A comparison of ultrasound-guided rotator interval and posterior glenohumeral injection techniques for MR shoulder arthrography.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the performance of a rotator interval approach with the posterior glenohumeral approach for ultrasound-guided contrast injection prior to MR shoulder arthrography.

Method: This study was approved by the institutional review board. One hundred and twenty consecutive patients referred for MR shoulder arthrography were randomized into four groups: rotator interval approach in-plane (n = 30); rotator interval approach out-of-plane (n = 30); posterior approach in-plane (n = 30); and posterior approach out-of plane (n = 30).

Accuracy of ultrasound in the characterisation of deep soft tissue masses: a prospective study.

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of ultrasound in characterising the type of mass and likelihood of malignancy in deep soft tissue masses.

Methods: Five hundred seventy-nine deep soft tissue masses were prospectively studied by ultrasound. Masses (n = 137) with prior MRI or CT were not included.

Percutaneous embolization of sporadic lumbar nerve root haemangioblastoma under local anaesthesia.

Pre-operative embolization of spinal tumours are mainly performed using a transarterial approach. Percutaneous embolization of spinal tumours are undertaken much less frequently, though its use has been reported in hypervascular spinal metastases and spinal paraganglioma. We present a patient in whom pre-operative percutaneous embolization has been performed to a recurrent lumbar nerve root haemangioblastoma that had previously been embolized using a transarterial approach.

Weight-bearing Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Cervical Spine.

The cervical spine is subject to the effect of gravity in the upright position. Weight-bearing upright magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potentially allows a better diagnosis and evaluation of cervical spine pathology that may be masked or not fully appreciated in the usual non-weight-bearing supine position. Only limited studies are currently available in this area.

Top-Ten Tips for Ultrasound-Guided Joint Injection.

Ultrasound-guided joint injection is more accurate than palpation-guided injection and performed more frequently. Joint injection is helpful for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes as well as for injecting contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography arthrography. Ultrasound-guided joint injection helps ensure intra-articular injection and minimizes injury to para-articular soft tissues.

Imaging of sacroiliitis: Current status, limitations and pitfalls.

The clinical need to diagnose sacroiliitis at an earlier stage has led to the sacroiliac joints being more frequently imaged, particularly with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This review outlines the imaging approach to sacroiliitis, emphasizing the imaging protocols, diagnostic criteria, limitations and potential mimics of MRI examination. The value of imaging-guided intervention in sacroiliac joint disease is also briefly outlined.

ERAMRS: a new MR scoring system for early rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist.

Purpose: To (i) devise a new semi-quantitative scoring system known as Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Score (ERAMRS) to assess inflammation of the wrist on magnetic resonance imaging in early rheumatoid arthritis and to (ii) test ERAMRS and other MR scoring systems against everyday used clinical scorings.

Materials And Methods: One hundred six treatment-naïve patients (81 females, 25 males, mean age 53 ± 12 years) with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) underwent clinical/serological testing as well as 3-T MRI examination of the most symptomatic wrist. Clinical assessment included Disease Activity Score-28 and Health Assessment Questionnaire; erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were measured.

Imaging bicipitoradial bursitis: a pictorial essay.

Although bicipitoradial bursitis is not commonly seen, when it does occur, it can frequently lead to diagnostic difficulty, mimicking either a soft-tissue tumor or infection. Lack of awareness of this uncommon entity can lead to unnecessary anxiety or tissue biopsy. This pictorial essay discusses the normal anatomy of the bicipitoradial bursa and the spectrum of imaging findings of bicipital bursitis.

The Additional Contribution of White Matter Hyperintensity Location to Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment: Insights From a Multiple-Lesion Symptom Mapping Study.

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are common in acute ischemic stroke patients. Although WMH volume has been reported to influence post-stroke cognition, it is still not clear whether WMH location, independent of acute ischemic lesion (AIL) volume and location, contributes to cognitive impairment after stroke. Here, we proposed a multiple-lesion symptom mapping model that considers both the presence of WMH and AIL to measure the additional contribution of WMH locations to post-stroke cognitive impairment.

MR imaging of the traumatic triangular fibrocartilaginous complex tear.

Triangular fibrocartilage complex is a major stabilizer of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). However, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tear is difficult to be diagnosed on MRI for its intrinsic small and thin structure with complex anatomy. The purpose of this article is to review the anatomy of TFCC, state of art MRI imaging technique, normal appearance and features of tear on MRI according to the Palmar's classification.

Ankle Traction During MRI of Talar Dome Osteochondral Lesions.

Objective: The objective of our study was to assess the impact of axial traction during MRI of talar dome osteochondral lesions using a small-FOV coil.

