Relationship Between Low Relative Muscle Mass and Coronary Artery Calcification in Healthy Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenia or low muscle mass is related to cardiovascular risk factors; however, the association between low muscle mass and subclinical atherosclerosis has been largely unexplored. We investigated whether muscle mass is related to coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a large sample of middle-aged asymptomatic adults. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 31 108 asymptomatic adults without cancer, diabetes mellitus, or known cardiovascular disease who underwent a health checkup examination including cardiac tomography estimation of CAC scores between 2012 and 2013. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) [SMI (%)=total skeletal muscle mass (kg)/body weight (kg)×100] was estimated using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. We assessed the relationship between SMI and CAC scores using both multivariate-adjusted Tobit models and multinomial logistic regression models. Of the 31 108 subjects, 3374 subjects (10.9%) had a CAC score 1 to 100, and 628 subjects (2.0%) had a CAC score >100. SMI was inversely associated with CAC score ratios. Specifically, in a multivariable-adjusted model adjusting for potential confounders, CAC score ratios (95% confidence intervals) of SMI for quartiles 1, 2, and 3 compared with quartile 4 were 2.27 (1.70-3.05), 1.46 (1.15-1.85), and 1.24 (0.98-1.55), respectively (P for trend <0.001). Adjusting for insulin resistance reduced the magnitude of the associations, but they remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Relative muscle mass was negatively associated with the prevalence of coronary calcification, supporting low muscle mass as an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease.

Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption and coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic men and women.

BACKGROUND: Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption has been linked to obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and clinically manifest coronary heart disease, but its association with subclinical coronary heart disease remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in a large study of asymptomatic men and women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 22,210 adult men and women who underwent a comprehensive health screening examination between 2011 and 2013 (median age 40 years). Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and CAC was measured by cardiac computed tomography. Multivariable-adjusted CAC score ratios and 95% CIs were estimated from robust Tobit regression models for the natural logarithm (CAC score +1). RESULTS: The prevalence of detectable CAC (CAC score >0) was 11.7% (n = 2,604). After adjustment for age; sex; center; year of screening examination; education level; physical activity; smoking; alcohol intake; family history of cardiovascular disease; history of hypertension; history of hypercholesterolemia; and intake of total energy, fruits, vegetables, and red and processed meats, only the highest category of sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption was associated with an increased CAC score compared with the lowest consumption category. The multivariable-adjusted CAC ratio comparing participants who consumed ≥5 sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages per week with nondrinkers was 1.70 (95% CI, 1.03-2.81). This association did not differ by clinical subgroup, including participants at low cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that high levels of sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption are associated with a higher prevalence and degree of CAC in asymptomatic adults without a history of cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes.

Usefulness of the quantitative evaluation of diffusion-weighted mri in the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament tears.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of the diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear using the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values according to the different b values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was acquired. We evaluated 74 patients (M:F = 43:31, mean age of 44 years) who underwent 3.0 Tesla knee MR with DWI because of the possibility of ACL tear due to trauma. Region of interest measurements were performed. We (two radiologists) measured the signals of the DWI and derived ADC values on the oblique sagittal DWI with b values of 0, 600, and 1000. The diagnostic accuracies of the conventional MR image and each DWI with an ADC value with a different b value were evaluated. The CNR and ADC values were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The diagnostic performances of the various imaging methods were evaluated using the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for differentiating between normal and ACL injury as determined by the use of conventional MRI with additional DWIs with McNemar test. The arthroscopic or clinical findings were used as the reference standard. RESULTS: The mean CNRs of ligament tears with b values of 600 and 1000 were significantly higher than those of normal ligament (22 versus 7 and 9 versus 4, P value < 0.05). The sensitivities and the accuracies of the DWI were significantly lower than the conventional MRIs (P value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The CNRs of the torn ACL with each b value (600 and 1000) were significantly higher those of than normal ligament, although the ADC values of the torn ligament were not different from normal ligament. Addition of the DWI to the conventional MRI did not improve diagnostic performance. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1116-1122.

Peroneal tendon pathology evaluation using the oblique sagittal plane in ankle MR imaging.

