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Fractures are reported to be the second most common findings in child abuse, after skin lesions such as bruises and contusions. This makes careful interpretation of childhood fractures in relation to the provided clinical history important. In this literature review, we address imaging techniques and the prevailing protocols as well as fractures, frequently seen in child abuse, and the differential diagnosis of these fractures. The use of a standardised protocol in radiological imaging is stressed, as adherence to the international guidelines has been consistently poor. As fractures are a relatively common finding in childhood and interpretation is sometimes difficult, involvement of a paediatric radiologist is important if not essential. Adherence to international guidelines necessitates review by experts and is therefore mandatory. As in all clinical differential diagnoses, liaison between paediatricians and paediatric radiologists in order to obtain additional clinical information or even better having joint review of radiological studies will improve diagnostic accuracy. It is fundamental to keep in mind that the diagnosis of child abuse can never be solely based on radiological imaging but always on a combination of clinical, investigative and social findings. The quality and interpretation, preferably by a paediatric radiologist, of radiographs is essential in reaching a correct diagnosis in cases of suspected child abuse.

Background Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) became recognised in investigating those with suspected prostate cancer between 2010 and 2012; in the USA, the preventative task force moratorium on PSA screening was a strong catalyst. In a few short years, it has been adopted into daily urological and oncological practice. The pace of clinical uptake, born along by countless papers proclaiming high accuracy in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer, has sparked much debate about the timing of mpMRI within the traditional biopsy-driven clinical pathways. There are strongly held opposing views on using mpMRI as a triage test regarding the need for biopsy and/or guiding the biopsy pattern. Objective To review the evidence base and present a position paper on the role of mpMRI in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. Methods A subgroup of experts from the ESUR Prostate MRI Working Group conducted literature review and face to face and electronic exchanges to draw up a position statement. Results This paper considers diagnostic strategies for clinically significant prostate cancer; current national and international guidance; the impact of pre-biopsy mpMRI in detection of clinically significant and clinically insignificant neoplasms; the impact of pre-biopsy mpMRI on biopsy strategies and targeting; the notion of mpMRI within a wider risk evaluation on a patient by patient basis; the problems that beset mpMRI including inter-observer variability. Conclusions The paper concludes with a set of suggestions for using mpMRI to influence who to biopsy and who not to biopsy at diagnosis. Key Points • Adopt mpMRI as the first, and primary, investigation in the workup of men with suspected prostate cancer. • PI-RADS assessment categories 1 and 2 have a high negative predictive value in excluding significant disease, and systematic biopsy may be postponed, especially in men with low-risk of disease following additional risk stratification. • PI-RADS assessment category lesions 4 and 5 should be targeted; PI-RADS assessment category lesion 3 may be biopsied as a target, as part of systematic biopsies or may be observed depending on risk stratification. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00330-019-06166-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

We created our imaging center (IC) to move outpatient imaging from our busy inpatient imaging suite off-site to a location that is more inviting to ambulatory patients. Nevertheless, patients scanned at our IC still represent the depth and breadth of illness complexity seen with our tertiary care population. Thus, we protocol exams on an individualized basis to ensure that the referring clinician’s question is fully answered by the exam performed. Previously, paper based protocoling was a laborious process for all those involved where the IC business office would fax the requests to various reading rooms for protocoling by the subspecialist radiologists who are 3 miles away at the main hospital. Once protocoled, reading room coordinators would fax back the protocoled request to the IC technical area in preparation for the next day’s scheduled exams. At any breakdown in this process (e.g., lost paperwork), patient exams were delayed and clinicians and patients became upset. To improve this process, we developed a paper free process whereby protocoling is accomplished through scanning of exam requests into our PACS. Using the common worklist functionality found in most PACS, we created “protocoling worklists” that contain these scanned documents. Radiologists protocol these studies in the PACS worklist (with the added benefit of having all imaging and report data available), and subsequently, the technologists can see and act on the protocols they find in PACS. This process has significantly decreased interruptions in our busy reading rooms and decreased rework of IC staff.

