Perceptual Learning of Appendicitis Diagnosis in Radiological Images.

A sizeable body of work has demonstrated that participants have the capacity to show substantial increases in performance on perceptual tasks given appropriate practice. This has resulted in significant interest in the use of such perceptual learning techniques to positively impact performance in real-world domains where the extraction of perceptual information in the service of guiding decisions is at a premium. Radiological training is one clear example of such a domain.

Tibial component considerations in bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty: A 3D MRI evaluation of proximal tibial anatomy.

Background: Restoration of normal anatomy and proper ligament balance are theoretical prerequisites for reproducing physiological kinematics with bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to use a 3D MRI technique to evaluate the topography of the proximal tibia and outline considerations in tibial component design for bicruciate-retaining TKA.

Methods: We identified 100 consecutive patients (50 males and 50 females) between ages 20 and 40 years with knee MRIs without arthritis, dysplasia, ACL tears, or prior knee surgery.

No sex differences exist in posterior condylar offsets of the knee.

Background: Restoration of posterior condylar offset during TKA is believed to be important to improving knee kinematics, maximizing ROM, and minimizing flexion instability. However, controversy exists regarding whether there are important anatomic differences between sexes and whether a unisex knee prosthesis can restore the anatomy of knees in males and females.

Questions/purposes: The purposes of our study were to determine if sex differences exist in (1) absolute posterior condylar offset size, (2) relative posterior condylar offset size in relation to total condylar height, and (3) posterior condylar articular cartilage thickness.

National ultrasound curriculum for medical students.

Ultrasound (US) is an extremely useful diagnostic imaging modality because of its real-time capability, noninvasiveness, portability, and relatively low cost. It carries none of the potential risks of ionizing radiation exposure or intravenous contrast administration. For these reasons, numerous medical specialties now rely on US not only for diagnosis and guidance for procedures, but also as an extension of the physical examination.

Imaging of traumatic injuries to the hip.

Traumatic injuries of the hip are an increasingly common cause of morbidity and mortality. These injuries can be grouped into fairly discrete patterns including femoral head fractures and hip dislocations, femoral neck fractures, greater trochanteric fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, subtrochanteric fractures, and soft tissue injuries. For each of these entities, specific features provide helpful diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information.

Plain radiographs underestimate the asymmetry of the posterior condylar offset of the knee compared with MRI.

Background: Restoration of posterior condylar offset (PCO) during total knee arthroplasty is essential to maximize range of motion, prevent impingement, and minimize flexion instability. Previously, PCO was determined with lateral radiographs, which could not distinguish the asymmetries between the femoral condyles. MRI can independently measure both medial and lateral PCO.

Lower trapezius muscle avulsion from thoracic spinous processes in a patient with a history of trauma.

Lower trapezius muscle injuries have not been previously described in the literature. We present a case of avulsion of the trapezius muscle from the T3-T9 spinous processes with subsequent hematoma formation, seen on magnetic resonance imaging.