Updated practice guideline for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

The introduction of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technology in the 1980s revolutionized the diagnosis, management and monitoring of osteoporosis, providing a clinical tool which is now available worldwide. However, DXA measurements are influenced by many technical factors, including the quality control procedures for the instrument, positioning of the patient, and approach to analysis. Reporting of DXA results may be confounded by factors such as selection of reference ranges for T-scores and Z-scores, as well as inadequate knowledge of current standards for interpretation. These points are addressed at length in many international guidelines but are not always easily assimilated by practising clinicians and technicians. Our aim in this report is to identify key elements pertaining to the use of DXA in clinical practice, considering both technical and clinical aspects. Here, we discuss technical aspects of DXA procedures, approaches to interpretation and integration into clinical practice, and the use of non-bone mineral density measurements, such as a vertebral fracture assessment, in clinical risk assessment.

Standardized reporting of spine and sacroiliac joints in axial spondyloarthritis MRI: from the ESSR-Arthritis Subcommittee.

OBJECTIVES: Apply a modified Delphi-based approach and produce a practical, radiology-specific set of definitions for interpretation and standardization of the multiple MRI findings in axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA), specifically to aid the general radiologist with a musculoskeletal interest, working with gold standard basic MRI protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the results of a modified Delphi-based consensus of 35 experts from 13 countries in the Arthritis Subcommittee of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR). Seventeen definitions were created (i.e., nine for the spine and eight for the sacroiliac joint) and two Delphi rounds were conducted on an electronic database, collated and revised by the project leader with agreement. Group leads were appointed for each definition following the first round. Final definitions included only those that reached a consensus > 80%; if > 50% agreed on exclusion consensus, definitions were excluded. Final results have been shared during the Arthritis meeting at the Annual ESSR Congress. RESULTS: Fourteen definitions, eight for the spine and six for the sacroiliac joint were agreed for standardized reporting. Andersson's, anterior corner sclerotic and costovertebral joint inflammatory lesions of the spine, with active and non-active erosions, and fat metaplasia of the sacroiliac joint reaching the highest consensus (≥ 95%). More than 50% of the experts agreed to exclude joint space inflammation in the sacroiliac joint and tissue backfill. Syndesmophytes reached 76% agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Agreed definitions by expert radiologists using a modified Delphi process, should allow standardized actionable radiology reports and clarity in reporting terminology of ax-SpA. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The proposed definitions will support reporting from musculoskeletal and general radiologists working with gold-standard basic MRI, improve confidence in lesion assessment, and standardize terminology to provide actionable reports on MRI in patients with ax-SpA. KEY POINTS: Experts applied a modified Delphi method to optimize the definitions of MRI findings of ax-SpA. After two Delphi rounds and one in-person meeting, fourteen definitions reached the agreement threshold. These consensus-based definitions will aid in actionable reporting specifically for the general radiologist with a musculoskeletal interest.

Soft tissue tumor imaging in adults: whole-body staging in sarcoma, non-malignant entities requiring special algorithms, pitfalls and special imaging aspects. Guidelines 2024 from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR).

