Growing indications for CEUS: The kidney, testis, lymph nodes, thyroid, prostate, and small bowel.

Contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is increasingly used for non-hepatic applications as well, so that nearly all organs have been investigated. Among them, there is a growing clinical use for a variety of pathologies of the kidney, testis, and small bowel. The possibility to differentiate benign from malignant nodes in cancer patients has been investigated. A new application is in the detection of sentinel nodes after intradermal microbubble injection. The need to distinguish thyroid nodules eligible for fine needle aspiration cytology has led to the use of CEUS in thyroid examinations as well. The potential of CEUS for prostate cancer detection has been extensively investigated, with encouraging initial results. Early promise, however, has not been fulfilled. New perspective regards evaluation of the extent of prostate tissue devascularization following ablative treatments.

Impact of gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance on the non-invasive diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is a 'hepatocyte-specific' contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) in both the vascular and the hepatobiliary phases. AIM: To evaluate the contribution of the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA MR in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients under surveillance. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2011, 48 consecutive small (10-30 mm) liver nodules were detected in 33 patients, who prospectively underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR and helical-computed tomography (CT) in a blind study. The diagnosis of HCC was established according to AASLD 2005 criteria. RESULTS: Of the 48 nodules, 38 (79%) were diagnosed as HCC, 24 (63%) of them based on AASLD non-invasive criteria, 11 diagnosed at histology and 3 during follow-up. The typical vascular pattern (arterial hypervascularisation and venous/late washout) was detected in 30 (79%) HCC nodules by MR, in 22 (58%) by CT and in 17 (45%) by CEUS. Hypointensity during the MR hepatobiliary phase was observed in all HCC nodules and in 3 nonmalignant nodules (sensitivity 100%, specificity 70%, positive predictive value 93%, negative predictive value 100%, positive likelihood ratio 3.33, negative likelihood ratio 0). Eight (21%) of the 38 HCC nodules, 7 of which lacked the typical vascular features at any of the imaging modalities, showed washout in the portal/venous phase and hypointensity in the hepatobiliary phase at MRI, while this pattern was not detected in any nonmalignant lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Gadoxetic acid magnetic resonance may enhance the sensitivity of the non-invasive diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in cirrhotic patients under surveillance. Double hypointensity in the portal/venous and hepatobiliary phases could be considered a new magnetic resonance pattern, highly suggestive of hypovascular hepatocellular carcinoma.

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) ultrasound imaging of solid focal liver lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the application of ARFI ultrasound imaging and its potential value for characterizing focal solid liver lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicentric prospective study, over a total non-consecutive period of four months, all patients underwent ARFI US examination. Two independent operators performed 5 measurements per each lesion and 2 measurements in the surrounding liver. According to the definitive diagnosis, a mean velocity value and standard deviations were obtained in each type of focal solid lesion, compared by using t-test, and the inter-operator evaluation was performed by using the Student's t-test. A comparison between the total mean values of each type of lesion and the mean value of the parenchyma was performed. RESULTS: 40 lesions were evaluated and a total of 400 measurements were obtained. The lesions were: 6/40(15%) hepatocellular carcinomas, 7/40(17.5%) hemangiomas, 5/40(12.5%) adenomas, 9/40(22.5%) metastases and 13/40(32.5%) focal nodular hyperplasias. The total mean values obtained were: 2.17 m/s in HCCs, 2.30 m/s in hemangiomas, 1.25 m/s in adenomas, 2.87 m/s in metastases and 2.75 m/s in FNHs. The inter-operator evaluation resulted non-statistically different (p>0.05). A significant difference (p<0.05) was always found by comparing adenomas to the other lesions. 160 measurements were obtained in the surrounding parenchyma, with a no significant difference between values measured in adenomas and in the surrounding liver. CONCLUSIONS: ARFI technology with Virtual Touch tissue quantification could non-invasively provide significant complementary information regarding the tissue stiffness, useful for the differential diagnosis of focal solid liver lesions.

A mould arthroplasty revision: a 43-year follow-up.

