Standardization of the Radiographic Study of the Foot Using the Niza Box / Padronização do estudo radiográfico do pé pela caixa Niza

Abstract Objective This study proposes the Niza box, a device created to reduce interpretive errors among professionals and facilitate the correct positioning of structures by standardizing orthopedic radiography of the foot in anteroposterior, loaded, and Saltzman views. Methods Descriptive study based on material collected at an Orthopedics Ambulatory from a tertiary service in a large Brazilian city. The X-ray device was a Lotus X, model HF 500 M, 500 milliamperes and 125 kilovolts capacity, 100 cm focus-film distance, and 24 × 30 cm radiographic chassis. Device controls were set at 100 mA, 5 mA/sec, and 60 kilovolts, depending on the variable size of the foot. The same team of previously trained radiography technicians performed the tests under the authors' supervision. The chassis were positioned in three specific Niza box spaces per the proposed incidence. Data from 50 images from people between 18 and 70 years old were analyzed. Results Radiographs taken using the proposed device usually had a satisfactory quality, allowing correct identification of the anatomical elements of the foot and ankle and angular reconstruction. Small image variations due to foot size were acceptable and expected, allowing radiograph standardization. Conclusion The Niza box is a good method for minimizing interference and avoiding radiographic interpretation errors, providing quality and agility to the examination, and reducing cost and unnecessary repetitions. It is an innovative, low-cost device made of recyclable and biodegradable material.

Resumo Objetivo Este estudo propõe a utilização da Caixa Niza, dispositivo criado com a finalidade de diminuir os erros interpretativos entre profissionais e facilitar o correto posicionamento das estruturas radiografadas ao padronizar as incidências radiográficas ortopédicas do pé anteroposterior, perfil com carga e Saltzman. Métodos Pesquisa descritiva, material coletado em Ambulatório de Ortopedia em serviço terciário de cidade brasileira de grande porte. Utilizado aparelho de radiografia marca Lotus X, modelo HF 500M, capacidade de 500 miliamperes e 125 quilovolts, distância foco-filme de 100cm, chassi radiográfico 24×30 cm e os comandos do aparelho ajustados para 100 mA, 5mA/seg e 60 quilovolts dependendo do tamanho variável dos pés. Exames realizados pela mesma equipe de técnicos em radiografia previamente treinados com supervisão dos autores. O chassi é posicionado em três espaços específicos da Caixa conforme a incidência proposta. Foram analisados dados de 50 imagens de pessoas entre 18 e 70 anos. Resultados A avaliação das radiografias após utilização do dispositivo proposto ocorreu de modo geral com qualidade satisfatória, permitindo correta identificação dos elementos anatômicos do pé e tornozelo e reconstrução angular. Pequenas variações nas imagens devido ao tamanho dos pés são aceitáveis e esperadas, sendo possível perceber padronização das radiografias. Conclusão A Caixa proposta se mostra um bom método de minimizar as interferências e evitar erros de interpretação radiográfica, proporcionando qualidade e agilidade ao exame, diminuindo custo e repetições desnecessárias. É inovador, um dispositivo de baixo custo, de material reciclável e biodegradável.

Radiological findings of fibrocartilaginous coalition of the third tarsometatarsal joint: a retrospective cross-sectional study with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Fibrocartilaginous coalition of the third tarsometatarsal joint has been indicated as an extremely rare form of tarsal coalition in the radiological literature, and most articles concerned with tarsal coalition do not mention involvement of this joint. Only two reports written in the English language that approach this subject were found, an orthopedic report and an anthropological report. PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of this finding and discuss and illustrate the radiological characteristics of this coalition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 614 computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans of the ankle and/or foot, acquired at a health service within a period of three months, was performed to assess the prevalence of this coalition. RESULTS: Of the examinations characterized as valid for analysis for the purposes of the study, 17 cases compatible with fibrocartilaginous coalition of the third tarsometatarsal joint were found, thus indicating an involvement of approximately 2.97% of the examined feet. CONCLUSION: Our radiological findings are typical, and the prevalence found in this study was statistically significant, being similar to that described in the anthropological report (3.2%-6.8%).

