Isolated lunocapitate osteoarthritis-an alternative pattern of osteoarthritis.

Introduction Osteoarthritis (OA) in the wrist usually develops in a pattern described as scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC). We observed an alternative pattern of OA that involves the lunocapitate joint in isolation with minimal involvement of the radioscaphoid articulation. Case Series The series was observed from a series of 100 wrist radiographs that were retrospectively reviewed. In order to characterize the alternative pattern of OA, we compared demographic data, presentation, and physical and radiographic examination characteristics between the patients with lunocapitate OA and SLAC wrists. Fifteen radiographs showed OA, nine had a SLAC pattern, and six had lunocapitate OA. The demographics were similar, but the clinical presentation was different. The patients with lunocapitate OA had less tenderness over the snuffbox (P < 0.03), and a lower percentage of a positive scaphoid shift test (P < 0.005). Isolated lunocapitate OA had a higher association with scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal (STT) arthritis (P < 0.004). The SLAC group had an increased scapholunate gap (P = 0.0003). Discussion The presentation of lunocapitate OA differs from SLAC wrist in a number of ways. Further study is necessary to understand the clinical implications of this pattern. Level IV evidence Case series.

Management of complications following radiofrequency ablation of a pedicle osteoid osteoma.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become an accepted first-line treatment for osteoid osteomas. Ablation of spinal osteoid osteomas has presented a particular challenge because of their proximity to delicate neural structures. Although many case series have reported multiple successfully treated spinal osteoid osteomas, there are no reports of thermal injury or insufficiency fracture associated with RFA of spinal osteoid osteomas. We report the management of complications that result from treating a spinal osteoid osteoma within a pedicle.

Fluoroscopically guided extraforaminal cervical nerve root blocks: analysis of epidural flow of the injectate with respect to needle tip position.

Study Design Retrospective evaluation of consecutively performed fluoroscopically guided cervical nerve root blocks. Objective To describe the incidence of injectate central epidural flow with respect to needle tip position during fluoroscopically guided extraforaminal cervical nerve root blocks (ECNRBs). Methods Between February 19, 2003 and June 11, 2003, 132 consecutive fluoroscopically guided ECNRBs performed with contrast media in the final injected material (injectate) were reviewed on 95 patients with average of 1.3 injections per patient. Fluoroscopic spot images documenting the procedure were obtained as part of standard quality assurance. An independent observer not directly involved in the procedures retrospectively reviewed the images, and the data were placed into a database. Image review was performed to determine optimal needle tip positioning for injectate epidural flow. Results Central epidural injectate flow was obtained in only 28.9% of injections with the needle tip lateral to midline of the lateral mass (zone 2). 83.8% of injectate went into epidural space when the needle tip was medial to midline of the lateral mass (zone 3). 100% of injectate flowed epidurally when the needle tip was medial to or at the medial cortex of the lateral mass (zone 4). There was no statistically significant difference with regards to central epidural flow and the needle tip position on lateral view. Conclusion To ensure central epidural flow with ECNRBs one must be prepared to pass the needle tip medial to midplane of the lateral mass or to medial cortex of the lateral mass. Approximately 16% of ECNRBs with needle tip medial to midline of the lateral mass did not flow into epidural space. One cannot claim a nerve block is an epidural block unless epidural flow of injectate is observed.

Radiographic assessment of ligamentous injuries in distal radius fractures after open reduction and internal fixation.

OBJECTIVES: Concomitant ligamentous injury in distal radius fractures (DRF) may explain continued pain following surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare radiographic measurements assessing scaphoid translation in DRF after reduction, to measurements performed on normal radiographs. This may allow noninvasive evaluation of radiocarpal ligamentous integrity. METHODS: Fifty postoperative radiographs were evaluated. The distance between the ulnar border of the radial styloid and the radial border of the scaphoid was measured midway between the styloid tip and scaphoid base, and then divided by scaphoid width at the same level. The measured ratios were compared to previously established normal data, established radiographic measurements of fracture reduction, fracture characteristics and fixation methods. RESULTS: Radiographic scaphoid position measurements differed significantly from normals (p = 0.0001). Fracture characteristics, surgical difficulty, and technique were not associated with scaphoid position. CONCLUSIONS: Despite accurate surgical reduction, abnormal positioning of the scaphoid may persist. This may reflect ligamentous injury, which generates suboptimal clinical results. Identifying and addressing ligamentous injury during surgery may prevent the development of instability and improve outcome after DRF.

