Sciatic Nerve Variants in Patients Diagnosed With Sciatica: Is There a Correlation?

PURPOSE: Compression of the sciatic nerve in its path along the piriformis muscle can produce sciatica-like symptoms. There are 6 predominant types of sciatic nerve variations with type 1 being the most common (84.2%), followed by type 2 (13.9%). However, there is scarce literature on the prevalence of sciatic nerve variation in those diagnosed with sciatica. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of 95 patients clinically diagnosed with sciatica who had a magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis/hip were retrospectively studied. All patients had T1-weighted axial, coronal, and sagittal images. Magnetic resonance imagings were interpreted separately by 2 board-certified fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists to identify the sciatic nerve variant. RESULTS: Seven cases were excluded because of inadequate imaging. Of the remaining 88 patients, 5 had bilateral sciatica resulting in a sample size of 93 limbs. Fifty-two (55.9%) had type 1 sciatic nerve anatomy, 39 (41.9%) had type 2, and 2 (2.2%) had type 3. The proportions of type 1 and 2 variations were significantly different from the normal distribution (P < 0.001), whereas type 3, 4, 5, and 6 variants were not (P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: There is strong statistical significance regarding the relationship between sciatic nerve variation and the clinical diagnosis of sciatica. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging can be considered in sciatica patients to prevent iatrogenic injury in pelvic surgery.

Bursal lipohematoma: a CT sign of full thickness rotator cuff tear in patients with proximal humerus fractures.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of the study is to determine if the presence of a particular computed tomography (CT) imaging finding, a bursal lipohematoma, portends the presence of a concomitant rotator cuff tear (RCT) in patients with proximal humerus fractures by reviewing previous CTs. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-six CT scans were retrospectively reviewed by two board-certified radiologists to determine the presence of a proximal humerus fracture and to assess for the presence of a subacromial/subdeltoid or subcoracoid bursal hematoma. The medical record including operative documentation was then examined in the patients with proximal humerus fractures, with or without a concomitant bursal lipohematoma. RESULTS: Of the surgically managed patients, four had an intraoperative diagnosis of RCT. The preoperative CT scans of all of these patients demonstrated a bursal lipohematoma. Additionally, a non-surgically managed patient with a subacromial/subdeltoid bursal lipohematoma on CT scan was found to have a RCT on subsequent MRI. Of note, a rotator cuff tear was not documented in operative reports of patients with CT scans that were not found to contain a bursal lipohematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Bursal lipohematoma is a potentially useful preoperative CT sign of full thickness rotator cuff tear in patients with proximal humerus fractures, providing the clinician with more information in the optimization of the management approach.

Imaging Patterns of Injuries After the 2015 Amtrak Philadelphia Train Derailment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe the injury patterns observed in the 2015 Philadelphia Amtrak train derailment. CONCLUSION: Fractures accounted for most observed injuries, but uncommon and potentially serious injuries included posterior sternoclavicular dislocation and mesenteric contusion. Imaging plays a critical role in the triage of patients during mass-casualty events, and familiarity with the injury patterns associated with high-velocity unrestrained blunt force trauma will aid diagnosis in any future similar occurrence.

Tendon pathology in trauma CT imaging: an under-recognized entity.

Computed tomography (CT) scans are increasingly ordered in the emergent setting, for diagnosis of occult fractures and treatment planning of known fractures or fracture dislocations. Although having inferior soft tissue contrast resolution compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT may provide important information regarding tendon pathology that is often under-recognized but may better serve patient outcomes, whether in or out of the operative setting. In this pictorial essay, we present CT cases which demonstrate some of the more commonly encountered tendon abnormalities in patients with acute trauma.

Symptomatic Accessory Ossicles of the Foot and Ankle.

Accessory ossicles are small noncalcified, calcified or ossified structures found throughout the body, often noted as incidental findings. Specifically in the foot and ankle, there are at least 24 different ossicles described the majority of which are incidental. However, there are accessory ossicles that can be symptomatic, leading to significant pain and discomfort. While many of the symptomatic ossicles have been described in the literature, there are several that are under-recognized or under-reported for example, os interphalangeus and os calcaneus secundarius syndromes. This manuscript will review common and uncommon accessory ossicles including painful os peroneum, os naviculare, os calcaneus secundarius, os trigonum and os interphalangeus syndromes as well as medial sesamoiditis, with attention to the clinical and imaging findings and with an outline of the current management.

Imaging of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities with radiologic-pathologic correlation.

Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare diverse group of mesenchymal malignancies that can arise in any location in the body and have extremely variable presentations. Liposarcoma, pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma constitute 75% of all soft tissue sarcomas. These along with more uncommon sarcomas will be reviewed with emphasis on the 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Imaging plays a crucial role in the initial staging, monitoring response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and surveillance to detect local or distant recurrence. In this review, the imaging, as well as histopathologic findings of various soft tissue sarcomas will be demonstrated with biomarker correlation. Given the rarity and heterogeneous nature of these tumors, they are generally managed in tertiary care hospitals by a sarcoma tumor board comprised of an oncologist, surgical oncologist, pathologist, radiation oncologist, and radiologist. Overall clinical outcomes are improving due to rapid advances in the understanding of soft tissue sarcomas. We also review imaging features of treatment response and recurrence of these tumors including imaging follow-up guidelines.

Exploring Canadian Children's Social Media Use, Digital Literacy, and Quality of Life: Pilot Cross-sectional Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding social media use and digital literacy among young Canadian children is an increasing area of concern, given the importance of digital inclusion for full and informed participation in evolving educational, civic, corporate, social, and economic spaces. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore internet and social media knowledge as well as social media use among Canadian children aged between 6 and 10 years. METHODS: We conducted interview surveys with 42 children aged between 6 and 10 years who participated in an after-school health promotion program in an urban community in Southwestern Ontario to understand their digital literacy skills and social media use. The data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS: Of the 42 children who participated in this study, 24 (57%) reported that they used social media, specifically YouTube (19/24, 79% reported use), Snapchat (16/24, 67% reported use), and Facebook (8/24, 33% reported use). While using social media, children reported sharing personal information, including videos or pictures of themselves (12/24, 50%), videos or pictures of others (8/24, 33%), and their birthday (12/24, 50%), whereas only one-third (9/24, 38%) of the children believed that only close family and friends had access to the content they shared. When reporting on the quality of life in the context of using social media, most (17/24, 71%) children never felt sad, half (12/24, 50%) never had difficulty making new friends, and nearly one-third (7/24, 30%) indicated that they never had difficulty wanting to play outside. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to the rapidly evolving uptake and use of social media among young Canadians, the implementation of childhood digital health literacy education is vital to best support digital inclusion and well-being in Canada. The findings of our study highlight the need for future research to understand where children receive their digital literacy knowledge from and whether this knowledge is gained through self-directed social media use or observation from other actors, such as parents, siblings, or friends.

Bone Tumors Occurring in the Soft Tissues: A Review of the Clinical, Imaging, and Histopathologic Findings.

Although rare in everyday practice, malignancies that classically arise from bone or cartilage have been reported to arise de novo in various soft tissues in the body, resulting in a diagnostic challenge for the clinician, radiologist, and pathologist. Differential diagnoses of bone tumors often depend on anatomic location of the lesion. For example, the classic location of osteosarcoma is in the metaphysis of long bones about the knee. Histologically osteosarcoma is characterized by tumor cells that directly produce osteoid, bone, or cartilaginous matrix. In extraskeletal osteosarcoma, the clinical and radiologic picture is very different from a conventional osteosarcoma. They occur in older patients, present as a soft tissue mass often coincidentally following trauma and have a worse prognosis. The imaging characteristics are often nonspecific with mineralized elements in a well-defined soft tissue mass. The mineralized elements may or may not be visible. Magnetic Resonance sequences demonstrate a well circumscribed soft tissue mass with hemorrhagic and enhancing solid components. The pathologic features of extraskeletal osteosarcoma on a microscopic scale are identical to that of skeletal lesions. Likewise, conventional chondrosarcomas present in older patients with a growing, painful soft tissue prominence most commonly involving the long tubular bones. In extraskeletal chondrosarcoma however, the presentation is in somewhat younger patients with a painful soft tissue prominence typically in the head (meninges), neck, or upper leg. The pathologic features are most often that of a myxoid chondrosarcoma which is characterized by strands of small cells over a myxoid matrix. Imaging features include chondroid matrix, heterogenous contrast enhancement, and amorphous internal calcification on Computed Tomography. On Magnetic Resonance sequences the matrix has a low signal on all sequences, and variable inhomogeneity depending on grade of the lesion. Other extraskeletal bone tumors include Ewing's sarcoma and osteoid osteoma amongst other lesions. Although these malignancies may be rare clinical entities, they often exhibit characteristic clinical, imaging, and histopathological findings although differing in treatment and prognosis. Knowledge of these and other common mimicking lesions will help guide the clinician and radiologist to make an accurate diagnosis.

Repetitive Strain Injuries of the Upper Extremity: Imaging of Tendon Pathology and Compressive Neuropathies.

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) encompass a broad clinicopathologic spectrum which includes discrete patterns of tissue injury involving tendons, bursae and nerves although an element of subjective symptomatology may be contributory. Upper extremity RSIs include De Quervain's tenosynovitis, intersection syndromes, epicondylitis, ulnar, and median neuritis as well as other compressive neuropathies. It is estimated that RSIs cost the US economy over $60 billion annually and while detailed clinical examination remains the diagnostic mainstay, imaging can aid in diagnosis, guide management and reduce costs.

