Association of the British Athletic Muscle Injury Classification and anatomic location with return to full training and reinjury following hamstring injury in elite football.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between hamstring muscle injuries (HMIs) that involve the intramuscular tendon and prolonged recovery time and increased reinjury rate remains unclear in elite footballers. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of time to return to full training (TRFT) and reinjury of HMIs using the British Athletic Muscle Injury Classification (BAMIC) and specific anatomical injury location in elite-level football players. METHODS: The electronic medical records of all players at an English Premier League club were reviewed over eight consecutive seasons. All players who sustained an acute HMI were included. Two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists independently graded each muscle using the BAMIC, categorised each injury location area (proximal vs middle vs distal third and proximal vs distal tendon) and reported second muscle involvement. TRFT and reinjury were recorded. RESULTS: Out of 61 HMIs, the intramuscular tendon (BAMIC 'c') was involved in 13 (21.3%). HMI involving the intramuscular tendon ('c') had a mean rank TRFT of 36 days compared with 24 days without involvement (p=0.013). There were 10 (16.4%) reinjuries with a significant difference of 38.5% reinjury rate in the group with intramuscular tendon injury ('c') and 12.5% in the group without (p=0.031). TRFT and reinjury involving a second muscle was statistically significantly higher than without. Most of the HMIs to the biceps femoris with reinjury (5 out of 9) were in the distal third section related to the distal tendon site involving both the long and short head. CONCLUSION: TRFT in HMI involving the intramuscular tendon ('c') of the Biceps femoris is significantly longer with significantly higher reinjury rate compared with injuries without, in elite football players. The finding that most reinjures of the biceps femoris occurring in the distal third muscle at the distal tendon site, involving both the long and short head, merits further investigation.

Radiofrequency ablation of chondroblastoma: long-term clinical and imaging outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term clinical and imaging outcomes of patients with chondroblastoma treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 25 consecutive patients treated with RFA from September 2006 to December 2013. Patients were reviewed within one month of the procedure, then every 3-6 months, and yearly for up to three years. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at follow-up to monitor recovery. Functional outcome was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society Score (MSTS). RESULTS: Pre-procedure MRI confirmed osteolytic lesions (size range 1.0-3.3 cm; mean 2.0 cm). Patients reported continued symptomatic improvement at four months review. Serial MRI confirmed progressive resolution of inflammation with fatty consolidation of cavity. 88 % of patients became asymptomatic during the follow up period. Three patients' (12 %) symptoms returned at 16, 22 and 24 months respectively after RFA. MRI and biopsy confirmed recurrence in these patients. Functional assessment using MSTS score had an average score of 97.5 %. Mean follow up for the study group was 49 months. CONCLUSION: RFA is an effective alternative to surgery in the management of chondroblastoma. We recommend a multi-disciplinary approach and RFA should be considered as a first-line treatment. Long-term follow-up is required for timely detection of recurrences. KEY POINTS: • RFA is a safe and effective technique in the treatment of chondroblastoma. • Positive outcomes in 88 % patients at mean follow-up period of 49 months. • Local recurrences occurred in 12 % cases. • Long-term follow-up is required for timely detection of recurrences. • RFA should be considered as a first-line treatment for chondroblastoma.

British athletics muscle injury classification: a new grading system.

The commonly used muscle injury grading systems based on three grades of injury, representing minor, moderate and complete injuries to the muscle, are lacking in diagnostic accuracy and provide limited prognostic information to the clinician. In recent years, there have been a number of proposals for alternative grading systems. While there is recent evidence regarding the prognostic features of muscle injuries, this evidence has not often been incorporated into the grading proposals. The British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification proposes a new system, based on the available evidence, which should provide a sound diagnostic base for therapeutic decision-making and prognostication. Injuries are graded 0-4 based on MRI features, with Grades 1-4 including an additional suffix 'a', 'b' or 'c' if the injury is 'myofascial', 'musculo-tendinous' or 'intratendinous'. Retrospective and prospective studies in elite track and field athletes are underway to validate the classification for use in hamstring muscle injury management. It is intended that this grading system can provide a suitable diagnostic framework for enhanced clinical decision-making in the management of muscle injuries and assist with future research to inform the development of improved prevention and management strategies.