Scaphoid translation measurements in normal wrists.

The purpose of this study was to establish a normal measure of scaphoid position in the radioulnar plane in standard neutral, radial and ulnar deviation posteroanterior radiographs. This measurement may allow indirect evaluation of the radiocarpal ligaments and comparison between normal and pathologic states (following radius fractures, perilunate dislocations). Measurements were trialed on 74 normal wrist radiographs and 25 cadaver wrists. We evaluated the distance between the radial styloid and the scaphoid and corresponding scaphoid width. The ratio of distance/width at the mid styloid level (0.35, imprecision SD = 0.1) had the lowest random error and is therefore the most precise measurement of true scaphoid translation. This measurement is independent of scapholunate ligament integrity and may provide a better assessment of the radiocarpal component of ulnar translational instability. Abnormal movement of the scaphoid in the radioscaphoid joint likely reflects ligamentous injury. Identifying and addressing these injuries may prevent the development of arthritis.

Traumatic axial dislocation injuries of the wrist.

Axial carpal dislocations and fracture dislocations have received mention in the hand and wrist surgery literature. Reference to these injuries in the radiology literature is scarce and anecdotal, resulting in somewhat limited awareness of these lesions among radiologists. These are rare injuries that result from severe, broad crushing or blast forces involving dorsopalmar compression of the wrist. This results in carpal splits, with either the ulnar or radial column stable with respect to the radius and with dislocation of the unstable column. Because of the intrinsic weaknesses in the carpal architecture, similar predictable injury patterns are observed. The most common of these include axial ulnar injuries (transhamate peripisiform axial ulnar fracture dislocation, perihamate peripisiform axial ulnar dislocation, and perihamate transtriquetrum axial ulnar fracture dislocation) and axial radial injuries (peritrapezoid peritrapezium axial radial dislocation, peritrapezium axial radial dislocation, and transtrapezium axial radial fracture dislocation). The radiologist's role in evaluating these injuries involves determining the injury path as it propagates through the carpus because surgical repair should address each component of this injury pathway. This review is presented to describe the radiographic findings of axial carpal disruptions in hopes of improving the recognition and successful therapy of these uncommon but often devastating injuries. This work is in accordance with the guidelines of the institutional review board.

Osteoarthritis of the Wrist STT Joint and Radiocarpal Joint.

Our understanding of wrist osteoarthritis (OA) lags behind that of other joints, possibly due to the complexity of wrist biomechanics and the importance of ligamentous forces in the function of the wrist. Scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal (STT) OA is common, but its role in wrist clinical pathology and biomechanics is unclear. We identified the prevalence of radiographic STT joint OA in our hand clinic population and defined the relationship between STT and radiocarpal OA in wrist radiographs. One hundred consecutive wrist clinical and radiographic exams were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographs were evaluated for the presence and stage of OA. The mean age was 61.3 (±14.5) years. The radiographic occurrence of STT joint OA was 59% and of radiocarpal (RC) OA was 29%. Radiographic STT and RC joint OA were inversely related. Tenderness over the STT joint in physical exam was not associated with OA in the STT or other joints. STT OA in our series was not related to wrist pain. These findings support the discrepancy between radiographic and cadaver findings and clinically significant OA in this joint. The inverse relationship between STT and RC OA, as seen in scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) wrist, requires further biomechanical study.

