Osteochondral lesion depth on MRI can help predict the need for a sandwich procedure.

PURPOSE: Autologous subchondral bone grafting in combination with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) (sandwich procedure) is a well-accepted procedure for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the knee. This requires a different surgical technique and preoperative planning compared to ACI alone. In addition, pain from bone marrow donor site locations can be expected and should be part of patient consent and expectations. This study evaluates whether the MRI made as part of the standard preoperative cartilage patient work up has the diagnostic accuracy to predict the need for a sandwich procedure. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospectively, 185 preoperative MRI scans (PD and T2 sequences) of patients planned for ACI were included. The integrity of the subchondral bone and lamina was scored by four different observers (3 radiologists, and 1 orthopaedic resident). The depth of the defect was measured perpendicular from articulating surface to the bottom of the bony lesion. The area under the curve (AUC) for subchondral defect on MRI (i.e. lamina or bone defect or expert impression), depth measurements and eventual sandwich procedure were calculated. Also inter-observer Kappa values were determined. RESULTS: The AUCs for lamina (0.74-0.80) and bone defect (0.73-0.79) were fair and inter-observer Kappas ranged from 0.49 to 0.76, indicating a moderate-good inter-observer agreement and moderate prediction of the need for a sandwich procedure based on the presence of lamina and or subchondral bone defect on MRI. However, depth measurements resulted in an AUC of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.84-0.95,) with an optimal cut-off point at 6.5mm depth of the lesion (90% sensitivity, 80% specificity) to predict the need for a sandwich procedure. CONCLUSION: Ours is the first study examining MRI as a diagnostic tool in predicting the need for a sandwich procedure. Our results show that the integrity of the subchondral layer on MRI has a moderate role in predicting the need for an eventual autologous bone graft to augment ACI whereas in our cohort a depth of the lesion above 6.5mm accurately predicts the need for a sandwich procedure. This can aid in optimising the preoperative planning and patient consent.

Diagnostic modalities for distal radioulnar joint.

The first imaging modality in patients suspected of distal radioulnar joint pathology should be conventional radiography to exclude or diagnose wrist pathology including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, (healed) fractures, or impaction syndromes. When conventional radiography is inconclusive, high resolution 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging is advised. We provide a broad overview of the literature regarding the use of intra-articular contrast both with computed tomography (CTA) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRA). Conventional arthrography and unenhanced computed tomography are not indicated. This article discusses the most useful imaging techniques in terms of clinical indications, patient positioning, technical imaging requirements, and diagnostic performance in patients with suspected distal radioulnar joint pathology. Furthermore, the most prevalent pathologies are discussed, with the focus on imaging characteristics in both stable and unstable distal radioulnar joints.

Diagnosis of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis with chest computed tomography: inter-observer agreement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and improve the interobserver agreement for the CT-based diagnosis of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). METHODS: Six hundred participants of the CT arm of a lung cancer screening trial were randomly divided into two groups. The first 300 CTs were scored by five observers for the presence of DISH based on the original Resnick criteria for radiographs. After analysis of the data a consensus meeting was organised and the criteria were slightly modified regarding the definition of 'contiguous', the definition of 'flowing ossifications' and the viewing plane and window level. Subsequently, the second set of 300 CTs was scored by the same observers. κ ≥ 0.61 was considered good agreement. RESULTS: The 600 male participants were on average 63.5 (SD 5.3) years old and had smoked on average 38.0 pack-years. In the first round κ values ranged from 0.32 to 0.74 and 7 out of 10 values were below 0.61. After the consensus meeting the interobserver agreement ranged from 0.51 to 0.86 and 3 out of 10 values were below 0.61. The agreement improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that reports interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of DISH on chest CT, showing mostly good agreement for modified Resnick criteria. KEY POINTS: • DISH is diagnosed on fluoroscopic and radiographic examinations using Resnick criteria • Evaluation of DISH on chest CT was modestly reproducible with the Resnick criteria • A consensus meeting and Resnick criteria modification improved inter-rater reliability for DISH • Reproducible CT criteria for DISH aids research into this poorly understood entity.

Ethnic differences in ventricular hypertrabeculation on cardiac MRI in elite football players.

PURPOSE: Left ventricular (LV) trabeculation may be more pronounced in ethnic African than in Caucasian (European) athletes, leading to possible incorrect diagnosis of left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC). This study investigates ethnic differences in LV hypertrabeculation amongst elite athletes with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and electrocardiography (ECG). METHODS: 38 elite male football (soccer) players (mean age 23.0, range 19-34 years, 28/38 European, 10/38 African) underwent CMR and ECG. Hypertrabeculation was assessed using the ratio of non-compacted to compacted myocardium (NC/C ratio) on long-axis and short-axis segments. ECGs were systematically rated. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen in ventricular volumes, wall mass or E/A ratio, whereas biventricular ejection fraction (EF) was significantly lower in African athletes (European/African athletes LVEF 55/50 %, p = 0.02; RVEF 51/48 %, p = 0.05). Average NC/C ratio was greater in African athletes but only significantly at mid-ventricular level (European/African athletes: apical 0.91/1.00, p = 0.65; mid-ventricular 0.89/1.45, p < 0.05; basal 0.40/0.46, p = 0.67). ECG readings demonstrated no significant group differences, and no correlation between ECG anomalies and hypertrabeculation. CONCLUSIONS: A greater degree of LV hypertrabeculation is seen in healthy African athletes, combined with biventricular EF reduction at rest. Recognition of this phenomenon is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis of LVNC.