Contribution of arthroscopy to the treatment of intraarticular fracture of the distal radius: Retrospective study of 40 cases.

Our study aimed to compare the anatomical result after treatment of intraarticular distal radius fracture with locking volar plates with and without arthroscopy. This was a retrospective, single-center study of intraarticular fractures. A volar locked plate was used for fracture fixation in all patients. Twenty patients were operated on with fluoroscopy only ("plate" group) and 20 operated using arthroscopy assistance ("arthroscopy" group). All patients underwent a CT scan before surgery and at 3 months postoperative. The main outcome measure was the residual intraarticular step-off (measured in millimeters). Other studied outcomes were the residual gap between fragments and extra-articular reduction. The two groups were similar preoperatively in all aspects except the size of the gap between fragments. The residual step-off was significantly less in the arthroscopy group: 1.9mm (Q1 1.7; Q3 2.25) for plate versus 0.8mm (Q1 0.7; Q3 1.5) for arthroscopy (P=0.001). The change from the preoperative to the postoperative measurement was significantly greater in the arthroscopy group: 0.1 mm (Q1 -0.5; Q3 0.8) for plate and -1mm (Q1 -1.9; Q3 -0.6) for arthroscopy (P=0.0002). The residual gap was similar between both groups: 2.4mm (Q1 1.9; Q3 3.5) for plate vs. 2.3mm (Q1 1.1; Q3 2.8) for arthroscopy (P=0.37). The change in gap was not significantly different between the two groups: -0.9mm (Q1 -1.8; Q3 -0.1) for plate vs. -2.9mm (Q1 -4.4; Q3 -1.7) for arthroscopy (P=0.32). There was no difference in the extra-articular reduction. Damage was found to the scapholunate ligament in 30% and the TFCC in 30% of arthroscopy cases. Arthroscopy improves intraarticular reduction without altering extra-articular reduction in patients with intraarticular fractures of the distal radius, and it allows for assessment and treatment of any injuries discovered. We must now follow these patients over the long-term to assess the clinical benefit. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Prospective observational study of midtarsal joint sprain: Epidemiological and ultrasonographic analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Foot and ankle injuries (FAI) are very common, with about 6000 cases per day in France. Unlike lateral ankle sprain (LAS), the diagnosis of midtarsal joint sprain (MJS, also known as Chopart's joint sprain) is not widely known. This prospective study aims to detail the epidemiology of MJS and compare it to LAS. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study was conducted within our institution over a period of 16 months. Patients with clinical signs predictive of MJS without radiographic bone lesion underwent ultrasound assessment. MJS was diagnosed in case of at least 1 lesion of the dorsal midtarsal joint ligaments. RESULTS: A total of 2412 patients consulted for FAI; 188 had clinical and radiographic criteria for ultrasound examination. Eighty-two cases of MJS were diagnosed (3.4% of FAIs). Sports injuries were more frequent in MJS (P=0.04), and mechanisms more varied than in LAS, with inversion injury in 75% of cases and plantar hyperflexion in 22%. Sprain was severe in 70% of cases, with complete ligament tear. Clinical and ultrasound analyses correlated in only 40% of cases of MJS, versus 98% for LAS. CONCLUSION: MJS is frequent, difficult to diagnose clinically, and often severe. Clinical presentation and injury mechanisms differ from ankle sprain. Ultrasound seems to be an indispensable tool in diagnosis.

Ultrasonography of the brachial plexus, normal appearance and practical applications.

Ultrasound examination of the brachial plexus, although at first sight difficult, is perfectly feasible with fairly rapid practical and theoretical training. The roots are accurately identified due to the shape (a single tubercle) of the transverse process of C7 in the paravertebral space, and the superficial position of C5 in the interscalene groove. The téléphérique technique allows the roots, trunks and cords to be followed easily into the supraclavicular fossa. In just a few years, ultrasound imaging of the plexus has become a routine anesthesia examination for guiding nerve blocks. In trained hands, it also provides information in thoracic outlet syndromes, traumatic conditions (particularly for postganglionic lesions) and tumoral diseases. Even if MRI remains the standard examination in these indications, ultrasound, with its higher definition and dynamic character, is an excellent additional method which is still under-exploited.