Although oligodendroglial neoplasms are traditionally considered purely glial, increasing evidence suggests that they are capable of neuronal or neurocytic differentiation. Nevertheless, ganglioglioma-like foci (GGLF) have not been previously described. Herein, we report seven examples where the primary differential diagnosis was a ganglioglioma with an oligodendroglial component. These five male and two female patients ranged in age from 29 to 63 (median 44) years at initial presentation and neuroimaging features were those of diffuse gliomas in general. At presentation, the glial component was oligodendroglioma in six and oligoastrocytoma in one; one was low-grade and six were anaplastic. A sharp demarcation from adjacent GGLF was common, although some intermingling was always present. The GGLF included enlarged dysmorphic and occasionally binucleate ganglion cells, Nissl substance, expression of neuronal antigens, GFAP-positive astrocytic elements, and low Ki-67 labeling indices. In contrast to classic ganglioglioma, however, cases lacked eosinophilic granular bodies and CD34-positive tumor cells. Scattered bizarre astrocytes were also common and one case had focal neurocytic differentiation. By FISH analysis, five cases showed 1p/19q codeletion. In the four cases with deletions and ample dysmorphic ganglion cells for analysis, the deletions were found in both components. At last follow-up, two patients suffered recurrences, one developed radiation necrosis mimicking recurrence, and one died of disease 7.5 years after initial surgery. We conclude that GGLF represents yet another form of neuronal differentiation in oligodendroglial neoplasms. Recognition of this pattern will prevent a misdiagnosis of ganglioglioma with its potential for under-treatment.

Chronic lateral ankle instability causes significant problems in physical activity and accelerates development of osteoarthritic changes. The results of treatment for chronic ankle instability are often meets controversial. A surgical reconstruction of ATFL as described in this paper was performed during the period 1997–2005 on 47 patients (26 male, 21 female), with a mean age of 29.3 years. The average follow-up period was 46.2 months. All patients had clinical examination, X-ray and MRI. The mean values of the Good score improved from an average 3.32 prior to surgery to 1.19 one year after the operation. Paired t-tests showed improvements of great significance (p

Classical ballet is an art form requiring extraordinary physical activity, characterised by rigorous training. These can lead to many overuse injuries arising from repetitive minor trauma. The purpose of this paper is to report our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of stress fractures at the base of the second and third metatarsal bones in young ballet dancers. We considered 150 trainee ballet dancers from the Ballet Schools of "Teatro Alla Scala" of Milan from 2005 to 2007. Nineteen of them presented with stress fractures of the base of the metatarsal bones. We treated 18 dancers with external shockwave therapy (ESWT) and one with pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMF) and low-intensity ultrasound (US); all patients were recommended rest. In all cases good results were obtained. The best approach to metatarsal stress fractures is to diagnose them early through clinical examination and then through X-ray and MRI. ESWT gave good results, with a relatively short time of rest from the patients’ activities and a return to dancing without pain.

To compare and analyse the relationship between horizontal tear and root ligament tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM) and the degree of varus in the axis of lower limb and body weight. One hundred and nineteen patients underwent surgical treatment as they were diagnosed with medial meniscus tear in our hospital from May 2006 to December 2009. Of these, 19 cases (group 1), underwent partial meniscectomy as they were confirmed to solely have horizontal tear of the PHMM on arthroscopic examination and 27 cases (group 2), underwent subtotal meniscectomy as they were confirmed to solely have root ligament tear of the PHMM on arthroscopic examination, were chosen for retrospective study. Standing radiographs were taken of every case prior to arthroscopic surgery to measure varus angle. Also, we checked body mass index (BMI) of two groups. The difference of varus angle and BMI between two groups were statistically verified using the Levene’s test, paired t-test. Group 1 showed mean value of varus angle of 2.30 ± 0.54, and BMI of 25.32 ± 3.23. Group 2 showed mean value of varus angle of 5.64 ± 0.54, and BMI of 25.67 ± 3.12. The degree of varus of group 2 was statistically significantly higher than group 1 (p = 0.002). Comparison between the BMI of two groups showed no statistical significance (p = 0.053). Through a comparative study of sole horizontal tear and root ligament tear of the PHMM, the authors have found that sole root ligament tear of the PHMM is more relative to the genu varum than sole horizontal tear of the PHMM. However, body weight was statistically irrelevant to the incidence of the two lesions.

