Can Lumbopelvic Parameters Be Used to Predict Thoracic Kyphosis at all Ages? A National Cross-Sectional Study

STUDY DESIGN

National cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

Thoracic kyphosis (TK) is related to sagittal parameters as pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis (LL) and pelvic incidence (PI). The equation TK = 2 (PT+LL-PI) was validated for adolescents. The purpose of this study was to investigate if this equation correctly predicts TK regardless of age.

METHODS

Sagittal alignment parameters were assessed on full spine radiographs of 2599 individuals without spine pathology (1488 females, 1111 males). Calculated TK (CTK) = 2 (PT+LL-PI) and measured TK (MTK) were compared by calculating the gap and using a linear regression between both parameters. Subgroup analyses were performed for gender, age, TK groups (≤20°, 21°-40°, 41°-60°, >60°), and PI groups (<45°, 45°-60°, >60°).

RESULTS

Average values in the total population were: MTK 45.0°, CTK 36.9°. Average TK gap was 8.1°, 5.2° in females (intercept 11.7, slope .61) and 11.9° in males (intercept 7.1, slope .58). The mean gap was 3.6° for 15-34 years, 5.7° under 15 years and it increased progressively after 35 years with a maximum of 19.9° over 80 years. The gap also increased with the amount of MTK: -3.5° for TK<20° up to 17.3° for TK >60°. Differences in gaps were minor between PI groups. The intercept was smallest and slopes >.6 for PI <45° and TK ≤20°.

CONCLUSION

The formula TK=2 (PT+LL-PI) yielded moderate accuracy for adolescents and young adults, but did not fit for over 35 years and under 15. The amount and variance in TK increased in elderly subjects, which made the formula less accurate.

Do Age-Related Variations Of Sagittal Alignment Rely On SpinoPelvic Organization? An Observational Study Of 1540 Subjects

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive radiographic analysis of a prospective multi-center database.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide normative values of spinopelvic parameters and their correlations according to age and pelvic incidence (PI) of subjects without spinal deformity.

METHODS

After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, 1540 full spine radiographs were analyzed. Subjects were divided into 3 groups of PI: low PI < 45°, intermediate PI 45-60°, high PI > 60°, and then stratified by age (20-34, 35-49, 50-64, > 65 Y.O). Pelvic and spinal parameters were measured. Statistical analysis between parameters was performed using Bayesian inference and correlation.

RESULTS

Mean age was 53.5 years (845 females, 695 males, range 20-93 years).In low PI group, lumbar lordosis (LL) decrease was mainly observed in the 2 younger age groups.In medium and high PI groups, loss of lordosis was linear during aging and occurred mainly on the distal arch of lordosis. Moderate PI group had a stable lordosis apex and thoracolumbar inflection point. High PI group had a stable thoracolumbar inflection point and a more distal lordosis apex in elderly subjects.For all subjects, kyphosis and pelvic tilt (PT) increased with age.There was a constant chain of correlation between PI and age groups. Proximal lumbar lordosis (PLL) was correlated with kyphosis and sagittal vertical axis (SVA C7), while the distal lumbar lordosis (DLL) was correlated with PI and PT.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a detailed repository of sagittal spinopelvic parameters normative values with detailed analysis of segmental kyphosis and lordosis distribution according to gender, age, and PI.

Variation of Global Sagittal Alignment Parameters According to Gender, Pelvic Incidence, and Age

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to describe existing global sagittal alignment parameters across ages and to analyze differences according to gender and pelvic incidence (PI).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Variability with age has been reported. It remains unclear how gender and spinopelvic morphology could additionally influence global alignment parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radiographs of 2599 individuals (5-93 y) were analyzed. Translation parameters were: Sagittal Vertical Axis (SVA)-C7, SVA-C2, SVA-Center Acoustic Meatus (CAM), C7/Sacrofemoral Distance (SFD) ratio. Inclination parameters were: C7-Vertical Tilt (VT), T1-VT and T9-VT, Odontoid-Hip Axis (OD-HA), OD-CAM. Pelvic compensation parameters were: T1-Pelvic Angle (TPA), Global Tilt (GT), Spino-Sacral Angle (SSA). Global sagittal alignment (GSA) was considered among formulae. The distribution of parameters was analyzed using a Bayesian inference. Correlations with spinopelvic parameters were investigated.

