Automated Assessment of the DWI-FLAIR Mismatch in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: Added Value to Routine Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The DWI-FLAIR mismatch is used to determine thrombolytic eligibility in patients with acute ischemic stroke when the time since stroke onset is unknown. Commercial software packages have been developed for automated DWI-FLAIR classification. We aimed to use e-Stroke software for automated classification of the DWI-FLAIR mismatch in a cohort of patients with acute ischemic stroke and in a comparative analysis with 2 expert neuroradiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients with acute ischemic stroke who had MR imaging and known time since stroke onset were included. The DWI-FLAIR mismatch was evaluated by 2 neuroradiologists blinded to the time since stroke onset and automatically by the e-Stroke software. After 4 weeks, the neuroradiologists re-evaluated the MR images, this time equipped with automated predicted e-Stroke results as a computer-assisted tool. Diagnostic performances of e-Stroke software and the neuroradiologists were evaluated for prediction of DWI-FLAIR mismatch status. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 82 patients (52%) had a time since stroke onset of ≤4.5 hours. By means of consensus reads, 81 patients (51.5%) had a DWI-FLAIR mismatch. The diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve/sensitivity/specificity) of e-Stroke software for the determination of the DWI-FLAIR mismatch was 0.72/90.0/53.9. The diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve/sensitivity/specificity) for neuroradiologists 1 and 2 was 0.76/69.1/84.2 and 0.82/91.4/73.7, respectively; both significantly (P < .05) improved to 0.83/79.0/86.8 and 0.89/92.6/85.5, respectively, following the use of e-Stroke predictions as a computer-assisted tool. The interrater agreement (κ) for determination of DWI-FLAIR status was improved from 0.49 to 0.57 following the use of the computer-assisted tool. CONCLUSIONS: This automated quantitative approach for DWI-FLAIR mismatch provides results comparable with those of human experts and can improve the diagnostic accuracies of expert neuroradiologists in the determination of DWI-FLAIR status.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in strengthening the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

PURPOSE: Reduced ability to contract the quadriceps muscles is often found immediately following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. This can lead to muscle atrophy and decreased function. Application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may be a useful adjunct intervention to ameliorate these deficits following ACL surgery. The purpose of this review was to determine whether NMES in addition to standard physical therapy is superior to standard physical therapy alone in improving quadriceps strength or physical function following ACL surgery. METHODS: A computer-assisted literature search was conducted utilizing PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro and Cochrane Library databases for randomized clinical trials where patients after ACL surgery received NMES with the outcome of muscle strength and/or physical function. Random effect models were used to pool summary estimates using standardized mean differences (SMD) for strength outcomes. Physical function outcomes were assessed qualitatively. Methodological quality was assessed from the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)-score. RESULTS: Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria; results from six of these were pooled in the meta-analysis showing a statistically significant short-term effect of NMES (4-12 weeks) after surgery compared to standard physical therapy [SMD = 0.73 (95% CI 0.29, 1.16)]. Physical function also improved significantly more in the NMES groups. PEDro scores ranged from 3/10 to 7/10 points. CONCLUSION: NMES in addition to standard physical therapy appears to significantly improve quadriceps strength and physical function in the early post-operative period compared to standard physical therapy alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Prevalence of Internal Auditory Canal Diverticulum and Its Association with Hearing Loss and Otosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Focal low-attenuation outpouching or diverticulum at the anterolateral internal auditory canal is an uncommon finding on CT of the temporal bone. This finding has been described as cavitary otosclerosis in small case reports and histology series. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of internal auditory canal diverticulum and its association with classic imaging findings of otosclerosis and/or hearing loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Temporal bone CT scans of 807 patients, obtained between January 2013 and January 2016, were retrospectively reviewed to identify internal auditory canal diverticula and/or classic imaging findings of otosclerosis. Clinical evaluations for hearing loss were reviewed for patients with internal auditory canal diverticula and/or otosclerosis. RESULTS: Internal auditory canal diverticula were found in 43 patients (5%); classic otosclerosis, in 39 patients (5%); and both findings, in 7 patients (1%). Most temporal bones with only findings of internal auditory canal diverticula (91%) demonstrated hearing loss, with 63% of this group demonstrating sensorineural hearing loss. The hearing loss classification distribution was significantly different (P < .01) from that in the classic otosclerosis group and in the group with both diverticula and otosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: Internal auditory canal diverticula are not uncommon on CT examinations of the temporal bone and most commonly occur without classic imaging findings of otosclerosis. These lesions are associated with sensorineural hearing loss, and referral for hearing evaluation may be appropriate when present.