Purpose: Muscle atrophy is a commonly encountered problem in osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration of the lower leg muscles related to ankle OA by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Twenty-one patients with unilateral ankle OA were included in this cohort study. Calf circumference of the affected and healthy lower leg was documented. The degree of OA was classified in conventional radiographs. The cross-sectional areas and fatty degeneration of the muscles of the lower leg were measured in bilateral MRI. Results: We found a significantly reduced calf circumference of the affected vs. healthy leg (p = 0.016). MRI showed a significantly lower cross-sectional area of the entire lower leg musculature in OA (p = 0.013). Sub-analysis of muscle groups revealed that only the M. soleus had a significant cross-sectional area decrease (p

The purpose of this study was to reach conclusions about the diagnosis and treatment of a series of patients with spondylodiscitis under haemodialysis treatment.We collected and studied 23 patients included in a prospective database from two neighbouring hospitals. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.The diagnosis was frequently made very late and early negative cultures were not uncommon; magnetic resonance images allowed for an early diagnosis with accurate anatomical information. Empirical antibiotic treatment with prompt surgery produced good results in patients under risk of, or having neurological problems. Surgical approaches did not differ from pyogenic or tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Age in our series was not a predictive issue.Whenever a patient under haemodialysis has symptoms of spinal disease, particularly back pain with fever, they should undergo an MRI. If diagnosis of spondylodiscitis is made prompt empirical antibiotherapy should be instituted. Blood cultures should be performed and tissue samples taken for cultures; however, culture outcome must not delay therapy. Early surgical decompression leads to good results.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes following one-stage anterior radical debridement, interbody fusion, and sacral rod fixation for the treatment of lumbosacral segment tuberculosis.From March 2004 to November 2008, 11 patients diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis received antituberculosis medications for two to three weeks before anterior radical debridement, autologous iliac bone grafting, and internal sacral rod fixation. Surgery was performed when the toxic symptoms of tuberculosis were controlled and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) decreased to 37.2 ± 9.6 mm/h (25-54 mm/h). Lumbosacral angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain, ESR, and neurological performance were assessed before and after surgery.All surgical procedures were performed successfully without intra or postoperative complication. There were no instances of spinal tuberculosis recurrence. Patients were followed-up for a mean of 19.6 months. The mean lumbosacral angle was significantly increased from the mean preoperative angle (12.9 ± 5.0°) both postoperatively (21.5 ± 6.1°) and at final follow-up (20.1 ± 5.2°) (both P0.001). The mean VAS scores and ESR were significantly decreased from preoperative levels (7.3 ± 1.2 and 37.2 ± 9.6 mm/h, respectively) both postoperatively (1.5 ± 0.5 at month six and 10.4 ± 4.5 mm/h at month three, respectively) and at final follow-up (0.6 ± 0.5 and 10.5 ± 2.3 mm/h, respectively) (all P0.001). Bone fusion occurred in all patients at a mean of nine months (range six to 12 months) after surgery. Three patients who had impaired neurological performance before surgery had normal neurological performance after surgery.Our findings suggest that anterior radical debridement, interbody fusion, and sacral rod fixation can be an effective treatment option for lumbosacral segment tuberculosis.