OBJECTIVES: The revised European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) consensus guidelines on soft tissue tumor imaging represent an update of 2015 after technical advancements, further insights into specific entities, and revised World Health Organization (2020) and AJCC (2017) classifications. This second of three papers covers algorithms once histology is confirmed: (1) standardized whole-body staging, (2) special algorithms for non-malignant entities, and (3) multiplicity, genetic tumor syndromes, and pitfalls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A validated Delphi method based on peer-reviewed literature was used to derive consensus among a panel of 46 specialized musculoskeletal radiologists from 12 European countries. Statements that had undergone interdisciplinary revision were scored online by the level of agreement (0 to 10) during two iterative rounds, that could result in 'group consensus', 'group agreement', or 'lack of agreement'. RESULTS: The three sections contain 24 statements with comments. Group consensus was reached in 95.8% and group agreement in 4.2%. For whole-body staging, pulmonary MDCT should be performed in all high-grade sarcomas. Whole-body MRI is preferred for staging bone metastasis, with [18F]FDG-PET/CT as an alternative modality in PET-avid tumors. Patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma, and angiosarcoma should be screened for brain metastases. Special algorithms are recommended for entities such as rhabdomyosarcoma, extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, and neurofibromatosis type 1 associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Satisfaction of search should be avoided in potential multiplicity. CONCLUSION: Standardized whole-body staging includes pulmonary MDCT in all high-grade sarcomas; entity-dependent modifications and specific algorithms are recommended for sarcomas and non-malignant soft tissue tumors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: These updated ESSR soft tissue tumor imaging guidelines aim to provide support in decision-making, helping to avoid common pitfalls, by providing general and entity-specific algorithms, techniques, and reporting recommendations for whole-body staging in sarcoma and non-malignant soft tissue tumors. KEY POINTS: An early, accurate, diagnosis is crucial for the prognosis of patients with soft tissue tumors. These updated guidelines provide best practice expert consensus for standardized imaging algorithms, techniques, and reporting. Standardization can improve the comparability examinations and provide databases for large data analysis.

Bone Marrow and Metabolic Bone Disease.

The bone marrow represents one of the largest organs in the body, with a relevant metabolic role that continues to be investigated. Numerous studies have focused on marrow adipose tissue (MAT). Evidence indicates that the bone marrow adipocytes do not only work as storage tissue but also consist of endocrine and paracrine cells, with the potential to contribute to local and systemic metabolism. MAT plays a role in bone health through its interaction with the other components of bone. Many metabolic disorders (osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes) have a complex and still not well-established or understood relationship with bone health. This article surveys the literature on the relationship of bone marrow and metabolic disorders, and how it is being studied using imaging techniques, with a special focus on bone health.

Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry in the Diagnosis of Metabolic Bone Disease.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bone mineral density (BMD) pose several limitations in some patient categories, such as pregnant women and young people. This review article explores whether the innovative radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry (REMS) technology is beneficial for assessing the bone condition of various patient groups. Common consequences in patients with acromegalia, prostate cancer undergoing hormone therapy, osteogenesis imperfecta, anorexia nervosa, and in a peritoneal dialysis setting include decreased BMD and an increased risk of fragility fracture.DXA is currently regarded as the gold standard for BMD assessment. However, using the DXA technique has several drawbacks in a young patient who requires repeated BMD tests because it uses ionizing radiation. Because of its precision and consistency, the REMS technique may be a valuable tool to assess changes in bone condition in patients of all ages, particularly in female patients who are fertile or who are pregnant or nursing.

Artificial Intelligence Applications for Imaging Metabolic Bone Diseases.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted the field of medical imaging, particularly in diagnosing and managing metabolic bone diseases (MBDs) such as osteoporosis and osteopenia, Paget's disease, osteomalacia, and rickets, as well as rare conditions such as osteitis fibrosa cystica and osteogenesis imperfecta. This article provides an in-depth analysis of AI techniques used in imaging these conditions, recent advancements, and their clinical applications. It also explores ethical considerations and future perspectives. Through comprehensive examination and case studies, we highlight the transformative potential of AI in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving patient outcomes, and contributing to personalized medicine. By integrating AI with existing imaging techniques, we can significantly enhance the capabilities of medical imaging in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating MBDs. We also provide a comprehensive overview of the current state, challenges, and future prospects of AI applications in this crucial area of health care.

Imaging of Body Composition.

Body composition is now recognized to have a major impact on health and disease. Imaging enables its analysis in an objective and quantitative way through diverse techniques such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography. This review article first surveys the methodological aspects underpinning the use of these modalities to assess body composition, highlighting their strengths and limitations as well as the set of parameters that they measure and their clinical relevance. It then provides an update on the main applications of body composition imaging in current practice, with a focus on sarcopenia, obesity, lipodystrophies, cancer, and critical care. We conclude by considering the emerging role of artificial intelligence in the analysis of body composition, enabling the extraction of numerous metrics with the potential to refine prognostication and management across a number of pathologies, paving the way toward personalized medicine.

