[Impingement syndrome of the ankle]

Impingement syndrome of the ankle is a clinical diagnosis caused posttraumatically by overuse due to repetitive mechanical loading or the presence of predisposing anatomical variants. Ankle impingement syndrome is characterized by chronic pain and limited range of movement caused by mechanical compression of bony or soft tissues within the joint compartments. Ankle impingement syndrome is classified according to the various anatomical locations around the tibiotalar joint as anterior, anterolateral, anteromedial, posterior or posteromedial. Various imaging modalities are helpful in confirming the clinical diagnosis of ankle impingement. Radiography and computed tomography are used to identify bony abnormalities and intra-articular loose bodies. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice to demonstrate pathological soft tissue changes, bone marrow edema and osteochondral lesions. Dynamic sonography can identify the anatomical structures leading to impingement during movement.

EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in the diagnosis and management of spondyloarthritis in clinical practice

A taskforce comprised of an expert group of 21 rheumatologists, radiologists and methodologists from 11 countries developed evidence-based recommendations on the use of imaging in the clinical management of both axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA). Twelve key questions on the role of imaging in SpA were generated using a process of discussion and consensus. Imaging modalities included conventional radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography, single photon emission CT, dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry and scintigraphy. Experts applied research evidence obtained from systematic literature reviews using MEDLINE and EMBASE to develop a set of 10 recommendations. The strength of recommendations (SOR) was assessed by taskforce members using a visual analogue scale. A total of 7550 references were identified in the search process, from which 158 studies were included in the systematic review. Ten recommendations were produced using research-based evidence and expert opinion encompassing the role of imaging in making a diagnosis of axial SpA or peripheral SpA, monitoring inflammation and damage, predicting outcome, response to treatment, and detecting spinal fractures and osteoporosis. The SOR for each recommendation was generally very high (range 8.9–9.5). These are the first recommendations which encompass the entire spectrum of SpA and evaluate the full role of all commonly used imaging modalities. We aimed to produce recommendations that are practical and valuable in daily practice for rheumatologists, radiologists and general practitioners.

The intraoperative use of ultrasound facilitates significantly the arthroscopic debridement of calcific rotator cuff tendinitis

INTRODUCTION

During arthroscopy, the localization of calcific deposit in patients suffering from calcifying tendinitis can be demanding and time consuming, frequently using ionizing radiation. Intraoperative ultrasound has been recently promoted, facilitating deposit localization and reducing radiation dose.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, controlled and clinical observer-blinded pilot trial, 20 patients with calcific tendinitis were operated. In group I, the deposit was localized conventionally. In group II, the deposit was localized using intraoperative ultrasound. The needle punctures to detect the deposit and operation times were noted. Patients were postoperatively evaluated after 2 and 6 weeks and 9 months.

RESULTS

In group II, the needle punctures to detect the deposit were significantly lower than in group I (p < 0.0001). Operation time to localize the deposit was also significantly less in group II (p < 0.033). In both groups, patients improved significantly with increased shoulder function (p < 0.0001) and decreased pain (p < 0.0001) 2 weeks and 9 months (p < 0.001) after surgery. The difference between the groups was not significant. Excellent radiological findings were obtained in both groups after 9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative US significantly facilitates the detection of calcific deposits during arthroscopic debridement by speeding up surgery and reducing the number of needle punctures. Hence, we have changed our method of detecting calcific deposits intraoperatively from fluoroscopy to ultrasound.

[Sacroiliitis or pseudosacroiliitis?]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

When the presence of seronegative spondyloarthropathy is unrecognized there can be a delay in achieving an accurate diagnosis, as the typical inflammatory low back pain is similar to that found in degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine and the sacroiliac joints. Thus, seronegative spondyloarthropathy is often misinterpreted as a degenerative disease. The initial radiography of the sacroiliac joints is often normal which results in a delay in diagnosis of sacroiliitis of approximately 3-7 years.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

This illustrates the significance of an adequate imaging method for the early detection of sacroliliitis.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

Contrast medium administration for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables a differentiation between synovitis, capsulitis, enthesitis and effusion.

PERFORMANCE

Sensitivity and specificity for detection of active inflammation by MRI is about 83-85%. Early active inflammation can be detected by MRI 3-7 years before structural changes are obvious by x-ray examination.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Pseudosacroiliitis can be differentiated from inflammatory sacroiliitis by the patient history, laboratory data, osteoproliferative and osteodestructive changes and the typical distribution pattern of bone marrow edema.