Anatomic and CT scan assessment of Teres Minor: a new index of trophicity.

INTRODUCTION: The present study reports the development of a CT assessment protocol for Teres Minor (TM) trophicity. HYPOTHESIS: Quantitative reproductible Terres Minor assessment on CT estimates the influence of muscle trophicity on the clinical and radiological results of palliative treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tear. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An anatomic study of 30 cadaveric shoulders confirmed a constant anatomic relation between Terres Minor and the inferior pole of the glenoid cavity. This landmark was used to develop a novel CT assessment of TM trophicity. RESULTS: The CT assessment showed excellent inter- and intra-observer reproductibility. The protocol defines a trophicity index, T2/G (T2 being TM thickness on axial CT slice, and G the maximum glenoid cavity thickness on axial slice), enabling reproductible TM analysis on preoperative arthro-CT. CONCLUSION: The study validated the CT protocol, allowing application in pre- and postoperative assessment of irreparable rotator cuff tear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Retrospective study.

[Spinal infections: typical and atypical imaging features]. / Infections rachidiennes: aspects typiques et atypiques.

While the imaging features of established spondylodiscitis are well known, other presentations may be misleading. The purpose of this article is to review the typical imaging features of spondylodiscitis as well as some more atypical and unusual imaging features (early spondylodiscitis, sceptic spondylitis, septic arthritis of facet joints, primary epidural abscess, unusual germs, neonate).

Anatomical bases of tibial neurotomy for treatment of spastic foot.

Spastic pes equines, possibly associated with varus posture or spastic claw of the toes, can require neurosurgical treatment. In these cases, a selective fascicular neurotomy can be proposed, which consists of a partial section of some motor collateral branches of the tibial nerve. In order to avoid sensory and trophic complications after surgery due to an excessive manipulation of the nerve, accurate anatomical data must be collected. Therefore, biometric, histological and ultrastructural studies were carried out. A total of 50 dorsal compartments of the leg were dissected. The distance between the emergence of each muscular branch of the tibial nerve and anatomical landmarks were measured. Complementary histological study was processed on three specimens with slices stained by Masson's trichromatic method. Eventually, electronic microscopy observation was processed on two other specimens. In 16 cases (32%), we found a common muscular branch for all the muscles of the dorsal leg compartment, which emerged from the nerve trunk near the tendinous arch of the soleus (67 +/- 29 mm from the femorotibial articular line). In the other cases, muscular branches of the nerve emerged from its ventral lateral aspect, with variable origins (inferior nerve for the soleus: 82 +/- 31 mm from the femorotibial articular line, nerve for flexor digitorum longus: 116 +/- 41 mm, nerve for tibialis posterior: 106 +/- 51 mm, with a second nerve in 9/50 cases, nerve for flexor hallucis longus: 129 +/- 48 mm, with a second nerve in 6 cases). Histological and ultrastructural analysis confirmed the presence of the motor nervous fibers in the ventral lateral part of the nerve trunk. These new anatomical findings allow a more precise dissection during operative procedure, in order to avoid sensory or trophic complications.

The female inferior hypogastric (= pelvic) plexus: anatomical and radiological description of the plexus and its afferences--applications to pelvic surgery.

