MRI after Cervical Spine Decompression and Fusion Surgery: Technical Considerations, Expected Findings, and Complications.

Cervical spine MRI is essential for evaluating potential complications and symptomatic degenerative changes following cervical decompression and fusion surgery. High-yield diagnostic interpretation considers the underlying surgical approach (anterior vs posterior), the time elapsed since surgery, and the clinical status of the patient to reliably differentiate expected postoperative changes from surgical complications. As cervical anatomy, such as the foramina and nerve roots, is smaller than that of the lumbar spine, MRI acquisition challenges include the demand for higher spatial resolution.

Use of Magnetic Resonance Neurography for Sensory Nerve Injuries of the Head and Neck.

Background: Identification of peripheral nerve injuries of the head and neck can be challenging due to a broad spectrum of symptoms from neuropathic pain to headaches and migraine. This article aimed to present the clinical features and diagnostic workup of patients with acute and chronic peripheral nerve injuries of the head and neck using magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), to demonstrate potential advantages compared with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Patients who presented with suspected peripheral nerve injury were either referred for a conventional MRI or MRN.

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Nocturnal sentry duty and cardiometabolic characteristics in armed forces personnel.

Background: Sleep deprivation can lead to increased body weight and blood pressure (BP), but the latent effects of partial sleep deprivation related to required night sentry duties within a short-term period on cardiometabolic characteristic changes in military personnel are unclear.

Aim: To investigate the association between night sentry duty frequency in the past 3 months and cardiometabolic characteristics in armed forces personnel.

Methods: A total of 867 armed forces personnel who were aged 18-39 years and did not take any antihypertensive medications in Taiwan in 2020 were included.

Flexible Array Coil for Cervical and Extraspinal (FACE) for MR Neurography of the Occipital Nerves at 3 Tesla.

This technical report describes use of a novel, conformable receive-only radiofrequency coil for 3T magnetic resonance (MR) neurography in a cohort of patients with occipital neuralgia. Applying a sub-millimeter, isotropic three-dimensional double-echo steady-state sequence, detailed visualization of the occipital nerves and associated pathologies could be achieved.ABBREVIATIONS: ABC＝ definition; XYZ＝ definition.

Optimizing rehabilitation strategies in Parkinson's disease: a comparison of dual cognitive-walking treadmill training and single treadmill training.

Dual cognitive-walking treadmill training (DTT), designed to replicate real-life walking conditions, has shown promise effect in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aims to compare the effects of DTT versus single treadmill training (STT) on cognitive and walking performance under both single and dual task conditions, as well as on fall, patients' subjective feeling, and quality of life. Sixteen individuals with PD were randomly assigned to DTT or STT group and underwent 8 weeks of training.

Endometrial cancer risk stratification using MRI radiomics: corroborating with choline metabolism.

Background And Purpose: Radiomics offers little explainability. This study aims to develop a radiomics model (Rad-Score) using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to predict high-risk patients for nodal metastasis or recurrence in endometrial cancer (EC) and corroborate with choline metabolism.

Materials And Methods: From August 2015 to July 2018, 356 EC patients were enrolled.

Incidental Findings in Lung Cancer Screening.

While low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening (LCS) has been recognized for its effectiveness in reducing lung cancer mortality, it often simultaneously leads to the detection of incidental findings (IFs) unrelated to the primary screening indication. These IFs present diagnostic and management challenges, potentially causing unnecessary anxiety and further invasive diagnostic procedures for patients. This review article provides an overview of IFs encountered in LDCT, emphasizing their clinical significance and recommended management strategies.

Comparison of Two Modern Survival Prediction Tools, SORG-MLA and METSSS, in Patients With Symptomatic Long-bone Metastases Who Underwent Local Treatment With Surgery Followed by Radiotherapy and With Radiotherapy Alone.

Background: Survival estimation for patients with symptomatic skeletal metastases ideally should be made before a type of local treatment has already been determined. Currently available survival prediction tools, however, were generated using data from patients treated either operatively or with local radiation alone, raising concerns about whether they would generalize well to all patients presenting for assessment. The Skeletal Oncology Research Group machine-learning algorithm (SORG-MLA), trained with institution-based data of surgically treated patients, and the Metastases location, Elderly, Tumor primary, Sex, Sickness/comorbidity, and Site of radiotherapy model (METSSS), trained with registry-based data of patients treated with radiotherapy alone, are two of the most recently developed survival prediction models, but they have not been tested on patients whose local treatment strategy is not yet decided.

