Assessment of Scapholunate Instability on 4D CT Scans in Patients with Inconclusive Conventional Images.

Background Initial imaging work-up using radiography and CT arthrography sometimes can be insufficient to identify a scapholunate (SL) instability (SLI) in patients suspected of having SL ligament tears. Purpose To determine the diagnostic performance of four-dimensional (4D) CT in the identification of SLI and apply the findings to patients suspected of having SLI and with inconclusive findings on radiographs and CT arthrograms. Materials and Methods This prospective single-center study enrolled participants suspected of having SLI (recent trauma, dorsal pain, positive Watson test results, decreased grip strength) between March 2015 and March 2020. Participants with wrist fractures, substantial joint stiffness, or history of wrist surgery were excluded. Each participant underwent radiography, CT arthrography, and 4D CT on the same day. Participants were divided into three groups: those with no SLI, those with SLI, and those with inconclusive results. SL gap and radioscaphoid and lunocapitate angle were measured using semiautomatic quantitative analysis of 4D CT images by two independent readers. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 4D CT. Thresholds were determined with the Youden index and were applied to the inconclusive group. Results Of the 150 included participants (mean age, 41 years ± 14 [SD]; 102 male, 48 female), there were 63 with no SLI, 48 with SLI, and 39 with inconclusive results. The maximum value and range of SL gap measurements on 4D CT scans showed high sensitivity (83% [40 of 48] and 90% [43 of 48], respectively) and high specificity (95% [59 of 62] and 81% [50 of 62], respectively) in the identification of SLI. At least one of these parameters was abnormal on 4D CT scans in 17 of 39 (44%) participants in the inconclusive group, and 10 of 17 (59%) participants had confirmed SLI. In the 22 participants in the inconclusive group with no indication of SLI at 4D CT, follow-up showed no evidence of SLI in 10 (45%) and enabled confirmation of SLI via arthroscopy in three (14%). Conclusion Scapholunate gap measurements on kinematic 4D CT scans enabled correct identification of SLI in 59% of participants with inconclusive results on conventional images. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT02401568 © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Demehri and Ibad in this issue.

Initial Characterization of Focal Bone Lesions with Conventional Radiographs or Computed Tomography: Diagnostic Performance and Interobserver Agreement Assessment.

Objectives: To ascertain the role of CT and conventional radiographs for the initial characterization of focal bone lesions.Methods: Images from 184 patients with confirmed bone tumors included in an ethics committee-approved study were retrospectively evaluated. The reference for benign-malignant distribution was based on histological analysis and long-term follow-up. Radiographs and CT features were analyzed by 2 independent musculoskeletal radiologists blinded to the final diagnosis. Lesion margins, periosteal reaction, cortical lysis, endosteal scalloping, presence of pathologic fracture, and lesion mineralization were evaluated. Results: The benign-malignant distribution in the study population was 68.5-31.5% (126 benign and 58 malignant). In the lesions that could be seen in both radiographs and CT, the performance of these methods for the benign-malignant differentiation was similar (accuracy varying from 72.8% to 76.5%). The interobserver agreement for the overall evaluation of lesion aggressiveness was considerably increased on CT compared to radiographs (Kappa of .63 vs .22). With conventional radiographs, 18 (9.7%) and 20 (10.8%) of the lesions evaluated were not seen respectively by readers 1 and 2. Among these unseen lesions, 50%-61.1% were located in the axial skeleton. Compared to radiographs, the number of lesions with cortical lysis and endosteal scalloping was 26-34% higher with CT. Conclusion: Although radiographs remain the primary imaging tool for lesions in the peripheral skeleton, CT should be performed for axial lesions. CT imaging can assess the extent of perilesional bone lysis more precisely than radiographs with a better evaluation of lesion fracture risk.

