High-resolution ultrasound in the evaluation of the adult hip.

This paper reviews ultrasound of the hip, which is a commonly requested examination for symptomatic hip issues. This includes both intra-articular and extra-articular causes of hip pain. Ultrasound is easily accessible, lacks radiation exposure, and allows for evaluation of the contralateral hip as well as assessment of dynamic maneuvers. Ultrasound can be used to guide interventional procedures. Ultrasound of the hip can be challenging due to the deep location of structures and complex anatomy. Typically, high-frequency transducers are used to examine the hip, however the choice of ultrasound transducer depends on the patient's body habitus, with lower frequency transducers required to penetrate deep structures in obese patients. It is important to have an approach to ultrasound of the hip which includes assessment of the anterior, lateral, posterior, and medial aspects of the hip. The technique and relevant anatomy of each of these compartments are discussed as well as the use of Doppler examination of the hip. Several dynamic maneuvers can be performed to help determine the cause of hip pathology in various locations, and these are described and illustrated. Ultrasound is useful for guided procedures about the hip, and these indications will be reviewed.

T2-weighted MRI radiomics in high-grade intramedullary osteosarcoma: predictive accuracy in assessing histologic response to chemotherapy, overall survival, and disease-free survival.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze radiomic features obtained from pre-treatment T2-weighted MRI acquisitions in patients with histologically proven intramedullary high-grade osteosarcomas and assess the accuracy of radiomic modelling as predictive biomarker of tumor necrosis following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-treatment MRI exams in 105 consecutive patients who underwent NAC and resection of high-grade intramedullary osteosarcoma were evaluated. Histologic necrosis following NAC, and clinical outcome-survival data was collected for each case. Radiomic features were extracted from segmentations performed by two readers, with poorly reproducible features excluded from further analysis. Cox proportional hazard model and Spearman correlation with multivariable modelling were used for assessing relationships of radiomics features with OS, DFS, and histologic tumor necrosis. RESULTS: Study included 74 males, 31 females (mean 32.5yrs, range 15-77 years). Histologic assessment of tumor necrosis following NAC was available in 104 cases, with good response (≥ 90% necrosis) in 41, and poor response in 63. Fifty-three of 105 patients were alive at follow-up (median 40 months, range: 2-213 months). Median OS was 89 months. Excluding 14 patients with metastases at presentation, median DFS was 19 months. Eleven radiomics features were employed in final radiomics model predicting histologic tumor necrosis (mean AUC 0.708 ± 0.046). Thirteen radiomic features were used in model predicting OS (mean concordance index 0.741 ± 0.011), and 12 features retained in predicting DFS (mean concordance index 0.745 ± 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: T2-weighted MRI radiomic models demonstrate promising results as potential prognostic biomarkers of prospective tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and prediction of clinical outcomes in conventional osteosarcoma.

Rotator Cuff Injury and Repair.

Rotator cuff pathology is a commonly encountered clinical and radiologic entity that can manifest as tendinopathy or tearing. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography offer similar sensitivity and specificity for the evaluation of the native rotator cuff, and the chosen modality may vary, depending on local practice and accessibility. MR arthrography is frequently used in the postoperative setting as a problem-solving tool. Key findings to include in the preoperative MRI report include the size and location of the tear, thickness of the tendon involved (partial versus full thickness), and overall tendon quality. The report should also address features associated with poor surgical outcomes, such as fatty atrophy, a decreased acromiohumeral interval, and evidence of rotator cuff arthropathy. Musculoskeletal radiologists should be familiar with the various surgical techniques and expected postoperative imaging appearance of rotator cuff repairs. Imaging also plays a role in identifying recurrent tearing, graft failure, hardware loosening, infection, and other complications.

