David A. Jamadar

Magnetic resonance-detected subchondral bone marrow and cartilage defect characteristics associated with pain and X-ray-defined knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE To assess whether the presence of subchondral bone marrow abnormalities (bone marrow edema (BME)) and cartilage defects, determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), would explain the difference between painful osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK) compared with painless OAK or pain without OAK. METHOD Four groups of women (30 per group), aged 35-55 years, were recruited from the southeast Michigan Osteoarthritis cohort (group 1: painful OAK; group 2: painless OAK; group 3: knee pain without OAK; and group 4: no OAK or knee pain). OAK was defined by a Kellgren-Lawrence score of 2 or greater, while pain was based on self-report. BME and cartilage defects were identified from MRI. RESULTS BME lesions were identified in 56% of all knees. BME lesions were four times (95% CI=1.7, 8.7) more likely to occur in the painless OAK group as compared with the group with pain, but no OAK. BME lesions >1cm were more frequent (OR=5.0; 95% CI=1.4, 10.5) in the painful OAK group than all other groups. While the frequency of BME lesions was similar in the painless OAK and painful OAK groups, there were more lesions, >1cm, in the painful OAK group. About 75% of all knees had evidence of some cartilage defect, of which 35% were full-thickness defects. Full-thickness cartilage defects occurred frequently in painful OAK. One-third of knees with full-thickness defects and 47% of knees with cartilage defects involving bone had BME >1cm. Women with radiographic OA, full-thickness articular cartilage defects, and adjacent subchondral cortical bone defects were significantly more likely to have painful OAK than other groups (OR=3.2; 95% CI=1.3, 7.6). CONCLUSION The finding on MRI of subchondral BME cannot satisfactorily explain the presence or absence of knee pain. However, women with BME and full-thickness articular cartilage defects accompanied by adjacent subchondral cortical bone defects were significantly more likely to have painful OAK than painless OAK.

The associations of bone mineral density and bone turnover markers with osteoarthritis of the hand and knee in pre- and perimenopausal women

OBJECTIVE To determine whether Caucasian women ages 28-48 years with newly defined osteoarthritis (OA) would have greater bone mineral density (BMD) and less bone turnover over time than would women without OA. METHODS Data were derived from the longitudinal Michigan Bone Health Study. Period prevalence and 3-year incidence of OA were based on radiographs of the dominant hand and both knees, scored with the Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) scale. OA scores were related to BMD, which was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and to serum osteocalcin levels, which were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS The period prevalence of OA (K/L grade > or =2 in the knees or the dominant hand) was 15.3% (92 of 601), with 8.7% for the knees and 6.7% for the hand. The 3-year incidence of knee OA was 1.9% (9 of 482) and of hand OA was 3.3% (16 of 482). Women with incident knee OA had greater average BMD (z-scores 0.3-0.8 higher for the 3 BMD sites) than women without knee OA (P < 0.04 at the femoral neck). Women with incident knee OA had less change in their average BMD z-scores over the 3-year study period. Average BMD z-scores for women with prevalent knee OA were greater (0.4-0.7 higher) than for women without knee OA (P < 0.002 at all sites). There was no difference in average BMD z-scores or their change in women with and without hand OA. Average serum osteocalcin levels were lower in incident cases of hand OA (>60%; P = 0.02) or knee OA (20%; P not significant). The average change in absolute serum osteocalcin levels was not as great in women with incident hand OA or knee OA as in women without OA (P < 0.02 and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION Women with radiographically defined knee OA have greater BMD than do women without knee OA and are less likely to lose that higher level of BMD. There was less bone turnover among women with hand OA and/or knee OA. These findings suggest that bone-forming cells might show a differential response in OA of the hand and knee, and may suggest a different pathogenesis of hand OA and knee OA.

Sonography of Inguinal Region Hernias

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to describe the anatomy of the inguinal region in a way that is useful for sonographic diagnosis of inguinal region hernias, and to illustrate the sonographic appearance of this anatomy. We show sonographic techniques for evaluating inguinal, femoral, and spigelian hernias and include surgically proven examples. CONCLUSION Understanding healthy inguinal anatomy is essential for diagnosing inguinal region hernias. Sonography can diagnose and differentiate between various inguinal region hernias.

