Obesity increases the odds of intervertebral disc herniation and spinal stenosis; an MRI study of 1634 low back pain patients.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between BMI and intervertebral disc degeneration (DD), disc herniation (DH) and spinal stenosis (SS) using a large, prospectively recruited and heterogeneous patient population.

Methods: Patients were recruited through the European Genodisc Study. An experienced radiologist scored MRI images for DD, DH and SS.

Correction to: Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with disc degeneration.

Unfortunately, the following reference was missed out in the original publication.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with disc degeneration.

Purpose: Numerous candidate genes and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in the background of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). However, in most of these underpowered studies, definitions of LDD are inconsistent; moreover, many of the findings have not been replicated and are contradictory. Our aim was to characterize LDD by well-defined phenotypes and possible endophenotypes and analyse the association between these and candidate vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms on a large (N = 1426) dataset.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters at 1 Year Correlate With Clinical Outcomes Up to 17 Years After Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation.

Background: The ability to predict the long-term success of surgical treatment in orthopaedics is invaluable, particularly in clinical trials. The quality of repair tissue formed 1 year after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the knee was analyzed and compared with clinical outcomes over time.

Hypothesis: Better quality repair tissue and a better appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 1 year after ACI lead to improved longer-term clinical outcomes.

ISSLS PRIZE IN BIOENGINEERING SCIENCE 2017: Automation of reading of radiological features from magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the lumbar spine without human intervention is comparable with an expert radiologist.

Study Design: Investigation of the automation of radiological features from magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the lumbar spine.

Objective: To automate the process of grading lumbar intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies from MRIs. MR imaging is the most common imaging technique used in investigating low back pain (LBP).

Semi-quantitative evaluation of signal intensity and contrast-enhancement in Modic changes.

Background: Semi-quantitative evaluation of Modic changes (MCs) has recently been proposed as a way to standardise and increase repeatability of clinical studies. This study is aimed at developing semi-quantitative measures of enhancement, given by contrast agent injection, on T1-weighted images in MCs, and to investigate their reliability and relation with MC types.

Methods: Thirty-seven subjects suffering from low back pain underwent T1-weighted and T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences.

Diagnostic performance of volume and limited oblique MRI of the anterior cruciate ligament compared to knee arthroscopy.

Background: Many strategies have been used to improve the visualisation of the ACL including sagittal, coronal oblique sequences, and 3D volume imaging. Nevertheless, the ACL may not always be visualised.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty-one consecutive patients (77 females; 154 males; average age 43.

Staying connected: structural integration at the intervertebral disc-vertebra interface of human lumbar spines.

Purpose: To investigate the microscopic fibrous integration between the intervertebral disc, cartilage endplates and vertebral endplates in human lumbar spines of varying degrees of degeneration using differential interference contrast (DIC) optics. Weakness at these junctions is considered to be an important factor in the aetiology of disc herniations.

Methods: Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of cadaveric lumbar spines were graded for degeneration and motion segments from a range of degenerative grades isolated and bisected sagittally.

Paraspinal muscle asymmetry and fat infiltration in patients with symptomatic disc herniation.

Purpose: To investigate asymmetry in size and composition of the multifidus and erector spinae in patients with posterolateral disc herniation and concordant radicular symptoms, and determine whether symptom duration is associated with degree of asymmetry.

Methods: Thirty-three patients diagnosed with posterolateral disc herniation at L4-L5 verified on imaging and concordant leg pain were included. Multifidus and erector spinae cross-sectional area (CSA), functional cross-sectional area (FCSA, fat-free area), signal intensity and ratio of FCSA to total CSA were measured bilaterally from T 2-weighted axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1 and S1 levels.

Disc degeneration-related clinical phenotypes.

The phenotype, or observable trait of interest, is at the core of studies identifying associated genetic variants and their functional pathways, as well as diagnostics. Yet, despite remarkable technological developments in genotyping and progress in genetic research, relatively little attention has been paid to the equally important issue of phenotype. This is especially true for disc degeneration-related disorders, and the concept of degenerative disc disease, in particular, where there is little consensus or uniformity of definition.

Ossicles of lumbar articular facets: normal variant or spondylolytic variant?

Purpose: The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence and significance of ossicles of lumbar articular facets (OLAF) in young athletes with backache diagnosed by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT).

Materials And Methods: The MDCT examinations of the lumbar spine carried out for suspected spondylolysis on 46 consecutive symptomatic young athletes presenting to a sports injury clinic over a 1-year period were retrospectively reviewed. OLAF study included detailed correlation with the structural and morphological stress features of the posterior neural arches.

Longitudinal microvascularity in Achilles tendinopathy (power Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging time-intensity curves and the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire): a pilot study.

Aim: To evaluate the imaging of the natural history of Achilles tendinopathy microvascularisation in comparison with symptoms, using a validated disease-specific questionnaire [the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A)].

Method: A longitudinal prospective pilot study of nine patients with post-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), time-intensity curve (TIC) enhancement, ultrasound (US) and power Doppler (PD) evaluation of tendinopathy of the mid-Achilles tendon undergoing conservative management (eccentric exercise) over 1 year.