AIM OF THE STUDY: We wanted to determine the anatomical features of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP), and the useful landmarks for a safe surgical approach during pelvic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We dissected the IHP in 22 formolized female anatomical subjects, none of which bore any stigmata of subumbilical surgery. RESULTS: The inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) is a triangle with a posterior base and an anterior inferior top. It can be described as having three edges and three angles; its inferior edge stretches constantly from the fourth sacral root to the ureter's point of entry into the posterior layer of the broad ligament; its cranial edge is strictly parallel to the posterior edge of the hypogastric artery, along which it runs at a distance of 10 mm; its posterior (dorsal) edge is at the point of contact with the sacral roots, from which it receives its afferences. They most frequently originate from S3 or S4 (60%) and then, in one or two branches, often from S2 (40%), never from S1 and in exceptional cases from S5 (20%). There are sympathetic afferences in 30% of cases, usually through a single branch of the second, third or fourth sacral ganglion. All IHPs have at least one sacral afference and sometimes there may be up to three afferences from the same sacral root. Its dorsal cranial angle, which is superior, comes after the SHP (hypogastric nerve or presacral nerve filament); its anterior inferior angle is located exactly at the ureter's point of entry into the posterior layer of the broad ligament. This is the top of the IHP; its posterior inferior angle is located at the point of contact with the fourth sacral root. At its entrance at the base of the parametrium the pelvic ureter is the anterior, fundamental positional reference for the IHP. The vaginal efferences come out of the top of the IHP through branches leading to the bladder, the vagina and the rectum, which originate through two trunks exactly underneath the crossing point of the ureter and the uterine artery: (i) one trunk leading to the bladder runs along and underneath the ureter and divides into two groups, which are lateral and medial, trigonal. (ii) the trunk leading to the vagina runs along the inferior edge of the uterine artery. At the point of contact with the lateral edge of the vagina, it splits into two groups: anterior thin and posterior voluminous. Some of its branches perforate the posterior wall of the vagina and are distributed to the rectovaginal septum in a tooth comb pattern. The inferior branches, which emerge from the inferior edge of the IHP, reach the rectum directly. The dissection of the 22 specimens allowed us to describe three efferent plexuses: a vaginal rectal plexus, a vesical plexus and a inferior rectal plexus. So the IHP's anterior, fundamental positional reference is the pelvic ureter at the point where it enters at the base of the parametrium, then at the crossing point of the uterine artery. The ureter is the vector for vesical efferences, the uterine artery is the vector for vaginal efferences, which are thus sent into the vesicovaginal septum and the rectovaginal septum. This surgical point of reference is of vital importance in nerve sparing during the course of a simple or extended hysterectomy. Any dissection carried out underneath and outside of the ureter inevitably carries a risk of lesions to its efferent, lateral vesical or medial, rectovaginal fibres.

Normal anatomy of the heel entheses: anatomical and ultrasonographic study of their blood supply.

The purpose of this study was first to determine the normal blood supply of the heel entheses with cadaver injection, and second, to identify by means of ultrasound (US) this blood supply in healthy volunteers before and after the intravenous injection of a US contrast agent (SonoVue). Twenty cadaver lower limbs were cut into sagittal, coronal, or axial sections after the injection of a red-colored gelatin solution. Ten anatomical samples were selected for histology. Then 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in a contrast-enhanced ultrasonography study (CUS). Calcaneal tendon and plantar aponeurosis entheses were studied first without any contrast-agent (B-mode, power Doppler). A single dose (2.4 ml) of the contrast agent was then administered for studying each enthesis of the right foot. The operators had to look for blood flow within the entheses and in the adjacent soft tissues. Anastomotic transverse branches were seen macroscopically at the back of the calcaneal tendon, giving some capillaries penetrating the enthesis. None of these vessels could be seen with CUS. In contrast, a high-density vascular network could be detected in Kager's triangle with CUS. No blood vessel could be seen within the plantar aponeurosis enthesis, either macroscopically or microscopically. No evidence of entheseal vascularization was found with any contrast-enhanced imaging technique. Inferior branches of the lateral plantar artery were seen on coronal and sagittal sections of the hindfoot, and could be detected with CUS. These arterioles were running toward the anterior aspect of the calcaneal tuberosity, near the plantar aponeurosis insertion. In conclusion, no vascularization was detected with CUS at the cortical bone insertion of normal heel entheses. However, some vascularization could be seen in the immediate vicinity of heel entheses. The latter feature has to be kept in mind, as it may represent a pitfall for the diagnosis of early inflammatory changes in patients, especially those with seronegative spondylarthropathies.