The accuracy of routine knee MR imaging in detection of acute neurovascular injury following multiligamentous knee injury.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of routine knee MRI in detecting acute popliteal artery and/or common peroneal nerve (CPN) dysfunction following multiligamentous knee injury (MLKI), with correlation of MRI findings to clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Routine MRI knee examinations in 115 MLKI patients (54/115 with acute neurovascular injury, 61/115 without neurovascular injury) were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were classified by injury mechanism and ligamentous injuries sustained. MRI examinations were reviewed by two readers for vascular (arterial flow void, arterial calibre, intimal flap, perivascular hematoma) and CPN (intraneural T2-hyperintensity, calibre, discontinuity, perineural hematoma) injuries. Accuracy of routine knee MRI in the diagnosis of acute neurovascular injury and correlation of MRI findings to clinical outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients included 86/115 males, mean age 33 years. The accuracy of MRI in diagnosis of acute CPN injury was 80.6%, 83.6% (readers 1 and 2): sensitivity (78%, 79.7%), specificity (80%, 86.7%), PPV (78%, 82.5%), and NPV (82.7%, 84.4%). Increased intraneural T2 signal showed a significant correlation to acute CPN dysfunction (p < 0.05). MRI was 75%, 69.8% (readers 1 and 2) accurate in detecting acute vascular injury: sensitivity (73.3%, 86.7%), specificity (75.2%, 67.3%), PPV (30.5%, 36.1%), and NPV (95%, 97.1%). No MRI features of vascular injury showed a statistical correlation with clinical outcome. Neurovascular complications were more common in ultra-low-energy injuries and KD-V3L pattern of ligament disruption. CONCLUSION: Routine MRI is of limited accuracy in assessing vascular complication, but higher accuracy in assessing CPN injury following MLKI. Increased intraneural T2 signal on conventional knee MR imaging shows statistically significant association with clinically documented acute CPN dysfunction following MLKI.

Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Accurately Detects the Arthroscopic Comma Sign in Subscapularis Tears.

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy and reliability of routine preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of the comma sign compared with the gold standard of arthroscopic findings. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Preoperative MRI exams in consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic subscapularis tendon repair, over a 5-year time frame, were retrospectively reviewed for full-thickness tears of the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendons, fatty atrophy of the subscapularis and supraspinatus muscles, and status of the long head of the biceps tendon. Each case was also evaluated for presence or absence of a comma sign on MRI. Surgical findings served as the diagnostic standard of reference in determination of a comma sign. RESULTS: The study cohort included 45 male and 10 female patients (mean age, 56; range, 32-80 years). A comma sign was present at arthroscopy in 19 patients (34.5%). Interclass and intrarater correlation showed 100% agreement in preoperative assessment of a comma sign on MRI. MRI showed an overall accuracy of 83.6% in diagnosis of a comma sign (sensitivity, 63.2%; specificity, 94.4%; positive predictive value, 85.7%; negative predictive value, 82.9%; positive likelihood ratio, 11.37; negative likelihood ratio, 0.39). No statistically significant association was observed between an arthroscopic comma sign and patient demographics or MRI findings of full-thickness rotator cuff tears, muscle fatty atrophy, or long head of the biceps tendon pathology. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging illustrates excellent reliability and good specificity and accuracy in detection of the arthroscopic comma sign in the setting of subscapularis tendon tearing. Detection of a comma sign on MRI may be important preoperative planning information in the arthroscopic management of patients with subscapularis tendon tears. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective diagnostic study.

Ultrasound characterization of pseudoerosions and dorsal joint recess morphology of the hand and wrist in 100 asymptomatic subjects.

PURPOSE: To sonographically characterize pseudoerosions and dorsal joint recess and capsule morphology of the hand and wrist in 100 asymptomatic subjects. METHOD: The metacarpal heads, and dorsal aspects of the lunate, triquetrum, and ulna were evaluated for pseudoerosions including measurements and sonographic characterization. The dorsal recesses of the metacarpophalangeal, radiocarpal, and midcarpal joints were also characterized with regards to echogenicity, fibrillar pattern, hyperemia, and measurements. RESULTS: 100 subjects were included (average age 47 years, range 19-82 years; 52% male, 48% female). Pseudoerosions of metacarpophalangeal heads were seen in every subject, in all metacarpal heads, but most commonly the second and third (99% were bilateral, 97% were multiple); 81.5% involved at least three metacarpal heads; 99% were central with maximum depth of 2.6 mm. At the wrist, in 92% of subjects a bilateral pseudoerosion was present at the dorsal triquetrum, lunate, or ulna. Dorsal joint capsules and recesses at the metacarpophalangeal joints were isoechoic to subdermal fat and fibrillar measuring 3.1-6.3 mm in maximal thickness. The dorsal capsules and recesses of the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints were hypoechoic to subdermal fat, non-fibrillar and with maximal thickness of 3.9 and 3.4 mm, respectively. No hyperemia on color Doppler imaging was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudoerosions are common at the dorsal metacarpal heads, lunate, triquetrum, and ulna, which should not be mistaken for true inflammatory erosions. The characteristic appearances of dorsal joint capsules and recesses should not be confused with synovial hypertrophy.