Imaging Psoas Sign in Lumbar Spinal Infections: Evaluation of Diagnostic Accuracy and Comparison with Established Imaging Characteristics.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lumbar discitis-osteomyelitis has imaging characteristics than can overlap with noninfectious causes of back pain. Our aim was to determine the added accuracy of psoas musculature T2 hyperintensity (imaging psoas sign) in the MR imaging diagnosis of lumbar discitis-osteomyelitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case-control study evaluated lumbar spine MR imaging examinations, during a 30-month period, that were requested for the evaluation of discitis-osteomyelitis. Of this pool, 50 age-matched control patients were compared with 51 biopsy-proved or clinically diagnosed patients with discitis-osteomyelitis. Two reviewers, blinded to the clinical information, assessed the randomly organized MR imaging examinations for abnormalities of the psoas musculature, vertebral bodies, discs, and epidural space. RESULTS: Psoas T2 hyperintensity demonstrated a high sensitivity (92.1%; 95% CI, 80%-97.4%) and specificity (92%; 95% CI, 80%-97.4%), high positive likelihood ratio (11.5; 95% CI, 4.5-29.6), low negative likelihood ratio (0.09; 95% CI, 0.03-0.20), and individual area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.97. Identification of psoas T2 abnormality significantly improved (P = .02) the diagnostic accuracy of discitis-osteomyelitis in noncontrast examinations from an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of the established variables (vertebral body T2 and T1 signal, endplate integrity, disc T2 signal, and disc height) from 0.93 (95% CI, 0.88-0.98) to 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-1.0). Psoas T2 abnormalities also had the highest interobserver reliability with a κ coefficient of 0.78 (substantial agreement). CONCLUSIONS: Psoas T2 hyperintensity, the imaging psoas sign, is highly correlated with discitis-osteomyelitis. T2 hyperintensity in the psoas musculature, particularly when there is clinical suspicion of spinal infection, improves the diagnostic accuracy of discitis-osteomyelitis compared with routine noncontrast variables alone.

Acantholytic dermatosis of the vulvocrural area.

Acantholytic dermatosis of the vulvocrural area is a rare skin disorder characterized by solitary or multiple skin-colored to white, smooth papules or plaques. Histopathological features of both Hailey-Hailey disease and Darler's disease are present. There is acantholysis, which may involve the full thickness of the epidermis, and dyskeratosis with corps ronds and grains. There may be marked hyperkeratosis and focal parakeratosis. We report a case of this rare disease and discuss its differential diagnosis and treatment.

Cytokine expression patterns distinguish HIV associated skin diseases.

AIDS is known to cause a shift of cytokines in the periphery. However, predominant cytokines in skin of patients with HIV-associated skin diseases have not been clearly defined. We hypothesized that there are distinct cytokine profiles that distinguish among the different clinical manifestations of AIDS-related skin diseases. To test this hypothesis, lesional and non-lesional skin was biopsied from 53 HIV+ patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), psoriasis, and pruritus due to eosinophilic folliculitis, and from HIV negative controls with psoriasis or KS prior to therapy. Immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and interferon-inducible protein (IP)-10. HIV positive individuals included 10 with psoriasis, 14 with pruritus, and 15 with Kaposi's sarcoma. HIV negative controls included 12 with psoriasis and two with KS. Semi-quantitative analysis of cytokine staining was confirmed by optical density using a digital imaging system on four representative skin sections from each disease. Optical density analyses were conducted using ANOVA and t-tests. We found that epidermis overlying HIV+ Kaposi's sarcoma was hyperproliferative and was highest in IP-10, IFN-gamma, and IL-10 (P=0.0001). HIV+ pruritus was significantly highest in TNF-alpha (P=0.0001) staining. HIV+ psoriasis represented an intermediate state for all four cytokines. Normal skin adjacent to lesions showed the same relative patterns, with lower intensities. Skin diseases seen frequently in the setting of HIV and immunodeficiency have relatively distinct levels and patterns of cytokine expression that may reflect immune dysfunction, reactivity to HIV and to opportunistic infections.

Calciphylaxis.

Calciphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening condition of widespread metastatic calcification most commonly seen in the setting of end-stage renal disease. The etiology of calciphylaxis is not well described, though there are several hypotheses. Cutaneous lesions are characteristically found on the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs as reticulated, painful, purple plaques that often undergo ulceration and may serve as a portal of entry for potentially life-threatening infectious agents. Histology reveals medial calcification with intimal proliferation involving small vessels in the subcutaneous fat, associated with a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate of the affected lobules. Treatment, including phosphate binders and parathyroidectomy, is not universally effective. We present one case of calciphylaxis and discuss the clinical features, pathophysiology, histology, and treatment of the condition.

Y2K: what can you do in 3 months?

Will you have Y2K problems? A health system's information officer, an attorney, and two consultants share strategies for bolstering not-so-ready organizations for the new millennium.