Reliability of three radiographic classification systems for knee osteoarthritis among observers of different experience levels.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the intra- and inter-observer reliability of three commonly referenced radiographic classification systems for knee osteoarthritis in a cohort of arthroplasty candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-operative radiographs of 112 patients who subsequently underwent primary total knee arthroplasty were evaluated by four independent observers of varying experience. Each x-ray was de-identified, randomised, and classified according to the International Knee Documentation Committee, Kellgren-Lawrence, and Ahlbäck classifications. After a 2-week interval period, each x-ray was again randomised and re-classified. RESULTS: Regarding inter-observer reliability, the Ahlbäck and Kellgren-Lawrence classifications were shown to have 'substantial agreement' (AC 0.79 and 0.85 respectively), and the IKDC was shown to have 'almost perfect agreement' (AC 0.97). Regarding intra-observer reliability, the two more experienced observers demonstrated 'good' or 'excellent' reliability for all classification systems, and the two less experienced observers demonstrated 'moderate' intra-observer reliability for all classification systems. CONCLUSION: The International Knee Documentation Committee, Kellgren-Lawrence, and Ahlbäck radiographic classifications demonstrated adequate intra- and inter-observer reliability, supporting their potential implementation in surgical practice, or in epidemiological and clinical studies of knee osteoarthritis in a comparable cohort of patients. Clinical experience was positively correlated with intra-observer reliability. Whilst the International Knee Documentation Committee classification demonstrated the greatest reliability, this is likely due to its conservative definitions, and the Ahlbäck and Kellgren-Lawrence classifications are likely more reflective of the spectrum of disease severity encountered in an older patient cohort.

Evaluation of a novel lower radiation computed tomography protocol for assessment of tunnel position post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopaedic procedure. We developed a novel, low dose computed tomography (LDCT) protocol to assess tunnel position post-operatively. The effective radiation dose of this protocol is < 0.5millisieverts (mSv), which is significantly less than the 2 mSv dose for a conventional CT protocol. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the LDCT protocol for determining tunnel position. METHODS: Twenty-six patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction were included in the study. A LDCT scan was performed 6 weeks post-operatively. Femoral and tibial tunnel positions were measured on three dimensional (3D) reconstructions using previously validated techniques. Measurements were performed independently by three observers at two time points, 4 weeks apart. RESULTS: There was excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability for all measurements using the images obtained from the LDCT protocol. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values were > 0.9 for all measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The LDCT protocol described in this study accurately demonstrates femoral and tibial tunnels post ACL reconstruction, while exposing the patient to a quarter of the radiation dose of a conventional CT. This protocol could be used by orthopaedic surgeons for routine post-operative imaging, in place of plain film radiographs.

Direction of the Biopsy Needle in Ultrasound-Guided Renal Biopsy Impacts Specimen Adequacy and Risk of Bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Although medical factors such as hypertension and coagulopathy have been identified that are associated with hemorrhage after renal biopsy, little is known about the role of technical factors. The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of biopsy needle direction on renal biopsy specimen adequacy and bleeding complications. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-two patients who had undergone ultrasound-guided renal biopsies were included. A printout of the ultrasound picture taken at the time of the biopsy was used to measure the biopsy angle ("angle of attack" [AOA]) and to determine if the biopsy needle was aimed at the upper or lower pole and if the medulla was targeted or avoided. RESULTS: Of the 3 groups of biopsy angle, an AOA of between 50°-70° yielded the most glomeruli per core (P = .001) and the fewest inadequate specimens (4% vs 15% for > 70°, and 9% for < 50°, P = .038). Biopsy directed at a pole vs an interpolar region resulted in fewer inadequate specimens (8% vs 23%, P = .005), while biopsies that were medulla-avoiding resulted in fewer inadequate specimens (5% vs 16%, P = .004) and markedly reduced bleeding complications (12% vs 46%, P < .001) compared to biopsies where the medulla was entered. DISCUSSION: An AOA of approximately 60°, aiming at the poles, and avoiding the medulla were each associated with fewer inadequate biopsies and bleeding complications. While biopsy of the medulla is necessary for some diagnoses, the increased bleeding risk emphasizes the need for communication between nephrologist, pathologist, and radiologist.

Acute sport-related knee injuries.

BACKGROUND: Australia has a high rate of sporting participation. Although this has many benefits, knee injuries are common, particularly in pivoting and contact sports. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the management of common sport-related knee injuries, including injuries to the collateral and cruciate ligaments, menisci and the extensor mechanism. DISCUSSION: Some sport-related knee injuries can be treated non-operatively with physiotherapy-led rehabilitation. These include the majority of isolated medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament injuries. Other knee injuries might require surgical intervention. These include anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in young patients aiming to return to pivoting sports, certain meniscal tears and extensor mechanism disruptions. A multidisciplinary approach to these injuries will facilitate optimal patient care.

