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This study is the largest cohort of partial distal biceps brachii tendon ruptures in the literature that was analyzed according to rupture morphology of the long and short tendon heads.Patients with partial distal biceps tendon ruptures were identified using an institutional enterprise data warehouse query at a single institution. A retrospective chart review was performed to record patient demographics, past medical history, and injury mechanism for each patient. Each patient's magnetic resonance images were reviewed to determine injury patterns, specifically the extent of long head (LH) and short head (SH) tendon involvement, and associated injuries. Rupture morphologies were correlated with mechanism of injury, diabetes status, and smoking history.Seventy-seven patients were included in the study. The average age was 52 years (±11.9, range: 23-90 years); 67% were male, with an average body mass index of 28.3 (±4.3). A smoking history was reported in 31.2% of patients and 5.2% were diabetic. The partial ruptures were caused by a traumatic mechanism in 57.1% of cases, 23.4% were atraumatic, and 19.5% had an unknown mechanism. The most common injury morphology was a partial LH rupture with an intact SH tendon (33.8%). Isolated complete ruptures of the LH represented the least common injury morphology. Injury morphology was significantly related to mechanism (P.01). Traumatic ruptures had a higher percentage of SH involvement compared with the atraumatic group (77.3% vs. 37.7%, respectively). In contrast, atraumatic ruptures involved the LH tendon in 89% of cases, with only 37.7% of cases involving the SH tendon. Patients with a history of smoking were more likely to have an atraumatic mechanism (P = .01). A history of diabetes was unrelated to mechanism (P = .20).Partial ruptures of the distal biceps brachii tendon represent a spectrum of patterns with varying involvement of the LH and SH tendons. Injury morphology was significantly related to mechanism (P.01). LH tendon involvement was seen in 88.9% of atraumatic cases, whereas SH tendon involvement was seen in 77.3% of traumatic cases. A more comprehensive understanding of partial rupture patterns is critical to further understand the risk factors that may preclude to worse clinical outcomes, and aid in deciding which patients would benefit from operative vs. nonoperative management.

Needle core biopsy (NCB) of soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) presents problems for French Federation Nationale des Centers de Lutte Contre le Cancer (FNCLCC) histological grading because small sample size hinders determination of necrosis and mitotic activity. We graded 53 STSs on NCB using a modified FNCLCC grading system that substitutes Ki-67 immunoexpression for mitotic count and uses a radiological assessment of necrosis, and compared the results with those obtained by conventional FNCLCC grading of the corresponding untreated, surgically resected specimen. Forty-eight of the 53 tumors were classified as malignant on NCB (concordance = 91%). The modified FNCLCC grade correctly separated high-grade (grades II and III) from low-grade sarcomas in 70% of cases and predicted the traditional FNCLCC grade given to the resected specimen in 49% of cases. Ki-67 scores of 2 or 3 were observed in 5 tumors classified as low-grade neoplasms on NCB but upgraded to a high-grade dedifferentiated liposarcoma on resection. Underestimated NCB grades were commonly encountered with lipomatous tumors due to sampling error, whereas Ki-67 or radiologic necrosis scores higher than the corresponding histological scores were responsible for the vast majority of overestimated NCB grades. Our FNCLCC grading scheme replacing conventional mitosis counting and histologic assessment of necrosis with surrogate markers is useful in separating high- and low-grade STSs on NCB for STS treatment planning. High Ki-67 rate should raise suspicion of a higher-grade component, particularly with fatty tumors.

Objective Space occupying lesions of the fingers are commonly encountered in clinical and radiology practice. The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics of these lesions on MRI and to correlate with surgical pathology results. Material and methods This IRB-approved HIPAA-compliant study retrospectively evaluated the clinical, imaging and pathology findings of 100 consecutive patients referred for evaluation of solid soft tissue masses of the fingers. Only solid lesions with MR imaging prior to surgery were included in this study. MR images and when available corresponding radiographs were evaluated by two radiologist in regard to signal characteristics, relation to surrounding structures and enhancement. All masses were classified into different groups based on pathology results. Results Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TSGCT) and fibroma of the tendon sheath were the most common solid tumors (36 %) and malignant tumors represent only 5% of the cohort. 70 % of masses with low T2 signal were TSGCT and fibroma of tendon sheath; 100 % of masses with peripheral high T2 signal and central low T2 signal/thrombus were vascular lesions, representing 41 % of the total vascular lesions in the cohort. Additionally, 100 % of serpiginous/tubular shaped masses were vascular lesions and 67 % of masses with infiltrative borders were malignant masses. Enhancement was important in identifying solid lesions but there was no statistical difference between groups related to enhancement pattern. There was a good agreement for all analyses between both readers. Conclusion Typical MR findings can help to narrow the differential diagnosis in the evaluation of finger masses and provide crucial information to guide further management.

The core, or central musculoskeletal system of the torso, is essential for participating in sports and other physical activities. Core injuries are commonly encountered in athletes and active individuals. The importance of the midline pubic plate and rectus abdominis-adductor aponeurosis for core stability and function is discussed in the literature. This review article examines other important core injuries remote from the pubic symphysis, relevant clinical features, and preferred approaches to imaging. Several specific syndromes encountered in the core are reviewed. By protocoling imaging studies and identifying pathology, radiologists can add value to the clinical decision-making process and help guide therapeutic options.