Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part VII, nerves of the lower limb.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a Delphi-based consensus on published evidence on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb (excluding Morton's neuroma) and provide clinical indications. METHODS: We report the results of a Delphi-based consensus of 53 experts from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided interventional procedures offered around peripheral nerves in the lower limb (excluding Morton's neuroma) to derive their clinical indications. Experts drafted a list of statements and graded them according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence. Consensus was considered strong when > 95% of experts agreed with the statement or broad when > 80% but < 95% agreed. The results of the Delphi-based consensus were used to write the paper. RESULTS: Nine statements on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb have been drafted. All of them received strong consensus. Image-guided pudendal nerve block is safe, effective, and well tolerated with few complications. US-guided perisciatic injection of anesthetic provides good symptom relief in patients with piriformis syndrome; however, the addition of corticosteroids to local anesthetics still has an unclear role. US-guided lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block can be used to provide effective post-operative regional analgesia. CONCLUSION: Despite the promising results reported by published papers on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb, there is still a lack of evidence on the efficacy of most procedures. KEY POINTS: • Image-guided pudendal nerve block is safe, effective, and well tolerated with few complications. • US-guided perisciatic injection of anesthetic provides good symptom relief in patients with piriformis syndrome; however, the addition of corticosteroids to local anesthetics still has an unclear role. • US-guided lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block can be used to provide effective post-operative regional analgesia. The volume of local anesthetic affects the size of the blocked sensory area.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part VI, foot and ankle.

OBJECTIVES: Clarity regarding accuracy and effectiveness for interventional procedures around the foot and ankle is lacking. Consequently, a board of 53 members of the Ultrasound and Interventional Subcommittees of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) reviewed the published literature to evaluate the evidence on image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures around this anatomical region. METHODS: We report the results of a Delphi-based consensus of 53 experts from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided interventional procedures offered around foot and ankle in order to derive their clinical indications. Experts drafted a list of statements and graded them according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence. Consensus was considered strong when > 95% of experts agreed with the statement or broad when > 80% but < 95% agreed. The results of the Delphi-based consensus were used to write the paper that was shared with all panel members for final approval. RESULTS: A list of 16 evidence-based statements on clinical indications for image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures in the foot and ankle were drafted after a literature review. The highest level of evidence was reported for four statements, all receiving 100% agreement. CONCLUSION: According to this consensus, image-guided interventions should not be considered a first-level approach for treating Achilles tendinopathy, while ultrasonography guidance is strongly recommended to improve the efficacy of interventional procedures for plantar fasciitis and Morton's neuroma, particularly using platelet-rich plasma and corticosteroids, respectively. KEY POINTS: • The expert panel of the ESSR listed 16 evidence-based statements on clinical indications of image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures in the foot and ankle. • Strong consensus was obtained for all statements. • The highest level of evidence was reached by four statements concerning the effectiveness of US-guided injections of corticosteroid for Morton's neuroma and PRP for plantar fasciitis.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part V, knee.

OBJECTIVES: Interventional procedures around the knee are widely adopted for treating different musculoskeletal conditions. A panel of experts from the Ultrasound and Interventional Subcommittees of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) reviewed the existing literature to assess the evidence on image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures around the knee, with the goal of highlighting some controversies associated with these procedures, specifically the role of imaging guidance, as well as the efficacy of the medications routinely injected. METHODS: We report the results of a Delphi-based consensus of 53 experts in musculoskeletal radiology, who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided interventional procedures around the knee to derive a list of pertinent clinical indications. RESULTS: A list of 10 statements about clinical indications of image-guided procedures around the knee was created by a Delphi-based consensus. Only two of them had the highest level of evidence; all of them received 100% consensus. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography guidance is strongly recommended for intra-articular and patellar tendinopathy procedures to ensure the precision and efficacy of these treatments. Prospective randomized studies remain warranted to better understand the role of imaging guidance and assess some of the medications used for interventional procedures around the knee. KEY POINTS: • A list of 10 evidence-based statements on clinical indications of image-guided interventional procedures around the knee was produced by an expert panel of the ESSR. • Strong consensus with 100% agreement was obtained for all statements. • Two statements reached the highest level of evidence, allowing us to strongly recommend the use of ultrasonography to guide intra-articular and patellar tendon procedures to ensure higher accuracy and efficacy of these treatments.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part IV, hip.

