Consequences of Using Post- or Prebronchodilator Reference Values in Interpreting Spirometry.

Postbronchodilator spirometry is used for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, prebronchodilator reference values are used for spirometry interpretation. To compare the resulting prevalence rates of abnormal spirometry and study the consequences of using pre- or postbronchodilator reference values generated within SCAPIS (Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study) when interpreting postbronchodilator spirometry in a general population.

Knee function 30 years after ACL reconstruction: a case series of 60 patients.

Background and purpose - Until now, there have been no studies beyond 30 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We report knee function a mean 31 years after ACL reconstruction.Patients and methods - This cohort comprised a case series of 60 patients with a mean follow-up of 31 years (28-33) after ACL reconstruction.

Validity of ultrasonography-derived predictions for estimating skeletal muscle volume: a systematic literature review.

Background: The amount of muscle volume (MV) varies between individuals and is important for health, well-being and performance. Therefore, the monitoring of MV using different imaging modalities is important. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard, but is not always easily accessible, and the examinations are expensive.

Higher frequency of osteoarthritis in patients with ACL graft rupture than in those with intact ACL grafts 30 years after reconstruction.

Purpose: The aim was to assess the results of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction regarding graft failure, knee laxity, and osteoarthritis (OA) from a longterm perspective. It was hypothesized that intact ACL graft reduces the risk for increased OA development.

Methods: The cohort comprised 60 patients with a median follow-up 31 (range 28-33) years after ACL reconstruction.

Low-dose CT of postoperative pelvic fractures: a comparison with radiography.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is superior to conventional radiography (CR) for assessing internal fixation of pelvic fractures, but with a higher radiation exposure. Low-dose CT (LDCT) could possibly have a sufficient diagnostic accuracy but with a lower radiation dose.

Purpose: To compare postoperative diagnostic accuracy of LDCT and CR after open reduction and internal fixation of pelvic fracture.

MR appearance of the temporal evolution and resolution of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee: a case report.

Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) is a feared condition of unknown cause, in its classic form appearing in the medial femoral condyle in middle-aged or elderly subjects. Diagnosis with radiography is notoriously difficult with a long latency before typical changes appear. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is regarded as a diagnostic tool with the possibility to give an earlier diagnosis with improved chances for treatment.

T2 * relaxation time in Achilles tendinosis and controls and its correlation with clinical score.

Purpose: To investigate if the T2 * of Achilles tendons can discriminate between chronic Achilles tendinosis and healthy controls; to correlate with clinical score; to evaluate its short-term repeatability; and to estimate minimal detectable change.

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients, with chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinosis, and 10 controls without history of Achilles tendon symptoms, were examined with a 3T MR scanner with a 3D flash ultrashort time to echo sequence with five different echo times. The sequence was run twice to test repeatability.

Static and dynamic CT imaging of the cervical spine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To compare CR with CT (static and dynamic) to evaluate upper spine instability and to determine if CT in flexion adds value compared to MR imaging in neutral position to assess compression of the subarachnoid space and of the spinal cord.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients with atlantoaxial subluxation due to rheumatoid arthritis planned for atlantoaxial fusion were included. CT and MRI were performed with the neck in the neutral position and CT also in flexion.

Increased risk of osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a 14-year follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The reported prevalence of radiological osteoarthritis (OA) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction varies from 10% to 90%. Purpose/

Hypothesis: To report the prevalence of OA after ACL reconstruction and to compare the OA prevalence between quadrupled semitendinosus tendon (ST) and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) grafts. The hypothesis was that there would be no difference in OA prevalence between the graft types.

Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in chronic Achilles tendinosis.

Background: Chronic Achilles tendinosis is a common problem. When evaluating and comparing different therapies there is a need for reliable imaging methods. Our aim was to evaluate if chronic Achilles tendinosis affects the dynamic contrast-enhancement in the tendon and its surroundings and if short-term eccentric calf-muscle training normalizes the dynamic contrast-enhancement.