BACKGROUND: Because peroneal tendons course from the lateral side of the proximal fibula through the posterior side of the distal fibula, correct diagnosis of the tendon pathology on an orthogonal sagittal plane can be difficult. PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of oblique sagittal imaging (peroneal view) for evaluation of peroneal tendon pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 69 patients at our institution who underwent routine ankle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the peroneal view. Twenty-three patients underwent arthroscopy. Anatomic identification of the peroneal tendons on orthogonal sagittal MRI sequences and peroneal views were evaluated. Two radiologists evaluated the peroneal tendons based on an entire length view, an entire width view, and margin sharpness using a 4-point scale. Diagnostic accuracy using orthogonal sagittal and peroneal views was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Arthroscopic or clinical findings were used as the reference standard. RESULTS: Total anatomical scores on the peroneal view were higher than those of the orthogonal sagittal views (P < 0.001). Both readers were able to identify anatomy of the tendon using the full length, full width and sharp margin, and determined that the peroneal view was better when compared with the orthogonal sagittal views (P < 0.001). Although the sensitivity and accuracy of the peroneal view in the diagnosis of peroneal tendon injury were slightly higher than orthogonal view, the values were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Peroneal views provide better anatomic evaluation of the peroneal tendons itself, although cannot show significant superiority in the diagnostic performances.

Three-dimensional isotropic T2-weighted fast spin-echo (VISTA) knee MRI at 3.0 T in the evaluation of the anterior cruciate ligament injury with additional views: comparison with two-dimensional fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequences.

Background There has been no comparison study to assess the diagnostic efficacy of additional anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) views in three-dimensional (3D) volume isotropic turbo spin-echo acquisition (VISTA) and two-dimensional (2D) fast spin-echo (FSE) T2-weighted (T2W) images for the diagnosis of ACL tear. Purpose To compare the diagnostic performances of additional ACL views on VISTA with those on the 2D FSE T2W images. Material and Methods This retrospective study included 78 patients who were suspected to have ACL injury and underwent both 2D TSE T2W magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 3D VISTA MRI of the knee between November 2012 and March 2013. The diagnostic performance of each oblique sagittal and coronal view and the combined images was evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing an ACL tear. The arthroscopically and clinically confirmed diagnoses were used as the reference standard. The values were statistically analyzed using the McNemar test. Results The inter-observer agreement between two readers of the additional ACL views on 3D VISTA and 2D FSE T2W images were substantial on 2D FSE images and nearly concurred on the VISTA image. When considering both views of the oblique sagittal and coronal images, the inter-observer agreement between readers nearly concurred. There were no statistically significant differences in the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy between 2D FSE images and VISTA images. Conclusion The performance of the additional ACL view on 3D VISTA MRI is comparable to that of 2D FSE T2W MRI in the diagnosis of ACL tear though the image quality of the 3D VISTA MRI is not equal to that of 2D FSE MRI.

Modified thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) and its clinical usefulness.

BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) is not very reliable for assessment of injury to the posterior ligament complex, even when scored by experts. It is not reasonable to score every compression fracture or burst fracture the same as there is great variety in the severity of compression fractures and burst fractures. PURPOSE: To propose a modified TLICS (mTLICS) and evaluate the performance of the mTLICS system by measuring the agreement between scores determined by radiologists using both systems and actual treatment procedure delivered. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 134 patients with acute lumbar and thoracic spinal trauma after undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using new mTLICS and conventional TLICS system. Inter-observer agreements of TLICS and mTLICS scores were analyzed using the kappa statistic. Nonparametric correlation analysis was used to determine correlation (R) among each score and the surgical intervention. RESULTS: The mTLICS system showed slightly higher correlation than TLICS (Rs, TLICS, 0.592 and 0.613 vs. mTLICS, 0.628 and 0.639). If we consider a total maximal score of 4 to be a negative surgical indication, mTLICS showed significantly higher sensitivities than TLICS, and if we consider a total minimal score of 4 to be a positive surgical indication, mTLICS showed significantly higher specificities than TLICS. CONCLUSION: The mTLICS score corrects deficiencies in the TLICS system that lead to ambiguity in the radiological diagnostic criteria. mTLICS is a more suitable scoring system than TLICS for predicting surgical management accurately, especially for morphological injuries.