Percutaneous needle biopsy in diagnosis and identification of causative organisms in cases of suspected vertebral osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Biopsy with demonstration of the infectious organism is the gold standard for diagnosing spondylodiscitis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the positive culture rate of image-guided percutaneous biopsy in cases of radiologically suspected and unsuspected spinal osteomyelitis and to assess the role of pathology in diagnosis. METHODS: With IRB approval and in compliance with HIPAA regulations, the charts of patients undergoing 323 consecutive image-guided percutaneous spinal biopsies performed by one musculoskeletal radiology department between January 2001 and March 2007 were reviewed. Image guidance was via fluoroscopy or computed tomography. Radiological and clinical suspicion, cultures, and pathology were assessed and compared to previously published reports. RESULTS: In 92 cases radiographically and clinically consistent with infection (high probability of infection), 28 specimens yielded positive cultures (30.4%). Positive cultures resulted from 5 of 31 cases (16.1%) radiographically indeterminate for infection (intermediate probability of infection versus tumor). When radiographically not suggestive of infection (low probability of infection, i.e. suspicious for tumor), 10 of 200 cultures were positive (5.0%). From 113 cases sent to pathology with an intermediate or high suspicion for infection, 63 were histopathologically diagnosed as such (55.8%). Cultures were positive in 19 of those 63 cases (30.2%). Culture and/or pathology was positive in 73 (64.6%) of the 113 cases. There were no significant differences in rates of positive culture or pathology by vertebral region (p=0.51, p=0.81). The most frequently identified organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (13) and coagulase negative staphylococci (13). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the positive culture rate of percutaneous spinal biopsy specimens is 30.4% with radiographically high probability for infection, which is lower than previously published. Infection may also be present in cases with imaging characteristics atypical for infection (5.0%). Careful consideration must be given to the interpretation of negative culture results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This retrospective review of 323 consecutive percutaneous spine biopsies is level III evidence.

A prospective randomized FDA-IDE trial comparing Cortoss with PMMA for vertebroplasty: a comparative effectiveness research study with 24-month follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, prospective (AAOS therapeutic level I) trial conducted under Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption hypothesized noninferiority of a novel bioactive composite material to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of a new, nonresorbable bioactive composite (Cortoss) compared with PMMA, the standard treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Vertebroplasty with PMMA, the widely adopted treatment for VCFs nonresponsive to conservative care, provides effective, immediate pain relief, but the material has received criticism for its properties. A new bioactive composite material designed specifically for vertebroplasty showed promising results in animals and nonrandomized clinical studies and was subsequently compared with PMMA in a randomized study. This study represents the first prospective study evaluating vertebroplasty comparing PMMA with another material with 24-month follow-up. METHODS: Using 2:1 randomization, vertebroplasty was performed with Cortoss on 162 patients and PMMA on 94 patients. Inclusion criteria were painful osteoporotic VCFs with a visual analogue scale pain score of at least 50 mm on a 100-mm scale and at least 30% disability as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index. Evaluations at pretreatment, treatment day, and 7 posttreatment intervals out to 24 months included pain, disability, neurological status, adverse events, quality of life, patient satisfaction, analgesic use, and independently reviewed radiographs. RESULTS: Noninferiority of Cortoss relative to PMMA was observed, with Cortoss-treated patients experiencing significant pain relief at 3 months (P = 0.0395) and better maintenance or improvement in function at 24 months (P = 0.0299). Incidence of serious device-related adverse events was 4.3% in both groups; none were life threatening. CONCLUSION: Vertebroplasty using either Cortoss or PMMA provides effective, immediate, and lasting pain relief and prevents further loss of function. Both materials performed comparably at most time points; Cortoss demonstrated better results for pain reduction at 3 months and for function at 24 months.

Immediate complications and pain relief associated with 296 fluoroscopically guided thoracic foraminal nerve blocks.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this work is to review the thoracic foraminal nerve blocks and foraminal epidurals performed at a single institution to determine the incidence and types of immediate complications and pain relief associated with thoracic foraminal nerve blocks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study entailed a comprehensive review of the radiographs and reports of 296 injections performed in 225 examinations on 153 patients (60 men and 93 women). The overall mean age was 51.93 years (mean age for men, 50.71 years [range, 22-85 years]; mean age for women, 53.09 years [range, 18-84 years]). The data were later analyzed with contingency tables and chi-square tests. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 4.1% (12/296). Complication rates at the different needle tip positions measured on frontal and lateral fluoroscopic views did not approach statistical significance (p = 0.15). Complications were higher with cephalocaudal flow outside local flow (p = 0.02). No serious complications occurred except for one pneumothorax, which could have been avoided. Immediate partial or complete pain relief was obtained in 88.5% (262/296) of the injections and 88.4% (199/225) of the examinations. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopically guided thoracic foraminal nerve blocks are safe procedures and provide immediate partial or complete pain relief in a high percentage of patients.