[Radiological imaging in early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The role of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

For optimal therapy management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) specific and sensitive diagnostic methods are essential for assessment of disease activity.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

In addition to projection radiography, imaging techniques, in particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) are becoming increasingly more important for the early diagnosis of RA.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The MRI and US techniques play a key role in the early imaging diagnostics of RA. Measurement of inflammation activity represents the basis of therapeutic decision-making and can be quantitatively and qualitatively determined with MRI and US. Synovitis and bone marrow edema are predictors of erosion.

[Coxarthrosis - a radiological approach and guidelines]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

Coxarthrosis is one of the most frequent indications in radiological practice with a prevalence as high as 8%.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

Radiography, sonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

Magnetic resonance arthrography for detection of early stages of labral and chondral pathologies as well as detection of osteonecrosis at an early stage.

PERFORMANCE

Czerny C, Hofmann S, Neuhold A et al. (1996) Lesions of the acetabular labrum: accuracy of MR imaging and MR arthrography in detection and staging. Radiology 200(1):225-230. Czerny C, Oschatz E, Neuhold A et al. (2002) [MR arthrography of the hip joint]. Radiologe 42(6):451-456. Kramer J, Breitenseher M, Imhof H et al. (2000) [Diagnostic imaging in femur head necrosis]. Orthopade 29(5):380-388.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Is already established in clinical practice.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Each modality has relevant indications.

Intra-operative ultrasound facilitates the localization of the calcific deposit during arthroscopic treatment of calcifying tendinitis

PURPOSE

Calcifying tendinitis is a common condition of the shoulder. In many cases, arthroscopic reduction in the deposit is indicated. The localization of the deposit is sometimes challenging and time-consuming. Pre-operative ultrasound (US)-guided needle placement in the deposit and pre-operative US marking of the deposit at the skin with a ballpoint are described and recommended methods to alleviate the procedure without using ionizing radiation by fluoroscopy.

METHODS

Intra-operative sonography of the shoulder is introduced as a new method to localize the calcific deposit with high accuracy. After standard arthroscopic buresectomy, the surgeon performs an ultrasound examination under sterile conditions to localize the deposits. A ventral longitudinal US section is recommended, and the upper arm is rotated until the deposit is visible. Subsequently, perpendicular to the skin at the position of the transducer, a needle is introduced under arthroscopic and ultrasound visualization to puncture the deposit.

RESULTS

The presence of snow-white crystals at the tip of the needle proves the exact localization. Consecutively, the curettage can be accomplished. Another intra-operative sonography evaluates possible calcific remnants and the tendon structure.

CONCLUSION

This new technique may alleviate arthroscopic calcific deposit curettage by visualizing the deposit without using ionizing radiation. Additionally, soft tissue damage due to decreased number of punctures to detect the deposit may be achieved. Both factors may contribute to reduced operation time.

[Tips, tricks and pitfalls in the diagnostic imaging of traumatic spinal cord injuries]

Over the last several decades the survival rate for acute spinal cord lesions has improved, which has resulted in an increased number of chronic spinal cord injuries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an essential role in imaging of the spinal cord, as it allows a detailed depiction of neural structures. However, the correct radiologic diagnosis is often complicated by the multitude of differential diagnoses. This article provides tips and tricks to achieve an accurate imaging report and details potential pitfalls in the interpretation of MR images. Acute spinal cord injuries show different characteristics which range from edema to intramedullary bleeding and to transsection. The spectrum of chronic spinal cord injuries encompasses myelomalacia, syrinx, cystic myelopathia and myeloatrophy. In addition to typical morphological features this article concentrates on the pathogenesis of injury patterns, on the use of appropriate contrast-enhanced MR sequences and on new MR techniques for the differentiation of individual pathologies.

Can quantitative diffusion-weighted MR imaging differentiate benign and malignant cold thyroid nodules? Initial results in 25 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The characterization of cold nodules of the thyroid gland is mandatory because approximately 20% of these nodules are of malignant origin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distinction of cold thyroid nodules by using quantitative diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 25 patients with cold nodules on scintigraphy and suggestive findings at fine-needle aspiration, thyroid carcinoma was suggested. In these patients, cold nodules and the normal parenchyma of the contralateral thyroid lobe were prospectively investigated with quantitative DWI (echo-planar imaging sequence; maximum b-value, 800 s/mm(2)) before surgery. The differences in the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in benign and malignant nodules were tested by using a Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Histologically, there were 20 carcinomas with a minimum size of 8 mm and 5 adenomas. The mean ADC values (in 10(-3) mm(2)/s) differed significantly among carcinoma, adenoma, and normal parenchyma (P < .05). The ranges (95% confidence interval) of the ADC values for carcinoma (2.43-3.037), adenoma (1.626-2.233), and normal parenchyma (1.253-1.602) showed no overlap. When an ADC value of 2.25 or higher was used for predicting malignancy, the highest accuracy of 88%, with 85% sensitivity and 100% specificity, was obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative DWI seems to be a feasible tool with which to differentiate thyroid carcinomas from adenomas; however, further studies are required including larger numbers of patients to confirm our results.