Radiological diagnosis of prevalent osteoporotic vertebral fracture on radiographs: an interim consensus from a group of experts of the ESSR osteoporosis and metabolism subcommittee.

When a low-energy trauma induces an acute vertebral fracture (VF) with clinical symptoms, a definitive diagnosis of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) can be made. Beyond that, a "gold" radiographic standard to distinguish osteoporotic from non-osteoporotic VFs does not exist. Fracture-shaped vertebral deformity (FSVD) is defined as a deformity radiographically indistinguishable from vertebral fracture according to the best of the reading radiologist's knowledge. FSVD is not uncommon among young populations with normal bone strength. FSVD among an older population is called osteoporotic-like vertebral fracture (OLVF) when the FSVD is likely to be associated with compromised bone strength. In more severe grade deformities or when a vertebra is collapsed, OVF diagnosis can be made with a relatively high degree of certainty by experienced readers. In "milder" cases, OVF is often diagnosed based on a high probability rather than an absolute diagnosis. After excluding known mimickers, singular vertebral wedging in older women is statistically most likely an OLVF. For older women, three non-adjacent minimal grade OLVF (< 20% height loss), one minimal grade OLVF and one mild OLVF (20-25% height loss), or one OLVF with ≥ 25% height loss, meet the diagnosis of osteoporosis. For older men, a single OLVF with < 40% height loss may be insufficient to suggest the subject is osteoporotic. Common OLVF differential diagnoses include X-ray projection artifacts and scoliosis, acquired and developmental short vertebrae, osteoarthritic wedging, oncological deformities, deformity due to high-energy trauma VF, lateral hyperosteogeny of a vertebral body, Cupid's bow, and expansive endplate, among others.

The observation that older men suffer from hip fracture at DXA T-scores higher than older women and a proposal of a new low BMD category, osteofrailia, for predicting fracture risk in older men.

The clinical significance of osteoporosis lies in the occurrence of fragility fractures (FFx), and the most relevant fracture site is the hip. The T-score is defined as follows: (BMDpatient-BMDyoung adult mean)/SDyoung adult population, where BMD is bone mineral density and SD is the standard deviation. When the femoral neck (FN) is measured in adult Caucasian women, a cutpoint value of patient BMD of 2.5 SD below the young adult mean BMD results in a prevalence the same as the lifetime risk of hip FFx for Caucasian women. The FN T-score criterion for classifying osteoporosis in older Caucasian men has been provisionally recommended to be - 2.5, but debates remain. Based on a systematic literature review, we noted that older men suffer from hip FFx at a FN T-score approximately 0.5-0.6 higher than older women. While the mean hip FFx FN T-score of around - 2.9 for women lies below - 2.5, the mean hip FF FN T-score of around - 2.33 for men lies above - 2.5. This is likely associated with that older male populations have a higher mean T-score than older female populations. We propose a new category of low BMD status, osteofrailia, for older Caucasian men with T-score ≤ - 2 (T-score ≤ - 2.1 for older Chinese men) who are likely to suffer from hip FFx. The group with T-score ≤ - 2 for older Caucasian men is comparable in prevalence to the group with T-score ≤ - 2.5 for older Caucasian women. However, older men in such category on average have only half the FFx risk as that of older women with osteoporotic T-score.

DXA beyond bone mineral density and the REMS technique: new insights for current radiologists practice.

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent skeletal disorder, a condition that is associated with significant social and healthcare burden. In the elderly, osteoporosis is commonly associated with sarcopenia, further increasing the risk of fracture. Several imaging techniques are available for a non-invasive evaluation of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. This review focuses on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), as this technique offers the possibility to evaluate bone mineral density and body composition parameters with good precision and accuracy. DXA is also able to evaluate the amount of aortic calcification for cardiovascular risk estimation. Additionally, new DXA-based parameters have been developed in recent years to further refine fracture risk estimation, such as the Trabecular Bone Score and the Bone Strain Index. Finally, we describe the recent advances of a newly developed ultrasound-based technology known as Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry, which represent the latest non-ionizing approach for osteoporosis evaluation at central sites.

