Diaphyseal Osteomyelitis of the Long Bone: Evaluation of Radiograph and MRI

PURPOSE: To describe the radiographic and MR characteristics of subacute diaphyseal osteomyelitis of the long bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed plain radiographs and MR images in nine children and two young adults with surgically-proven diaphyseal osteomyelitis of the long bones. MR imaging was carried out before and after Gd-DPTA administration. Patients charts were reviewed for clinical and laboratory data and histologic correlation was available in all cases. RESULTS: All patients had a history of a minimum of 2 weeks' duration. All presented with an insidious onset of mild pain; they showed apyrexia and normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In all patients, plain radiographs showed single or multiple linear periosteal reaction with cortical irregularity. Medullary abnormality was not found except in one case which showed an abscess cavity. MR images revealed thickening or irregularity of the cortex, periosteal reaction, bone marrow signal alteration, and perilesional edema. CONCLUSION: Subacute diaphyseal osteomyelitis of the long bone is broadly based on the cortex, and elicits more sclerosis and periosteal reaction. Familarity with plain radiographs and MR features may be useful in the diagnosis of subacute diaphyseal osteomyelitis.

Utility of Bone SPECT in Temporomandibular Joint Pain / 대한핵의학회잡지

Temporomandibular (TM) joint pain results from many etiologic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of Bone SPECT in patients with TM joint pain. The subjects were 34 patients with TM joint pain. All patients underwent plain radiography, planar bone scan, and Bone SPECT. The intensity of radioisotope uptake at TM joint was graded into three; no increased uptake above three background activity as grade 0, uptake similar to occipital bone as grade I, and uptake similar to maxillary sinus as grade II. Clinical findings and therapeutic methods were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients (80%) out of 34 patients with TM joint pain had increased uptake in bone SPECT. Twenty-one (78%) out of 27 patients had increased uptake in the mandibular condyle and remaining six patients (22%) had uptake in the mandibular and maxillary arch, which proved to be dental problem. Seven patients out of 34 were grade as 0, four (12%) were grade I, 23 (68%) were grade II. Four patients with grade I had clicking sound and symptoms which were subsided with medication in all cases. Among 23 patients with grade II, 7 patients had clicking sound and 14 patients underwent medication and decompression therapy. With Planar bone scan, 11 cases (32%) had increased uptake in TM joint area. Plain radiography revealed narrowing, distension, erosion and limitation of TM joint in 16 cases (47%). Bone SPECT can be valuable for screening and managing the patients with TM joint pain. Patients with grade II needed intensive treatment such as joint aspiration. However degree of the radioisotope uptake did not well correlated with clinical symptoms.

Radiologic Placement of Tunneled Central Venous Catheter

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluoroscopy-guided, radiologic placement of a tunneled central venous catheter into the superior vena cava (SVC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty five patients underwent tunneled central venous catheter placement to facilitate long-term chemotherapy. They included 33 leukemicpatients, one colon cancer patient, and one multiple myeloma patient. After confirming central venous patency witha injection of contrast media via the peripheral cephalic or basilic vein in the wrist joint, the subclavian veinwas punctured under fluoroscopic guidance. A 7F double lumen TPN catheter was placed into the SVC through asubcutaneous tunnel in the anterior chest wall. RESULTS: Catheter placements were successful in all patients. The mean procedure time was 17.2 minutes, mean fluoroscopy time was 1.3 minutes, mean number of punctures was 1.4, and mean volume of injected contrast media was 43.5 cc. Only two of all leukemic patients developed mild hematomas atthe puncture site, but these soon resolved themselves. None of the patients developed pneumothorax or hemothorax.but late complications included local infection in two patients (6%) and thrombotic occlusion of the catheter inone (3%). The occluded catheter was successfully recanalized with Urokinase infusion. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy-guided, radiologic placement of a tunneled central venous catheter is an easy and safe method, anduseful for patients requiring long-term venous access.