Lisfranc Injury Diagnosis: What Is the Diagnostic Reliability of New Radiographic Signs Using Three-dimensional CT?

BACKGROUND: Up to one-third of Lisfranc injuries (an injury affecting the normal stability, alignment, and congruency of the tarsometatarsal joints) are misdiagnosed. Delayed diagnosis and improper treatment may lead to long-term, irreversible sequela and functional disability. Recently, the employment of three-dimensional (3D) CT demonstrated higher diagnostic reliability, but there is limited evidence on this, and radiologic features of Lisfranc injuries when using this diagnostic modality are not well described. QUESTION/PURPOSE: What is the diagnostic performance of several novel radiographic signs on 3D CT when evaluating for Lisfranc injury, namely the Mercedes sign, the peeking metatarsal sign, and the peeking cuneiform sign, and what is the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of those diagnostic signs? METHODS: In this retrospective, diagnostic study, video clips of 3D CT reconstructions of 52 feet with intraoperatively confirmed Lisfranc injuries and 50 asymptomatic feet with a normal appearance of the tarsometatarsal joints, as ascertained by a subspecialty-trained foot and ankle surgeon and a musculoskeletal radiologist, were analyzed by two foot and ankle specialists and three orthopaedic residents twice each, with a washout period of 2 weeks. Among the 52 patients with intraoperative evidence of Lisfranc injury, there were 27 male patients and 25 female patients, with a median (IQR) age of 40 years (23 to 58); among the 50 controls, there were 36 male and 14 female patients, with a median age of 38 years (IQR 33 to 49). For each video clip, the presence of all three radiographic signs was documented (each sign was rated in a binary yes/no fashion). Before the evaluations, all observers underwent a short training session by the head of the foot and ankle department. Later, these reading were used to assess for the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in terms of Lisfranc diagnosis against the gold standard of intraoperative testing of tarsometatarsal joint stability. Intraoperatively, the congruency and stability of the second tarsometatarsal joint had been evaluated by direct visualization and by the insertion of a probe into the joint between the base of the second metatarsus and the medial cuneiform and twisting the probe to assess for stability. The individuals evaluating the video clips were unaware of the surgically obtained diagnosis at the time they performed their evaluations. RESULTS: All 3D radiographic signs that were examined had excellent diagnostic reliability in terms of sensitivity and specificity, ranging from 92% to 97% and from 92% to 93%, respectively. When assessing the association between the suggested 3D radiographic signs and Lisfranc injury diagnosis as a function of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, the Mercedes sign demonstrated a higher area under the curve than the other signs did (0.91 versus 0.87 versus 0.8; p < 0.001). The mean intraobserver and interobserver reliability (kappa) values were excellent for all 3D radiographic signs that were evaluated. CONCLUSION: The proposed radiographic findings demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance and were repeatable within and among observers. Three-dimensional CT radiographic signs could function as a valuable diagnostic tool for the evaluation and initial screening for Lisfranc injury in the acute injury phase because obtaining AP bilateral standing radiographs of the foot is often impractical in the acute setting. Further research and comparison with AP weightbearing radiographs of the bilateral feet may be warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic study.

The impact of body mass index on the accuracy of the physical examination of the knee.

PURPOSE: Obesity is a worldwide pandemic; however, no adaptations were made to the physical examination of obese patient's knees. The accuracy of the physical examination is critical for correct assessment and selection of treatment. We aimed to assess whether body mass index (BMI) affects the sensitivity and specificity of common provocative knee tests. METHODS: We studied 210 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy to treat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscal pathologies. BMI and the knee's physical examination were documented pre-operatively. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ACL and meniscal provocative tests in relation to BMI were evaluated using arthroscopy as a gold standard. RESULTS: The Anterior Drawer, Lachman, and Pivot-Shift tests for ACL tears were significantly less accurate and sensitive, yet more specific, in obese patients when compared to normal and overweight patients. The McMurray, Apley Grind, and Thessaly tests for medial meniscus tears showed greater sensitivity, but lower specificity, in patients with increased BMI. Above normal BMIs, independently of age and gender, were significantly associated with higher odds for positive ACL tests. CONCLUSION: Tests for ACL tears are less sensitive in obese patients and alternatives to the classic tests should be considered. Medial meniscus tests tend to be more sensitive and less specific in patients with greater BMIs. Their results should be carefully interpreted due to possible false positives. The physician should take into consideration the impact of patient BMI on the accuracy of their physical examination of the knee to optimize treatment decision-making.

Medium-term results of Mini-arc for urinary stress incontinence in ambulatory patients under local anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the medium-term outcome and patient's satisfaction after Single-incision mini-sling (SIMS) procedure done under local anesthesia in ambulatory set up for patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study, including all patients submitted to SIMS procedure for SUI with MiniArc (AMS, U.S.A) without concomitant surgery between January 2011 and March 2013. Patients were followed up during 12 months after surgery and once a year subsequently. Telephone interviews were conducted to evaluate patient satisfaction. Outcome masseurs included: SUI cure rate, urinary urge incontinence (UUI) cure rate in patients with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI), intra and post-operative complications and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were included with mean follow-up of 23 months. Fifty percent had MUI with predominant SUI. The cure rates of SUI (objective and subjective) were 89%. UUI was cured in 40% of patients. No major complications occur, neither voiding obstruction or groin pain. Telephone interviews conducted after 26 months on average revealed high satisfaction rate from the procedure (8.8 out of 10) and from the local anesthesia. Visual analog scale (VAS) rating was low during and after the procedure (2.38 and 2.69 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The SIMS procedure is safe and highly effective for SUI and it can be performed successfully under local anesthesia in an ambulatory setup.

