Alberto Tagliafico

Clinical indications for musculoskeletal ultrasound: A Delphi-based consensus paper of the European society of musculoskeletal radiology

AbstractObjectiveTo develop clinical guidelines for musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) referral in Europe.MethodsSixteen musculoskeletal radiologists from seven European countries participated in a consensus-based interactive process (Delphi method) using consecutive questionnaires and consensus procedure meetings at several European radiology meetings. The evaluation of musculoskeletal diseases was established by literature reviews, followed by consensus on clinical utility in three consensus meetings. This involved a thorough, transparent, iterative approach which including interview, questionnaire, Delphi and standard setting methodologies. European MSK radiologists with a special interest in MSKUS formed two different expert groups who worked on reaching a consensus in the first two meetings. The third meeting resolved questions that did not achieve a consensus level of 67% using the first two questionnaires.ResultsOn expert consensus, the use of MSKUS is indicated to detect joint synovitis, fluid and septic effusion for potential aspiration, and poorly indicated to detect loose bodies. Recommendations for most appropriate use of musculoskeletal ultrasound are reported in six areas relevant to musculoskeletal ultrasound: hand/wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle/foot.ConclusionA comprehensive evidence-based, expert consensus-defined educational framework on clinical ultrsound is presented. This should facilitate referrals for this important imaging technique throughout Europe.Key Points• Musculoskeletal ultrasound is indicated for detecting joint synovitis, effusions and fluid collections. • Musculoskeletal ultrasound is poor at detecting loose bodies. • Musculoskeletal ultrasound is relevant for most joints.

Mammographic density estimation: Comparison among BI-RADS categories, a semi-automated software and a fully automated one

Although breast density is considered a strong predictor of breast cancer risk, its quantitative assessment is difficult. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that breast density assessment with a fully automated software is feasible and correlates with the semi-automated evaluation and the quantitative BI-RADS standards. A data set of 160 mammograms was evaluated by three blinded radiologists. Intra-observer (reader 1: k=0.71; reader 2: k=0.76; reader 3: k=0.62) and inter-observer (reader 1 vs reader 2: k=0.72; reader 2 vs reader 3: k=0.80; reader 3 vs reader 1: k=0.72) variability for the semi-automated software were good on a four-grade scale (D1/D2/D3/D4) and correlated with BI-RADS evaluation made by other two blinded radiologists (r=0.65, p<0.01). Inter-observer (reader 1 vs reader 2: k=0.85; reader 2 vs reader 3: k=0.91; reader 3 vs reader 1: k=0.85) variability for the semi-automated software was very good on a two-grade scale (D1-D2/D3-D4). The use of the fully automated software eliminated intra- and inter-observer differences, correlated with BI-RADS categories (r=0.62, p<0.01) and can replace the semi-automated one (Bland-Altman statistics). Our study demonstrates that automated estimation of breast density is feasible and eliminates subjectivity. Furthermore both the semi-automated and the fully automated density estimation are more accurate than BI-RADS quantitative evaluation and could also be used in the daily clinical practice.

Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Meralgia Paresthetica (Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Neuropathy) Technical Description and Results of Treatment in 20 Consecutive Patients

The purposes of this study were to describe a technique for treatment of meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy) using ultrasound guidance and to report the results of treatment.

Brachial Plexus and Nerves about the Shoulder

Ultrasound (US) and MR imaging have been shown able to detect in-depth features of brachial plexus anatomy and to localize pathological lesions in disorders where electrophysiology and physical findings are nonspecific or nonlocalizing. High-end gradient technology, phased array coils, and selection of an appropriate protocol of pulse sequences are the main requirements to evaluate the brachial plexus nerves with MR imaging and to distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic pathological changes. A careful scanning technique based on anatomical landmarks is required to image the brachial plexus nerves with US. In traumatic injuries, MR imaging and myelographic techniques can exclude nerve lesions at the level of neural foramina and at intradural location. Outside the spinal canal, US is an excellent alternative to MR imaging to determine the presence of a lesion, to establish the site and the level of nerve involvement, as well as to confirm or exclude major nerve injuries. In addition to brachial plexus injuries, MR imaging and US can be contributory in a variety of nontraumatic brachial plexopathies of a compressive, neoplastic, and inflammatory nature. In the thoracic outlet syndrome, imaging performed in association with postural maneuvers can help diagnose dynamic compressions. MR imaging and US are also effective to recognize neuropathies about the shoulder girdle involving the suprascapular, axillary, long thoracic, and spinal accessory nerves that may mimic brachial plexopathy. In this article, the clinical entities just listed are discussed independently, providing an overview of the current status of knowledge regarding imaging assessment.

Reliability of side-to-side sonographic cross-sectional area measurements of upper extremity nerves in healthy volunteers.

In sonographic evaluations of peripheral nerves, the healthy, contralateral side may be used as an internal control for the pathologic one. Therefore, the inherent side‐to‐side differences must be minimal. The goal of this study was to determine the reliability of side‐to‐side measurements of upper extremity nerves in healthy volunteers.

Nerve density: a new parameter to evaluate peripheral nerve pathology on ultrasound. Preliminary study.

