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Objective: The tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TTTG) distance varies with the position of the knee in the MR or CT scanner. We present and assess a simple method for adjustment of adduction or abduction of the knee. Materials and methods: MRI of the knee encompassing a three-dimensional (3D) sagittal sequence including ≥ 8 cm of the proximal tibia was analyzed (29 females, 17 males; median age 45 years). Using 3D visualization software, the central longitudinal axis of the proximal tibia (TA) was constructed, and the TTTG distance was measured before and after alignment of the TA. Observer reliability was assessed with inter- and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. Results: Adduction of the knee occurred in 26 examinations, mean 2.7° (range 0.0° to 9.4°), and abduction in 20 examinations, mean 2.6° (range 0.0° to 7.2°). Following adjustment, the mean TTTG distance increased 2.4 mm (range 0.0 to 6.7 mm) in the knees positioned in adduction and decreased 2.3 mm when in abduction (range 0.0 to 5.5 mm). The correlation coefficient (r2) between the deviation in adduction and abduction and the difference between TTTG unadjusted and adjusted was r2 = 0.96. ICCs were excellent, but limits of agreement were close to ± 3 mm. Conclusion: Measurement of the TTTG distance by MRI is influenced by a systematic technique-dependent error caused by knee positioning in adduction or abduction. We suggest a simple method for adjusting the positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To introduce and evaluate computed tomography (CT)-guided transarticular needle biopsy of the cartilaginous sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and to assess the biopsy results microscopically.Materials and Methods: The new CT-guided transarticular biopsy of the SIJ was performed in a young corpse and ten patients, two males and eight females aged 18-81 years. All patients had abnormal findings by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the SIJs, including bone marrow edema, related to different types of joint disorders. The biopsies were focused on areas with bone marrow edema. The quality of the specimens obtained, using two different types of biopsy needles, was assessed microscopically.Results: Biopsies containing cartilage, subchondral plate, and bone marrow from the iliac and sacral sides were obtained from the corpse and three patients and from the iliac bone only in two patients. In three patients, the biopsy needles could not penetrate the bone marrow to the joint facet due to pronounced subchondral sclerosis, but adequate marrow biopsies were obtained. Two biopsies were inadequate, one due to technical problems and one was crushed during preparation. Histological assessment of eight adequate specimens revealed inflammatory bone marrow changes, except in two specimens from females with pronounced sclerosis conforming to osteitis condensans ilii.Conclusions: Transarticular SIJ biopsies are obtainable and can be directed towards areas with MRI abnormalities. They can be used to confirm inflammatory changes histologically. With the biopsy needles used, severe bone marrow sclerosis may hinder penetration to the cartilage, but bone marrow specimens can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of degenerative and spondyloarthritis (SpA)-related magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the spine and sacroiliac joints (SIJs) and analyse their association with gender and age in persistent low back pain (LBP) patients.Methods: Degenerative and SpA-related MRI findings in the whole spine and SIJs were evaluated in Spine Centre patients aged 18-40 years with LBP.Results: Among the 1,037 patients, the prevalence of disc degeneration, disc contour changes and vertebral endplate signal (Modic) changes were 87 % (±SEM 1.1), 82 % (±1.2) and 48 % (±1.6). All degenerative spinal findings were most frequent in men and patients aged 30-40 years. Spinal SpA-related MRI findings were rare. In the SIJs, 28 % (±1.4) had at least one MRI finding, with bone marrow oedema being the most common (21 % (±1.3)). SIJ erosions were most prevalent in patients aged 18-29 years and bone marrow oedema in patients aged 30-40 years. SIJ sclerosis and fatty marrow deposition were most common in women. SIJ bone marrow oedema, sclerosis and erosions were most frequent in women indicating pregnancy-related LBP.Conclusion: The high prevalence of SIJ MRI findings associated with age, gender, and pregnancy-related LBP need further investigation of their clinical importance in LBP patients.Key Points: • The location of vertebral endplate signal changes supports a mechanical aetiology. • Several sacroiliac joint findings were associated with female gender and pregnancy-related back pain. • Sacroiliac joint bone marrow oedema was frequent and age-associated, indicating a possible degenerative aetiology. • More knowledge of the clinical importance of sacroiliac joint MRI findings