Combined Spring and Deltoid Ligament Repair in Adult-Acquired Flatfoot.

BACKGROUND: Adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) is usually due to a combination of mechanical failure of the osteoligamentous complex that maintains the medial longitudinal arch of the foot and attenuation or complete tear of the posterior tibial tendon. Magnetic resonance imaging studies in patients with flatfoot deformities have reported the posterior tibial tendon to be pathologic in up to 100% of patients, the spring ligament in up to 87%, and the deltoid ligament in 33%. Many studies in the literature describe reconstruction of the spring ligament or the deltoid ligament associated with AAFD, but there is no study in which both (spring and deltoid) ligaments are reconstructed at the same time. We describe a novel technique to reconstruct the deltoid ligament and the spring ligament at the same time. METHODS: We described the technique and evaluated 10 consecutive patients with AAFD and insufficient ankle and midfoot ligaments. RESULTS: We found no postoperative complications, stiffness, or loss of correction. CONCLUSION: We present a novel technique to reconstruct the failed deltoid and spring ligament during flatfoot correction. It is unique in that it uses internal brace augmentation with FiberTape® to help and protect the soft tissue healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Reliability of ultrasound grading traditional score and new global OMERACT-EULAR score system (GLOESS): results from an inter- and intra-reading exercise by rheumatologists.

This study aims to test the reliability of ultrasound to graduate synovitis in static and video images, evaluating separately grayscale and power Doppler (PD), and combined. Thirteen trained rheumatologist ultrasonographers participated in two separate rounds reading 42 images, 15 static and 27 videos, of the 7-joint count [wrist, 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal (MCP), 2nd and 3rd interphalangeal (IPP), 2nd and 5th metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints]. The images were from six patients with rheumatoid arthritis, performed by one ultrasonographer. Synovitis definition was according to OMERACT. Scoring system in grayscale, PD separately, and combined (GLOESS-Global OMERACT-EULAR Score System) were reviewed before exercise. Reliability intra- and inter-reading was calculated with Cohen's kappa weighted, according to Landis and Koch. Kappa values for inter-reading were good to excellent. The minor kappa was for GLOESS in static images, and the highest was for the same scoring in videos (k 0.59 and 0.85, respectively). Excellent values were obtained for static PD in 5th MTP joint and for PD video in 2nd MTP joint. Results for GLOESS in general were good to moderate. Poor agreement was observed in 3rd MCP and 3rd IPP in all kinds of images. Intra-reading agreement were greater in grayscale and GLOESS in static images than in videos (k 0.86 vs. 0.77 and k 0.86 vs. 0.71, respectively), but PD was greater in videos than in static images (k 1.0 vs. 0.79). The reliability of the synovitis scoring through static images and videos is in general good to moderate when using grayscale and PD separately or combined.

Discordance between clinical and imaging criteria: assessment by magnetic resonance imaging of the foot of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Evaluation of the correlation between disease activity and joint involvement was assessed by MRI in the clinically dominant foot of patients with RA. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study of 55 patients with RA, who were subjected to clinical evaluation and MRI assessment. Imaging of the clinically dominant foot was performed, and both the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28-CRP) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) were measured. The majority of patients classified as in clinical remission presented some degree of inflammatory activity upon MRI evaluation. Statistical analysis demonstrated no correlation between MRI findings and clinical scores. There is evidence of disease activity on MRI of the clinically dominant foot even in patients classified as in clinical remission according to the DAS28-CRP criteria.

Work disability is related to the presence of arthritis and not to a specific diagnosis. Results from a large early arthritis cohort in Argentina.

