Carmelo Messina

Ultrasound guidance to perform intra-articular injection of gadolinium-based contrast material for magnetic resonance arthrography as an alternative to fluoroscopy: the time is now

Abstract Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been definitively established as the reference standard in the evaluation of joints in the body. Similarly, magnetic resonance arthrography has emerged as a technique that has been proven to increase significantly the diagnostic performance if compared with conventional MR imaging, especially when dealing with fibrocartilage and articular cartilage abnormalities. Diluted gadolinium can be injected in the joint space using different approaches: under palpation using anatomic landmarks or using an imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy, computed tomography, or ultrasound. Fluoroscopy has been traditionally used, but the involvement of ionizing radiation should represent a remarkable limitation of this modality. Conversely, ultrasound has emerged as a feasible, cheap, quick, and radiation-free modality that can be used to inject joints, with comparable accuracy of fluoroscopy. In the present paper, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using fluoroscopy or ultrasound in injecting gadolinium-based contrast agents in joints to perform magnetic resonance arthrography, also in view of the new EuroSAFE Imaging initiative promoted by the European Society of Radiology and the recent updates to the European Atomic Energy Community 2013/59 directive on the medical use of ionizing radiation.Key Points• Intra-articular contrast agent injection can be performed using different imaging modalities• Fluoroscopy is widely used, but uses ionizing radiation• Ultrasound is an accurate, quick, and radiation-free modality for joint injection• X-rays should be avoided when other radiation-free modalities can be used

Dynamic high-resolution ultrasound of the shoulder: How we do it

Ultrasonography (US) is an established and well-accepted modality that can be used to evaluate articular and peri-articular structures around the shoulder. US has been proven to be useful in a wide range of rotator cuff diseases (tendon tears, tendinosis, and bursitis) as well as non-rotator cuff abnormalities (instability problems, synovial joint diseases, and nerve entrapment syndromes). Diagnostic accuracy of shoulder US when evaluating rotator cuff tears can reach 91-100% for partial and full thickness tears detection, respectively, having been reported to be as accurate as magnetic resonance imaging in experienced hands. US is cheap, readily available, capable to provide high-resolution images, and does not use ionizing radiations. In addition, US is the only imaging modality that allows performing dynamic evaluation of musculoskeletal structures, that may help to further increase diagnostic performance. In this setting, a standardized imaging protocol is essential for an exhaustive and efficient examination, also helping reducing the intrinsic dependence from operators of US. Furthermore, knowledge of pitfalls that can be encountered when examining the shoulder may help to avoid erroneous images interpretation. In this article we use detailed anatomic schemes and high-resolution US images to describe the normal US anatomy of soft tissues, articular, and para-articular structures located in and around the shoulder. Short video clips emphasizing the crucial role of dynamic maneuvers and dynamic real-time US examination of these structures are included as supplementary material.

Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures around the shoulder

Ultrasound is an established modality for shoulder evaluation, being accurate, low cost and radiation free. Different pathological conditions can be diagnosed using ultrasound and can be treated using ultrasound guidance, such as degenerative, traumatic or inflammatory diseases. Subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis is the most common finding on ultrasound evaluation for painful shoulder. Therapeutic injections of corticosteroids are helpful to reduce inflammation and pain. Calcific tendinopathy of rotator cuff affects up to 20% of painful shoulders. Ultrasound-guided treatment may be performed with both single- and double-needle approach. Calcific enthesopathy, a peculiar form of degenerative tendinopathy, is a common and mostly asymptomatic ultrasound finding; dry needling has been proposed in symptomatic patients. An alternative is represented by autologous platelet-rich plasma injections. Intra-articular injections of the shoulder can be performed in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory and degenerative diseases with corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid respectively. Steroid injections around the long head of the biceps brachii tendon are indicated in patients with biceps tendinopathy, reducing pain and humeral tenderness. The most common indication for acromion-clavicular joint injection is degenerative osteoarthritis, with ultrasound representing a useful tool in localizing the joint space and properly injecting various types of drugs (steroids, lidocaine or hyaluronic acid). Suprascapular nerve block is an approved treatment for chronic shoulder pain non-responsive to conventional treatments as well as candidate patients for shoulder arthroscopy. This review provides an overview of these different ultrasonography-guided procedures that can be performed around the shoulder.

