Comparison of outcomes of proximal versus distal and combined splenic artery embolization in the management of blunt splenic injury: a report of 202 cases from a single trauma center.

BACKGROUND: To compare the outcomes of blunt splenic injuries (BSI) managed with proximal (P) versus distal (D) versus combined (C) splenic artery embolization (SAE). METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with BSI who demonstrated vascular injuries on angiograms and were managed with SAE between 2001 and 2015. The success rate and major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ III) were compared between the P, D, and C embolizations. RESULTS: In total, 202 patients were enrolled (P, n = 64, 31.7%; D, n = 84, 41.6%; C, n = 54, 26.7%). The median injury severity score was 25. The median times from injury to SAE were 8.3, 7.0, and 6.6 h for the P, D, and C embolization, respectively. The overall haemostasis success rates were 92.6%, 93.8%, 88.1%, and 98.1% in the P, D, and C embolizations, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.079). Additionally, the outcomes were not significantly different between the different types of vascular injuries on angiograms or the materials used in the location of embolization. Splenic abscess occurred in six patients (P, n = 0; D, n = 5; C, n = 1), although it occurred more commonly in those who underwent D embolization with no significant difference (p = 0.092). CONCLUSIONS: The success rate and major complications of SAE were not significantly different regardless of the location of embolization. The different types of vascular injuries on angiograms and agents used in different embolization locations also did not affect the outcomes.

Anatomical parameters alter the biomechanical responses of adjacent segments following lumbar fusion surgery: Personalized poroelastic finite element modelling investigations.

Introduction: While the short-term post-operative outcome of lumbar fusion is satisfying for most patients, adjacent segment disease (ASD) can be prevalent in long-term clinical observations. It might be valuable to investigate if inherent geometrical differences among patients can significantly alter the biomechanics of adjacent levels post-surgery. This study aimed to utilize a validated geometrically personalized poroelastic finite element (FE) modeling technique to evaluate the alteration of biomechanical response in adjacent segments post-fusion. Methods: Thirty patients were categorized for evaluation in this study into two distinct groups [i.e., 1) non-ASD and 2) ASD patients] based on other long-term clinical follow-up investigations. To evaluate the time-dependent responses of the models subjected to cyclic loading, a daily cyclic loading scenario was applied to the FE models. Different rotational movements in different planes were superimposed using a 10 Nm moment after daily loading to compare the rotational motions with those at the beginning of cyclic loading. The biomechanical responses of the lumbosacral FE spine models in both groups were analyzed and compared before and after daily loading. Results: The achieved comparative errors between the FE results and clinical images were on average below 20% and 25% for pre-op and post-op models, respectively, which confirms the applicability of this predictive algorithm for rough pre-planning estimations. The results showed that the disc height loss and fluid loss were increased for the adjacent discs in post-op models after 16 h of cyclic loading. In addition, significant differences in disc height loss and fluid loss were observed between the patients who were in the non-ASD and ASD groups. Similarly, the increased stress and fiber strain in the annulus fibrosus (AF) was higher in the adjacent level of post-op models. However, the calculated stress and fiber strain values were significantly higher for patients with ASD. Discussion: Evaluating the biomechanical response of pre-op and post-op modeling in the non-ASD and ASD groups showed that the inherent geometric differences among patients cause significant variations in the estimated mechanical response. In conclusion, the results of the current study highlighted the effect of geometrical parameters (which may refer to the anatomical conditions or the induced modifications regarding surgical techniques) on time-dependent responses of lumbar spine biomechanics.

Combined 3-Dimensional CT and Multidirectional CT Arthrography for Femoroacetabular Impingement and Hip Lesions: A Cross-sectional Study Comparing Imaging and Hip Arthroscopic Surgery Findings.