Relationship of sitting time and physical activity with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The goal of this study was to examine the association of sitting time and physical activity level with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Korean men and women and to explore whether any observed associations were mediated by adiposity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 139,056 Koreans, who underwent a health examination between March 2011 and December 2013. Physical activity level and sitting time were assessed using the validated Korean version of the international Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. The presence of fatty liver was determined using ultrasonographic findings. Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to evaluate the association of sitting time and physical activity level with NAFLD. RESULTS: Of the 139,056 subjects, 39,257 had NAFLD. In a multivariable-adjusted model, both prolonged sitting time and decreased physical activity level were independently associated with increasing prevalence of NAFLD. The prevalence ratios (95% CIs) for NAFLD comparing 5-9 and ⩾10 h/day sitting time to <5h/day were 1.04 (1.02-1.07) and 1.09 (1.06-1.11), respectively (p for trend <0.001). These associations were still observed in subjects with BMI <23 kg/m(2). The prevalence ratios (95% CIs) for NAFLD comparing minimally active and health-enhancing physically active groups to the inactive group were 0.94 (0.92-0.95) and 0.80 (0.78-0.82), respectively (p for trend <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged sitting time and decreased physical activity level were positively associated with the prevalence of NAFLD in a large sample of middle-aged Koreans, supporting the importance of reducing time spent sitting in addition to promoting physical activity.

Age at menarche and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The goal of this study was to examine the association between age at menarche and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Korean women and to explore whether any observed associations were mediated by adult adiposity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed for 95,183 Korean women, aged 30 or older, who underwent a regular health screening examination between March 2011 and April 2013. Information regarding age at menarche was collected using standardized, self-administered questionnaires. The presence of fatty liver was determined using ultrasonographic findings. Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to evaluate the association between age at menarche and NAFLD. RESULTS: Of the 76,415 women evaluated in this study, 9601 had NAFLD. Age at menarche was inversely associated with the prevalence of NAFLD. In a multivariable-adjusted model, the prevalence ratios (95% CIs) for NAFLD comparing menarche at <12, 12, 14, 15, and 16-18 years to menarche at 13 years were 1.31 (1.18-1.45), 1.05 (0.97-1.13), 0.93 (0.87-0.99), 0.87 (0.82-0.93), and 0.78 (0.73-0.84), respectively (p for trend <0.001). Adjusting for adult BMI or percent fat mass (%) substantially reduced these associations; however, they remained statistically significant. The association between age at menarche and NAFLD was modified by age. CONCLUSIONS: We identified an inverse association between age at menarche and NAFLD in a large sample of middle-aged women. This association was partially mediated by adiposity. The findings of this study suggest that obesity prevention strategies are needed in women who undergo early menarche to reduce the risk of NAFLD.

Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and mammographic density in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Little is known about the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or insulin resistance (IR) with mammographic density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer. The goal of this study was to evaluate these associations in pre- and postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was performed in 73,974 adult women who underwent a comprehensive health screening examination that included a mammogram between 2011 and 2013 (mean age 42.6 years). MetS was defined according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. IR was assessed with the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dense breast were estimated using logistic regression models after adjustment for potential confounders. In premenopausal women, MetS and all its components except waist circumference were associated with dense breast. After adjustment for potential confounders, the OR (95% CI) for dense breast in women with MetS compared with those without MetS was 1.22 (1.06-1.39). In postmenopausal women, however, there was positive but non-significant association between MetS and dense breast. In both pre- and postmenopausal women, high blood glucose and IR were positively associated with dense breast. The OR (95% CI) for dense breast between the highest and lowest quartiles of HOMA-IR was 1.29 (1.20-1.39) for premenopausal women and 1.44 (1.05-1.97) for postmenopausal women. In a large sample of Korean women, MetS and IR were associated with mammographic dense breast, demonstrating that IR, a potentially modifiable risk factor, may increase breast cancer risk, possibly through high mammographic density.

Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Total Occlusive and Subtotal Occlusive Disease of the Lower Extremity Arteries Using Reverse Attenuation Gradient Sign on CT Angiography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of the reverse attenuation gradient sign in occlusive lower extremity arterial disease through CT angiography (CTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study sample enrolled 45 men and eight women in the chronic total occlusion group and 30 men and seven women in the subtotal occlusion group. Luminal CT attenuation (in Hounsfield units) was measured at three points from the end of the occlusion site to the first collateral vessel's insertion point. We also used Hounsfield units to measure the CT attenuation of the opposite side artery at the same level in a similar manner. We compared each value using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The absolute value of the mean differences in the Hounsfield units among the proximal, middle, and distal portion of chronic total occlusions were higher than those of subtotal occlusions, and this result was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The mean ratios of the Hounsfield units (Hounsfield units of the stenosed lumen divided by Hounsfield units of the opposite normal lumen) of the proximal portion of chronic total occlusions were statistically significantly lower than those of subtotal occlusions. CONCLUSION: The reverse attenuation gradient sign can be applied to the lower extremity arteries and can be helpful for differential diagnosis of chronic total occlusions from subtotal occlusions using CTA.

IDEAL 3D spoiled gradient echo of the articular cartilage of the knee on 3.0 T MRI: a comparison with conventional 3.0 T fast spin-echo T2 fat saturation image.

BACKGROUND: Many two-dimensional (2D) morphologic cartilage imaging sequences have disadvantages such as long acquisition time, inadequate spatial resolution, suboptimal tissue contrast, and image degradation secondary to artifacts. IDEAL imaging can overcome these disadvantages. PURPOSE: To compare sound-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and quality of two different methods of imaging that include IDEAL 3D SPGR and 3.0-T FSE T2 fat saturation (FS) imaging and to evaluate the utility of IDEAL 3D SPGR for knee joint imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: SNR and CNR of the patellar and femoral cartilages were measured and calculated. Two radiologists performed subjective scoring of all images for three measures: general image quality, FS, and cartilage evaluation. SNR and CNR values were compared by paired Student's t-tests. RESULTS: Mean SNRs of patellar and femoral cartilages were 90% and 66% higher, respectively, for IDEAL 3D SPGR. CNRs of patellar cartilages and joint fluids were 2.4 times higher for FSE T2 FS, and CNR between the femoral cartilage and joint fluid was 2.2 times higher for FSE T2 FS. General image quality and FS were superior using FSE T2 FS compared to those of IDEAL 3D SPGR imaging according to both readers, while cartilage evaluation was superior using IDEAL 3D SPGR. Additionally, cartilage injuries were more prominent in IDEAL 3D SPGR than in FSE T2FS according to both readers. CONCLUSION: IDEAL 3D SPGR images show excellent visualization of patellar and femoral cartilages in 3.0 T and can compensate for the weaknesses of FSE T2 FS in the evaluation of cartilage injuries.

Usefulness of oblique coronal and sagittal MR images of the knee after double-bundle and selective anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.

BACKGROUND: The use of double-bundle and selective-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is increasing. Few studies have been conducted to determine the diagnostic efficacy of additional oblique views of knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for grading ACL graft injury for double-bundle and selective-bundle ACL reconstructions. PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of combining oblique coronal and sagittal imaging with orthogonal views for diagnosis of ACL graft failure after double-bundle or selective-bundle ACL reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 patients who underwent double-bundle or selective-bundle ACL reconstruction surgery and received oblique coronal and oblique sagittal MRI of the knee. Subjective scoring of the images was performed by two radiologists who assessed the possibility of ACL graft failure based on full length view, full width view, and margin sharpness according to a 4-point scale. Diagnostic performance for ACL graft failure based on orthogonal views alone, ACL views alone, and orthogonal views with additional ACL views was evaluated by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. RESULTS: The full length scores and total scores on ACL views were significantly higher than those of orthogonal views. The specificities and accuracies of diagnoses were highest for a combination of orthogonal, ACL sagittal, and ACL coronal views. CONCLUSION: After double-bundle or selective-bundle ACL reconstruction, oblique sagittal and coronal images of the ACL provide better anatomic evaluation of the ACL than orthogonal views and specificity and accuracy of diagnoses were improved when oblique views were combined.

Clinical correlation of a new and practical magnetic resonance grading system for cervical foraminal stenosis assessment.

