Diagnosis of glenoid labral tears using 3-tesla MRI vs. 3-tesla MRA: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Various protocols exist for magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) of the shoulder, including 3D isotropic scanning and positioning in neutral (2D neutral MRA), or abduction-external-rotation (ABER). HYPOTHESIS: MRA does not improve diagnostic accuracy for labral tears when compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed using 3-Tesla (3T) magnets. METHOD: Systematic review of the Cochrane, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases according to PRISMA guidelines. Included studies compared 3T MRI or 3T MRA (index tests) to arthroscopic findings (reference test). Methodological appraisal performed using QUADAS-2. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: Ten studies including 929 patients were included. Index test bias and applicability were a concern in the majority of studies. The use of arthroscopy as the reference test raised concern of verification bias in all studies. For anterior labral lesions, 3T MRI was less sensitive (0.83 vs. 0.87 p = 0.083) than 3T 2D neutral MRA. Compared to 3T 2D neutral MRA, both 3T 3D Isotropic MRA and 3T ABER MRA significantly improved sensitivity (0.87 vs. 0.95 vs. 0.94). For SLAP lesions, 3T 2D neutral MRA was of similar sensitivity to 3T MRI (0.84 vs. 0.83, p = 0.575), but less specific (0.99 vs. 0.92 p < 0.0001). For posterior labral lesions, 3T 2D neutral MRA had greater sensitivity than 3T 3D Isotropic MRA and 3T MRI (0.90 vs. 0.83 vs. 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: At 3-T, MRA improved sensitivity for diagnosis of anterior and posterior labral lesions, but reduced specificity in diagnosis of SLAP tears. 3T MRA with ABER positioning further improved sensitivity in diagnosis of anterior labral tears. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Bone Osteolysis Following Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction Using Synthetic Ligament (Surgilig™).

Good short term results have led to increased use of synthetic ligaments for acute and chronic acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) disruption. They have proved quite safe in the short term but we present two cases of osteolysis following ACJ reconstruction using a synthetic ligament, reminding surgeons of potential complications with artificial ligaments. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose such complications early before irretrievable bone loss to osteolysis.

Interactive computer operative notes for arthroscopy of joints: a free and accurate tool for surgeons.

There is an inability to properly record and archive findings of arthroscopic procedures. We have developed an interactive, free Web-based operative note template that allows the surgeon to draw findings on diagrams of the joints commonly undergoing arthroscopy, type the findings, and then print as many copies as required. The use of the forms has allowed for quicker, easier, and more accurate documentation of arthroscopic procedures.

Distal humeral plating of an intramedullary nail periprosthetic fracture using a miss-a-nail technique: a case report.

The treatment of distal humeral periprosthetic fractures is not widely described in the literature. We present a difficult clinical scenario of a 72-year-old man who sustained a displaced distal humeral periprosthetic fracture about a Polarus Plus intramedullary nail. In this case, stable fixation was achieved using bicondylar Acumed Mayo congruent Plates using a miss-a-nail technique. Four months following the post operative period, the patient regained satisfactory range of movement with full function and no further complications up to 18 months post fixation. Treatment of such complex periprosthetic fractures is technically achievable and with potentially good results.

Reciprocal age-related changes in GAP-43/B-50, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression in rat primary sensory neurones and their terminals in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and subintima of the knee synovium.

Age-related changes in the expression of the growth associated protein GAP-43/B-50, and the neuropeptides substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were investigated in the sensory neurones of rat dorsal root ganglia, dorsal horns of the spinal cord and subintimal knee synovium. The two time-points studied were 2 months (young adults) and 14-month (aged)-old Sprague Dawley rats. Dorsal root ganglia: In young adults, 40 and 35% of the L4-L5 dorsal root ganglion neurones were positive for GAP-43/B-50 with a 1.5 fold increase in frequency in aged rats at the L5 ganglion. GAP-43/B-50 was strongly expressed by the non-neuronal satellite cells of some medium and many large sized neurones in aged rats. There were marked reciprocal shifts between small and medium sized sensory neurones in respect to their substance P and CGRP expression profiles. Dorsal horn of the spinal cord: there was a 1.3 fold decrease of substance P at L5 level and a 1.3 and 1.5 fold decrease of CGRP at L4-L5 levels in aged rats, respectively. Synovial membrane: There was a 2.3 fold increase in GAP-43/B-50 and a 2.5 fold decrease of CGRP with no changes in substance P expression. These results indicate that (i) primary sensory neurones undergo age-related changes already in early stages of aging, (ii) aging may result in a reduction of substance P and CGRP axonal transport, and (iii) reduced numbers of CGRP containing synovial perivascular fibres may imply a deficient regulation of the synovial microvasculature and therefore metabolic homeostasis of the joint in aged subjects.