Objectives
The aim of this pictorial review is to illustrate the use of CBCT in a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal disorders and to compare its diagnostic merit with other imaging modalities, such ...as conventional radiography (CR), Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Background
Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has been widely used for dental imaging for over two decades.
Discussion
Current CBCT equipment allows use for imaging of various musculoskeletal applications. Because of its low cost and relatively low irradiation, CBCT may have an emergent role in making a more precise diagnosis, assessment of local extent and follow-up of fractures and dislocations of small bones and joints. Due to its exquisite high spatial resolution, CBCT in combination with arthrography may be the preferred technique for detection and local staging of cartilage lesions in small joints. Evaluation of degenerative joint disorders may be facilitated by CBCT compared to CR, particularly in those anatomical areas in which there is much superposition of adjacent bony structures. The use of CBCT in evaluation of osteomyelitis is restricted to detection of sequestrum formation in chronic osteomyelitis. Miscellaneous applications include assessment of (symptomatic) variants, detection and characterization of tumour and tumour-like conditions of bone.
Teaching Points
• Review the spectrum of MSK disorders in which CBCT may be complementary to other imaging techniques.
• Compare the advantages and drawbacks of CBCT compared to other imaging techniques.
• Define the present and future role of CBCT in musculoskeletal imaging.
Objectives
To update the 2012 European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) clinical consensus guidelines for musculoskeletal ultrasound referral in Europe.
Methods
Twenty-one musculoskeletal ...imaging experts from the ESSR participated in a consensus study based on a Delphic process. Two independent (non-voting) authors facilitated the procedure and resolved doubtful issues. Updated musculoskeletal ultrasound literature up to July 2017 was scored for shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, hip, knee, and ankle/foot. Scoring of ultrasound elastography was included. The strength of the recommendation and level of evidence was scored by consensus greater than 67% or considered uncertain when the consensus was consensus less than 67%.
Results
A total of 123 new papers were reviewed. No evidence change was found regarding the shoulder. There were no new relevant articles for the shoulder, 10 new articles for the elbow, 28 for the hand/wrist, 3 for the hip, 7 for the knee, and 4 for the ankle/foot. Four new evidence levels of A were determined, one for the hip (gluteal tendons tears), one for the knee (meniscal cysts), one for the ankle (ankle joint instability), and one for the foot (plantar plate tear). There was no level A evidence for elastography, although for Achilles tendinopathy and lateral epicondylitis evidence level was B with grade 3 indication.
Conclusions
Four new areas of level A evidence were included in the guidelines. Elastography did not reach level A evidence. Whilst ultrasound is of increasing importance in musculoskeletal medical practice, the evidence for elastography remains moderate.
Key Points
• Evidence and expert consensus shows an increase of musculoskeletal ultrasound indications.
• Four new A evidence levels were found for the hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
• There was no level A evidence for elastography.
The aim of this article is to review the clinical and imaging features of symptomatic hypertrophic (TP) in a cohort of symptomatic patients.
Twenty-three patients with chronic lateral ankle pain were ...retrospectively included in our study group. Patients underwent ultrasound (US), (cone beam) computed tomography (CB)CT or magnetic resonance (MR) examination or a combination of these examinations with a standardized protocol. Patients with an underlying fracture were excluded. The following parameters were recorded: clinical history, size of the TP on different imaging modalities, presence and grade of peroneus brevis/longus tenosynovitis and the presence of bone marrow edema at the os calcaneus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The mean width of the hypertrophic TP was 5.6 mm. Combined tenosynovitis of the peroneus longus (PL) and brevis tendon (PB) was most common, followed by isolated PL and finally PB tenosynovitis. Grade 1 tenosynovitis was most common. BME was present in 53% of the cases.
The width of the TP is may be evaluated on the (oblique) coronal US, (CB)CT or non-fat suppressed MR images. Both US and MRI may detect and grade involvement of the peroneal tendons. By the use of fluid sensitive sequences, MRI may be of additional value to detect bone marrow edema as result of repetitive friction.
The purpose of this pictorial review is to present an overview of the radioclinical features of osteomyelitis. The presentation of the disease may vary depending on the clinical stage (acute, ...subacute and chronic), the pathogenesis of the infection and the age of the patient. Thorough knowledge of the basic pathophysiological mechanisms is a prerequisite to understanding the variable imaging appearance of osteomyelitis. Special subtypes of osteomyelitis including CRMO and SAPHO will be discussed very shortly.
