An Overlooked Entity in Diagnosing Hip Pain with Neuropathy in an Athletic Young Adult: A Case Report

@#Hip pain is frequently encountered in the athletic community. Femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain in young adults. However, it is important to appreciate the uncommon diagnosis and the role of imaging for unexplained hip pain. The pathology behind a posterior hip pain is often misdiagnosed as the cause of hip pain is non-specific, extensive and elusive. We managed to detect the pathology through magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) of hip with gadolinium enhancement after a series of inconclusive history, physical examination and imaging findings were completed. This particular case vignettes an overlooked osteoid osteoma that leads to the delay in diagnosis and increase morbidity.

Evaluation of Inferior Capsular Laxity in Patients with Atraumatic Multidirectional Shoulder Instability with Magnetic Resonance Arthrography

OBJECTIVE: To compare inferior capsular redundancy by using magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) images in patients with multidirectional instability (MDI) of the shoulder and control subjects without instability and thereby develop a screening method to identify the presence of shoulder MDI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MRA images of patients with MDI of the shoulder (n = 65, 57 men, 8 women; mean age, 24.5 years; age range, 18–42 years) treated over an eight-year period were retrospectively reviewed; a control group (n = 65, 57 men, 8 women; mean age, 27.4 years; age range, 18–45 years) without instability was also selected. The inferior capsular redundancy was measured using a new method we named the glenocapsular (GC) ratio method. MRA images of both groups were randomly mixed together, and two orthopedic surgeon reviewers measured the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and sagittal capsule-head ratios on oblique sagittal images, as well as the axial capsule-head ratios on axial images and GC ratios on oblique coronal images. RESULTS: The CSAs and GC ratios were significantly higher in patients than in controls (both, p 1.42 was found to be most suggestive of MDI of the shoulder, owing to its high sensitivity (92.3%) and specificity (89.2%). CONCLUSION: GC ratio can be easily measured and used to accurately screen for MDI of the shoulder.

Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Arthrography in Detecting Rotator Cuff Tears / Precisión de la artrografía por resonancia magnética en la detección de desgarros del manguito rotador

ABSTRACT Objective: Shoulder pain, a common cause of productivity loss and health-related expense, is commonly due to rotator cuff tears. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with intra-articular gadolinium, MR arthrography, is accepted internationally as an excellent modality for evaluating the rotator cuff. Ultrasound is cheaper and only slightly less sensitive in detecting rotator cuff tears, but MR is superior in detecting ancillary lesions. Magnetic resonance arthrography was introduced at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Jamaica, in July 2003. This study aimed to evaluate our experience with MR arthrography and assess its accuracy. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out. All MR arthrography cases performed at UHWI between July 2003 and July 2006 were reviewed. Medical records were reviewed to determine surgical correlation. Results: A total of 140 MR arthrograms were performed; 55% of the patients were female. Ages ranged from the second to the ninth decade, having a distribution approaching but not attaining a normal distribution (p = 0.03) with clustering in the middle years. Magnetic resonance arthrography demonstrated torn rotator cuffs in 40 patients, none of whom was under the age of 40 years (p < 0.001). Fifteen patients had surgery which confirmed torn rotator cuffs in all 15. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance arthrography was found to be accurate in detecting rotator cuff tears. It should be considered in the evaluation of patients with suspected rotator cuff tears. For patients under the age of 40 years, sonography could be used as an alternative.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El dolor en el hombro, el cual es causa común de pérdida de productividad y gastos relacionados con la salud, se debe comúnmente a desgarros del manguito rotador. La imagen por resonancia magnética (IRM) con gadolinio intra-articular - conocida como artrografía RM - se acepta internacionalmente como una excelente modalidad para evaluar el manguito rotador. El ultrasonido es más barato y sólo ligeramente menos sensible a la hora de detectar desgarros del manguito rotador, pero la RM es superior en la detección de lesiones secundarias. La artrografía por resonancia magnética se introdujo en el Hospital Universitario de West Indies (HUWI), Jamaica, en julio de 2003. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar nuestra experiencia con la artrografía RM y evaluar su precisión. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo. Se revisaron todos los casos de artrografías RM realizadas en HUWI entre julio de 2003 y julio de 2006. Se revisaron las historias clínicas a fin de determinar la correlación quirúrgica. Resultados: Un total de 140 artogramas RM fueron realizados. El 55% de los pacientes eran mujeres. Las edades variaron del segundo al noveno decenio, con una distribución que se acercaba pero no llevaba a alcanzar una distribución normal (p = 0.03), concentrándose en los años intermedios. La artrografía de resonancia magnética mostró desgarros de los manguitos rotadores en 40 pacientes, ninguno de los cuales tenía menos de 40 años (p < 0.001). Quince pacientes tuvieron cirugía que confirmaba desgarros de los manguitos rotadores en los 15. Conclusión: Se halló que la artrografía por resonancia magnética era exacta a la hora de detectar los desagarros del manguito rotador. Debe considerarse en la evaluación de pacientes con sospecha de desgarros del manguito rotador. Para los pacientes menores de 40 años de edad, la sonografía podría ser utilizada como alternativa.