OBJECTIVES: Image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures around the hip are widely used in daily clinical practice. The need for clarity concerning the actual added value of imaging guidance and types of medications to be offered led the Ultrasound and the Interventional Subcommittees of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) to promote, with the support of its Research Committee, a collaborative project to review the published literature on image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures in the lower limb in order to derive a list of clinical indications. METHODS: In this article, we report the results of a Delphi-based consensus of 53 experts who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided interventional procedures offered in the joint and soft tissues around the hip in order of their clinical indications. RESULTS: Ten statements concerning image-guided treatment procedures around the hip have been collected by the panel of ESSR experts. CONCLUSIONS: This work highlighted that there is still low evidence in the existing literature on some of these interventional procedures. Further large prospective randomized trials are essential to better confirm the benefits and objectively clarify the role of imaging to guide musculoskeletal interventional procedures around the hip. KEY POINTS: • Expert consensus produced a list of 10 evidence-based statements on clinical indications of image-guided interventional procedures around the hip. • The highest level of evidence was only reached for one statement. • Strong consensus was obtained for all statements.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part I, shoulder.

BACKGROUND: Image-guided interventional procedures around the shoulder are commonly performed in clinical practice, although evidence regarding their effectiveness is scarce. We report the results of a Delphi method review of evidence on literature published on image-guided interventional procedures around the shoulder with a list of clinical indications. METHODS: Forty-five experts in image-guided musculoskeletal procedures from the ESSR participated in a consensus study using the Delphic method. Peer-reviewed papers regarding interventional procedures around the shoulder up to September 2018 were scored according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine levels of evidence. Statements on clinical indications were constructed. Consensus was considered as strong if more than 95% of experts agreed and as broad if more than 80% agreed. RESULTS: A total of 20 statements were drafted, and 5 reached the highest level of evidence. There were 10 statements about tendon procedures, 6 about intra-articular procedures, and 4 about intrabursal injections. Strong consensus was obtained in 16 of them (80%), while 4 received broad consensus (20%). CONCLUSIONS: Literature evidence on image-guided interventional procedures around the shoulder is limited. A strong consensus has been reached for 80% of statements. The ESSR recommends further research to potentially influence treatment options, patient outcomes, and social impact. KEY POINTS: • Expert consensus produced a list of 20 evidence-based statements on clinical indications of image-guided interventional procedures around the shoulder. • The highest level of evidence was reached for five statements. • Strong consensus was obtained for 16 statements (80%), while 4 received broad consensus (20%).

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-Part II, elbow and wrist.

BACKGROUND: Although image-guided interventional procedures of the elbow and wrist are routinely performed, there is poor evidence in the literature concerning such treatments. Our aim was to perform a Delphi-based consensus on published evidence on image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist and provide clinical indications on this topic. METHODS: A board of 45 experts in image-guided interventional musculoskeletal procedures from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology were involved in this Delphi-based consensus study. All panelists reviewed and scored published papers on image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist updated to September 2018 according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine levels of evidence. Consensus on statements drafted by the panelists about clinical indications was considered as "strong" when more than 95% of panelists agreed and as "broad" if more than 80% agreed. RESULTS: Eighteen statements were drafted, 12 about tendon procedures and 6 about intra-articular procedures. Only statement #15 reached the highest level of evidence (ultrasound-guided steroid wrist injections result in greater pain reduction and greater likelihood of attaining clinically important improvement). Seventeen statements received strong consensus (94%), while one received broad consensus (6%). CONCLUSIONS: There is still poor evidence in published papers on image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist. A strong consensus has been achieved in 17/18 (94%) statements provided by the panel on clinical indications. Large prospective randomized trials are needed to better define the role of these procedures in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: • The panel provided 18 evidence-based statements on clinical indications of image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist. • Only statement #15 reached the highest level of evidence: ultrasound-guided steroid wrist injections result in greater pain reduction and greater likelihood of attaining clinically important improvement. • Seventeen statements received strong consensus (94%), while broad consensus was obtained by 1 statement (6%).