Do we still need fluoroscopy to perform injections in the musculoskeletal system

Dear Sirs, We read with great interest the paper by Goldberg-Stein and colleagues entitled “Fluoroscopically guided retrocalcaneal bursa steroid injection: description of the technique and pilot study of short-term patient outcomes” recently published in Skeletal Radiology [1]. The authors accurately described a technique to inject a mixture of steroid and anaesthetic into the retrocalcaneal bursa (RCB) using fluoroscopic guidance, showing 100 % feasibility with significant short-term pain reduction. Nevertheless, we are concerned about the unnecessary use of ionizing radiations to perform this procedure. Authors state that at their institution “image-guided RCB injections are performed under fluoroscopic or sonographic guidance, depending on the availability of resources”, declaring that the type of imaging guidance depends merely on the “clinical schedule” [1]. As clearly stated by the 2013/59/ directive issued by the European Atomic Energy Agency, each medical exposure should be justified, i.e. should “take into account the efficacy, benefits and risks of available alternative techniques having the same objective but involving no or less exposure to ionizing radiation” [2]. Similarly, the International Atomic Energy Agency raised a concern about significant and systemic use of inappropriate exposure in radiology [3]. The importance of improving justification regarding the use of radiology was highlighted in 2009, and this was clearly recognized as a desirable and achievable objective, implying that adoption of the justification principle should be encouraged through several measures such as statutory regulation or the support of professional and regulatory bodies [3]. Based on these assumptions, if an imaging modality without ionizing radiations such as ultrasound can be used to achieve the same result, it should always be used. This is the case of RCB, in which ultrasound can be effectively used as guidance during soft-tissue injections, being a real-time and radiation-free modality [4]. Gao et al. showed that ultrasound is able to analyse lower extremity bursae with high detection rates even in healthy young subject (in which the RCB is very thin) according to the anatomical relations of surrounding tissues and bones [5]. A recent paper compared ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance to inject joints for magnetic resonance arthrography [6]. Regarding radiation exposure, the average effective dose of a fluoroscopic arthrogram was estimated as 0.17 mSv, a value almost ten times higher than a postero-anterior chest x-ray (0.02 mSv) [6]. Differently from joints, in RCB injections the involved soft tissues cannot be visualized directly using fluoroscopy, thus a longer procedure and a higher radiation dose may be hypothesized. In conclusion, we cannot see any good reason why fluoroscopy should be still used to inject soft tissues, except some institutional dispositions or the physician’s preference. Thus, the musculoskeletal radiology community should increase the * Carmelo Messina carmelomessina.md@gmail.com

Dynamic high-resolution ultrasound of intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments of the wrist: How to make it simple

Wrist ligaments are crucial structures for the maintenance of carpal stability. They are classified into extrinsic ligaments, connecting the carpus with the forearm bones or distal radioulnar ligaments, and intrinsic ligaments, entirely situated within the carpus. Lesions of intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments of the wrist have been demonstrated to occur largely, mostly in patients with history of trauma and carpal instability, or rheumatoid arthritis. Ultrasound allows for rapid, cost-effective, non-invasive and dynamic evaluation of the wrist, and may represent a valuable diagnostic tool. Although promising results have been published, ultrasound of wrist ligaments is not performed in routine clinical practice, maybe due to its technical feasibility regarded as quite complex. This review article aims to enlighten readers about the normal sonographic appearance of intrinsic and extrinsic carpal ligaments, and describe a systematic approach for their sonographic assessment with detailed anatomic landmarks, dynamic manoeuvres and scanning technique.

Gadolinium accumulation after contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: Which implications in patients with Crohn's disease?

Crohns disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bowel, characterized by an alternation of remission and relapse phases, leading to a progressive intestinal damage with loss of function. Magnetic resonance enterography has been widely used in the past for the evaluation of fistulizing disease, but its use increased over time, being considered helpful in different moments of disease course. Intravenous injection of Gadolinium-based contrast agents has been demonstrated to be crucial to assess mucosal inflammation, transmural involvement, and extraintestinal disease. Recently, Gadolinium accumulation in human tissues has been increasingly reported, although clinical implications of this event are still unclear. In the present paper, we review the main evidence on the topic, focusing on the potential implications for gastroenterological practice.

