Does the presence of macroscopic intralesional fat exclude malignancy? An analysis of 613 histologically proven malignant bone lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if macroscopic intralesional fat detected in bone lesions on CT by Hounsfield unit (HU) measurement and on MRI by macroscopic assessment excludes malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive CT-guided core needle biopsies (CNB) of non-spinal bone lesions performed at a tertiary center between December 2005 and September 2021 were reviewed. Demographic and histopathology data were recorded. All cases with malignant histopathology were selected, and imaging studies were reviewed. Two independent readers performed CT HU measurements on all bone lesions using a circular region of interest (ROI) to quantitate intralesional fat density (mean HU < -30). MRI images were reviewed to qualitatively assess for macroscopic intralesional fat signal in a subset of patients. Inter-reader agreement was assessed with Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In 613 patients (mean age 62.9 years (range 19-95 years), 47.6% female), CT scans from the CNB of 613 malignant bone lesions were reviewed, and 212 cases had additional MRI images. Only 3 cases (0.5%) demonstrated macroscopic intralesional fat on either CT or MRI. One case demonstrated macroscopic intralesional fat density on CT in a case of metastatic prostate cancer. Two cases demonstrated macroscopic intralesional fat signal on MRI in cases of chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma. Inter-reader agreement was excellent (Cronbach's alpha, 0.95-0.98; intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.90-0.97). CONCLUSION: Malignant lesions rarely contain macroscopic intralesional fat on CT or MRI. While CT is effective in detecting macroscopic intralesional fat in primarily lytic lesions, MRI may be better for the assessment of heterogenous and infiltrative lesions with mixed lytic and sclerotic components. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Macroscopic intralesional fat is rarely seen in malignant bone tumors and its presence can help to guide the diagnostic workup of bone lesions. KEY POINTS: • Presence of macroscopic intralesional fat in bone lesions has been widely theorized as a sign of benignity, but there is limited supporting evidence in the literature. • CT and MRI are effective in evaluating for macroscopic intralesional fat in malignant bone lesions with excellent inter-reader agreement. • Macroscopic intralesional fat is rarely seen in malignant bone lesions.

MRI-based Neuropathy Score Reporting And Data System (NS-RADS): multi-institutional wider-experience usability study of peripheral neuropathy conditions among 32 radiology readers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the inter-reader reliability and diagnostic performance of classification and severity scales of Neuropathy Score Reporting And Data System (NS-RADS) among readers of differing experience levels after limited teaching of the scoring system. METHODS: This is a multi-institutional, cross-sectional, retrospective study of MRI cases of proven peripheral neuropathy (PN) conditions. Thirty-two radiology readers with varying experience levels were recruited from different institutions. Each reader attended and received a structured presentation that described the NS-RADS classification system containing examples and reviewed published articles on this subject. The readers were then asked to perform NS-RADS scoring with recording of category, subcategory, and most likely diagnosis. Inter-reader agreements were evaluated by Conger's kappa and diagnostic accuracy was calculated for each reader as percent correct diagnosis. A linear mixed model was used to estimate and compare accuracy between trainees and attendings. RESULTS: Across all readers, agreement was good for NS-RADS category and moderate for subcategory. Inter-reader agreement of trainees was comparable to attendings (0.65 vs 0.65). Reader accuracy for attendings was 75% (95% CI 73%, 77%), slightly higher than for trainees (71% (69%, 72%), p = 0.0006) for nerves and comparable for muscles (attendings, 87.5% (95% CI 86.1-88.8%) and trainees, 86.6% (95% CI 85.2-87.9%), p = 0.4). NS-RADS accuracy was also higher than average accuracy for the most plausible diagnosis for attending radiologists at 67% (95% CI 63%, 71%) and for trainees at 65% (95% CI 60%, 69%) (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Non-expert radiologists interpreted PN conditions with good accuracy and moderate-to-good inter-reader reliability using the NS-RADS scoring system. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The Neuropathy Score Reporting And Data System (NS-RADS) is an accurate and reliable MRI-based image scoring system for practical use for the diagnosis and grading of severity of peripheral neuromuscular disorders by both experienced and general radiologists. KEY POINTS: • The Neuropathy Score Reporting And Data System (NS-RADS) can be used effectively by non-expert radiologists to categorize peripheral neuropathy. • Across 32 different experience-level readers, the agreement was good for NS-RADS category and moderate for NS-RADS subcategory. • NS-RADS accuracy was higher than the average accuracy for the most plausible diagnosis for both attending radiologists and trainees (at 75%, 71% and 65%, 65%, respectively).