Background: There is limited research investigating the diagnostic strength of 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and multidirectional CT arthrography (CTA) for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and related hip lesions. Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic strength of combined 3D-CT and CTA in patients with FAI and related hip lesions by comparing it with hip arthroscopic surgery findings. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: This study included patients who were suspected of having FAI and related hip lesions and who underwent a combination of 3D-CT and CTA and subsequent hip arthroscopic surgery between December 2013 and December 2017. The CT and intraoperative arthroscopic findings were recorded and compared. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D-CT for FAI and those of CTA for related hip lesions were calculated. Results: A total of 114 patients with 114 hips were included in our study. There were 101 patients with positive findings and 13 patients with negative findings for FAI (including cam, pincer, and combined morphology) according to 3D-CT. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D-CT for FAI were 91.58%, 57.14%, and 89.47%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CTA for labral tears were 94.64%, 100.00%, and 94.73%, respectively. For acetabular cartilage defects, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CTA were 60.71%, 91.37%, and 76.31%, respectively. For femoral cartilage defects, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CTA were 82.22%, 76.81%, and 78.94%, respectively. Conclusion: The study results indicated that 3D-CT was able to provide excellent accuracy for FAI compared with hip arthroscopic surgery findings. In addition, multidirectional CTA demonstrated promising diagnostic strength for hip lesions such as labral tears and chondral defects.

Use of biphasic calcium phosphate versus demineralized bone matrix: retrospective clinical and CT analysis of posterolateral fusion results.

PURPOSE: Bone graft extenders have been developed to prevent donor site morbidity associated with iliac crest bone graft, but few studies compared the efficacy of various substitutes. Our purpose was to determine fusion rate and clinical outcome in patients undergoing lumbar arthrodesis using demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). METHODS: Patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis undergoing one-level or two-level arthrodesis of lumbar spine were retrospectively reviewed. Two treatment groups placed either BCP or DBM, in addition to local autograft in lumbar posterolateral space. Three-dimensional CT exam and dynamic flexion-extension radiographs at postoperative 2-year were assessed for posterolateral fusion status and pain scale and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for clinical outcome. RESULTS: Of the 148 patients reviewed (including 23 in one- and 58 patients in two-level in BCP group, and 47 in one- and 20 patients in two-level in DBM group), no significant differences were found in terms of age, sex, BMI, smoking, diabetes, steroids, number of level fused, non-union rate or revision surgery between BCP and DBM groups. Significantly improved pain scale of back and leg and ODI were found in both groups postoperatively without group difference. We found a comparable fusion rate in one-level surgery (100% versus 93.6%) and a superior fusion rate of BCP group in two-level surgery (98.3% versus 80.0%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Being a bone graft extender without osteoinductive property, with local autograft, BCP is comparable to DBM for one- and superior for two-level fusion. No significant difference was found in clinical outcomes.

Splenic artery embolization changes the management of blunt splenic injury: an observational analysis of 680 patients graded by the revised 2018 AAST-OIS.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the management of blunt splenic injury (BSI) and highlight the role of splenic artery embolization (SAE). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with BSI over 15 years. Splenic injuries were graded by the 2018 revision of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale (AAST-OIS). Our hospital provide 24/7 in-house surgeries and 24/7 in-house interventional radiology facility. Patients with BSI who arrived hypotensive and were refractory to resuscitation required surgery and patients with vascular injury on abdominal computed tomography were considered for SAE. RESULTS: In total, 680 patients with BSI, the number of patients who underwent nonoperative management with observation (NOM-obs), SAE, and surgery was 294, 234, and 152, respectively. The number of SAEs increased from 4 (8.3%) in 2001 to 23 (60.5%) in 2015 (p < 0.0001); conversely, the number of surgeries decreased from 21 (43.8%) in 2001 to 4 (10.5%) in 2015 (p = 0.001). The spleen-related mortality rate of NOM-obs, SAEs, and surgery was 0%, 0.4%, and 7.2%, respectively. In the SAE subgroup, according to the 2018 AAST-OIS, 234 patients were classified as grade II, n = 3; III, n = 21; IV, n = 111; and V, n = 99, respectively.; and compared with 1994 AST-OIS, 150 patients received a higher grade and the total number of grade IV and V injuries ranged from 96 (41.0%) to 210 (89.7%) (p < 0.0001). On angiography, 202 patients who demonstrated vascular injury and 187 achieved hemostasis after SAE with a 92.6% success rate. Six of the 15 patients failed to SAE preserved the spleen after second embolization with a 95.5% salvage rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the superiority of the 2018 AAST-OIS and support the role of SAE in changing the trend of management of BSI.

