Using virtual reality simulation for training practical skills in musculoskeletal wrist X-ray - A pilot study.

Objectives: Using virtual reality (VR), students of radiography can practice acquisition and positioning of musculoskeletal radiographs and get immediate feedback on their performance within the simulator. The purpose of this study was to assess usability of a newly developed VR simulator and to explore self-perceived clinical readiness (SPCR) of radiography students before and after training acquisition of wrist radiographs in the VR simulator. Material and Methods: A prospective methodology was applied where the students (n = 10) estimated their own SPCR in regard to acquisition of wrist radiographs pre- and post-VR training. A questionnaire on usability, realism, and educational value of the simulator was answered post-VR training. Usability and SPCR scores were calculated. The student's paired t-test was applied to explore the impact of VR training on SPCR. Results: The students (90%) reported that the simulator was realistic and they thought that it could contribute to learning. The pre- and post-SPCR scores were 75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54-96) and 77 (95% CI: 59-95), respectively. There was no significant difference (P = 0.4574) between the pre- and post-SPCR scores. Conclusion: Results indicated that the concept of training acquisition and positioning of wrist radiographs in a VR simulator is feasible with positive feedback from the students. The SPCR scores improved slightly, although not statistically significant, after completion of the training session.

The cost of perfection: An investigation into the unnecessary rejection of clinically acceptable lateral wrist imaging.

INTRODUCTION: This study illustrates image rejection rates of the lateral wrist x-ray projection at a large, public teaching hospital. Rejected images were evaluated to determine the number of images that needed to be repeated based on the clinical indication. This study highlights the difference in subjective image-repeat decision-making skills existing between radiologists, experienced radiographers and junior radiographers. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all rejected lateral wrist x-ray images by a panel of three radiologists, three experienced radiographers and six junior radiographers. This review aimed to determine if rejected imaging met the consideration of the clinical indication and assumed appropriate acquisition of an orthogonal projection. A complement of images that had not been rejected were included in the review to create a blinded study. RESULTS: The review demonstrated 85.8% of rejected images were deemed to meet clinical requirements according to radiologists. The experienced radiographers agreed with radiologists regarding 75.3% of images. Junior radiographers agreed with radiologists in 34.2% of cases. Junior radiographers were three times more likely to seek repeat imaging than the radiologists and experienced radiographers. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrated a lateral wrist projection reject rate of 38.7% with unnecessary repeats according to clinical indications in 85.8% of cases. The review of experienced radiographers was comparable to radiologists; however, the difference in decision-making skills was evident in the junior radiographers. This highlights an alarming trend, should similar results be demonstrated at other health services and indicates an unnecessary burden to clinical practice. Inclusion of clinical reasoning for imaging and the need for repeat imaging is recommended for radiography training programs.

Anatomical tilt lateral wrist X-ray - Not always 22°.

INTRODUCTION: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) with volar locking plates are commonly used to manage distal radial fractures. The anatomical tilt lateral (ATL) wrist X-ray is often required for evaluation of intra-articular screw penetration due to the screw position. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between the tube angulation given by performing radiographers for the ATL projection and the post-examination measurement of radial inclination (RI) on the Posterior Anterior (PA) wrist image. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for 36 patients. A standardised method developed by Kreder et al. (1996) was used to measure the RI on the PA wrist image. All ATL images sent into Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) have the tube angulation applied annotated on the image. Pearson's correlation was used to analyse the co-relationship between the RI and the tube angle applied for ATL projection. RESULTS: The average angle of RI measured by the four observers was 19. Normality of 0.385 was established. A positive correlation (p = 0.792) between the RI and the tube angle applied for ATL was found. CONCLUSION: Our study found a strong positive correlation between the tube angulation applied by performing radiographers for the ATL projection and the post-examination RI measured on the PA wrist image by the independent reviewers. This suggests that radiographers can use the measured RI to apply the tube angulation when performing the ATL wrist X-ray, instead of estimating the tube angulation to be applied. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Using the measured RI to apply the tube angulation when performing the ATL wrist X-ray will ensure a more reliable and reproducible way that could reduce the number of repeated images and, thus, unnecessary radiation dose to patients.