New magnetic resonance imaging sequences for fibrosis assessment in Crohn's disease: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with Crohn's disease can develop intestinal strictures, containing various degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. Differentiation of the main component of a structuring lesion is the key for defining the therapeutic management. We evaluated new magnetic resonance imaging sequences (IVIM (Intravoxel Incoherent Motion imaging) and T1 mapping) for assessing fibrosis in Crohn's disease. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center study of adult patients with Crohn's disease and magnetic resonance imaging examination, including IVIM and T1 mapping sequences, between March 2021 and April 2021. The association between the perfusion fraction (IVIM), reduction of relaxation time between pre- and postcontrast enhancement (T1 mapping), and the degree of fibrosis assessed by a visual analog scale from 0 to 10 was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients were included. The perfusion fraction was significantly correlated with fibrosis, with lower perfusion fraction in severe fibrosis (p = .002). T1 mapping sequence was also correlated with the degree of fibrosis, reduction of relaxation time was higher in patients with severe fibrosis than in patients with mild fibrosis (p = .05). CONCLUSION: In Crohn's disease, these new tools could improve the performance of magnetic resonance imaging for transmural fibrosis quantification, and may be useful for improving care.

Imaging assessment of dorsal scaphoid displacement in patients with scapholunate ligament tears: what is the best option for quantitative assessment?

OBJECTIVE: To compare four different methods for the quantitative assessment of dorsal scaphoid displacement in patients with scapholunate ligament tears. METHODS: A total of 160 consecutive patients who underwent CT arthrography to evaluate a suspected scapholunate ligament tear were prospectively included in this study approved by the local ethics committee. MR images were available for 65 of these patients. Two readers independently evaluated the dorsal scaphoid displacement on conventional radiographs with the dorsal tangential line (DTL) method, the posterior radioscaphoid angle (PRSA) on both CT and MR, and the radioscaphoid congruency ratio on MR. These measurements were compared in groups of patients with and without scapholunate ligament tears. RESULTS: The measurement interobserver agreement was considered excellent for the DTL and the PRSA on CT (ICC = 0.93 and 0.88, respectively), good for the PRSA (ICC = 0.65) on MR, and moderate for the RSCR (ICC = 0.49). There was a significant increase in the values of DTL and PRSA on CT between patients with normal and ruptured SLIL (p < 0.0001). The same tendency was seen on MR-based methods, but these differences were only significant for one reader. The only method that allowed the differentiation between patients with normal and partially ruptured SLIL was the PRSA on CT. PRSA on CT yielded the best diagnostic performance for SLIL rupture (a sensitivity and a specificity of 70-82% and 70-72%). CONCLUSION: DTL on standard radiographs and the PRSA on CT are the most consistent imaging indicators of SDD with an excellent interobserver reproducibility. KEY POINTS: • Dorsal scaphoid displacement is an important prognostic factor in patients with scapholunate instability. • Quantitative assessment of dorsal scaphoid displacement can be performed on conventional radiographs and CT with an excellent reproducibility. • The posterior radioscaphoid angle on CT yielded the best diagnostic performance for the identification of scapholunate ligament tears and the only method allowing differentiation between patients with normal and partially torn ligaments.

Solitary bone tumor imaging reporting and data system (BTI-RADS): initial assessment of a systematic imaging evaluation and comprehensive reporting method.

OBJECTIVES: Identify the most pertinent imaging features for solitary bone tumor characterization using a multimodality approach and propose a systematic evaluation system. METHODS: Data from a prospective trial, including 230 participants with histologically confirmed bone tumors, typical "do not touch" lesions, and stable chondral lesions, were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical data, CT, and MR imaging features were analyzed by a musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to the diagnosis using a structured report. The benign-malignant distribution of lesions bearing each image feature evaluated was compared to the benign-malignant distribution in the study sample. Benign and malignant indicators were identified. Two additional readers with different expertise levels independently evaluated the study sample. RESULTS: The sample included 140 men and 90 women (mean age 40.7 ± 18.3 years). The global benign-malignant distribution was 67-33%. Seven imaging features reached the criteria for benign indicators with a mean frequency of benignancy of 94%. Six minor malignant indicators were identified with a mean frequency of malignancy of 60.5%. Finally, three major malignant indicators were identified (Lodwick-Madewell grade III, aggressive periosteal reaction, and suspected metastatic disease) with a mean frequency of malignancy of 82.4%. A bone tumor imaging reporting and data system (BTI-RADS) was proposed. The reproducibility of the BTI-RADS was considered fair (kappa = 0.67) with a mean frequency of malignancy in classes I, II, III, and IV of 0%, 2.2%, 20.1%, and 71%, respectively. CONCLUSION: BTI-RADS is an evidence-based systematic approach to solitary bone tumor characterization with a fair reproducibility, allowing lesion stratification in classes of increasing malignancy frequency. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial number NCT02895633 . KEY POINTS: • The most pertinent CT and MRI criteria allowing bone tumor characterization were defined and presented. • Lodwick-Madewell grade III, aggressive periosteal reaction, and suspected metastatic disease should be considered major malignant indicators associated with a frequency of malignancy over 75%. • The proposed evidence-based multimodality reporting system stratifies solitary bone tumors in classes with increasing frequencies of malignancy.