UNLABELLED: The objective of the study was to evaluate work disability and its main associated factors in patients with early arthritis. Argentine Consortium for Early Arthritis (CONAART) is the first early arthritis cohort in Argentina. Patients with one or more swollen joints and less than 2 years of symptoms duration were followed up prospectively in 13 departments of rheumatology. Social, demographic, familiar, clinical, and laboratory data were recollected. At first year and every year, X-rays of hands and feet were performed and working status and pharmaco-economic data were recollected. Work status (employed, unemployed, retired) and type of work were assessed by direct interview using a predesigned questionnaire. Eight hundred forty-eight patients were included, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) = 483 (57 %)and undifferentiated arthritis (UA) = 365 (43 %), 694 (81.8 %) were women, median age was 46 years (interquartile range (IQR) 35-55.7) and median symptoms duration 7 months (IQR 3-12). Patients with RA had significantly higher disease activity, worse functional capacity and quality of life, and more severe radiological damage compared to UA patients. However work disability (unemployed patient) was comparable between groups (RA = 21 % versus UA = 18.6 % p = NS). In both groups, unemployed patients had higher disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28), worse Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) values, and less years of formal education (p value <0.005 in all comparisons). Radiological damage was greater in unemployed patients but this difference did not reach statistical significance. In multivariate analysis, disease activity was the main variable associated with unemployment in both groups. Joint involvement was the main cause of work disability in this cohort of patients with early arthritis, independently of the final diagnosis. KEY MESSAGES: 1. Work disability is higher in patients with inflammatory arthritis as compared to the general population. 2. Prevalence of work disability is comparable among patients with undifferentiated and rheumatoid arthritis. 3. Disease activity is the main disease variable associated with work disability.

Effects of cigarette smoking on early arthritis: a cross-sectional study-data from the Argentine Consortium for Early Arthritis (CONAART).

Our objective was to analyze the effects of cigarette smoking on disease activity, functional capacity, radiographic damage, serology and presence of extraarticular manifestations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and undifferentiated arthritis. This is a cross-sectional study of 1,305 patients (729 with rheumatoid arthritis and 576 with undifferentiated arthritis) from CONAART, the Argentine Consortium for Early Arthritis that includes patients older than 16 years with <2 years of disease. Sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics of the disease and smoking history were collected. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis the disease activity score of 28 joints was 5.4 ± 1.3 in current smokers, 5.2 ± 1.4 in former smokers and 5.1 ± 1.4 in never smokers (p = 0.011). The simple erosion narrowing score was higher in current smokers and former smokers than in never smokers (M 14.0, R Q 6.0-21.0; M 15.0, R Q 7.0-24.0; M 10.0, R Q 5.0-17.0; p = 0.006). Current smokers had higher rheumatoid factor titer (M 160.0, R Q 80.0-341.0) than former smokers (M 146.8, R Q 6.03-255.5) and never smokers (M 15.0, R Q 9.0-80.0) (p = 0.004). The variable independently associated with tobacco exposure was simple erosion narrowing score (OR = 1.03, 95 % CI 1.00-1.05; p = 0.012). In patients with undifferentiated arthritis, an association between smoking status and parameters of activity or radiographic damage was not observed. Neither was tobacco exposure related to the presence of extraarticular manifestations or to the degree of disability in any of the two groups of patients. No relation was found between disease activity and severity, and number of packs smoked per year. Tobacco.

Usefulness of US to show subclinical joint abnormalities in asymptomatic feet of RA patients compared to healthy controls.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the utility of ultrasound to show subclinical feet disease in RA. METHODS: The foot joints (talocrural, talocalcaneal, talonavicular, naviculocuneiform, calcaneocuboid, 5th tarsometatarsal and 1st to 5th metatarsophalangeal [MTP] joints) of 50 healthy subjects and 50 RA patients, with asymptomatic feet, were compared bilaterally. Statistical significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Twenty-two joints were examined per individual (2200 in the entire sample). Significantly higher values were found in the RA group regarding quantitative synovitis in all joints recesses (p<0.003), the presence of synovitis (p<0.035) (except the 5thtarsometatarsal and 3rdMTP joint), power Doppler (PD) signals (p<0.029) (talocalcaneal, talonavicular, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4thMTP joints) and bone erosion (p<0.003) (except for the talocrural and talocalcaneal joints). Synovitis, PD signals and erosion were observed in 18.3% and 3.05% (p<0.001), 5.77% and 0.22% (p<0.001) and 34.45% and 2.85% (p<0.001) of the RA group and control group, respectively. Greater DAS-28, HAQ and FFI values were associated with ultrasound findings in only some joints (p<0.046). Interobserver agreement was ≤0.686 for semi-quantitative synovitis, ≤0.641 for quantitative synovitis, ≤0.474 for PD signals and ≤1.000 for erosion. Low Cohen Kappa values were found in the correlation between radiography and ultrasound (0.084-0.400). CONCLUSIONS. Ultrasound on RA asymptomatic feet demonstrated a significantly greater number of inflammatory changes in current activity (synovitis, PD signals) and sequelae (erosion) in comparison to control subjects. In the midfoot, the talonavicular joint has the greatest number of ultrasound findings.