Osteochondral lesions (OCL) of the talus involve both articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the talar dome. This term refers to a wide spectrum of pathologies including mild bone marrow ...contusion as well as severe osteoarthritis resulting from long standing disease. Although Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 1.5 Tesla is the leading cross-sectional modality for detection and staging of OCL, lack of spatial resolution hampers accurate assessment of thin articular cartilage. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) arthrography is better suited for precise staging of cartilage lesions. The purpose of this pictorial review is to illustrate the strength of each imaging method.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease among children. In some patients, cervical spine arthritis remains a serious and chronic manifestation of JIA. The aim of this ...study was to assess the frequency of cervical spine lesions on radiographs and MRI in JIA patients with clinical signs of cervical spine involvement and to verify if with the addition of MRI, the use of radiographs could be abandoned.
This retrospective study evaluated consecutive 34 children (25 girls; aged 6-18 years, median 15.5 years) with JIA and with clinical involvement of cervical spine. In each patient, both radiographs and MRI of the cervical spine were performed. Imaging findings were correlated with clinical and laboratory data.
The cervical spine was affected in 35% of patients. The most frequent lesions were subaxial subluxations (SAS; 24%), apophyseal joint ankylosis (9%), and C1/C2 joint lesions (9%). Anterior atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) was diagnosed only by radiography, and most of the SAS were seen on radiography, whereas only a few on MRI. Reversely, C1/C2 soft tissue involvement were seen on MRI only. Cervical spine involvement was associated with raised ESR (
= 0.012) and CRP (
= 0.014).
The cervical spine lesions are still frequent complication of JIA affecting up to 35% of JIA patients. Most of them develop serious complications, such as AAS and ankylosis. Despite advantages of MRI in terms of the imaging of the atlanto-axial region radiography shows superiority in diagnosis of AAS and SAS.
Aim: To evaluate the spectrum of inflammatory features in foot joints which may be detected on routinely performed ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children newly diagnosed ...with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Material and methods: Two groups of children hospitalized in a reference center for rheumatology, newly diagnosed with JIA and suspected of foot involvement in the course of JIA were included in this retrospective study. In the first group of 47 patients aged 1–18 years, the imaging was restricted to US. The second group of 22 patients aged 5–18 years underwent only non-contrast MRI of the foot. Results: The most frequent pathologies seen on US included effusion and synovial thickening in the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP1), followed by the tibiotalar joint. Synovial hyperemia on color Doppler US images was present most frequently in the Chopart and midtarsal joints (64%; 7/11 cases), followed by the tibiotalar joint (45%; 5/11), and MTP2–5 joint synovitis (40%; 4/10). Grade 3 hyperemia was present only in four cases; grades 1 and 2 were detected in the majority of cases. On MRI, bone marrow edema was the most frequent pathology, found mostly in the calcaneus (45%; 10/22 cases), while alterations of the forefoot were rare. No cases of bursitis, enthesitis, cysts, erosions or ankylosis were diagnosed in either of the analyzed groups. Conclusions: Routine US of the foot is recommended for early detection of its involvement in JIA in daily clinical practice. Although MRI can identify features of various JIA stages, it is particularly useful for the detection of bone marrow alterations.
We present a case of a bilateral synchronous stress fracture of the tibia in a young female basketball player. The patient was initially referred for ultrasound and radiographs of the knees to ...exclude Osgood-Schlatter disease. Radiographs and subsequent MRI revealed bilateral stress fractures of the proximal tibia. A synchronous and symmetrical occurrence of stress fractures in the lower limbs is unusual. As clinical presentation is often nonspecific, appropriate imaging (plain films and MRI) plays a pivotal role in the correct diagnosis of this uncommon entity.
Main teaching point: Low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CT) may be of additional value to radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative characterization and local staging of ...juxta-cortical chondroma Juxta-cortical chondroma is a rare cartilaginous tumor originating from the periosteum. On conventional radiography, the lesion typically causes saucerization of the adjacent cortex with well-delineated sclerotic margins. Projection radiography may be less accurate than cross-sectional imaging to demonstrate the precise extent of pressure erosion and bone and soft tissue extent. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging technique of choice for further preoperative evaluation, cone-beam computed tomography (CT) may be of additional value. Due to its high spatial resolution, cone-beam CT may detect very tiny matrix calcifications and allows a more precise evaluation of the saucerized cortex at a low radiation dose.
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