Genicular Nerve Block for Pain Management in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block (GNB) for the management of knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: We performed a 12-week parallel-group, placebo-controlled randomized trial of GNB. Within 2 weeks of randomization, patients with knee osteoarthritis in the active arm received 3 injections of 5.7 mg celestone chronodose (1 ml) and 0.5% bupivacaine (3 ml) to the inferomedial, superomedial, and superolateral genicular nerves; patients with knee osteoarthritis in the placebo arm received injections of normal saline. At baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12, patients recorded their pain and disability on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) (the primary outcome measure), the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain scale. Statistical significance was set at a 2-sided Type I error of α = 0.0125 for comparisons at each of the 4 time points. We used a global perceived effect scale to measure patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The 59 patients (36 female, 23 male) who completed the trial had a mean ± SD age of 68.2 ± 8.6 years. Patients in the active group reported improvements in pain scores at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks with a diminution of the effect over time. VAS scores at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 in the active group (n = 31) versus placebo group (n = 28) were 6.2 versus 5.3 (P = 0.294), 2.7 versus 4.7 (P < 0.001), 3.2 versus 5.1 (P < 0.001), 3.9 versus 4.9 (P < 0.001), and 4.6 versus 5.1 (P = 0.055), respectively. Total WOMAC scores at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 in the active group versus the placebo group were 54.5 versus 48.1 (P = 0.177), 32.9 versus 44.4 (P < 0.001), 33.7 versus 45.8 (P < 0.001), 39.2 versus 44.8 (P = 0.001), and 42.65 versus 45.1 (P = 0.012), respectively. CONCLUSION: GNB offers short-term pain relief for knee osteoarthritis.

The retrodural space of Okada and its relevance to CT guided intervention.

The spinal epidural and posterior ligamentous complex spaces are important anatomic regions which are the target of various radiologic procedures in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine for the purpose of analgesia and anaesthesia. Given the frequency with which procedures are performed in and around the epidural space, a sound understanding of the associated anatomy is paramount to ensure the safety and efficacy of procedural intervention.

Transient uterine contractions as a potential pathology mimic on premenopausal pelvic MRI and the role of routine repeat T2 sagittal images to improve observer confidence.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic MRI has an increasingly important role in the evaluation of non-malignant uterine pathology including uterine leiomyomas, adenomyosis and endometriosis. Normal physiological myometrial junctional zone transient contractions can also be identified on MRI and have the potential to act as pathology mimics. This study aims to evaluate both the incidence of visible physiological contractions in premenopausal female pelvic MRI and also to support the routine acquisition of a repeat T2 sagittal sequence to differentiate transient physiological contractions from true underlying pathology and therefore improve observer confidence. METHODS: A total of 279 female patients of child-bearing age who had undergone a pelvic MRI over a 16 month period met the inclusion criteria. All patients underwent a standard examination protocol on the same hardware. This included performing two separate T2-weighted sagittal sequences as part of the protocol firstly as the initial and then as the final series for the examination. The sagittal series were reviewed separately by four readers and conclusions made for each case with regards to the presence of identifiable contractions on one or both series and their potential to act as pathology mimics. RESULTS: Of the 279 cases, there were 34 cases (12.2%) that were found to have transient junctional zone contractions acting as pathology mimics, resembling either leiomyomata or adenomyosis. CONCLUSIONS: Standard MRI sequences need to be able to distinguish normal transient physiological uterine contractions from true pathology to avoid diagnostic error. The routine utility of a repeat T2-weighted sagittal sequence performed at the conclusion of a patient's examination was shown to improve reader confidence in distinguishing transient contractions from true uterine pathology while adding minimal time penalty to the overall examination. It is therefore advocated that all premenopausal female pelvic MRI cases have a T2 sagittal series as the initial and then the final series as part of a routine protocol.

Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma (pyogenic granuloma): A case report and a review of imaging findings as reported in the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma (IVLCH) is a rare benign lesion with minimal published reports containing a description of its appearance at medical imaging. We present the ultrasound and MRI images of a histologically proven IVLCH and provide the first review of the imaging findings reported in the literature. METHODS: The imaging findings of a case of IVLCH are presented. A PubMed search of English language articles was performed from 1966 to October 2016, and all relevant papers were reviewed. Imaging findings from those papers are summarised. RESULTS: Key features on ultrasound are of a well-defined, usually hypoechoic, mass which is highly vascular. The host vein is usually apparent. MRI imaging usually shows T1 signal isointense to muscle and variable T2 signal, either isointense or of high signal relative to the vein. The lesions enhance with gadolinium. CONCLUSION: Intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma has distinctive ultrasound but less consistent MRI features although radiological diagnosis should usually be possible. Review of reported cases shows that a previously described gender bias is incorrect.