Charcot neuroarthropathy after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive regimen is associated with several metabolic adverse effects. Bone loss and fractures are frequent after transplantation and involve multifactorial mechanisms. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 130 patients submitted to simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) and an identification of risk factors involved in de novo Charcot neuroarthropathy by multivariate analysis were used; P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Charcot neuroarthropathy was diagnosed in 4.6% of SPKT recipients during the first year. Cumulative glucocorticoid doses (daily dose plus methylprednisolone pulse) during the first 6 months both adjusted to body weight (>78 mg/kg) and not adjusted to body weight were associated with Charcot neuroarthropathy (P=0.001 and P<0.0001, respectively). Age, gender, race, time on dialysis, time of diabetes history, and posttransplantation hyperparathyroidism were not related to Charcot neuroarthropathy after SPKT. CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoids are the main risk factors for de novo Charcot neuroarthropathy after SPKT. Protocols including glucocorticoid avoidance or minimization should be considered.

Baseline HAQ and SF-36 questionnaire scores cannot predict clinical remission, radiographic progression or the need for biological therapy in a three-year prospective study of a Brazilian early rheumatoid arthritis cohort.

This study evaluates prospectively whether baseline scores [Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and SF-36] can predict clinical and radiographic evolution in a cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during a 3-year follow-up. Forty consecutive early RA patients were followed for 3 years, while receiving standardized treatment according to a pre-established protocol. HAQ and SF-36 were administered at the initial evaluation and at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. Hands and feet radiographs were obtained at the initial evaluation and at 12, 24 and 36 months. Preselected outcomes were the occurrence of radiographic erosions, the achievement of an EULAR remission, low disease activity status and the need for biological therapy. The mean age at onset was 45 years with a 90% female predominance. Erosions were found in 42% of patients at T0 and in 70% after 3 years (P < 0.001). At T0, the proportion of patients in remission, low, moderate or high disease activity was 0, 0, 7.5 and 92.5% and 22.5, 7.5, 32.5 and 37.5%, respectively, at 3 years. The mean baseline HAQ score was 1.89 and 0.77 by the third year (P < 0.0001). Most SF-36 domains showed significant improvement except for general state and vitality. Biological therapy was deemed necessary in 22.5% of patients. The initial HAQ and SF-36 scores were not associated with clinical remission, bone erosions or the need for biological therapy at 36 months. The HAQ and SF-36 scores measured at baseline could not predict at 3 years, the preselected outcomes in a Brazilian cohort.

Factors associated with disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze disability determinants in a cohort of Argentine patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with RA, according to ACR'87 criteria, were recruited from 6 rheumatology centers. Demographic and socioeconomic data, family history, comorbid diseases, extra-articular manifestations and information about received treatments were provided. Disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)-A was used for the functional capacity. Hand and feet radiographs were assessed using Sharp-van der Heijde score. RESULTS: A total of 640 patients with RA were included, of which 85.2% were females. Mean age was 53 years (interquartile range [IQR], 44-62) and mean disease duration was 8 years (IQR, 4-14). DAS 28 mean was 2.72 (IQR, 1.7-3.7) and HAQ-A mean was 0.62 (IQR, 0.13-1.25). Multiple linear regression showed that the main variables associated with disability were DAS 28, radiologic damage and age. Main predictors of functional disability in the multiple logistic regression using severe HAQ (>2) as dependent variable were DAS 28 (OR, 2; P < 0.0001); age (OR, 1; P = 0.008); and structural damage (OR, 1; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, the disease activity was the variable that showed the highest impact on the physical function. Radiologic damage affected HAQ as the disease progressed.