RESULTS

SVA-C7, SVA-C2, SVA-CAM were larger in males and high PI, and increased significantly after 50 years (Pr>0.9999). C7/SFD decreased during growth and was larger in low PI (Pr=0.951). There was no correlation with spinopelvic parameters. Age-related variations of inclination parameters were nonsignificant. T1-VT and T9-VT increased with PI and were significantly larger in high PI (Pr>0.95). C7-VT was significantly larger in low PI (Pr>0.9999). OD-HA and OD-CAM were constant and increased after 80 years. TPA and GT increased with PI (Pr>0.9999) and age after 35 years (Pr>0.9999). SSA decreased nonsignificantly after 50 years. TPA correlated with PI (ρ=0.6130) and pelvic tilt (PT) (ρ=0.8375). GT correlated with PI (ρ=0.5961) and PT (ρ=0.8996). SSA correlated with sacral slope (ρ=0.9026). GSA was larger in high PI (Pr>0.9999) and increased after 35 years (Pr>0.9999). GSA correlated with PT (ρ=0.7732).

CONCLUSION

Translation parameters increase with age, more prominently in males and high PI. Variations of inclination parameters are smaller. Pelvic compensation parameters and GSA increase with age and are closely related to PT and spinopelvic morphology.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Variation of cervical sagittal alignment parameters according to gender, pelvic incidence and age

PURPOSE

The aim was to describe radiographic cervical sagittal alignment variations according to age, gender and pelvic incidence (PI) and to investigate relationships with thoracic alignment.

METHODS

A total of 2599 individuals (5-93 years) without spinal deformity were studied. Cranial cervical parameters were: McGregor slope, occipita-C2 angle, McGregor-C2 lordosis and C1-C2 lordosis. Caudal cervical parameters were: C2-C7, cranial arch and caudal arch lordosis and C7- and T1-slope. A Bayesian inference compared parameter distributions. Correlations with spinopelvic and global alignment parameters were investigated.

RESULTS

Among cranial cervical parameters, variations of McGregor slope were non-significant. McGregor-C2 lordosis and C1-C2 lordosis were smaller in males and increased significantly during growth, whereas the occipito-C2 angle decreased (Pr > 0.95). The occipito-C2 angle was larger and McGregor-C2 lordosis was smaller in low PI (Pr > 0.95). Among caudal cervical parameters, C2-C7 lordosis and C7- and T1-slope were larger in males and increased after 50 years (Pr > 0.95). Lordosis changes were non-significant in the cranial arch, whereas values increased in the caudal arch after 35 years (Pr > 0.95). Caudal parameter differences were non-significant between PI groups. Strong correlations existed between C2-C7, caudal arch lordosis, C7-slope, T1-slope and thoracic kyphosis. The sagittal vertical axis C2 correlated with caudal arch lordosis and T1-slope (ρ > 0.5; Pr > 0.95).

CONCLUSION

Cervical alignment parameters vary according to age, gender and PI. In the cranial cervical spine, changes occur mainly during growth. In the caudal cervical spine, lordosis increases in the caudal arch, which is related to thoracic kyphosis increase with age. The caudal cervical arch acts as a compensatory segment by progressive extension, allowing horizontal gaze.

Compared outcomes 16 and 25 years after lateral wedge augmentation trochleoplasty: Rate of recurrent dislocation and progression to osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Lateral wedge augmentation trochleoplasty (LWAT) was the earliest described trochleoplasty technique but was gradually replaced by other methods for the treatment of patello-femoral instability with trochlear dysplasia. Data on the outcomes of this procedure in adults are limited. We therefore performed a retrospective study in patients managed by LWAT to assess (1) clinical (recurrent instability and functional scores), (2) and radiological (patello-femoral osteoarthritis) outcomes.