We present the outcome of a mould arthroplasty implanted for a congenital hip dysplasia in 1955 to revise a previous cup arthroplasty. This type of prosthesis, which has been developed on the basis of the concept of Smith-Peterson, by Prof. Marino-Zuco in Rome in the early 1940s, showed excellent results and was widely used until the advent of Charnley low-friction arthroplasty.

Markers of connective tissue activation in aseptic hip prosthetic loosening.

The fundamental role played by macrophages and fibroblasts of the synovial-like membrane in aseptic hip prosthesis loosening (AHPL) has recently been confirmed by numerous studies. In this study, the activity of these cells in patients with prosthetic loosening was analyzed by evaluating the main markers of fibroblast and macrophage activation in sera and in supernatants of cultured fibroblasts obtained from AHPL patients who underwent revision of a loose total hip arthroplasty implant. In these patients interleukin-1, hyaluronic acid (HA), and type III procollagen peptide were evaluated. The results were compared with those obtained in 13 patients with firmly fixed implants and 13 patients with osteoarthritis. Serum HA levels were significantly higher (779.3 +/- 951.6 micrograms/L) in patients with AHPL as compared with patients with firmly fixed implants (112.9 +/- 84.9 micrograms/L) and osteoarthritis (115.3 +/- 107.8 micrograms/L). Type III procollagen peptide levels were elevated in only 33.3% of patients with AHPL, whereas interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 beta) was detectable in 4 patients with AHPL but not in patients with firmly fixed implants or osteoarthritis. In supernatants, IL-1 beta was measurable in 4 of 6 fibroblast cultures, whereas type III procollagen peptide and HA were measurable in all cultures. The data confirm the existence of an inflammatory process in AHPL patients in which macrophages and fibroblasts play a key role. The detection, in these patients, of high circulating levels of IL-1 beta and HA is very important from a clinical point of view because they could be considered specific markers of inflammation.

Thoracolumbar fractures without neurosurgical involvement: surgical or conservative treatment?

The decision whether to treat amyelic thoracolumbar fractures conservatively or by surgical approach depends mainly on radiographic and clinical evaluation of their potential stability. An angle of kyphosis of 20 degrees or more evaluated using the sagittal index (s.i.) described by Farcy et al. in 1990, may be a valid indication for invasine treatment using pedicular systems for correction and stabilization; on the other hand, conservative treatment may be adequate for ensuring satisfactory results in fractures with an angle of less than 20 degrees, which are less likely to become unstable in clinically negative patients. This study confronts the immediate and long-term radiographic and clinical results in 2 groups of patients treated for amyelic thoracolumbar fractures, one treated conservatively, the other surgically; in particular, angle of kyphosis, vertebral compression and clinical conditions (pain and functional impairment) at long-term follow-up were assessed. The study was extended to include an assessment of outcome in relation to the angle of post-traumatic kyphosis in both operated and non-operated patients. Thirty-one patients with a diagnosis of non-neurological thoracolumbar trauma of the segment between D11 and L3 were studied. Twenty patients (group A) were treated conservatively (reduction on Cotrel bed and plaster vest) and 11 (group B) surgically (Diapason instrumentation). The 31 patients were subdivided into 2 groups according to the initial angle of kyphosis calculated using the s.i.: the first consisted of 16 patients (group C) with a s.i. of 20 degrees or more and the other of 15 patients (group D) with a s.i. less than 20 degrees. Six of the 16 group C patients and 5 of the 15 group D patients had been surgically treated. On the basis of the case-material considered, we found that satisfactory short-term radiographic results may be obtained by both conservative and surgical treatment. However, long-term outcome is less favorable in patients treated conservatively because maintainance of the initial improvement of the deformity in the injured segment is not as good as in those treated surgically. This limitation of conservative treatment does not however appear to negatively influence clinical conditions in patients with a s.i. of less than 20 degrees. In other words, although conservative treatment is not as effective as surgery for maintaining radiographic improvement, this does not necessarily signify clinical deterioration in cases with a s.i. of less than 20 degrees in whom the two types of treatment gave similar results.

Hydroxyapatite-coated hip prostheses. Early results from an international study.

