Prospective pilot study of CT-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of osteoid osteomas.

PURPOSE: The aims of this work were to assess the feasibility and efficacy of CT-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of osteoid osteomas (OOs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients (range 11-31 years old) presenting with OO were prospectively included and treated by CT-guided MWA. Power and duration of MWA were both recorded. The patient's pain was assessed using a numeric pain rating scale (NRS), and side effects were recorded during procedures, after 1 day, 7 days and 1 month. The nidus vascularization and the volume of necrosis induced by MWA were assessed using contrast-enhanced MRI. Success was defined as the complete relief of the patient's pain 1 month after the first procedure, associated with necrosis of the nidus on follow-up MRI. RESULTS: The success rate was up to 92.3% (12/13). At 1 day, 7 days and 1 month, the median NRSs were respectively 5 [interquartile range (IQR) 2-5], 0 (IQR 0-1) and 0 (IQR 0-0). Side effects observed were one partial and self-resolving lesion of a sensory branch of the radial nerve and two skin burns. The median power of the MWA used was 60 W (IQR 50-60) with a 1.5-min duration (IQR 1-2), leading to MWA-induced necrosis measuring on average 23 × 15 × 16 mm. CONCLUSION: CT-guided MWA of OO has a success rate that appears to be almost similar to that of laser or radiofrequency ablation, but care must be taken to prevent nerve or skin lesions.

Lumbar myositis associated with Toxocara spp. infection / Miositis lumbar asociada a infección por Toxocara spp

No disponible

Biomechanical properties of the calcaneal tendon in vivo assessed by transient shear wave elastography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the elastic and anisotropic properties of normal calcaneal tendon in vivo by transient shear wave elastography (SWE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by our institutional ethics committee. Eighty healthy subjects over 18 years of age were prospectively included. Data on the patients' height, weight, sporting activities, and take-off foot were assessed. The thickness, width, and cross-sectional area of the calcaneal tendons were measured. The shear wave propagation velocity (Vmean) was measured by three radiologists on axial and sagittal SWE images at four different degrees of ankle flexion, enabling to calculate elasticity modulus (Emean), and relative anisotropy coefficient (A) values. RESULTS: In complete plantar flexion, Vmean was 6.8 ± 1.4 m.s(-1) and 5.1 ± 0.8 m.s(-1), respectively, on the sagittal and axial SWE image, resulting in an elastographic anisotropy A of 0.24 ± 0.16. The best interobserver correlation coefficient of Emean and Vmean was 0.43 and 0.46, respectively, in the sagittal SWE for complete plantar flexion. Vmean and Emean significantly increase when the tendon is stretched by ankle dorsiflexion. The maximal values in sagittal SWE were Vmean = 16.1 ± 0.7 m.s(-1), Emean = 779.5 ± 57.1kPa and A = 0.63 ± 0.07. CONCLUSIONS: SWE allows the elastic properties of the calcaneal tendon to be evaluated quantitatively in vivo, but interobserver reproducibility is questionable. It confirms the tendinous elastographic anisotropy and stiffness augmentation of stretched tendon.

Preoperative imaging in the planning of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap surgery.

Breast reconstruction with adipocutaneous free flap from the abdominal wall combines the benefits of abdominoplasty to those of a prosthesis-free breast reconstruction. The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is supplied by intramuscular perforators from the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA). It consists of the dissection of perforating branches of the DIEA within the rectus abdominis muscle, thus sparing both muscle and fascia. Preoperative imaging in the planning of DIEP flap surgery has been shown to facilitate faster and safer surgery. This review article aims to discuss advantages and drawbacks of current imaging modalities for mapping the course of perforating vessels in the planning of DIEP flap surgery, and to present state-of-the-art imaging techniques.

Plasma VEGF determination in disseminated lymphangiomatosis-Gorham-Stout syndrome: a marker of activity? A case report with a 5-year follow-up.

Disseminated lymphangiomatosis and Gorham-Stout disease are being considered as two forms of a single rare disease, characterized by a proliferation of lymphatic vessels, triggered by lymphangiogenic factors. There is no biological marker of the disease. Plasma VEGF might be a useful tool since the recent demonstration of its pivotal role in the mechanism of this disease. A 45-year-old woman with a history of disseminated lymphangiomatosis involving mediastinum, retroperitoneum, spleen and systemic bones for 29 years was treated with Interferon alpha 2b at a dosage of 7.5 to 15 million IU 3 times a week for 5 years. Plasma VEGF quantification was performed twice a year and showed a marked increase before therapy, which normalize after 18 months of treatment with Interferon. The normalization of plasma VEGF is correlated with the clinical improvement objectively appraised by a marked reduction of spleen lesions and significant improvement of the other damages in soft tissues and bones. Thus, we conclude that plasma VEGF determination should be considered for diagnosis and follow-up of the course and the treatment of disseminated lymphangiomatosis-Gorham-Stout disease.

Vertebral osteitis adjacent to kyphoplasty.

Vertebroplasty and vertebral kyphoplasty are increasingly performed to treat vertebral fractures, most notably those related to osteoporosis. Adverse effects are uncommon and consist chiefly of cement leakage out of the vertebral body and of vertebral fractures adjacent to the treatment site. We report two cases of vertebral osteitis adjacent to vertebroplasty sites, in a 60-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man. Kyphoplasty to treat an osteoporotic vertebral fracture was followed by acute pain with an inflammatory time pattern and laboratory evidence of inflammation. Time to symptom onset was 10 days and 45 days, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed changes consistent with inflammation in an adjacent vertebra (low signal on T1 images, gadolinium enhancement, and high signal on T2 images). A biopsy of the lesion disclosed moderate nonspecific inflammation, with no microorganisms or evidence of malignancy. Both patients recovered slowly. The male patient experienced a fracture at the site of the lesion. Few cases of osteitis adjacent to kyphoplasty have been reported. The underlying pathophysiology may involve changes in vertebral loading and cement leakage into the intervertebral disk.

Dysphagia and hypervitaminosis A: cervical hyperostosis.

UNLABELLED: Vertebral hyperostosis typically predominates at the thoracic spine and causes only minor symptoms. Involvement of the cervical spine may cause dysphagia due to pressure on the esophagus. We report three cases of dysphagia revealing cervical hyperostosis. CASE REPORTS: The patients were 3 men aged 54-73 years. Dysphagia was moderate in 2 patients and severe in 1 patient who had lost 4 kg over 6 months. Stiffness of the neck with mild pain was present. One patient reported a neck injury in childhood and another had a brother and father with similar symptoms. Radiographs showed exuberant anterior cervical hyperostosis. Two patients also had hyperostotic changes at the thoracic spine and pelvis. The skin and neurological evaluation were normal. Findings were normal from standard blood tests (C-reactive protein, calcium, and vitamin D). Tests were negative for the HLA-B27 antigen in all 3 patients. Serum vitamin A levels were high, ranging from 894 to 1123 microg/L (normal, 489-720). None of the patients reported taking retinoids or having unusual eating habits. DISCUSSION: Dysphagia can result from anterior cervical hyperostosis. A role for hypervitaminosis A in the genesis of hyperostosis has long been suspected. In our patients, the absence of vitamin A supplementation suggests an abnormality in vitamin A metabolism.