is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older people are at increased risk of non-union after spinal fusion, but little is known about the factors determining the quality of the fusion mass in this patient group. The aim of this study was to investigate fusion mass bone quality after uninstrumented spinal fusion and to evaluate if it could be improved by additional direct current (DC) electrical stimulation. A multicenter RCT compared 40 and 100 μA DC stimulation with a control group of uninstrumented posterolateral fusion in patients older than 60 years. This report comprised 80 patients who underwent DEXA scanning at the 1 year follow-up. The study population consisted of 29 men with a mean age of 72 years (range 62-85) and 51 women with a mean age of 72 years (range 61-84). All patients underwent DEXA scanning of their fusion mass. Fusion rate was assessed at the 2 year follow-up using thin slice CT scanning. DC electrical stimulation did not improve fusion mass bone quality. Smokers had lower fusion mass BMD (0.447 g/cm) compared to non-smokers (0.517 g/cm) ( P = 0.086). Women had lower fusion mass BMD (0.460 g/cm) compared to men (0.552 g/cm) ( P = 0.057). Using linear regression, fusion mass bone quality, measured as BMD, was significantly influenced by gender, age of the patient, bone density of the remaining part of the lumbar spine, amount of bone graft applied and smoking. Fusion rates in this cohort was 34% in the control group and 33 and 43% in the 40 and 100 μA groups, respectively (not significant). Patients classified as fused after 2 years had significant higher fusion mass BMD at 1 year (0.592 vs. 0.466 g/cm, P = 0.0001). Fusion mass bone quality in older patients depends on several factors. Special attention should be given to women with manifest or borderline osteoporosis. Furthermore, bone graft materials with inductive potential might be considered for this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the healing potential of allograft from bisphosphonate-treated animals in anterior lumbar spine interbody fusion. Three levels of anterior lumbar interbody fusion with Brantigan cages were performed in two groups of five landrace pigs. Empty Brantigan cages or cages filled with either autograft or allograft were located randomly at different levels. The allograft materials for the treatment group were taken from the pigs that had been fed with alendronate, 10 mg daily for 3 months. The histological fusion rate was 2/5 in alendronate-treated allograft and 3/5 in non-treated allograft. The mean bone volume was 39% and 37.2% in alendronate-treated or non-treated allograft (NS), respectively. No statistical difference was found between the same grafted cage comparing two groups. The histological fusion rate was 7/10 in all autograft cage levels and 5/10 in combined allograft cage levels. No fusion was found at all in empty cage levels. With the numbers available, no statistically significant difference was found in histological fusion between autograft and allograft applications. There was a significant difference of mean bone volume between autograft (49.2%) and empty cage (27.5%) (P<0.01). In conclusion, this study did not demonstrate different healing properties of alendronate-treated and non-treated allograft for anterior lumbar interbody fusion in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autogenous source of growth factor and has been shown to enhance bone healing both in clinical and experimental studies. PRP in combination with porous hydroxyapatite has been shown to increase the bone ingrowth in a bone chamber rat model. The present study investigated whether the combination of beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and PRP may enhance spinal fusion in a controlled animal study. Ten Danish Landrace pigs were used as a spinal fusion model. Immediately prior to the surgery, 55 ml blood was collected from each pig for processing PRP. Three-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion was performed with carbon fiber cages and staples on each pig. Autogenous bone graft, β-TCP, and β-TCP loaded with PRP were randomly assigned to each level. Pigs were killed at the end of the third month. Fusion was evaluated by radiographs, CT scanning, and histomorphometric analysis. All ten pigs survived the surgery. Platelet concentration increased 4.4-fold after processing. Radiograph examination showed 70% (7/10) fusion rate in the autograft level. All the levels with β-TCP+PRP showed partial fusion, while β-TCP alone levels had six partial fusions and four non-fusions (P=0.08). CT evaluation of fusion rate demonstrated fusion in 50% (5/10) of the autograft levels. Only partial fusion was seen at β-TCP levels and β-TCP+PRP levels. Histomorphometric evaluation found no difference between β-TCP and β-TCP+PRP levels on new bone volume, remaining β-TCP particles, and bone marrow and fibrous tissue volume, while the same parameters differ significantly when compared with autogenous bone graft levels. We concluded from our results