CT in musculoskeletal imaging: still helpful and for what?

Computed tomography (CT) is a common modality employed for musculoskeletal imaging. Conventional CT techniques are useful for the assessment of trauma in detection, characterization and surgical planning of complex fractures. CT arthrography can depict internal derangement lesions and impact medical decision making of orthopedic providers.

Substance use and incidence of metabolic syndrome before midlife among military adults: the CHIEF cohort study.

Backgrounds: Habitual substance use, i. e., alcohol, tobacco and betel nut, has been found with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the general population, whereas the association remains unclear in physically fit military personnel.

Ultrasonography of acute retroperitoneum.

The retroperitoneum is an important space in the human body that is often implicated in a range Epub ahead of print of acute medical conditions, some of which can be life-threatening. Ultrasonography may serve as a pivotal first-line imaging technique when assessing patients with suspected retroperitoneal abnormalities. Effective ultrasonography of the retroperitoneum requires a comprehensive grasp of its anatomy, adjacent structures, and potential pathologies.

MRI findings correlate with difficult dissection during proximal hamstring repair and with postoperative sciatica.

Objective: This study examines the correlation between MRI findings and difficult dissection during proximal primary hamstring repair and postoperative sciatica.

Materials And Methods: A total of 32 cases of surgically repaired hamstring tendon tears that underwent preoperative and postoperative MRI were divided into sciatica (n = 12) and control (n = 20) groups based on the presence or absence of postoperative sciatica. Cases were scored by two blinded musculoskeletal radiologists for imaging features associated with difficult surgical dissection and the development of subsequent sciatica.

Are Current Survival Prediction Tools Useful When Treating Subsequent Skeletal-related Events From Bone Metastases?

Background: Bone metastasis in advanced cancer is challenging because of pain, functional issues, and reduced life expectancy. Treatment planning is complex, with consideration of factors such as location, symptoms, and prognosis. Prognostic models help guide treatment choices, with Skeletal Oncology Research Group machine-learning algorithms (SORG-MLAs) showing promise in predicting survival for initial spinal metastases and extremity metastases treated with surgery or radiotherapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging of femoral nerve injury in the setting of anterior approach total hip arthroplasty.

Purpose: To illustrate MRI findings in patients with femoral neuropathy following anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent MRI for femoral neuropathy following anterior approach THA between January 1, 2010, and July 1, 2022. Included patients had no preexisting neurologic condition.

Quantitative double echo steady state T2 mapping of upper extremity peripheral nerves and muscles.

Introduction: T2 mapping can characterize peripheral neuropathy and muscle denervation due to axonal damage. Three-dimensional double echo steady-state (DESS) can simultaneously provide 3D qualitative information and T2 maps with equivalent spatial resolution. However, insufficient signal-to-noise ratio may bias DESS-T2 values.

Magnetic Resonance Neurography of the Lumbosacral Plexus.

Pain and weakness in the low back, pelvis, and lower extremities are diagnostically challenging, and imaging can be an important step in the workup and management of these patients. Technical advances in magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) have significantly improved its utility for imaging the lumbosacral plexus (LSP). In this article, the authors review LSP anatomy and selected pathology examples.

Machine Learning Radiomics Signature for Differentiating Lymphoma versus Benign Splenomegaly on CT.

Background: We aimed to develop and validate a preoperative CT-based radiomics signature for differentiating lymphoma versus benign splenomegaly.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed CT studies from 139 patients (age range 26-93 years, 43% female) between 2011 and 2019 with histopathological diagnosis of the spleen (19 lymphoma, 120 benign) and divided them into developing ( = 79) and testing ( = 60) datasets. The volumetric radiomic features were extracted from manual segmentation of the whole spleen on venous-phase CT imaging using PyRadiomics package.

Do the American guideline-based leisure time physical activity levels for civilians benefit the mental health of military personnel?

Backgrounds: This study aimed to clarify the association of American guideline-based leisure time physical activity (PA) level with mental health in 4,080 military personnel in Taiwan.

Methods: The moderate intensity PA level was assessed according to the total running time per week (wk) reported in a self-administered questionnaire over the previous 6  months and was categorized into PA level <150, 150-299, and ≥300  min/wk. Mental stress was assessed by the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS)-5 for which ≥15 points were classified as great mental stress.