The inferior hypogastric plexus (pelvic plexus): its importance in neural preservation techniques.

The progress in the surgery of male neurological cancers relies on the anatomico-surgical approach to the pelvic neural structures. The objective of our study was to provide a better understanding of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) and its anatomical relationships in order to spare it during radical prostatectomy. Fifteen male formalin-preserved cadavers which had no sub-umbilical scar were used. In five subjects, the superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) and the pre-sacral plexus were displayed then the IHP and its sacral afferents (pelvic splanchnic nerves or erector nerves of Eckhardt) were dissected out. Serial sections of the IHP were then studied in ten subjects. This allowed its identification on certain imaging sections obtained in pelvic tumor pathology and these made up the "reference cuts". The IHP lies within a fibro-fatty plate which is flat, rectangular, sub-peritoneal, sagittal and symmetrical. It arises at the level of the intersection between the vas deferens and the terminal pelvic ureter and follows the postero-lateral aspect and circumvolutions of the seminal vesicle, with which there is a plane of surgical cleavage. The seminal vesicle is, therefore, an essential landmark for this neural structure. The plane of this cleavage may be used in pelvic cancer surgery. The safest technical means of respecting sexual function and the integrity of the IHP is to keep it at a distance. The preservation of a lateral layer of the seminal vesicle is probably a method of limiting these complications as long as this does not conflict with the oncological clearance. An irregular communicating branch was found in one of five cases between the IHP, the sacral plexus and the pudendal nerve. This communicating branch lay immediately behind the intersection between the vas deferens and the ureter in the sacral concavity. It overhangs the IHP in the seminal vesicle. Impotence remains a frequent complication after radical prostatectomy. The methods of neural preservation at the prostatic apex are known but neural preservation should also be carried out posteriorly at the lateral pole of the seminal vesicle. The possibility of posterior neural preservation may be assessed pre-operatively by study of the "reference sections". The cleavage plane between the seminal vesicle and the IHP may be used intra-operatively to spare the IHP. The cavernous nerve in particular emerges at the antero-inferior border of the IHP before running along the postero-lateral aspect of the prostate. It therefore passes in contact with the seminal vesicle and may as a result be injured during radical prostatectomy with vesiculectomy. A proximal communicating branch between the IHP and the pudendal nerve is irregular. Such communicating branches may explain a better recovery of sexual function in curative neurological cancer surgery. The essential relationship of the IHP is with the seminal vesicle. The two are in tight contact and the seminal vesicle has a true plane of surgical cleavage with IHP. The risk of injuries to the posterior erectile mechanisms can be reduced either by using the cleavage plane between the IHP and seminal vesicle or by leaving a layer of the seminal vesicle when the oncological conditions allow. During celio-surgery, the operator must be careful to retract the little bands of the seminal vesicle and divide the fibrous and vascular tracts which tighten during this maneuver. During an abdominal approach, dissection of the seminal vesicle takes place at the bottom of a real pit. The operator must carry out the division leaving a layer of the seminal vesicle in place rather than trying to extract all the seminal vesicle by placing the forceps blindly. This maneuver is naturally dependent on the oncological situation. The anatomical confirmation of a regular or irregular proximal or distal communicating branch between the IHP and the pudendal nerve is probably an explanation for the sometimes uncertain results of new techniques of neural preservation in curative cancer surgery.

Transpedicular screw placement: image-guided versus lateral-view fluoroscopy: in vitro simulation.

