Assessment of vascular invasion by bone and soft tissue tumours of the limbs: usefulness of MDCT angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in predicting arterial encasement by limb tumours, by comparing CTA with surgical findings (gold standard). METHODS: Preoperative CTA images of 55 arteries in 48 patients were assessed for arterial status: cross-sectional CTA images were scored as showing a fat plane between artery and tumour (score 0), slight contact between artery and tumour (score 1), partial arterial encasement (score 2) or total arterial encasement (score 3). Reformatted CTA images were assessed for arterial displacement, rigid wall, stenosis or occlusion. At surgery, arteries were classified as free or surgically encased; 45 arteries were free and 10 were surgically encased. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression identified the axial CTA score as a relevant predictor for arterial encasement and subsequent vascular intervention during surgery. All sites where CTA showed a fat plane between the tumour and the artery were classified as free at surgery (n = 28/28). The sensitivity of total arterial encasement on CTA (score 3) was 90%, specificity 93%, accuracy 93% and positive likelihood ratio 13.5. CONCLUSION: CTA evidence of total arterial encasement is a highly specific indication of arterial encasement. The presence of fat between the tumour and the artery on CTA rules out arterial involvement at surgery.

Fractures of the ankylosed spine: MDCT and MRI with emphasis on individual anatomic spinal structures.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to illustrate the spectrum of MDCT and MRI appearances of spinal fractures in ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. CONCLUSION: Spinal fractures associated with ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis usually involve the three columns of the spine, and injury to the posterior osteoligamentous component is the hallmark of these fractures. Osseous and ligamentous injuries can be accurately visualized and analyzed with MDCT with multiplanar reformation and with MRI.

Sonographic appearance of trigger fingers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the sonographic appearance of the first annular (A1) pulley-flexor tendon complex in patients with trigger fingers. METHODS: Thirty-three trigger fingers in 33 patients were examined with a 7- to 15-MHz probe. A control group consisted of 20 patients without trigger fingers. The study included systematic measurement of the thickness of the A1 pulley and a power Doppler assessment of the pulleys, tendons, and tendon sheaths. RESULTS: Thickening and hypoechogenicity of the A1 pulley were found in all patients with trigger fingers. Measurements of A1 pulley thickness were significantly different (P < .0001) between the groups without trigger fingers (mean, 0.5 mm; range, 0.4-0.6 mm) and with trigger fingers (mean, 1.8 mm; range, 1.1-2.9 mm). Hypervascularization of the A1 pulley on power Doppler imaging was found in 91% of the trigger fingers but was never found in the healthy control group. Flexor tendinosis was found in 48% of the trigger fingers; tenosynovitis was found in 55%; and both were found in 39%. In the control group, tenosynovitis and tendinosis were not found. CONCLUSIONS: Thickening and hyper-vascularization of the A1 pulley are the hallmarks of trigger fingers on sonography. Other frequently observed features include distal flexor tendinosis and tenosynovitis.

Vascular lesions of the hand.

The vascular malformations are not uncommon on the hand and offer diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Enjolras and Mulliken's classification is exposed. Their depiction and pretreatment assessment may benefit from non-invasive imaging as color-Doppler ultrasound and MRI combined with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Some chronic traumatic vascular injuries as the hypothenar hammer syndrome may also take advantage of these imaging modalities.

[Magnetic resonance in osteoarticular exploration]. / Résonance magnétique en pathologie ostéo-articulaire.

A major role in imaging of the locomotor apparatus. Today, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has replaced invasive explorations such as arthrography or saccoradiculography. However, x-rays and scans must often be performed beforehand. Indisputable indications. MRI is crucial in affections of the spongy bone (tumours, osteonecrosis, algodystrophy, fatigue fractures.) and the soft parts (tumours, myositis, fasciitis.). Depending on the situation. The indications for MRI must be weighed versus a scan or arthro-scan in many situations. In the case of strong suspicion of an internal articular disorder, the arthro-scan currently more precise must be preferred. In cases in which there is little clinical orientation, the MRI is justified because of its capacity for global articular and abarticular exploration.

