Treatment of tumor-induced cerebral venous sinus stenosis: Technical note and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors that invade or compress the venous sinuses have the potential to impair venous drainage. Rarely, this may be so severe as to induce intracranial hypertension. Other studies have previously described venous sinus stenting (VSS) for the treatment of these symptomatic lesions. In this report, we present our series of eight cases of VSS for symptomatic tumor-induced venous sinus stenosis and review the existing literature. CASES: Eight patients with mostly intracranial tumors were found to have symptomatic venous sinus stenosis with the most common presenting symptom being elevated intracranial pressure. Six of the eight (75%) patients presented with papilledema on neuro-ophthalmological exam. The most affected locations were the transverse and sigmoid sinuses in four patients, followed by the superior sagittal sinus in three patients. All eight patients underwent VSS with no adverse events. In total, 6 out of 8 (75%) of patients had complete resolution of their symptoms, while the remaining patients experienced at least partial improvement. CONCLUSION: Tumors that cause symptomatic venous sinus stenosis may be successfully managed with VSS to improve venous drainage. This may facilitate continued conservative management of meningiomas or allow for treatment with noninvasive means, such as stereotactic radiosurgery. Depending on the size of the target stenosis, balloon-mounted coronary stents may be a suitable option to treat these lesions.

The influence of osteoporosis on mechanical complications in lumbar fusion surgery: a systematic review.

Background: Adults undergoing spine surgery often have underlying osteoporosis, which may be a risk factor for postoperative complications. Although these associations have been described, osteoporosis remains profoundly underdiagnosed and undertreated in the spine surgery population. A thorough, comprehensive systematic review summarizing the relationships between bone mineral density (BMD) and specific complications of lumbar fusion surgery could be a valuable resource for raising awareness and supporting clinical practice changes. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for original clinical research articles reporting on BMD, or surrogate measure, as a predictor of complications in adults undergoing elective lumbar fusion for degenerative disease or deformity. Endpoints included cage subsidence, screw loosening, pseudarthrosis, vertebral fracture, junctional complications, and reoperation. Results: A total of 71 studies comprising 12,278 patients were included. Overall, considerable heterogeneity in study populations, methods of bone health assessment, and definition and evaluation of clinical endpoints precluded meta-analysis. Nevertheless, low BMD was associated with higher rates of implant failures like cage subsidence and screw loosening, which were often diagnosed with concomitant pseudarthrosis. Osteoporosis was also a significant risk factor for proximal junctional kyphosis, particularly due to fracture. Many studies found surgical site-specific BMD to best predict focal complications. Functional outcomes were inconsistently addressed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest osteoporosis is a significant risk factor for mechanical complications of lumbar fusion. These results emphasize the importance of preoperative osteoporosis screening, which allows for medical and surgical optimization of high-risk patients. This review also highlights current practical challenges facing bone health evaluation in patients undergoing elective surgery. Future prospective studies using standardized methods are necessary to strengthen existing evidence, identify optimal predictive thresholds, and establish specialty-specific practice guidelines. In the meantime, an awareness of the surgical implications of osteoporosis and utility of preoperative screening can provide for more informed, effective patient care.

Brief instruments for measuring nutrition literacy - the Nutrition Health Literacy Scale and the Self-Perceived Food Literacy Scale Short Form.