The possibility to realize a quantitative evaluation of nerve density on ultrasound is clinically important to enhance the evaluation of peripheral nerve disorders. We developed software that quantifies the ratio between the hypoechoic and hyperechoic areas of peripheral nerves on ultrasound. Nerve density was defined as (hypoechoic pixels)/(total pixels) and the purpose of our study was to asses if nerve density can be used to differentiate pathologic conditions affecting peripheral nerves. Ultrasound images of peripheral nerves were obtained with a high-frequency probe (17-5 MHz, 288 elements). Sixty-five different patients and (n = 65) controls (age range, 35-81 years; mean 55 years) were prospectively evaluated. Thirty-five patients had carpal tunnel syndrome and 30 patients had neurofibromas. Three radiologists performed a semiautomated evaluation with intra and interobserver agreement. A complete automatic evaluation was performed with no need of intra and interobserver evaluation. With the semiautomated evaluation, mean intraobserver agreement was good (K = 0.85). Interobserver agreements was good as well (reader 1 vs reader 2: k = 0.72; reader 2 vs reader 3: k = 0.80; reader 3 vs reader 1: k = 0.72). Differences among value of nerve density in normal nerves, CTS and neurofibromas were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences between the results obtained using the automatic or the semiautomatic method. Nerve density is capable of discriminating between normal and pathologic nerves of patients affected by carpal tunnel syndrome or neurofibromas. Moreover, nerve density measure is useful to discriminate between patients with mild and severe CTS.

Relationship Between Fatty Degeneration of Thigh Muscles and Vitamin D Status in the Elderly: A Preliminary MRI Study

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between fatty degeneration of thigh muscles and vitamin D status in elderly adults. SUBJECTS AND METHODS For six months, 121 patients 65 years old or older were evaluated. Myopathy, muscular impairment, and conditions influencing vitamin D status other than diet and sunlight were exclusion criteria. Twenty patients (10 men and 10 women; mean age, 77.6 years) underwent MRI. Thigh muscles were scanned from the hip to the knee with T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. Skeletal muscles were evaluated for fatty degeneration and atrophy from grade 0 to 3 (grade 0 = normal appearance, grade 3 = severe changes). The relationship between muscular fatty degeneration, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels, and scores on Tinetti scales for balance and gait were examined. RESULTS In the evaluation of the extensor muscles for fatty degeneration and atrophy, grade 0 was present in three patients (15%), grade 1 in 11 (55%), and grade 2 in six (30%). In the flexor muscles, grade 0 was found in one patient (5%), grade 1 in five (25%), and grade 2 in 14 (70%); grade 3 changes were not seen. Muscular fatty degeneration negatively correlated with 25-OHD levels (r = -0.50, p < 0.01) and the Tinetti scores (balance: r = -0.40, p < 0.05; gait: r = -0.50, p < 0.05). In 11 vitamin D-deficient patients (55%), there was selective complete atrophy of at least one thigh muscle. The gracilis and sartorius muscles were spared. CONCLUSION In elderly adults, fatty degeneration of thigh muscles was associated with vitamin D deficiency and impaired balance and gait. Selective complete fatty degeneration of single muscles was observed.

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Pain around the greater trochanter is still a common clinical problem that may be secondary to a variety of either intra-articular or periarticular pathologies. Gluteal tendon pathologies are one of the primary causes of greater trochanteric pain, with attrition of the fasciae latae against the gluteus medius and minimus tendons, and the trochanteric bursa being possible causes. Key sonographic findings of gluteal tendinopathy, bursitis, and differential diagnosis are described in this overview. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome is still challenging; therefore ultrasound is helpful to localize the origin of pain, determine underlying pathology, and, based on these findings, to guide local aspiration and/or injection in cases of tendinopathy and/or bursitis.

Reliability of side-to-side ultrasound cross-sectional area measurements of lower extremity nerves in healthy subjects

Introduction: In peripheral nerve ultrasound, the healthy contralateral side may be used as internal control. Therefore, inherent side‐to‐side differences must be minimal. The goal of this study was to assess intrastudy, intraobserver, and interobserver reproducibility of ultrasound in comparative side‐to‐side evaluation of lower limb nerves. Methods: Lower limb nerves of 60 normal subjects were evaluated by 3 radiologists. Bilateral sciatic, tibial, common fibular, sural, lateral femoral cutaneous, femoral, obturator, and saphenous nerves were evaluated. Results: Overall, side‐to‐side differences were not statistically significant at any level. In the lower limb nerves, in a between‐limb comparison, the minimum detectable difference of cross‐sectional area ranged from 16.4 mm2 (sciatic nerve at the level of piriformis muscle) to 0.4 mm2 (saphenous nerve). Conclusion: In general, the healthy contralateral side can be used as an internal control. Muscle Nerve 46: 717–722, 2012

Ultrasound demonstration of distal triceps tendon tears.

PURPOSE Rupture of the distal triceps tendon is an uncommon injury that may be unrecognized on clinical examination. The purpose of the study is to describe the role of US in distal triceps tendon tears evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS IRB approval was obtained and patients gave written informed consent. Of 77 consecutive US examinations of the elbow obtained over a five-year period, eight patients with correlative MR and surgery available were identified having partial or complete distal triceps tendon tear. RESULTS N = 4 complete tears of the triceps tendon and n = 4 partial tears of the distal triceps involving the lateral/superficial head were identified. Patients with partial tear had a history of a single traumatic event that determined a sudden eccentric contraction of the triceps muscle against resistance. US demonstrated on axial and longitudinal planes a partial tear of the triceps brachii tendon that resulted in a fusiform swelling and retraction of the lateral/superficial head in four patients. It was possible to identify the normal insertion of the medial head of the triceps moving the transducer medially. MR and surgical findings were concordant with US findings in every patient. CONCLUSION Ultrasound is able to differentiate complete from partial triceps tendon tears. US has the potential to identify isolated lesions of the lateral/superficial head of the triceps with an intact medial head.