Clinical indications for image guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part III, nerves of the upper limb.

BACKGROUND: Image-guided interventional procedures of the nerves are commonly performed by physicians from different medical specialties, although there is a lack of clinical indications for these types of procedures. This Delphi-based consensus provided a list of indications on image-guided interventional procedures for nerves of the upper limb based on updated published evidence. METHODS: An expert panel of 45 members of the Ultrasound and Interventional Subcommittees of the ESSR participated in this Delphi-based consensus study. After revision of the published papers on image-guided interventional procedures for nerves of the upper limb updated to September 2018, the experts drafted a list of statements according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence. Consensus on statements regarding clinical indications was considered as strong when more than 95% of experts agreed, and broad if more than 80% agreed. RESULTS: Ten statements were drafted on procedures for nerves of the upper limb. Only two statements reached the highest level of evidence (ultrasound guidance is a safe and effective method for brachial plexus block; ultrasound-guided non-surgical approaches are safe and effective methods to treat carpal tunnel syndrome in the short term, but there is sparse evidence on the mid- and long-term effectiveness of these interventions). Strong consensus was obtained on 6/10 statements (60%), while 4/10 statements reached broad consensus (40%). CONCLUSIONS: This Delphi-based consensus study reported poor evidence on image-guided interventional procedures for nerves of the upper limb. Sixty percent of statements on clinical indications provided by the expert board reached a strong consensus. KEY POINTS: • An expert panel of the ESSR provided 10 evidence-based statements on clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures for nerves of the upper limb • Two statements reached the highest level of evidence • Strong consensus was obtained on 6/10 statements (60%), while 4/10 statements reached broad consensus (40%).

Future Ultrasound Biomarkers for Sarcopenia: Elastography, Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound, and Speed of Sound Ultrasound Imaging.

Sarcopenia is the advanced and generalized loss of muscle mass and strength among the elderly population and is a cause of adverse outcomes. Methods used for the diagnosis of sarcopenia are either unavailable or expensive in everyday clinical settings. Ultrasound presents an inexpensive, convenient, and available method that offers advantages for the evaluation of skeletal muscle. Muscle quality will probably be the most important factor in defining sarcopenia in the future. Different features of muscle quality, including muscle elasticity, microcirculation and muscle perfusion during rest and physical activity, and the content of intramuscular adipose tissue can be measured using emerging and promising ultrasound techniques such as elastography, contrast-enhanced imaging, and speed of sound ultrasound technology. This article reviews the recent evidence on the use of ultrasound techniques in the assessment of muscle quality and the possibilities for the future evaluation of sarcopenia.

Percutaneous Imaging-Guided versus Open Musculoskeletal Biopsy: Concepts and Controversies.

Bone and soft tissue tumors are a largely heterogeneous group of tumors. Biopsy of musculoskeletal (MSK) tumors is sometimes a challenging procedure. Although the open biopsy is still considered the gold standard for the biopsy of MSK lesions, core needle biopsy can replace it in most cases, with similar accuracy and a low complication rate. The biopsy should be performed in a tertiary sarcoma center where the multidisciplinary team consists of at minimum a tumor surgeon, an MSK pathologist, and an MSK radiologist who can assess all steps of the procedure. Several factors can influence the success of the biopsy including the lesion characteristics, the equipment, and the method used for the procedure. This review highlights some of the important aspects regarding the biopsy of the MSK tumors, with special attention to imaging a guided core needle biopsy and highlighting some of the recent advancements and controversies in the field.

The Role of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Tumors.