BACKGROUND: A healthy diet is a critical factor in maintaining long-term health. In addition to a health-promoting food environment, the nutrition health literacy (NHL) and food literacy (FL) of the population are important in this context. This paper describes the development and validation of two short instruments to measure the nutrition literacy of the population, used in the Austrian Nutrition Literacy Survey 2021. METHODS: An instrument to measure NHL (Nutrition Health Literacy Scale; NHLS) has been adapted and further developed. To measure FL, the Self-perceived Food Literacy Scale by Poelman et al. has been modified and shortened (SPFL-SF). Validation of the instruments was based on data from a web survey conducted in Austria in 2021 with almost 3,000 participants aged 18 years and older. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the factorial validity/dimensionality of the instruments. Additionally, internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, ordinal alpha, and McDonald's omega. RESULTS: Both instruments demonstrate excellent data-model fit. The NHLS also shows excellent internal consistency (α = 0.91), while the SPFL-SF displays a sufficient internal consistency for all (α between 0.70 and 0.89) but one sub-dimension (resisting temptation α = 0.61). Furthermore, the distribution of the items indicates that the measures are understandable and suitable, as evidenced by the absence of missing values in the sample. In addition, the items of both instruments differ in their level of difficulty or agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The NHLS and SPFL-SF are reliable and valid instruments for measuring NHL and FL in the general adult population. The brief instruments measuring the different aspects of nutrition literacy can be easily used in nutritional or evaluation studies. Further work is required to investigate other aspects of validity.

Posterior fossa Hodgkin's lymphoma radiographically mimicking an arteriovenous malformation: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is an exceedingly rare condition that is at an increased risk of misdiagnosis and mismanagement, especially when initial radiographic evidence points to an alternative pathology. OBSERVATIONS: The authors describe the case of a 75-year-old female who presented with a posterior fossa lesion initially concerning for a vascular malformation on computed tomography imaging due to perilesional hypervascularity. Subsequent angiography revealed a developmental venous anomaly (DVA) but no arteriovenous shunting. The patient's clinical history combined with magnetic resonance imaging findings prompted a tissue biopsy, which demonstrated a rare case of central nervous system (CNS) HL. The neoangiogenesis of this CNS HL with an adjacent DVA contributed to the original radiographic misdiagnosis of an arteriovenous malformation. HL's angiogenic potential, coupled with the proangiogenic environment induced around DVAs, may have contributed to this rare CNS HL metastasis to the cerebellum. The potential misdiagnosis of posterior fossa CNS HL has also been seen in several prior cases reviewed herein. LESSONS: Hypervascular tumors, especially when associated with an adjacent DVA, should also be considered when first evaluating suspected intracranial vascular lesions. Although rare, CNS HL should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients with a prior history of HL. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24238.

Skeletal muscle composition, power, and mitochondrial energetics in older men and women with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the overall and sex-specific relationship between presence and severity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with muscle composition, power, and energetics in older adults. METHODS: Males and females (n=655, 76.1±4.9yrs; 57% females) enrolled in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA) completed standing knee radiographs and knee pain assessments. Participants were divided into three groups by Kellgren-Lawrence grade (KLG) of KOA severity (0-1; 2, or 3-4). Outcome measures included whole-body muscle mass, thigh fat free muscle (FFM) volume and muscle fat infiltration (MFI), leg power, specific power (power normalized to muscle volume), and muscle mitochondrial energetics. RESULTS: Overall, presence and severity of KOA is associated with greater MFI, lower leg power and specific power, and reduced oxidative phosphorylation (p trend<0.036). Sex-specific analysis revealed reduced energetics only in females with KOA (p trend<0.007) compared to females with no KOA. In models adjusted for age, sex, race, NSAIDS use, site/technician, physical activity, height, and abdominal adiposity participants with KLG 3-4 had greater MFI (0.008% (0.004, 0.011) and lower leg power (-51.56W (-74.03, -29.10)) and specific power (-5.38W/L (-7.31, -3.45)) than KLG 0-1. No interactions were found between pain and KLG status. Among those with KOA, MFI and oxidative phosphorylation were associated with thigh FFM volume, leg power and specific power. CONCLUSION: Muscle health is associated with presence and severity of KOA and differs by sex. While muscle composition and power are lower in both males and females with KOA, regardless of pain status, mitochondrial energetics is reduced only in females.

Cartilage compositional MRI-a narrative review of technical development and clinical applications over the past three decades.