Automatic recognition of whole-spine sagittal alignment and curvature analysis through a deep learning technique.

PURPOSE: Artificial intelligence based on deep learning (DL) approaches enables the automatic recognition of anatomic landmarks and subsequent estimation of various spinopelvic parameters. The locations of inflection points (IPs) and apices (APs) in whole-spine lateral radiographs could be mathematically determined by a fully automatic spinal sagittal curvature analysis system. METHODS: We developed a DL model for automatic spinal curvature analysis of whole-spine lateral plain radiographs by using 1800 annotated images of various spinal disease etiologies. The DL model comprised a landmark localizer to detect 25 vertebral landmarks and a numerical algorithm for the generation of an individualized spinal sagittal curvature. The characteristics of the spinal curvature, including the IPs, APs, and curvature angle, could thus be analyzed using mathematical definitions. The localization error of each landmark was calculated from the predictions of 300 test images to evaluate the performance of the landmark localizer. The interrater reliability among a senior orthopedic surgeon, a radiologist, and the DL model was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The accuracy of the landmark localizer was within an acceptable range (median error: 1.7-4.1 mm), and the interrater reliabilities between the proposed DL model and each expert were good to excellent (all ICCs > 0.85) for the measurement of spinal curvature characteristics. CONCLUSION: The interrater reliability between the proposed DL model and human experts was good to excellent in predicting the locations of IPs, APs, and curvature angles. Future applications should be explored to validate this system and improve its clinical efficiency.

Maintenance of multi-domain neurocognitive functions in patients with newly-diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma after primary cranial radiotherapy combined with methotrexate-based chemotherapy: A preliminary case-series study.

Conventional treatment for treating primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has consisted of either whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or methotrexate (MTX)-based combined modality therapy. However, delayed cognitive sequelae have emerged as a significant debilitating complication in PCNSL patients. A prospective observational case-series study with prospective assessments of neurocognitive functions (NCFs), neuroimaging, and activities of daily living in newly-diagnosed PCNSL patients was undertaken. A battery of neuropsychological measures, used to evaluate NCFs, is composed of ten standardized NCF tests, representing four domains sensitive to disease and treatment effects (executive function, attention, verbal memory, psychomotor speed), and activities of daily living. A total of 15 patients with newly-diagnosed PCNSL were consecutively enrolled in this study. Comparing the NCF scores between the baseline (before WBRT) and post-treatment (after combined chemoradiation therapy) intervals (Mean = 122.33 days, SD = 34.49, range = 77-196), neurobehavioral outcomes consistently remained improving or stable in almost each domain of NCF. Specifically, the scores on Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test-Revised (PASAT-R) were significantly improved between the baseline and post-chemoradiation assessment. Under the multidisciplinary treatment guidelines for treating patients with newly-diagnosed PCNSL, multi-domain NCF become stabilized and even improved after the course of conformal WBRT combined with or without MTX-based chemotherapy.