Chronic shoulder pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic shoulder pain is a common presenting compliant in general practice. The differential diagnosis is broad and varies with patient age. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the management of patients presenting with chronic shoulder pain. A structured approach to history and physical examination is presented, and appropriate investigations are discussed. Non-surgical and surgical treatment options are reviewed. DISCUSSION: Many patients presenting with chronic shoulder pain can be successfully treated non-surgically. A multidisciplinary approach including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology as needed will optimise care. Patients presenting with acute injuries or 'red flag' diagnoses should be urgently referred for specialist care. Referral to an orthopaedic surgeon is also recommended for patients who have failed an appropriate course of non-surgical treatment.

Efficacy of Adductor Canal Blocks in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with significant postoperative pain. The population receiving TKA is generally elderly and often have multiple comorbidities that can present a challenge to postoperative management. Safe and effective multimodal pain management has led to improved outcomes while minimizing complications and side effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of adductor canal blocks (ACB) in patients receiving TKA within a regional Queensland population. We performed a retrospective comparative cohort analysis of 458 patients who received TKA at a regional private hospital between January 2016 and December 2018. Inclusion criteria included body mass index (BMI) <50 kg/m2 and unilateral TKA. Using the patients' hospital records, age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists' score (ASA), BMI, diabetic status, length of stay (LOS), opioid requirement on discharge, range of motion (ROM) on discharge, return to theater, and readmission within 12 months were recorded. One hundred and thirty-eight patients received ACB and 263 did not. The two groups were comparable for age, gender, diabetic status, and ASA. Patients who received an ACB had an 18-hour longer LOS (p < 0.0001), but were discharged on lower dosages of opioids equivalent to 7.9 oral morphine milligram equivalent (MME; p < 0.0001). Patients who had an ACB had a similar ROM on discharge and did not have an increased rate of readmission or return to theater. This study demonstrates that ACB are efficacious when used as part of a multimodal analgesia regime for TKA.

The impact of a multidisciplinary small renal mass clinic on patient treatment decisions.

INTRODUCTION: Small renal masses (SRMs) are managed with active surveillance (AS), thermal ablation (TA), irreversible electroporation (IRE), or surgery, depending on patient and tumor factors. A novel SRM multidisciplinary clinic (SRMC), involving urologists and interventional radiologists, was established to provide patients with information on treatments options. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the SRMC on treatment decision-making METHODS: Demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment decisions were prospectively collected on patients (n=216) attending the SRMC between 2016 and 2019. A retrospective historic cohort (n=238) seen by urologists was used as a control group. Key variables were analyzed and compared. Patient satisfaction (n=27) was surveyed and responses were summarized and explored. RESULTS: Mean age, tumor size, and pathology was similar between groups; however, the SRMC cohort had more male patients (65.7% vs. 53.8%, p=0.009). Chosen treatment modality differed significantly between cohorts (p<0.0001). Patients in the historic cohort were treated by AS (41.5%), surgery (37.9%), TA (11.9%), watchful waiting (7.9%), and IRE (0.8%). SRMC patients were treated by TA (42.2%), AS (26.7%), surgery (21.3%), IRE (7.6%), and watchful waiting (2.2%). Post-hoc analysis revealed statistically significant differences in proportions of AS, TA, IRE, and surgery between cohorts. Patients reported high satisfaction with the collaborative approach. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach may have an impact on patient treatment decision-making for SRMs. Consultations involving a urologist and an interventional radiologist resulted in more TA and IRE and less AS and surgery. Future studies should evaluate if these findings occur in other centers.

Early Single-Center Experience With Irreversible Electroporation for Stage 2, 3, and 4 Pancreatic Adenocarcinomas.

OBJECTIVES: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an ablation technology that uses electrical energy delivered between electrodes. If the electrodes are placed atraumatically, there is little to no risk of collateral injury, making IRE appealing for the treatment of pancreatic tumors. METHODS: We report on 20 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) who underwent 21 IRE in our center. There were 6 IRE for stage 2 PAC, 11 for stage 3 PAC, 1 for stage 4 PAC, and 2 patients treated with IRE for recurrence after pancreaticoduodenectomy. One patient had local progression 18 months after IRE and received a second IRE treatment. Using propensity score matching (age, sex, stage, tumor size, and chemotherapy), cases were matched 2 to 1 with patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. RESULTS: A total of 7 cases experienced 8 complications; 4 complications were mild, and 4 were severe. Significant survival benefit was seen for patients with stage 3 PAC (27.5 vs 14.6 months for the matched group, P = 0.003); for stage 2, median survival was 15 months, and the single stage 4 patient survived 9 months after IRE treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic cancers were safely and effectively treated with image-guided IRE in our medium-sized center.

