Radiography and computed tomography imaging of osteoarthritis

Author(s):  
Daichi Hayashi ◽  
Ali Guermazi ◽  
Frank W. Roemer

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disorder in the elderly worldwide and there is still no effective treatment, other than joint arthroplasty for end-stage OA, despite ongoing research efforts. Imaging is essential for assessing structural joint damage and disease progression. Radiography is the most widely used first-line imaging modality for structural OA evaluation. Its inherent limitations should be noted including lack of ability to directly visualize most OA-related pathological features in and around the joint, lack of sensitivity to longitudinal change and missing specificity of joint space narrowing, and technical difficulties regarding reproducibility of positioning of the joints in longitudinal studies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely applied in epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Computed tomography (CT) is an important additional tool that offers insight into high-resolution bony anatomical details and allows three-dimensional post-processing of imaging data, which is of particular importance for orthopaedic surgery planning. However, its major disadvantage is limitations in the assessment of soft tissue structures compared to MRI. CT arthrography can be useful in evaluation of focal cartilage defects or meniscal tears; however, its applicability may be limited due to its invasive nature. This chapter describes the roles and limitations of both conventional radiography and CT, including CT arthrography, in clinical practice and OA research. The emphasis is on OA of the knee, but other joints are also mentioned where appropriate.

Author(s):  
Krikor Malajikian ◽  
Daniel Finelli

Computed tomography (CT)-guidance is typically used when precise needle placement is essential for a successful procedure. It uses ionizing radiation, which could pose risks to the patient and operating staff if proper technique is not used. The performing physician should adhere to all principles of minimizing radiation exposure to the patient and clinicians. Common CT-guided imaging procedures include facet injections, nerve root injections, sacroiliac joint injections, intradiscal procedures, vertebroplasty/sacroplasty, and image-guided ablation of painful bone lesions. Computed tomography is also the imaging modality of choice for aspiration of deep paraspinal soft tissues in addition to disc space or bone biopsy in acute discitis/osteomyelitis. In fluoroscopic-guided knee or shoulder joint injections, CT arthrography is a useful adjunct to better assess anatomy when MRI is contraindicated. When imaging the postoperative spine, CT myelography has some advantages over MRI, and CT is also superior to MRI in assessing par intra-articularis defects or spondylolysis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jens ◽  
T. Luijkx ◽  
F. F. Smithuis ◽  
M. Maas

The first imaging modality in patients suspected of distal radioulnar joint pathology should be conventional radiography to exclude or diagnose wrist pathology including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, (healed) fractures, or impaction syndromes. When conventional radiography is inconclusive, high resolution 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging is advised. We provide a broad overview of the literature regarding the use of intra-articular contrast both with computed tomography (CTA) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRA). Conventional arthrography and unenhanced computed tomography are not indicated. This article discusses the most useful imaging techniques in terms of clinical indications, patient positioning, technical imaging requirements, and diagnostic performance in patients with suspected distal radioulnar joint pathology. Furthermore, the most prevalent pathologies are discussed, with the focus on imaging characteristics in both stable and unstable distal radioulnar joints.


Author(s):  
Joong Mo Ahn ◽  
Yusuf Menda ◽  
Georges Y. El-Khoury

♦ Each modality of imaging—digital radiography, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and nuclear medicine studies—has its own advantages and disadvantages♦ Conventional radiography is the best for initial evaluation of a musculoskeletal problem♦ MDCT rapid survey of multiple trauma patients is easily performed using the new high speed computed tomography scanners♦ MRI is the imaging modality of choice for internal derangement of the knee and other soft tissue injuries♦ Radionuclide bone imaging is most suitable for screening the whole skeleton for metastases♦ Positron emission tomography is useful for identification of tumour, inflammation, and infection.


Author(s):  
Ashraf Mohamed Hassan El-Sherif ◽  
Mohamed Ali Ahmed Mohamed ◽  
Nadia Farouk Mohamed El-Ameen ◽  
Manal Fayez Abu Samra ◽  
Alkawthar Ezedin Saied Abdel-Naby

Abstract Background Post-sprained ankles may sustain ligamentous tear, chondral defect, or osteochondral lesions (OCL). Being widely available and does not depend on high-end machine, the aim of this study was to assess the value of high resolution multi-detector CT arthrography (CTA) in detection of various ligamentous tears, chondral defects, and osteochondral lesions in case of sprain-related persistent ankle pain. Results There were 34 (68%) cases of ligamentous injury, most of which had single ligament affection whereas some cases demonstrated multi-ligamentous injury, and the total number of individual injured ligaments was 42 ligaments. There were 36 cases (72%) which had either chondral or osteochondral defects; the total number of OCL was 21 lesions and the total number of segmental cartilage defects was 20. Conclusion This study emphasized the diagnostic importance of multi-detector CTA in sprain-related ankle pain. In persistent post-sprained ankle pain, multi-detector CTA is a helpful imaging modality which could be utilized for detection of OCL, chondral defects, and various ligamentous tears.