Evaluation of the Subscapularis Tendon Tears on 3T Magnetic Resonance Arthrography: Comparison of Diagnostic Performance of T1-Weighted Spectral Presaturation with Inversion-Recovery and T2-Weighted Turbo Spin-Echo Sequences

OBJECTIVE: To compare the T1-weighted spectral presaturation with inversion-recovery sequences (T1 SPIR) with T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences (T2 TSE) on 3T magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) in the evaluation of the subscapularis (SSC) tendon tear with arthroscopic findings as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 120 consecutive patients who had undergone MRA within 3 months between April and December 2015. Two musculoskeletal radiologists blinded to the arthroscopic results evaluated T1 SPIR and T2 TSE images in separate sessions for the integrity of the SSC tendon, examining normal/articular-surface partial-thickness tear (PTTa)/full-thickness tear (FTT). Diagnostic performance of T1 SPIR and T2 TSE was calculated with arthroscopic results as the reference standard, and sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were compared using the McNemar test. Interobserver agreement was measured with kappa (κ) statistics. RESULTS: There were 74 SSC tendon tears (36 PTTa and 38 FTT) confirmed by arthroscopy. Significant differences were found in the sensitivity and accuracy between T1 SPIR and T2 TSE using the McNemar test, with respective rates of 95.9–94.6% vs. 71.6–75.7% and 90.8–91.7% vs. 79.2–83.3% for detecting tear; 55.3% vs. 31.6–34.2% and 85.8% vs. 78.3–79.2%, respectively, for FTT; and 91.7–97.2% vs. 58.3–61.1% and 89% vs. 78–79.3%, respectively, for PTTa. Interobserver agreement for T1 SPIR was almost perfect for T1 SPIR (κ = 0.839) and substantial for T2 TSE (κ = 0.769). CONCLUSION: T1-weighted spectral presaturation with inversion-recovery sequences is more sensitive and accurate compared to T2 TSE in detecting SSC tendon tear on 3T MRA.

Effects of iodinated contrast agent, xylocaine and gadolinium concentration on the signal emitted in magnetic resonance arthrography: a samples study / Efeitos do contraste iodado, da xilocaína e da concentração de gadolínio no sinal emitido em exames de artrorressonância magnética: estudo por amostras

Objective: To investigate the effects of dilution of paramagnetic contrast agent with iodinated contrast and xylocaine on the signal intensity during magnetic resonance arthrography, and to improve the paramagnetic contrast agent concentration utilized in this imaging modality. Materials and Methods: Samples specially prepared for the study with three different concentrations of paramagnetic contrast agent diluted in saline, iodinated contrast agent and xylocaine were imaged with fast spin echo T1-weighted sequences with fat saturation. The samples were placed into flasks and graphical analysis of the signal intensity was performed as a function of the paramagnetic contrast concentration. Results: As compared with samples of equal concentrations diluted only with saline, the authors have observed an average signal intensity decrease of 20.67% for iodinated contrast agent, and of 28.34% for xylocaine. However, the increased gadolinium concentration in the samples caused decrease in signal intensity with all the dilutions. Conclusion: Minimizing the use of iodinated contrast media and xylocaine and/or the use of a gadolinium concentration of 2.5 mmol/L diluted in saline will improve the sensitivity of magnetic resonance arthrography. .

