RESUMO
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is often underutilized in the field of musculoskeletal imaging, with key reasons including the excellent performance of conventional musculoskeletal MRI, the limited spatial resolution of PET, and the lack of reimbursement for PET for non-oncologic musculoskeletal indications. However, with improvements in PET/CT and PET/MR imaging over the last decade as well as an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal diseases, there is an emerging potential for PET as a primary or complementary modality in the management of rheumatologic and orthopedic patients. Specific advantages of PET include the convenience of whole body imaging in a single session, the relative resilience of the modality in the imaging of metallic implants compared to CT and MRI, the ability to evaluate deep joints not amenable to palpation, and the potential for improved specificity of diagnosis with novel radiopharmaceuticals. In this review, we discuss multiple radiopharmaceuticals and technical consideration of PET/CT and PET/MRI that can be employed in imaging of non-tumoral bone and soft tissue disorders. Both PET/CT and PET/MR hold significant promise in the field of musculoskeletal imaging, and with further radiopharmaceutical development and clinical research, these hybrid modalities can potentially transform the current management of patients with orthopedic and rheumatologic disease.
RESUMO
Ultrasound therapy can be utilized to manage chronic wounds, including venous leg ulcers (VLUs). A randomized, controlled clinical study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of standard treatment and standard treatment plus either high-frequency ultrasound (HFU) or noncontact low-frequency ultrasound (NCLFU) on VLU outcomes. Ninety (90) outpatients (47 men, 43 women, average age 38.3 [SD 11.5] years) were randomized into the standard care (n = 30), HFU (n = 30), or NCLFU group (n = 30). Standard care included multilayered compression bandaging (40 mm Hg of pressure at the ankle graduated to 17 mm Hg to 20 mm Hg below the knee), nonadherent dressing, and regular debridement. Standard care dressing changes and ultrasound therapy were provided three times per week for 3 months or until healed. HFU delivers high-intensity (0.5-1 W/cm2), high-frequency (1-3 MHz) ultrasound for 5 to 10 minutes; and NCLFU delivers low-intensity (0.1-0.8 W/cm2), low-frequency (40 kHz) ultrasound for 4-10 minutes. After 3 months, patients continued to be followed until healed. Wound size, wound pain, and lower leg edema were assessed at baseline and after 2 and 4 months. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test, ANOVA, chi-square, or Fisher's exact test. P <0.05 was considered significant. Initial wound measurements were 9.60 cm2 (SD 5.54), 9.86 cm2 (SD 3.95), and 10.01 cm2 (SD 4.58) for the standard treatment, HFU, and NCLFU groups, respectively; after 4 months, measurements were 4.28 cm2 (SD 2.80), 3.23 cm2 (SD 2.39), and 2.72 cm2 (SD 2.16), a statically significant difference (P = 0.04). All wounds were healed after an average of 8.50 (SD 2.17), 6.86 (SD 2.04), and 6.65 (SD 1.59) months in the standard treatment, HFU, and NCLFU groups, respectively (P = 0.001). Differences in the amount of edema and pain rating scores were also significant at the 4-month, follow-up visit (P <0.05). Outcomes of both methods of ultrasound therapy were better than standard care alone, and some differences between the two ultrasound therapy groups were observed, but they were not statistically significant.