MDCT and Radiography of Wrist Fractures: Radiographic Sensitivity and Fracture Patterns

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to determine which wrist fractures are not prospectively diagnosed at radiography using CT as a gold standard and to identify specific fracture patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS Through a search of radiology records from January 1 to December 31, 2005, 103 consecutive patients were identified as having radiographic and CT examinations of the wrist. After excluding incomplete or nondiagnostic examinations and those with a greater than 6-week interval between imaging studies, the final study group consisted of 61 wrist examinations in 60 patients. Two musculoskeletal radiologists and one emergency radiologist blindly reviewed CT examinations, and each bone (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate, metacarpals, distal radius, distal ulna) was categorized as normal or fractured, with agreement reached by consensus. Each prospective radiographic report was categorized as either normal or fracture/equivocal for each osseous structure. Results were compared using the chi-square and Fishers exact tests. RESULTS In the proximal carpal row, lunate and triquetrum fractures were often radiographically occult (0% and 20%, respectively, detected at radiography); whereas in the distal carpal row, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate fractures were often occult (0%, 0%, and 40% detected at radiography, respectively). Hamate fractures were significantly associated with metacarpal fractures, and distal radius fractures were associated with scaphoid and ulna fractures. CONCLUSION Thirty percent of wrist fractures were not prospectively diagnosed on radiography, suggesting that CT should be considered after a negative radiographic finding if clinically warranted. The location of a dorsal scaphoid avulsion fracture emphasizes the need for specific radiographic views or cross-sectional imaging for diagnosis.

Noninvasive photoacoustic tomography of human peripheral joints toward diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis

The feasibility of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) in imaging human peripheral joints in a noninvasive manner was demonstrated through studies of cadaver human fingers. Based on the intrinsic optical contrast, intra- and extra-articular tissue structures in the finger at the levels of the joints were visualized successfully with satisfactory spatial resolution. The imaging depth of PAT in the near-infrared region enables the cross-sectional imaging of a human finger as a whole organ. As a novel technology with unique advantages, PAT holds promise for early diagnosis of inflammatory joint disorders and accurate monitoring of disease progression and response to therapy.

131‐I treatment of micronodular pulmonary metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma

Pulmonary metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma shorten the survival of the hosts. Treatments with 131‐I have been reported to induce disappearance of these tumors in a large proportion of afflicted patients. In this study, consecutive patients with diffuse micronodular lung metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma were examined to determine if disappearance of tumor occurred, and how much disappeared, after substantial amounts of 131‐I were administered.

Ultrasound of the Shoulder: Asymptomatic Findings in Men

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the range and prevalence of asymp tomatic findings at sonography of the shoulder. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study sample comprised 51 consecutively enrolled subjects who had no symptoms in either shoulder. Ultrasound of one shoulder per patient was performed by a musculoskeletal sonographer according to a defined protocol that included imaging of the rotator cuff, tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle, subacromial-subdeltoid bursa, acromioclavicular joint, and posterior labrum. The shoulder imaged was determined at random. The 51 scans were retrospectively analyzed by three fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists in consensus, and pathologic findings were recorded. Subtle or questionable findings of mild tendinosis, bursal prominence, and mild osteoarthritis were not recorded. RESULTS Twenty-five right and 26 left shoulders were imaged. The subject age range was 40-70 years. Ultrasound showed subacromial-subdeltoid bursal thickening in 78% (40/51) of the subjects, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis in 65% (33/51), supraspinatus tendinosis in 39% (20/51), subscapularis tendinosis in 25% (13/51), partial-thickness tear of the bursal side of the supraspinatus tendon in 22% (11/51), and posterior glenoid labral abnormality in 14% (7/51). All other findings had a prevalence of 10% or less. CONCLUSION Asymptomatic shoulder abnormalities were found in 96% of the subjects. The most common were subacromial-subdeltoid bursal thickening, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and supraspinatus tendinosis. Ultrasound findings should be interpreted closely with clinical findings to determine the cause of symptoms.