CT-guided Pulsed Radiofrequency Combined with Steroid Injection for Sciatica from Herniated Disk: A Randomized Trial.

Background Evidence regarding effective nonsurgical management of sciatica remains limited. Purpose To determine a difference in effectiveness between combined pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) treatment versus TFESI alone for sciatic pain due to lumbar disk herniation. Materials and Methods This prospective multicenter double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted between February 2017 and September 2019 in participants with sciatica due to lumbar disk herniation lasting 12 weeks or longer that was not responsive to conservative treatment. Study participants were randomly assigned to undergo one CT-guided treatment with combined PRF and TFESI (n = 174) or TFESI alone (n = 177). The primary outcome was leg pain severity, as assessed with the numeric rating scale (NRS) (range, 0-10) at weeks 1 and 52 after treatment. Secondary outcomes included Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score (range, 0-24) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score (range, 0-100). Outcomes were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle via linear regression. Results Mean age of the 351 participants (223 men) was 55 years ± 16 (SD). At baseline, NRS was 8.1 ± 1.1 in the PRF and TFESI group and 7.9 ± 1.1 in the TFESI group. NRS was 3.2 ± 0.2 in the PRF and TFESI group and 5.4 ± 0.2 in the TFESI group (average treatment effect, 2.3; 95% CI: 1.9, 2.8; P < .001) at week 1 and 1.0 ± 0.2 and 3.9 ± 0.2 (average treatment effect, 3.0; 95% CI: 2.4, 3.5; P < .001), respectively, at week 52. At week 52, the average treatment effect was 11.0 (95% CI: 6.4, 15.6; P < .001) for ODI and 2.9 (95% CI: 1.6, 4.3; P < .001) for RMDQ, favoring the combined PRF and TFSEI group. Adverse events were reported in 6% (10 of 167) of participants in the PRF and TFESI group and in 3% (six of 176) of participants in the TFESI group (eight participants did not complete follow-up questionnaires). No severe adverse events occurred. Conclusion In the treatment of sciatica caused by lumbar disk herniation, pulsed radiofrequency combined with transforaminal epidural steroid injection is more effective for pain relief and disability improvement than steroid injection alone. © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Jennings in this issue.

Focused Ultrasound and External Beam Radiation Therapy for Painful Bone Metastases: A Phase II Clinical Trial.

Background Recent consensus statements and clinical trials have assessed the value of MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery for pain palliation of bone metastases; however, a comparison with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has not been performed. Purpose To compare safety and effectiveness data of MRI-guided focused ultrasound and EBRT in the treatment of bone metastases. Materials and Methods Participants with painful bone metastases, excluding skull and vertebral bodies, were enrolled in a prospective open-label nonrandomized phase II study between January 2017 and May 2019 and underwent either MRI-guided focused ultrasound or EBRT. The primary end point was the overall response rate at 1-month following treatment, assessed via the numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain (0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable"). Secondary end points were improvements at 12-month follow-up in NRS and quality of life (QoL) measures, including the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), QoL-Questionnaire Cancer-15 Palliative Care (QLQ-C15-PAL), and QoL-Questionnaire Bone Metastases-22 (QLQ-BM22) and analysis of adverse events. Statistical analyses, including linear regression, χ2 test, and Student t test followed the per-protocol principle. Results Among 198 participants, 100 underwent MRI-guided focused ultrasound (mean age, 63 years ± 13 [SD]; 51 women), and 98 underwent EBRT (mean age, 65 years ± 14; 52 women). The overall response rates at 1-month follow-up were 91% (91 of 100) and 67% (66 of 98), respectively, in the focused ultrasound and EBRT arms (P < .001), and complete response rates were 43% (43 of 100) and 16% (16 of 98) (P < .001). The mean baseline NRS score was 7.0 ± 2.1 for focused ultrasound and 6.6 ± 2.4 for EBRT (P = .16); at 1-month follow-up, they were reduced to 3.2 ± 0.3 and 5.1 ± 0.3 (P < .001), respectively. QLQ-C15-PAL for physical function (P = .002), appetite (P < .001), nausea and vomiting (P < .001), dyspnea (P < .001), and QoL (P < .001) scores were lower in the focused ultrasound group. The overall adverse event rates were 15% (15 of 100) after focused ultrasound and 24% (24 of 98) after EBRT. Conclusion MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery and external beam radiation therapy showed similar improvements in pain palliation and quality of life, with low adverse event rates. © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Kelekis in this issue.