Both the antero-posterior and anterior approaches have been used for treating L5-S1 vertebral tuberculosis. However, no studies have compared the efficacy of the two methods in treating the disease.The antero-posterior (AP group, 14 cases) and anterior (A group, 13 cases) approaches were performed on L5-S1 vertebral tuberculosis cases who were followed up for average of 25 months. Clinical and radiographic data were obtained from and compared between groups.Average operative time, blood loss and pre-operative, post-operative and last follow-up of lumbo-sacral angles for groups AP and A were 497 min vs 190 min, 980 ml vs 410 ml, 22.3° vs 20.6°, 29.8° vs 25.7° and 28.3° vs 23.6°, respectively. Averaged visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in groups AP and A, respectively, were 6.5 vs 6.0 points before surgery and 3.0 vs 2.8 points after surgery. Mean ODI scores were 60.2 vs 63.0 points before and 30.0 vs 28.5 points after the operation for groups AP and A, respectively. Six cases in the AP group and five in the A group who exhibited neurological symptoms recovered to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade E. The average hospitalisations of groups AP and A lasted for 21 and 15 days, respectively. Bony fusion was achieved in both groups, with an average fusion time of five and four months, respectively.Both the antero-posterior and anterior approaches can effectively heal L5-S1 vertebral tuberculosis, but the average surgical time, blood loss and hospital stay following the anterior approach are prominently less than those following the antero-posterior approach.

The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between a primary dislocation group (group P) and a recurrent dislocation group (group R) with combined lesion of Bankart and type II SLAP lesions (type V SLAP lesion) and to evaluate incidence of type V SLAP lesion. In addition, the authors evaluated clinical outcomes of these patients by dividing two groups according to the sequence for Bankart and SLAP lesion suture. From May 2000 to May 2005, 310 patients who gave informed consent, underwent the diagnostic arthroscopy and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA). One hundred and ten patients met the following criteria: (1) post-traumatic primary or recurrent anterior shoulder instability, (2) a normal contralateral shoulder, (3) a type V SLAP lesion, and (4) minimum follow-up of two years. Group P included 42 patients, and group R, 68 patients. Among all patients, 58 patients who had Bankart lesions sutured first were included in group B, and 52 who had their SLAP lesions sutured beforehand, group S. Visual analogue scale, range of motion, Rowe and Constant score were used to compare results between group P and group R, also group B and group S. The incidence rates of type V SLAP lesion were 42.8% in group P and 32.0% in group R. The overall treatment results in our study were good. Even if the difference between the two groups was statistically insignificant, group P showed greater recovery of range of motion than group R in external rotation. No significant difference was found between the two different operative methods according to suture sequence. The incidence rates of type V SLAP lesion were 42.8% in the primary dislocation group and 32.0% in the recurrent dislocation group. The overall treatment results in our study were good. Although there was no statistical significance in surgical time between the two groups, when both SLAP and Bankart lesions are present, the Bankart lesion must be sutured first to reduce surgical time.

"Thoracic outlet syndrome is an often misdiagnosed syndrome which consists of a neurovascular compression at the upper thoracic outlet. The clinical presentation can be variable, ranging from mild symptoms to venous thrombosis and muscle atrophy. Many aetiologies, both congenital and acquired, related either to bony or soft tissue anomalies, have been associated with this syndrome. As a consequence, the diagnosis is often challenging and sometimes it can be obtained only with surgical exploration. Additionally, no specific clinical test is considered diagnostic of thoracic outlet syndrome. However, the recent advances in imaging techniques together with a careful clinical evaluation give the surgeon the chance to recognize the constricting anatomy before surgery in many cases. No standard surgical procedure has been identified; however, in literature the largest series have been treated with transaxillary first rib resection. Here we report our experience in the surgical treatment of this syndrome with a minimum follow-up of three years. Our approach consists of performing a supraclavicular decompression without routine first rib resection. This allows for identifying and removing the constricting anatomy in most cases, with satisfactory results in 96.9% of patients and a low complication rate."

