Imaging the dense breast.

The sensitivity of mammography reduces as breast density increases, which impacts breast screening and locoregional staging in breast cancer. Supplementary imaging with other modalities can offer improved cancer detection, but this often comes at the cost of more false positives. Magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced mammography, which assess tumour enhancement following contrast administration, are more sensitive than digital breast tomosynthesis and ultrasound, which predominantly rely on the assessment of tumour morphology.

The effect of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on oswestry disability index scores: a comparative cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Lockdown measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic restricted social interactions and travel. This retrospective, observational study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lockdown restrictions on Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores in patients with spinal conditions. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from the British Spine Registry were retrospectively analysed in two groups. The study group included patients' baseline pre-operative ODI scores collected during the first national lockdown in the UK between March and May 2020. The reference group included ODI scores recorded during the same period in 2019, before the pandemic. Scores were compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. We also calculated modified scores that omitted responses to questions related to travel and social life. These were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test and Bland-Altman analyses. RESULTS: The median ODI scores for the reference and lockdown groups were 49 and 45, respectively, with no significant differences in the mean ranks (p = 0.068). Comparisons of original and modified ODI scores showed different outcomes for each study group. No significant differences were observed in the lockdown group (p = 0.06). However, for the pre-COVID-19 reference group, there was a significant difference (p < 0.01). Bland-Altman analyses showed reasonable agreement between the methods for calculating ODI in both groups. CONCLUSION: We found no clinically important differences in ODI scores between the two groups. The findings suggest that the ODI is reliable during lockdown situations and can be used with confidence in the future research using both retrospective and prospective data. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

The radiographic and MRI features of gout referred as suspected soft tissue sarcoma: a review of the literature and findings from 27 cases.

Gout has been termed the "great mimicker", for its ability to resemble other pathological conditions. Whilst the typical imaging features of gout are well described, there is a relative paucity of literature describing more challenging cases of gout, where a malignant tumour has been considered in the differential diagnosis. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the radiographic and MRI features of 27 cases of gout that were initially referred to our centre as suspected soft tissue sarcoma, alongside a review of the literature.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis causing an acute scoliosis.

Study Design. A Case Report. Objective. We present a 15-year-old girl with an acute atypical scoliosis secondary to chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO). Summary of Background Data. CRMO is a rare nonpyogenic inflammatory bone condition with unclear aetiology. CRMO mainly affects the metaphyses of long bones, the pelvis, shoulder girdle, and less commonly the spine. Methods. Our case presented with a 6-month history of worsening thoracic back pain, asymmetry of her shoulders and abnormal posture. Whole spine radiographs revealed a right atypical thoracic scoliosis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed abnormal signal on the short TI inversion recovery (STIR) sequences in multiple vertebrae. A bone biopsy demonstrated evidence of fibrosis and chronic inflammatory changes. Interval MRI scans revealed new oedematous lesions and disappearance of old lesions. Symptoms improved. Results. It is important to consider CRMO as an acute cause of atypical scoliosis. Malignancy, pyogenic infections and atypical presentations of juvenile arthritis need excluding. Conclusion. This 24-month follow-up describes a rare cause of an atypical scoliosis and fortifies the small amount of the currently available literature. The case highlights the relapsing and remitting nature of CRMO with new lesions developing and older lesions burning out. We advise close radiological surveillance and symptomatic management.

T1-weighted sodium MRI of the articulator cartilage in osteoarthritis: a cross sectional and longitudinal study.

Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown great utility in diagnosing soft tissue burden in osteoarthritis (OA), though MRI measures of cartilage integrity have proven more elusive. Sodium MRI can reflect the proteoglycan content of cartilage; however, it requires specialized hardware, acquisition sequences, and long imaging times. This study was designed to assess the potential of a clinically feasible sodium MRI acquisition to detect differences in the knee cartilage of subjects with OA versus healthy controls (HC), and to determine whether longitudinal changes in sodium content are observed at 3 and 6 months. 28 subjects with primary knee OA and 19 HC subjects age and gender matched were enrolled in this ethically-approved study. At baseline, 3 and 6 months subjects underwent structural MRI and a 0.4ms echo time 3D T1-weighted sodium scan as well as the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and knee pain by visual analogue score (VAS). A standing radiograph of the knee was taken for Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) scoring. A blinded reader outlined the cartilage on the structural images which was used to determine median T1-weighted sodium concentrations in each region of interest on the co-registered sodium scans. VAS, K-L, and KOOS all significantly separated the OA and HC groups. OA subjects had higher T1-weighted sodium concentrations, most strongly observed in the lateral tibial, lateral femoral and medial patella ROIs. There were no significant changes in cartilage volume or sodium concentration over 6 months. This study has shown that a clinically-feasible sodium MRI at a moderate 3T field strength and imaging time with fluid attenuation by T1 weighting significantly separated HCs from OA subjects.