Articular cartilage damage and degeneration are among hallmark manifestations of joint injuries and arthritis, classically osteoarthritis. Cartilage compositional MRI (Cart-C MRI), a quantitative technique, which aims to detect early-stage cartilage matrix changes that precede macroscopic alterations, began development in the 1990s. However, despite the significant advancements over the past three decades, Cart-C MRI remains predominantly a research tool, hindered by various technical and clinical hurdles. This paper will review the technical evolution of Cart-C MRI, delve into its clinical applications, and conclude by identifying the existing gaps and challenges that need to be addressed to enable even broader clinical application of Cart-C MRI.

Degenerative medial and lateral menisci root tears: demographics, clinical presentation, imaging features, and associated findings.

PURPOSE: (I) Characterize the demographics and clinical features of patients with meniscal root tears (MRT); (II) analyze the morphology, extent, and grade of MRT on MRI; (III) evaluate associated abnormalities on imaging; and (IV) evaluate the associations between imaging findings, demographics, clinical features, and joint structural abnormalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search was performed to identify meniscal root tears. Age, sex, BMI, and pain were recorded. Knee radiographs and MRI were reviewed. Presence, grade and morphology of MRT, meniscal extrusion, insufficiency fractures, as well as joint structural abnormalities were scored. For goals (I), (II), and (III), tabulations for categorical variables and mean for continuous variables were computed. MRT findings variables were described using percentages. For goal (IV), adjusted linear and logistic regression were employed. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients with a mean age of 56.6 years (69 females) and mean BMI of 28.9 kg/m2 were included; 88 of the MRT were located at the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM), and 82% were radial tear. The mean tear diameter was 3.8 mm, and 78/96 tears presented with meniscal extrusion. Nineteen patients presented with subchondral insufficiency fracture (SIF), which was significantly associated with the gap of the tear (p = 0.001) and grade of the meniscal root lesion (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: MRT typically found in middle-aged to older overweight and obese women. Lesions were mostly radial tears and located at PHMM and were frequently associated with meniscal extrusion and SIF. Moreover, the presence of SIF was significantly associated with the gap width and grade of root tear.

Clinical and imaging findings associated with preservation of knee joint health over 8 years in individuals aged 65 and over: data from the OAI.

OBJECTIVE: While risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA) are well known, it is not well understood why certain individuals maintain high mobility and joint health throughout their life while others demonstrate OA at older ages. The purpose of this study was to assess which demographic, clinical and MRI quantitative and semi-quantitative factors are associated with preserving healthy knees in older individuals. METHODS: This study analyzed data from the OA Initiative (OAI) cohort of individuals at the age of 65 years or above. Participants without OA at baseline (BL) (Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) ≤ 1) were followed and classified as incident cases (KL ≥ 2 during follow-up; n = 115) and as non-incident (KL ≤ 1 over 96-month; n = 391). Associations between the predictor-variables sex, age, BMI, race, clinical scoring systems, T2 relaxation times and Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Score (WORMS) readings at BL and the preservation of healthy knees (KL ≤ 1) during a 96-month follow-up period were assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Obesity and presence of pain showed a significant inverse association with maintaining radiographically normal joints in patients aged 65 and above. T2 relaxation times of the lateral femur and tibia as well as the medial femur were also significantly associated with maintaining radiographically normal knee joints. Additionally, absence of lesions of the lateral meniscus and absence of cartilage lesions in the medial and patellofemoral compartments were significantly associated with maintaining healthy knee joints. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study provides protective clinical parameters as well as quantitative and semi-quantitative MR-imaging parameters associated with maintaining radiographically normal knee joints in an older population over 8 years.

Thigh muscle composition changes in knee osteoarthritis patients during weight loss: Sex-specific analysis using data from osteoarthritis initiative.

