The Use of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Arthrography for Wrist Ligamentous Injuries - A Diagnostic Test Accuracy Meta-analysis.

Diagnosis of ligamentous wrist injuries can be challenging with the absence of dynamic instability on radiographs. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) arthrography in diagnosing scapholunate ligament (SLL), lunotriquetral ligament (LTL) and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries. A systematic review and literature search were conducted in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) and registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO (CRD42024517655).

Early and 1-year mortality of native geriatric distal femur fractures: A systematic review and time-to-event meta-analysis.

Purpose: Distal femur fractures (DFF) account for 6% of all femoral fractures and predominate in females. The current 1-year mortality of DFF is currently reported to be between 10 and 38%, a wide margin, and confounded by multiple factors including age, high energy mechanisms, pathological and periprosthetic fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess and determine all-cause mortality following geriatric native distal femur fractures at 30 days, six months and one year.

The Use of Infrared Thermography (IRT) in Burns Depth Assessment: A Diagnostic Accuracy Meta-Analysis.

Background: The timely diagnosis of burns depth is crucial to avoid unnecessary surgery and delays in adequate management of patients with burn injuries. Whilst it is mostly a clinical diagnosis, indocyanine green, laser Doppler imaging and infrared thermography have been used alongside clinical findings to support the diagnosis. Infrared thermography is a noninvasive technique which uses temperature differences to diagnose tissue burn depth.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Choice of Treatment for Hand Fractures: A Single-Centre Concordance Study.

Management of hand trauma has evolved to incorporate assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of patients in a 'one-stop' clinic on initial presentation. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the choice of treatment for hand fractures using inter-rater agreement between surgeons. All patients with hand fractures during the COVID-19 lockdown from March to May 2020 were included in the study.

Can Weightbearing Cone-beam CT Reliably Differentiate Between Stable and Unstable Syndesmotic Ankle Injuries? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Ankle injuries are common presentations to the emergency department and may lead to syndesmotic instability. These have a high socioeconomic burden due to prolonged rehabilitation, chronic pain, and posttraumatic arthritis. Early diagnosis is essential to minimize these complications, and the assessment of instability in the clinical setting is often limited by pain and clinician experience.

Meta-analysis of the normal diffusion tensor imaging values of the median nerve and how they change in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) leads to distortion of axonal architecture, demyelination and fibrosis within the median nerve. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) characterises tissue microstructure and generates reproducible proxy measures of nerve 'health' which are sensitive to myelination, axon diameter, fiber density and organisation. This meta-analysis summarises the normal DTI values of the median nerve, and how they change in CTS.

The use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in radiocarpal fractures: a diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis.

Objective: Occult radiocarpal fractures often present a diagnostic challenge to the emergency department. Accurate diagnosis of these injuries is crucial as a missed fracture can lead to significant morbidity. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan is a novel imaging modality, with minimal radiation exposure and comparatively fast acquisition time.

Performance of infrared thermography and thermal stress test in perforator mapping and flap monitoring: A meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy.

Background: Accurate mapping of perforators prior to flap reconstruction and early detection of poor flap perfusion reduces the risk of flap failure. Infrared thermography (IRT) has recently regained popularity within reconstructive surgery to aid flap design, reduce operative time and assess flap viability based on surface temperature changes. The aim of this review is to quantify the diagnostic ability of IRT in perforator mapping preoperatively and monitor flap perfusion perioperatively.

Meta-analysis and metaregression of risk factors associated with mortality in hip fracture patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incidence of hip fractures has remained unchanged during the pandemic with overlapping vulnerabilities observed in patients with hip fractures and those infected with COVID-19. We aimed to investigate the independent impact of COVID-19 infection on the mortality of these patients. Healthcare databases were systematically searched over 2-weeks from 1st-14th November 2020 to identify eligible studies assessing the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture patients.

The role of ultrasonography in the assessment of ulnar collateral ligament injury of the thumb - a diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis.

The accurate diagnosis of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries of the thumb is important in identifying patients requiring surgery. Stener lesion, the most severe form of such injuries, is debilitating and leads to chronic instability if misdiagnosed. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (USS) in UCL injuries.

Delays in surgery for cholesteatoma due to COVID-19: is there an impact on rates of recidivism and major complications?

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the waiting time for surgery, and cholesteatoma recidivism rates and major complications. The secondary aims were to identify any other prognostic factors for cholesteatoma recidivism.

Methods: A retrospective single-centre study of 312 patients who underwent cholesteatoma surgery under the care of a single-surgeon, between 2004 and 2018, was performed.

Ultrasonography for the diagnosis of extra-cranial carotid occlusion - diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis.

: The correct diagnosis of internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is crucial as it limits unnecessary intervention, whereas correct identification of patients with severe ICA stenosis is paramount in decision making and selecting patients who would benefit from intervention. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of ICA occlusion. : We conducted a systematic review in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) of diagnostic test accuracy studies.

Effect of Low Skeletal Muscle Mass on Post-operative Survival of Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Prognostic Factor Review and Meta-Analysis of Time-to-Event Data.

Objective/background: Low psoas muscle mass is associated with increased mortality and morbidity after surgery. Recent evidence has linked low psoas muscle mass with survival after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of low skeletal muscle mass in survival of patients with AAA undergoing open or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

18F-FDG PET in the Diagnosis of Vascular Prosthetic Graft Infection: A Diagnostic Test Accuracy Meta-Analysis.

Background: For the diagnosis of vascular prosthetic graft infection (VPGI), an intra-operative peri-graft biopsy is often required. Controversy exists regarding the use of imaging techniques in the diagnostic process. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in VPGI.