Subjects And Methods: A prospective study of 33 patients undergoing high-resolution MRI of the ankle using a microscopy coil with and without axial traction was performed. Two radiologists independently measured the tibiotalar joint space width and semiquantitatively graded intraarticular joint fluid dispersion, cartilage surface visibility of the osteochondral lesion, and cartilage surface visibility elsewhere in the tibiotalar joint before and after traction.

Changes in dural sac caliber with standing MRI improve correlation with symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Purpose: Weight bearing does alter the dimension of lumbar spinal canal, but no study has analyzed its clinical correlation. This study aims to evaluate whether the changes in dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) and sagittal anteroposterior (AP) diameter on standing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlate better with clinical symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Methods: Seventy consecutive patients with neurogenic claudication were prospectively recruited to undergo a 0.

Effect of traction on wrist joint space and cartilage visibility with and without MR arthrography.

Objective: To compare the effect of traction during non-arthrographic and arthrographic MR examination of the wrist with regard to joint space width, joint fluid dispersion and cartilage surface visibility.

Methods: Prospective 3-T MRI study of 100 wrists in 96 patients. The first 50 wrists underwent MR arthrography first without traction and then with traction.

Ultrasound-guided synovial Tru-cut biopsy: indications, technique, and outcome in 111 cases.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy.

Methods: Clinical notes, pathology and microbiology reports, ultrasound and other imaging studies of 100 patients who underwent 111 ultrasound-guided synovial biopsies were reviewed. Biopsies were compared with the final clinical diagnosis established after synovectomy (n = 43) or clinical/imaging follow-up (n = 57) (mean 30 months).

Elbow MR arthrography with traction.

Objective: To assess the effect of axial traction during MR arthrography (MRA) of the elbow joint on joint space widening, contrast dispersion between opposing cartilage surfaces and cartilage surface visibility.

Methods: 11 patients with elbow MRA with and without axial traction were prospectively studied. Two radiologists independently measured the elbow joint space width and semi-quantitatively graded contrast material dispersion between the opposing cartilage surfaces as well as the articular cartilage surface visibility before and after traction.

Intrinsic carpal ligaments on MR and multidetector CT arthrography: comparison of axial and axial oblique planes.

Purpose: To compare axial and oblique axial planes on MR arthrography (MRA) and multidetector CT arthrography (CTA) to evaluate dorsal and volar parts of scapholunate (SLIL) and lunotriquetral interosseous (LTIL) ligaments.

Methods: Nine cadaveric wrists of five male subjects were studied. The visibility of dorsal and volar parts of the SLIL and LTIL was graded semi-quantitatively (good, intermediate, poor) on MRA and CTA.

Multi-disciplinary Orthopaedics Rehabilitation Empowerment (MORE) program: A new standard of care for injured workers in Hong Kong.

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the Multi-disciplinary Orthopaedics Rehabilitation Empowerment (MORE) Program on reducing chronic disability among injured workers and improving efficiency of work rehabilitation process.

Methods: A cohort of patients with workplace injuries in the lower back were recruited from orthopaedics clinics and assigned to either MORE group (n= 139) or control group (n= 106). Patients in MORE group received an early MRI screening and a coordinated multi-disciplinary management, while patients in the control group received conventional care.

Wrist Traction During MR Arthrography Improves Detection of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex and Intrinsic Ligament Tears and Visibility of Articular Cartilage.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of traction during MR arthrography of the wrist on joint space widening, cartilage visibility, and detection of tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and intrinsic ligaments.

Subjects And Methods: A prospective study included 40 wrists in 39 patients (25 men, 14 women; mean age, 35 years). MR arthrography was performed with a 3-T MRI system with and without axial traction.

Sonography of the chest wall: A pictorial essay.

Ultrasound (US) is increasingly being used as the first-line imaging modality for investigating the chest wall for soft tissue and bony lesions. This article describes the technique used for the US examination, the relevant chest-wall anatomy, and the appearances on US scanning of pathologic entities either unique to or common in the region of the chest wall.

High accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing the presence and type of groin hernia.

Background: To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound (US) in diagnosing the the presence and type of groin hernia.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the results of 172 US examinations of the groin in 151 patients (101 men and 50 women; mean age, 59 years) who had undergone US examination for suspected groin hernia. In total, 119 of the groin hernias had been diagnosed on US, and 108 (91%) had required subsequent surgery.

Ultrasound, CT and MRI Appearances of a Rare Symptomatic Laryngeal Chondrometaplasia: A Case Report.

Symptomatic laryngeal chondrometaplasia is rare. To the best of our knowledge, there are only few case reports on laryngeal chondrometaplasia. The imaging appearance of this uncommon disease is even more rarely described.

Effect of upright position on tonsillar level in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an upright position on cerebellar tonsillar level in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: Twenty-five patients with clinically diagnosed AIS and 18 normal controls were examined in both supine and upright positions using 0.25T MRI.