Bisphosphonate-related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Pictorial Review

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is characterized by nonhealing exposed bone in the maxillofacial region in patients who have undergone bisphosphonate treatment. The underlying etiology is unclear and may be multifactorial. The diagnosis is primarily clinical. Diagnostic tissue sampling may exacerbate the process and is typically avoided, necessitating other diagnostic approaches. The appearance of ONJ at diagnostic imaging is variable and includes sclerotic, lytic, or mixed lesions with possible periosteal reaction, pathologic fractures, and extension to soft tissues. There is a spectrum of signal intensity changes on T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images with variable enhancement, findings that may correspond to the clinical and histopathologic stage of the process. Bone scintigraphy is sensitive with increased uptake in the area of the lesion. Although the imaging findings are nonspecific, there appears to be a role for imaging in the management of ONJ. Radiography is relatively insensitive but typically employed as the first line of radiologic investigation. Computed tomography and MR imaging are more precise in demonstrating the extent of the lesion. A number of imaging modalities have revealed lesions that may be associated with bisphosphonate exposure in asymptomatic individuals or in the context of nonspecific symptoms. The risk of these lesions advancing to overt clinical disease is unknown at this time. The radiologist should be aware of ONJ and include it in the differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with a history of bisphosphonate therapy without jaw irradiation, so as to avoid potentially harmful biopsies.

Pulmonary zygomycosis: CT appearance.

Objective We describe the CT appearance of pulmonary zygomycosis (mucormycosis), an opportunistic infection typically occurring in immunocompromised patients. Materials and Methods Eight patients with pulmonary zygomycosis imaged with CT were reviewed, seven at initial diagnosis and one with a subsequent complication. The appearance, number, and location of pulmonary lesions and the presence of pleural effusions and extrapulmonary involvement were assessed. Rim enhancement, air bronchograms, the halo sign, air crescent sign, cavitation, and central low attenuation suggesting necrosis were recorded. Results There were 14 nodules and 5 areas of mass-like or wedge-shaped consolidation. Pleural effusion was present in five patients, halo sign in three, central low attenuation in two, and cavitation in one. In the affected lobe 13 of 14 nodules and all consolidations were posterior. Of 19 lesions 16 (84%) were confined to the upper lobes, with 3 in the superior segment of a lower lobe. Endobronchial disease with lobar collapse was the only manifestation in one patient. Major complications were direct spinal invasion in one patient and multiple pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms in another patient. Conclusion In the appropriate clinical circumstance, nodules or mass-like or wedge-shaped consolidation, especially posteriorly in the upper lobes of the lung, should suggest zygomycosis. Endobronchial zygomycosis is less common.

Influence of body mass index on median nerve function, carpal canal pressure, and cross-sectional area of the median nerve

Obese individuals have slowed conduction in the median nerve across the wrist, but the mechanism for this is not established. This case‐control study of 27 obese subjects and 16 thin subjects was designed to test the hypothesis that obese individuals have higher carpal canal pressures and more median nerve swelling than thin individuals. All subjects were asymptomatic for hand symptoms, and had measurements of median and ulnar sensory nerve conduction in the nondominant hand, ultrasound measurement of the median nerve cross‐sectional area proximal to the carpal canal, and carpal canal pressure measurement. There was no difference in age or gender ratio between the obese and thin groups. The median nerve cross‐sectional area was equal in the obese and thin groups (9.3 mm2 vs. 9.4 mm2), as was the carpal canal pressure (16.2 mmHg vs. 15.5 mmHg, respectively). There was a strong correlation between median nerve conduction slowing across the wrist and median nerve cross‐sectional area at the wrist (r = 0.55, P = 0.002). Obesity does not influence carpal canal pressure or the size of the median nerve at the wrist. However, there is a strong association between slowed median nerve conduction and increased nerve size which suggests endoneurial edema as a metabolic mechanism; the conduction slowing does not appear to be related to mechanical stress. Muscle Nerve 30: 481–485 2004