Comparisons of Lumbar Muscle Performance Between Minimally-Invasive and Open Lumbar Fusion Surgery at 1-Year Follow-Up.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. OBJECTIVE: Minimally-invasive lumbar fusion surgery (MIS) is a viable alternative to conventional open surgery (COS) for spinal disorders. Although MIS seems to be associated with less para-spinal muscle trauma, the actual back muscle performance after MIS and COS remain controversial. This study investigated post-operative para-spinal muscle performance, and the correlation between muscle dysfunction and clinical outcome. METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized control study, 50 patients were enrolled and split into 2 groups: COS and MIS. We established a biomechanical model of the para-spinal muscle in the lumbar spine using electromyography (EMG) and specific muscle function tests. Functional outcomes were also reviewed and analyzed. All patients underwent EMG pre-operatively, and at 3 months and 1 year post-operatively. The para-spinal muscle performance was investigated by comparing the back muscle co-contraction ratio and the load transmission zone to the pre-operative data. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients in the COS group and 25 in the MIS group completed the study. Both groups showed a significant improved functional score. The abdominal and back muscle strengths were decreased post-operatively, and were then increased at 12 months post-operatively in both groups. During the perturbed balance task and static task, the MIS group exhibited a trend of recovery in comparison with the COS group. But, the back muscle performance at 12 months was poorer than the pre-op performance in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in clinical outcome and para-spinal muscle performance between groups. In both methods, the global muscle function had declined post-operatively.

Corrigendum: Biomechanical Investigation Between Rigid and Semirigid Posterolateral Fixation During Daily Activities: Geometrically Parametric Poroelastic Finite Element Analyses.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.646079.].

Deep learning approach for automatic landmark detection and alignment analysis in whole-spine lateral radiographs.

Human spinal balance assessment relies considerably on sagittal radiographic parameter measurement. Deep learning could be applied for automatic landmark detection and alignment analysis, with mild to moderate standard errors and favourable correlations with manual measurement. In this study, based on 2210 annotated images of various spinal disease aetiologies, we developed deep learning models capable of automatically locating 45 anatomic landmarks and subsequently generating 18 radiographic parameters on a whole-spine lateral radiograph. In the assessment of model performance, the localisation accuracy and learning speed were the highest for landmarks in the cervical area, followed by those in the lumbosacral, thoracic, and femoral areas. All the predicted radiographic parameters were significantly correlated with ground truth values (all p < 0.001). The human and artificial intelligence comparison revealed that the deep learning model was capable of matching the reliability of doctors for 15/18 of the parameters. The proposed automatic alignment analysis system was able to localise spinal anatomic landmarks with high accuracy and to generate various radiographic parameters with favourable correlations with manual measurements.

Biomechanical Investigation Between Rigid and Semirigid Posterolateral Fixation During Daily Activities: Geometrically Parametric Poroelastic Finite Element Analyses.

While spinal fusion using rigid rods remains the gold standard treatment modality for various lumbar degenerative conditions, its adverse effects, including accelerated adjacent segment disease (ASD), are well known. In order to better understand the performance of semirigid constructs using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in fixation surgeries, the objective of this study was to analyze the biomechanical performance of PEEK versus Ti rods using a geometrically patient-specific poroelastic finite element (FE) analyses. Ten subject-specific preoperative models were developed, and the validity of the models was evaluated with previous studies. Furthermore, FE models of those lumbar spines were regenerated based on postoperation images for posterolateral fixation at the L4-L5 level. Biomechanical responses for instrumented and adjacent intervertebral discs (IVDs) were analyzed and compared subjected to static and cyclic loading. The preoperative model results were well comparable with previous FE studies. The PEEK construct demonstrated a slightly increased range of motion (ROM) at the instrumented level, but decreased ROM at adjacent levels, as compared with the Ti. However, no significant changes were detected during axial rotation. During cyclic loading, disc height loss, fluid loss, axial stress, and collagen fiber strain in the adjacent IVDs were higher for the Ti construct when compared with the intact and PEEK models. Increased ROM, experienced stress in AF, and fiber strain at adjacent levels were observed for the Ti rod group compared with the intact and PEEK rod group, which can indicate the risk of ASD for rigid fixation. Similar to the aforementioned pattern, disc height loss and fluid loss were significantly higher at adjacent levels in the Ti rod group after cycling loading which alter the fluid-solid interaction of the adjacent IVDs. This phenomenon debilitates the damping quality, which results in disc disability in absorbing stress. Such finding may suggest the advantage of using a semirigid fixation system to decrease the chance of ASD.

