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Purpose: The objectives of this study were to assess the influence of weight-bearing on tibiofemoral osteoarthritis, including medial meniscal extrusion, by using a low-field (0.25 T) rotating clino-orthostatic permanent-magnet magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, and to analyse correlations of medial meniscal extrusion with the patient's Kellgren-Lawrence score, body mass index, and all the osteoarthritis features of the WORMS scoring system., Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients (69.2% women and 30.8% men; mean age 67 ± 9.7 years) with medial tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis were prospectively enrolled and MR sequences were acquired in both clino- and orthostatic position. MR images were assessed by two independent radiologists, according to the WORMS scale. Medial meniscal extrusion was measured and its clino-orthostatic difference (∆MME) was calculated., Results: Intra- and inter-observer agreement of the WORMS Global Score readings was high by Cohen's K test (>0.81). No significant clino-orthostatic changes in the scoring parameters of the medial tibiofemoral joint were shown by Wilcoxon's test. Medial meniscal extrusion measured on orthostatic images was significantly higher than that measured in clinostatic position (p < 0.0001). At univariate analysis, the Kellgren-Lawrence score, WORMS Global Score, cartilage loss, meniscal damage, and osteophytes were significantly correlated to ∆MME (p < 0.005). Using a multiple regression model, tibiofemoral cartilage loss was found to correlate independently with ∆MME (p = 0.0499)., Conclusions: Medial meniscal extrusion, evaluated with an open-configuration, rotating MR scanner, increased from the clinostatic to the orthostatic position. ∆MME, a new meniscal parameter, correlated with several important features of medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.

In the preoperative radiographic planning of total hip prosthesis implantation, the hip election radiographic plane (HERP) is an essential, "dedicated" tool, i.e. it is indispensable for correct implant planning, especially as regards the femoral component and specifically some types of devices which, like the Biodynamic or CFP prostheses, allow preservation of the femoral neck.

Color-Doppler sonography has recently made it possible to image scrotal vascularity non-invasively. This study was undertaken to determine the normal color-Doppler appearance and distribution of scrotal vessels and to define the technical principles of the examination. Color-Doppler imaging was effective in detecting both funicolar and testicular vessels. Among these, capsular (25/25), trans-testicular (10/25), centripetal and recurrent (25/25) arteries were easily identified. Waveforms analysis allowed to differentiate veins from arteries within testis and to distinguish (8/10) supratesticular (high impedance pattern with absent diastolic flow) from intratesticular arteries (low impedance pattern with high levels of diastolic flow). The optimal color depiction of scrotal vascularity needed the appropriate selection of several imaging parameters to increase detection of low-velocity, low-volume flows within the small testicular vessels. Such parameters included: PRF (ranging 1500 to 600 Hz), wall filters (ranging 25 to 50 Hz), color gain (maximized for optimal sensitivity while avoiding excessive color noise), color vs. echo priority (ranging 70 to 90%) and color persistence (adjusted to high values). In conclusion, color-Doppler imaging is capable of reliably showing the normal anatomy of testicular vessels. It could make a reliable substitute for scintigraphy and continuous wave Doppler in diagnosing scrotal conditions that alter blood flow.