James S. Jelinek

Magnetic resonance appearance of fibromatosis - A report of 14 cases and review of the literature

We reviewed retrospectively the magnetic resonance (MR) images of 14 soft-tissue lesions of fibromatosis (desmoid tumors) encountered in 11 patients. The lesions were typically inhomogeneous in texture and round to oval in configuration. Margins were well-defined in 78% of the lesions at presentation and were infiltrating in all recurrences. On T1-weighted spin echo MR images, the predominant signal intensity was either isointense or minimally hyperintense when compared with skeletal muscle. On T2-weighted MR images the predominant signal intensity was typically intermediate between skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat or isointense to fat. Linear and curvilinear areas of decreased signal intensity were distributed throughout the lesions on both pulse sequences in 86% of cases. This pattern strongly suggested fibromatosis. Speculation concerning possible etiologies of this appearance are discussed, and the relevant literature on previously reported cases is reviewed.

Biopsy of musculoskeletal tumors. Current concepts.

Biopsy is a key step in the diagnosis of bone and soft tissue tumors. An inadequately performed biopsy may fail to allow proper diagnosis, have a negative impact on survival, and ultimately necessitate an amputation to accomplish adequate margins of resection. Poorly performed biopsy remains a common finding in patients with musculoskeletal tumors who are referred to orthopaedic oncology centers. The principles by which an adequate and safe biopsy of musculoskeletal tumors should be planned and performed are reviewed, and the surgical approach to different anatomic locations is emphasized.

MR and CT appearance of nodular fasciitis

Nodular fasciitis is a common soft-tissue tumor that remains almost unreported in the radiology literature. We retrospectively reviewed all available imaging studies on three patients with nodular fasciitis studied by MR at our institution. The lesions were round to oval in configuration, ranging in size from 1 to 4.5 cm. Two were intramuscular and one was subcutaneous in location. Both intramuscular lesions were poorly defined on CT, with a tissue attenuation less than that of skeletal muscle. The single subcutaneous lesion was well defined by surrounding fat. Conversely, all lesions were well defined on MR, although the appearance was otherwise nonspecific and varied according to the histology of the lesion. Both intramuscular lesions were mucoid or cellular and were hyperintense to skeletal muscle on T1-weighted and hyper-intense to fat on T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) MR images. The subcutaneous lesion was fibrous and markedly hypointense to skeletal muscle on all SE pulse sequences. Findings on three-phase bone scan, arteriography, and ultrasound are discussed. Because there are no unique radiologic findings in nodular fasciitis, this entity must be included in the preoperative differential diagnosis of small soft-tissue masses occurring in the extremities of young adults.

Gout in the axial skeleton.

Objective. Gout typically affects the peripheral joints of the appendicular skeleton and rarely involves the axial joints. The literature on axial gout is limited to case reports and case series. This preliminary study was conducted to identify the frequency and characteristics of axial gout. Methods. Six hundred thirty medical records with ICD codes 274.0, 274.82, and 274.9 for peripheral gout were reviewed. Ninety-two patients had clinical or crystal-proven gout, of which 64 had prior computed tomography (CT) images of the spine performed for various medical reasons. These CT images were reviewed for features of axial gout, which include vertebral erosions mainly at the discovertebral junction and the facet joints, deposits of tophi, and erosions in the vertebral body, epidural space, ligamentum flavum and pars interarticularis. Results. Nine of the 64 patients had radiographic changes suggestive of axial gout. Lumbar vertebrae were most commonly involved, with facet joint erosions being the most common finding. Isolated involvement of the sacroiliac joints was seen in 2 patients. Axial gout had been diagnosed clinically in only one patient. Conclusion. Radiologic changes of axial gout were more common than recognized clinically, with a frequency of 14%. Since not all patients had CT images, it is possible that the frequency of axial involvement was even greater. A prospective study is needed to further define this process.

