Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound for evaluation of early blood-induced joint changes: Comparison with MRI.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent joint bleeding is the hallmark of haemophilia. Synovial hypertrophy observed with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is associated with an increased risk of future joint bleeding. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether point-of-care ultrasound (POC-US) is an accurate alternative for MRI for the detection of early joint changes. METHODS: In this single centre diagnostic accuracy study, bilateral knees and ankles of haemophilia patients with no or minimal arthropathy on X-rays were scanned using POC-US and 3 Tesla MRI. POC-US was performed by 1 medical doctor, blinded for MRI, according to the "Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound" (HEAD-US) protocol. MRIs were independently scored by 2 radiologists, blinded for clinical data and ultrasound results. Diagnostic accuracy parameters were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Knees and ankles of 24 haemophilia patients (96 joints), aged 18-34, were studied. Synovial hypertrophy on MRI was observed in 20% of joints. POC-US for synovial tissue was correct (overall accuracy) in 97% (CI: 91-99) with a positive predictive value of 94% (CI: 73-100) and a negative predictive value of 97% (CI: 91-100). The overall accuracy of POC-US for cartilage abnormalities was 91% (CI: 83-96) and for bone surface irregularities 97% (CI: 91-99). CONCLUSION: POC-US could accurately assess synovial hypertrophy, bone surface irregularities and cartilage abnormalities in haemophilia patients with limited joint disease. As POC-US is an accurate and available alternative for MRI, it can be used for routine evaluation of early joint changes.

The don't know option in progress testing.

Formula scoring (FS) is the use of a don't know option (DKO) with subtraction of points for wrong answers. Its effect on construct validity and reliability of progress test scores, is subject of discussion. Choosing a DKO may not only be affected by knowledge level, but also by risk taking tendency, and may thus introduce construct-irrelevant variance into the knowledge measurement. On the other hand, FS may result in more reliable test scores. To evaluate the impact of FS on construct validity and reliability of progress test scores, a progress test for radiology residents was divided into two tests of 100 parallel items (A and B). Each test had a FS and a number-right (NR) version, A-FS, B-FS, A-NR, and B-NR. Participants (337) were randomly divided into two groups. One group took test A-FS followed by B-NR, and the second group test B-FS followed by A-NR. Evidence for impaired construct validity was sought in a hierarchical regression analysis by investigating how much of the participants' FS-score variance was explained by the DKO-score, compared to the contribution of the knowledge level (NR-score), while controlling for Group, Gender, and Training length. Cronbach's alpha was used to estimate NR and FS-score reliability per year group. NR score was found to explain 27 % of the variance of FS [F(1,332) = 219.2, p < 0.0005], DKO-score, and the interaction of DKO and Gender were found to explain 8 % [F(2,330) = 41.5, p < 0.0005], and the interaction of DKO and NR 1.6 % [F(1,329) = 16.6, p < 0.0005], supporting our hypothesis that FS introduces construct-irrelevant variance into the knowledge measurement. However, NR-scores showed considerably lower reliabilities than FS-scores (mean year-test group Cronbach's alphas were 0.62 and 0.74, respectively). Decisions about FS with progress tests should be a careful trade-off between systematic and random measurement error.

Radiation exposure and mortality risk from CT and PET imaging of patients with malignant lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify radiation exposure and mortality risk from computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) in patients with malignant lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease [HD] or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]). METHODS: First, organ doses were assessed for a typical diagnostic work-up in children with HD and adults with NHL. Subsequently, life tables were constructed for assessment of radiation risks, also taking into account the disease-related mortality. RESULTS: In children with HD, cumulative effective dose from medical imaging ranged from 66 mSv (newborn) to 113 mSv (15 years old). In adults with NHL the cumulative effective dose from medical imaging was 97 mSv. Average fractions of radiation-induced deaths for children with HD [without correction for disease-related mortality in brackets] were 0.4% [0.6%] for boys and 0.7% [1.1%] for girls, and for adults with NHL 0.07% [0.28%] for men and 0.09% [0.37%] for women. CONCLUSION: Taking into account the disease-related reduction in life expectancy of patients with malignant lymphoma results in a higher overall mortality but substantial lower incidence of radiation induced deaths. The modest radiation risk that results from imaging with CT and (18)F-FDG PET can be considered as justified, but imaging should be performed with care, especially in children.

Diagnosis and subsequent US-guided percutaneous drainage of an adrenal abscess in a 5-week-old infant.

Adrenal abscess is an uncommon finding in neonates and young infants. It may have a fatal outcome if inadequately treated. This case report describes the successful diagnosis and treatment of a left-sided adrenal abscess in a 5-week-old girl. Abdominal US and antigranulocyte antibody-scintigraphy showed an encapsulated suprarenal mass with debris suspicious for an adrenal abscess. Treatment is generally surgical. In this case, however, we performed US-guided percutaneous drainage combined with intravenous antibiotic treatment. The child recovered fully.

Grading of carotid artery stenosis with multidetector-row CT angiography: visual estimation or caliper measurements?

To assess the optimal method for grading carotid artery stenosis with computed tomographic angiography (CTA), we compared visual estimation to caliper measurements, and determined inter-observer variability and agreement relative to digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We included 46 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis for whom CTA and DSA of 55 carotids was available. Stenosis quantification by CTA using visual estimation (CTA(VE)) (method 1) was compared with caliper measurements using subjectively optimized wide window settings (method 2) or predefined contrast-dependent narrow window settings (method 3). Measurements were independently performed by two radiologists and two residents. To determine accuracy and inter-observer variability, we calculated linear weighted kappa, performed a Bland-Altman analysis and calculated mean difference (bias) and standard deviation of differences (SDD). For inter-observer variability, kappa analysis was "very good" (0.85) for expert observers using CTA(VE) compared with "good" (0.61) for experts using DSA. Compared with DSA, method 1 led to overestimation (bias 5.8-8.0%, SDD 10.6-14.4), method 3 led to underestimation (bias -6.3 to -3.0%, SDD 13.0-18.1). Measurement variability between DSA and visual estimation on CTA (SDD 11.5) is close to the inter-observer variability of repeated measurements on DSA that we found in this study (SDD 11.6). For CTA of carotids, stenosis grading based on visual estimation provides better agreement to grading by DSA compared with stenosis grading based on caliper measurements.