The Role of Blood Spot Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Levels in Adjunct to Hand Wrist Radiographs as Skeletal Maturity Indicator.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to find out whether blood spot Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAs) levels can be used as Skeletal Maturity Indicators (SMI) by correlating them to hand-wrist maturation stages. METHODS: The cross sectional study population consisted of 107 subjects (62 females and 45 males) 5-25 years old. Hand-wrist radiographs were obtained, and the subjects were divided into 5 groups based on the hand-wrist skeletal maturity stages. A blood spot sample was collected and immunoassayed for DHEAs. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean DHEAs levels corresponding to the hand-wrist maturation stages. Pearson's correlations were performed to determine the DHEAs trends relating to the various hand-wrist maturation stages. RESULTS: DHEAs levels increased continuously from the prepubertal stage to the acceleration, high growth velocity/peak, deceleration, and postpubertal stages (r=0.17), but the total increase was not found to be statistically significant (p=0.08). CONCLUSION: The blood spot DHEAs level cannot be used as an SMI in individuals. Nevertheless, it can be used in conjunction with hand wrist radiographs to predict and validate the skeletal maturation. The role of DHEAs in the termination of growth and residual growth may be a subject for further research.

Comparisons of three radiographic views in assessing for scapholunate instability.

BACKGROUND: Multiple wrist x-ray images have been described to assess for scapholunate (SL) instability. Some views may be redundant. The purpose of this study was to compare three plain x-ray views in identifying a traumatic diastasis of the SL interval. METHODS: Nineteen patients (19 wrists) with a positive scaphoid shift test and surgically confirmed SL ligament damage were identified. There were 15 males and 4 females with a mean age of 39 years. Pre-operative x-rays were reviewed, including posteroanterior (PA) neutral and PA ulnar deviation views of the injured wrist, and PA clenched fist views of the injured and uninjured wrists. Dynamic SL instability was defined by an SL mid-interval gap of <3 mm and static SL instability by a gap of ≥3 mm in the PA neutral views. The mid-interval measurements were compared between x-ray images. RESULTS: There were 10 dynamic and 9 static SL instability cases. The PA ulnar deviation and the PA clenched fist views showed significantly greater SL gaps in comparison to the PA neutral views in dynamic but not static SL instability cases. In both categories of instability, there was no significant difference in the SL gaps between the two stress images. The PA clenched fist view of the uninjured wrist revealed SL gapping of >3 mm in 50% of patients but with generally greater gapping in the clenched fist view of the injured wrist. CONCLUSIONS: The PA ulnar deviation and clenched fist stress views were equally effective in showing a dynamic SL diastasis following wrist injury. Neither view was more effective than a neutral PA view in diagnosing static SL instability.

Radiographic indices in one hundred fifty normal Iranian wrists.

BACKGROUND: Radiography is the most widely available imaging modality. Precise evaluations of wrist x-ray can help diagnosis and evaluate the prognosis of many wrist disorders. METHODS: We measured length, angles and indices in 150 posteroanterior and lateral wrist x-rays to determine normal dimensions and variations according to age and sex. All x-rays were made with standard exposure, with the wrist and forearm in a neutral position. RESULTS: The average carpal height ratio was 0.52±0.03 with the Youm method and 1.5±0.09 with the Nattrass method. Mean ulnar variance was +0.99±1.6 mm and mean radial inclination was 25±4 degrees. The average radial tilt was 10±5.1 degrees. Mean scapholunate angle was 50±8.4 degrees (normal range 40-60). CONCLUSION: Carpal height, third metacarpal and capitate length were smaller in women than in men. There was a significant positive relationship between all dimensions. Our data base may be used to follow-up in conditions such as carpal instability, osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis, as well as for clinical research.