CT-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Nonspinal Bone Lesions: Comparison of Occult and Visible Bone Lesions.

BACKGROUND. CT guidance may be used for biopsy of indeterminate bone lesions detected by MRI or PET/CT that are not visible (i.e., occult) on CT owing to equipment-, patient-, and operator-related factors. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess diagnostic yield (DY) and diagnostic performance of CT-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) of occult nonspinal bone lesions and to identify the most common benign and malignant diagnoses for occult lesions undergoing CNB. METHODS. This retrospective study included 1033 adult patients who underwent CT-guided nonspinal bone CNB between January 2004 and December 2020. Lesions were classified as occult or visible on CT; biopsies of occult lesions were performed by targeting anatomic landmarks using prebiopsy MRI or PET/CT. Pathologic results of CNB were classified as diagnostic or nondiagnostic to calculate DY of CNB. For nondiagnostic CNBs, final diagnoses were established by subsequent pathologic, clinical, and imaging follow-up. RESULTS. The sample included 70 patients with occult lesions (mean age, 56.8 years; 38 women, 32 men) and 963 patients with visible lesions (mean age, 59.6 years; 475 women, 488 men). Malignancy rate was lower for occult than for visible lesions (42.9% vs 60.9%, p = .004). DY was lower for occult than for visible lesions (37.1% vs 76.9%, p < .001). Diagnostic performance for detecting malignancy on the basis of final diagnoses was lower for occult than for visible lesions in terms of sensitivity (76.7% vs 93.7%, p = .003), specificity (7.9% vs 56.5%, p < .001), and accuracy (38.2% vs 80.0%, p < .001). Final diagnoses among malignant occult and visible lesions included metastasis (frequencies of 63.3% vs 65.4%), leukemia/lymphoma (33.3% vs 11.6%), and myeloma (3.3% vs 10.4%); final diagnoses among benign occult and visible lesions included red marrow (34.2% vs 8.2%), reactive marrow (26.3% vs 11.8%), and fracture (18.4% vs 3.8%). Occult lesions detected by MRI versus PET/CT had lower malignancy rate (39.3% vs 68.0%, p = .03) and lower DY (30.4% vs 60.0%, p = .01). CONCLUSION. At CT-guided CNB, malignancy rate and DY are lower for occult than for visible lesions. Leukemia/lymphoma and red marrow are more common among occult than visible lesions. CLINICAL IMPACT. Understanding these characteristics can help guide radiologists', referring providers', and patients' expectations when CNB of occult bone lesions is requested and performed.

What is the Value of Radiology Input During a Multidisciplinary Orthopaedic Oncology Conference?

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary orthopaedic oncology conferences are important in developing the treatment plan for patients with suspected orthopaedic bone and soft tissue tumors, involving physicians from several services. Past studies have shown the clinical value of these conferences; however, the impact of radiology input on the management plan and time cost for radiology to staff these conferences has not been fully studied. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Does radiology input at multidisciplinary conference help guide clinical management and improve clinician confidence? (2) What is the time cost of radiology input for a multidisciplinary conference? METHODS: This prospective study was conducted from October 2020 to March 2022 at a tertiary academic center with a sarcoma center. A single data questionnaire for each patient was sent to one of three treating orthopaedic oncologists with 41, 19, and 5 years of experience after radiology discussion at a weekly multidisciplinary conference. A data questionnaire was completed by the treating orthopaedic oncologist for 48% (322 of 672) of patients, which refers to the proportion of those three oncologists' patients for which survey data were captured. A musculoskeletal radiology fellow and musculoskeletal fellowship-trained radiology attending physician provided radiology input at each multidisciplinary conference. The clinical plan (leave alone, follow-up imaging, follow-up clinically, recommend different imaging test, core needle biopsy, surgical excision or biopsy or fixation, or other) and change in clinical confidence before and after radiology input were documented. A second weekly data questionnaire was sent to the radiology fellow to estimate the time cost of radiology input for the multidisciplinary conference. RESULTS: In 29% (93 of 322) of patients, there was a change in the clinical plan after radiology input. Biopsy was canceled in 30% (24 of 80) of patients for whom biopsy was initially planned, and surgical excision was canceled in 24% (17 of 72) of patients in whom surgical excision was initially planned. In 21% (68 of 322) of patients, there were unreported imaging findings that affected clinical management; 13% (43 of 322) of patients had a missed finding, and 8% (25 of 322) of patients had imaging findings that were interpreted incorrectly. For confidence in the final treatment plan, 78% (251 of 322) of patients had an increase in clinical confidence by their treating orthopaedic oncologist after the multidisciplinary conference. Radiology fellows and attendings spent a mean of 4.2 and 1.5 hours, respectively, reviewing and presenting at a multidisciplinary conference each week. The annual combined prorated time cost for the radiology attending and fellow was estimated at USD 24,310 based on national median salary data for attendings and internal salary data for fellows. CONCLUSION: In a study taken at one tertiary-care oncology program, input from radiology attendings and fellows in the setting of a multidisciplinary conference helped to guide the final treatment plan, reduce procedures, and improve clinician confidence in the final treatment plan, at an annual time cost of USD 24,310. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Multidisciplinary orthopaedic oncology conferences can lead to changes in management plans, and the time cost to the radiologists should be budgeted for by the radiology department or parent institution.

