Association study of genes related to bone formation and resorption and the extent of radiographic change in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic associations with severity of radiographic damage in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHOD: We studied 1537 AS cases of European descent; all fulfilled the modified New York Criteria. Radiographic severity was assessed from digitised lateral radiographs of the cervical and lumbar spine using the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS). A two-phase genotyping design was used. In phase 1, 498 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 688 cases; these were selected to capture >90% of the common haplotypic variation in the exons, exon-intron boundaries, and 5 kb flanking DNA in the 5' and 3' UTR of 74 genes involved in anabolic or catabolic bone pathways. In phase 2, 15 SNPs exhibiting p<0.05 were genotyped in a further cohort of 830 AS cases; results were analysed both separately and in combination with the discovery phase data. Association was tested by contingency tables after separating the samples into 'mild' and 'severe' groups, defined as the bottom and top 40% by mSASSS, adjusted for gender and disease duration. RESULTS: Experiment-wise association was observed with the SNP rs8092336 (combined OR 0.32, p=1.2×10(-5)), which lies within RANK (receptor activator of NFκB), a gene involved in osteoclastogenesis, and in the interaction between T cells and dendritic cells. Association was also found with the SNP rs1236913 in PTGS1 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1, cyclooxygenase 1), giving an OR of 0.53 (p=2.6×10(-3)). There was no observed association between radiographic severity and HLA-B*27. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support roles for bone resorption and prostaglandins pathways in the osteoproliferative changes in AS.

Clinical, radiographic and functional differences between juvenile-onset and adult-onset ankylosing spondylitis: results from the PSOAS cohort.

AIMS: Previous data suggests that patients with juvenile-onset ankylosing spondylitis (JoAS) have more severe disease and worse functional outcomes than adult-onset AS (AoAS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical, functional and radiographic differences between patients with JoAS and AoAS in a large cohort of patients with long-standing disease. METHODS: A total of 402 subjects who met the Modified New York Criteria for definitive AS and had had disease >or=20 years were enrolled in a multi-centre cross-sectional study (Prospective Study of Outcomes in Ankylosing Spondylitis; PSOAS). JoAS was defined as initial symptoms

A prolonged case of Mycobacterium marinum flexor tenosynovitis: radiographic and histological correlation, and review of the literature.

We report on a 30-year-old man with prolonged Mycobacterium marinum flexor tenosynovitis. Due to low clinical suspicion, diagnosis was not made until 8 years after initial presentation. The history and magnetic resonance and tissue examination findings are consistent with mycobacterial tenosynovitis. These findings are presented, together with a review of the literature.

Diagnosis of vertebral metastasis, epidural metastasis, and malignant spinal cord compression: are T(1)-weighted sagittal images sufficient?

The objective of this study was to determine whether T(1)-weighted sagittal images alone are adequate in the diagnosis of vertebral metastasis, epidural metastasis, and malignant spinal cord compression. Ninety-four complete magnetic resonance (MR) studies of the spinal column (a complete study consisting of T(1)-weighted sagittal images, T(2)-weighted sagittal images, and T(1)- and/or T(2)-weighted axial images) and 94 T(1)-weighted sagittal images alone (a subset of the complete studies) from 57 consecutive cancer patients over the last 2 years with clinically suspected cord compression were blindly and independently evaluated by four radiologists. The complete MR studies were used as the standard. Overall, the sensitivity of T(1)-weighted sagittal images alone to vertebral metastasis (87%) was statistically greater than cord compression (70%) (p = 0.05), and statistically greater than epidural metastasis (46%) (p

Lipoma arborescens: high-resolution ultrasonographic findings.

Three patients with lipoma arborescens of the knee joint were evaluated with high resolution ultrasonography. All patients demonstrated a hyperechoic, frondlike mass in the suprapatellar bursa with a large associated effusion. All had popliteal cyst formation without involvement by the mass. Dynamic compression and manipulation of the suprapatellar effusion demonstrated pliable and flexible nature of mass with bending and waving of the frondlike mass in real time. Comparison with MR imaging demonstrated similar extent, location, and morphology of the mass. The characteristic features of this lesion as well as its distribution in the knee joint can be demonstrated readily by sonography.