Intradiscal corticosteroid injections in spondylotic cervical radiculopathy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment outcomes with intradiscal injection of corticosteroids (IDIC) in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Twenty consecutive patients were treated with intradiscal injection of 25 mg of acetate of prednisolone under fluoroscopic control. All patients had previously received a nonsurgical treatment for at least 3 months without success. Outcomes were assessed 1, 3 and 6 months after IDIC. Radicular pain reduction as scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS 100-mm length) was statistically significant at 1 month (19.0+/-28.0 mm; p=0.008), 3 months (25.2+/-27.5 mm; p=0.002), and 6 months (24.6+/-28.4 mm; p=0.001). In all, 40% of treated patients described at least 50% pain improvement 6 months after treatment. Four patients had complete relief of radicular pain. In conclusion, IDIC should be an alternative in the nonsurgical management of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Assessment of vascular invasion by musculoskeletal tumors of the limbs: use of contrast-enhanced MR angiography.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in the evaluation of vascular invasion by bone and soft-tissue tumors, with surgery serving as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the regional ethics committee, and all patients gave informed consent. Preoperative MR angiograms and MR images of 31 sites in 30 patients with bone or soft-tissue sarcomas (n = 21) or other tumors (n = 9) were assessed for features of vascular invasion. All images were prospectively evaluated by two musculoskeletal radiologists working in consensus. MR images were evaluated for the presence of a fat plane between the vessels and the tumor and partial or total encasement of vessels. MR angiograms were evaluated for the presence of vascular displacement, stenosis, or occlusion. MR imaging and MR angiographic features of vascular invasion were graded. Imaging findings were correlated with surgical findings and classified as negative if there was no vascular invasion and as positive if there was vascular invasion. RESULTS: Among the 31 cases, 20 were classified as negative and 11 were classified as positive at surgery. All but three cases with a gap between the tumor and the vessels on MR images were classified as free and without adhesions at surgery. All cases with arterial stenoses at MR angiography had tumoral adhesion or tumoral encasement at surgery. MR imaging had a sensitivity of 64%, a specificity of 95%, a positive predictive value of 88% a negative predictive value of 83%, and an accuracy of 84% in the detection of vascular invasion on the basis of findings of partial or total encasement. MR angiography had a sensitivity of 82%, a specificity of 85%, a positive predictive value of 75%, a negative predictive value of 90%, and an accuracy of 84% in the detection of vascular invasion on the basis of the findings of a stenosis. CONCLUSION: On contrast-enhanced MR angiograms, findings of stenosis were sensitive and specific in the detection of arterial invasion. MR imaging evidence of partial or total encasement is highly specific in the detection of vascular invasion, while MR imaging evidence of a gap between the tumor and the vessels excludes an arterial invasion.

Cervical spine and crystal-associated diseases: imaging findings.

The cervical spine may be specifically involved in crystal-associated arthropathies. In this article, we focus on the three common crystals and diseases: hydroxyapatite crystal deposition disease, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease, and monosodium urate crystals (gout). The cervical involvement in crystal-associated diseases may provoke a misleading clinical presentation with acute neck pain, fever, or neurological symptoms. Imaging allows an accurate diagnosis in typical cases with calcific deposits and destructive lesions of the discs and joints. Most of the cases are related to CPPD or hydroxyapatite crystal deposition; gout is much less common.

Direct arthrography of the pisotriquetral joint.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate a simple and safe procedure for direct arthrography of and steroid injection into the pisotriquetral joint. CONCLUSION: Direct pisotriquetral arthrography using a medial approach is an effective and easy-to-perform technique for injection of steroids.

MR imaging of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers: evaluation of 38 patients with chronic joint disability.

OBJECTIVE: To report the MR imaging findings of painful injured metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: MR imaging of 39 injured MCP joints in 38 patients was performed after a mean delay of 8.8 months. The MR images were obtained with the fingers in extended and flexed positions using T2-weighted and T1-weighted sequences before and after intravenous injection of a gadolinium compound. Ten patients were treated surgically. Mean clinical follow-up was 1.8 years. RESULTS: Tears of the collateral ligaments were the most common lesion (30/39), most being radial in location. Contrast-enhanced axial T1-weighted images with the MCP joint in a flexed position showed these lesions optimally. Ten tears were partial and 20 were complete. In 13 patients, MR images showed 17 associated lesions including injuries of the extensor hood (10/17), interosseous tendon (3/17), palmar plate (3/17), and an osteochondral lesion (1/17). Sagittal MR images were essential to highlight palmar plate tears. CONCLUSION: Partial or complete tears of the collateral ligaments are prevalent MR imaging findings in patients with chronic disability resulting from injuries to the MCP joints. Although conservative treatment generally is sufficient for isolated injuries of the collateral ligaments, surgical repair is often required in cases of more extensive injuries. MR imaging may clearly delineate associated lesions of and about the MCP joints.