BACKGROUND: No systematic and quantitative system for evaluation of cervical neural foraminal stenosis (CNFS) has been reported. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the new magnetic resonance (MR) grading system for CNFS correlates with clinical manifestations and to propose a modified grading system more useful for clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 356 patients who underwent MR imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine. The presence and grade of cervical foraminal stenosis at the maximal narrowing point were assessed using the new grading system suggested by Kim et al. (Kim system) and a modification of this grading system (modified Kim system) based on T2 axial images. Grade 0: narrowest neural foramen > extraforaminal root; Grade 1: ≤ extraforaminal root; Grade 2: <50% of extraforaminal root. Modified Kim system: Grade 0: >80%, Grade 1: <80% but >50%, Grade 2 as for the Kim system. Results were correlated with clinical manifestations and neurologic physical examination findings (positive neurologic manifestation [PNM]). RESULTS: Analysis of correlation coefficients (Rs) showed moderate correlation between grades and clinical manifestations using the Kim system (0.484-0.562) and moderate to high correlation between grades and PNMs using the modified Kim system (0.517-0.782). CONCLUSION: The Kim system showed moderate correlation clinical findings, while the modified Kim system still showed moderate but slightly stronger correlation. In both systems, grade 0 could denote negative neurologic manifestations. Although a considerable number of grade 1 and 2 cases in both systems had PNM, fulfilling the criteria for grades 1 and 2 CNFS, it does not perfectly predict PNM.

The clinical correlation of a new practical MRI method for grading cervical neural foraminal stenosis based on oblique sagittal images.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether each grade in a new system suggested by Park et al. (Park system) to assess cervical neural foraminal stenosis validly correlates with the associated clinical findings and to evaluate the interobserver agreement in grading between two MRI readers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 166 patients (98 men and 68 women; mean age, 46 years) at our institution who underwent oblique sagittal MRI of the cervical spine. Using the new Park grading system, two radiologists evaluated the MRI findings for the presence and grade of cervical neural foraminal stenosis at the most narrow point. A neurosurgeon assessed the associated clinical manifestations. A positive neurologic manifestation of the cervical neural foraminal stenosis was defined as more than one positive neurologic clinical manifestation combined with more than one positive neurologic sign. Interobserver agreements between the two radiologists were analyzed using kappa statistics. Correlation coefficients (R) to assess the relationship between the grade and neurologic manifestations were calculated with nonparametric correlation analysis (Spearman correlation). The relationship between the assigned grade and the clinical manifestations was analyzed several ways: vertebrae level (C4-5, C5-6, or C6-7) and by age group (< 46 years and ≥ 46 years). RESULTS: Among patients who were evaluated by each reader to be grade 0, only 19 (17%) and 20 patients (18%) showed positive neurologic manifestations, respectively, with most patients showing negative neurologic manifestations. Among the patients who were grade 2 and 3, one reader found all patients and the second reader found all but one patient (100% and 93%, respectively) to have positive neurologic manifestations. According to the correlation coefficients, each Park grade was moderately correlated with the associated neurologic manifestations, such that higher grades were associated with more severe clinical manifestations. If we consider grade 2 or 3 MRI findings positive for identifying positive neurologic manifestations, the sensitivities and specificities were 39.7% and 99.0% (reader 1) and 39.7% and 99.0% (reader 2), respectively. CONCLUSION: The Park system, based on oblique sagittal MRI sections, provides a reliable and reproducible assessment of the severity of cervical neural foraminal stenosis. According to the Park system, grades 2 and 3 are associated with positive neurologic manifestations, and the Park system successfully predicts positive neurologic manifestations at these grades.