Accuracy of ultrasound-guided, large-core needle breast biopsy

Ultrasound-guided, large-core needle biopsy (US-LCNB) of suspicious breast lesions is acknowledged as less invasive and less expensive and less time consuming than surgical biopsy, and provides a histologic diagnosis with a comparable high degree. US-LCNB has been proven to help reduce the number of unnecessary surgeries for benign disease. Its limitations, however, are false-negative results and underestimation of disease. Thus, the demand for breast teams is to carefully adhere to the principles of triple assessment and imaging-histologic correlation, and follow-up of lesions with a specific benign histology after biopsy. Also, the acceptance of guidelines and rigorous quality controls help to reliably minimize the delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer in patients with false-negative biopsies. This paper aims to summarize the equipment and methods as well as the benefits and limitations of US-LCNB. Also, guidelines of quality assessment are suggested. Finally, recent developments which may help to overcome the limitations of US-LCNB will be discussed, i.e., directional vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB), three-dimensional (3D) US-guided biopsy, as well as the use of tissue harmonic imaging (THI) and compound imaging (CI) during biopsy.

The development of a preliminary ultrasonographic scoring system for features of hand osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES

Painful osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand is common and a validated ultrasound (US) scoring system would be valuable for epidemiological and therapeutic outcome studies. US is increasingly used to assess peripheral joints, though most of the US focus in rheumatic diseases has been on rheumatoid arthritis. We aimed to develop a preliminary US hand OA scoring system, initially focusing on relevant pathological features with potentially high reliability.

METHODS

A group of experts in the fields of OA, US and novel tool development agreed on domains and suggested scaling of the items to be used in US hand OA scoring systems. A multi-observer reliability exercise was then performed to evaluate the draft items.

RESULTS

Synovitis (grey scale and Power Doppler) and osteophytes (representing activity and damage domains) were included and evaluated as the initial components of the scoring system. All three features were evaluated for their presence/absence and if present were scored using a 1-3 scale. The reliability exercise demonstrated intra-reader kappa values of 0.444-1.0, 0.211-1.0 and 0.087-1.0 for grey scale synovitis, power Doppler and osteophytes respectively. Inter-reader reliability kappa values were 0.398, 0.327 and 0.530 grey-scale synovitis, power Doppler and osteophytes respectively. Without extensive standardisation, both intra- and inter-reader reliability were moderately good.

CONCLUSIONS

The draft scoring system demonstrated substantive to almost perfect percentage exact agreement on the presence/absence of the selected OA features and moderate to substantive percentage exact agreement on semi-quantitative grading. This preliminary process provides a good basis from which to further develop an US outcome tool for hand OA that has the potential to be utilised in multicentre clinical trials.

Does marathon running cause acute lesions of the knee? Evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging

An investigation was conducted into whether running a marathon causes acute alterations in menisci, cartilage, bone marrow, ligaments, or joint effusions, which could be evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-two non-professional marathon runners underwent MRI of the knee before and immediately after running a marathon. Lesions of menisci and cartilage (five-point scale), bone marrow, ligaments (three-point scale), joint effusion, and additional findings were evaluated and a total score was assessed. Before the marathon, grade 1 lesions of the menisci were found in eight runners, and grade 2 lesions in five runners. After the marathon, an upgrading from a meniscal lesion grade 1 to grade 2 was observed in one runner. Before the marathon, grade 1 cartilage lesions were found in three runners, and grade 2 lesions in one runner, all of which remained unchanged after the marathon. Before and after the marathon, unchanged bone marrow edema was present in three runners and unchanged anterior cruciate ligament lesions (grade 1) were seen in two runners. Joint effusions were present in 13 runners in the pre-run scans, slightly increased in four runners after the marathon, and newly occurred in one runner after the marathon. A total score comprising all knee lesions in each runner showed an increase after the marathon in two runners, whereas no runner showed an improvement of the radiological findings (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P>0.05). The evaluation of lesions of the knee with MRI shows that marathon running does not cause severe, acute lesions of cartilage, ligaments, or bone marrow of the knee in well-trained runners. Only subtle changes, such as joint effusions or increased intrameniscal signal alterations, were imaged after running a marathon.