Parina Shah

MRI after arthroplasty: comparison of MAVRIC and conventional fast spin-echo techniques.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate the quality of images obtained with a prototype imaging technique, multiacquisition variable-resonance image combination (MAVRIC), compared with fast spin-echo (FSE) images in the evaluation of patients who have undergone hip, shoulder, or knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS MRI with metal-artifact reduction FSE and MAVRIC sequences was performed in the care of 122 patients who had undergone 74 hip, 27 shoulder, and 21 knee arthroplasties. The FSE and MAVRIC images were subjectively graded for visualization of the synovium, prosthesis-bone interface, and hip abductors or supraspinatus tendon. The presence of synovitis, osteolysis, or supraspinatus tendon tear was recorded. RESULTS Visualization of the synovium was significantly better on MAVRIC images than on FSE images of the hip (p < 0.0001), shoulder (p < 0.01), and knee (p < 0.01). Synovitis was detected only on the MAVRIC images of nine subjects (12%) who had undergone hip arthroplasty and five subjects (18%) who had undergone shoulder arthroplasty. Visualization of the periprosthetic bone was significantly better on MAVRIC images of the hip (p < 0.0001), shoulder (p < 0.0001), and knee (p < 0.01). Osteolysis was detected only on the MAVRIC images of 12 subjects (16%) who had undergone hip arthroplasty, six (22%) who had undergone shoulder arthroplasty, and five (24%) who had undergone knee arthroplasty. Visualization of the supraspinatus tendon was significantly better on MAVRIC images (p < 0.0001). Supraspinatus tendon tears in 12 subjects (44%) were detected only on MAVRIC images. CONCLUSION MAVRIC complements the information on FSE images after arthroplasty and is a useful additional sequence, particularly when there is concern about synovitis, periprosthetic osteolysis, or the presence of a supraspinatus tendon tear.

Quantifying image distortion of orthopedic materials in magnetic resonance imaging.

To determine the magnitude of image distortion between two‐dimensional (2D) fast‐spin‐echo (FSE) images and 3D‐MAVRIC by using a phantom with samples of common materials used in total joint arthroplasty.

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of physeal injury: reliability and clinical utility

Background: Injuries to the physis are common in children with a subset resulting in an osseous bar and potential growth disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging allows for detailed assessment of the physis with the ability to generate 3-dimensional physeal models from volumetric data. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrater reliability of physeal bar area measurements generated using a validated semiautomated segmentation technique and to highlight the clinical utility of quantitative 3-dimensional (3D) physeal mapping in pediatric orthopaedic practice. Methods: The Radiology Information System/Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) at our institution was searched to find consecutive patients who were imaged for the purpose of assessing a physeal bar or growth disturbance between December 2006 and October 2011. Physeal segmentation was retrospectively performed by 2 independent operators using semiautomated software to generate physeal maps and bar area measurements from 3-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled echo sequences. Inter-reliability was statistically analyzed. Subsequent surgical management for each patient was recorded from the patient notes and surgical records. Results: We analyzed 24 patients (12M/12F) with a mean age of 11.4 years (range, 5-year to 15-year olds) and 25 physeal bars. Of the physeal bars: 9 (36%) were located in the distal tibia; 8 (32%) in the proximal tibia; 5 (20%) in the distal femur; 1 (4%) in the proximal femur; 1 (4%) in the proximal humerus; and 1 (4%) in the distal radius. The independent operator measurements of physeal bar area were highly correlated with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.96 and an intraclass correlation coefficient for average measures of 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.97-0.99). Four patients underwent resection of the identified physeal bars, 9 patients were treated with epiphysiodesis, and 1 patient underwent bilateral tibial osteotomies. Conclusions: Semiautomated segmentation of the physis is a reproducible technique for generating physeal maps and accurately measuring physeal bars, providing quantitative and anatomic information that may inform surgical management and prognosis in patients with physeal injury. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Ultrashort echo imaging of cyclically loaded rabbit patellar tendon

Tendinopathy affects individuals who perform repetitive joint motion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently used to qualitatively assess tendon health, but quantitative evaluation of inherent MRI properties of loaded tendon has been limited. This study evaluated the effect of cyclic loading on T₂* values of fresh and frozen rabbit patellar tendons using ultra short echo (UTE) MRI. Eight fresh and 8 frozen rabbit lower extremities had MR scans acquired for tendon T₂* evaluation. The tendons were then manually cyclically loaded for 100 cycles to 45 N at approximately 1 Hz. The MR scanning was repeated to reassess the T₂* values. Analyses were performed to detect differences of tendon [Formula: see text] values between fresh and frozen samples prior to and after loading, and to detect changes of tendon T₂* values between the unloaded and loaded configurations. No difference of T₂* was found between the fresh and frozen samples prior to or after loading, p=0.8 and p=0.1, respectively. The tendons had significantly shorter T₂* values, p=0.023, and reduced T₂* variability, p=0.04, after cyclic loading. Histologic evaluation confirmed no induced tendon damage from loading. Shorter T₂* , from stronger spin-spin interactions, may be attributed to greater tissue organization from uncrimping of collagen fibrils and lateral contraction of the tendon during loading. Cyclic tensile loading of tissue reduces patellar tendon T₂* values and may provide a quantitative metric to assess tissue organization.