Distant migration of gluteal augmentation fat presenting as a soft tissue knee mass.

Gluteal augmentation with autologous fat grafting is an increasingly popular procedure. While complication rates are low, the clinical and imaging evaluation of the various complications can be challenging. We report a case of distal migration of a failed gluteal fat graft in a young female patient presenting as a soft tissue mass in the knee, mimicking a soft tissue sarcoma. Surgical resection of the migrated fat graft confirmed the diagnosis. The diagnosis was challenging as the patient was initially reluctant to disclose her surgical history due to perceived negative social stigmas related to cosmetic contouring procedures. This case highlights the imaging findings of a rare complication following autologous fat grafting for gluteal augmentation and the importance of obtaining a thorough medical history.

Society of Skeletal Radiology- white paper. Guidelines for the diagnostic management of incidental solitary bone lesions on CT and MRI in adults: bone reporting and data system (Bone-RADS).

The purpose of this article is to present algorithms for the diagnostic management of solitary bone lesions incidentally encountered on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MRI) in adults. Based on review of the current literature and expert opinion, the Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards Committee of the Society of Skeletal Radiology (SSR) proposes a bone reporting and data system (Bone-RADS) for incidentally encountered solitary bone lesions on CT and MRI with four possible diagnostic management recommendations (Bone-RADS1, leave alone; Bone-RADS2, perform different imaging modality; Bone-RADS3, perform follow-up imaging; Bone-RADS4, biopsy and/or oncologic referral). Two algorithms for CT based on lesion density (lucent or sclerotic/mixed) and two for MRI allow the user to arrive at a specific Bone-RADS management recommendation. Representative cases are provided to illustrate the usability of the algorithms.

Image-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Adipocytic Tumors: Diagnostic Accuracy and Concordance With Final Surgical Pathology.

OBJECTIVE. Diagnostic accuracy of core needle biopsy (CNB) for adipocytic tumors can be low because of sampling error from these often large, heterogeneous lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of image-guided CNB for various adipocytic tumors in comparison with excisional pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Adipocytic tumors (n = 77) of all adult patients undergoing image-guided CNB and subsequent surgical excision of an adipocytic tumor at a tertiary referral center between 2005 and 2019 were studied. To determine concordance, we compared pathologic diagnoses based on CNB to the reference standard of pathologic diagnoses after surgical excision. Tumors were divided into three categories (benign lipomatous tumors [lipoma, lipoma variants, hibernomas], atypical lipomatous tumors [ALTs] or well-differentiated liposarcomas [WDLs], and higher grade liposarcomas [myxoid, dedifferentiated, pleomorphic]), and diagnostic accuracy was calculated for each category. RESULTS. In 73 of 77 adipocytic tumors (95%), diagnosis at CNB and diagnosis after excision were concordant. Accuracy of diagnosis was poorer for ALTs and WDLs than for the other two categories, and the difference was statistically significant (p < .002). For the 29 benign lipomatous tumors and the 27 higher-grade liposarcomas, diagnoses at CNB and after excision were concordant in all cases (100%). Seventeen of the 21 tumors (81%) diagnosed as ALTs or WDLs at CNB had a concordant diagnosis after excision; four of the 21 were upgraded (dedifferentiated liposarcoma, n = 3; myxoid liposarcoma, n = 1). CONCLUSION. CNB provides high diagnostic accuracy for adipocytic tumors, particularly for benign lipomatous tumors and higher grade liposarcomas. However, though still high at 81%, diagnostic accuracy of CNB is not as high for tumors diagnosed as ALTs or WDLs. Awareness of this limitation is important when determining management, particularly of cases of ALT or WDL for which surgery is not planned.