Comparison of paraspinal muscle degeneration and decompression effect between conventional open and minimal invasive approaches for posterior lumbar spine surgery.

Laminotomy and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is usually used to treat unstable spinal stenosis. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can cause less muscle injury than conventional open surgery (COS). The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of postoperative fatty degeneration in the paraspinal muscles and the spinal decompression between COS and MIS based on MRI. Forty-six patients received laminotomy and TLIF (21 COS, 25 MIS) from February 2016 to January 2017 were included in this study. Lumbar MRI was performed within 3 months before surgery and 1 year after surgery to compare muscle-fat-index (MFI) change of the paraspinal muscles and the dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCAS) change. The average MFI change at L2-S1 erector spinae muscle was significantly greater in the COS group (27.37 ± 21.37% vs. 14.13 ± 19.19%, P = 0.044). A significant MFI change difference between the COS and MIS group was also found in the erector spinae muscle at the caudal adjacent level (54.47 ± 37.95% vs. 23.60 ± 31.59%, P = 0.016). DSCSA improvement was significantly greater in the COS group (128.15 ± 39.83 mm2 vs. 78.15 ± 38.5 mm2, P = 0.0005). COS is associated with more prominent fatty degeneration of the paraspinal muscles. Statically significant post-operative MFI change was only noted in erector spinae muscle at caudal adjacent level and L2-S1 mean global level. COS produces a greater area of decompression on follow up MRI than MIS with no statistical significance on clinical grounds.

Artificial Intelligence for Automatic Measurement of Sagittal Vertical Axis Using ResUNet Framework.

We present an automated method for measuring the sagittal vertical axis (SVA) from lateral radiography of whole spine using a convolutional neural network for keypoint detection (ResUNet) with our improved localization method. The algorithm is robust to various clinical conditions, such as degenerative changes or deformities. The ResUNet was trained and evaluated on 990 standing lateral radiographs taken at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou and performs SVA measurement with median absolute error of 1.183 ± 0.166 mm. The 5-mm detection rate of the C7 body and the sacrum are 91% and 87%, respectively. The SVA calculation takes approximately 0.2 s per image. The intra-class correlation coefficient of the SVA estimates between the algorithm and physicians of different years of experience ranges from 0.946 to 0.993, indicating an excellent consistency. The superior performance of the proposed method and its high consistency with physicians proved its usefulness for automatic measurement of SVA in clinical settings.

Detection and characterization of traumatic bile leaks using Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography.

Expanding bile leaks after blunt liver trauma require more aggressive treatment than contained bile leaks. In this retrospective study approved by institution review board, we analyzed if non-invasive contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (CEMRC) using hepatocyte-specific contrast agent (gadoxetic acid disodium) could detect and characterize traumatic bile leaks. Between March 2012 and December 2014, written informed consents from 22 included patients (17 men, 5 women) with a median age of 24.5 years (IQR 21.8, 36.0 years) were obtained. Biliary tree visualization and bile leak detection on CEMRC acquired at 10, 20, 30, 90 minutes time points were independently graded by three radiologists on a 5-point Likert scale. Intraclass Correlation (ICC) was computed as estimates of interrater reliability. Accuracy was measured by area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC). Biliary tree visualization was the best on CEMRC at 90 minutes (score 4.30) with excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.930). Of 22 CEMRC, 15 had bile leak (8 expanding, 7 contained). The largest AUROC of bile leak detection by three radiologists were 0.824, 0.914, 0.929 respectively on CEMRC at 90 minutes with ICC of 0.816. In conclusion, bile leaks of blunt liver trauma can be accurately detected and characterized on CEMRC.