The vast majority of soft tissue masses are benign. Benign lesions such as superficial lipomas and ganglia are by far the most common soft tissue masses and can be readily identified and excluded on ultrasound (US). US is an ideal triaging tool for superficial soft tissue masses. Compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), High-resolution US is inexpensive, readily available, well tolerated, and safe. It also allows the radiologist to interact with the patient as a clinician. In this review, we describe and illustrate the lesions with typical (diagnostic) US features. When the appearances of the lesion are not typical as expected for a benign lesion, lesions are deep or large, or malignancy is suspected clinically, MRI and biopsy are needed. The management of suspicious soft tissue tumors has to be carefully planned by a multidisciplinary team involving specialized surgeons and pathologists at a tumor center.

The Collateral Ligaments and Posterolateral Corner: What Radiologists Should Know.

Ligamentous and tendinous structures of the posterolateral corner of the knee provide important static and dynamic stability to the knee joint and act in conjunction with anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. Injuries of these structures are not uncommon. Failure to treat posterolateral corner injuries leads to posterolateral instability of the knee and subsequently poor outcome of cruciate ligament reconstructions. Currently, MRI is the diagnostic modality of choice in the evaluation of posterolateral corner injuries of the knee. We review normal MR imaging anatomy of the complex anatomical structures of the posterolateral corner of the knee, their biomechanical function, injuries, and current treatment options.

Sarcopenia, More Than Just Muscle Atrophy: Imaging Methods for the Assessment of Muscle Quantity and Quality.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia, a progressive reduction of muscle mass and function, is associated with adverse outcomes in the elderly. Sarcopenia and muscle atrophy are not equal processes. Low muscle strength in association with muscle quantity/quality reduction is currently the optimal method for assessing sarcopenia. There is a practical need for indirect measurement of muscle strength using state-of-the-art imaging techniques. METHODS: The following provides a narrative, broad review of all current imaging techniques for evaluating muscles and identifying sarcopenia, including DEXA, CT, MRI, and high-resolution ultrasound, their main strengths, weaknesses, and possible solutions to problems regarding each technique. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Well-recognized imaging methods for the assessment of muscle mass are explained, including evaluation with DEXA, CT, and MRI muscle quantity assessment, ultrasound evaluation of muscle thickness and CSA, and their correlations with established muscle mass calculation methods. A special focus is on imaging methods for muscle quality evaluation. Several innovative and promising techniques that are still in the research phase but show potential in the assessment of different properties of muscle quality, including MRI DIXON sequences, MRI spectroscopy, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, ultrasound echo intensity, ultrasound elastography, and speed-of-sound ultrasound imaging are briefly mentioned. KEY POINTS: · Sarcopenia definition includes low muscle strength and low muscle quantity/quality.. · DEXA is a low-radiation method for whole-body composition measurement in a single image.. · CT has established cut-off values for muscle quality/quantity evaluation and sarcopenia diagnosis.. · MRI is the most sophisticated muscle quality assessment method capable of evaluating myosteatosis, myofibrosis, and microstructure.. · Ultrasound can evaluate muscle quality, including tissue architecture, and elasticity with excellent spatial resolution.. CITATION FORMAT: · Vasilevska Nikodinovska V, Ivanoski S, . Sarcopenia, More Than Just Muscle Atrophy: Imaging Methods for the Assessment of Muscle Quantity and Quality. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2023; 195: 777 - 789.

Impact of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) Postprocessing Protocols on Detection of Monosodium Urate (MSU) Deposits in Foot Tendons of Cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate two different dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) post-processing protocols for the detection of MSU deposits in foot tendons of cadavers with verification by polarizing light microscopy as the gold standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 40 embalmed cadavers (15 male; 25 female; median age, 82 years; mean, 80 years; range, 52-99; SD ± 10.9) underwent DECT to assess MSU deposits in foot tendons. Two postprocessing DECT protocols with different Hounsfield unit (HU) thresholds, 150/500 (=established) versus 120/500 (=modified). HU were applied to dual source acquisition with 80 kV for tube A and 140 kV for tube B. Six fresh cadavers (4 male; 2 female; median age, 78; mean, 78.5; range 61-95) were examined by DECT. Tendon dissection of 2/6 fresh cadavers with positive DECT 120 and negative DECT 150 studies were used to verify MSU deposits by polarizing light microscopy. RESULTS: The tibialis anterior tendon was found positive in 57.5%/100% (DECT 150/120), the peroneus tendon in 35%/100%, the achilles tendon in 25%/90%, the flexor halluces longus tendon in 10%/100%, and the tibialis posterior tendon in 12.5%/97.5%. DECT 120 resulted in increased tendon MSU deposit detection, when DECT 150 was negative, with an overall agreement between DECT 150 and DECT 120 of 80% (p = 0.013). Polarizing light microscope confirmed MSU deposits detected only by DECT 120 in the tibialis anterior, the achilles, the flexor halluces longus, and the peroneal tendons. CONCLUSION: The DECT 120 protocol showed a higher sensitivity when compared to DECT 150.