Association of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with bleeding complications in image-guided musculoskeletal biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of continuing aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in patients undergoing image-guided musculoskeletal biopsies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prior to October 2017, patients undergoing image-guided musculoskeletal biopsy had aspirin and NSAIDs withheld for the preceding 5-7 days. The policy changed in October 2017 based on new guidelines from the Society of Interventional Radiology such that aspirin and other NSAIDs were not withheld. A retrospective review of patient records was performed for all biopsies prior to and after the policy change to assess for differences in biopsy-related bleeding complications. Additional clinical and biopsy factors including age, gender, liver disease, coagulopathy, biopsy tissue type, and histological diagnosis were assessed. RESULTS: In the pre-policy change group, there were 1853 total biopsies with 43 biopsy-related bleeding complications (2.3%). Within this group, 362 patients were on aspirin with 7 bleeding complications (1.9%) and 260 patients were on NSAIDs with 5 bleeding complications (1.9%). There were 409 total biopsies in the post-policy change group and 7 bleeding complications (1.7%). Within this group, 71 patients were on aspirin with 1 bleeding complication (1.4%). No bleeding complications were recorded in patients on NSAIDs (0%). There was no significant difference in bleeding complication between the pre- and post-policy change groups overall (p = 0.58) and in patients on aspirin (p = 1.00) or other NSAIDs (p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: Bleeding complications for musculoskeletal biopsies are rare. Leaving patients on aspirin or other NSAIDs during a musculoskeletal biopsy does not increase the incidence of bleeding complications.

Effect of Chemotherapy on Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Body Composition Precision Error in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Precision error in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is defined as difference in results due to instrumental and technical factors given no biologic change. The aim of this study is to compare precision error in DXA body composition scans in head and neck cancer patients before and 2 months after chemotherapy. METHODOLOGY: A total of 34 male head and neck cancer patients with normal body mass index (BMI) were prospectively enrolled and all patients received 2 consecutive DXA scans both before and after 2 months of chemotherapy for a total of 4 scans. The precision error of 3 DXA body composition values (lean mass, fat mass, and bone mineral content) was calculated for total body and 5 body regions (arms, legs, trunk, android, and gynoid). Precision errors before and after treatment were compared using generalized estimating equation model. RESULTS: There was no significant change in precision error for the DXA total body composition values following chemotherapy; lean mass (0.33%-0.40%, p = 0.179), total fat mass (1.39%-1.70%, p = 0.259) and total bone mineral content (0.42%-0.56%, p = 0.243). However, there were significant changes in regional precision error; trunk lean mass (1.19%-1.77%, p = 0.014) and android fat mass (2.17%-3.72%, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: For head and neck cancer patients, precision error of DXA total body composition values did not change significantly following chemotherapy; however, there were significant changes in fat mass in the android and lean mass in the trunk. Caution should be exercised when interpreting longitudinal DXA body composition data in those body parts.

Quantitative muscle ultrasound detects disease progression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed changes in quantitative muscle ultrasound data in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and healthy controls to determine whether ultrasound can serve as a biomarker of disease progression. Two approaches were used: gray scale level (GSL), measured from the ultrasound image, and quantitative backscatter analysis (QBA), measured directly from the received echoes. METHODS: GSL and QBA were obtained from 6 unilateral arm/leg muscles in 36 boys with DMD and 28 healthy boys (age = 2-14 years) for up to 2 years. We used a linear mixed effects model with random intercept and slope terms to compare trajectories of GSL, QBA, and functional assessments. We analyzed separately a subset of boys who initiated corticosteroids. RESULTS: Compared to healthy boys, increasing GSL in DMD boys >7.0 years old was first identified at 6 months (eg, anterior forearm slope difference of 1.16 arbitrary units/mo, p = 0.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38-1.94); in boys ≤ 7 years old, differences in GSL first appeared at 12 months (0.82 arbitrary units/mo, p = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.075-1.565, in rectus femoris). QBA performed similarly to GSL (eg, DMD boys > 7 years old: 0.41dB/mo, p = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.096-0.72, in anterior forearm at 6 months). Ultrasound identified differences earlier than functional measures including 6-minute walk and supine-to-stand tests. However, neither QBA nor GSL showed an effect of corticosteroid initiation. INTERPRETATION: QBA performs similarly to GSL, and both appear more sensitive than functional assessments for detecting muscle deterioration in DMD. Additional studies will be required to determine whether quantitative muscle ultrasound can detect therapeutic efficacy. Ann Neurol 2017;81:633-640.