Spontaneous extraperitoneal haemorrhage: computed tomography diagnosis and treatment by selective arterial embolization.

Four cases of extraperitoneal haemorrhage occurring in the setting of anticoagulation or coagulopathy are presented. Treatment of this condition has traditionally consisted of reversal of anticoagulation and supportive therapy. Diagnosis was made on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. The finding of active contrast extravasation was found to be a factor predictive of failure of conservative therapy and, therefore, an indication for angiography and embolization. In all four cases presented in the present paper, the bleeding vessel(s) were identified and significant active bleeding arrested by transcatheter embolization.

Imaging of the symptomatic type II accessory navicular bone.

Accessory ossicles of the foot are commonly mistaken for fractures. The accessory navicular is one of the most common accessory ossicles of the foot. There is a higher incidence in women and the finding might be bilateral in 50-90%. This entity is usually asymptomatic, although populations with medial foot pain have a higher prevalence. Three types of accessory navicular bone have been described. The type II accessory navicular is the most commonly symptomatic variant with localized chronic or acute on chronic medial foot pain and tenderness with associated inflammation of overlying soft tissues. Plain radiographic identification of the accessory navicular is insufficient to attribute symptomatology. Ultrasound allows for comparison with the asymptomatic side and localization of pain. Bone scintigraphy has a high sensitivity but positive findings lack specificity. Magnetic resonance imaging is of high diagnostic value for demonstrating both bone marrow and soft tissue oedema.

Radiographic imaging procedures in the diagnosis of the major central neuropathological consequences of alcohol abuse.

Excessive consumption of alcohol is well recognized to have specific neurologic sequelae. The MRI and CT findings in these syndromes is presented and correlated with pathological findings and suspected pathogenesis. The role of imaging in both the diagnosis and monitoring of patients is discussed.

Endosonographic imaging of anal sphincter injury: does the size of the tear correlate with the degree of dysfunction?

PURPOSE: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the extent of anal sphincter muscle injury as graded at endosonography correlates with the degree of functional impairment. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty adults presenting for evaluation of fecal incontinence were recruited. Ultrasound was performed with a 7.5-MHz radial rotating axial endoprobe in the left lateral position. Anal sphincter muscle tears were graded on the basis of the degree of circumferential involvement (< or >25 percent) and by an assessment of the superoinferior longitudinal extent of an external anal sphincter tear. Muscles that demonstrated multiple tears, poor visualization, or fragmentation were classed as fragmented. Sphincter injuries were correlated with basal and squeeze pressures at manometry, pudendal nerve terminal latencies, and the severity of symptoms using the Parks-Browning clinical score. RESULTS: Patients with an intact external anal sphincter had a higher squeeze pressure (mean, 162.6 cm H(2)O) than those with a partial- (mean, 125.7 cm H(2)O) or full-length tear (mean, 124.9 cm H(2)O; P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in squeeze pressure between those with partial- vs. full-length external anal sphincter tears nor between circumference tears < or >25 percent. Basal pressure was significantly lower in those with a full-length external anal sphincter tear (47.8 cm H(2)O) vs. an intact external anal sphincter (65.7 cm H(2)O; P < 0.001). The basal pressure in those with an intact internal anal sphincter was not significantly different from those with clearly defined internal anal sphincter tears, and the degree of circumferential involvement was also not important in this regard. However, those with a fragmented internal anal sphincter had a significantly lower basal pressure than other subgroups of internal anal sphincter injuries (P < 0.001). There was no association between external or internal anal sphincter status and the mean pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, suggesting the patient groups were neurologically similar. There was no significant association between external or internal anal sphincter status and the severity of reported symptoms. CONCLUSION: Correlations between the presence or absence of muscle tears and reduced manometric function have been identified. Further grading of tears was of less importance. No relationship between muscle injuries and the severity of clinical symptoms could be elicited.