Soft tissue tumor imaging in adults: European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology-Guidelines 2023-overview, and primary local imaging: how and where?

OBJECTIVES: Early, accurate diagnosis is crucial for the prognosis of patients with soft tissue sarcomas. To this end, standardization of imaging algorithms, technical requirements, and reporting is therefore a prerequisite. Since the first European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) consensus in 2015, technical achievements, further insights into specific entities, and the revised WHO-classification (2020) and AJCC staging system (2017) made an update necessary. The guidelines are intended to support radiologists in their decision-making and contribute to interdisciplinary tumor board discussions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A validated Delphi method based on peer-reviewed literature was used to derive consensus among a panel of 46 specialized musculoskeletal radiologists from 12 European countries. Statements were scored online by level of agreement (0 to 10) during two iterative rounds. Either "group consensus," "group agreement," or "lack of agreement" was achieved. RESULTS: Eight sections were defined that finally contained 145 statements with comments. Overall, group consensus was reached in 95.9%, and group agreement in 4.1%. This communication contains the first part consisting of the imaging algorithm for suspected soft tissue tumors, methods for local imaging, and the role of tumor centers. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound represents the initial triage imaging modality for accessible and small tumors. MRI is the modality of choice for the characterization and local staging of most soft tissue tumors. CT is indicated in special situations. In suspicious or likely malignant tumors, a specialist tumor center should be contacted for referral or teleradiologic second opinion. This should be done before performing a biopsy, without exception. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The updated ESSR soft tissue tumor imaging guidelines aim to provide best practice expert consensus for standardized imaging, to support radiologists in their decision-making, and to improve examination comparability both in individual patients and in future studies on individualized strategies. KEY POINTS: • Ultrasound remains the best initial triage imaging modality for accessible and small suspected soft tissue tumors. • MRI is the modality of choice for the characterization and local staging of soft tissue tumors in most cases; CT is indicated in special situations. Suspicious or likely malignant tumors should undergo biopsy. • In patients with large, indeterminate or suspicious tumors, a tumor reference center should be contacted for referral or teleradiologic second opinion; this must be done before a biopsy.

Interdisciplinary consensus statements on imaging of DRUJ instability and TFCC injuries.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this agreement was to establish evidence-based consensus statements on imaging of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries by an expert group using the Delphi technique. METHODS: Nineteen hand surgeons developed a preliminary list of questions on DRUJ instability and TFCC injuries. Radiologists created statements based on the literature and the authors' clinical experience. Questions and statements were revised during three iterative Delphi rounds. Delphi panelists consisted of twenty-seven musculoskeletal radiologists. The panelists scored their degree of agreement to each statement on an 11-item numeric scale. Scores of "0," "5," and "10" reflected complete disagreement, indeterminate agreement, and complete agreement, respectively. Group consensus was defined as a score of "8" or higher for 80% or more of the panelists. RESULTS: Three of fourteen statements achieved group consensus in the first Delphi round and ten statements achieved group consensus in the second Delphi round. The third and final Delphi round was limited to the one question that did not achieve group consensus in the previous rounds. CONCLUSIONS: Delphi-based agreements suggest that CT with static axial slices in neutral rotation, pronation, and supination is the most useful and accurate imaging technique for the work-up of DRUJ instability. MRI is the most valuable technique in the diagnosis of TFCC lesions. The main indication for MR arthrography and CT arthrography are Palmer 1B foveal lesions of the TFCC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: MRI is the method of choice for assessing TFCC lesions, with higher accuracy for central than peripheral abnormalities. The main indication for MR arthrography is the evaluation of TFCC foveal insertion lesions and peripheral non-Palmer injuries. KEY POINTS: • Conventional radiography should be the initial imaging technique in the assessment of DRUJ instability. CT with static axial slices in neutral rotation, pronation, and supination is the most accurate method for evaluating DRUJ instability. • MRI is the most useful technique in diagnosing soft-tissue injuries causing DRUJ instability, especially TFCC lesions. • The main indications for MR arthrography and CT arthrography are foveal lesions of the TFCC.