Electrical impedance myography for assessment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Sensitive, objective, and easily applied methods for evaluating disease progression and response to therapy are needed for clinical trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In this study, we evaluated whether electrical impedance myography (EIM) could serve this purpose. METHODS: In this nonblinded study, 36 boys with DMD and 29 age-similar healthy boys underwent multifrequency EIM measurements for up to 2 years on 6 muscles unilaterally along with functional assessments. A linear mixed-effects model with random intercept and slope terms was used for the analysis of multifrequency EIM values and functional measures. Seven DMD boys were initiated on corticosteroids; these data were analyzed using a piecewise linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS: In boys > 7.0 years old, a significant difference in the slope of EIM phase ratio trajectories in the upper extremity was observed by 6 months of -0.074/month, p = 0.023, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.013, -0.14; at 2 years, this difference was -0.048/month, p < 0.0001, 95% CI = -0.028, -0.068. In boys ≤ 7.0 years old, differences appeared at 6 months in gastrocnemius (EIM phase slope = -0.83 °/kHz/mo, p = 0.007, 95% CI = -0.26, -1.40). EIM outcomes showed significant differences earlier than functional tests. Initiation of corticosteroids significantly improved the slope of EIM phase ratio (0.057/mo, p = 0.00019, 95% CI = 0.028, 0.086) and EIM phase slope (0.14 °/kHz/mo, p = 0.013, 95% CI = 0.028, 0.25), consistent with corticosteroids' known clinical benefit. INTERPRETATION: EIM detects deterioration in muscles of both younger and older boys by 6 months; it also identifies the therapeutic effect of corticosteroid initiation. Because EIM is rapid to apply, painless, and requires minimal operator training, the technique deserves to be further evaluated as a biomarker in DMD clinical therapeutic trials. Ann Neurol 2017;81:622-632.

Muscle compression improves reliability of ultrasound echo intensity.

INTRODUCTION: Muscle echo intensity has been shown to correlate with disease status in muscle disorders, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We report the effect of sonographer-applied load on measurements of muscle echo intensity. METHODS: Quadriceps ultrasound scans were performed on 22 healthy boys and 16 boys with DMD between the ages of 2.2 and 15.3 years. Transducer contact force was increased linearly from 1.5 to 10 N, and echo intensity was measured throughout. RESULTS: Echo intensity increased linearly with strain at a rate of 42 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21-63) and 74 (95% CI: 49-98) in the healthy and DMD populations, respectively. Echo intensity reliability was moderate at low strain (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.82) and was improved at high strain (ICC = 0.92). DISCUSSION: Sonographer-applied load introduces error in measurements of echo intensity, but it can be minimized by measuring echo intensity at near-maximal levels of compression. Muscle Nerve 57: 423-429, 2018.

Progressive Sarcopenia in Patients With Colorectal Cancer Predicts Survival.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia and overall and progression-free survival in patients with colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was retrospective and complied with HIPAA. Patients with colorectal cancer who underwent CT at the time of and 6-18 months after diagnosis were included. Patients were followed for at least 5 years after diagnosis. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and mean muscle attenuation of the psoas and paraspinal muscles at the L4 level determined the degree of sarcopenia. Composite measurements combining psoas and paraspinal muscles (total muscle) were also obtained. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to evaluate the association between survival and changes in SMI and changes in attenuation. Kaplan-Meier analysis was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included (mean age ± SD, 63.7 ± 13.7 years; 68 men, 33 women). The hazard ratios for overall survival were 2.27, 1.68, and 1.54 for changes in SMI of the psoas muscle, paraspinal muscle, and total muscle (all p < 0.05). The hazard ratios for overall survival were 1.14, 1.18, and 1.24 for changes in attenuation of the psoas muscle, paraspinal muscle, and total muscle, respectively (all p < 0.05). The hazard ratios for progression-free survival were 1.33, 1.41, and 1.23 for changes in SMI of the psoas muscle, paraspinal muscle, and total muscle (not statistically significant). The hazard ratios for progression-free survival were 1.10, 1.21, and 1.23 for changes in attenuation of the psoas muscle, paraspinal muscle, and total muscle, respectively (p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant differences in overall and progression-free survival based on sex-specific quartiles of muscle quantity and quality. CONCLUSION: Progressive sarcopenia after diagnosis of colorectal cancer has a significant negative prognostic association with overall and progression-free survival.