Superficial myofibroblastoma of the genital tract: a case report of the imaging findings.

Superficial angiomyofibroblastomas are mesenchymal tumours that occur in the genital tract and are well described pathologically. This case report reviews the imaging appearances and highlights the MRI findings, which have not been previously described. We describe the occurrence of this lesion in a vaginal cyst, which to the authors' knowledge, has also not been previously described. The histological findings are also presented here.

Trauma in the elderly patient.

Major Trauma Centres and Emergency Departments are treating an increasing number of elderly trauma patients in the UK. Elderly patients, defined as those over the age of 65 years, are more susceptible to injury from lesser mechanisms of trauma than younger adults. The number of elderly trauma cases is rising yearly, accounting for >25% of all major trauma nationally. The elderly have different physiological reserves and a different response to trauma due to premorbid frailty, co-existing conditions and prescribed medication. These factors need to be appreciated in trauma triaging, radiological assessment and clinical management. A lower threshold for trauma-call activation is recommended, including a lower threshold for advanced imaging. We will review general principles of trauma in the elderly, outline injury patterns in this age group and illustrate the radiological features per anatomical site, from head to pelvis and the extremities. We advocate using contrast-enhanced computed tomography as the primary diagnostic imaging modality as concern about intravenous contrast agent-induced nephropathy is relatively minor. Prompt investigation and diagnosis leads to timely appropriate treatment, therefore the radiologist can discerningly improve morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable group.

Assessment of the management outcomes of body packers.

BACKGROUND: The constant need for rapid financial gain drives the international illegal drug industry, which encourages healthy individuals to smuggle drugs through internal concealment. The aim of this study was to evaluate our practice of the management of body packers using a hospital-based protocol in order to validate it. METHODS: Electronic hospital data were retrospectively reviewed between 2000 and 2013 of all patients that were admitted to Hillingdon Hospital with a history of internal drug concealment. Demographic as well as clinical data including investigations and management were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were admitted over the study period to our surgical unit. This included 86 male and 34 female patients with a mean age of 38 (range 19-64) years. Three per cent (n = 4) underwent surgery for either cocaine toxicity or obstruction. The rest of the patients were managed conservatively with bowel cleansing preparations to encourage the natural passage of drug packages. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment is safe and effective for drug body packers. We therefore recommend conservative management to be the mainstay for body packers with surgery only being indicated on clinical grounds.

Adenocarcinoma in an ano-vaginal fistula in Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Fistulas are a relatively common occurrence in Crohn's disease (CD), and often present early in the disease process. Additionally, patients suffering from either CD or ulcerative colitis are shown to have an increased risk of colorectal malignancies compared with the general population. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of adenocarcinoma in an ano-vaginal fistula in a patient with longstanding CD. DISCUSSION: Various pathogenic mechanisms for the development of carcinoma in fistulas have been suggested, but there is no consensus and indeed this risk may be cumulative. In this case report, we also discuss the pathogenesis of mucinous adenocarcinoma in fistulas secondary to CD. CONCLUSION: Better detection of adenocarcinoma in patients presenting with persistent non-resolving fistulas in the presence of CD should be undertaken with regular biopsies following examinations under anaesthetic of the anorectum.

Ureteric stenting in kidney transplants.

The routine use of ureteric stents after a kidney transplant for prophylactic measures is debatable. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential complications and costs of routine stenting. Here, we review the literature based on studies in favor of and against the routine placement of ureteric stents in kidney transplant patients. Some studies have shown a benefit to patients who have routine stents placed, while others have not shown this benefit but have highlighted the associated financial implications. The decision to stent renal transplant patients will depend on robust multicenter, randomized controlled trials being carried out, as well as both short-term and long-term cost analyses.