Interobserver reliability of classifying shoulder calcific tendinopathy on plain radiography and ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: Shoulder calcific tendinopathy is a frequent cause of shoulder pain. Diagnosis is usually based on ultrasound (US) and/or X-ray. US is considered an inherently operator-dependent imaging modality and, interobserver variability has previously been described by experts in the musculoskeletal US. The main objective of this study is to assess the interobserver agreement for shoulder calcific tendinopathy attending to the size, type, and location of calcium analyzed in plain film and ultrasound among trained musculoskeletal radiologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From June 2018 to May 2019, we conducted a prospective study. Patients diagnosed with shoulder pain related to calcific tendinopathy were included. Two different experienced musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated independently the plain film and the US. RESULTS: Forty patients, with a mean age of 54.6 years, were included. Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.721 and 0.761 was obtained for the type of calcium encountered in plain film and the US, respectively. The location of calcification obtained a coefficient of 0.927 and 0.760 in plain film and US, respectively. The size of the calcification presented an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.891 and 0.86 in plain film and US respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in either measurement. CONCLUSION: This study shows very good interobserver reliability of type and size measurement (plain film and US) of shoulder calcifying tendinopathy in experienced musculoskeletal radiologists.

Analysis of Wrist Morphology Through Hamate and Lunate Bone Variations in Anatolian Population Using Plain Radiography / Análisis de la Morfología de la Articulación Radiocarpiana a Través de las Variaciones de los Huesos Hamato y Semilunar en la Población de Anatolia Mediante Radiografía Simple

SUMMARY: The present study aimed to evaluate wrist (lunate) anatomy in terms of the incidence of lunatum morphology on plain-radiographs among the Anatolian (Turkey) population, accompanied by demographic analysis. We obtained all the patients' data regarding demographical features, diagnosis, and posteroanterior (PA) X-ray imaging. Two radiograph-reviewers repeated the analysis twice, one month later, blinded to their findings before the previous review. The lunatum structure was determined as Type-1 (n:293) and Type-2 (n:207) for each radiograph. Most of the 500 wrists' radiographs [n:293 (58.6 %)] were type-I lunate. The mean age was 36.7±13.3 (range:18-90) years. Sex distribution was as follows: 185 (63.1 %) males to 108 (36.9 %) females. Type-2 lunate was seen in 207 participants (41.4 %). The mean age for type-2 was 41.6±15.2 (18-88) years. 142 (68.6 %) participants were male sex, while 65 (31.4 %) were females. The mean age of subjects with type-I showed a difference with type-II (p=0.007). There was no relationship in terms of sex (p=0.206) between the groups. In the Anatolian region, type-1 lunate was dominant compared to type-2. The incidence rate of lunate type in Anatolian population was similar to the Arab population.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la anatomía de la articulación radiocarpiana en términos de la incidencia de la morfología del hueso semilunar en radiografías simples entre la población de Anatolia (Turquía), acompañado de un análisis demográfico. Obtuvimos todos los datos de los pacientes con respecto a las características demográficas, el diagnóstico y las imágenes de rayos X posteroanteriores (PA). Dos revisores de radiografías repitieron el análisis dos veces, un mes después, sin conocer sus hallazgos antes de la revisión anterior. La estructura del lunatum se determinó como Tipo-1 (n:293) y Tipo-2 (n:207) para cada radiografía. La mayoría de las 500 radiografías de muñecas [n:293 (58,6 %)] fueron semilunar tipo I. La edad media fue de 36,7±13,3 (rango: 18-90) años. La distribución por sexos fue la siguiente: 185 (63,1 %) hombres y 108 (36,9 %) mujeres. El semilunar tipo 2 se observó en 207 participantes (41,4 %). La edad media para el tipo 2 fue de 41,6±15,2 (18-88) años. 142 (68,6 %) participantes eran del sexo masculino, mientras que 65 (31,4 %) eran del sexo femenino. La edad media de los sujetos con tipo I mostró una diferencia con el tipo II (p = 0,007). No hubo relación en cuanto al sexo (p=0,206) entre los grupos. En la región de Anatolia, el semilunar tipo 1 era dominante en comparación con el tipo 2. La tasa de incidencia del tipo semilunar en la población de Anatolia fue similar a la de la población árabe.