Objective Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is treated by surgical myectomy or transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy (TASH). The aim of this study was to visualize the feasibility, success and short-term results of TASH on the basis of cardiac MRI (CMR) in comparison with cardiac catheterization and echocardiography. Methods In this in vivo study, nine patients with HOCM were treated with TASH. Patients were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography, invasive cardiac angiography and CMR. Follow-up examinations were carried out after 1, 3 and 12 months. MR imaging was performed on a 1.5-T scanner. All images were processed using the semiautomatic Argus software and were evaluated by an attending thoracic radiologist and cardiologist. Results The echocardiographic pressure gradient (at rest) was 69.3 ± 15.3 mmHg before and 22.1 ± 5.7 mmHg after TASH (P

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) has a high but variable recurrence rate. Prior studies do not compare recurrence-free survival (RFS) for various surgical approaches or salvage surgery for relapse. We therefore determined: (1) RFS after excision; (2) RFS after salvage surgery for relapse; (3) factors associated with relapse. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 49 patients with previously untreated PVNS of the knee (12 localized, 37 diffuse) who were treated with synovectomy from 1991 to 2008; there were 22 males and 27 females, with mean age of 35.2 years (range, 10–73). Minimum followup was 1 year (mean, 6.2 years; range, 1–13). Twenty-one patients had a relapse. The RFS for index surgery was 75% and 53%; and for salvage surgery was 71% and 52% at 2 and 5 years respectively. The RFS was 95% for open versus 62% for arthroscopic synovectomy at 2 years, 71% and 41% at 5 years. The RFS was 91% for localized and 70% for diffuse PVNS at 2 years, 73% and 48% at 5 years. Diffuse disease (RR = 4.49) and arthroscopic synovectomy (RR = 3.30) were associated with relapse. Recurrence was frequent after synovectomy. Reexcision can salvage relapses as successfully as excision for primary disease; however, morbidity was associated with additional surgeries. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is one of the intractable diseases. It is controversial whether the lesion size assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can change over time without any operative treatment. In this study, we used MRI to observe the lesion size changes of ONFH induced by corticosteroid administration in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients. The study included 51 SARS patients (84 hips) with early-stage ONFH who did not receive any operative treatment and were diagnosed by MRI. All of the patients underwent MRI follow-ups. Each patient was evaluated on the basis of the lesion volume on MRI at every follow-up for further comparisons. At the first MRI scan, the mean lesion volume was 10.12 +/- 8.05 cm(3) (range: 0.39-41.62 cm(3)). At the mid-term follow-up (2.5 years), the mean lesion volume was 7.82 +/- 7.59 cm(3) (range: 0.11-39.65 cm(3)). At the final follow-up (five years), complete regression of the lesion was observed in six hips, and the mean lesion volume was 5.67 +/- 6.58 cm(3) (range: 0.00-31.47 cm(3)). Overall, the lesion volume was reduced by15% in 80 hips, and only four hips with relatively larger lesion volumes showed no apparent reductions. The reduction in lesion size of ONFH observed on MRI is a slow, discontinuous and time-dependent process.

Hematogenous hip infections are rare in adults and the extent of infection into the bone or adjacent soft tissues may be underestimated, leading to inadequate surgical debridement. Using MRI, we sought to determine the extent of bone involvement and the presence of adjacent soft tissue abscesses in adults with hip osteomyelitis. We reviewed the records and MRIs in 11 adult patients (12 hips) with hematogenous osteomyelitis of the femoral head in 12 hips. Ten of 11 patients had one or more comorbidities. All patients underwent surgical debridement and received antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks. MRI revealed osteomyelitis distal to the femoral head in seven of 12 hips with extension into the medullary canal in three of these seven. Femoral head erosions were present in 10 hips, acetabulum osteomyelitis in 11, and acetabular erosions in six hips. Infection extended into adjacent soft tissues in eight of 12 hips. MRI demonstrated that the infection may extend distal to the femoral head or into the adjacent soft tissues. MRI may be useful for preoperative planning so that all regions affected by the infection can be treated. Level of Evidence: Level III, diagnostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Physeal changes of any aetiology in children are usually diagnosed once the deformity is clinically evident. Between January 2006 and June 2007, 15 children who suffered from acute osteoarticular infection around the knee joint were studied. They were called up for follow-up six months after the onset of infection. All patients were evaluated by clinical and roentgenographic examination before undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of both knees “with the unaffected knee serving as control”. Abnormal findings in the physis, metaphysis and/or epiphysis on MRI were observed in five children. This group of five children was compared with the other ten children for clinical presentation and course of disease. We believe that MRI is a useful tool in the evaluation of growth plate insult in the early period following acute osteoarticular infection, and we can diagnose and prevent the catastrophic complications of the same.