Paget's disease of bone: A clinical update.

BACKGROUND: Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a common destructive condition of bone that affects 1-2% of the population, most typically those over the age of 55 years. It is usually asymptomatic. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of patients with PDB. DISCUSSION: Most cases of PDB are diagnosed incidentally on radiographs or as an isolated elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase. Symptomatic patients present with bone pain, fractures, arthritis and features of compression neuropathy. Diagnosis is made on the basis of typical radiological features on plain films, while a radionuclide bone scan may be used to assess the extent of disease. The mainstay of treatment for PDB is bisphosphonate therapy, with zoledronic acid being the most effective agent. A single infusion of zoledronic acid leads to a sustained reduction in bone pain and markers of bone turnover. However, bisphosphonates should be reserved for symptomatic patients, as treatment with these agents has been associated with an increase in rates of fracture in patients with asymptomatic PDB.

Outcomes of Patients with Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Combination Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer are at high risk of incomplete resection with upfront surgery. Currently, no standard induction chemotherapy regimen exists for these patients. Both FOLFIRINOX (5-FU, irinotecan, & oxaliplatin) and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) have shown better efficacy than gemcitabine alone in advanced pancreatic cancer. The current study aims to assess outcomes of real-world patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer who received induction FOLFIRINOX or GnP. METHODS: In this population-based multicenter retrospective cohort study, patients with biopsy-proven borderline resectable pancreatic cancer diagnosed from 2011 to 2017, in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, who received FOLFIRINOX or GnP were assessed. Kaplan Meier methods and log rank tests were performed for survival analyses. RESULTS: Of 161 patients with pancreatic cancer who received FOLFIRINOX or GnP during the study period, 20 eligible patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer were identified. Ten patients each received FOLFIRINOX or GnP. Eleven patients had partial response (5, FOLFIRINOX; 6, GnP); 3 progressed during treatment. Five patients (4, FOLFIRINOX; 1, GnP; p = NS) underwent curative surgery. The median progression-free survival was 17 months in FOLFIRINOX (95% CI, 5.3-28.6) vs. 9 months (95% CI, 3.0-15) in GnP groups (p = 0.27). Overall, 80% patients in GnP vs. 40% in FOLFIRINOX died from progressive disease. The median overall survival has not been reached in FOLFIRINOX group versus 16 months (95% CI, 9.3-22.7) in GnP group (p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer who received FOLFIRINOX tend to have better outcomes. Future studies are warranted to establish a preferred systemic therapy for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

Assessing robustness of carotid artery CT angiography radiomics in the identification of culprit lesions in cerebrovascular events.

Radiomics, quantitative feature extraction from radiological images, can improve disease diagnosis and prognostication. However, radiomic features are susceptible to image acquisition and segmentation variability. Ideally, only features robust to these variations would be incorporated into predictive models, for good generalisability. We extracted 93 radiomic features from carotid artery computed tomography angiograms of 41 patients with cerebrovascular events. We tested feature robustness to region-of-interest perturbations, image pre-processing settings and quantisation methods using both single- and multi-slice approaches. We assessed the ability of the most robust features to identify culprit and non-culprit arteries using several machine learning algorithms and report the average area under the curve (AUC) from five-fold cross validation. Multi-slice features were superior to single for producing robust radiomic features (67 vs. 61). The optimal image quantisation method used bin widths of 25 or 30. Incorporating our top 10 non-redundant robust radiomics features into ElasticNet achieved an AUC of 0.73 and accuracy of 69% (compared to carotid calcification alone [AUC: 0.44, accuracy: 46%]). Our results provide key information for introducing carotid CT radiomics into clinical practice. If validated prospectively, our robust carotid radiomic set could improve stroke prediction and target therapies to those at highest risk.

Caring for orthopaedic patients affected by elective surgery suspensions

The temporary suspension of elective surgery will affect thousands of patients currently awaiting orthopaedic surgery.

Pre-operative optimisation for hip and knee arthroplasty: Minimise risk and maximise recovery.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee is a common cause of pain and reduced mobility. Arthroplasty reliably improves quality of life for most patients when non-operative measures have failed. However, hip and knee arthroplasties are major operations that carry significant risks, including the need for revision surgery. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to discuss pre-operative patient optimisation prior to arthroplasty to minimise risks and maximise recovery. DISCUSSION: Recent literature has identified a number of modifiable factors that increase the risk of post-operative complications following arthroplasty. These include obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, opioid use, anaemia, malnutrition, poor dentition and vitamin D deficiency. Addressing these factors prior to arthroplasty may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes. Pre-operative education and exercise, termed prehabilitation, has an important role in optimising patient outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty. Participation in a prehabilitation program prior to arthroplasty is recommended.