Dígito pélvico como hallazgo incidental y posibles diagnósticos diferenciales / Pelvic digit as an incidental finding and possible differential diagnoses

El dígito pélvico es un tipo de anomalía congénita benigna poco frecuente, que se localiza en la región coxofemoral, en relación con el ilion.A pesar de que suele ser asintomático, es importante conocer su existencia, así como los posibles diagnósticos diferenciales, ya que se puede encontrar como un hallazgo incidental en la radiografía simple.Se presenta el caso de un hombre, de 58 años, que acude a su médico de Atención Primaria (AP) por artralgias generalizadas, quien observa en la radiografía simple de cadera un hallazgo inusual, por lo que interconsulta al servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, donde se realiza el diagnóstico de dígito pélvico.(AU)

The pelvic digit is a rare benign congenital abnormality, located in the hip region, in regard to the ilium.Although usually asymptomatic, it is important to be aware of its existence as well as the possible differential diagnoses since it can be found as an incidental finding on plain x-ray.We report the case of a 58-year-old man who presented to his primary care physician because of generalized arthralgia. He observed an unusual finding on plain x-ray of the hip, whereby he consulted the radiology department, where pelvic digit was diagnosed.(AU)

Radiographic diagnosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. An updated review.

The radiological diagnosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) is of major importance considering its therapeutic and prognostic implications. Both radiologists and clinicians have the opportunity to diagnose OVFs in daily clinical practice due to the widespread use of spine and chest radiography. However, several studies have reported an under-diagnosis of OVFs, particularly by a lack of consensus on the diagnostic criteria. Therefore, up-to-date knowledge of the most relevant approaches for the diagnosis of OVFs is necessary for many physicians. This article aims to review the most commonly used classification systems in the diagnosis of OVFs based on conventional radiography. We discuss their rationale, advantages and limitations, as well as their utility according to the context. This review will provide a concise yet useful understanding of the typology of OVFs, their clinical significance and prognosis. Finally, we include anatomical variations that can be confused with OVFs by non-experts.

Association between abdominal pain and fecal impaction grade assessed through radiography in constipated patients at a pediatric emergency service. / Asociación entre el dolor abdominal y el grado de coproestasis mediante la evaluación radiográfica en pacientes estreñidos que acuden a los servicios de urgencias pediátricas.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Abdominal pain in children is a frequent cause of emergency room consultation. An important group of those patients presents with chronic constipation and fecal impaction. Plain abdominal x-ray is widely used for making a diagnosis and ruling out the need for surgical treatment. The present study examined the association between pain intensity and fecal impaction grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted that compared 2 radiographic scales to determine the association between the grade of fecal impaction observed and abdominal pain intensity in patients that sought medical attention at an emergency service within a 7-month period. The analysis was carried out by 2 different observers, utilizing 2 different radiographic scales to confirm their reproducibility. The degree of interobserver agreement was measured using the Kappa coefficient and the association between abdominal pain and fecal impaction grade was measured through the Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: There was a significant association between pain intensity and the radiographic grade of fecal impaction (P<.05) for the radiographic scale by segments and its interobserver agreement was high, compared with the scale by percentage. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic scales may be useful in the evaluation and treatment of patients with abdominal pain and constipation. The segmental scale showed less interobserver variability, suggesting its proposal as an alternative in the evaluation and follow-up of patients with chronic constipation.

Noticeable Bone Degradation on a Plain Radiography: a Case / Degradación Ósea Observable en una Radiografía Simple: un Caso

Abstract: In this paper, an image of the humeral head obtained from a plain radiography was analyzed. The radiograph was obtained from a forty year-old female with diagnosed breast cancer and discomfort on the right shoulder. The aim of the study was to determine whether it is possible to observe early bone metastasis with plane radiography using the so called scanning method. Plotting the intensity distribution along the rows of the image is a fast, qualitative way to know if the bone has some abnormality. If the curves are "smooth" then the bone is healthy, but if they are discontinuous then it is sick. To obtain quantitative results, the rows intensities were analyzed around discontinuous zones. Using this technique it was possible to observe bone degradations of the order of 11%.

Resumen: En este trabajo se analiza una imagen de una cabeza humeral obtenida de una radiografía simple. La radiografía se obtuvo de una mujer de cuarenta años de edad diagnosticada con cáncer de mama y molestias en el hombro derecho. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar si es posible observar metástasis ósea temprana en una radiografía plana utilizando el método de escaneo. Graficar la distribución de intensidad de las filas de la imagen es una manera rápida y cualitativa de saber si el hueso tiene alguna anormalidad. Si las curvas son "suaves" entonces el hueso está sano, pero si son discontinuas entonces está enfermo. Para obtener resultados cuantitativos, se debe analizar la intensidad de las filas alrededor de las zonas discontinuas. Utilizando esta técnica fue posible observar una degradación ósea del orden del 11%.