Ultrasound evaluation of infrapatellar fat pad impingement: An exploratory prospective study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether there are ultrasound parameters that differ between knees with symptomatic fat pad synovial impingement and asymptomatic knees. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in patients with clinical signs and symptoms of fat pad synovial impingement and asymptomatic controls. Eleven symptomatic knees and 10 asymptomatic controls were evaluated. Ultrasound imaging was performed before and after exercise. Evaluated parameters included largest fat lobule compressibility, subjective assessment of vascularity, largest vessel diameter, and subjective assessment of dynamic fat pad motion during flexion and extension. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess whether changes in these parameters were different between symptomatic and asymptomatic knees. RESULTS: Change in the largest vessel diameter was greater and trended toward dilation in asymptomatic knees compared to symptomatic knees (mean: 0.83 vs. -0.02; P<0.001). No significant differences were observed between symptomatic and asymptomatic knees with respect to pre-exercise versus post-exercise states in subjective assessment of vascularity (P=0.131), fat pad motion (P=0.115), or percent change of the largest fat lobule (P=0.241). However, overall compressibility of the fat pad lobule was significantly diminished in the pre-exercise state in symptomatic knees compared to asymptomatic controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a statistically significant change in the largest vessel diameter from pre- to post-exercise states between symptomatic and asymptomatic knees, as well as abnormal pre-exercise fat lobule compressibility in symptomatic knees. These findings show promise that with further research, ultrasound could have clinical utility in diagnosing infrapatellar fat pad impingement.

Osteoid osteoma of the hand and foot in children successfully treated with radiofrequency neurotomy probes.

Osteoid osteoma is a common benign tumor that is typically found in young adults and children, usually in the long bones of the lower extremity. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under computed tomography guidance is the standard of care for symptomatic osteoid osteomas. However, patients with osteoid osteoma of the hand or foot are often treated with open surgery because of the risk of injury to vascular and neural structures from RFA. This risk is more pronounced in pediatric patients because of the small lesion size and proximity of lesions to important neurovascular structures. Here, we present 2 pediatric patients, one with an osteoid osteoma in the hand and the other with an osteoid osteoma in the foot. In both patients, a 22-gauge, 2.5-mm active tip ablation probe was used. The smaller ablation volume achieved with this probe protected neighboring neurovascular structures while effectively ablating the osteoid osteoma nidus. Based on our success in these cases, we recommend the application of this method for cases in which neurovascular proximity to the osteoid osteoma lesion makes ablation challenging.

Failure with continuity in rotator cuff repair "healing".

BACKGROUND: Ten to seventy percent of rotator cuff repairs form a recurrent defect after surgery. The relationship between retraction of the repaired tendon and formation of a recurrent defect is not well defined. PURPOSE/ HYPOTHESES: To measure the prevalence, timing, and magnitude of tendon retraction after rotator cuff repair and correlate these outcomes with formation of a full-thickness recurrent tendon defect on magnetic resonance imaging, as well as clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that (1) tendon retraction is a common phenomenon, although not always associated with a recurrent defect; (2) formation of a recurrent tendon defect correlates with the timing of tendon retraction; and (3) clinical outcome correlates with the magnitude of tendon retraction at 52 weeks and the formation of a recurrent tendon defect. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Fourteen patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Tantalum markers placed within the repaired tendons were used to assess tendon retraction by computed tomography scan at 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after operation. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to assess for recurrent tendon defects. Shoulder function was evaluated using the Penn score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, and isometric scapular-plane abduction strength. RESULTS: All rotator cuff repairs retracted away from their position of initial fixation during the first year after surgery (mean [standard deviation], 16.1 [5.3] mm; range, 5.7-23.2 mm), yet only 30% of patients formed a recurrent defect. Patients who formed a recurrent defect tended to have more tendon retraction during the first 6 weeks after surgery (9.7 [6.0] mm) than those who did not form a defect (4.1 [2.2] mm) (P = .08), but the total magnitude of tendon retraction was not significantly different between patient groups at 52 weeks. There was no significant correlation between the magnitude of tendon retraction and the Penn score (r = 0.01, P = .97) or normalized scapular abduction strength (r = -0.21, P = .58). However, patients who formed a recurrent defect tended to have lower Penn scores at 52 weeks (P = .1). CONCLUSION: Early tendon retraction, but not the total magnitude, correlates with formation of a recurrent tendon defect and worse clinical outcomes. "Failure with continuity" (tendon retraction without a recurrent defect) appears to be a common phenomenon after rotator cuff repair. These data suggest that repairs should be protected in the early postoperative period and repair strategies should endeavor to mechanically and biologically augment the repair during this critical early period.