OBJECTIVES: Sex of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) may impact changes in thigh muscle composition during weight loss, the most well-known disease-modifying intervention. We investigated longitudinal sex-based changes in thigh muscle quality during weight loss in participants with KOA. METHODS: Using Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) cohort data, we included females and males with baseline radiographic KOA who experienced > 5 % reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) over four years. Using a previously validated deep-learning algorithm, we measured Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-derived biomarkers of thigh muscles at baseline and year-4. Outcomes were the intra- and inter-muscular adipose tissue (Intra-MAT and Inter-MAT) and contractile percentage of thigh muscles between females and males. The analysis adjusted for potential confounders, such as demographics, risk factors, BMI change, physical activity, diet, and KOA status. RESULTS: A retrospective selection of available thigh MRIs from KOA participants who also had a 4-year weight loss (>5 % of BMI) yielded a sample comprising 313 thighs (192 females and 121 males). Female and male participants exhibited a comparable degree of weight loss (females: -9.72 ±â€¯4.38, males: -8.83 ±â€¯3.64, P-value=0.060). However, the changes in thigh muscle quality were less beneficial for females compared to males, as shown by a less degree of longitudinal decrease in Intra-MAT (change difference,95 %CI: 783.44 mm2/4-year, 505.70 to 1061.19, P-value<0.001) and longitudinal increase in contractile percentage (change difference,95 %CI: -3.9 %/4-year, -6.5 to -1.4, P-value=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: In participants with KOA and 4-year weight loss, the longitudinal changes in thigh muscle quality were overall beneficial but to a less degree in females compared to males. Further research is warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms and develop sex-specific interventions to optimize muscle quality during weight loss.

Associations of cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and alkaline phosphatase with voriconazole-induced periostitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and alkaline phosphatase with voriconazole-induced periostitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-one patients with voriconazole use were identified using a clinical informatics tool. Health record data including age, sex, immune status, alkaline phosphatase, voriconazole levels, voriconazole dose, frequency, and treatment duration were collected. Imaging studies during the duration of treatment were reviewed by two radiology trainees and imaging features of voriconazole-induced periostitis were confirmed by a board-certified musculoskeletal radiologist. The length, location in the body, location in the bone, type, and morphology of periostitis lesions were recorded. Incident voriconazole-induced periostitis was defined as new periostitis on imaging after 28 days or more of voriconazole treatment in the absence of an alternative diagnosis. Univariate Firth's logistic regression models were performed using cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and average ALP as predictors and incident VIP as the outcome. RESULTS: There were nine patients with voriconazole-induced periostitis and 122 patients without voriconazole-induced periostitis. The most common lesion location in the body was the ribs (37%) and morphology was solid (44%). A 31.5-g increase in cumulative voriconazole dose was associated with 8% higher odds of incident periostitis. Increased treatment duration (63 days) and higher average alkaline phosphatase (50 IU/L) were associated with 7% higher odds of periostitis and 34% higher odds of periostitis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Increased cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and average alkaline phosphatase were associated with higher odds of voriconazole-induced periostitis.

Effect of weight loss on knee joint synovitis over 48 months and mediation by subcutaneous fat around the knee: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Obesity influences the development of osteoarthritis via low-grade inflammation. Progression of local inflammation (= synovitis) increased with weight gain in overweight and obese women compared to stable weight. Synovitis could be associated with subcutaneous fat (SCF) around the knee. Purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of weight loss on synovitis progression and to assess whether SCF around the knee mediates the relationship between weight loss and synovitis progression. METHODS: We included 234 overweight and obese participants (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m2) from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) with > 10% weight loss (n = 117) or stable overweight (< ± 3% change, n = 117) over 48 months matched for age and sex. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and 48 months, effusion-synovitis and Hoffa-synovitis using the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) and average joint-adjacent SCF (ajSCF) were assessed. Odds-ratios (ORs) for synovitis progression over 48 months (≥ 1 score increase) were calculated in logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, baseline BMI, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and baseline SCF measurements. Mediation of the effect of weight loss on synovitis progression by local SCF change was assessed. RESULTS: Odds for effusion-synovitis progression decreased with weight loss and ajSCF decrease (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61 and 0.56 per standard deviation [SD] change, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44, 0.83 and 0.40, 0.79, p = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively), whereas odds for Hoffa-synovitis progression increased with weight loss and ajSCF decrease (OR = 1.47 and 1.48, CI 1.05, 2.04 and 1.02, 2.13, p = 0.024 and 0.038, respectively). AjSCF decrease mediated 39% of the effect of weight loss on effusion-synovitis progression. CONCLUSIONS: Effusion-synovitis progression was slowed by weight loss and decrease in local subcutaneous fat. Hoffa-synovitis characterized by fluid in the infrapatellar fat pad increased at the same time, suggesting a decreasing fat pad rather than active synovitis. Decrease in local subcutaneous fat partially mediated the systemic effect of weight loss on synovitis.