Dose absorption in lumbar and femoral dual energy x-ray absorptiometry examinations using three different scan modalities: An anthropomorphic phantom study

The aim of this study was to measure the effective dose on an anthropomorphic phantom undergoing lumbar and femoral dual energy X-ray absorption (DXA) examinations, using 3 different scan modalities (fast-array [FA], array [A], high-definition [HD]), and assess the differences in the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer due to radiation. An anthropomorphic phantom was used. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed over 12 anatomic phantom regions and outside the room (to measure background radiation). Fifty scans on the femur and spine were performed for each mode. The dose relative to a single DXA scan for each dosimeter was measured (mean over the 50 scans) and the background radiation was then subtracted. The equivalent dose per organ was obtained. The total body effective dose was calculated by adding the equivalent doses. We estimated the lifetime dose absorption and LAR for cancer for a male and a female patient undergoing 36 DXA studies (18 lumbar, 18 femoral) every 21 months for 32 years. The effective dose for lumbar scans was FA = 17.79 μSv, A = 32.88 μSv, HD = 31.08 μSv; for femoral scans, FA = 5.29 μSv, A = 9.55 μSv, HD = 7.54 μSv. LAR estimation showed a minimal increase in cancer risk (range 4.55 × 10⁻⁴% [FA, femoral, male] to 4.02 × 10⁻³% [A, lumbar, female]). The lifetime dose absorption and LAR for cancer for a male and a female patient undergoing 36 DXA studies (18 lumbar, 18 femoral) every 21 months for 32 years were 0.756 mSv, 3.82 × 10(-3)% and 0.756 mSv, 5.11 × 10⁻³%, respectively. DXA examinations cause radiation levels that are comparable to the background radiation. Regardless of the scan modality or the anatomic site, a patient undergoing DXA scans for a lifetime has a negligible increased risk of developing cancer.

Solid bone tumors of the spine: Diagnostic performance of apparent diffusion coefficient measured using diffusion-weighted MRI using histology as a reference standard

To assess the diagnostic performance of mean apparent diffusion coefficient (mADC) in differentiating benign from malignant bone spine tumors, using histology as a reference standard. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences have good reliability in evaluating spinal bone tumors, although some features of benign and malignant cancers may overlap, making the differential diagnosis challenging.

Magnetic resonance and ultrasound in achilles tendinopathy: Predictive role and response assessment to platelet-rich plasma and adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction injection

OBJECTIVE To assess the correlation between magnetic resonance and ultrasound findings and clinical outcome after intratendinous injection of leucocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma or adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-three patients (age: 47.8±5.1, range 29-55) with unilateral or bilateral non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy (58 tendons overall) were randomly assigned to platelet-rich plasma (22 patients, 28 tendons) or adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (21 patients, 30 tendons) injection group. All patients underwent magnetic resonance (tendon cross-sectional area, signal intensity, maximum anteroposterior thickness were measured), ultrasound (maximum anteroposterior thickness, power Doppler signal, ultrasound gray scale echotexture were measured), and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain evaluation at baseline and at six months from treatment. Wilcoxon, intraclass correlation coefficient, repeated measure ANOVA tests were used. RESULTS There was a significant (P<0.001) decrease of mean VAS from pre-treatment (6.4±1.4) to six-month evaluation (1.8±1.7). Significant increase of tendon thickness measured using magnetic resonance (P=0.013) and ultrasound (P=0.012) and power Doppler signal (P=0.027) was seen. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-treatment cross sectional area, signal intensity, and echotexture (P>0.217). None of the pre-treatment parameters was a predictor of treatment outcome (P>0.104). There was an excellent agreement between tendon thickness measurement between magnetic resonance and ultrasound (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.986) CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments seem to allow for clinical benefit, associated to early slight increase of tendon size and power Doppler signal. Imaging cannot be used as a predictor of clinical outcome.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Irrigation of Calcific Tendinopathy

Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy (RCCT) is a common disease that may cause highly disabling shoulder pain. No treatment is required for asymptomatic calcifications; mild symptoms may be treated conservatively. Among several therapeutic options, ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT) is currently accepted as the first-line safe and effective treatment for RCCT, with significant pain improvement and a very low rate of minor complications. Different approaches have been reported to dissolve calcified deposits, all including the use of a fluid (local anesthetic or saline solution) and the use of one or two needles to inject and retrieve the fluid/dissolved calcium. This review describes both one-needle and two-needle US-PICT techniques, providing technical and practical information that can improve daily clinical practice.