Objetivo: Investigar, mediante quantificação da intensidade do sinal emitido em amostras, se a diluição do agente de contraste paramagnético com contraste iodado e xilocaína alteram o sinal emitido pelo meio de contraste paramagnético durante o exame de artrorressonância magnética, e aperfeiçoar a concentração de contraste paramagnético utilizada no exame. Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizada sequência de pulso fast spin eco ponderada em T1 com saturação de gordura, utilizando três diferentes concentrações de contraste paramagnético diluídas em solução salina, contraste iodado e xilocaína. As amostras foram colocadas em frascos e a análise gráfica da intensidade do sinal em função da concentração de contraste paramagnético foi realizada. Resultados: Constatou-se que as diluições de contraste paramagnético em contraste iodado e xilocaína diminuíram, em média, a intensidade do sinal em 20,67% para o contraste iodado e 28,34% para a xilocaína, em comparação com as amostras de concentração idêntica diluídas apenas em solução salina. Porém, o aumento da concentração de gadolínio nas amostras ocasionou a diminuição da intensidade do sinal emitido pelo gadolínio, para todas as diluições. Conclusão: Minimizar o uso do meio de contraste iodado e da xilocaína e/ou a utilização de uma concentração de gadolínio com 2,5 mmol/L, diluída em solução salina, irá aperfeiçoar a sensibilidade do exame de artrorressonância magnética. .

Characteristics of Magnetic Resonance Arthrography Findings in Traumatic Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of traumatic posterosuperior rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. We hypothesized that traumatic rotator cuff tears may have MR characteristics distinguishable from those of non-traumatic tears. METHODS: Preoperative MR arthrography and intraoperative tear size measurements were compared in 302 patients who underwent MR arthrography and subsequent arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs for traumatic (group T, 61 patients) or non-traumatic (group NT, 241 patients) tears. The inclusion criteria for both groups were posterosuperior full-thickness rotator cuff tear and age between 40 and 60 years. For group T, traumas were limited to accidental falls or slips, or sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents; injuries were associated with acute onset of pain followed by functional shoulder impairment; and time between injury and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was 6 weeks or less. RESULTS: In group T, 72.1% of shoulders (44 patients) had tendon tears with blunt edges while 27.9% of shoulders (17 patients) had tears with tapering edges. In contrast, 21.2% of patients in group NT (51 patients) had blunt-edge tears, while 78.8% (190 patients) of tears had tapering edges. These results were statistically significant (p<0.001) and estimated odds ratio was 9.6. The size of tear did not vary significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found no exclusive MR characteristic to define traumatic tears. However, oblique coronal MRI of traumatic tears showed a significant tendency for abrupt and rough torn tendon edges and relatively consistent tendon thicknesses (without lateral tapering) compared to non-traumatic cuff tears.

Characteristics of Magnetic Resonance Arthrography Findings in Traumatic Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of traumatic posterosuperior rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. We hypothesized that traumatic rotator cuff tears may have MR characteristics distinguishable from those of non-traumatic tears. METHODS: Preoperative MR arthrography and intraoperative tear size measurements were compared in 302 patients who underwent MR arthrography and subsequent arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs for traumatic (group T, 61 patients) or non-traumatic (group NT, 241 patients) tears. The inclusion criteria for both groups were posterosuperior full-thickness rotator cuff tear and age between 40 and 60 years. For group T, traumas were limited to accidental falls or slips, or sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents; injuries were associated with acute onset of pain followed by functional shoulder impairment; and time between injury and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was 6 weeks or less. RESULTS: In group T, 72.1% of shoulders (44 patients) had tendon tears with blunt edges while 27.9% of shoulders (17 patients) had tears with tapering edges. In contrast, 21.2% of patients in group NT (51 patients) had blunt-edge tears, while 78.8% (190 patients) of tears had tapering edges. These results were statistically significant (p<0.001) and estimated odds ratio was 9.6. The size of tear did not vary significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found no exclusive MR characteristic to define traumatic tears. However, oblique coronal MRI of traumatic tears showed a significant tendency for abrupt and rough torn tendon edges and relatively consistent tendon thicknesses (without lateral tapering) compared to non-traumatic cuff tears.