HYPOTHESIS

LWAT is associated with a low long-term rate of recurrent patello-femoral dislocation and with no risk of progression to severe patello-femoral osteoarthritis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 1988 and 1995, LWAT was performed on 66 knees in 58 patients to treat patello-femoral instability with trochlear dysplasia. Among them, 17 knees in 13 patients were re-evaluated 16 then 25 years after surgery and were included in the study. At both time points, the following were recorded: stability, pain, the Lille patello-femoral function score, and changes in radiographic and computed tomography findings. In addition to LWAT, Insall's realignment vastus medialis advancement was performed in 4 cases, sartorius muscle transposition in 9 cases, and anterior tibial tubercle osteotomy in 10 cases.

RESULTS

No episodes of patello-femoral dislocation were recorded during the 25-year follow-up. The mean Lille patello-femoral function score (0 worst to 100 highest) was 90±15 (range, 48-99) after 16 years and 86±23 (range, 33-94) after 25 years. After 16 years, 8/17 knees had evidence of patello-femoral osteoarthritis, which was Iwano stage 1 in 7 cases and Iwano stage 2 in 1 case. Patello-femoral osteoarthritis was noted in 12 of 13 knees after 25 years but was mild (Iwano stage 1 or 2) in 8 cases. After 25 years, arthroplasty had been performed for 4 of the 17 knees, with 2 cases each of patello-femoral arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

LWAT is a reliable procedure that provides sustained protection against patello-femoral dislocation and good functional scores when used to treat patello-femoral instability due to trochlear dysplasia. Our results do not support claims that LWAT may be associated with high rates of severe osteoarthritis even after more than 20 years.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective observational study with no control group.

Ultrasound of the shoulder

Ultrasound has been widely used for the evaluation of the shoulder, mainly for rotator cuff pathology. Developments in technology, as well as better knowledge of the pathology and the anatomy make this examination one of the most useful in the exploration of the shoulder, especially in the hands of the experienced radiologist. Ultrasound is low-cost, readily available and should be considered with plain films as the first step examination of the shoulder. Ultrasound is not only useful for the evaluation of the rotator cuff pathology and impingement syndrome, but is also performing in the evaluation of non rotator cuff pathology such as biceps tendon pathology, shoulder instability, mass evaluation, infection, degenerative and inflammatory arthropathies and nerve entrapment syndromes. Making a complete evaluation of the shoulder helps to differentiate between rotator cuff pathology and others that can mimic rotator cuff disorders. This article will review shoulder anatomy and examination technique and the different pathologies that can be assessed by ultrasound.

[Traumatic luxation of the posterior tibialis tendon]

Anterior dislocation of the tibialis posterior tendon is a traumatic lesion, which is rarely suspected following ankle trauma. It seems to be promoted by hypoplasia of the retromalleolar sulcus. Surgical treatment is easy and reportedly gives excellent results, but the diagnosis is difficult and absence of diagnosis may result in functional instability of the foot requiring more invasive surgical treatment.

Foraminal herniation of a thoracic calcified nucleus pulposus

A case of T10-T11 level calcified disk herniation of foraminal location is reported. Radicular pain was not precisely stated at the onset of complaints. Diagnosis was evoked by plain films and established by CT.

Diagnostic accuracy of new imaging techniques in breast diseases

During the last decade, the hypothetical carcinogenic effects of mammography have lead to new technical developments in X-ray diagnosis and to the use of other imaging techniques such as ultrasonography (US), transillumination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Many preliminary studies were published but few clinical trials are really convincing. According to the definition of a diagnostic tool, none of these new modalities is supposed to supplant mammography in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Improvements are expected by digital mammography in the near future.