[Ankle and foot sprains: conventional radiography aspects]. / Aspects radiographiques des lésions ostéo-articulaires et ligamentaires des entorses de pied et de cheville.

Emergency departments frequently encounter pathology resulting from injury to the foot and ankle, with approximately 6000 case per day in France. In an ankle sprain, 85% of the lesions involve the lateral collateral ligament. Many other, much rarer, types of lesion with different therapeutic consequences can present, however. Interpretation of the initial conventional radiographs is vital to establishing the type lesion and to proposing adapted and rapid treatment. The objective of this article is to review the various osteoarticular and ligament injuries encountered in the foot and the ankle.

Evaluation of renal arteries with use of gadoterate meglumine-, CO(2)-, and iodixanol-enhanced DSA measurements versus histomorphometry in renal artery restenosis in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To experimentally evaluate gadolinium (Gd)-, carbon dioxide (CO(2))-, and iodixanol-enhanced digital subtraction angiography (DSA) versus histomorphometry in the assessment of renal artery stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen male New Zealand White rabbits weighing 4.0 kg underwent percutaneous catheterization. Renal artery stenosis was induced by bilateral overdilation-deendothelialization (balloon diameter = 2 mm). The percentage of artery overdilation was 33%. After 4 weeks, the rabbits were randomized into two groups: group A underwent right-sided therapeutic percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) (balloon diameter = 1.5 mm). After another 4 weeks, the renal arteries were evaluated by gadoterate-, iodixanol-, and CO(2)-enhanced selective quantitative DSA. The rabbits were then killed and renal arteries were perfusion-fixed for 60 minutes. Serial orcein-stained 4-um-thick slices were prepared for histomorphometry. RESULTS: Based on morphometric data of single-stenosis versus post-PTRA restenosis lesions, no significant difference was observed between Gd- and iodixanol-enhanced quantitative DSA (r(2) > 0.95), although the iodine/Gd density ratio was equal to 3.5. Carbon dioxide less reliably allowed quantitative DSA (r(2) < 0.75). CONCLUSION: Gd-based contrast agents represent a highly reliable alternative in experimental quantitative DSA evaluation of renal artery restenosis.

Is selective embolization of uterine arteries a safe alternative to hysterectomy in patients with postpartum hemorrhage?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selective arterial embolization to control severe postpartum hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five women with intractable postpartum hemorrhage underwent uterine embolization in our institution during a 6-year period. RESULTS: Angiography revealed arterial extravasation in 13 patients (52%). Sixty-nine arteries were embolized. External bleeding resolved immediately or was markedly decreased in 24 women. In one patient, embolization failed to control the bleeding, and surgical treatment was required. No major complication of embolization therapy was observed. Ten women were followed up for an average of 2 years. Menstruation resumed in all patients, and one woman became pregnant. CONCLUSION: Embolization of acute postpartum hemorrhage is a safe and effective alternative to hysterectomy.

[Investigation of peripheral vascular bed in critical lower limb ischemia: comparative study between arteriography and magnetic resonance angiography]. / Evaluation du réseau Jambier dans l'ischémie critique des membres inférieurs: comparison entre l'artériographie et l'angiographie par résonance magnétique (ARM).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the precise role of arteriography and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to evaluate the peripheral vascular bed in critical ischemia of the lower limbs in candidates for distal vascularization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen patients (mean age 66 +/- 18 years) underwent MRA and arteriography. In all, 23 lower limbs were studied by non-selective arteriography with aortic injection (n=12) or selective arteriography with iliofemoral injection (n=11). RESULTS: The strength of agreement between MRA and selective arteriography was good (k=0.75) for analysis of leg arteries. MRA was better than non-selective arteriography (p<0.035) to evaluate artery patency. In our study, only MRA improved the treatment decision. CONCLUSION: In patients requiring an assessment of the peripheral vascular bed before distal revascularization, contrast-enhanced MRA can be the first exam. In case of an inadequate MRA, only selective arteriography needs to be performed.

Upper extremity digital subtraction venography with gadoterate meglumine before fistula creation for hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential role of gadoterate meglumine (Gd-DOTA) as a contrast agent for upper extremity venography before the creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for nondialyzed renal insufficiency patients. METHODS: Over a 16-month period, 50 venographies were performed on end-stage renal insufficiency patients, using Gd-DOTA as a contrast agent on a high-resolution digital subtraction angiography system. Three sequences were performed on forearm, arm, and chest at 3 mL/sec for a total of 35 mL of Gd-DOTA. Examinations were reviewed by two radiologists for diagnostic and opacification quality. Tolerance was evaluated on the evolution of serum creatinine levels and occurrence of pain during injection. RESULTS: Good interobserver correlation was obtained in evaluating the feasibility of AVF creation by vein segment (0.64 < kappa < 0.88) and in relationship to opacification quality (0.62 to 0.87). No deterioration in renal function (creatinine level before and after) or pain was observed. Twenty-six patients underwent surgical creation of brachiobasilic (N = 8), brachiocephalic (N = 8), radiocephalic (N = 8), and cubitocephalic (N = 1) fistulas or insertion of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft (N = 1). Seventeen were awaiting AVF or were on peritoneal dialysis. Two died before surgery for reasons unconnected with the venography. CONCLUSIONS: Venography with Gd-DOTA is an effective and safe technique in planning AVFs for renal insufficiency patients.