Postural stability and trunk muscle responses to the static and perturbed balance tasks in individuals with and without symptomatic degenerative lumbar disease.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative lumbar diseases (DLDs) are characterized by motor functional deficits and postural instability. In this study, we investigated the differences in the trunk muscle responses to postural control between the presurgical DLD patients and healthy individuals while performing the static and perturbed balance tasks. METHODS: Thirty-five DLD patients (aged 61.1 ±â€¯8.0 years) and thirty-five asymptomatic controls (aged 62.9 ±â€¯3.7 years) participated in this study. All participants stood on a force plate and performed the quiet standing (QS) and in situ weight-lifting (WL) tasks. The participants' performance in the QS task was tested under the eyes-open, eyes-closed, wide-base, and narrow-base conditions. Center of pressure (CoP) movements and electromyography of the erector spinae (ES) were recorded. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The DLD group showed a significantly greater CoP movements and muscle activations during the QS task. Nevertheless, smaller CoP movements were noted during the WL task in the DLD group. Under the eyes-closed and narrow-base conditions, the DLD group showed even higher muscle activations and CoP movements. SIGNIFICANCE: The DLD patients demonstrated a poor postural control ability and tended to rely on the visual feedback and wide-base standing posture. A rigid and restricted posture was also adopted during the perturbed WL task. A high level of ES activation was required to maintain their postural steadiness. This study reveals an aberrant pattern of postural control and trunk muscle activations in symptomatic DLD patients which potentially contributes to the development of beneficial rehabilitation programs.

Transarterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage: lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: Although transarterial embolization (TAE) can powerfully control postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), clinical failure of TAE is not uncommon. PURPOSE: To discover whether any parameters could predict timely clinical failure of TAE, then whether a supplementary intervention could be promptly initiated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 118 TAE procedures in 113 patients with PPH performed at our institution between January 2012 and May 2015. The patients were divided into the following groups: clinically successful TAE and failed TAE. Successful TAE was defined as obviation of supplementary embolization or surgical intervention for hemostasis. Gestational conditions, angiographic factors, maternal vital signs, and laboratory data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In total, 100 (84.8%) TAEs were clinically successful. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed independent risk factors of TAE clinical failure, including the requirement for augmented embolic agents, placental retention, and international normalized ratio > 1.3 ( P = 0.009, 0.001, and 0.005, respectively). The post-TAE shock index was significantly associated with TAE failure, using a cut-off value of 0.8. CONCLUSION: The discovered independent risk factors of TAE clinical failure existed before or during the TAE procedure and could not reflect the post-TAE conditions. Although the post-TAE shock index was not an independent factor, it reflected the conditions after TAE and could indicate TAE clinical failure timely.

Postoperative Infection in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbosacral Spinal Surgery: A Pictorial Guide for Diagnosis and Early Treatment.

Surgical site infections after posterior spinal surgery may lead to spondylodiscitis, pseudarthrosis, correction loss, adverse neurological sequelae, sepsis, and poor outcomes if not treated immediately. Infection rates vary depending on the type and extent of operative procedures, use of instrumentation, and patients' risk factors. Image evaluation is crucial for early diagnosis and should be complementary to clinical routes, laboratory survey, and treatment timing. Magnetic resonance imaging detects early inflammatory infiltration into the vertebrae and soft tissues, including hyperemic changes of edematous marrow, vertebral endplate, and abscess or phlegmon accumulation around the intervertebral disk, epidural, and paravertebral spaces. Aggressive surgical treatment can eradicate infection sources, obtain a stable wound closure, decrease morbidity, and restore spinal integrity. Organ/space infection is defined as any body parts opened to manipulate other than superficial/deep incision. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging evaluating abnormal fluid accumulation, heterogenous contrast enhancement of the endplate erosion due to cage/screw infection is categorized to inform a presumptive diagnosis for early implant salvage. However, patients' defense response, infection severity, bacteriology, treatment timing, spinal stability, and available medical and surgical options must be fully considered. Revision surgery is indicated for pseudarthrosis, implant loosening with correction loss, recalcitrant spondylodiscitis, and adjacent segment diseases for infection control.

