Chemical Shift-Encoded MRI of Bone Metabolic Markers in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and correlation of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fat fraction (FF) and R2∗ as markers of bone metabolism in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: 75 AS patients were classified into an early active group (EA), late active group (LA), and inactive group (IA). Additionally, 54 matched healthy individuals were selected to be part of the normal control group (NC). All participants underwent chemical shift encoded based MRI (IDEAL-IQ) and routine clinical SIJ MRI at 3.0 T. FF and R2∗ were measured in subchondral bone, bone marrow edema (BME), and fat metaplasia (FM). Out of the participants, 39 with BME lesions (15 from EA, 16 from LA, 8 from IA) and 39 with FM lesions (9 from EA, 17 from LA, 13 from IA) were included. Differences in FF, R2∗ value for subchondral bone of all participants and for BME, FM lesions were evaluated. Subsequently, different stages of BME and FM in patient groups were compared, and the relationship between FF and R2∗ was analyzed. Results: A significant difference in FF was demonstrated among the BME, FM and the normal bone marrow (p < 0.001), meanwhile, the difference of R2∗ value in FM was significantly lower (p = 0.034, 0.012) than that of BME and that of normal bone marrow. At lever of different lesions, only the FF for BME was significantly different among 3 patient groups (p = 0.001), while there was no significantly different FF for FM among 3 patient groups. Unlike in BME lesions, the FF in FM lesions had a negative correlation with R2∗ (p < 0.001, r = -0.488). Conclusion: FF and R2∗ measurements help to quantitatively analyze the bone marrow fat composition and bony trabecular microstructure changes in AS, providing a noninvasive and accurate assessment basis for AS bone metabolism abnormalities.

[Analysis of effects of arthroscopic treatment for recurrent patellar dislocation by lateral patellar retinacular release outside the synovial bursa of knee joint combined with reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce an arthroscopic technique in managing recurrent dislocation of the patella and its clinical results. METHODS: Sixteen patients with recurrent patellar dislocation were reviewed, including 3 males and 13 females. The average age was 17.6 years old (ranged from 14 to 32 years). The patients suffering from patellar sub-luxation averaged 18.5 months (ranged from 6 to 23 months)before operation. These patients were treated with lateral patellar retinacular release outside the synovial bursa of knee joint and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using the semitendinosus tendon free autograft. The Lyshohm scores before and after operation were used to evaluate outcomes at the final follow-up. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 6 to 48 months, with an average of 12 months. There was no recurrence. The Q angle decreased from (16.4 ± 3.7)° to (10.1 ± 1.4)°; insall index decreased from 1.37 ± 0.25 to 1.28 ± 0.23; congruence angle decreased from (21.3 ± 2.6)° to (5.86 ± 2.23)°; Lysholm score improved from 76.1 ± 5.2 to 89.8 ± 4.1 at 6 months after operation. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional procedure, arthroscopic surgery for recurrent dislocation of the patella achieves excellent outcomes with minimum invasion.

[Diagnosis of spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection using computed tomography angiography].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of the spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) on computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Twenty-five patients with unexplained acute abdominal pain received CTA. RESULTS: Four cases with the SISMAD were found and all were male with a mean age of (45.3±6.7) years. Two patients had hypertension history. CT showed enlarged diameter of the superior mesenteric artery with dissection in 4 cases, intimal flap and visible false lumen in 2 cases, ulcer-like laceration in 1 case, and intramural hematoma in 1 case. The proximal lacerations or entries were all at the proximal segment of the superior mesenteric artery. CTA classifications were type Ia (n=2), IIb (n=1), and III (n=1). Two patients underwent repeated CTA when discharged, and progressive changes were discovered. CONCLUSION: CTA can clearly show the characteristics of the superior mesenteric artery dissection, confirm the diagnosis, and provide an important basis for the classification and follow-up observation.

[Preparation and characterization of herba pogostemonis, rhizoma atractylodis and radix aucklandiae compound essential oil-beta-cyclodextrin complex].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and characterize Herba pogostemonis, Rhizoma atractylodis and Radix aucklandiae compound essential oil-beta-cyclodextrin complex. METHODS: The essential oil-p3-cyclodextrin complex was prepared by colloidal mill method. TLC, XRD, DSC and TGA analysis were applied to characterize it. RESULTS: The complex inclusion rate of essential oil-beta-CD complex was 82.4%, and the complex recovery was 80.7%. The formation of essential oil-beta-CD complex was proved by the results of TLC, XRD, DSC, TGA analysis. CONCLUSION: The stability of compound essential oil is improved by the preparation of oil beta-cyclodextrin complex.