Assessment of scapholunate instability with dynamic computed tomography.

We performed a prospective study to evaluate the values of dynamic four-dimensional computed tomography in assessing suspected chronic scapholunate instability. Forty patients were evaluated with radiographs, arthrography, and four-dimensional computed tomography. On plain radiographs and computed tomography, we found 16 patients with definite scapholunate instability, five with questionable scapholunate instability, and 19 with absence of scapholunate instability. We used four-dimensional computed tomography to evaluate the size of the scapholunate gap during radioulnar deviation. The mean and maximal values of the gap size were lowest in the patients with absence of scapholunate instability and highest in those with definite scapholunate instability. When comparing the scapholunate gap sizes of the patients with absent and questionable scapholunate instability, the range of the gap sizes was significantly higher in the patients with questionable scapholunate instability. We conclude that four-dimensional computed tomography aids assessment of chronic scapholunate instability, which allows the differentiation between patients without and those with definite or questionable scapholunate instability. Level of evidence: II.

Assessment of uteroplacental vascularisation in early first-trimester pregnancy with contrast-enhanced ultrasound and 3D power Doppler angiography: protocol for a prospective, cross-sectional, multicentre and non-randomised open study ("HOPE Study").

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge about the mechanisms leading to the establishment of uteroplacental vascularisation is inadequate, and some of what has been thought to be known for decades has recently been challenged by showing that the intervillous space, the major area of maternal-fetal exchange, appears to be perfused by maternal blood at as early as 6 weeks of gestation. The vascular flow then seems relatively constant until 13 weeks when it appears to increase suddenly. OBJECTIVES: The principal objective is to quantify the perfusion of the intervillous space by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) during the first-trimester at three different gestational ages (8, 11 and 13 weeks). The secondary objectives are to: (1) describe the indicators of vascularisation of the placenta (intervillous space) and the myometrium at the three gestational ages, measured by CEUS and three-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) angiography; (2) compare the diagnostic performance of CEUS and 3DPD for the demonstration and quantification of uteroplacental vascularisation and (3) establish a biological collection of placentas to increase knowledge about placental development and functions during pregnancy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, multicentre and non-randomised open study. We will include 42 women with ongoing pregnancy and divided into three groups of gestational ages (ie, 14 women by per group): 8, 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. 3DPD and then CEUS will be performed and the data about the perfusion kinetics and the 3DPD indices will be calculated and then compared with each other and for each gestational age. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The appropriate French Ethics Committee Est III approved this study and the related consent forms on 5 April 2016, and the competent authority (Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé) authorised the study on 21 June 2016. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be presented at relevant conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT02884297); EudraCT registry (2015-005655-27).

Radiology resident MR and CT image analysis skill assessment using an interactive volumetric simulation tool - the RadioLOG project.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the use of a volumetric simulation tool for the evaluation of radiology resident MR and CT interpretation skills. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-three participants were evaluated with a software allowing the visualisation of multiple volumetric image series. There were 7 medical students, 28 residents and 8 senior radiologists among the participants. Residents were divided into two sub-groups (novice and advanced). The test was composed of 15 exercises on general radiology and lasted 45 min. Participants answered a questionnaire on their experience with the test using a 5-point Likert scale. This study was approved by the dean of the medical school and did not require ethics committee approval. RESULTS: The reliability of the test was good with a Cronbach alpha value of 0.9. Test scores were significantly different in all sub-groups studies (p < 0.0225). The relation between test scores and the year of residency was logarithmic (R2 = 0.974). Participants agreed that the test reflected their radiological practice (3.9 ± 0.9 on a 5-point scale) and was better than the conventional evaluation methods (4.6 ± 0.5 on a 5-point scale). CONCLUSION: This software provides a high quality evaluation tool for the assessment of the interpretation skills in radiology residents. KEY POINTS: • This tool allows volumetric image analysis of MR and CT studies. • A high reliability test could be created with this tool. • Test scores were strongly associated with the examinee expertise level. • Examinees positively evaluated the authenticity and usability of this tool.