Magnetic resonance imaging of septic arthritis.

Septic arthritis is a disabling and life-threatening disease that requires early diagnosis for optimal outcome. Although traditionally a clinical and laboratory diagnosis, some patients may be misdiagnosed and referred for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Therefore, radiologists need to be aware of the MR imaging findings of septic arthritis, its complications, and diagnostic pitfalls.

Tuberculous infection of the gracilis muscle and tendon clinically mimicking deep venous thrombosis: sonographic findings.

Musculoskeletal tuberculosis usually involves the spine. Tuberculous infection of muscles and tendons is rare. A patient with tuberculous infection of the gracilis muscle and tendon is reported. Lower extremity Doppler ultrasound was initially performed, as the physical examination mimicked deep vein thrombosis. Sonography identified the abnormal muscle and tendon and was then used to guide aspiration. The sonographic appearance of the gracilis muscle and tendon is described and compared with correlative MR images.

Sonography in patients with gunshot wounds of the scrotum: imaging findings and their value.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to characterize sonographic findings in patients with scrotal injuries caused by gunshot wounds and to determine if sonography can be used to detect and differentiate various scrotal abnormalities. If patients are managed conservatively, less serious injuries (hydroceles, hematoceles, and scrotal hematomas) must be separated from those requiring urgent surgical repair (testicular rupture). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonograms obtained in 19 patients to evaluate gunshot wounds to the scrotum were studied for evidence of testicular rupture, extratesticular soft-tissue abnormalities, and the presence and location of foreign bodies. The results were compared with clinical (19 patients) and surgical (six patients) findings. RESULTS: Retrospective review of the sonograms showed normal testicles without evidence of rupture in 11 patients, eight of whom had scrotal hematomas, hydroceles, or hematoceles. Nine of the 11 patients were treated conservatively, and their symptoms resolved. In one of the other two patients, a prominent vessel was initially mistaken for a fracture plane; the testicle was found to be intact at surgery. The other patient was taken to surgery to remove a bullet in the peritesticular soft tissues; surgery demonstrated intact, viable testicles bilaterally, but both epididymides had through-and-through tracts from the bullet. Two patients had sonolucent tracks from missile pathways in otherwise normal appearing testicles. Testicular rupture was sonographically detected in six patients. Sonograms in all patients with surgically confirmed testicular rupture showed heterogeneous echogenicity and loss of smooth oval contour. In one patient, the sonogram showed a fracture plane. Sonograms showed foreign bodies in five patients and localized them to the testicular parenchyma (one patient) and to extratesticular soft tissues (four patients). CONCLUSION: Sonography can distinguish various scrotal abnormalities caused by ballistic trauma, information that can be useful to the urologist if conservative management is considered. Sonography can be used to distinguish less serious injuries such as scrotal hematomas, hydroceles, and hematoceles from surgical emergencies such as testicular rupture. Foreign body presence and location can also be determined. Epididymal injuries were not well visualized.

Hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia: findings with color Doppler sonography.

Color Doppler sonographic images of five patients with a total of six lesions of FNH were reviewed. All cases were confirmed pathologically. All six lesions showed increased intralesional flow in comparison to surrounding liver parenchyma on color Doppler sonography. Four of the six lesions showed significant peripheral flow; two of the six lesions showed central flow radiating peripherally from a central vessel. We conclude that increased color Doppler flow may be a characteristic feature of FNH. Increased internal flow has also been reported in HCC and hepatic metastatic disease. Considerable overlap is seen in color Doppler flow patterns. However, in patients clinically at low risk for malignancy, detection of a liver mass with increased color Doppler flow should suggest the diagnosis of FNH.