Timely Antecedent CT or MRI Can Help Predict Hemorrhage Site of Posttreatment Head and Neck Cancer, With Digital Subtraction Angiography Used as the Reference Standard.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the timing of CT and MRI performed before digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the prediction of hemorrhage sites in patients with head and neck cancers who present with acute oral or neck bleeding after receiving treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 123 DSA examinations that evaluated 123 oral or neck bleeding events in 85 patients were analyzed. The last CT or MRI examinations performed within a time frame of 0-337 days before transarterial embolization were reviewed retrospectively, with three findings (pseudoaneurysm, air-containing necrotic tissue, and residual tumor) used to predict hemorrhage sites. DSA findings of pseudoaneurysm or active contrast extravasation were used as a reference standard. The sensitivity of CT and MRI for correctly predicting hemorrhage sites was used to determine the optimal timing of CT or MRI examinations performed before DSA. RESULTS: A total of 8.9% of the DSA examinations (11/123) had equivocal findings but were followed by another bleeding event for which DSA findings were positive. CT or MRI was statistically significantly better at predicting hemorrhage sites in patients with bleeding events associated with nonhypopharyngeal cancers (p = 0.019) than in those with bleeding events associated with hypopharyngeal cancers. The sensitivity of CT or MRI in the prediction of hemorrhage sites was statistically significantly higher for the common carotid artery and the internal carotid artery when CT or MRI was performed less than 30 days before bleeding events occurred. Prediction of hemorrhagic sites was better with the use of CT angiography than with the use of enhanced CT or MRI, although it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: DSA findings can temporarily be equivocal. CT or MRI examinations performed within 30 days of bleeding events can predict the site of hemorrhage. If no CT or MRI findings from the past 30 days are available, we suggest performing emergent CT angiography for the sake of obtaining better arterial detail.

Computed tomography arterial portography for assessment of portal vein injury after blunt hepatic trauma.

PURPOSE: Intrahepatic portal vein injuries secondary to blunt abdominal trauma are difficult to diagnose and can result in insidious bleeding. We aimed to compare computed tomography arterial portography (CTAP), reperfusion CTAP (rCTAP), and conventional computed tomography (CT) for diagnosing portal vein injuries after blunt hepatic trauma. METHODS: Patients with blunt hepatic trauma, who were eligible for nonoperative management, underwent CTAP, rCTAP, and CT. The number and size of perfusion defects observed using the three methods were compared. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients (seven males/six females) with a mean age of 34.5±14.1 years were included in the study. A total of 36 hepatic segments had perfusion defects on rCTAP and CT, while there were 47 hepatic segments with perfusion defects on CTAP. The size of perfusion defects on CT (239 cm3; interquartile range [IQR]: 129.5, 309.5) and rCTAP (238 cm3; IQR: 129.5, 310.5) were significantly smaller compared with CTAP (291 cm3; IQR: 136, 371) (both, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Perfusion defects measured by CTAP were significantly greater than those determined by either rCTAP or CT in cases of blunt hepatic trauma. This finding suggests that CTAP is superior to rCTAP and CT in evaluating portal vein injuries after blunt liver trauma.

Chondroblastoma of the triquetrum.

Chondroblastoma is a relatively uncommon but benign bone tumor that is typically found in a long-bone epiphysis. Reports of this type of tumor in the carpals have been rare, and even fewer cases of such tumors in the triquetrum have been reported. Here, we present classical findings of a chondroblastoma at an unusual location, the triquetrum, in an adolescent. Fat-suppressed T2*-weighted imaging revealed a hyperintense tumor matrix replacing the bony trabecula of the triquetrum, which had not been addressed in previous literature. Radiography-based differential diagnosis of a bubbly lesion in the hand of an adolescent, even in the small carpal bones, should include chondroblastoma.