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro evaluation of monitoring screw placement using an image-guided system compared with the routine use of an image intensifier. OBJECTIVES: To compare a new computer-guided method of monitoring pedicle screw placement with a well-known method of monitoring using an image intensifier, using measurements of screw placement time and accuracy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Pedicle screw placement relies on the identification of anatomic landmarks for the point of entry of the pedicle. The direction and depth of screw penetration are guided by an intraoperative lateral-view image intensifier. The use of frameless stereotaxy for computer-aided pedicle screw placement may increase the accuracy and safety of the screw insertion. To the authors' knowledge, there are no published data comparing these systems on the basis of operative time and screw placement accuracy. METHOD: Eight human cadaveric sections of five vertebrae each were used for an in vitro simulation of pedicle screw placement. Four spine surgeons were chosen to simulate the transpedicular screw placement. Each surgeon placed one screw into each pedicle of two spine sections (10 vertebrae, 20 screws). The surgeon was assisted by the lateral-view image intensifier on one spine section and by the navigational system on the second one. The four surgeons placed 80 pedicle screws. Forty screw placements were monitored by fluoroscopy and 40 by the image-guided navigational system. The time spent to place one screw was recorded, as well as the remarks by each surgeons on each method. Spines were rescanned, and the positions of the screws were compared between the group on which the image intensifier has been used and the group on which the navigational system had been used. RESULTS: In the image-guided technique group, one thoracic screw disrupted the lateral cortex of the pedicle, the average distance to the anterior wall of the body was 5 mm, and the average time for the insertion of one screw was 13.5 minutes. In the other group, two screws disrupted the inner cortex of a thoracic pedicle, the average distance to the anterior wall was 10.7 mm, and the average time for the insertion of one screw was 4 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro computer-aided pedicle screw insertion is more accurate than lateral-view fluoroscopy in the thoracic spine. The main disadvantage is the time consumption compared with that required by lateral-view fluoroscopy. The total time of the surgical operation should be decreased with the future development of these techniques.

Lumbar spinal ganglia enhancement after gadolinium chelate administration: a radio-histological correlation.

The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of enhancement of lumbar spinal ganglia after Gadolinium chelate injection in patients without radiculopathy, and to correlate the enhancement with histology. This study is based on the analysis of MR lumbar examinations conducted on 18 patients without radicular symptoms, or previous surgery of the lumbar spine, or disease of the nervous system. The patients were imaged with a 1.5 T unit. Sagittal images were first obtained with a T1-weighted turbo spin-echo. Axial and sagittal images were then obtained with a T1-weighted turbo spin-echo, fat-saturated sequence after Gadolinium intravenous injection from the T12/L1 to the L5/S1 level. All 180 spinal ganglia demonstrated an important and homogeneous enhancement after Gadolinium injection. Four spinal ganglia obtained by dissection from four different fresh cadavers were studied by light microscopy to determine the potential relationship between contrast enhancement and presence and topography of vessels within the spinal ganglia. Vessels were particularly abundant at the peripheral zone of the spinal ganglia. The post-contrast enhancement of the spinal ganglia after Gadolinium administration has to be known and may be explained by the microvasculature pattern.

[Imaging of synovial lesions, neoplastic or non-neoplastic]. / Imagerie des affections synoviales, tumorales ou non.

The purpose of this paper is to present the contribution of imaging in the assessment of synovial diseases, especially in the differentiation between infectious synovitis and rheumatoid arthritis, and in the diagnosis of tumoral and pseudotumoral synovial lesions (idiopathic (osteo)chondromatosis, pigmented villonodular synovitis, synovial hemangioma, lipoma arborescens...).

[Lumbar lateral recess and intervertebral foramen. Radio-anatomical study]. / Récessus latéral et foramen intervertébral lombaire. Etude radio-anatomique.

The recent developments in Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allow an accurate analysis of the anatomical structures of the lateral recess and of the neural foramen (vertebral body, pedicle, zygapophyseal joints, ligamentum flavum, intervertebral disk) and their contents (spinal ganglion, nerves roots, foraminal veins, surrounding fat). The aim of this study is 1) to describe the normal anatomy and variants of the lateral recess and of the lumbar neural foramen, and 2) to present the main diseases involving this anatomical area.