in pigs that the PRP of the concentration we used did not improve the bone-forming capacity of β-TCP biomaterial in anterior spine fusion. Both β-TCP and β-TCP+PRP had poorer radiological and histological outcomes than that of autograft after 3 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment response in lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) by MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained in 30 patients with clinical symptoms of lateral epicondylitis of the elbow using T1-, T2- and T2-weighted fat-saturated (FS) sequences. The patients were randomised to either i.m. corticosteroid injection ( n=16) or immobilisation in a wrist splint ( n=14). Magnetic resonance imaging of the elbow was performed on a 1.5-T MR system at baseline and after 6 weeks. The extensor carpi radialis (ECRB) tendon, the radial collateral ligament, lateral humerus epicondyle at tendon insertion site, joint fluid and signal intensity changes within brachio-radialis and anconeus muscles were evaluated on the MR unit's workstation before and after 6 weeks of treatment. The MRI was performed once in 22 healthy controls for comparison and all images evaluated by an investigator blinded to the clinical status of the subjects. The MR images showed thickening with separation of the ECRB tendon from the radial collateral ligament and abnormal signal change in 25 of the 30 patients on the T1-weighted sequences at inclusion. The signal intensity of the ECRB tendon was increased in 24 of the 30 patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow on the T2-weighted FS sequences. In the patients there were no associations between pathologically signal intensity within the ECRB tendon on T1- and T2-weighted sequences and the degree of self-reported pain (Dumbells test) at inclusion. In general, the MRI changes persisted in the patients at follow-up after 6 weeks despite clinical remission. The increased signal intensity within the extensor tendon is indicative of lateral epicondylitis humeri. The changes in signal intensity and morphology of ECRB tendon seem to be chronic and may persist despite clinical improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“Spinal instrumentation without fusion” techniques, which do not interfere with spinal growth, have been used extensively in the treatment of progressive spinal scoliosis in very young children. Due to subperiosteal exposure, the process of spinal instrumentation may induce spontaneous bony fusion. Instrumentation and surgical techniques have been modified in order to prevent spontaneous posterior fusion from occurring in children. An absorbable ADCON-L gel has been shown to inhibit scar and epidural adhesions following spinal surgeries. However, little is known about its influence on spinal fusion. In the present study, a single-level intertransverse arthrodesis at L4-5 on both sides was performed on each of nine pigs. Each side was randomly designed to receive autogenous bone graft with or without ADCON-L gel. The animals were followed for 10 weeks postoperatively. A fusion rate of 78% (7/9) was obtained in the autograft treatment by plain X-ray and CT evaluation, while the autograft/ADCON-L treatment yielded a 0% (0/9) fusion rate (p=0.001). Histomorphometric evaluation revealed that the addition of ADCON-L gel to bone graft decreased bone and bone marrow formation and significantly increased fibrous tissue formation. No statistical difference between the two treatments was found in cartilage, bone surface density, osteoid surfaces or osteoclast-covered surfaces in any zone. We conclude that ADCON-L gel mixed into autogenous bone graft can delay or decrease bone formation at spinal arthrodesis sites, thus influencing the extent of spinal fusion. This accords with our hypothesis that the use of ADCON-L gel can prevent not only the occurrence of spontaneous fusion in very young scoliosis patients after instrumentation without fusion, but also re-ossification of a decompressed spinal canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To present results of optimising scoliosis examination by changing from a conventional film/grid (F/G) to air-gap technique using computed radiography (CR), and to evaluate different methods for estimating effective radiation doses.Materials and Methods: Forty-nine children and adolescents were examined with an F/G technique, and 21 with air-gap and CR techniques. Entrance surface doses (ESD) were determined with lithium fluoride thermoluminescence dosimeters. For all patients, the effective radiation doses were determined using a hermaphrodite PCXMC computer program. For all F/G radiographs, the effective doses were also determined according to the NRPB-R279 report, and for 22 children (>9 years and/or >40 kg) also with the ODS-60 program, which allows separate gender calculations. Accumulated doses for 37 children examined more than once with F/G examinations were assessed.Results: For F/G techniques, the ESDs for both frontal and lateral views varied with age and were