Imaging of Physeal Injury Overuse

Context: As the intensity of youth participation in athletic activities continues to rise, the number of overuse injuries has also increased. A subset of overuse injuries involves the physis, which is extremely susceptible to injury. This paper aims to review the utility of the various imaging modalities in the diagnosis and management of physeal injuries in the skeletally immature population. Evidence Acquisition: A search for the keywords pediatric, physis, growth plate, x-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and overuse injury was performed using the PubMed database. No limits were set for the years of publication. Articles were reviewed for relevance with an emphasis on the imaging of growth plate injuries. Study Design: Retrospective literature review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: Three major imaging modalities (radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging) complement each other in the evaluation of pediatric patients with overuse injuries. However, magnetic resonance imaging is the only modality that offers direct visualization of the physis, and it also offers the best soft tissue contrast for evaluating the other periarticular structures for concomitant injury. Conclusion: Imaging has an important role in the diagnosis of physeal injuries, and the information it provides has a tremendous impact on the subsequent management of these patients.

Flexible longitudinal magnetization contrast in spectrally overlapped 3D-MSI metal artifact reduction sequences: Technical considerations and clinical impact

It has previously been demonstrated that increased overlap of spectral bins in three‐dimensional multispectral imaging techniques (3D‐MSI) can aid in reducing residual artifacts near metal implants. However, increasing spectral overlap also necessitates consideration of saturation effects for species with long T1 values. Here, an interleaved spectral bin acquisition strategy is presented for overlapping 3D‐MSI that allows for flexible choice of repetition times while simultaneously addressing these cross talk concerns.

Magnetic resonance imaging of an equine fracture model containing stainless steel metal implants.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Post operative imaging in subjects with orthopaedic implants is challenging across all modalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred to assess human post operative musculoskeletal complications, as soft tissue and bones are evaluated without using ionising radiation. However, with conventional MRI pulse sequences, metal creates susceptibility artefact that distorts anatomy. Assessment of the post operative equine patient is arguably more challenging due to the volume of metal present, and MRI is often not performed in horses with implants. Novel pulse sequences such as multiacquisition variable resonance image combination (MAVRIC) now provide improved visibility in the vicinity of surgical-grade implants and offer an option for imaging horses with metal implants. OBJECTIVES To compare conspicuity of regional anatomy in an equine fracture-repair model using MAVRIC, narrow receiver bandwidth (NBW) fast spin echo (FSE), and wide receiver bandwidth (WBW) FSE sequences. STUDY DESIGN Nonrandomised in vitro experiment. METHODS MAVRIC, NBW FSE and WBW FSE were performed on 9 cadaveric distal limbs with fractures and stainless steel implants in the third metacarpal bone and proximal phalanx. Objective measures of artefact reduction were performed by calculating the total artefact area in each transverse image as a percentage of the total anatomic area. The number of transverse images in which fracture lines were visible was tabulated for each sequence. Regional soft tissue conspicuity was assessed subjectively. RESULTS Overall anatomic delineation was improved using MAVRIC compared with NBW FSE; delineation of structures closest to the metal implants was improved using MAVRIC compared with WBW FSE and NBW FSE. Total artefact area was the highest for NBW FSE and lowest for MAVRIC; the total number of transverse slices with a visible fracture line was highest in MAVRIC and lowest in NBW FSE. CONCLUSION MAVRIC and WBW FSE are feasible additions to minimise artefact around implants.

The effect of freeze-thawing on magnetic resonance imaging T 2 * of freshly harvested bovine patellar tendon

BACKGROUND Analysis of fresh specimens in research studies is ideal; however, it is often necessary to freeze samples for evaluation at a later time. Limited evaluation of the effect of freeze-thawing of tendon tissue samples on inherent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters, such as ultrashort echo time (UTE) T2* values, have been performed to date. METHODS This study performed UTE MRI on 14 bovine patellar tendons at harvest and after four consecutive freeze-thaw cycles. RESULTS Results demonstrated a small but significant reduction (12%) in tendon T2* values after the first freeze thaw cycle, but not after successive cycles. Tendons from juvenile animals with open physis had a significant reduction of T2* following a single freeze thaw cycle, P<0.0001. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study emphasize the importance of using uniform tendon storage protocols when using UTE MRI in preclinical models.

Off‐resonance based assessment of metallic wear debris near total hip arthroplasty

The presence of metallic debris near total hip arthroplasty can have a significant impact on longitudinal patient management. Methods for magnetic resonance imaging‐based quantification of metallic debris near painful total hip replacements are described and applied to cohorts of symptomatic and control subject cases.