Diagnostic performance of mobile cone beam computed tomography versus conventional multi-detector computed tomography in orbital floor fractures: a study on human specimens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of mobile cone beam computed tomography (MCBCT) versus multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in orbital floor fractures. Twenty-four fresh cadaver heads were used, and one orbital floor was fractured for each head by transconjunctival approach. MDCT and MCBCT were performed on each of the heads. The images obtained were then analysed independently by eight evaluators. The radiological characteristics of the orbital floor fractures were visualized with good interpretation agreement between the two images. The location of the fracture and enophthalmos were identified in a comparable manner with strong agreement (κ=0.93 and κ=0.85, respectively). Measurements of fatty hernias and bone defects showed a strong correlation between the two imaging modalities (Pearson coefficient between 0.64 and 0.71 and between 0.67 and 0.71, respectively). The fracture limits and the presence of bone fragments, an intrasinus fatty hernia, and a fracture of the associated medial orbital wall were visualized in both examinations with good agreement (κ=0.68, κ=0.51, κ=0.57, and κ=0.46, respectively). The soft tissue study showed superiority for MDCT, with a κ<0.0009. MCBCT showed good diagnostic performance in the study of orbital floor fracture characteristics.

Improved contrast for myeloma focal lesions with T2-weighted Dixon images compared to T1-weighted images.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was twofold. First, to compare the contrast between spinal multiple myeloma (MM) focal lesions and surrounding bone marrow obtained on T2-weighted Dixon fat-only MR images to that obtained on T1-weighted spin-echo images. Second, to search for correlation between bone marrow fat fraction assessed by T2-weighted Dixon sequence and International Myeloma Working Group myeloma defining events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 39 patients with 112 focal MM lesions were included. There were 25 men and 14 women with a mean age of 68.8±9.8 [SD] years (range: 49-88 years). Contrast between focal MM lesions and surrounding bone marrow was calculated on T1-weighted spin-echo and T2-weighted Dixon (including water-only and fat-only) images. Contrast between focal MM lesions and bone marrow was compared using ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests. Correlation between bone marrow fat fraction and myeloma defining events was assessed using Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: MM lesion contrast was greater on T2-weighted Dixon (F (2;93)=35.10) than on T1-weighted images (P<0.0001). Greatest MM lesion contrast was achieved with T2-weighted Dixon fat-only (0.63±0.21 [SD]; range: 0.06-0.91) compared to T2-weighted Dixon water-only (0.45±0.20 [SD]; range: 0.07-0.8) (P=0.0003) and T1-weighted (0.23±0.19 [SD]; range: 0.04-0.87) (P<0.0001) images. There were no significant correlations between myeloma defining events and fat fraction. CONCLUSION: T2-weighted Dixon fat-only images provide greater contrast between MM lesions and adjacent bone marrow than T1-weighted images. The usefulness of a T1-weighted sequence associated to a T2-weighted Dixon sequence has to be determined.

Posterior interosseous nerve of the elbow at the arcade of Frohse: Ultrasound appearance in asymptomatic subjects.

PURPOSE: To assess the normal values of the antero-posterior (AP) diameter of the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) of the elbow as it passes beneath the arcade of Frohse and to search for PIN-diameter differences between the upstream, entry point and downstream of the arcade. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty asymptomatic patients prospectively underwent bilateral B-mode ultrasound of the PIN of the elbow. There were 15 men and 15 women with a mean age of 30.2±5.31 (SD) years (range: 26-43 years). Of these, 23 patients were right-handers (23/30; 77%) and 7 were left handers (7/30; 23%). AP diameter of the PIN was measured in long axis at three different locations including the entry point of the arcade, 5-mm upstream and 5-mm downstream the arcade. A comparison between the three measurements was performed using paired t-test. RESULTS: The mean AP diameters of the PIN were 0.83±0.21 (SD) mm (range: 0.43-1.31mm), 0.6±0.17 (SD) mm (range: 0.29-1.16mm) and 0.49±0.13 (SD) mm (range: 0.26-0.86mm) at 5-mm upstream, entry point of the arcade and 5-mm downstream the arcade of Frohse, respectively. Significant drops in PIN diameter were found between upstream and the arcade (-0.23mm; 27%; P<0.001), between the arcade and downstream (-0.11mm; 17%; P<0.001), and between upstream and downstream the arcade (-0.34mm; 40%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Disparity in AP diameter of the PIN of the elbow in the arcade of Frohse is a normal finding and should not be erroneously interpreted as entrapment when present alone.