Diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted MR neurography as an adjunct to conventional MRI for the assessment of brachial plexus pathology.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted (DW) MR neurography as an adjunct to conventional MRI for the assessment of brachial plexus pathology. METHODS: DW MR neurography scans (short tau inversion recovery fat suppression and b-value of 800 s/mm2) of 15 consecutive patients with and 45 randomly selected patients without brachial plexus abnormalities were independently and blindly reviewed by a 5th year radiology resident, a junior neuroradiologist, and a senior neuroradiologist. RESULTS: Median interpretation times ranged between 20 and 30 s. Interobserver agreement was substantial (κ coefficients of 0.715-0.739). For the 5th year radiology resident, sensitivity was 53.3% (95% CI, 30.1-75.2%) and specificity was 100% (95% CI, 92.1-100%). For the junior neuroradiologist, sensitivity was 66.7% (95% CI, 41.7-84.8%) and specificity was 100% (95% CI, 92.1-100%). For the senior neuroradiologist, sensitivity was 73.3% (95% CI, 48.1-89.1%) and specificity was 95.6% (95% CI, 85.2-98.8%). Traumatic injury, metastases, radiation-induced plexopathy, schwannoma, and inflammatory process of unknown cause could be detected by the majority of readers (100% detection rate for each disease entity by at least two readers). Neuralgic amyotrophy, iatrogenic injury after first rib resection, and cervical disc herniation causing root compression were not detected by the majority of readers (0% detection rate for each disease entity by at least two readers). CONCLUSION: DW MR neurography may be a useful adjunct when assessing for brachial plexus abnormalities, because interpretation time is relatively short and the majority of abnormalities can be detected. KEY POINTS: • DW MR neurography interpretation time of the brachial plexus is relatively short (median interpretation times of 20 to 30 s). • Interobserver agreement between three readers with different levels of experience is substantial (κ coefficients of 0.715 to 0.739). • DW MR neurography can detect brachial plexus abnormalities with moderate sensitivity (53.3 to 73.3%) and high specificity (95.6 to 100%).

Reliability and accuracy of 3-mm and 2-mm maximum intensity projection CT angiography to detect intracranial large vessel occlusion in patients with acute anterior cerebral circulation stroke.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of thick maximum intensity projection (MIP) CTA images to detect large-vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: A total of 140 acute stroke patients (41 with and 99 without LVO) were evaluated by two neuroradiologists for LVO using axial 3-mm and 2-mm MIPs. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was substantial using 3-mm MIPs (ĸ = 0.67) and almost perfect using 2-mm MIPs (ĸ = 0.82). Using 3-mm MIPs, sensitivities were 80.5% and 68.3%, with specificities of 98.0% and 96.0%. Using 2-mm MIPs, sensitivities were 82.9% and 73.2%, with specificities of 98.0% and 99.0%. Sensitivity and specificity of 3 mm and 2 mm MIPs were not statistically significantly different (P ≥ 0.375). The majority of LVOs in the distal intracranial carotid artery, and/or M1-segment were correctly identified: 96.0% (observer 1, 3-mm MIPs), 88.0% (observer 2, 3-mm MIPs), 96.0% (observer 1, 2-mm MIPs), and 96.0% (observer 2, 2 mm MIPs). Using 3-mm MIP images, observers 1 and 2 missed 7/15 (46.7%) and 9/15 (60.0%) of isolated M2-segment occlusions, respectively. Using 2-mm MIP images, observers 1 and 2 missed 5/15 (33.3%) and 6/15 (40.0%) of isolated M2-segment occlusions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thick (2-3 mm) axial MIPs are not useful to detect proximal LVO in the anterior circulation.

What Is the Diagnosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Who Have a Painful Shoulder? Results from a Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes mellitus have higher risk of developing shoulder pathology. However, only adhesive capsulitis is addressed in shoulder pain guidelines as a disorder associated with diabetes. Yet, patients with diabetes are at risk of having several other shoulder disorders, including focal neuropathy. Our aim was to quantify the presence of shoulder disorders using physical examination and ultrasound imaging in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) suffering from shoulder pain in general practice. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, patients with T2DM who had had a painful shoulder for at least four weeks were included. Patients filled out a questionnaire and underwent a physical examination of the shoulders and feet and ultrasound imaging of the shoulder. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were included, of whom 40.9% (n = 27) had bilateral complaints resulting in 93 symptomatic shoulders. Subacromial pain syndrome was most frequently diagnosed by physical examination (66.6%, 95% CI 51.6-72.0%; p < 0.0001), while ultrasound imaging showed that subacromial disorders were statistically significantly the most prevalent (90.3%, 95% CI 81.9-95.2%). Only two patients (3%) were diagnosed with neuropathic shoulder pain. CONCLUSION: When choosing treatment, general practitioners should be aware that in patients with T2DM the subacromial region is most frequently affected.

[The Morel-Lavallée-lesion: delayed symptoms after trauma]. / De Morel-Lavallée-laesie: late klachten na een trauma.

BACKGROUND: The Morel-Lavallée lesion is a post-traumatic collection of fluid arising after a 'closed degloving injury' has caused the separation of the skin and subcutis from the underlying muscular fascia. It usually occurs in the trochanteric region or proximal thigh. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 36-year-old obese man was referred to the emergency department by his general practitioner for fever and pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant. Blood testing revealed elevated infection parameters. As appendicitis was suspected, a CT scan of the abdomen was performed. This revealed a Morel-Lavallée lesion, which he had sustained 9 months earlier when he had been hit by a car while riding his bicycle. A rapid recovery ensued after ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage and treatment with antibiotics. CONCLUSION: A Morel-Lavallée lesion, which could manifest even months later, should be considered after any traumatic injury. Ultrasound, CT and MRI are useful tools for proper diagnosis. There is no consensus about treatment in either the acute or the chronic phase to date.

Ventricular pseudoaneurysm after subacute myocardial infarction.

A 55-year-old woman with a blank cardiac history was admitted in a regional hospital because of acute left sided heart failure. Initial evaluation showed a subacute inferior wall myocardial infarction with preserved left ventricular function and moderately severe mitral regurgitation. Before referral, coronary angiography was performed. Ventriculography revealed a posterior pseudoaneurysm that was missed initially. Fortunately she survived two almost fatal episodes of cardiac asthma in that hospital. After the diagnosis was made, she was sent to our tertiary care hospital, where she was urgently and successfully operated. A short review, with emphasis on diagnosing left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is presented.