Presented here is a prospective study assessing the efficacy of decompression of concomitant noncontiguous level (thoracic & lumbar) stenosis in accordance with neurological findings, nerve root blocks, and myelographically proven disease. The objective was to determine the efficacy, clinical outcome, and functional recovery in patients undergoing simultaneous decompression. No previous study has focussed on the clinical outcome of such simultaneous decompression. Twenty-one patients with neurological claudication, progressive gait disturbance, upper motor neuron symptoms, and findings of myelopathy in both the lower extremities underwent simultaneous decompression and were assessed. The average follow-up was 32 months (range, 24–40 months). At the last examination,13 patients (82%) had excellent or good clinical results. Postoperative improvement correlated inversely with the duration of symptoms. The patients usually had satisfactory outcomes when the correct diagnosis was made and management was implemented. Functional recovery depends on early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention.

Between May 2002 and October 2006, 19 patients (17 men and 2 women; average age 57.2; range 47–71 years) received anterior corpectomy and fusion for severe ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in our department. Preoperative radiological evaluation showed the narrowing by the OPLL exceeded 50% in all cases, and OPLL extended from one to three vertebrae. We followed-up all patients for 12–36 months (mean 18 months). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before surgery was 9.3 ± 1.8 (range 5–12) which significantly increased to 14.2 ± 1.3 (range 11–16) points at the last follow-up (P

The aim of this prospective study was to compare and correlate clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthroscopic findings in cases of meniscal tear and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. MRI scan results and clinical diagnosis are compared against the arthroscopic confirmation of the diagnosis. One hundred and thirty-one patients had suspected traumatic meniscal or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Clinical examination had better sensitivity (0.86 vs. 0.76), specificity (0.73 vs. 0.52), predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy in comparison to MRI scan in diagnosis for medial meniscal tears. These parameters showed only marginal difference in lateral meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. We conclude that carefully performed clinical examination can give equal or better diagnosis of meniscal and ACL injuries in comparison to MRI scan. MRI may be used to rule out such injuries rather than to diagnose them.

To assess of the value of conservative and operative treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee, a multicenter study was performed. In 12 European countries, 798 cases of osteochondritis of the knee have been collected from 44 hospitals. Results were based on 452 patients with 509 affected knees with minimum follow-up was 1 year (mean follow-up, 3 years and 11 months) and sufficient data for evaluation: 61% were male patients; 39% female patients; 318 affected knees were found in juvenile patients; 191 affected knees were in adult or premature patients. The localization was the medial femoral condyle on the lateral side in 51 % (typical site) of patients. Various other sites were involved. Of the 509 affected knees, 154 were treated conservatively, 355 were treated surgically (many with multiple operations). For evaluation, the initial situation (at the time of the diagnosis) was favorable in 198 patients (no effusion, diameter of the lesion

Frequently, the imaging features of stress fractures may be misinterpreted as tumour-like lesions. The aim of this study was to analyse the quality of different examinations in detecting stress fractures mimicking tumour-like lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated 22 cases which were referred to our department with the suspected diagnosis of bone tumours turning out to be stress fractures. Whenever the MRI did not lead to a diagnosis after a second review, computed tomography (CT) scans and, if still required, additional examinations were performed until the fracture was detected. A stress fracture was diagnosed in 15 cases after the additional CT scan, in five cases with the review of the MRI and in two cases with a combination of several examinations. Especially in stress fractures of the tibia and the femur, CT scanning was essential for making a diagnosis by detecting the fracture line. Bone scans and biopsies, in contrast, were not helpful in making a correct diagnosis.