Imaging appearances and clinical outcome following sacrectomy and ilio-lumbar reconstruction for sacral neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Sacrectomy and ilio-lumbar reconstruction is an uncommonly performed complex surgical procedure for the treatment of sacral neoplasia. There are many challenges in the post-operative period including the potential for tumor recurrence, infection, and construct failure. We present our experience of this patient cohort and describe the complications and imaging appearances that can be encountered during the follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of our Orthopaedic Oncology database was undertaken which has been collected over a 30-year period to identify patients that had undergone sacrectomy and ilio-lumbar reconstruction. Pre and post-operative imaging including radiographs, CT, and MRI was reviewed. These were viewed by two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists with consensus opinion if there was disagreement over the imaging findings. Data regarding patient demographics, tumor type, and dimensions was collected. Serial review of radiographs, CT, and MRI was performed to assess implant position and integrity, strut graft position and union, and for the presence of recurrence within the surgical bed. RESULTS: Five male and two female patients (mean age 36 years, age range 15-54 years) were treated with this procedure. Histological diagnoses included chordoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and spindle cell sarcoma. Mean maximal tumor size on pre-operative imaging was 10.7 cm (range, 6-16 cm). Post-operative follow-up ranged from 10-46 months. A total of 76 imaging studies were reviewed. Commonly identified complications included vertical rod and cross-connector fracture and screw loosening. Fibula strut graft non-union and fracture was also evident on imaging review. Two patients demonstrated disease recurrence during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the spectrum and frequency of complications that can occur following sacrectomy and ilio-lumbar reconstruction for sacral neoplasia.

Profunda femoris pseudoaneurysm following Birmingham hip resurfacing: an important differential diagnosis for a periarticular cystic mass.

Vascular injury following hip resurfacing arthroplasty is rare: we present a case of profunda femoris pseudoaneurysm complicating hip resurfacing arthroplasty performed via an anterolateral approach. Over recent years, it has been recognized that an adverse reaction to metal debris from metal-on-metal arthroplasties can also result in the development of cystic masses around the hip. This case highlights a potential rare differential diagnosis that needs to be considered when imaging cystic mass lesions around the postoperative hip. Imaging can provide a definitive diagnosis if this entity is considered and its appearances recognized, resulting in appropriate management of this potentially limb- and life-threatening complication.

Imaging in the diagnosis, prognostication, and management of lower limb muscle injury.

Muscle injuries of the lower extremity are extremely common among athletes leading to significant morbidity and time out from competition. Furthermore, increasing athletic activity in the general population has resulted in lower limb muscle injuries becoming commonplace. It is therefore vital for the musculoskeletal radiologist to be familiar with the imaging findings of lower limb muscle injuries and to be aware of the role of imaging in the prognostication and management of these injuries. The most commonly injured lower limb muscles are the quadriceps, the hamstring complex, and the gastrocnemius muscles. This article reviews the biomechanical and imaging features of common acute muscle injuries of the lower extremity and evaluates the role of imaging in the prognosis of these sport injuries.

Musculoskeletal imaging: current and future trends.

Advances in imaging technology and the increasing role of interventional procedures in musculoskeletal imaging have continued to stimulate research over recent years. This review summarises some recent articles on musculoskeletal radiology topics and looks forward to potential future developments in this exciting sub-speciality.