The role of surgical disconnection for posterior fossa pial arteriovenous fistulas and dural fistulas with pial supply: an illustrative case series.

BACKGROUND: Pial arteriovenous fistulas (pAVFs) are rare vascular malformations characterized by high-flow arteriovenous shunting involving a cortical arterial supply directly connecting to venous drainage without an intermediate nidus. Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) can infrequently involve additional pial feeders which can introduce higher flow shunting and increase the associated treatment risk. In the posterior fossa, arteriovenous fistula (AVF) angioarchitecture tends to be particularly complex, involving either multiple arterial feeders-sometimes from both dural and pial origins-or small caliber vessels that are difficult to catheterize and tend to be intimately involved with functionally critical brainstem or upper cervical cord structures. Given their rarity, published experience on microsurgical or endovascular treatment strategies for posterior fossa pAVFs and dAVFs with pial supply remains limited. METHODS: Retrospective chart review from 2019-2023 at a high-volume center identified six adult patients with posterior fossa pAVFs that were unable to be fully treated endovascularly and required microsurgical disconnection. These cases are individually presented with a technical emphasis and supported by comprehensive angiographic and intraoperative images. RESULTS: One vermian (Case 1), three cerebellopontine angle (Cases 2-4) and two craniovertebral junction (Cases 5-6) posterior fossa pAVFs or dAVFs with pial supply are presented. Three cases involved mixed dural and pial arterial supply (Cases 1, 4, and 6), and one case involved a concomitant microAVM (Case 2). Endovascular embolization was attempted in four cases (Cases 1-4): The small caliber and tortuosity of the main arterial feeder prevented catheterization in two cases (Cases 1 and 3). Partial embolization was achieved in Cases 2 and 4. In Cases 5 and 6, involvement of the lateral spinal artery or anterior spinal artery created a prohibitive risk for endovascular embolization, and surgical clip ligation was pursued as primary management. In all cases, microsurgical disconnection resulted in complete fistula obliteration without evidence of recurrence on follow-up imaging (mean follow-up 27.1 months). Two patients experienced persistent post-treatment sensory deficits without significant functional limitation. CONCLUSIONS: This illustrative case series highlights the technical difficulties and anatomical limitations of endovascular management for posterior fossa pAVFs and dAVFs with pial supply and emphasizes the relative safety and utility of microsurgical disconnection in this context. A combined approach involving partial preoperative embolization-when the angioarchitecture is permissive-can potentially decrease surgical morbidity. Larger studies are warranted to better define the role for multimodal intervention and to assess associated long-term AVF obliteration rates in the setting of pial arterial involvement.

Defining hip osteoarthritis feature prevalence, severity, and change using the Scoring of Hip Osteoarthritis with MRI (SHOMRI).