MR-Guided PTA in experimental bilateral rabbit renal artery stenosis and MR angiography follow-up versus histomorphometry.

PURPOSE: To assess in vivo 1) MR-guided percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) in experimental bilateral rabbit renal artery stenosis (RAS); 2) postprocedural follow-up by gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography versus histomorphometry. METHODS: Fifteen male NZW rabbits of mean weight 4.0 kg (range 3.5-4.2 kg) underwent bilateral RAS induction by combined overdilation-deendothelialization with a gadolinium-filled balloon, passively MR-guided by the artifact of a 0.014-inch guidewire. After 4 weeks the rabbits were randomized into two groups: group A (n = 8) underwent right-sided PTRA for treatment of RAS, group B (n = 7) underwent left-sided PTRA. After another 4 weeks the rabbits were killed to assess by histomorphometry recurrent stenosis and contralateral induction injury stenosis lesions. Each step was preceded by gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography, and the cortex-to-aorta (C/A) signal intensity ratio was calculated. RESULTS: RAS induction was successful in all cases. Fourteen arteries developed restenosis and 13 only initial stenosis. MR-guided PTRAs were feasible in 22 arteries (73%). For a successful catheterization of the ostium (20 arteries, 66% success rate), 10-25 steps were required. Five to eight steps were required for balloon localization and inflation for each PTRA. The restenosis effect was reflected by a 16% (12%-27%) decrease in C/A values on MR angiograms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MR guidance and MR angiography represent a feasible, less invasive alternative for performing and assessing experimental PTRA in RAS.

Ruling out acute deep vein thrombosis by ELISA plasma D-dimer assay versus ultrasound in inpatients more than 70 years old.

In geriatric care, deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is mostly diagnosed by noninvasive techniques. The objectives of this prospective study were: (1) to evaluate the power of ELISA plasma D-dimer assay versus ultrasound (US) in ruling out acute DVT of the lower limbs in symptomatic geriatric inpatients, and (2) to determine the most effective D-dimer cutoff value over the age of 70 years. Over a 10-month period, inpatients with suspected lower limb DVT simultaneously underwent US examination and ELISA plasma D-dimer assay. Noninclusion criteria were comorbid conditions able to modify the D-dimer level. Data were processed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. In total, 150 patients (125 women, 25 men), average age 86.3 years (range 70-101) were included. A diagnosis of lower limb DVT was established in 53 patients (35.3%). With a 500 ng/mL D-dimer cutoff conventional value, DVT was ruled out in only five patients (3.3%), whereas a 750 ng/mL value ruled out DVT in 19 patients (12.7%) with a sensitivity of 98.1%, and a negative predictive value of 95.0%. The only false negative corresponded to a patient with a 15-mm thrombus in the distal calf. In inpatients above 70, an ELISA plasma D-dimer value smaller than 750 ng/mL is a rapid reliable noninvasive means to rule out lower limb DVT, if color flow Doppler ultrasound is not available on site.

A new model of endovascularly induced renal artery stenosis in normocholesterolemic versus hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors determine the feasibility of creating renal artery stenosis by overdilatation and deendothelialization and compare the model in normocholesterolemic versus hypercholesterolemic rabbits. METHODS: Thirty male New Zealand White rabbits were randomized into two groups: group A (n = 15) was fed a normal diet and group B (n = 15) was fed a cholesterol-rich diet 4 weeks before stenosis induction. An aortogram was performed, then the right renal artery was overdilated with an angioplasty balloon-catheter, and deendothelialized. After 6 weeks, groups A and B were compared by angiographic and pathologic study. RESULTS: Comparison of group A versus group B showed that 12 arteries (80%) versus 6 (40%) were angiographically stenotic (P < 0.05); 14 (93%) versus 12 (80%) contained neointima (NS), 12 (80%) versus 3 (20%) showed medial disorganization (P < 0.01), and 9 (60%) versus 2 (13%) presented adventitial fibrosis (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A new model of endovascularly induced renal artery stenosis has been developed in rabbits. Medial proliferation and adventitial fibrosis are more frequent in normocholesterolemic rabbits.