[The lumbar epidural space. Radio-anatomical study]. / L'espace épidural à l'étage lombaire. Etude radio-anatomique.

The epidural space which extends along the spine, surrounds the dural sac and is bounded by the bony and ligamentous structures of the vertebral canal. The knowledge of the anatomy of this region is important because the high frequency of the pathological processes in this area (tumoral, infections, vascular). The purpose of this presentation is to present the normal radio-anatomy of the lumbar epidural space and then the main pathological processes of this region.

MR imaging of the knee at 0.2 and 1.5 T: correlation with surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of low- and high-field-strength MR imagers in the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament tears and meniscus tears. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 219 patients with suspected internal derangement of the knee, MR imaging at 0.2 and 1.5 T was performed with similar sequences. Only patients with surgically confirmed diagnosis (n = 90) were included in the statistical analysis. Radiologists were unaware of diagnosis and field strength. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and inter- and intraobserver variability were determined. RESULTS: There was excellent correlation between the field strengths in accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears. Accuracy for medial meniscus, lateral meniscus, and anterior cruciate ligament tears was 91-93%, 88-90%, and 93-96%, respectively, at 0.2 T and 91-94%, 91-93%, and 97-98%, respectively, at 1.5 T. Inter- and intraobserver variability values showed excellent correlation (kappa > 0.8). CONCLUSION: The level of diagnostic accuracy in anterior cruciate ligament tears and meniscus tears is comparable for low- and high-field-strength MR imagers.

Radio-anatomic demonstration of the vertebral lumbar venous plexuses: an MRI experimental study.

The aim of this study was to provide a basis of knowledge of the anatomy of the venous plexuses in the lumbar spine both in anatomical slices and in MR images in order to help the analysis of these structures in MR images of living subjects. Four fresh cadaveric lumbar spines were studied after the injection of coloured gelatin mixed with gadolinium. The specimens were injected by an intraosseous technique. Axial and sagittal fat-saturated T1-weighted MR images were performed on the specimens. Thereafter, specimens were frozen and cut into 5-mm thick slices, three in the axial plane and one in the sagittal plane. All the components of the internal and external venous plexuses were identified on the MR images in correlation with the corresponding anatomic sections. The MR anatomy of the venous system of the lumbar spine is important as it has been implicated in many pathophysiological mechanisms and as it may also cause pitfalls in MR imaging.

Therapeutic percutaneous injections in the treatment of malignant acetabular osteolyses.

Percutaneous injection of methylmethacrylate or ethanol may provide marked pain relief or bone strengthening in patients with malignant acetabular osteolyses who are unable to tolerate surgery. Injection of methylmethacrylate is usually indicated when osteolysis involves the weight-bearing part of the acetabulum (ie, the acetabular roof); in all other cases, ethanol injection is preferred. Ethanol and methylmethacrylate injections may be performed together if both weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing parts of the acetabulum are involved or extensive soft-tissue involvement is present. Moreover, these injections may be performed prior to radiation therapy, which complements their action due to similar but delayed effects on pain, or after radiation therapy that failed to relieve pain or in cases of local recurrence. Radiography and computed tomography must be performed prior to therapeutic percutaneous injection to assess the location and extent of the lytic process, the presence of cortical destruction or fracture, and the presence of soft-tissue involvement. Fever and transitory worsening in pain may occur secondary to inflammatory reaction in the hours following injection; however, these side effects usually resolve spontaneously within 1-3 days. The decision to perform therapeutic percutaneous injections should be made by a multidisciplinary team because the choice between this option and alternative methods of treatment depends on several factors including the location of the lesion, the local and general extent of the disease, the pain and functional disability experienced by the patient, and the patient's state of health and life expectancy.