Transradial radial perilunate: a case report.

We report a rare case of transradial styloid radial perilunate dislocation in a patient who presented with ulnar nerve symptoms, and we describe our treatment approach to this unusual injury. In a literature search, we found no other report of such an injury.

Scaphoid and lunate translation in the intact wrist and following ligament resection: a cadaver study.

PURPOSE: To determine the amount of scaphoid and lunate translation that occurs in normal cadaver wrists during wrist motion, and to quantify the change in ulnar translation when specific dorsal and volar wrist ligaments were sectioned. METHODS: We measured the scaphoid and lunate motion of 37 cadaver wrists during wrist radioulnar deviation and flexion-extension motions using a wrist joint motion simulator. We quantified the location of the centroids of the bones during each motion in the intact wrists and after sectioning either 2 dorsal ligaments along with the scapholunate interosseous ligament or 2 volar ligaments and the scapholunate interosseous ligament. RESULTS: In the intact wrist, the scaphoid and lunate statistically translated radially with wrist ulnar deviation. With wrist flexion, the scaphoid moved volarly and the lunate dorsally. After sectioning either the dorsal or volar ligaments, the scaphoid moved radially. After sectioning the dorsal or volar ligaments, the lunate statistically moved ulnarly and volarly. CONCLUSIONS: Measurable changes in the scaphoid and lunate translation occur with wrist motion and change with ligament sectioning. However, for the ligaments that were sectioned, these changes are small and an attempt to clinically measure these translations of the scaphoid and lunate radiographically may be limited. The results support the conclusion that ulnar translocation does not occur unless multiple ligaments are sectioned. Injury of more than the scapholunate interosseous ligament along with either the dorsal intercarpal and dorsal radiocarpal or the radioscaphocapitate and scaphotrapezial ligaments is needed to have large amounts of volar and ulnar translation.

Classification system for isolated arthritis of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal joint.

We have developed a classification system for osteoarthritis (OA) of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal (STT) joint that can be used on posteroanterior, lateral, and oblique wrist radiographs. It can be used to communicate the degree of severity of arthritis, and to study arthritis in the wrist further. Currently we know of no classification system for OA of the STT. We devised a classification system and made an initial study to assess the reproducibility of the system. It was compared with a classification system similar to the Eaton classification of carpometacarpal OA of the thumb. Cohen's kappa test and the sign test were used for comparison. Thirty-seven of the 46 wrists evaluated (80%) showed radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal joint. Most kappa values for intrarater and inter-rater reliability lay between 0.87 and 0.95. There was absolute agreement between both systems about the existence of osteoarthritis. When we compared the two classification systems, ours tended to underestimate the arthritic stage. This classification may be helpful for communication, comparison, and evaluation of osteoarthritis of the STT joint among surgeons. Further study is needed to define the clinical and mechanical relevance of osteoarthritis in this joint.

Relief of radicular pain in metastatic disease by vertebroplasty.

Two patients with compression fractures from metastases who had pain with radicular symptoms mainly in upright position that resolved when not upright and were treated with vertebroplasty were retrospectively analyzed. Both patients had symptom relief at treated levels until death. These cases show that patients with radicular signs and symptoms from compression fractures secondary to metastases or myeloma, worse in upright position and relieved when recumbent, may benefit from vertebroplasty.

Performing thoracic transforaminal injections: a new technique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a technique to perform fluoroscopically directed thoracic transforaminal epidural injections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and a waiver of consent were obtained for this retrospective HIPAA-compliant study. Findings from 198 consecutively performed foraminal nerve blocks and foraminal epidural injections in the thoracic spine from June 27, 1997 to December 29, 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. This study was designed to evaluate a current technique and the experience with an approach that improves safety by decreasing the chance of inadvertent injury to nontargeted structures. Fluoroscopic spot views retained as part of a quality assurance program were available in all patients for review. RESULTS: By utilizing this technique, there was a single delayed pneumothorax that occurred because of deviation from the accepted technique. No other major complications occurred (which the authors defined as death, neurovascular injury, pneumothorax, and infection). Inadvertent puncture of the dura did not occur. Minor complications included vasovagal response and transient pain during the administration of injectate, which were resolved by the termination of the procedure. The ease of identifying the ribs fluoroscopically and utilizing the rib as a conduit into the foramen provided an advantage in patients with osteopenia, severe osteoarthritis, and scoliosis compared with previously described techniques. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated an innovative technique to perform fluoroscopically directed thoracic intraforaminal nerve blocks that showed few complications and anatomically avoided transgression of structures in the posterior mediastinum.