Anastomoses between the spermatic and visceral veins: a retrospective study of 500 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Do visceral-spermatic vein shunts have any clinical impact on sclerotherapy of varicoceles? METHODS: The spermatic venograms of 500 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed to classify visceral-spermatic communications. Men with an average age of 27.8 years (range 11-65 years old) underwent sclerotherapy of a varicocele. Of the 500 men, 445 were referred for oligoasthenospermia (89%), 45 for pain (9%), and 10 for prevention of infertility (2%). After bilateral catheterization, percutaneous sclerosis was performed below the upper third of the sacroiliac joint. RESULTS: Three hundred forty patients (68%) had left-sided, 10 (2%) had right-sided, and 150 (30%) had bilateral varicoceles. Left side: Of 46 (9.4%) anastomoses, one (0.2%) communicated with the splenic vein and 45 (9.2%) with the inferior mesenteric vein of which 25 (5.1%) were a colic trunk with a competent valve, 15 (3.1%) were venules, and five (1%) were a single or double anastomosis. Right side: Of 48 (29.6%) anastomoses to the superior mesenteric vein, 34 (21%) were venules, 12 (7.4%) were a colic trunk with a competent valve, and two (1.2%) were a single or double vein. Our varicocele recurrence rate was only 1.2%. CONCLUSION: Visceral-spermatic vein communications are classified by number, morphology, and site. Percutaneous sclerotherapy could be optimized when performed caudally to these communications.

The sacroiliac joint: anatomical study in the coronal plane and MR correlation.

The current clinical imaging technique applied to the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is coronal Computed Tomography (CT). The aims of this study were: 1) to section the cartilage, the ligaments of the SIJ, and their relations to adjacent organs, in a coronal plane; 2) to correlate anatomical and magnetic resonance (MR) sections; 3) to extend these data in vivo. A topographic dissection of a 52 year-old female specimen was performed to identify the various components, and spatial relationships of the SIJ. Another fresh frozen 50 year-old female cadaver was chosen on CT criteria of normality, and examined with a high resolution (HR) T1-weighted spin echo sequence, in a plane parallel to the ventral limit of the first two sacral vertebrae. This cadaver was then sliced with a sliding gauge device (slice thickness: 5 mm, and device thickness: 1 mm). The SIJ of a 28 year-old nulliparous volunteer, were examined in HR MR imaging, and with a faster sequence, for comparison with the post mortem data. The slice study was correlated with conventional dissection. The continuity and thickness of the auricular cartilage, the complex fascicles of proximal ventral and dorsal sacroiliac ligaments, and distant sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments, were studied. In each plane, coronal HR MR imaging studies were correlated with anatomical sections. The clinical relevance of this comparison was to extend these data in vivo. The auricular cartilage and the ligaments of the SIJ are clearly analyzed by MR imaging, which could contribute to the study of sacroiliitis.

[Pulmonary hemosiderosis. Hemodynamic or idiopathic origin? Diagnostic contribution of imaging and review of the literature]. / Hémosidérose pulmonaire. Origine hémodynamique ou idiopathique? Contribution diagnostique de l'imagerie et revue de la littérature.

We report two cases of Pulmonary Hemosiderosis. The first patient (adult male) had an angiosarcoma of the left auricle and developed pulmonary arterial hypertension, was treated by surgery and chemotherapy. The other patient (adult female) suffered from Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH) and had been treated by corticosteroids for fifteen years, with one acute episode during this period. We discuss the etiological diagnosis and the contribution of chest radiographs, CT-scan and MR Imaging in this rare illness according to literature. IPH occurs mostly in childhood with acute and fatal issue, whereas presents as a chronic form in adults. Assessment of IPH requires large investigations to eliminate hemodynamic, hemato-, immuno-, carcinological disorders, and infectious agents as well. Review.

[Radiologic aspect of benign pleural fibrous mesothelioma. Reports of 4 cases]. / Aspect radiologique des mésothéliomes pleuraux fibreux bénins. A propos de quatre cas.

Solitary fibrous tumor or pleural fibroma is a rare tumor. It grows slowly and has a good prognosis after surgical resection. Pleural features, staging and even the fibrous nature are analysed by radiological findings. Ultrasonic diagnosis, CT-Scan and MR Imaging are very useful but non specific: the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant tissue is still based on histological study of the whole surgical specimen. Review of the literature.

[Congenital anomaly of the inferior vena cava with hemiazygos continuation. Ultrasonic diagnosis]. / Anomalie congénitale de la veine cave inférieure avec continuation hémi-azygos. Diagnostic échographique.

Congenital anomaly of the inferior vena cava with hemiazygos continuation: ultrasonic diagnosis. We report a case of agenesis of the retro-hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava in an asymptomatic 18 year old woman, found on a routine chest-ray. This rare illness was suspected on the findings of conventional radiology and was assessed by ultrasonography that shows direct termination of hepatic veins in the right auricle, and the hemi-azygos vein behind the aorta. Our radiological and ultrasonographic findings are confirmed by the literature. In the absence of any clinical signs, CT-scan and MR Imaging were note used in investigations. Nevertheless their usefulness has been extensively reported by many authors. Cavography remains useful before surgery.