Measurement of Capsular Thickness in Magnetic Resonance Arthrography in Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis of Hip / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: The clinical suspicion of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the hip (IACH) involves restricted range of motion and normal hip radiographs. The purpose of this study was to delineate the characteristic findings observed on magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) by identifying the anatomical structures involved and their significance on clinical presentation of restricted range of motion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated MRA's of 46 hips (44 patients) who suffered hip pain from September 2006 to August 2012 in our hospital. Of those, 10 cases (8 patients) with clinical suspicion of IACH were compared to 20 normal hip cases (control group). To identify anatomical evidence of adhesive capsulitis in the MRA's of the IACH group, capsular thickness was measured superiorly, inferiorly, anteriorly and posteriorly, and compared to that of the randomly selected control group. RESULTS: Comparison of the MRA findings of the control group to that of the IACH group showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the mean thickness of the joint capsule superiorly and posteriorly (P<0.01), while comparison of examination findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in the mean range of motion (flexion 122.5degrees+/-5.5degrees/abduction 28.0degrees+/-2.8degrees/adduction 26.5degrees+/-2.4degrees/external rotation 30.5degrees+/-3.8degrees/internal rotation 25.5degrees+/-2.4degrees) in the IACH group. CONCLUSION: A change in the capsular thickness on MRA is a common finding in IACH patients with the increase more evident in the posterior and superior capsules than the anterior and inferior capsules.

Clinical and Radiological Evaluation after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Using Suture Bridge Technique

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively assessed the clinical outcomes and investigated risk factors influencing retear after arthroscopic suture bridge repair technique for rotator cuff tear through clinical assessment and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA). METHODS: Between January 2008 and April 2011, sixty-two cases of full-thickness rotator cuff tear were treated with arthroscopic suture bridge repair technique and follow-up MRA were performed. The mean age was 56.1 years, and mean follow-up period was 27.4 months. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed using range of motion, Korean shoulder score, Constant score, and UCLA score. Radiological outcome was evaluated with preoperative and follow-up MRA. Potential predictive factors that influenced cuff retear, such as age, gender, geometric patterns of tear, size of cuff tear, acromioplasty, fatty degeneration, atrophy of cuff muscle, retraction of supraspinatus, involved muscles of cuff and osteolysis around the suture anchor were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty cases (48.4%) revealed retear on MRA. In univariable analysis, retear was significantly more frequent in over 60 years age group (62.5%) than under 60 years age group (39.5%; p = 0.043), and also in medium to large-sized tear than small-sized tear (p = 0.003). There was significant difference in geometric pattern of tear (p = 0.015). In multivariable analysis, only age (p = 0.036) and size of tear (p = 0.030) revealed a significant difference. The mean active range of motion for forward flexion, abduction, external rotation at the side and internal rotation at the side were significantly improved at follow-up (p 0.05). The locations of retear were insertion site in 10 cases (33.3%) and musculotendinous junction in 20 cases (66.7%; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Suture bridge repair technique for rotator cuff tear showed improved clinical results. Cuff integrity after repair did not affect clinical results. Age of over 60 years and size of cuff tear larger than 1 cm were factors influencing rotator cuff retear after arthroscopic suture bridge repair technique.

Magnetic Resonance Arthrography in the evaluation of Anterior Glenohumeral Instability / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Anterior glenohumeral instability is mainly due to the Bankart lesion and capsular stretch. The differentiation between the Bankart lesion and capsular laxity may not be readily apparent on clinical examination. So, increasing attention has been directed toward preoperative evaluation of the labral lesion and capsular laxity. MRI and MR Arthrogram of 55 shoulders, 40 stable shoulders and 15 unstable shoulders that were confirmed by arthroscopic surgery, were reviewed to evaluate the labral and capsular shapes, especially the lesions of labroligamentous complex. To evaluate and compare the capsular laxity, we measured the anterior capsular insertion type, capsular ballooning, capsular insertion angle and anterior band of inferior glenohumeral ligament. And the following results were obtained; 1) The shape of anterior labrum was varied in the superior, middle and inferior potions in 40 stable shoulders. The anterior labral lesions were shown as torn(eight cases), displaced(six cases) and no detectable labrum(one case), in 15 unstable shoulders. Also, there were a significant di fference in the evaluation of the anteior labrum shape between MRI and MR arthrography. 2) There were not a significant difference in the type III capsular insertion type, capsular ballooning and capsular insertion angle between the stable and unstable shoulders. However, it was found that the shape of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament had definite difference between the two groups. And so, more experience and attention should be given for the accurate preoperative evaluation of the anterior labroligamentous complex in shoulder instability.