We aimed to review the results of subtotal arthroscopic resection of symptomatic type D medial plica. We retrospectively evaluated 23 knees with symptomatic type D medial plica in 22 patients without other intra-articular pathology. All patients complained of chronic knee pain that had not been alleviated by medical treatment or physical therapy. In only three (13%) of the patients studied was the plica diagnosed pre-operatively with magnetic resonance imaging. The type D medial plicae in our series were classified as fenestrated (14 knees), torn (5 knees), or reduplicated (4 knees). Fibrotic changes in the plicae and degenerative changes on the medial femoral condyle were found in 16 knees Patellofemoral chondromalacia was present in three knees Arthroscopic partial resection was performed in all patients. Comparative Lysholm Knee Scale scores before and after surgery revealed a significant clinical improvement (pre-operative status, 67.19 +/- 8.05 vs. post-operative status, 90.57 +/- 9.80; P0.001). Type D medial plica should be considered as a possible cause of chronic knee pain. Arthroscopic partial resection of the plicae in symptomatic patients gives satisfactory results.

Axial pain is one of the major complications after laminoplasty, and preservation of C7 spinous process during the procedure can reduce the axial pain. However, it has not been elucidated whether laminoplasty preserving the C7 spinous process can maintain neurological improvement for a long time. The purpose of our retrospective study was to investigate the long-term neurological outcome after open-door laminoplasty preserving the C7 spinous process for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Clinical and radiological outcomes were analysed in 42 patients who underwent open-door laminoplasty preserving C7 spinous process and followed up for more than 5 years. Neurological function was evaluated by means of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system for cervical myelopathy. Axial pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at the last examination. Alignment and motion of the cervical spine were measured from radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate postoperative compression at C7. The mean JOA score was 9.4 before surgery and 12.0 at the latest follow-up. The mean VAS score in 26 patients score was 9.7/100. No compression of the spinal cord was observed in any MRI at the latest follow-up. Preservation of the C7 spinous process does not influence the long-term outcome of CSM after laminoplasty. Although we did not have a comparative group, the procedure described here should be considered as the solution.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 29 patients younger than 65 years at surgery treated with deltoid flap reconstruction for massive postero-superior rotator cuff tears. All tears involved supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons and were associated with tendon stump retraction to the glenoid rim, a preservable long biceps tendon, and an intact subscapularis tendon. Mean follow-up was 10.5 years. Patient satisfaction rate was 89%. Mean global Constant score improved from 43 to 71.5 points, mean pain score from 6.3 to 13.2, mean anterior flexion from 100 to 157 degrees, and force in elevation from 2.3 to 3 kg. Two thirds of patients had no humeral head migration. Of the 18 patients whose flap was examined by magnetic resonance imaging, 15 had no tear and 12 had a flap signal of muscle intensity; mean flap thickness was 5 mm. Pre-operative factors associated with poorer outcomes were upwards humeral head migration with a subacromial space smaller than 6 mm, presence of glenohumeral osteoarthritis, and supraspinatus amyotrophy greater than 40%. Deltoid flap reconstruction is a valid option in this patient population.

We treated 45 hips with idiopathic necrosis of the femoral head stages I–III with core decompression. Average age of patients was 41 (27–68) years and average follow-up 68.9 (31–120) months. In 30 hip joints in stage I, 29 showed no radiographic progression and a complete remission of the changes consistent with necrosis on MRI at the last follow-up. In 27 patients the clinical result – based on the Harris Hip Score (HHS) assessment – was excellent (average HHS 91.9 points). Of nine hips in stage II, four had received a total hip arthroplasty, one had deteriorated to stage IV, and four were still classified as stage II (average HHS 95 points). Of six hips in stage III, three had received a total hip arthroplasty and three had deteriorated to stage IV (average HHS 73 points).