Imaging findings of sacroiliac joints in spondyloarthropathies and other rheumatic conditions.

PURPOSE: The authors sought to evaluate the role of the different imaging techniques in the study of sacroiliac joints in patients with spondyloarthropathies (SpA) and other rheumatic conditions and to assess potential pitfalls in the radiological diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three consecutive patients with sacroiliitis as the predominant symptom of a rheumatic disorder were retrospectively studied. Radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were performed. The following imaging findings were evaluated: bone marrow oedema, intra-articular effusion, synovial reaction, joint-space widening, bone sclerosis or hyperostosis, subchondral erosions and, in final stages, joint-space narrowing and ankylosis. All images were independently reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists. RESULTS: Radiography demonstrated bone sclerosis in 10 patients (23%), subchondral erosions in 15 (34%), jointspace widening in 8 (18%), joint-space narrowing in 17 (39%) and ankylosis in 3 (6%). CT examination showed sclerosis of the sacroiliac joint in 17 patients (41%), subchondral erosions in 21 (53%), joint-space widening in 22 (53%), joint-space narrowing in 18 (43%) and ankylosis in 7 (17%). At MR, we found bone marrow oedema in 25 patients (92%), intra-articular effusion in 26 (96%), synovial reaction in 21 (77%) and joint-space widening in 5 (18%). CONCLUSIONS: Radiological study of the sacroiliac joints in patients with different rheumatic disorders represents a problem of difficult diagnostic evaluation due to the complexity of the anatomical region and the variability of radiographic findings. The integrated use of conventional radiography, CT and MR imaging is suggested to avoid misdiagnosis.

Rotator cable at MR imaging: considerations on morphological aspects and biomechanical role.

PURPOSE: The rotator cable (RC) is a thickening of the coracohumeral ligament. It extends from the coracohumeral ligament to the inferior border of the infraspinatus tendon, with fibres running perpendicularly to the rotator cuff fibres. According to some authors, the RC tends to thicken with age, thus allowing some individuals with a cuff lesion to preserve normal shoulder function. We evaluated the RC with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and investigated its possible role in the biomechanics of the shoulder affected by cuff lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2007 and May 2008, we performed shoulder MR examinations for shoulder pain or disability on 94 patients (46 males, 48 females; age range 16-79 years; mean age 54.09 ± 15.09 years) for a total of 104 shoulders (62 right, 42 left). RESULTS: RC was more easily detectable in oblique coronal scans where it appeared as a crescent-shaped, regularly marginated structure adjacent to the articular surface of the supraspinatus tendon and medial to the insertion point of this tendon on the greater tuberosity. Its thickness was 2.8 ± 0.3 mm. The structure was identified in 62% of cases (mean patient age 55.3 ± 14.9 years). No statistically significant difference in age was found between patients with and without evidence of RC (Student's t test=0.05; p=0.82). Among patients with partial- or full-thickness supraspinatus tendon lesions at MR imaging, no statistically significant difference was found between the presence or absence of RC and disability on Jobe's test (χ(2)=1.17; p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RC can be observed at MR imaging in >60% cases. In our sample it did not seem to influence shoulder function in patients with cuff lesions.

Underreported vertebral fractures in an Italian population: comparison of plain radiographs vs quantitative measurements.

PURPOSE: Vertebral fractures (VFs) are the hallmark of osteoporosis and are responsible for almost 70,000 hospital admissions yearly, implying social costs and impaired quality of life for patients. In recent years, several techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, have been proposed for VF diagnosis, but a gold standard is not yet available and the visual semiquantitative (VSQ) assessment proposed by Genant remains the most validated. However, given the lack of a standardised method, in clinical practice, the diagnosis of VF is often missed, and patients are not correctly assessed. The aim of our study was to estimate the percentage of VFs not detected in clinical practice in italian population using the VSQ method and a new morphometric technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 283 postmenopausal women referred to our clinic for osteoporosis screening, we performed a clinical examination, plain spinal radiographs (for VSQ assessment) and digital computerised morphometry (DCM) to assess VFs. Bone density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of patients had a T score <-2.5 standard deviations (SD), and 35.2% were osteopenic, but no significant correlations between T score and grade or number of fractures were found. DCM identified VFs in 38.5% of patients versus 32.5% using the VSQ method. Overall, 280 VFs were detected by DCM and 236 by VSQ, whereas only 105 were recognised by the reports. CONCLUSIONS: VFs went undetected in 55.5% according to the VSQ method on standard spinal radiographs. Therefore, the morphometric technique may be helpful when performed with the semiquantitative approach to improve recognition of VFs. However, other studies are needed to further validate the utility of this new morphometric technique in clinical practice.