A hydroxyapatite-coated hip prosthesis designed to stimulate proximal femoral stress transfer was studied in 222 patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty with a minimum followup of 2 years. The femoral component was a roughened titanium alloy with a 50-mu coating of hydroxyapatite applied to the proximal third. A proximal press-fit technique was applied with distal femoral over-reaming as standard procedure. The hydroxyapatite-coated acetabulum was of hemispherical design. Analysis of the clinical results showed a mean Merle D'Aubigné score of 16.7 points at 6 months and 17.4 points at 2 years. Mild residual thigh pain of unknown origin was reported in 3.6% of patients at 2 years. Radiographic evaluation showed complete acetabular and proximal femoral osseointegration without any loosening. No radiolucency or reactive line formation was observed around the hydroxyapatite-coated areas of the prostheses. Femoral bone densification occurred at the coated-uncoated transition zone (54%); 4% to 6% of cases showed cortical hypertrophy at the uncoated area of the stem. Reactive lines were seen around the distal stem in 52% of patients after 2 years. The clinical outcome was excellent, and the radiographic data pointed mainly to proximal femoral stress transfer.

Synovial ganglia of the central pivot of the knee.

Five patients with intraarticular synovial ganglia of the knee were treated by arthroscopic surgery. These synovial cysts were found in the intercondylar fossa and appeared to originate from the cruciate ligaments. In 3 patients the ganglia were the only pathologic finding, solely responsible for the pain and functional impairment. In the other 2 patients the ganglia were accompanied by other intraarticular lesions. The diagnostic procedure (radiography, arthrography, CT, MRI, arthroscopy), confirmed the validity of CT scan and MRI in detection, differential diagnosis, and location of the ganglia in all cases. Arthroscopy enabled us to directly observe, biopsy, and remove the ganglia, resulting in immediate disappearance of symptoms and no relapse after a minimum follow-up of 20 months.

Current trends in conservative treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus.

Forty-nine fractures treated conservatively with 30 days of immobilization in a Desault bandage or a suspension cast (3 cases) are discussed. The diaphyseal index was used to check for correlation between the degree of osteoporosis and the extent and type of fracture. After an average follow-up of 6.7 months, 67% of the 36 patients reviewed had a satisfactory clinical and radiographic result and adequate healing, even those with a high degree of osteoporosis. There was no significant correlation between the type of fracture (location and degree of displacement) and the severity of bone resorption. We would emphasize that 33% of the unsatisfactory results were mostly due to the radiographic findings which, scored using the Neer system, were rated unsatisfactory even though the corresponding results were satisfactory as far as the clinical symptoms and signs. In our opinion, proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients should be treated conservatively, especially in cases of slight or moderate displacement.

Arthroscopy in the treatment of osteochondrosis dissecans of the talus.

This study consists of six cases of osteochondrosis dissecans of the talus (ODT) treated with arthroscopy, which was able to precisely evaluate the integrity of the articular surface; this exact evaluation confirmed in turn the inaccuracy of radiographic staging and often even the most sophisticated techniques (CAT scan and/or MRI). Arthroscopy allows treatment of osteochondral lesions and consensual reactive synovitis in both advanced stages and minor lesions, with recourse to transchondral perforation. Its low morbidity and short period of rehabilitation together with the subjective and objective outcome at the follow-up (4-33 months) make arthroscopy a valid alternative to arthrotomy for treating this type of lesion.

Considerations on deformity of the foot and suprasegmental pathology in infantile cerebral palsy.

The authors conducted a clinical and CT scan study of the lower limbs of patients with infantile cerebral palsy in a search for correlations between deformities of the foot and pathological conditions in other parts of the limb. This revealed that the keystone in the system is the knee, in which flexion deformity or recurvatum associated with varus or valgus and torsional deformity of the femur and tibia leads to repercussions in the foot which are reasonably predictable and constant. This contrasts with similar situations in non-neurological deformities, where repercussions in the foot are unpredictable.

Cystic degeneration of the external meniscus. Part 2: Arthroscopic meniscectomy.

A consecutive series of 12 patients with cystic degeneration of the external meniscus was treated by selective external meniscectomy with an arthroscopic approach associated with percutaneous decompression of the cystic formation. Selective meniscectomy, on the one hand, allows for the preservation of a vast meniscal surface, thus preserving its functions as a shock-absorber, and on the other, in association with percutaneous decompression, it minimizes the possibility of recurrence. The authors discuss the procedures and advantages of this surgical method, which produced excellent immediate results due to the minimal trauma related to the use of arthroscopy, as well as the medium- and long-term results.