Safety of omitting routine bleeding tests prior to image-guided musculoskeletal core needle biopsy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety of withholding preprocedure international normalized ratio (INR) and platelet testing in patients undergoing musculoskeletal (MSK) core needle biopsy (CNB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Initially, a retrospective review of 1,162 consecutive patients undergoing MSK CNB with preprocedural INR and platelet testing was performed. Clinical (age, gender, bleeding disorder, liver disease, anticoagulation use, INR > 2, platelet count <50,000/ul) and biopsy factors (imaging modality, lesion type, biopsy needle gauge, number biopsy samples) were tested for association with bleeding complications. During the second phase, an additional 188 biopsies performed without preprocedural coagulation testing were studied. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests, continuous variables with a student t-test. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: In the first phase, there was a complication rate of 2.6%, 30/1162. Of the 11 clinical and biopsy factors, soft tissue lesions (p = 0.029) and lesions biopsied under ultrasound (p = 0.048) had a higher rate of bleeding than bone lesions or lesions biopsied under CT, respectively. Only three patients had an INR >2, 0.3% (3/1162) and only four patients had platelet count <50,000/ul, 0.3% (4/1162). No patient with a bleeding complication had an abnormal preprocedure bleeding test. In the second phase, there was a bleeding complication rate of 1.1% (2/188). CONCLUSION: Bleeding complications from MSK biopsy are low, even when preprocedure coagulation testing is omitted.

Effect of sarcopenia on clinical and surgical outcome in elderly patients with proximal femur fractures.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between sarcopenia with short-term surgical outcome in elderly patients with proximal femur fractures. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Following Institutional Review Board approval, a database of patients receiving a pelvis CT scan for acute trauma between January 2000-August 2016 was screened for an isolated proximal femur fracture. Patients were excluded if they were: < 50 years old, had conditions predisposing to sarcopenia (renal failure, congestive heart failure, muscular dystrophies), had undergone no surgical treatment, had other major traumatic injuries, or had a pathologic femur fracture. The paraspinal muscle density (PSD) at the L4 level was measured in Hounsfield units. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured as the total skeletal muscle area at L4 divided by patient height.2 PSD and SMI were tested for association with surgical outcome measures: length of hospital stay, perioperative mortality, medical complications, in-hospital blood transfusion volume, and 90-day readmission rate, using multiple variable regression analysis. Pearson correlation of PSD and SMI was performed. RESULTS: Controlling for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and fracture type, low PSD and SMI were both independently associated with longer length of hospitalization (p = 0.008 and p = 0.032, respectively). Low PSD was associated with a higher amount of blood transfusion volume during the perioperative period (p = 0.004). Pearson correlation revealed moderate positive correlation between the SMI and PSD (r = 0.579, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In proximal femur fractures, elderly patients with sarcopenia are more likely to have prolonged hospitalization following surgery and require more blood transfusion volume during the perioperative period.

JOURNAL CLUB: Utility of Repeat Core Needle Biopsy of Musculoskeletal Lesions With Initially Nondiagnostic Findings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to assess the utility of repeat image-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) of musculoskeletal lesions in the setting of initially nondiagnostic CNB findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 1302 consecutive CNBs performed on bone or soft-tissue lesions at a single institution. Pediatric cases and spine lesions were not included. All cases for which a repeat biopsy of the same lesion was performed because biopsy results were nondiagnostic were included in the study. Tumor characteristics, such as lesion size and type (i.e., bone vs soft tissue), were correlated with the diagnostic yield on repeat biopsy. Technical factors, including the modality used, the number of passes performed, the gauge of the biopsy device, the time between biopsies, the radiologist performing the procedure, and the portion of the lesion biopsied, were also correlated. RESULTS: Twenty-six of the 1302 CNBs (2.0%) performed had been referred for repeat biopsy. A diagnosis was obtained for 10 of these 26 cases (38.5%) after repeat CNB. For five of the cases (19.2%), repeat CNB yielded a diagnosis of malignancy. Overall, 11 cases ultimately had histologic findings indicating malignancy, and five of these cases (45.4%) had diagnostic findings after rebiopsy. Of the 14 cases that were found to be benign, five (35.7%) had diagnostic findings after rebiopsy. One case was lost to follow-up. A statistically significant difference in the diagnostic yield was found in association with an increase in the number of passes (p = 0.047) and an increase in time (p = 0.020) between biopsies. CONCLUSION: Repeat CNB of musculoskeletal lesions with initially nondiagnostic biopsy findings can be useful. Increasing the number of passes on the second biopsy attempt is recommended.