Ultrasound-guided Biopsy of Musculoskeletal Soft-tissue Tumors: Basic Principles, Usefulness and Limitations.

The aim of this article is to provide a short review of the literature concerning the basic principles, usefulness and limitations of ultrasound-guided biopsy of musculoskeletal soft-tissue tumors, with particular focus on core needle biopsies. Musculoskeletal soft-tissue tumors represent a rare and complex group of heterogeneous lesions. Prompt diagnosis of these uncommon lesions can improve the outcome and increase the patient survival rate. A biopsy examination of soft-tissue tumors with imaging modalities is necessary in all cases of aggressive or undetermined lesions. Although fine needle aspiration can be helpful for the biopsy of certain tumor types, core needle biopsy is a standard procedure in most tertiary sarcoma centers. It has a high diagnostic accuracy, low complication rate and lower price in comparison to open biopsy, and can replace it in the majority of cases of soft-tissue tumor assessment. However, the examining physician has to be familiar with the technique, and the strengths and potential difficulties in performing ultrasound-guided biopsy, as well as possible solutions to obstacles. Several recently developed ultrasound techniques can be helpful and improve the outcome of imaging-guided biopsies of musculoskeletal lesions.

Low-Grade Malignancy Glomus Tumor in a Setting of Multiple Glomus Tumors - Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Glomus tumors are rare neoplasms accounting for less than 2% of all soft tissue tumors but multiple lesions may be seen in up to 10% of the patients. Solitary glomus tumor (GT) most frequently appears as small nodule in specific locations such as subungual region or deep dermis. However, rarely these entities have been observed in extracutaneous locations such as the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory tracts, and other visceral organs. A small fraction of the GTs may present as tumors of uncertain malignant potential or as malignant glomus tumors. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a patient with multiple glomus tumors on the time of diagnosis, which was histologically diagnosed as an atypical glomus tumor following resection of a tumor thrombus in the left renal vein, inferior vena cava trombus with intracardial extension, and mitral valve specimen. The intramuscular lesion from the thigh was diagnosed as a glomus tumor of uncertain malignant potential. Further examinations revealed multiple lesions trough her body: kidneys, breast, heart and subcutaneous tissue. The diagnosis of glomus tumor of uncertain malignant potential versus glomus tumor with low malignant potential could be quite challenging, and the clinical course may be as a determining factor for final diagnosis. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the only known case of glomus tumor with multiple organ involvement and aggressive biological behavior at presentation.

Imaging of juvenile spondyloarthritis. Part II: Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Juvenile spondyloarthropathies are mainly manifested by symptoms of peripheral arthritis and enthesitis. Early involvement of sacroiliac joints and spine is exceptionally rare in children; this usually happens in adulthood. Conventional radiographs visualize late inflammatory lesions. Early diagnosis is possible with the use of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. The first part of the article presented classifications and radiographic presentation of juvenile spondyloarthropathies. This part discusses changes seen on ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. In patients with juvenile spondyloarthropathies, these examinations are conducted to diagnose inflammatory lesions in peripheral joints, tendon sheaths, tendons and bursae. Moreover, magnetic resonance also shows subchondral bone marrow edema, which is considered an early sign of inflammation. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging do not show specific lesions for any rheumatic disease. Nevertheless, they are conducted for early diagnosis, treatment monitoring and identifying complications. This article presents a spectrum of inflammatory changes and discusses the diagnostic value of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.