Impact of Fluoroscopically Guided Bone Biopsy on Antibiotic Management of Osteomyelitis in the Lower Extremity.

This study evaluated the impact of fluoroscopically guided percutaneous bone biopsy on altering antibiotic regimens in lower extremity osteomyelitis. Eighty-eight patients who received fluoroscopically guided bone biopsies were identified. There was bacterial growth in 28% of bone biopsies overall. The rate of positive culture was decreased in patients started on empiric antibiotics before biopsy (23%) compare with patients without empiric antibiotics (44%). Antibiotic regimens were changed in 24% of patients overall in response to culture data. The majority of positive biopsy cultures (76%) but minority of negative biopsy cultures (3%) resulted in a change to antibiotic regimens. The impact of percutaneous bone biopsy on antibiotic management of adult patients with osteomyelitis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging is modest and is decreased in patients previously started on antibiotics. Despite its modest impact, bone biopsy results can provide useful information in antibiotic management, especially when positive (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(4):277-280, 2018).

Spectrum of Fat-containing Soft-Tissue Masses at MR Imaging: The Common, the Uncommon, the Characteristic, and the Sometimes Confusing.

Fat-containing tumors are the most common soft-tissue tumors encountered clinically. The vast majority of fat-containing soft-tissue masses are benign. Lipomas are the most common benign fat-containing masses and demonstrate a characteristic appearance at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Less common benign soft-tissue masses include lipoblastoma, angiolipoma, spindle cell lipoma/pleomorphic lipoma, myolipoma, chondroid lipoma, lipomatosis of nerve, lipomatosis, hibernoma, and fat necrosis. Well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLPSs)/atypical lipomatous tumors (ALTs) are locally aggressive soft-tissue masses that do not metastasize. Biologically more aggressive liposarcomas include myxoid, pleomorphic, and dedifferentiated liposarcomas. At MR imaging, lipomas typically resemble subcutaneous fat but may contain a few thin septa. The presence of thick, irregular, enhancing septa and nonfatty soft-tissue mass components suggests liposarcoma rather than lipoma. However, benign lipomatous lesions and WDLPS/ALT often have overlapping MR imaging findings. Distinguishing WDLPS/ALT from a benign lipomatous lesion or from fat necrosis at imaging can be challenging and often requires histologic evaluation. We present the spectrum of fat-containing masses, using the World Health Organization classification of adipocytic tumors, with an emphasis on commonly encountered lesions, characteristic MR imaging findings associated with specific tumors, and overlapping MR imaging findings of certain tumors that may require histologic sampling. We also briefly discuss the role of molecular markers in proper characterization and classification of fat-containing soft-tissue masses. (©)RSNA, 2016.

Spinopelvic dissociation: multidetector computed tomographic evaluation of fracture patterns and associated injuries at a single level 1 trauma center.

The objective of the present study is to evaluate multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) fracture patterns and associated injuries in patients with spinopelvic dissociation (SPD). Our institutional trauma registry database was reviewed from Jan. 1, 2006, to Sept. 30, 2012, specifically evaluating patients with sacral fractures. MDCT scans of patients with sacral fractures were reviewed to determine the presence of SPD. SPD cases were characterized into the following fracture patterns: U-shaped, Y-shaped, T-shaped, H-shaped, and burst. The following MDCT features were recorded: level of the horizontal fracture, location of vertical fracture, kyphosis between major fracture fragments, displacement of fracture fragment, narrowing of central spinal canal, narrowing of neural foramina, and extension into sacroiliac joints. Quantitative evaluation of the sacral fractures was performed in accordance with the consensus statement by the Spine Trauma Study Group. Medical records were reviewed to determine associated pelvic and non-pelvic fractures, bladder and bowel injuries, nerve injuries, and type of surgical intervention. Twenty-one patients had SPD, of whom 13 were men and eight were women. Mean age was 41.8 years (range 18.8 to 87.7). Five fractures (24 %) were U-shaped, six (29 %) H-shaped, four (19 %) Y-shaped, and six (29 %) burst. Nine patients (43 %) had central canal narrowing, and 19 (90 %) had neural foramina narrowing. Eleven patients (52 %) had kyphotic angulation between major fracture fragments, and seven patients (33 %) had either anterior (24 %) or posterior (10 %) displacement of the proximal fracture fragment. Fourteen patients (67 %) had associated pelvic fractures, and 20 (95 %) had associated non-pelvic fractures. Two patients (10 %) had associated urethral injuries, and one (5 %) had an associated colon injury. Seven patients (33 %) had associated nerve injuries. Six patients (29 %) had surgical fixation while 15 (71 %) were managed non-operatively. On trauma MDCT examinations, patients with SPD have characteristic fracture patterns. It is important to differentiate SPD from other pelvic ring injuries due to high rate of associated injuries. Although all SPD injuries are unstable and need fixation, the decision for operative management in an individual patient depends on the systemic injury pattern, specific fracture pattern, and the ability to attain stable screw fixation.

High-resolution 3-T MRI of the fingers: review of anatomy and common tendon and ligament injuries.

OBJECTIVE. With high-resolution 3-T MRI, the complex anatomy of the fingers can be imaged in exquisite detail to provide an accurate diagnosis of clinically important ligament and tendon injuries. CONCLUSION. We present our 3-T MRI protocol using a dedicated hand-and-wrist coil and review normal MRI anatomy of the fingers. We emphasize a systematic approach to the interpretation of finger MRI examinations and illustrate this approach with examples of tendon and ligament abnormalities.

Verrucous carcinoma of the foot and enhancement assessment by MRI.

Verrucous carcinoma (VC), also known as epithelioma cuniculatum, of the foot is an uncommon low-grade squamous cell carcinoma with slow, progressive local invasion with minimal dysplasia and low potential for metastasis. We report on a case of VC and the enhancement pattern associated with it on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR imaging revealed a plantar ulcer with an interesting pattern of enhancement at the base of the mass. The interface between the mass and the normal stroma exhibited a fine-filamentous pattern of enhancement, analogous to teased cotton wool, with impressive correlation to the histological appearance of our specimen. It is our opinion that VC could be included in the differential of a plantar ulcer associated with a mass that exhibits this enhancement pattern.