Histological and morphological aspects of muscle in infantile cerebral palsy.

There is very little in the literature on the histology and morphology of muscle in cerebral palsy. The authors studied the histology of antigravitational spastic muscles, which are different from the nonspastic muscles. The study established that they have no endomysial fibres and that their inelasticity and inextensibility is due to syncytial atrophy. This is in conformity with clinical findings and calls for further research into the ultrastructural nature of the muscle so that treatment can be based on a more complete understanding of the disease and not solely on clinical observations.

Cystic degeneration of the lateral meniscus. Pathogenesis and diagnostic approach.

Twelve patients with cystic degeneration of the lateral meniscus were submitted to magnetic resonance and arthroscopy. This study showed that mixoid degeneration is produced initially within the meniscal substance and subsequently progresses towards and may rupture through the outer margin, so producing the clinically detectable cyst on the outer margin of the joint. In the light of the information obtained from magnetic resonance and subsequent surgical verification, existing hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis and evolution of the lesion have been re-examined.

Prosthetic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee: the roles of CT scan and M.R.

The authors examined 10 patients treated by intra-articular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with an artificial ligament in terylene (Kejo-Leeds type). Clinical evaluation was supplemented by CT scan and magnetic nuclear resonance (M.R.). The basic parameters assessed were the positioning of the tunnels, biological anchoring, presence of reactive synovitis, growth and modification of periligamentous fibrous tissue, characteristics and relationships of the extra-articular plastic. CT scan was better at determining the tunnels, evaluating biological anchoring and visualising the new ligament in its intra-articular course. Magnetic nuclear resonance was better at evaluating changes in the periligamentous tissue. The authors therefore conclude that M.R. is preferable in the early follow-ups, while CT scanning has greater diagnostic value in follow-ups after six months.

Patellofemoral dysplasia in infantile cerebral palsy.

The authors have studied the biomechanical basis of functional alterations in the extensor apparatus of the knee in cases of infantile cerebral palsy. Several interesting aspects of the problem, some of which are controversial, have emerged from this study and from a review of patients with flexion contracture of the knee treated surgically: 1. The neurological pathology of the motor system leads to problems of posture and dysplastic conditions of the hip (coxa valgus, etc.) which favour the development of patellofemoral pathology. 2. By contrast, the early clinical manifestations of this pathology are relatively insignificant and completely overshadowed by the major problems of adaptation and compensation imposed by the more serious overall disabilities which face the patient in order to stand and walk. The knee plays a prevalently static role at this stage and is not particularly stressed during joint movement. 3. The clinical manifestations of patellofemoral pathology are thus paradoxically brought into focus by surgery on the flexor apparatus to deal with contracture. Although on the one hand this improves function, on the other it brings to light the more complex functional mechanisms of the knee, thus emphasizing any deficit in the extensor apparatus.

Clinical interpretation of cysts in the popliteal space using computerised tomography.

The use of computerised tomography in the examination of the knee joint has made it possible to investigate popliteal cysts much more precisely, particularly as regards incidence, localisation, size, shape and above all their possible relationship with other pathological conditions. In 315 examinations, 60 patients (19.5%) were found to have cysts in the popliteal space of whom only 9 were unassociated with any other pathology of the knee. Fifty-five (91.6%) of these cystic dilatations were semimembranosus bursae. The two pathogenetic theories which are favoured at the moment were considered in the light of our findings, but it appears from our experimental work that both could be valid.

The use of computerized tomography in the study of the cruciate ligaments of the knee.

Computerized tomography was used to investigate the knee joint, without the aid of a contrast medium, in 253 patients referred with a variety of diagnoses. The authors report in particular their experience in the visualization of the cruciate ligaments and assessment of the location, extent and nature of any relative lesions. Computerized tomography proved to be an extremely reliable means of investigating all the capsulo-ligamentous structures, both intra- and extra-articular. The diagnosis was accurate in 94% of cases with disorders of the cruciate ligaments.