OBJECTIVE: To define the reporting of Scoring Hip Osteoarthritis with MRI (SHOMRI) feature prevalence and severity, and to develop criteria to monitor feature change in longitudinal investigations. METHODS: Twenty-five participants (50 hips) of the femoroacetabular impingement and hip osteoarthritis cohort study underwent baseline and 2-year follow-up 3 T hip MRIs. Eight hip OA features were assessed using the SHOMRI. All MRIs were read paired with knowledge of timepoint by two blinded musculoskeletal radiologists. We provide definitions to report SHOMRI feature prevalence, severity, and longitudinal change. RESULTS: We report clear definitions for SHOMRI feature prevalence, severity, and change. When we applied the definitions to the studied cohort, we could detect the prevalence, severity, and change of hip OA features. For example, 88% of hips had labral tears (34% graded as severe tears) and 76% had cartilage defects (42% graded as full thickness). Over 70% of hips had feature change over 2 years, highlighting the sensitivity of SHOMRI definitions to assess longitudinal change of hip OA features. Intra-reader reliability was almost perfect (weighted (w)-kappa 0.86 to 1.00), with inter-reader reliability substantial to almost perfect (w-kappa 0.80 to 1.00). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to provide definitions to report SHOMRI feature prevalence, severity, and change. The proposed definitions will enable comparison between hip MRI studies and improve our understanding of hip OA pathogenesis.

Microvascular disease not type 2 diabetes is associated with increased cortical porosity: A study of cortical bone microstructure and intracortical vessel characteristics.

Introduction: Fracture risk is elevated in type 2 diabetes (T2D) despite normal or even high bone mineral density (BMD). Microvascular disease (MVD) is a diabetic complication, but also associated with other diseases, for example chronic kidney disease. We hypothesize that increased fracture risk in T2D could be due to increased cortical porosity (Ct.Po) driven by expansion of the vascular network in MVD. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations of T2D and MVD with cortical microstructure and intracortical vessel parameters. Methods: The study group consisted of 75 participants (38 with T2D and 37 without T2D). High-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) of the ultra-distal tibia were performed to assess cortical bone and intracortical vessels (outcomes). MVD was defined as ≥1 manifestation including neuropathy, nephropathy, or retinopathy based on clinical exams in all participants. Adjusted means of outcomes were compared between groups with/without T2D or between participants with/without MVD in both groups using linear regression models adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and T2D as applicable. Results: MVD was found in 21 (55 %) participants with T2D and in 9 (24 %) participants without T2D. In T2D, cortical pore diameter (Ct.Po.Dm) and diameter distribution (Ct.Po.Dm.SD) were significantly higher by 14.6 µm (3.6 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 2.70, 26.5 µm, p = 0.017) and by 8.73 µm (4.8 %, CI: 0.79, 16.7 µm, p = 0.032), respectively. In MVD, but not in T2D, cortical porosity was significantly higher by 2.25 % (relative increase = 12.9 %, CI: 0.53, 3.97 %, p = 0.011) and cortical BMD (Ct.BMD) was significantly lower by -43.6 mg/cm3 (2.6 %, CI: -77.4, -9.81 mg/cm3, p = 0.012). In T2D, vessel volume and vessel diameter were significantly higher by 0.02 mm3 (13.3 %, CI: 0.004, 0.04 mm3, p = 0.017) and 15.4 µm (2.9 %, CI: 0.42, 30.4 µm, p = 0.044), respectively. In MVD, vessel density was significantly higher by 0.11 mm-3 (17.8 %, CI: 0.01, 0.21 mm-3, p = 0.033) and vessel volume and diameter were significantly lower by -0.02 mm3 (13.7 %, CI: -0.04, -0.004 mm3, p = 0.015) and - 14.6 µm (2.8 %, CI: -29.1, -0.11 µm, p = 0.048), respectively. Conclusions: The presence of MVD, rather than T2D, was associated with increased cortical porosity. Increased porosity in MVD was coupled with a larger number of smaller vessels, which could indicate upregulation of neovascularization triggered by ischemia. It is unclear why higher variability and average diameters of pores in T2D were accompanied by larger vessels.