Comparison between arthroscopic findings and 1.5-T and 3-T MRI of oblique coronal and sagittal planes of the knee for evaluation of selective bundle injury of the anterior cruciate ligament.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of combining oblique sagittal and oblique coronal MRI views of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with traditional orthogonal views for the evaluation of selective-bundle ACL injury and to evaluate whether there is a statistical difference in diagnostic ability between 1.5-T and 3-T MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 114 patients who underwent knee MRI (46 on 1.5 T and 68 on 3 T) and arthroscopy at our institution. Two radiologists evaluated orthogonal views and ACL views on 1.5-T and 3-T MRI in variable combinations. They diagnosed ACL views as normal, entire ligament tear, anteromedial bundle tear, or posterolateral bundle tear. The surgeon then confirmed tears in the anteromedial or posterolateral bundle of the ACL arthroscopically if a selective-bundle tear did exist. The arthroscopically confirmed diagnoses were used as the reference standard. The values were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of patients showed an ACL tear on arthroscopy, and 33% had a selective bundle tear; of these, 75% were anteromedial bundle tears and 25% were posterolateral bundle tears. On 1.5-T MRI, specificities of each view and combined views were the same (80%). The sensitivities and accuracies of the combined views were higher than the individual views; differences between individual views ranged from 4% to 15%. Reader 1 saw statistically significant differences between the oblique coronal and combined views. Although the performances of reader 2 showed similar results, the p values exceeded the critical value of statistical significance (0.063). On 3-T MRI, differences in specificities between the orthogonal and combined views and between the orthogonal and oblique coronal views were statistically significant (p, 0.016 and 0.008 for readers 1 and 2, respectively). There were no significant differences in the diagnostic performance of 1.5-T and 3-T MRI. CONCLUSION: The oblique coronal view and the combination of the orthogonal view and both additional ACL views provide better diagnostic information with an improvement in specificity on 3-T MRI compared with orthogonal views alone in the diagnosis of selective-bundle tears. Although diagnostic performance was not improved with the addition of the oblique views over orthogonal views on 1.5-T imaging, diagnostic performance was improved on 3-T MRI. Accuracies for individual imaging planes were not significantly different when comparing 1.5-T and 3-T MRI.

Preoperative prediction model for conversion of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in patient with acute cholecystitis: based on clinical, laboratory, and CT parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To identify preoperative computed tomography (CT) predictors associated with conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy and to propose the risk scoring model for prediction of conversion by integrating clinical, laboratory, and CT parameters. METHODS: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study, and informed consent was waived. One hundred eighty-three patients who underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis were evaluated for clinical, laboratory, and CT parameters. Associations between conversion and these parameters were assessed by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The risk scoring model was devised using a regression coefficient-based scoring method. RESULTS: Conversion to open cholecystectomy was performed in 30 patients (17%). Multivariate analysis identified age older than 60 years, male, and pericholecystic fluid as independent predictors of conversion. The preoperative prediction model to calculate the risk score for conversion showed sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 72%, with an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.83. CONCLUSIONS: Pericholecystic fluid collection was the only CT parameter with clinical parameters of age older than 60 years and male in prediction for conversion in acute cholecystitis. The preoperative prediction model using these 3 parameters can be adapted easily in clinical practice with a good discrimination.

The usefulness of the oblique coronal plane in knee MRI on the evaluation of the posterior cruciate ligament.

BACKGROUND: Imaging findings of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury may be equivocal, particularly when the patient has suffered a partial ligament tear. Some PCLs are positioned more horizontally, making it difficult to diagnose injury based on routine imaging planes alone due to partial volume artifact. PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of combining oblique coronal imaging (PCL view) with traditional orthogonal views for PCL evaluation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 20 patients with PCL injury and 43 patients with intact PCL who underwent PCL view imaging. Anatomic identification of PCL pathology on the orthogonal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences and PCL views was evaluated. Subjective scoring of the PCL was performed by two radiologists who assessed the possibility of a PCL tear based on an entire length view, an entire width view, and margin sharpness according to a 4-point scale. Diagnostic accuracy using these two views was evaluated by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Arthroscopic and clinical findings were used as the reference standard. RESULTS: Total scores for the PCL view were higher than those of orthogonal views (P < 0.001). Both readers found that anatomic identification using the full width view and sharp margin to be superior using the PCL view compared with the orthogonal views (P < 0.001). The specificities and accuracies were higher in cases where an additional PCL view was provided, but did not show statistical significance. CONCLUSION: PCL view provides better anatomic evaluation of the PCL and mild improvement in the specificity and accuracy.

Diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography of the breast according to scanning orientation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of the scanning orientation on diagnostic performance measured by the mean elasticity, maximum elasticity, and fat-to-lesion elasticity ratio on ultrasound-based shear wave elastography in differentiating breast cancers from benign lesions. METHODS: In this study, a total of 260 breast masses from 235 consecutive patients were observed from March 2012 to November 2012. For each lesion, the mean elasticity value, maximum elasticity value, and fat-to-lesion ratio were measured along two orthogonal directions, and all values were compared with pathologic results. RESULTS: There were 59 malignant and 201 benign lesions. Malignant masses showed higher mean elasticity, maximum elasticity, and fat-to-lesion ratio values than benign lesions (P < .0001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were as follows: average mean elasticity on both views, 0.870; mean elasticity on the transverse view, 0.866; maximum elasticity on both views, 0.865; maximum elasticity on the transverse view, 0.864; mean elasticity on the longitudinal view, 0.849; fat-to-lesion ratio on both views, 0.849; maximum elasticity on the longitudinal view, 0.845; fat-to-lesion ratio on the transverse view, 0.841; and fat-to-lesion ratio on the longitudinal view, 0.814. Intraclass correlation coefficients for agreement between the scanning directions were as follows: mean elasticity, 0.852; maximum elasticity, 0.842; fat-to-lesion ratio, 0.746, for masses; and mean elasticity, 0.392, for anterior mammary fat. CONCLUSIONS: Mean elasticity, maximum elasticity, and fat-to-lesion elasticity ratio values were helpful in differentiating benign and malignant breast masses. The scanning orientation did not significantly affect the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography for breast masses.

A new assessment of patellar instability using coronal magnetic resonance images of the patella superimposed on the femur and its clinical utility.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of a new assessment for patellar subluxation using magnetic resonance (MR) images of the patella superimposed on the femur and to determine its correlation with the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 81 men and 44 women who underwent MR imaging at our institution. There were 19 cases of patellar dislocation. The control group consisted of 116 patients. An assessment of the distance of subluxation was carried out using coronal superimposed MR images. The results were correlated with the TT-TG distance calculated using the axial combined MR images. The sensitivity and specificity of various distances of subluxation were evaluated as diagnostic thresholds for patellar dislocation, where the clinical diagnosis was used as the standard of reference. RESULTS: The use of the distance of subluxation on coronal superimposed MR images showed discrete difference between patellar dislocation and controls. The mean distance of subluxation was approximately 3 times larger for patients with patellar dislocation compared with controls (P < 0.001). Likewise, the mean TT-TG distance was approximately 50% greater for patients with patellar dislocation compared with controls (P < 0.001). However, there was no correlation between the distance of subluxation and the TT-TG distance. The best diagnostic discrimination was achieved at the 7-mm threshold of subluxation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the distance of subluxation on coronal superimposed MR images can be a useful method to evaluate patellar dislocation. The best diagnostic discrimination was achieved at a threshold of 7 mm.

Value of adding sonoelastography to conventional ultrasound in patients with congenital muscular torticollis.

BACKGROUND: Sonoelastography has been utilized to evaluate various myopathies. However, the benefits of adding sonoelastography to conventional ultrasound (US) in patients with congenital muscular torticollis are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of adding sonoelastography to conventional US in patients with congenital muscular torticollis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 27 infants clinically diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis and 17 healthy infants who underwent conventional US and sonoelastography. The echogenicity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was assessed as isoechoic, heterogeneous, hyperechoic or hypoechoic compared with normal muscle. The thickness of the involved and contralateral sternocleidomastoid muscles was measured. Elastographic findings were scored from 1 (soft) to 3 (hard) by two independent radiologists. RESULTS: The sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness, difference and ratio between involved and normal sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness, and elastographic score differed significantly between the patient and control groups. Of the 27 patients, 11 had isoechoic, 5 had heterogeneous and 11 had hyperechoic muscles. Congenital muscular torticollis patients with isoechoic muscle showed significantly higher elastographic scores than the control group, but there were no other significant differences by conventional US. CONCLUSIONS: Adding sonoelastography to conventional US is helpful for the diagnosis of congenital muscular torticollis, especially in patients with isoechoic sternocleidomastoid muscle.