November 2005 News Headlines

These are radiology news updates from other sites

Date this page was last updated: 01/07/2007 03:03:03 PM

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November 30, 2005   A Fast High-Resolution Multislice T1-Weighted Turbo Spin-Echo (TSE) Sequence with a DRIVen Equilibrium (DRIVE) Pulse for Native Arthrographic Contrast - American Journal of Roentgenology Conclusion: Our 2D multislice turbo spin-echo sequence combined with a driven equilibrium pulse provides a bright signal of joint fluid with otherwise unchanged signal intensities as compared with a normal T1-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence at high spatial resolution and short scan times. Thus, it might represent a useful adjunct for routine joint examinations...   Personal Computer versus Workstation Display: Observer Performance in Detection of Wrist Fractures on Digital Radiographs - Radiology To retrospectively compare the accuracy of observer performance with personal computer (PC) compared with that with dedicated picture archiving and communication system (PACS) workstation display in the detection of wrist fractures on computed radiographs...Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there was no difference in accuracy of observer performance for detection of wrist fractures with a PC compared with that with a PACS workstation... November 29, 2005   Correlation between radiological parameters and patient-rated wrist dysfunction following fractures of the distal radius - Injury Our finding that residual articular incongruity correlates with persisting loss of wrist dorsiflexion and wrist dysfunction contradicts the view that loss of articular congruity is associated with late development of articular degeneration but not with early wrist dysfunction. Additionally, this study failed to show any association between the fracture type and the functional outcome as rated by the patients...     November 28, 2005   Radial Meniscal Tears: Significance, Incidence, and MR Appearance - American Journal of Roentgenology Conclusion: A more accurate preoperative diagnosis may be rendered using the four described signs to detect radial tears, thus allowing informative preoperative counseling and consideration of new therapies that are available for radial meniscal repair... November 23, 2005   MRI Findings of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum with Surgical Correlation - American Journal of Roentgenology Conclusion: The MRI findings of unstable and stable osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum are similar to the findings described for osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles and talar dome. Unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesions are surrounded by a rim of high signal intensity or a fluid-filled cyst on T2-weighted images... November 22, 2005   Entrusting patients with their own plain radiographs increases their availability in fracture clinic - Injury Missing radiographs are a common cause of frustration in many fracture clinics. This can lead to unjustified delays and unnecessary radiation exposure. Patients were entrusted with their own radiographs and asked to bring them back to subsequent clinic consultations... November 21, 2005   MR safety and compatibility of a noninvasively expandable total-joint endoprosthesis - Magnetic Resonance Imaging A noninvasively expandable total-joint endoprosthesis is now available for pediatric patients; the prosthesis can be lengthened by external application of a magnetic field. We investigated the risks of unintentional heating or lengthening of the prosthesis during MR imaging and evaluated the effect of the device on the diagnostic efficacy of MR imaging of surrounding tissues...   Multidetector Computed Tomography of Pediatric Lateral Condylar Fractures - Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography Conclusions: Multidetector computed tomography is a highly reproducible means of characterizing pediatric lateral condylar fractures and frequently demonstrates disruption of the epiphyseal and articular cartilage in patients with fracture displacement greater than 2 mm. The findings of MDCT may lead to altered treatment in patients with fracture displacement near the surgical threshold of 2 mm...     November 18, 2005   Reliability and Accuracy of MRI Scanogram in the Evaluation of Limb Length Discrepancy - Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics Radiographic scanogram remains the gold standard for leg length measurement. MRI scanogram is slightly less accurate compared with radiographic scanogram, but it does not use ionizing radiation. MRI scanogram merits clinical study and comparison with the traditional radiographic scanogram method for measurement of limb length... November 17, 2005   Foot pedal-activated injector for contrast-enhanced sonography - Journal of Clinical Ultrasound We assessed the feasibility and convenience of an injector that is electrically activated by a foot pedal for contrast-enhanced sonography. Thirty-seven patients with liver lesions underwent contrast-enhanced sonography using an injector that is activated by a foot pedal. The contrast agent was injected by pressing the foot pedal. All the studies were successfully performed without complications...   Rotator Cuff Tears: Clinical, Radiographic, and US Findings - Radiographics Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain. Clinical and radiographic findings can suggest the presence of a rotator cuff tear. The most sensitive clinical findings are impingement and the "arc of pain" sign. Radiographic findings are usually normal in the acute setting, although the "active abduction" view may show decreased acromiohumeral distance... November 16, 2005   Error optimization of a three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging tagging-based cartilage deformation technique - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Three-dimensional strain fields in articular cartilage subjected to compressive loading can be determined using a recently developed MRI-based cartilage deformation by tag registration technique. The objective of this study was to determine the experimental variables that minimize the technique error, which has not been previously reported...   