History Page: Leaders in MSK Radiology Augusto Pellegrini, 1877-1958.

This history page in the series "Leaders in MSK Radiology" is dedicated to the memory and achievements of the Italian surgeon Augusto Pellegrini, whose name is partially associated with the medical eponym Pellegrini-Stieda disease.

Current Role of Conventional Radiography of Sacroiliac Joints in Adults and Juveniles with Suspected Axial Spondyloarthritis: Opinion from the ESSR Arthritis and Pediatric Subcommittees.

This opinion article by the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology Arthritis and Pediatric Subcommittees discusses the current use of conventional radiography (CR) of the sacroiliac joints in adults and juveniles with suspected axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The strengths and limitations of CR compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are presented.Based on the current literature and expert opinions, the subcommittees recognize the superior sensitivity of MRI to detect early sacroiliitis. In adults, supplementary pelvic radiography, low-dose CT, or synthetic CT may be needed to evaluate differential diagnoses. CR remains the method of choice to detect structural changes in patients with suspected late-stage axSpA or established disease and in patients with suspected concomitant hip or pubic symphysis involvement. In children, MRI is the imaging modality of choice because it can detect active as well as structural changes and is radiation free.

Aneurysmal bone cyst-like changes developed in melorheostosis with epiphyseal osteopoikilosis.

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare and usually painful condition, representing about 1% of all bone tumors. A geographical lytic, expansile, and septated radiological pattern, with fluid-fluid levels on MRI, is classically displayed. ABC can be a primary bone lesion (70% of patients) or can arise in an underlying condition and is subsequently named "ABC-like changes" (30%). ABC-like changes are more frequently encountered in skeletal segments affected by chondroblastoma, fibrous dysplasia, giant cell tumor, osteoblastoma, non-ossifying fibroma, and osteosarcoma. In this article, we describe the first case of ABC-like changes developed in association with an ultra-rare sclerosing bone disease: melorheostosis. Melorheostosis is characterized by recognizable patterns on radiological studies with a pathological increased bone density and a cortical thickening within the periosteal or endosteal space, usually with a "dripping candle wax" appearance. More rarely, other different radiological patterns can be observed, such as "osteopatia striata-like," "osteoma-like," "myositis ossificans-like," and mixed patterns. Pain and limb hypotrophy are the most common clinical manifestations. We report the case of a Caucasian male with a clinic-radiological diagnosis of melorheostosis (with epiphyseal osteopoikilosis) since the age of twelve. At the age of nineteen, he suffered from increased pain in the proximal right thigh, and the radiological control revealed an expansive septated lesion at the right proximal femoral bone. The diagnosis of ABC-like changes developed in melorheostosis was obtained after CT-guided bone biopsy and confirmed by open-incisional biopsy.

Musculoskeletal oncology and thermal ablation: the current and emerging role of interventional radiology.

The role of interventional radiology (IR) is expanding. With new techniques being developed and tested, this radiology subspecialty is taking a step forward in different clinical scenarios, especially in oncology. Musculoskeletal tumoral diseases would definitely benefit from a low-invasive approach that could reduce mortality and morbidity in particular. Thermal ablation through IR has already become important in the palliation and consolidation of bone metastases, oligometastatic disease, local recurrences, and treating specific benign tumors, with a more tailored approach, considering the characteristics of every patient. As image-guided ablation techniques lower their invasiveness and increase their efficacy while the collateral effects and complications decrease, they become more relevant and need to be considered in patient care pathways and clinical management, to improve outcomes. We present a literature review of the different percutaneous and non-invasive image-guided thermal ablation methods that are currently available and that could in the future become relevant to manage musculoskeletal oncologic diseases.

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.