Correlation between ultrasonic and radiographic imaging of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

PURPOSE: The correlation between the degree of developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) measured on ultrasound images compared with that measured on radiographs is not clear. Most studies have compared ultrasonography (US) and radiographic images made at different times of follow-up. In this study the correlation between US images and radiographs of the hip made on the same day was evaluated. METHODS: US images and radiographs of both hips of 74 infants, who were treated for stable DDH, were reviewed in a retrospective study. Only infants who had an US examination and a radiograph on the same day were included. RESULTS: The correlation between α-angle of Graf and femoral head coverage on US was strong (p ≤ 0.0001). Weak correlations were found between the acetabular index of Tönnis on radiographs and α-angle of Graf on US (p = 0.049) and between acetabular index of Tönnis on radiographs and femoral head coverage of Morin on US (p = 0.100). CONCLUSION: This study reports on the correlation between US and radiographic imaging outcomes, both made on the same day in patients for treatment and follow-up of DDH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Neonatal cranial ultrasound versus MRI and neurodevelopmental outcome at school age in children born preterm.

AIM: To examine the correlation between neonatal cranial ultrasound and school age magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurodevelopmental outcome. METHODS: In a prospective 2 year cohort study, 221 children (gestational age < or =32 weeks and/or birth weight < or =1500 g) participated at a median age of 8.1 years (inclusion percentage 78%). Conventional MRI, IQ (subtests of the WISC), and motor performance (Movement Assessment Battery for Children) at school age were primary outcome measurements. RESULTS: Overall, there was poor correspondence between ultrasound group classifications and MRI group classifications, except for the severe group (over 70% agreement). There was only a 1% chance of the children with a normal cranial ultrasound having a major lesion on MRI. Mean IQ (standard deviation) was significantly lower in children with major ultrasound or MRI lesions, but was also lower in children with minor lesions on MRI compared to children with a normal MRI (91+/-16, 100+/-13, 104+/-13 for major lesions, minor lesions, and normal MRI, respectively). Median total impairment score (TIS) was significantly higher in children with major lesions on ultrasound or MRI as well as in children with minor lesions on MRI (TIS 4.0 and 6.25 for normal and minor lesions on MRI, respectively; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A normal neonatal cranial ultrasound excluded a severe lesion on MRI in 99% of cases. MRI correlated more strongly with mean IQ and median TIS than ultrasound. Subtle white matter lesions are better detected with MRI which could explain the stronger correlation of MRI with IQ and motor performance.

The benefit of STent placement and blood pressure and lipid-lowering for the prevention of progression of renal dysfunction caused by Atherosclerotic ostial stenosis of the Renal artery. The STAR-study: rationale and study design.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is associated with progressive loss of renal function and is one of the most important causes of renal failure in the elderly. Current treatment includes restoration of the renal arterial lumen by endovascular stent placement. However, this treatment only affects damage caused by ARAS due to the stenosis and ensuing post-stenotic ischemia. ARAS patients have severe general vascular disease. Atherosclerosis and hypertension can also damage the kidney parenchyma causing renal failure. Medical treatment focuses on the latter. Lipid-lowering drugs (statins) could reduce renal failure progression and could reduce the overall high cardiovascular risk. The additional effect on preserving renal function of stent placement as compared to medical therapy alone is unknown. Therefore, the STAR-study aims to compare the effects of renal artery stent placement together with medication vs. medication alone on renal function in ARAS patients. METHOD: Patients with an ARAS of > or = 50% and renal failure (creatinine (Cr) clearance < 80 mL/min/1.73 m2) are randomly assigned to stent placement with medication or to medication alone. Medication consists of statins, anti-hypertensive drugs and antiplatelet therapy. Patients are followed for 2 yrs with extended follow-up to 5 yrs. The primary outcome of this study is a reduction in Cr clearance > 20% compared to baseline. This trial will include 140 patients.

[Current validation of the Greulich and Pyle atlas for the determination of skeletal age]. / Hedendaagse validering van de atlas van Greulich en Pyle voor het bepalen van de skeletleeftijd.

The radiological atlas of Greulich and Pyle published in 1959 has been validated for the modern measurement of skeletal development in a population of white school-age children from Rotterdam. This is a useful study result. Although contemporary children grow to become much taller than in previous generations, this increased growth potential is apparently realised within the same time span.

Constipation in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients: an underestimated medical condition.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine prevalence, risk factors and treatment of constipation in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), as well as the diagnostic value of abdominal radiography. METHODS: A cohort of 214 pediatric CF patients was investigated. Furthermore, 106 abdominal radiographs of CF patients with or without constipation were independently assessed by three observers on two separate occasions using the Barr and Leech scores. RESULTS: The prevalence of constipation was 47%. Low total fat absorption and meconium ileus were independent risk factors for constipation in CF, while fiber and fluid intake were not associated. In CF patients the inter and intraobserver variabilities of the Barr and Leech scores were poor to moderate. CONCLUSION: Constipation is a significant medical issue in CF and was associated with low total fat absorption and a history of meconium ileus. Finally, abdominal radiography seems of little value in the regular follow-up of CF patients.