Results: There were five men and four women [mean age 47 (range 30-62) years].

The role of pre-treatment MRI in established cases of slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Background: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) often results in functional impairment and premature osteoarthritis despite surgical treatment. Treatment decisions are commonly based on the clinical history and radiographic appearance. This study assesses the pre-treatment features of SCFE and correlates them to the clinical history to: (1) define the underlying pathological mechanisms; (2) correlate the morphological hip abnormalities with the clinical classifications; (3) identify specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that could carry prognostic implications for treatment approach and outcome.

White paper of the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) on multimodality imaging.

New multimodality imaging systems bring together anatomical and molecular information and require the competency and accreditation of individuals from both radiology and nuclear medicine. This paper sets out the positions and aspirations of the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) working together on an equal and constructive basis for the future benefit of both specialties. ESR and EANM recognise the importance of coordinating working practices for multimodality imaging systems and that undertaking the radiology and nuclear medicine components of imaging with hybrid systems requires different skills.

White paper of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the European Society of Radiology (ESR) on multimodality imaging.

Introduction: New multimodality imaging systems bring together anatomical and molecular information and require the competency and accreditation of individuals from both nuclear medicine and radiology.

Aim: This paper sets out the positions and aspirations of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the European Society of Radiology (ESR) working together on an equal and constructive basis for the future benefit of both specialties.

Discussion: EANM and ESR recognise the importance of coordinating working practices for multimodality imaging systems and that undertaking the nuclear medicine and radiology components of imaging with hybrid systems requires different skills.

Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging in primary care consulters with shoulder pain: a case control study.

Objectives: To investigate the association between shoulder region pain presenting in primary care and cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities.

Methods: A matched case-control study of 48 pairs of participants. Patients had presented to primary care with a new episode of shoulder pain.

Migrating lumbar facet joint cysts.

Objective: The majority of lumbar facet joint cysts (LFJCs) are located in the spinal canal, on the medial aspect of the facet joint with characteristic diagnostic features. When they migrate away from the joint of origin, they cause diagnostic problems.

Materials And Methods: In a 7-year period we examined by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging five unusual cases of facet joint cysts which migrated from the facet joint of origin.

Uncovertebral joint injury in cervical facet dislocation: the headphones sign.

The purpose of our study is to demonstrate the uncovertebral mal-alignment as a reliable indirect sign of cervical facet joint dislocation. We examined the uncovertebral axial plane alignment of 12 patients with unilateral and bilateral cervical facet joint dislocation (UCFJD and BCFJD, respectively), comparing its frequency to the reverse hamburger bun sign on CT and MR axial images. Of the seven cases with BCFJD, five clearly demonstrated the diagnostic reverse facet joint hamburger bun sign on CT and MR images, but in two cases this sign was not detectable.

MR appearance of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee: correlation with the knee features and clinical outcome.

Objective: To relate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the knee in the 1st postoperative year with other knee features on MRI and with clinical outcome.

Design And Methods: Forty-nine examinations were performed in 49 patients at 1 year after ACI in the knee. Forty-one preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) examinations were also available.

Radiofrequency ablation of chondroblastoma using a multi-tined expandable electrode system: initial results.

The standard treatment for chondroblastoma is surgery, which can be difficult and disabling due to its apo- or epiphyseal location. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation potentially offers a minimally invasive alternative. The often large size of chondroblastomas can make treatment with plain electrode systems difficult or impossible.

Chance-type flexion-distraction injuries in the thoracolumbar spine: MR imaging characteristics.

Purpose: To evaluate retrospectively the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of Chance-type flexion-distraction injuries.

Materials And Methods: The authors' institutional review board does not require its approval or patient informed consent for retrospective studies. Imaging data were reviewed retrospectively for 24 patients (15 male, nine female; mean age, 28 years; range, 9-71 years) who had sustained radiographically typical Chance-type flexion-distraction injuries.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation in knee joint: MR imaging and histologic features at 1-year follow-up.

Purpose: To evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) grafts and compare these with graft histologic features 1 year after ACI for treatment of femoral condylar defects.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the regional ethics committee, and all patients gave informed consent. Forty-one patients (mean age, 35 years; 30 men, 11 women) underwent ACI for treatment of femoral condylar defects.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation for cartilage repair: monitoring its success by magnetic resonance imaging and histology.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is being used increasingly for the treatment of cartilage defects. In spite of this, there has been a paucity of objective, standardised assessment of the outcome and quality of repair tissue formed. We have investigated patients treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), some in conjunction with mosaicplasty, and developed objective, semiquantitative scoring schemes to monitor the repair tissue using MRI and histology.

The diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging in osteoid osteoma.

Objective: To analyse the MR imaging appearances of a large series of osteoid osteomas, to assess the ability of MR imaging to detect the tumour, and to identify potential reasons for misdiagnosis.

Design And Patients: The MR imaging findings of 43 patients with osteoid osteoma were reviewed retrospectively and then compared with other imaging modalities to assess the accuracy of MR localisation and interpretation.

Results: The potential for a missed diagnosis was 35% based solely on the MR investigations.