Burst fracture of the spine involving vertebrae presenting no other lesions The role of vertebroplasty - Clinical Imaging We report our experience on percutaneous vertebroplasty performed on five patients who presented with history of trauma to the spine and secondary burst fracture, but with stable fractures, and on whom the medical and orthopedical therapies had been unsuccessful in the relief of the intractable pain and in the treatment of their functional status...   November 15, 2005   Normal Sonographic Anatomy of the Wrist and Hand - Radiographics The advent of ultra-high-frequency sonographic transducers has significantly enhanced our ability to image superficial structures. As a result, sonography now can be used to assess injuries of the tendons in the wrist and hand. A clear understanding of normal sonographic anatomy is required to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure optimal patient care...   The relationship between limited MRI section analyses and volumetric assessment of synovitis in knee osteoarthritis - Clinical Radiology To assess whether simple, limited section analysis can replace detailed volumetric assessment of synovitis in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)...Conclusion: The results suggest that a three-section analysis on axial post-gadolinium sequences provides a simple surrogate measure of synovial volume in OA knees...     November 14, 2005   Texture analysis for tissue discrimination on T1-weighted MR images of the knee joint in a multicenter study: Transferability of texture features and comparison of feature selection methods and classifiers - Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Wiley) To investigate the reproducibility and transferability of texture features between MR centers, and to compare two feature selection methods and two classifiers...Conclusion: The differences in texture features extracted from MR images from different centers seem to have only a small impact on the results of tissue discrimination... November 11, 2005   Modifications of orientational dependence of microscopic magnetic resonance imaging T2 anisotropy in compressed articular cartilage - Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Wiley) Conclusion: Distinct alternations in the orientational dependence of MRI T2 anisotropy reflect the organizational modification of the collagen matrix due to external loading. This approach could become useful in detecting changes in cartilage's macromolecular structure due to injury or diseases...   Interobserver Reliability of a CT-Based Fracture Classification System - Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma Conclusions: The results indicate that in a carefully controlled paradigm, the interobserver reliability with a classification system based on interpretation of a single, carefully defined CT image was no better than the results reported for the same classification system used with full CT data or for other classification systems used for various fractures in the skeleton... November 10, 2005   Musculoskeletal Imaging with Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging: When is Computed Tomography the Study of Choice? - Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology Indications for computed tomography (CT) of the musculoskeletal system, especially with the advent of 16-slice multidetector CT (MDCT), are numerous. In addition to the evaluation of the trauma patient where CT is essential when imaging complex skeletal injuries, MDCT is particularly useful in patients who have had prior surgery... November 09, 2005   Painful Stress Fractures of the Fabella in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty - American Journal of Roentgenology Conclusion: Stress fractures involving the fabella can be a clinically important entity in the patient with persistent or new knee pain after total knee arthroplasty. Scrutiny of radiographs, when coupled with clinical information, allows correct diagnosis of this potentially debilitating injury in symptomatic postoperative patients...   Latissimus Dorsi Tendinosis and Tear: Imaging Features of a Pseudotumor of the Upper Limb in Five Patients - American Journal of Roentgenology The objective of our study was to determine the imaging appearances of a pseudotumor of the upper limb, latissimus dorsi tendinosis and tear, in five patients and to correlate those imaging findings with clinical history and histopathology...Conclusion: Tears or reactive tendinosis of the latissimus dorsi tendon at its insertion on the proximal humerus may present as a pseudotumor. Awareness of the imaging findings may allow accurate diagnosis and conservative management...   Stress Fractures and Related Disorders in Foot and Ankle: Plain Films, Scintigraphy, CT, and MR Imaging - Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology The accurate diagnosis of stress-induced changes in the foot and ankle requires careful and detailed clinical history and examination. This is of paramount importance in ensuring the correct imaging interpretation and for excluding other differential diagnoses...   Radiofrequency ablation in bone neoplasia - Current Opinion in Orthopedics Summary: Radiofrequency ablation has drastically changed the way we treat osteoid osteoma by significantly decreasing the morbidity associated with surgical resection. In recent years, its use has expanded into the treatment of cancer metastatic to bone, as well as other benign bone lesions...     November 08, 2005   Increased FDG Uptake by Bone Marrow in Major Beta-Thalassemia - Clinical Nuclear Medicine A 26-year-old man with a history of major beta-thalassemia was referred to our center for suspicion of femoral bone sepsis. He was treated 12 years ago for femoral bone sepsis that occurred after epiphysis trauma and was scheduled for further surgery. He underwent both F-18 FDG coincidence detection-emission tomography (CDET) and Tc-99m HDP bone scintigraphy in our department...   The Predictive Value of Diagnostic Sonography for the Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment of Tennis Elbow - American Journal of Roentgenology Conclusion: No predictive value of sonography for the detection of abnormalities was identified in this study. Its diagnostic capability showed limited value. However, limitations in this study necessitate drawing definitive conclusions with care...   