Clinical and radiologic outcomes in patients with meniscal root tears.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal root tears can lead to early knee osteoarthritis and pain. This study aimed (1) to compare clinical and radiological outcomes between patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscal root repair after meniscal root tears and those who received non-surgical treatment, and (2) to identify whether baseline MRI findings could be potential predictors for future treatment strategies. METHODS: Patients with meniscal root tears were identified from our picture archiving and communication system from 2016 to 2020. Two radiologists reviewed radiographs and MRI studies using Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading and a modified Whole Organ MRI Scoring (WORMS) at baseline and follow-up. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of follow-up radiographs and MRI studies were 134 (44-443) days and 502 (260-1176) days, respectively. MR images were assessed for root tear-related findings. Pain scores using visual analogue scale (VAS) and management strategies (non-surgical vs. arthroscopic root repair) were also collected. Chi-squared tests and independent t-tests were used to assess differences regarding clinical and imaging variables between treatment groups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between baseline MRI findings and each future treatment. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included. VAS pain scores were significantly (p < 0.01) lower after arthroscopic repair compared to conservative treatment (1.27±0.38vs.4±0.52) at the last follow-up visit with median (IQR) of 325 (180-1391) days. Increased meniscal extrusion (mm) was associated with higher odds of receiving non-surgical treatment (OR = 1.65, 95%CI 1.02-2.69, p = 0.04). The odds of having arthroscopic repair increased by 19% for every 1 mm increase in the distance of the tear from the root attachment (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05-1.36, p < 0.01). The odds of undergoing arthroscopic repair were reduced by 49% for every 1 mm increase in the extent of meniscal extrusion (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29-0.91, p = 0.02) as observed in the baseline MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent arthroscopic repair had lower pain scores than patients with conservative treatment in the follow-up. Distance of the torn meniscus to the root attachment and the extent of meniscal extrusion were significant predictors for arthroscopic repair in the next three weeks (time from the baseline MRI to the surgery date).

Can conventional magnetic resonance imaging at presentation predict chemoresistance in osteosarcoma?

OBJECTIVES: Histological tumour necrosis is the current indicator for the response of osteosarcoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Chemoresistant tumours require close monitoring and adjustment of treatment. Characteristics of tumours on baseline MRI may be able to predict response to chemotherapy. The aim is to identify which baseline MRI findings can help predict chemoresistant osteosarcoma. METHODS: Baseline MRI before giving neoadjuvant chemotherapy of 95 patients during 2008-2021 was reviewed by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists. Histological necrosis from surgical specimens was the reference standard. MRIs were reviewed for tumour characteristics (tumour volume, maximum axial diameter, central necrosis, haemorrhage, fluid-fluid level), peritumoural bone and soft tissue oedema, and other parameters including intra-articular extension, epiphyseal involvement, neurovascular involvement, pathologic fracture, and skip metastasis. The cut-off thresholds were generated by receiver operating characteristic curves which then tested for diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Two-third of patients were chemoresistance (histological necrosis <90%). Tumour volume >150 mL, maximum axial diameter >7.0 cm, area of necrosis >50%, presence of intra-articular extension, and peritumoural soft tissue oedema >6.5 cm significantly predicted chemoresistance, particularly when found in combination. Tumour volume >150 mL and maximum axial diameter >7.0 cm could be used as an independent predictor (multivariable analysis, P-value = .025, .045). CONCLUSIONS: Findings on baseline MRI could help predicting chemoresistant osteosarcoma with tumour size being the strongest predictor. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Osteosarcomas with large size, large cross-sectional diameter, large area of necrosis, presence of intra-articular extension, and extensive peritumoural soft tissue oedema were most likely to have a poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Biomarkers of Cartilage Composition.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has significantly advanced the understanding of osteoarthritis (OA) because it enables visualization of noncalcified tissues. Cartilage is avascular and nurtured by diffusion, so it has a very low turnover and limited capabilities of repair. Consequently, prevention of structural and detection of premorphological damage is key in maintaining cartilage health. The integrity of cartilage composition and ultrastructure determines its mechanical properties but is not accessible to morphological imaging. Therefore, various techniques of compositional MRI with and without use of intravenous contrast medium have been developed. Spin-spin relaxation time (T2) and spin-lattice relaxation time constant in rotating frame (T1rho) mapping, the most studied cartilage biomarkers, were included in the recent standardization effort by the Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (QIBA) that aims to make compositional MRI of cartilage clinically feasible and comparable. Additional techniques that are less frequently used include ultrashort echo time with T2*, delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC), glycosaminoglycan concentration by chemical exchange-dependent saturation transfer (gagCEST), sodium imaging, and diffusion-weighted MRI.

