosis causes the fixation of the stapes and conductive hearing loss, usually corrected with the use of hearing aids or through stapedotomy and the replacement of the involved stapes with a prosthesis. Titanium has been the most recently used material of choice in stapedotomy prostheses. Only two prostheses are commercially available in Brazil. There are no reports in the literature on the Fisch-type Storz titanium stapes piston prosthesis. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aims to look into the auditory outcomes of patients submitted to stapedotomy and titanium stapes piston prosthesis implantation. METHOD: The criteria described by the American Academy of Otolaryngology were used to compare pre and postoperative air-bone gaps seen in audiometry tests. RESULTS: The mean low-frequency postoperative air-bone gap was 12.9 dB; the mean high-frequency air-bone gap was 5.2 dB (mean 9.1 dB); median gap was 8.8 dB, with a minimum of 1.3 dB and a maximum of 21.6 dB; standard deviation was 5.7 dB, and p < 0.001. Twenty-five (75.8%) patients had air-bone gaps of 10 dB and under; 32 (96.9%) patients had gaps of 20 dB and under; and all patients had gaps of 30 dB and under. CONCLUSION: The Fisch-type titanium stapes piston prosthesis presented outcomes consistent with the literature and can be used safely in stapedotomy procedures.

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) provoca alterações na função respiratória e altera as estruturas musculoesqueléticas da caixa torácica, limitando, cada vez mais, a capacidade de respiração do indivíduo. OBJETIVOS: analisar quantitativamente as radiografias torácicas de indivíduos com DPOC e estabelecer um comparativo entre a prova de função pulmonar, a força muscular respiratória, a mobilidade torácica, a capacidade funcional e os achados dos exames radiográficos. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 15 indivíduos com DPOC, os quais realizaram os exames de espirometria, teste da caminhada de seis minutos, manovacuometria e cirtometria. Os valores obtidos nesses testes foram comparados com medidas efetuadas na radiografia de tórax desses pacientes. Os valores obtidos para cada variável foram normalizados dividindo-se tais valores pela altura retroesternal. RESULTADOS: A variável que apresentou correlação mais significativa com as variáveis de espirometria (CVF e PFE) e de cirtometria (Xifoide CR e Axilar CR) foi o ângulo costofrênico. A variável de imagem ALB DIR correlacionou-se positivamente com a variável PI máx. O nível de rebaixamento diafragmático esquerdo e a distância intercostal direita e esquerda não apresentaram correlação com as variáveis dos exames fisioterápicos. CONCLUSÃO: A variável que apresentou correlação mais significativa com os exames foi o ângulo costofrênico, o que indica que o comprometimento do diafragma impacta nas condições gerais do DPOC. Sendo assim, o estudo apontou que o comprometimento do músculo diafragma observado nos exames de fisioterapia em indivíduos com DPOC correlaciona-se com as variáveis de imagem, que avaliam o diafragma nas imagens radiográficas.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes changes in respiratory function and alters the musculoskeletal structures of the chest, increasingly limiting an individual's ability to breathe. OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively analyze chest radiographs of patients with COPD and establish a comparison among the pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, thoracic mobility, functional capacity and findings of radiographic exams. METHOD: We studied 15 subjects with COPD who performed the spirometry test, the six-minute walk, manovacuometry and micrometry. The values obtained from these tests were compared with measurements made on chest radiographs of these patients. The values obtained for each variable were normalized by dividing them by retrosternal height. RESULTS: The variable that correlated most significantly with the variables of spirometry (FVC and PEF) and cirtometry (Xiphoid CR and Axillary CR) was the costo-phrenic angle. The image variable ALB DIR positively correlated with the variable PI max. The level of left diaphragmatic drawdown, intercostals right and left distances were not correlated with the variables of physiotherapy exams. CONCLUSION: The variable that correlated most significantly with the tests was the costo-phrenic angle, which indicates that the involvement of the diaphragm has impact on the general conditions of COPD. Thus, the study showed that impairment of the diaphragm in patients with COPD observed in tests of physiotherapy correlate with image variables that assess the diaphragm in radiography.