significantly correlated to the patients' thickness. The calculated effective doses using the PCXMC program and the NRPB-R279 did not differ significantly for all frontal and lateral radiographs, respectively, but ODS-60 gave significantly higher values in female subjects. With air-gap and CR techniques, the mean effective doses were reduced by a factor over 10. The mean accumulated effective dose for 37 children with a mean of seven F/G examinations was 6.1 mSv, implying a risk of death of about 1:2,000 for boys and at least 1:1,000 for girls.Conclusions: Paediatric scoliosis radiography should be considered a specialised procedure, which has to be optimised using a non-grid technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intervertebral disc has been shown to be related to low back pain and nerve root injury in pathologic conditions. However, little is known about its influence on spinal fusion. With the development of minimal invasive operations, such as laparoscopic anterior spinal fusion with cages, insufficient discectomy may occur. With its inflammatory properties, the residue nucleus pulposus may have an effect on spinal fusion. In this study, a two-level lumbar spine interbody fusion (L3/4, L5/6) with a Brantigan cage was performed on ten Danish Landrace pigs. Each level was randomly assigned to one of the following methods: (1) implantation of Brantigan cage filled with autogenous iliac crest bone graft, or (2) implantation of Brantigan cage filled with a mixture of autograft and the nucleus pulposus tissue harvested from the disc level in which it was to be inserted. Each level was stabilized with two staples. The pigs were followed for 12 weeks in the same standardized condition. After sacrifice, the lumbar spines were taken out, and plain X-ray, computed tomographic (CT) scanning and histomorphometry were performed to study the fusion mass inside the cages. From plain radiographs, new bone formation could be seen inside and around the cage. CT evaluation showed that the nucleus pulposus level had a 20% (2/10) fusion rate, while the pure autograft level had a 70% (7/10) fusion rate (P=0.07). The histological fusion rate was even lower in the nucleus pulposus level (10%), and was significantly different from the autograft level (70%, P=0.02). Histomorphometric parameters of new bone formation, bone marrow space and fibrous tissue differed significantly between the two levels (P=0.04; P=0.02; P=0.04 respectively). We conclude that when nucleus pulposus is mixed with the autogenous bone graft, it can delay or decrease the bone formation inside the cage, thus influencing the final fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review our experience of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) and to assess the value of MRI in this rare disease, which mainly affects children and adolescents.Design and Patients: Seventeen patients from our departments were reviewed. All underwent conventional radiography and MRI, and most had bone scintigraphy. All had undergone bone biopsy, with microbiological and histopathological examinations, to exclude infectious disease, tumours and tumour-like lesions.Results and Conclusion: CRMO affects predominantly the tubular bones of the limbs, followed by the clavicle and the spine. Other locations are rare. Diagnosis is important in avoiding unnecessary diagnostic procedures and to initiate appropriate therapy, and is usually based on a characteristic course and the appearances on radiography. However, CRMO lesions of tubular bones and the spine exhibit quite characteristic MRI features which support the diagnosis, while the appearance of the early clavicular lesion is non-specific. At all sites of CRMO in the skeleton, MRI is valuable in assessing the extent and activity of the lesion. It may exclude pyogenic involvement of the bone and soft tissues and guide effective biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 16 patients with chronic, symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees, sagittal displacement was studied in the standing position using fluoroscopic control and a simple device to support the knee. In slight weight bearing all knees but one had normal femorotibial alignment in the lateral view. During full weight bearing sagittal displacements between 2 mm and 17 mm were recorded in 14 patients. The largest displacements were obtained at different angles of inclination of the leg and flexion of the knee joint and were independent of the point of support of the knee joint. The reproducibility of this new standing technique was within 2 mm. A high correlation with previous methods of radiographic measurements of sagittal laxity was found. By the use of the normal relationship between the tibial eminence and the femoral condyles it is possible to record and measure sagittal displacements on a single lateral radiograph of the standing knee joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a preliminary report of a clinical trial of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) for