CT in children's bones and joints: when, how and common findings.

Radiologic evaluation of musculoskeletal abnormalities in children is now usually performed by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, owing to their excellent anatomic detail and lack of ionizing radiation. There remains a group of certain congenital and acquired conditions in which computed tomography (CT) can deliver invaluable information, and thus its application is justified in some pediatric patients. This article provides an overview of the most current imaging techniques for the latest generation of CTs, with particular emphasis on dose reduction. We also discuss the most important pathologic entities in which CT significantly contributes to the diagnostic workup or post-therapy follow-up.

Can we improve radiological analysis of osseous lesions in chronic anterior shoulder instability?

Osseous lesions of the glenoid cavity and humeral head are predictive of recurrence after Bankart arthroscopic procedures. The objective of this study was to analyze, for each glenoid and humeral defect plain x-ray criteria of the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS), two aspects: inter- and intraobserver reliability of their qualitative and quantitative assessment and correlations between positive criteria and their quantitative measurement. Thirty-one medical files were retained for evaluation of the glenoid and 26 for humeral notch assessment. The yes or no response for the ISIS criterion was completed by its quantitative measurement using the Griffiths and Sugaya CT methods for the glenoid and the P/R index calculation on plain x-rays with internal rotation for the Hill-Sachs lesion. Three observers provided two consecutive readings for each criterion. The analysis of the glenoid radiological criterion of the ISIS seems sufficiently reproducible for daily practice. When the evaluation is positive, bone loss is greater than 15%, without a maximum value established. In this study, the analysis of the ISIS humeral notch criterion was not reproducible. It can be improved using the P/R index and should be completed by CT imaging.

Multidetector spiral CT arthrography of the shoulder. Clinical applications and limits, with MR arthrography and arthroscopic correlations.

Although MR imaging and MR arthrography are the first choice modalities for shoulder imaging, CT arthrography (CTA) may be used successfully to address many clinical questions. The advent of submillimeter multiple detector CT technology and subsequent excellent three-plane resolution has considerably increased the quality of CTA examinations and has propelled this technique to the forefront in a growing number of indications. The combined use of iodinated contrast material for fluoroscopic confirmation of the articular position of the needle before injection of gadolinium chelates for MR arthrography offers the unique opportunity to compare CTA and MRA findings in carefully selected cases. This paper illustrates capabilities and limits of CTA for the study of rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, cartilage lesions, anatomical variants and abnormalities of the glenoid labrum, with correlations to MR arthrography and surgical findings.

Anormalidades intraarticulares detectadas mediante artroresonancia en pacientes con hombro doloroso y artrografía convencional normal

Propósito: Determinar la frecuencia y tipo de anormalidades detectables en la artroresonancia en pacientes con dolor y limitación funcional del hombro y estudio de artrografía convencional normal. Tipo de estudio: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Pacientes y métodos: Pacientes con hombro doloroso y artrografía convencional normal remitidos para artroresonancia. La artroresonancia se realizó con apliación de medio de contraste paramagnético intraarticular. Se clasificaron las lesiones sin conocimiento de la historia clínica. Se describen los hallazgos como proporciones (porcentaje) sobre el total de pacientes. Resultados: Se estudiaron 26 pacientes, 25 artroresonancias fueron anormales. De los hallazgos anormales, se presentaron en orden de frecuencia signos de tendinosis en 16 pacientes (66 por ciento), bursitisen 10 pacientes (39 por ciento), osteoartrosis en ocho (31 por ciento), pinzamiento en seis casos (23 por ciento), lesión anteroposterior del labrum superior en cuatro (16 por ciento), tres rupturas completas del manguito de los rotadores (12 por ciento) y una crónica, y en los restantes daño del labrum anterior, rupturas completas del manguito de los rotadores y una lesión de Hill-Sachs. Conclusión: La artroresonancia con técnica de supresión de grasa es capaz de detectar con alta frecuencia anormalidades intrarticulares en pacientes con hombro doloroso y limitación funcional y artrografía convencional previa normal. esta información puede ser de utilidad para el manejo posterior del paciente con síntomas y limitación funcional persistentes.

Temporomandibular joint arthrography: normal anatomy and technique of examination

Disfunçäo da articulaçäo têmporo-mandibular (ATM) é comum. Esta entidade é frequentemente consequência de desarranjos internos da ATM, os quais näo säo reconhecidos por meio da radiografia simples ou estudos planigráficos. A artrografia da ATM tem se mostrado uma valiosa técnica no diagnostico destas anormalidades. A técnica de exame e a anatomia artrográfica normal säo revistas neste trabalho.