The role of three dimension computed tomography in Lisfranc injury diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the intra/inter observer and diagnostic reliability of 3-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction computed tomography (CT) compared to the traditional two-dimensional (2D) CT when evaluating Lisfranc (LF) injuries. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on CT studies of patients with clinically suspected LF injuries examined in the emergency department at medium size medical center. Each CT study was evaluated for metatarsal fractures and subluxations employing both standard 2D and 3D CT model reconstruction. Four orthopaedists, 2 senior and 2 residents, were assigned to review and evaluate each CT. Each CT study was reviewed twice by each reader in a randomized order. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all measured variables. The intra-observer and inter-observer agreement Kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate reliability and reproducibility between and within readers for each modality. RESULTS: The study included 44 patients. Median age was 41.4 years (interquartile range, 23-58). The intra-observer and inter-observer reliability was good (intra-observer; 3D Kappa; 0.76 and 2D Kappa 0.73 p<0.001, inter-observer; 3D Kappa 0.68, 2D Kappa 0.63 and combined 2D and 3D kappa 0.68, p<0.001). Three dimensional CT was found to be more sensitive than 2D CT, specifically when evaluating for second metatarsal dislocation (sensitivity: 70% vs 47%). Combined evaluation of 2D and 3D CT, greatly improved sensitivity rate to 85.7%. In terms of fracture diagnosis, combined evaluation of 2D and 3D CT showed higher sensitivity and specificity rates as compared to 2D or 3D alone. CONCLUSION: The employment of 3D CT in LF injury diagnosis, in isolation and in combination with 2D CT, seems to improve the diagnostic accuracy and reliability between and within observers compared to 2D CT alone.

Modified Snake α-Neurotoxin Averts ß-Amyloid Binding to α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor and Reverses Cognitive Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of senile dementia and one of the greatest medical, social, and economic challenges. According to a dominant theory, amyloid-ß (Aß) peptide is a key AD pathogenic factor. Aß-soluble species interfere with synaptic functions, aggregate gradually, form plaques, and trigger neurodegeneration. The AD-associated pathology affects numerous systems, though the substantial loss of cholinergic neurons and α7 nicotinic receptors (α7AChR) is critical for the gradual cognitive decline. Aß binds to α7AChR under various experimental settings; nevertheless, the functional significance of this interaction is ambiguous. Whereas the capability of low Aß concentrations to activate α7AChR is functionally beneficial, extensive brain exposure to high Aß concentrations diminishes α7AChR activity, contributes to the cholinergic deficits that characterize AD. Aß and snake α-neurotoxins competitively bind to α7AChR. Accordingly, we designed a chemically modified α-cobratoxin (mToxin) to inhibit the interaction between Aß and α7AChR. Subsequently, we examined mToxin in a set of original in silico, in vitro, ex vivo experiments, and in a murine AD model. We report that mToxin reversibly inhibits α7AChR, though it attenuates Aß-induced synaptic transmission abnormalities, and upregulates pathways supporting long-term potentiation and reducing apoptosis. Remarkably, mToxin demonstrates no toxicity in brain slices and mice. Moreover, its chronic intracerebroventricular administration improves memory in AD-model animals. Our results point to unique mToxin neuroprotective properties, which might be tailored for the treatment of AD. Our methodology bridges the gaps in understanding Aß-α7AChR interaction and represents a promising direction for further investigations and clinical development.

Medium-term results of mini-arc for urinary stress incontinence in ambulatory patients under local anesthesia

Abstract Objective To evaluate the medium-term outcome and patient's satisfaction after Single-incision mini-sling (SIMS) procedure done under local anesthesia in ambulatory set up for patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Materials and Methods This is a retrospective cohort study, including all patients submitted to SIMS procedure for SUI with MiniArc (AMS, U.S.A) without concomitant surgery between January 2011 and March 2013. Patients were followed up during 12 months after surgery and once a year subsequently. Telephone interviews were conducted to evaluate patient satisfaction. Outcome masseurs included: SUI cure rate, urinary urge incontinence (UUI) cure rate in patients with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI), intra and post-operative complications and patient satisfaction. Results Ninety-three patients were included with mean follow-up of 23 months. Fifty percent had MUI with predominant SUI. The cure rates of SUI (objective and subjective) were 89%. UUI was cured in 40% of patients. No major complications occur, neither voiding obstruction or groin pain. Telephone interviews conducted after 26 months on average revealed high satisfaction rate from the procedure (8.8 out of 10) and from the local anesthesia. Visual analog scale (VAS) rating was low during and after the procedure (2.38 and 2.69 respectively). Conclusions The SIMS procedure is safe and highly effective for SUI and it can be performed successfully under local anesthesia in an ambulatory setup.