Is hip capsule morphology associated with hip pain in patients without another structural correlate?

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were (i) to assess the association between hip capsule morphology and pain in patients without any other MRI abnormalities that would correlate with pain and (ii) to investigate whether hip capsule morphology in hip pain patients is different from that of controls. METHODS: In this study, 76 adults with hip pain who did not show any structural abnormalities on MRI and 46 asymptomatic volunteers were included. Manual segmentation of the anterior and posterior hip capsules was performed. Total and mean anterior hip capsule area, posterior capsule area, anterior-to-posterior capsule area ratio, and medial-to-lateral area ratio in the anterior capsule were quantified. Differences between the pain and control groups were evaluated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Patients with hip pain showed a significantly lower anterior-to-posterior area ratio as compared with the control group (p = 0.002). The pain group's posterior hip capsule area was significantly larger than that of controls (p = 0.001). Additionally, the ratio between the medial and lateral sections of the anterior capsule was significantly lower in the pain group (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hip pain are more likely to have thicker posterior capsules and a lower ratio of the anterior-to-posterior capsule area and thinner medial anterior capsules with a lower ratio of the medial-to-lateral anterior hip capsule compartment, compared with controls. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: During MRI evaluations of patients with hip pain, morphology of the hip capsule should be assessed. This study aims to be a foundation for future analyses to identify thresholds distinguishing normal from abnormal hip capsule measurements. KEY POINTS: • Even with modern image modalities such as MRI, one of the biggest challenges in handling hip pain patients is finding a structural link for their pain. • Hip capsule morphologies that correlated with hip pain showed a larger posterior hip capsule area and a lower anterior-to-posterior capsule area ratio, as well as a smaller medial anterior capsule area with a lower medial-to-lateral anterior hip capsule ratio. • The hip capsule morphology is correlated with hip pain in patients who do not show other morphology abnormalities in MRI and should get more attention in clinical practice.

Thigh muscle and fat volumes are associated with knee cartilage abnormalities and bone marrow edema-like lesions: data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of thigh muscle and fat volumes with structural abnormalities on MRI related to knee osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI studies of the thighs and knees from 100 individuals were randomly selected from the Osteoarthritis Initiative Cohort. Whole Organ MR Scoring (WORMS) and effusion-synovitis scoring were performed in all knee MRI. Thigh muscles, intermuscular fat, and subcutaneous fat were manually segmented in 15 consecutive MR thigh images. Radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence grades (KLG) were also obtained in all knee radiographs. Independent t-tests were used to investigate the associations between thigh muscle and fat volumes, and sex. Mixed-effects analyses were obtained to investigate the associations between thigh muscle and fat volumes, KLG, WOMAC pain score, cartilage and bone marrow WORMS, as well as effusion-synovitis scores. RESULTS: Women had higher subcutaneous fat volume than men (616.82 vs. 229.13 cm3, p < 0.01) and men had higher muscle volumes than women (p < 0.01). Quadriceps (coef = -2.15, p = 0.01) and vastus medialis (coef = -1.84, p = 0.03) volumes were negatively associated with the WORMS cartilage scores. Intermuscular fat volume (coef = 0.48, p = 0.01) was positively associated with WORMS bone marrow edema-like lesion (BMEL) scores. The quadriceps (coef = -0.99, p < 0.01) and hamstring (coef = -0.59, p = 0.01) volumes were negatively associated with WORMS BMEL scores. No evidence of an association was found between thigh muscle and fat volumes with KLG and effusion-synovitis grading (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased quadriceps and hamstring volumes were negatively associated with cartilage lesion and BMEL scores while no evidence of an association was found between thigh muscle and fat volumes, and radiographic knee osteoarthritis or effusion-synovitis grading.