Evaluación de la maduración ósea mediante radiografía del carpo en niños y adolescentes afro-colombianos de Puerto Tejada, Cauca, 2007 / Assessment of the skeletal maturation through hand wrist radiographies in Afro-Colombian children, from Puerto Tejada, Cauca, 2007

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la edad por el esqueleto (niveles de maduración ósea) en niños y niñas de ascendencia continental africana (afrocolombianos) de 8 a 14 años de edad del municipio de Puerto Tejada, Cauca. Materiales y Métodos: Investigación de corte transversal; en la cual se tomaron Radiografías de Mano-Muñeca a 80 niños y niñas en las dos manos, aplicando el análisis de Bjõrk. Resultados: El 50% de los participantes fueron de género masculino. El 57% de la muestra se encontró en dentición mixta tardía. De acuerdo al estadío de maduración ósea, el 36.7% se encontró en PP2 (ancho igual de diáfisis y epífisis de la falange proximal del dedo índice); 18.2% en MP3 (ancho igual de diáfisis y epífisis de la segunda falange del dedo medio). El mayor estadío alcanzado por los niños fue MP3cap mientras que las niñas presentaron el máximo estadio de desarrollo Ru, es decir completaron el crecimiento. Discusión: Lamparsky en 1972, García Fernández en 1998, Román en 2002 y Soegiharto en 2008 reportaron variación en la maduración ósea de acuerdo a la raza, coincidiendo con los resultados del presente estudio. Conclusiones: Existen diferencias en el nivel de maduración de acuerdo al género y la raza, observándose que las niñas afrocolombianas maduran más rápido que los niños. Estas diferencias deben ser consideradas durante el diagnostico y el plan de tratamiento ortopedico maxilar, ortodontico y en medicina general.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the skeletal age measurement (stages of skeletal maturity) of African continental ancestry (Afro Colombians) in boys and girls from 8 to 14 years of Puerto Tejada, Cauca. Material and Methods: this cross-sectional study examined X-rays of both hands and wrists obtained from 80 boys and girls using Bjõrks analysis to evaluate the stage of skeletal maturity. Results: 50% of participants were male gender. 57% of the sample was found with late mixed dentition. According to stage of osseous maturity, 36.7% of subjects were classified in PP2 (equal width of diaphysis and epiphyses of the proximal phalanx of index finger); 18.2% in MP3 (diaphysis and epiphyses with the same width of the second half phalanx of finger). The more maturity stage reached by boys was MP3cap while girls showed the highest stage of development Ru, which is complete growth. Conclusions: There are differences in the level of maturation according to the gender and race, observing that the Afro Colombian girls mature faster than boys. These differences must be considered during diagnosis and treatment planning in maxillary orthopedic, orthodontics and general medicine.

Verification of the Reliability of Sagittal MR Images in Assessment of Segmental Instability of the Wrist

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability of carpal angle measurement using sagittal wrist MR images for thediagnosis of dorsal intercalated segmental instability (DISI) or ventral intercalated segmental instability(VISI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In ten asymptomatic adult volunteers, capitolunate, scapholunate, and radiolunate angleswere measured on lateral radiographs and five different series of sagittal MR images, and compared andstatistically analysed. The four MR series, obained in a prone position, with the wrists over the head, were asfollows : A, sagittal images parallel to the third metacarpal bone axis, in a neutral position ; B, obliquesagittal images parallel to the fourthe metacarpal axis, in a neutral position, ; C and D, sagittal imagesparallel to the third metacarpal bone axis, with the wrist at 15degree radially and ulnarly deviated positions,respectively. The fifth true sagittal MR image (E) was obtained in a supine position with the wrists locatedbeside the trunk, in a neutral position. RESULTS: In the MR series performed in the prone position, thecapitolunate and radiolunate angles measured in the series A, B and D were significantly larger than those seen onlateral radiographs. The scapholunate angle showed a statistically significant difference(p=.014) in series D,where one case showed DISI configuration at a scapholunate angle of 81degree. In other series, the angles were notsignificantly different from those seen on lateral radiographs. CONCLUSION: The lunate appears more dorsallytilted on sagittal MR images obtained in the prone position with the wrists above the head than on lateralradiographs, and a DISI configuration can be minicked. IF diagnosing wrist segmental instability by interpretingsagittal MR images without lateral radiographs, there is potential risk of misdiagnosis. It is believed that wristpositioning is crucial for the correct measurement of angles.