The use and diagnostic yield of radiology in subjects with longstanding musculoskeletal pain - an eight year follow up - BMC Medical Imaging Conclusions: Radiological examinations had a low diagnostic yield in evaluation of pain in subjects with longstanding/reoccurring CWP. These subjects had on the other hand more often positive findings when examined on other indications than pain. This may indicate that subjects with longstanding/reoccurring CWP are more prone to other diseases...   Ultrasound of the Ankle: Anatomy of the Tendons, Bursae, and Ligaments - Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology Ankle tendon and ligament disorders are commonly encountered in everyday orthopedic practice. Whereas tendons can be affected by traumatic, degenerative, and inflammatory conditions, ligaments are mostly involved by tears. Ultrasonography (US) has been accepted worldwide as an efficient, ready, dynamic, and noninvasive tool in assessing ankle tendons and ligaments... November 07, 2005   The value of contrast and subtraction arthrography in the assessment of aseptic loosening of total hip prostheses: A meta-analysis - European Journal of Radiology Conclusion: Using the present data we found that the subtraction arthrography is a sensitive technique for detection of loosening of total hip prostheses, offering added value over contrast arthrography, especially for evaluation of the femoral component...     Benign and Malignant Processes: Normal Values and Differentiation with Chemical Shift MR Imaging in Vertebral Marrow - Radiology Conclusion: Bone marrow in the vertebral bodies displays somewhat variable behavior at chemical shift MR imaging. Results suggest that a decrease in signal intensity greater than 20% on out-of-phase images compared with in-phase images should be used as a cutoff threshold for normalcy to allow distinction between benign and malignant causes of vertebral marrow abnormalities...   Diffusion-weighted MR study of femoral head avascular necrosis in severe acute respiratory syndrome patients - Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Wiley) To evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN) in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)...Conclusion: DWI can provide valuable information regarding the diffusion properties of femoral head AVN, and markedly increased diffusion was identified in AVN... November 04, 2005   Initial Radiographic Evaluation of the Spine After Trauma: When, What, Where, and How to Image the Acutely Traumatized Spine - Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma Conclusions: Surgeons agreed that the mainstay of initial radiographic evaluation of the spine after acute trauma remains plain radiographs. CT scanning remains the best mode of delineating the bony details of a spinal injury and should be used to characterize all bony injuries identified on plain radiographs...   What the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon Wants to Know from MR Imaging - Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology The study of musculoskeletal disease of the foot and ankle has been revitalized with the advent of cross-sectional imaging modalities. MR imaging provides unsurpassed, high soft tissue contrast resolution and multiplanar capabilities...     November 03, 2005   MRI diagnosis of occult ganglion compression of the posterior interosseous nerve and associated supinator muscle pathology - Clinical Imaging Occult interosseous ganglions in the proximal forearm can result in pain and decreased supination. We will describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of an interesting case of supinator atrophy secondary to compression of the posterior interosseous branch of the radial nerve. A brief review of this entity follows... November 02, 2005   Fatty Atrophy of Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus Muscles: Accuracy of US - Radiology To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) in depicting fatty atrophy of the supraspinatus (SSP) and infraspinatus (ISP) muscles, with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as the reference standard...Conclusion: US is moderately accurate in the diagnosis of substantial fatty atrophy of the SSP or ISP muscle...   Implications of pulse sequence in structural imaging of trabecular bone - Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Wiley) To investigate the SNR and image properties of 3D steady-state free precession (SSFP), fast large-angle spin echo (FLASE), gradient-recalled acquisition in steady state (GRASS), and spoiled GRASS (SPGR) for structural imaging of trabecular bone (TB)...Conclusion: FLASE had the highest SNR and was insensitive to susceptibility dephasing. Although SSFP has superior SNR compared to GRASS, off-resonance effects and duty cycle limitations may compromise its practicality in this application...   Differential Diagnosis of Pedal Osteomyelitis and Diabetic Neuroarthropathy: MR Imaging - Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology Almost all diabetic foot infections originate from a foot ulcer. Decreased pain perception and structural deformities such as previous partial foot amputation, Charcot joints, and toe deformity in combination with chronic ischemia lead to a propensity for skin breakdown and subsequent infection... November 01, 2005   Acute Low Back Pain and Radiculopathy: MR Imaging Findings and Their Prognostic Role and Effect on Outcome - Radiology Conclusion: In typical patients with LBP or radiculopathy, MR imaging does not appear to have measurable value in terms of planning conservative care. Patient knowledge of imaging findings does not alter outcome and is associated with a lesser sense of well-being...   Soft Tissue Masses in the Foot and Ankle: Characteristics on MR Imaging - Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology Benign neoplasms and tumor-like lesions constitute the majority of soft tissue masses in the foot and ankle. Therefore, malignant tumors are often unsuspected at this site and misdiagnosed clinically, especially if occurring in young individuals with unspecific or long-standing clinical symptoms. In addition to radiography, MR imaging represents the method of choice in evaluation of foot tumors...