Muscle morphometric effect of anterior cruciate ligament injury measured by computed tomography: aspects on using non-injured leg as control.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are common, functionally disabling, and predispose to subsequent injuries and early onset of osteoarthritis in the knee. Injuries result in muscular atrophy and impaired muscular activation. To optimize surgical methods and rehabilitation strategies, knowledge of the effects of ACL injuries on muscles size and function is needed.

Reliability of computed tomography measurements in assessment of thigh muscle cross-sectional area and attenuation.

Background: Advancement in technology of computer tomography (CT) and introduction of new medical imaging softwares enables easy and rapid assessment of muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and attenuation. Before using these techniques in clinical studies there is a need for evaluation of the reliability of the measurements. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of ImageJ in measuring thigh muscles CSA and attenuation in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by computer tomography.

The long-term clinical and MRI results following eccentric calf muscle training in chronic Achilles tendinosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term results following eccentric calf-muscle training in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 24 patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy were included in a study evaluating MRI findings and clinical symptoms before and after 3 months of daily eccentric calf-muscle strength training. Median duration of symptoms was 18 months (range 6-120).

A prospective randomised study on the long-term effect of lumbar fusion on adjacent disc degeneration.

The existence and importance of an accelerated adjacent segment disc degeneration (ASD) after lumbar fusion have previously not been demonstrated by RCTs. The objectives of this study were, to determine whether lumbar fusion in the long term accelerates degenerative changes in the adjacent disc and whether this affects the outcome, by using a prospective randomised design. A total of 111 patients, aged 18-55, with isthmic spondylolisthesis were randomised to exercise (EX, n = 34) or posterolateral fusion (PLF, n = 77), with (n = 37) or without pedicle screw instrumentation (n = 40).

Reliability in the assessment of tendon volume and intratendinous signal of the Achilles tendon on MRI: a methodological description.

The purpose is to introduce a method for accurately and objectively evaluating volume and mean intratendinous signal within the Achilles tendon using MRI. We prospectively studied MRI from 33 patients with chronic Achilles tendinosis (20 males and 13 females) with a median age of 52 years (range 29-70). In all patients, both Achilles tendons were investigated with T1-WI as well as PD-WI MRI.

Immediate Achilles tendon response after strength training evaluated by MRI.

Purpose: To evaluate the tendon response after acute strength training in chronic Achilles tendinosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Twenty-two patients (44 Achilles tendons, 15 males, 8 patients with bilateral symptoms) with a median age of 45 yr (range 28-57 yr) were included in the study. In all patients, both Achilles tendons were examined with MRI before and immediately after a standardized training program.

Eccentric training of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex in chronic Achilles tendinopathy results in decreased tendon volume and intratendinous signal as evaluated by MRI.

Background: Satisfactory treatment results have been reported after eccentric calf muscle strength training in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

Hypothesis: Magnetic resonance imaging may be a useful adjunct in the evaluation of the effect of 3 months of eccentric calf muscle strength training.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Incidence and risk factors associated with the patency of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome in Kuwait.

Objective: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is considered to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality among preterm infants. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of PDA in ventilated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and to evaluate the role of some antenatal risk factors on its occurrence in our population.

Methods: The case records of the preterm infants of <34 weeks gestational age, who were ventilated for RDS at the neonatal intensive care unit of Maternity Hospital, Safat, Kuwait, between March 1998 and February 1999, were reviewed.

A prospective randomized comparison between the cloward procedure and a carbon fiber cage in the cervical spine: a clinical and radiologic study.

Study Design: A prospective randomized study was conducted.

Objective: To determine whether the use of a cervical carbon fiber intervertebral fusion cage improves the outcome of anterior cervical decompression and fusion, as compared with the Cloward procedure using autograft.

Summary Of Background Data: Despite the theoretical advantages of using intervertebral cages, including reduced donor site morbidity and prevention of graft collapse, an improved clinical outcome has not yet been documented.