Informed consent in trauma: does written information improve patient recall of risks? A prospective randomised study.

Informed consent is vital to good surgical practice. Pain, sedative medication and psychological distress resulting from trauma are likely to adversely affect a patient's ability to understand and retain information thus impairing the quality of the consent process. This study aims to assess whether provision of written information improves trauma patient's recall of the risks associated with their surgery. 121 consecutive trauma patients were randomised to receive structured verbal information or structured verbal information with the addition of supplementary written information at the time of obtaining consent for their surgery. Patients were followed up post-operatively (mean 3.2 days) with a questionnaire to assess recall of risks discussed during the consent interview and satisfaction with the consent process. Recall of risks discussed in the consent interview was found to be significantly improved in the group receiving written and verbal information compared to verbal information alone (mean questionnaire score 41% vs. 64%), p=0.0014 using the Mann-Whitney U test. Patient satisfaction with the consent process was improved in the group receiving written and verbal information and 90% of patients in both groups expressed a preference for both written and verbal information compared to verbal information alone. Patients awaiting surgery following trauma can pose a challenge to adequately inform about benefits conferred, the likely post operative course and potential risks. Written information is a simple and cost-effective means to improve the consent process and was popular with patients.

Molecular aspects of fracture healing: which are the important molecules?

Fracture healing is a complex physiological process involving a coordinated interaction of hematopoietic and immune cells within the bone marrow, in conjunction with vascular and skeletal cell precursors. Multiple factors regulate this cascade of molecular events, which affects different stages in the osteoblast and chondroblast lineage during processes such as migration, proliferation, chemotaxis, differentiation, inhibition, and extracellular protein synthesis. A clear understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways in fracture healing is not only critical for advancing fracture treatment, but it may also enhance further our knowledge of the mechanisms involved within skeletal growth and repair, as well as the mechanisms of aging. An overview of the important molecules involved in fracture healing, including osteogenic autocoids and inhibitory molecules, and their interactions and possible mechanisms of synergy during the healing process is presented in this article.

Retroperitoneal enteric duplication cyst presenting as a pancreatic cystic lesion. A case report.

CONTEXT: Retroperitoneal enteric duplication cysts (EDC) are rare lesions and its presentation during adulthood is a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The diagnosis of this condition is established following histopathological analysis, which often requires surgical intervention. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a retroperitoneal enteric duplication cysts, presenting as a cystic lesion of the pancreas in a 19-year-old woman. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend surgical intervention for retroperitoneal EDCs due to its potential local complications including pressure effects on surrounding structures and neoplastic change.

Effect of patellar tendon shortening on tracking of the patella.

BACKGROUND: Although 10% postoperative patellar tendon shortening after bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament has been reported, there are no published studies assessing the effect of shortening on patellofemoral joint biomechanics under physiological loading conditions. PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of patellar tendon shortening on patellofemoral joint biomechanics. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: The authors evaluated the patellofemoral contact area, the location of contact, and the patellofemoral joint reaction force and contact stresses in 7 cadaveric knees before and after 10% patellar tendon shortening. Shortening was achieved using a specially designed device. Experimental conditions simulating those occurring during level walking were employed: physiological quadriceps loads and corresponding angles of tibial rotation were applied at 15 degrees , 30 degrees , and 60 degrees flexion of the knee. Patellofemoral joint contact areas were measured before and after shortening using the silicone oil-carbon black powder suspension squeeze technique. RESULTS: After patellar tendon shortening, patellofemoral joint contact areas were displaced proximally on the patellar surface and distally on the femoral surface. Although the contact area increased by 18% at 15 degrees of knee flexion (P = .04), no significant change occurred at 30 degrees or 60 degrees of knee flexion (P > .05). Patellofemoral contact stress remained unchanged after patellar tendon shortening (P > .05) at each flexion angle. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a 10% shortening of the patellar tendon does not alter patellar contact stresses during locomotion. It is not clear whether apparent changes in contact location in all positions and contact area at 15 degrees would have clinical consequences.