Vacuum phenomenon: prevalence and appearance in the knee with 3 T magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of vacuum phenomenon (VP) in the knee on magnetic resonance (MR) images, describe the imaging features that characterize VP, and assess how often VP mimics pathological knee lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive knee MR studies performed on a 3 T MR system over a 9-month period were retrospectively reviewed by one radiologist who then selected studies with findings potentially indicating VP. Three experienced musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed these cases in consensus to confirm the presence of VP and to assess the shape, size, and signal of VP; the presence of magnetic susceptibility artifacts; and the ability of MR sequences to show VP. RESULTS: A total of 914 consecutive exams from 875 patients (524 men; mean age, 35 years) were reviewed. Vacuum phenomenon was found in 12 patients (prevalence 1.3%). In six (50%) patients, VP mimicked a meniscal tear, with four cases simulating a torn medial discoid meniscus. The VP signal was not easily differentiated from meniscal signal on most sequences in most cases (9/12). Gradient-recalled echo (GRE) localizer images proved most definitive, with 3D SPACE images the next most effective. Fast spin echo (FSE) images were only occasionally able to differentiate VP from meniscus. CONCLUSION: Rarely recognized on MR, VP can mimic meniscal pathology, potentially leading to inappropriate surgery. Because differentiation of VP from the meniscus is challenging on FSE at 3 T, radiologists should become familiar with the appearance of VP and review GRE localizer or 3D images carefully to avoid misinterpretation.

Magnetic resonance imaging of inflammatory arthropathies of peripheral joints.

As the treatment of inflammatory arthropathies has advanced with new therapies that can slow or even halt the development of disabling disease, early and accurate diagnosis has become imperative. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has proved to be very sensitive in the detection of erosions, but more importantly, it can demonstrate pre-erosive changes. Detection of synovitis and edema-like bone marrow lesions for initial diagnosis and as an indicator of disease progression can provide crucial information leading to therapeutic interventions before permanent joint damage occurs. Understanding the characteristic intra-articular and extra-articular MR imaging findings of the inflammatory arthritides allows the radiologist to provide appropriate consultations in the care of these patients. The MR appearances of both intra-articular and extra-articular findings of inflammatory arthritis are presented. Despite the advances in imaging, however, many of the MR findings remain nonspecific, and radiologists must avoid overdiagnosis by synthesizing all of the clinical information available into their interpretations.

Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus heel abscess: an uncommon emergency department diagnosis.

Heel abscesses present as heel pain that progressively worsens, with associated tenderness and fullness at the heel pad. Radiological studies like computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound can help correctly diagnose a heel pad abscess. Generally, these patients require i.v. antibiotics and operative management to adequately drain the abscess. It is recommended to avoid incising the plantar aspect of the heel to minimize chronic post-drainage heel pain.

"Backside" polyethylene deformation in total knee arthroplasty.

The clinical importance of polyethylene deformation between the tibial insert and base plate ("backside") is unclear. We used a semiquantitative scoring system to compare clinical and radiographic factors with articular and backside deformation of 106 retrieved polyethylene tibial inserts. Backside deformation was associated with polyethylene thickness and type of locking mechanism. Deformation of the articular surface correlated with femoral osteolysis (P=.05). The mean backside deformation score was 33% greater for implants from patients with osteolysis than for implants from patients without osteolysis (P=.07). Our study may be biased based on the types of implants available for study, but for this group of implants, we cannot conclude with 95% certainty that backside polyethylene deformation was clinically important as a cause of periprosthetic osteolysis or implant loosening.