What happens to our amputees? The Darling Downs experience.

BACKGROUND: Major lower limb amputation is occasionally required in the management of end-stage pathology where other treatment options have failed. The primary aim of this study was to determine the 30-day and 1-year mortality rates of patients undergoing nontraumatic major lower limb amputation. Secondary aims were to investigate risk factors for poor outcomes, incidence of previous minor amputation, and the rate of subsequent major amputation. METHODS: All nontraumatic, major lower limb amputations performed at Toowoomba Hospital during an 18-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Mortality data were obtained from the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine survival after amputation. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were included in the study, with 104 undergoing below knee and 43 undergoing above knee amputations. Ten patients identified as having an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. For all patients, the 30-day mortality was 4.1% and 1-year mortality was 21.1%. For Indigenous patients, 30-day mortality was 10%. Previous minor amputation had occurred in 40 patients. Twenty-nine patients underwent further minor surgery after their initial major amputation, with thirteen requiring subsequent major amputation. Factors that increased mortality risk were the presence of peripheral vascular disease, an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of four and age greater than 65 years. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and mortality following major lower limb amputation is significant. The findings of this study highlight the importance of preventative measures to minimize the incidence of lower limb amputations in the future.

Symptom management for patients awaiting joint replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND: Joint replacement surgery is a highly effective treatment option for patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee when other treatments have failed. Unfortunately, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary suspension of non-urgent elective surgery was implemented. Thousands of patients currently awaiting hip and knee replacements have been affected. Many of these patients will present to their general practitioners for symptom management during this interim period. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to summarise current recommendations for the non-operative management of patients with symptomatic OA. DISCUSSION: Non-operative treatment modalities for OA include education, lifestyle modification and exercise, mass reduction, physiotherapy, orthoses, psychology, pharmaceuticals and injections. Multimodal therapy is required for patients with severe symptoms. A number of useful online resources are presented, as access to public allied health services may be limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Percutaneous irreversible electroporation for the treatment of small renal masses: The first Canadian case series.

INTRODUCTION: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel technology used in the minimally invasive treatment of small solid organ tumours. Currently, there is a paucity of literature studying treatment of small renal masses (SRMs) with IRE. Our pilot study is the first case series in Canada to use IRE in the treatment of SRMs. METHODS: This retrospective cohort pilot study includes five patients (three females and two males) who presented with a SRM that was deemed not amendable to any other treatment than a radical nephrectomy or IRE. The IRE procedures were carried out by an interventional radiologist in conjunction with a urologist using the Angiodynamics NanoKnife IRE device. RESULTS: Mean tumour size was 28 mm (range 18-39), with a mean R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score of 8.4±0.55. Over a mean followup of 22.8 months (range 14-31), four out of the five patients did not have a radiological recurrence. No adverse events were reported after the five IRE procedures. Renal function was stable post-IRE, with no to negligible decreases in estimated glomerular filtration rate detected (range +2 to -13 mL/min/1.73 m2). CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study demonstrates that renal percutaneous IRE is safe to use in the context of challenging-to-treat SRMs. Early radiological and renal function outcomes are encouraging, but further study is required to assess oncological success. The small sample size, retrospective nature of the study, relatively short followup, and the lack of routine renal biopsy to confirm malignancy are the major limitations noted.

Transplant renal vein thrombosis in a recipient with aberrant venous anatomy.

Renal vein thrombosis in a transplanted kidney is an uncommon but critical complication that can result in graft loss if management is delayed. A 31-year-old male with known atresia of the inferior vena cava who received a deceased donor renal transplant 7 years previously presented to hospital with severe graft site pain and a week of nausea, vomiting, and chills. Serum creatinine was markedly elevated from baseline. Sonographic examination revealed external iliac vein thrombosis with extension of the thrombus into the transplant renal vein. Urgent angiographic administration of tissue plasminogen activator and suction thrombectomy was performed, then followed by heparin and clopidogrel post procedure. Within 24 h, his serum creatinine improved, and within 2 weeks returned to his baseline. He was started on lifelong warfarin anti-coagulation to reduce the risk of rethrombosis secondary to his uncorrectable aberrant venous anatomy. Due to the turbulent and sometimes reversed flow in the major veins, lifelong anticoagulation should be strongly considered for such transplant patients with recipient aberrancy of the large veins.