2005 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 587-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. V. Haapamäki ◽  
M. J. Kiuru ◽  
A. O. Mustonen ◽  
S. K. Koskinen

Conventional radiography plays an essential diagnostic role in the primary evaluation of acute joint trauma. In complex fractures, however, computed tomography (CT) is an imaging modality often used second to radiography. As a result of technical breakthroughs in the field, multidetector CT (MDCT) allows faster imaging and better temporal, spatial, and contrast resolution compared with conventional single-slice spiral CT. MDCT with multiplanar reformation is helpful in disclosing fracture patterns, particularly in complex joint fractures, where they reveal occult fractures and show the exact number of fracture components and their degree of displacement.


2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judd E. Cummings ◽  
J. Andrew Ellzey ◽  
Robert K. Heck

Identification, staging, and treatment of bone sarcomas rely on both clinical and imaging evaluations. Although conventional radiography remains the primary imaging modality for characterizing bone tumors, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography can each add information for staging and treatment planning.


Author(s):  
Amna Mohamed Ahmed ◽  
Towmader Awad ◽  
Hajer Yousif ◽  
Reem Nahari ◽  
Omnia Abdelrhman ◽  
...  

Computed Tomography (CT) is the most commonly used imaging modality in the evaluation of cerebral hemorrhage in the head trauma patients. Objective: To study the incidence of a cerebral hemorrhage in traumatic patients using computed tomography. Method: This retrospective study was conducted at King Khalid hospital in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia, in the radiology department, in the period from September 2018 to April 2020. The study was done by collecting 471 CT reports of patients all of them were exposed to head trauma with deferent reasons. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program (ver. 20) and presented in tables and graphs according to the checklist which includes: patient age, gender, type of trauma, CT finding, and type of hemorrhage. Results: The most age group suffered from head trauma was less than 20 years percentage (55%), The male patients more exposed to head trauma than female patients with percentage (84.5%), the road traffic accident (RTA) is the most common type of trauma by percentage (63.5%), according to the CT finding; the cerebral hemorrhage represented (15.5%) with the highest percentage in a subdural hematoma (31.2%), the fracture represented (2.8%) while the normal appearance represented (81.7%) as the highest percentage. Conclusion: Most of the traumatic brain injury in patients caused cerebral hemorrhage and the CT scan reports show that: the common type of cerebral hemorrhage is subdural hematoma and it is common in males which exposed to (RTA) in the age group (21 - 40) years old.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2456
Author(s):  
Raminta Luksaite-Lukste ◽  
Ruta Kliokyte ◽  
Arturas Samuilis ◽  
Eugenijus Jasiunas ◽  
Martynas Luksta ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) remains challenging; either computed tomography (CT) is universally used or negative appendectomy rates of up to 30% are reported. Transabdominal ultrasound (TUS) as the first-choice imaging modality might be useful in adult patients to reduce the need for CT scans while maintaining low negative appendectomy (NA) rates. The aim of this study was to report the results of the conditional CT strategy for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. (2) Methods: All patients suspected of acute appendicitis were prospectively registered from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018. Data on their clinical, radiological and surgical outcomes are presented. (3) Results: A total of 1855 patients were enrolled in our study: 1206 (65.0%) were women, 649 (35.0%) were men, and the median age was 34 years (IQR, 24.5–51). TUS was performed in 1851 (99.8%) patients, and CT in 463 (25.0%) patients. Appendices were not visualized on TUS in 1320 patients (71.3%). Furthermore, 172 (37.1%) of 463 CTs were diagnosed with AA, 42 (9.1%) CTs revealed alternative emergency diagnosis and 249 (53.8%) CTs were normal. Overall, 519 (28.0%) patients were diagnosed with AA: 464 appendectomies and 27 diagnostic laparoscopies were performed. The NA rate was 4.2%. The sensitivity and specificity for TUS and CT are as follows: 71.4% and 96.2%; 93.8% and 93.6%. (4) Conclusion: A conditional CT strategy is effective in reducing NA rates and avoids unnecessary CT in a large proportion of patients. Observation and repeated TUS might be useful in unclear cases.


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