Vertebral fractures in dialysis: Endocrinological disruption of the bone-kidney axis.

The occurrence of metabolic bone disease in patients with renal dysfunction is due to the key role played by the kidney in regulating calcium-phosphate metabolism. The incidence of hip fractures in end-stage renal disease is 3- to 4-fold higher than the general population, while poor data about vertebral fractures show similar prevalence. Bone health has been mainly evaluated in the general population through bone mass density (BMD) measurements, while in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients, bone turnover (low or high turnover) has been considered the most relevant parameter. Indeed, in CKD patients, the association between BMD and fractures is unclear, and even studies on established risk factors (body mass index, PTH, and vitamin D) for fractures have contrasting outcomes. Recently, an important association has been found between bone disorders and vascular calcifications in CKD patients that has changed the denomination of renal osteodystrophy in CKD mineral and bone disorder. In this article, a poorly investigated subject, vertebral fractures in CKD patients, is addressed, as it is underestimated despite its remarkable clinical relevance.

MR characterisation of dysplastic nodules and hepatocarcinoma in the cirrhotic liver with hepatospecific superparamagnetic contrast agents: pathological correlation in explanted livers.

PURPOSE: The authors sought to evaluate the potential of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast material for identifying, characterising and differentiating dysplastic nodules (DN) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the cirrhotic liver by correlating the results with pathological findings on the explanted liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MR imaging was used to study the liver of 400 cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation, 31 of whom were selected to receive a liver. Of these 31 patients, we included in the study 22 patients (mean age 53 years; range 46-57 years) who underwent liver transplantation within 12-24 h after MR examination. Patients were studied with a 1.5-T device, and scans were acquired before and after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material. For every lesion, we recorded signal intensity on unenhanced baseline T1- and T2-weighted images and enhancement pattern after SPIO administration. Histological examination of the entire liver provided the definitive diagnosis of the lesions. RESULTS: Histological examination identified 59 lesions: 14 HCC, 4 HCC-DN, 39 DN, and 2 cystoadenomas. Among the 14 HCC, three were well differentiated, eight were moderately differentiated and three were poorly differentiated. Of the 39 DN, 28 were low-grade and 11 high-grade lesions. Unenhanced baseline MR imaging correctly identified and characterised 20 lesions, equal to 33.90% of all lesions: 6 HCC, 12 DN and 2 DN with a subfocus of HCC. SPIO-enhanced MR imaging showed greater sensitivity detecting and characterising 45 lesions, equal to 76.27% of all lesions identified at histology: 14 HCC, 27 DN and 4 DN with subfocus of HCC. SPIO administration improved the sensitivity of MR imaging in lesion detection and characterisation by 42.37%. False negative results with SPIO-enhanced MR imaging occurred in 12 DN (31%), which histological examination revealed to be low-grade DN with a diameter <1 cm. CONCLUSIONS: SPIO-enhanced MR imaging proved to be of value in detecting and characterising lesions in the cirrhotic liver, allowing differentiation of DN from HCC and providing an early diagnosis of neoplastic degeneration of DN.

Imaging of superficial and deep fibromatosis.

The purpose of this paper was to illustrate the role of diagnostic imaging in superficial and deep fibromatosis through a review of the use of different imaging modalities, including radiography, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography and scintigraphy. In particular, in agreement with published data, it emphasises the crucial role of MRI as the primary modality providing the information needed for management decisions, preoperative planning and follow-up of these lesions.

Virtopsy versus digital autopsy: virtual autopsy.

Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are being increasingly implemented in forensic pathology. These methods may serve as an adjuvant to classic forensic autopsies. Imaging of the interior of corpses is performed using MSCT and/or MRI. MRI, in addition, is also well suited to the examination of surviving victims of assault, especially choking, and helps visualise internal injuries sometimes not seen on external examination of the victim. Various postprocessing techniques can provide strong forensic evidence for use in legal proceedings. The documentation and analysis of postmortem findings with MSCT and MRI and postprocessing techniques (virtopsy) is investigator independent, objective and noninvasive and will lead to qualitative improvements in forensic pathologic investigation. Apart from the accuracy and three dimensionality that conventional documentations lack, these techniques allow for the re-examination of the corpse and the crime scene even decades later, after burial of the corpse and liberation of the crime scene. We believe that this virtual, noninvasive or minimally invasive approach will improve forensic medicine in the near future.

Imaging of sternocostoclavicular joint in spondyloarthropaties and other rheumatic conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the role of the various imaging techniques in the study of the sternocostoclavicular joint, in patients with spondyloarthropathies and other rheumatic conditions and to assess potential pitfalls in the radiological diagnosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients, 11 male and 19 female, mean age 45 years, with involvement of the sternocostoclavicular joint as part of rheumatologic disorders (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Tietze syndrome, SAPHO syndrome, and condensing osteitis of the clavicle) were studied. Conventional radiography, CT, MRI and bone scintigraphy were performed. The following imaging findings were evaluated: soft tissue swelling, bone sclerosis, cortical bone erosions, joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, periosteal new bone formation, synovial reaction and intrarticular effusion. All the images were independently reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists. RESULTS: Conventional radiography demonstrated only sclerosis of the clavicula in 8 pts (26%) and the sternum in 3 pts (10%), cortical bone erosions in 7 pts (23%), joint space narrowing in 6 pts (23%) and periosteal bone formation in 2 pts (10%). At the CT examination sclerosis of the clavicula and the sternum was observed in 13 pts (44%), cortical bone erosions in 22 pts (76%), joint space narrowing in 10 pts (34%), ligament ossification in 12 pts (41%), subchondral sclerosis in 9 pts (34%) and periosteal bone formation in 10 pts (34%). The MRI was the most sensitive technique in the evaluation of the soft tissue swelling in 9 pts (56%), intrarticular effusion in 13 pts (81%) and synovial reaction in 13 pts (81%). Finally, bone scintigraphy showed an increased uptake at the sterno-costoclavicular joint in all patients who underwent the examination. CONCLUSION: The radiological evaluation of the anterior chest wall in patients with different rheumatic disorders represents a problem of difficult diagnostic evaluation both for the anatomic region complexity and for the variability of the radiographic findings. The integrated use of X-ray, CT, MRI and nuclear medicine is suggested to avoid misdiagnosis.

Body composition assessment by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Body composition (BC) assessment is indispensable to evaluate nutritional status and thus health, both at the population and individual level, and to assess the efficacy of primary and secondary preventive nutritional strategies. Changes in BC, including the regional distribution of body fat, largely occur during pubertal transition, with marked differences between genders. They may, however, also occur in the elderly, who experience significant changes in the ratio between body fat and muscle with aging. The development and implementation of more sophisticated techniques (e.g. BC assessment at the molecular and atomic levels) could provide a major contribution to determining BC at different levels. This review discusses the application of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on BC determination, given that DXA has the potential to provide overall and regional assessment of BC in terms of fat, lean mass and bone. DXA is widely used in many clinical settings primarily diagnosis osteoporosis. This article describes the use of whole-body DXA in assessing BC in patients with chronic diseases (e.g. metabolic syndrome) as well as in different sport activities to evaluate the effects of exercise.

Subclinical visual field alterations are commonly present in patients with Graves' Orbitopathy and are mainly related to the clinical activity of the disease.