Iliopsoas bursa injections can be beneficial for pain after total hip arthroplasty.

UNLABELLED: Impingement of the iliopsoas tendon is an uncommon cause of groin pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We asked whether selective steroid and anesthetic injections for iliopsoas tendonitis after THA would relieve pain and improve function. We retrospectively reviewed 27 patients with presumed iliopsoas tendinitis treated by fluoroscopically guided injections of the iliopsoas bursa. Pre- and immediately postinjection, questionnaires and telephone followup questionnaires were administered to determine patient outcomes. Four patients were lost to followup and we were unable to obtain information from relatives on an additional four; the questionnaire was administered to the remaining 19 patients, including six who subsequently had surgery at an average of 44.6 months (range, 25-68 months) after their first injection. The average modified Harris hip score in the 19 patients improved from 61 preinjection to 82 postinjection and the average pain improved from 6.4 preinjection to 2.9 postinjection, but eight patients (30%) required a second injection at an average of 8.2 months after the first injection. Ultimately, six patients (22%) had an additional surgical procedure to address the underlying cause of the iliopsoas irritation. Iliopsoas tendonitis is uncommon after THA but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients who present with groin pain after THA. Selective steroid and anesthetic injections of the iliopsoas bursa give adequate pain relief in the majority of patients and should be considered part of the nonoperative treatment plan before surgical release of the iliopsoas tendon or component revision. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Percutaneous vertebral augmentation: vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and skyphoplasty.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a safe, inexpensive, and effective interventional vertebral augmentation technique that provides pain relief and stabilization in carefully selected patients with severe back pain due to vertebral compression. Complications from percutaneous vertebroplasty can be devastating, but are rare and avoidable with application of a meticulous technique. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has a role in the management pathway of patients presenting with painful vertebral compression fractures. Kyphoplasty uses a balloon tamp with the aim of restoring vertebral body height, improving kyphotic deformity, and creating a cavity into which bone cement is injected. Kyphoplasty is as effective and safe as vertebroplasty in treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. Skyphoplasty, a modification of kyphoplasty, is a promising new technique.

Nonoperative management of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

As the population ages, vertebral compression fractures are an increasing source of pain and dysfunction. The immobilisation that often occurs with fractures can lead to multiple medical complications and their management can be complex as care may require multiple treatment modalities. Each individual responds to pain differently and a treatment plan must be tailored to the individual's pain, functional limitations and goals. The likely first choice for managing stable osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is conservative management. Treatment options usually involve a combination of medications, bracing and physical therapy. If radicular pain is a component of the pain syndrome, epidural steroid injections may be beneficial. In addition, some patients may benefit from vertebral augmentation. This paper reviews current recommendations for managing vertebral compression fractures. Treatment options including vertebral augmentation are reviewed, including indications and complications.

A cervical nerve block approach to improve safety.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report is to describe a previously unreported technique of selective cervical nerve block, performed from January 1, 2004, to May 19, 2006, in 560 injections, that was designed to allow continual monitoring of injectate passage and verification of needle tip position. We also illustrate faulty needle placement in a cadaveric neck. CONCLUSION: Using a short connecting tube, contrast material mixed with the final injectate, and fluoroscopy when performing a selective cervical nerve block allows continual monitoring of injectate including where washout of the original testing contrast material actually flows. A true lateral view shows a more dangerous anterior needle tip placement. In addition, performing a test with anesthetic and contrast material, waiting 1.5 minutes before administering the final injectate, and using a water-soluble steroid may provide further safety with selective cervical nerve block.