Inflammation and cancer, the mastocytoma P815 tumor model revisited: triggering of macrophage activation in vivo with pro-tumorigenic consequences.

Subcutaneous in vivo injections of cells of the mastocytoma line P815 in syngenic DBA/2 mice induce locally fast growing solid tumors. These have been used extensively as a cancer model to analyze and manipulate the relationship between tumor cells and host's immune defenses. We report that progression of P815 tumors in vivo was accompanied by a burst (Days 5-7) of local inflammatory cells recruitment and angiogenesis observed histologically, corroborated in vivo by MRI with gadolinium, overtranscription of macrophage activation marker genes, secretion of TNF-alpha by regional lymph node cells and concomitant systemic inflammation. No substantial overtranscriptions of either VEGF or IL-10 or TGF-beta genes were observed. Induction of COX-2 gene was a late event. To establish a possible relationship between the tumor-induced local, regional and systemic increase of pro-inflammatory mediators and progression of tumors in vivo, we carried out experiments deliberately modulating the inflammatory status of the recipient animals. Pretreatment of recipient animals by i.p. injection of thioglycolate accelerated P815 tumor growth. At the opposite, treatment of mice with either a COX-1 + COX-2 inhibitor (aspirin, 1 mg/day/mouse) or a specific COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib, 0.13 mg/day/mouse) for 2 weeks after injection of tumor cells, significantly reduced the size and growth rate of tumors compared to control mice. Experiments carried out in vitro indicated that peritoneal macrophages from untreated animals were strongly activated by live P815 cells and by P815 membrane preparations. The tumor-induced inflammatory reaction could establish a local micro environment favoring tumor progression. The P815 tumor model might be helpful to recognize important factors controlling host/tumor relationship.

Recurrent glomus tumors of fingertips: MR imaging evaluation.

PURPOSE: To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in recurrent glomus tumors of the fingertips. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients with recurrent pain after previous excision of a glomus tumor of the fingertip underwent MR imaging studies and surgery. T1-weighted spin-echo MR images were obtained in each patient before and after intravenous injection of contrast material; T2-weighted spin-echo and three-dimensional gradient-recalled echo images were also obtained. MR angiography was performed in four patients. Postsurgical histopathologic analysis revealed recurrent glomus tumors in 22 patients. Signal intensity, enhancement, and margins of the scar tissue and the recurrent tumors at MR were assessed. RESULTS: The postsurgical scars were depicted in 21 (88%) of 24 patients with all sequences but were best demonstrated on gradient-recalled echo MR images. Seven patients had undergone multiple surgical procedures and had extensive scar tissue and, in one case, a neuroma. In all patients, MR imaging revealed a nodule compatible with the diagnosis of a recurrent glomus tumor. In 13 (54%) of 24 patients, the nodule had typical features of a glomus tumor. In eight (33%) of 24 patients, the tumors had low signal intensity or isointensity compared with the nail bed on T2-weighted images. In six (25%) of 24 patients, the tumors had faint enhancement after intravenous gadolinium chelate administration. The margins of the tumors were blurred by scar tissue in nine of 24 cases. CONCLUSION: MR imaging can aid in the evaluation of recurrent glomus tumors.

Intervertebral disc degeneration: the role of the mitochondrial pathway in annulus fibrosus cell apoptosis induced by overload.

Degeneration of the intervertebral disk (IVD) is a major pathological process implicated in low back pain and is a prerequisite to disk herniation. Although mechanical stress is an important modulator of the degeneration, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. The association of human IVD degeneration, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, with annulus fibrosus cell apoptosis and anti-cytochrome c staining revealed that the activation of the mitochondria-dependent apoptosome was a major event in the degeneration process. Mouse models of IVD degeneration were used to investigate the role of the mechanical stress in this process. The application of mechanical overload (1.3 MPa) for 24 hours induced annulus fibrosus cell apoptosis and led to severe degeneration of the mouse disks. Immunostaining revealed cytochrome c release but not Fas-L generation. The role of the caspase-9-dependent mitochondrial pathway in annulus fibrosus cell apoptosis induced by overload was investigated further with the use of cultured rabbit IVD cells in a stretch device. Mechanical overload (15% area change) induced apoptosis with increased caspase-9 activity and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, Z-LEHD-FMK, a caspase-9 inhibitor, but not Z-IETD-FMK, a caspase-8 inhibitor, attenuated the overload-induced apoptosis. Our results from human samples, mouse models, and annulus fibrosus culture experiments demonstrate that the mechanical overload-induced IVD degeneration is mediated through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in IVD cells.