The present study was aimed to investigate optic nerve involvement by computerized perimetry in 40 (29 women, 11 men) consecutive GO patients not showing definite dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). All patients presenting visual acuity defects, pallor or swelling of the optic nerve, concomitant eye disease, evidence of apical crowding or optic nerve stretching at either MRI or CT imaging were excluded. Normal perimetry occurred in 7 patients (17.5%), 5 patients (12.5%) had "indeterminate" results and 28 patients (70%) presented abnormal perimetry. Particularly, 7 isolated paracentral, 5 pericentral and 16 combined peri and paracentral scotomas were found. On the contrary, 15/20 patients in the group without GO had normal perimetry, isolated scotomas were found in 5 cases (1 pericentral and 4 paracentral) and no case of combined scotoma occurred. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (x2 = 9.17; p = 0.025). Overall, the sensitivity resulted 70%, the specificity 75% and the positive predictive value 84.8%. In patients with GO, the proportion of visual field alterations was significantly increased for Clinical Activity Score > or = 3 (p = 0.0005), while no relationship occurred with proptosis degree (p = 0.115). In conclusion, a great proportion of GO patients without clinically evident DON presents visual field defects, mainly related to GO activity.

Curcumin treatment protects rat retinal neurons against excitotoxicity: effect on N-methyl-D: -aspartate-induced intracellular Ca(2+) increase.

Curcumin, an extract from the plant Curcuma longa with well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, was tested as protective agent against excitotoxicity in rat retinal cultures. A 24 h-treatment with curcumin reduced N-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA)-mediated excitotoxic cell damage, estimated as decrease of cell viability and increase in apoptosis. The protection was associated with decrease of NMDA receptor-mediated Ca(2+) rise and reduction in the level of phosphorylated NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor. These results enlighten a new pharmacological action of the plant extract, possibly mediated by a modulation of NMDA receptor activity.

[Cerebral venous sinuses thrombosis in an infant with supramitral obstructive membrane associated with partial anomalous pulmonary venous return]. / Trombosi dei seni venosi cerebrali in un lattente con membrana sovramitralica ostruttiva associata a ritorno venoso polmonare anomalo parziale.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is quite rare in newborn infants, but probably its incidence is not well evaluated because clinical signs and cerebral echocardiography are not specific. We report the case of an newborn infant with massive cerebral venous thrombosis associated with heart malformation: supramitral ring and partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in the superior vena cava.

Perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8) induces structural modifications and increases apoptosis in rat primary retinal cultures.

The effects of perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8), recently investigated as a long-term artificial vitreous substitute, were studied in vitro, with the use of rat retinal cultures seeded on microporous inserts that allow the cell layer to be in contact with the material to be tested, on the apical side, and with the nutrient medium, on the basal side. After 72 h of treatment with F6H8, retinal cultures lost the characteristic two-layered organization with glial cells at the bottom and neuronal cells on top of them. They appeared to be composed of only one layer of polyhedrical, flattened, and disconnected cells. TUNEL assay revealed an evident increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in F6H8-treated cultures (30.1 +/- 4.5), compared to control (10.3 +/- 2.6) and perfluoroctane-treated cultures (10.1 +/- 1.7). Immunolabeling of MAP-2, a protein of neuronal cytoskeleton, evidenced a marked loss of neurites. The results suggest that F6H8 is harmful to retinal cells in vitro and can therefore be potentially noxious to the retina as an artificial vitreous substitute.

[Physiopathologic findings and surgical treatment in transposition of great vessels: our experience]. / Rilievi fisiopatologici e trattamento chirurgico della transposizione dei grossi vasi: nostra esperienza.

Transposition of great vessels (TGV) is the most frequent neonatal cyanotic malformative cardiopathy. The Authors report their experience in surgical anatomical correction of transposition of the great arteries in 55 patients, 44 male and 11 female. Minimum age was 2 days, maximum 6 months. TGV was simple in 38 cases and associated with ventricular defect in 12 cases, with double outlet right ventricle in 3 cases, and with complex cardiopathy in 2 cases. There have been 11 deaths. The cause of death was: cardiac failure in 3 patients, myocardial infarct in 4 patients, respiratory insufficiency in 2 patients, and sepsis in 2 patients. There was one death by myocardial infarction and 1 asymptomatic ostial left coronary stenosis during follow-up (from 1 to 104 months). There were neither anastomotic pulmonary stenosis nor aortic valve incompetence. The authors review the literature on functional and anatomic correction of TGV and underline the importance of precocious anatomic together with early diagnosis, percutaneous atrioseptostomy and pharmacologic (PGE1) therapy in determining further reduction of mortality and to improve late outcome.