The Three-Portal Technique in Arthroscopic Lateral Epicondylitis Release.

Lateral epicondylitis, commonly referred to as tennis elbow, is a syndrome characterized by pain over the origin of the common extensor muscles of the fingers, hand and wrist at the lateral epicondyle. Reports of 70-90% response to conservative treatment at one year have been documented in the literature though refractory cases often require surgical management. Arthroscopic treatment of lateral epicondylitis allows for intra-articular visualization for concomitant pathology and localization of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis tendon. Additionally, compared to the open technique, the arthroscopic technique has a lower morbidity and an earlier return to work and activity. Here we describe a three portal technique for improved visualization in arthroscopic lateral epicondylitis release.

Correlation of MRI grading of bone stress injuries with clinical risk factors and return to play: a 5-year prospective study in collegiate track and field athletes.

BACKGROUND: Bone stress injuries are common in track and field athletes. Knowledge of risk factors and correlation of these to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading could be helpful in determining recovery time. PURPOSE: To examine the relationships between MRI grading of bone stress injuries with clinical risk factors and time to return to sport in collegiate track and field athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A total of 211 male and female collegiate track and field and cross-country athletes were followed prospectively through their competitive seasons. All athletes had preparticipation history, physical examination, and anthropometric measurements obtained annually. An additional questionnaire was completed regarding nutritional behaviors, menstrual patterns, and prior injuries, as well as a 3-day diet record. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed at baseline and each year of participation in the study. Athletes with clinical evidence of bone stress injuries had plain radiographs. If radiograph findings were negative, MRI was performed. Bone stress injuries were evaluated by 2 independent radiologists utilizing an MRI grading system. The MRI grading and risk factors were evaluated to identify predictors of time to return to sport. RESULTS: Thirty-four of the athletes (12 men, 22 women) sustained 61 bone stress injuries during the 5-year study period. The mean prospective assessment for participants was 2.7 years. In the multiple regression model, MRI grade and total-body bone mineral density (BMD) emerged as significant and independent predictors of time to return to sport. Specifically, the higher the MRI grade (P = .004) and lower the BMD (P = .030), the longer the recovery time. Location of the bone injury at predominantly trabecular sites of the femoral neck, pubic bone, and sacrum was also associated with a prolonged time to return to sport. Female athletes with oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea had bone stress injuries of higher MRI grades compared with eumenorrheic athletes (P = .009). CONCLUSION: Higher MRI grade, lower BMD, and skeletal sites of predominant trabecular bone structures were associated with a delayed recovery of bone stress injuries in track and field athletes. Knowledge of these risk factors, as well as nutritional and menstrual factors, can be clinically useful in determining injury severity and time to return to sport.

Failure of a constrained acetabular liner without reinforcement ring disruption.

Several risk factors for dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been identified including operative-, patient-, and implant-related factors. The following case report describes the dislocation of a revision THA without disruption of the constrained liner or containment ring. The possible mechanisms leading to this type of failure include lever-out impingement and poor abductor function, or tension secondary to prior surgery. Dislocation without disruption of containment ring has not been described for the Pinnacle Acetabular Cup with the Enhanced Stability Constrained Liner (DePuy Orthopaedics, Warsaw, Indiana).

Predictive value of BI-RADS classification for breast imaging in women under age 50.

In this study, we assessed the positive-predictive value (PPV) of mammography and/or ultrasonography in women age 50 based on recommendations for biopsies and final pathology results. We performed a retrospective analysis of all mammography and ultrasonography reports issued from 9/2005 to 1/2007 resulting in biopsy among women aged 18-50 at a large county hospital. Data included demographics, imaging modality, breast density, type of finding, BI-RADS, and final pathology. Results were compared to women aged >50 at the same institution. Four hundred and seventy-five biopsies in 395 patients were reviewed. The PPV of BI-RADS 3 (n = 11) was 9.1%, BI-RADS 4 (n = 440) 5.9%, and BI-RADS 5 (n = 24) 66.7%. Forty three (9%) were malignant, of which 31 (6.5%) were invasive carcinomas and 12 (2.5%) were noninvasive. None of the biopsies on patients aged <30 were malignant. Recommended biopsies based on mammography alone were malignant in 20.2% (20/99) compared to 3.4% (7/205) for ultrasonography alone, and 8.9% (15/168) for both mammography and ultrasonography. Suspicious calcifications were malignant in 25% compared to 6.8% for masses/nodules and 3.6% for cysts. Lesions larger than 2 cm are more likely to be malignant (11.8%) than lesions between 1 and 2 cm (3.6%) or below 1 cm (4.3%). The PPV of the current screening modalities diminishes markedly in women under the age of 50 and even more below the age of 40. Calcifications and masses larger than 2 cm should be biopsied, but the current BI-RADS criteria may benefit from revision for other findings in young patients.

A leiomyoma in a cachectic woman presenting as a giant abdominal mass.

Fibroids are the most common gynecologic tumors. Our case discusses the outcome of a 47-year-old woman who presented to our clinic with cachexia, and a giant abdominal mass. An initial diagnostic imaging workup consisted of X-Ray, CT, and ultrasound and indicated a possible diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. However, after surgical evaluation, she was diagnosed pathologically with an atypical presentation of a uterine leiomyoma. Our case reviews the epidemiology and presentation of both pathologies, along with the imaging workup, and the operative correlation in our patient.