Magnetic resonance imaging appearances following hindquarter amputation for pelvic musculoskeletal malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances after hindquarter amputation, focusing on the normal pattern of time-related changes in signal intensity within the amputation flap and appearances of local disease recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of the records of patients identified on our orthopaedic oncology database who had undergone hindquarter amputation at our centre. Examinations were divided into one group consisting of 'normal' postoperative findings and another group demonstrating local recurrence. 'Normal' postoperative findings were assessed for signal intensity, morphology and presence of the 'muscle texture sign' within the amputation flap. Examinations were grouped according to time from surgery. Examinations demonstrating local recurrence were assessed for site, signal intensity, morphology and axial dimensions of recurrent tumour. Comparison was made to pre-operative imaging. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with postoperative MR images were identified. Seventy-seven examinations were reviewed (range 1-18 per patient). The 'normal group' comprised 18 patients (seven female, 11 male, mean age 44 years, range 16-75 years), with 47 examinations reviewed. The 'muscle texture sign' was preserved in all examinations in this group. Up to 6 months after surgery, 100% (10) of examinations showed hyperintense T2- and short-tau inversion recovery (STIR-weighted) signals within the muscle flap, indicating oedema. Only after 4 years was the muscle flap signal isointense in all cases (13). Up to 6 months after surgery, 50% (5 of 10) of examinations demonstrated flap swelling, but after 1 year, 100% (28) showed atrophy. Twenty percent (2 of 10) of examinations 0-6 months from surgery showed hyperintense T1-weighted signal within the muscle flap, consistent with fatty infiltration, but after 2 years, 100% (20) showed a hyperintense T1-weighted signal. The 'local recurrence' group comprised 20 patients (six female, 14 male, mean age 45.7 years, range 14-69 years), with 30 examinations demonstrating recurrent disease or metastasis. There were 23 recurrent tumours, of which 43% (10) were in the muscle component of the amputation flap, 13% (3 of 23) were in subcutaneous tissues of the flap, 13% (3 of 23) were at the posterior margin of the bone resection and 13% (3 of 23) were paraspinal. All recurrent tumours demonstrated hyperintense T2 and STIR signals. The signal intensity pattern of recurrence closely followed that of the original tumour. The 'muscle texture sign' was absent in all examinations demonstrating recurrence in muscle flap. CONCLUSION: A pattern of time-related signal intensity and morphological changes is observed within normal hindquarter amputation flaps on MRI. Recurrent disease is most likely to occur within the muscle flap, typically of high T2-weighted signal intensity and characteristically follows the signal pattern of the original tumour.

Ultrasound guided dry needling and autologous blood injection for patellar tendinosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound guided dry needling and autologous blood injection for the treatment of patellar tendinosis. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Hospital/clinic based. PATIENTS: 47 knees in 44 patients (40 men, 7 women, mean age 34.5 years, age range 17 to 54 years) with refractory tendinosis underwent sonographic examination of the patellar tendon following referral with a clinical diagnosis of patellar tendinosis (mean symptom duration 12.9 months). INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasound guided dry needling and injection of autologous blood into the site of patellar tendinosis was performed on two occasions four weeks apart. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre- and post-procedure Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment scores (VISA) were collected to assess patient response to treatment. Follow up ultrasound examination was done in 21 patients (22 knees). RESULTS: Therapeutic intervention led to a significant improvement in VISA score: mean pre-procedure score = 39.8 (range 8 to 72) v mean post procedure score = 74.3 (range 29 to 100), p<0.001; mean follow up 14.8 months (range 6 to 22 months). Patients were able to return to their sporting interests. Follow up sonographic assessment showed a reduction in overall tendon thickness and in the size of the area of tendinosis (hypoechoic/anechoic areas within the proximal patellar tendon). A reduction was identified in interstitial tears within the tendon substance. Neovascularity did not reduce significantly or even increased. CONCLUSIONS: Dry needling and autologous blood injection under ultrasound guidance shows promise as a treatment for patients with patellar tendinosis.

MRI findings of femoroacetabular impingement.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate MRI in the identification of labral and articular cartilage lesions in patients with a clinical suspicion of femoroacetabular impingement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative MRI was performed in 46 consecutive patients (26 men, 20 women; age range, 21-45 years; mean age, 32.3 years) for whom femoroacetabular impingement was clinically suspected. Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently assessed the MR images for the presence and anatomic site of labral disorders, labral-chondral transitional zone disorders, femoral cartilage lesions, and acetabular cartilage lesions. Surgical correlation was obtained in all cases by two surgeons who were experienced in hip arthroscopy. RESULTS: Seven patients showed labral tears on MRI that were confirmed surgically in all cases. Thirty-seven patients (97%) of the 38 surgically confirmed cases had lesions of the labral-chondral transitional zone on MRI. The sites of labral-chondral transitional zone abnormalities at arthroscopy were 50% anterosuperior, 36% anterosuperior and superolateral, 11% superolateral, and 3% superolateral and posterosuperior. The site was identified correctly in 92% (reviewer 1) and 95% (reviewer 2) of cases on MRI. Separate acetabular cartilage abnormality was surgically identified in 39% of cases, and femoral cartilage lesions were found in 20%. The acetabular chondral lesions were correctly identified in 89-94% of cases. CONCLUSION: MRI provides a useful assessment of patients in whom a femoroacetabular impingement is clinically suspected. A high-resolution, nonarthrographic technique can provide preoperative information regarding the presence and anatomic site of labral and cartilage abnormalities.