Radiology of peritoneal carcinomatosis

In summary, the radologic appearance of peritoneal carcinomatosis and sarcomatosis is best understood with a thorough knowledge of the natural history of the disease. Computed tomography (CT) examinations of the abdomen and pelvis are insensitive to small volumes (< 5 cm) of diffuse peritoneal seeding. However, when larger volumes of peritoneal tumor are present, CT can be helpful defining the patients who are good candidates for complete cytoreduction (no small bowel disease) from those who are less likely to have a complete cytoreduction (extensive small bowel disease with clumping and obstruction). Thus CT examination plays a critical role in the identification of patients with mucinous tumors who are operative candidates. Further research is needed to improve sensitivity and in the monitoring of recurrence in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Correlates of Axial Gout: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of axial gout in patients with established gouty arthritis and to analyze clinical, laboratory, and radiological correlations. Methods. Forty-eight subjects with a history of gouty arthritis (American College of Rheumatology criteria) for ≥ 3 years under poor control were included. Subjects underwent history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and imaging studies, including radiographs of the hands and feet and computerized tomography (CT) of the cervical and lumbar spines and sacroiliac joints (SIJ). Patients with characteristic erosions and/or tophi in the spine or SIJ were considered to have axial or spinal gout. Results. Seventeen patients (35%) had CT evidence of spinal erosions and/or tophi, with tophi identified in 7 of the 48 subjects (15%). The spinal location of axial gout was cervical in 7 patients (15%), lumbar in 16 (94%), SIJ in 1 (6%), and more than 1 location in 14 (82%). Duration of gout, presence of back pain, and serum uric acid levels did not correlate with axial gout. Extremity radiographs characteristic of gouty arthropathy found in 21 patients (45%) were strongly correlated with CT evidence of axial gout (p < 0.001). All patients with tophi in the spine had abnormal hand or feet radiographs (p = 0.005). Conclusion. Axial gout may be a common feature of chronic gouty arthritis. The lack of correlation with back pain, the infrequent use of CT imaging in patients with back pain, and the lack of recognition of the problem of spinal involvement in gouty arthritis suggest that this diagnosis is often missed.

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and thyroid disease.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration represents a critical diagnostic test in determining proper management of thyroid disease and the use of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (USGFNA) has increased over the years. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing USGFNA. Two hundred fifteen patients underwent 234 procedures with 362 nodules aspirated within a 2 ½-year period. RESULTS: The mean ages of women and men were 51.9 and 57.8, respectively. The average size of nodules was 2.1 cm. A difficult to assess gland or nodule was the most common indication for USGF-NA (33%). The sensitivity was 88.2%, specificity was 80.0%, the PPV was 65.2%, the negative predictive value was 94.1%, and the accuracy was 82.5%. The cancer yield, inadequacy, and complication rates were 44%, 10.5%, and 8.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: USGFNA aspiration is a safe and effective diagnostic modality in the management of thyroid disease, especially for nodules that are difficult to palpate.

Bone and Soft-tissue Sarcomas: Epidemiology, Radiology, Pathology and Fundamentals of Surgical Treatment

An understanding of the basic biology and pathology of bone and soft-tissue tumors is essential for appropriate planning of their treatment. This chapter reviews the unique biological behavior of soft-tissue and bone sarcomas. which underlies the basis for their staging, resection, and the use of appropriate adjuvant treatment modalities. A detailed description of the clinical, radiographic, and pathological characteristics for the most common sarcomas is presented.

Benign Bone Tumors of Childhood

The diagnosis of a bone tumor in a child can be a source of great anxiety for the patient, the parents, and the treating physician. Fortunately, most bone tumors in children are benign. Although there are a variety of benign bone tumors that affect skeletally immature patients, most have such characteristic clinical and radiographic presentations that the diagnosis can be made with reasonable accuracy without a biopsy. However, some benign bone tumors can simulate a malignant process and may be best handled by referral to a person trained in orthopaedic oncology for additional evaluation. Treatment alternatives are in part related to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society stage of the lesion. Recurrences of certain lesions, such as aneurysmal bone cysts and osteoblastomas, can be problematic. By becoming familiar with the presentation of the more common benign bone tumors in children, physicians will be able to alleviate fears, establish a diagnosis, and make treatment recommendations in the most effective manner.

Biopsy of Musculoskeletal Tumors

Biopsy is a key step in the diagnosis of bone and soft-tissue tumors. An inadequately performed biopsy may fail to allow proper diagnosis, have a negative impact on survival, and ultimately necessitate an amputation to accomplish adequate margins of resection. Poorly performed biopsy remains a common finding in patients with musculoskeletal tumors who are referred to orthopedic oncology centers. The principles by which an adequate and safe biopsy of musculoskeletal tumors should be planned and executed are reviewed and a surgical approach to different anatomic locations is emphasized.