MRI guided needle localization in a patient with recurrence pleomorphic sarcoma and post-operative scarring.

MRI-guided wire localization is commonly used for surgical localization of breast lesions. Here we introduce an alternative use of this technique to help with surgical resection of a recurrent pleomorphic sarcoma embedded in extensive post-treatment scar tissue. We describe a case of recurrent pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma in the thigh after treatment with neoadjuvant therapy, surgery, and radiation. Due to the distortion of the normal tissue architecture and formation of extensive scar tissue from prior treatment, wire localization under MRI was successfully used to assist the surgeon in identifying the recurrent tumor for removal.

Comparison of Battery-Powered and Manual Bone Biopsy Systems for Core Needle Biopsy of Sclerotic Bone Lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare manual and battery-powered bone biopsy systems for diagnostic yield and procedural factors during core needle biopsy of sclerotic bone lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 155 consecutive CT-guided core needle biopsies of sclerotic bone lesions were performed at one institution from January 2006 to November 2014. Before March 2012, lesions were biopsied with manual bone drill systems. After March 2012, most biopsies were performed with a battery-powered system and either noncoaxial or coaxial biopsy needles. Diagnostic yield, crush artifact, CT procedure time, procedure radiation dose, conscious sedation dose, and complications were compared between the manual and battery-powered core needle biopsy systems by Fisher exact test and t test. One-way ANOVA was used for subgroup analysis of the two battery-powered systems for procedure time and radiation dose. RESULTS: The diagnostic yield for all sclerotic lesions was 60.0% (93/155) and was significantly higher with the battery-powered system (73.0% [27/37]) than with the manual systems (55.9% [66/118]) (p = 0.047). There was no significant difference between the two systems in terms of crush artifact, procedure time, radiation dose, conscious sedation administered, or complications. In subgroup analysis, the coaxial battery-powered biopsies had shorter procedure times (p = 0.01) and lower radiation doses (p = 0.002) than the coaxial manual systems, but the noncoaxial battery-powered biopsies had longer average procedure times and higher radiation doses than the coaxial manual systems. CONCLUSION: In biopsy of sclerotic bone lesions, use of a battery-powered bone drill system improves diagnostic yield over use of a manual system.

Quantitative Ultrasound Assessment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Using Edge Detection Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of quantitative ultrasound (US) using edge detection analysis to assess patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, US examinations with fixed technical parameters were performed unilaterally in 6 muscles (biceps, deltoid, wrist flexors, quadriceps, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior) in 19 boys with DMD and 21 age-matched control participants. The muscles of interest were outlined by a tracing tool, and the upper third of the muscle was used for analysis. Edge detection values for each muscle were quantified by the Canny edge detection algorithm and then normalized to the number of edge pixels in the muscle region. The edge detection values were extracted at multiple sensitivity thresholds (0.01-0.99) to determine the optimal threshold for distinguishing DMD from normal. Area under the receiver operating curve values were generated for each muscle and averaged across the 6 muscles. RESULTS: The average age in the DMD group was 8.8 years (range, 3.0-14.3 years), and the average age in the control group was 8.7 years (range, 3.4-13.5 years). For edge detection, a Canny threshold of 0.05 provided the best discrimination between DMD and normal (area under the curve, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.00). According to a Mann-Whitney test, edge detection values were significantly different between DMD and controls (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative US imaging using edge detection can distinguish patients with DMD from healthy controls at low Canny thresholds, at which discrimination of small structures is best. Edge detection by itself or in combination with other tests can potentially serve as a useful biomarker of disease progression and effectiveness of therapy in muscle disorders.