We wanted to assess the width of the common bile duct (CBD) in an asymptomatic elderly (> 75 years) population, since no previous report has particularly considered the important age-related increase in CBD diameter for this patient group. CBD width of 92 asymptomatic people over 75 years of age (mean 84.7 years, range 75-96 years) without clinical or laboratory evidence for biliary, hepatocellular or pancreatic disease was measured by real-time high-resolution ultrasound of the upper abdomen. All examinations were performed by one experienced radiologist. Mean values were calculated for three groups: patients with and without cholecystolithiasis and after cholecystectomy. Statistical analysis was carried out by analysis of variance. Considering the measurements of all patients, the mean width (+/- SD) of the CBD was calculated as 6.5 +/- 2.5 mm. The difference between patients without cholecystolithiasis (6.2 +/- 2.3 mm) and patients after cholecystectomy (8.7 +/- 2.9 mm) was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Cholecystolithiasis (6.0 +/- 1.6 mm) proves not to be an additional factor for CBD widening in comparison with patients without stone disease. The CBD of these very elderly subjects shows a considerable increase in comparison with the recommended borderline values in the ultrasound literature. An upper limit of 10 mm seems reasonable for patients with and without cholecystolithiasis. A significant increase in CBD width after cholecystectomy was found and measurements up to 14 mm may occur. Measurements have to be correlated with clinical and laboratory findings.
Background:
Weightlifting is a practice that exerts a high degree of pressure on the skeleton when supporting large loads of weight. The practice of exercise contributes by improving bone mineral density (BMD) and can prevent problems associated with low BMD.
Objective:
The objective of the present study was to determine BMD and measure bone turnover using blood markers in weightlifting athletes in response to exercise.
Methods:
The study included 16 athletes and 16 controls of both sexes in the range of 18 to 22 years old. BMD was determined at the femoral neck, hip, lumbar spine, and Total Mineral Density (TMD). The value of the total mineral density (TMDV) was obtained from the sum of the BMD of the evaluated regions. Bone formation and resorption in blood were evaluated by Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Acid Phosphatase (ACP), respectively. In addition, the concentration of urea and Creatine Kinase (CK) were determined.
Results:
The mean BMD of the lumbar spine and TMDV was of 1.2 g/cm2 in female and male athletes. In young people who did not practice weightlifting, BMD in the lumbar spine (0.9 g/cm2 in both groups) and TMDV (1.05 g/cm2 in women and 1.11 g/cm2 in men) were significantly lower (p <0.05). The activity in bone formation and CK in male athletes was twice as high compared to the other groups. The blood urea concentration in athletes (32.7- 38.0 mg/dL) was significantly higher (p <0.05) compared to the control groups (19.3-18.8 mg/dL).
Conclusion:
The practice of weightlifting benefits bone mass gain in the lumbar spine. These findings suggest that exercises in which high weight loads are supported promote bone turnover and mineralization to prevent bone weakening.
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