enhancement of soft tissue tumors in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), experience of the first five cases is presented. Enhancement was found to give better delineation of the tumor in richly vascularized parts of the tumors, compressed tissue immediately surrounding the tumor, and in atrophic, but richly vascularized, muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-one computed tomographic (CT) and 17 conventional sinographies were performed on 17 patients with lesions in the musculoskeletal system. The CT sinography was superior to the conventional examination in all cases, giving detailed information on the relationship between the sinuses and neighboring soft tissue and skeletal structures. CT sinography is recommended as the primary method for examination of musculoskeletal sinuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computed tomography (CT) was employed to evaluate the femoral component of the prosthesis in surface-replacement total hip arthroplasty in seven patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Image reconstruction using the high frequency filter resulted in an image of the cement-bone interface inside the cup which allowed the detection of bone resorption. This new application of CT could prove to be a valuable complement to conventional methods in the radiological assessment of metal cup arthroplasties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In three cases operated with high tibial osteotomy for medial gonarthrosis the exact method of roentgen stereophotogrammetry with tantalum balls as bone markers (Selvik 1974) was used to study angular and translational movements in three dimensions at the operation and during the healing period. Tibial osteotomy caused angular and translational movements even in planes where correction was not intended, and the stereo technique revealed that stability was not present when knee mobilisation started. Correlation between the stereo values and conventional radiographic measurements were best in the frontal plane (root mean square value of discrepancies 1.3°). Roentgen stereophotogrammetry gives superior information compared with the conventional radiographic technique, but it is concluded that the latter has sufficient accuracy for the clinical assessment of corrections in the frontal plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a prospective series of 52 knees selected for high tibial osteotomy because of early medial arthrosis, special care was taken to obtain a final over-correction in valgus. The operative procedure and the pre- and post-operative radiographic examinations were standardized and the follow up was 1-3 years. 49 of the 52 knees had obtained a normal or over-corrected mechanical axis. 45 of these had improved painfree walking distance, and 31 were painfree. In 45 knees the arthrotic condition had not progressed, and in 5 of these there were signs of cartilage restitution. It is concluded that precise correction of medial gonarthrosis can be achieved, and this provides a rational basis for definitive treatment of early stages of this condition; for the majority an endoprothesis operation should not be needed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis of hip prostheses was made in four patients with rheumatoid arthritis during a postoperative period of 2 years. Implanted tantalum balls, prosthetic femoral head, and ends of the wire in the acetabular socket were used as measurement points. The migration of the prosthetic head and the acetabular socket in relation to the pelvic bone was determined. The difference between the cranial migration of the head and the socket is a measure of the postoperative instability of the hip joint and deformation of the prosthetic components. This deformation occurs in the plastic acetabular socket and is mainly due to wear. The roentgen stereophotogrammetric method can be applied to standard hip prostheses with a metal femoral head and a plastic or a metal acetabular socket to study migration or loosening of the prosthesis in relation to the supporting bone, prosthesis instability, and deformation of the prosthetic components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fractures of the pubic rami are almost invariably associated with fractures of the posterior arch of the pelvic ring. Two women, aged 50 and 67 years, with septic arthritis of the symphysis pubis attended by severe low back pain, were followed with CT and MR imaging of the pelvis, as well as bond scintigraphy in one patient. In the first patient sacral fractures with severe displacement were revealed, prompting stabilizing symphysiodesis. In the second patient an undisplaced fatigue fracture was confirmed in the right half of the sacrum. In patients with pelvic laxity following arthritis of the symphysis and post-traumatic osteolysis associated with low back pain, displaced or occult fractures of the bones adjacent to the sacroiliac joints should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]