Efficacy of 3D Printed Models on Resident Learning and Understanding of Common Acetabular Fracturers.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The conceptualization of acetabular fractures can present a daunting challenge to radiology residents. 3D models have been shown to aid in the spatial perception of complicated anatomy and may help residents grasp the elaborate classification systems for these anatomically complex fractures. Prior studies have explored the utility of 3D printed models for surgical planning in various settings. To our knowledge, no study has evaluated their efficacy in radiology resident training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following IRB approval, 22 radiology residents were randomized and stratified by Post Graduate Year into two groups of 11 residents. Both groups received separate identical presentations on the 5 most common acetabular fractures given by a musculoskeletal trained radiologist. Residents in the experimental group received 3D printed models of the five most common fracture types with which to interact during the presentation, while the control group did not. Both groups received a pretest and a follow up posttest three weeks later. RESULTS: A Wilcoxon rank sum test was performed to determine if statistically significant differences between the pretest and posttest scores of the experimental and control groups existed. There was no statistically significant difference in scores on the pre-test, which confirmed successful randomization. There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.02) on the posttest scores between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: 3D printed models promise as an effective educational tool for resident learning with respect to acetabular fractures, improving short-term understanding of complex anatomy and classification systems.

The 2015 Amtrak Philadelphia Train Derailment: After-Action Review of the Emergency Radiology Response at Temple University Health System.

PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to assess a large tertiary care medical center's emergency radiology response after the 2015 Amtrak Philadelphia train derailment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 55 patients with 308 total CTs and radiographs ordered within 12 hours of arrival to Temple University Health System (combining Temple University Hospital and Episcopal Hospital) emergency departments on May 12 to 13, 2015, were included in this study. A retrospective PACS and electronic medical record chart review of emergency department imaging turnaround times (TAT) during this event was completed and compared with emergency department radiology operations for the same 12-hour period throughout the preceding year. Wilcoxon's rank-sum test analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 308 CTs and radiographs were performed, and 91 radiologically evident injuries were observed in a total of 30 patients, with fractures (n = 51) as the most common type of injury. There were no significant differences in time from patient arrival to beginning of radiological examination (26 min; interquartile range [IQR], 11-58 min) compared with annual median (28 min; IQR, 10-131 min; P = .232). Examination completion TATs were significantly increased (35 min; IQR, 17-112 min) compared with annual median (10 min; IQR, 5-15 min; P < .001), and time required from viewing of the examination by the radiologist to the examination being marked as read was significantly decreased (17 min; IQR, 6-45 min) compared with annual median (248 min; IQR, 126-441 min; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis highlights areas of efficiency in our response but also indicates areas for process improvement in future potential mass casualty events.

Understanding an emerging treatment population: Protocol for and baseline characteristics of a prospective cohort of people receiving treatment for pharmaceutical opioid dependence.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Despite large increases in pharmaceutical opioid dependence and related mortality, few studies have focused on the characteristics and treatment experiences of those with pharmaceutical opioid dependence. We describe the formation of a prospective cohort of people receiving treatment for pharmaceutical opioid dependence and describe their baseline characteristics. DESIGN AND METHODS: People who had entered treatment for pharmaceutical opioid dependence (n = 108) were recruited through drug treatment services in New South Wales, Australia. We describe baseline characteristics of those that commenced pharmaceutical opioids for pain or other reasons and conducted a thematic analysis of responses regarding their treatment experience. RESULTS: Mean age was 41 years (SD 11), half were male (48%). Just over half reported lifetime heroin use (57%). Oxycodone (49%) and codeine (29%) were the most common opioids reported. Most (85%) reported past-year problematic pain, 38% reported chronic pain. Half (52%) reported moderate to severe depression symptoms. Most (66%) commenced opioids for pain, and this group were older, less likely to report a previous overdose and less likely to report use of illicit drugs compared to those commencing for other reasons. Five themes related to treatment expectations: (i) stigma; (ii) the restrictive nature of treatment; (iii) knowledge; (iv) pain; and (v) positive experience with buprenorphine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the complexities in an important emerging treatment population of pharmaceutical opioid-dependent people. Findings highlights that addressing knowledge and perceptions around treatment may be critical to address the rising mortality associated with pharmaceutical opioid dependence.

A preliminary investigation into handwriting examination by multiple measurements of letters and spacing.

Theoretically, the scientific measurement of letters, letter spacing and word spacing provides a mathematical basis for the statistical comparison of handwriting. Ten volunteers were asked to write the same short passage. Ten features were measured, up to 10 times each, to characterise each writer. Measurements of repeat handwriting 2 years later failed to identify the writer, and this was attributed to a change in the height of the middle zone. Measurements of 'it' and 'th' spacings were the least affected.