The interphalangeal angle as a novel radiological measurement tool for Morton’s neuroma – a matched case-control study

Background The aim of this retrospective study was to examine if a correlation between Morton’s Neuroma (MN) and an increased interphalangeal angle (IPA) or intermetatarsal angle (IMA) can be found in preoperative weightbearing dorsal-plantar X-rays of the foot. Methods Forty-five patients with forty-nine MN in the interspaces 2/3 or 3/4 and 49 controls were recruited for this study. Every MN was matched with an asymptomatic control without history of metatarsalgia. The diagnosis was made by clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positive histopathology after operative resection. IMA 1/5, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 3/4 and IPA 2/3, 3/4 were measured for both groups. Results The IPA 3/4 was significantly enlarged by 2.8 degrees (p < 0.001) with Area under the curve (AUC) 0.75 (p < 0.001), sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 67% in feet with MN compared to controls. The IMA 3/4 was significantly enlarged by 1 degree (p < 0.048) with AUC 0.64 (p < 0.031), sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 43% in feet with MN compared to controls. No difference between IMA 2/4, 2/5, 1/5 or correlation between IPA or IMA and the size of the MN in the MRI was found. Conclusion The results confirm the clinical observation of an increased IPA in patients with MN. An increased IPA should therefore be considered in the diagnosis of MN.

Integrated and Portable Probe Based on Functional Plastic Scintillator for Detection of Radioactive Cesium

The highly reliable and direct detection of radioactive cesium has gained potential interest due to in-situ detection and monitoring in environments. In this study, we elucidated an integrated and portable probe based on functional plastic scintillator for detection of radioactive cesium. A functional plastic scintillator with improved detection efficiency was fabricated including CdTe (cadmium telluride) material. Monolith-typed functional plastic scintillator having a diameter of 50 mm and a thickness of 30 mm was manufactured by adding 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO, 0.4 wt%), 1,4 di[2-(5phenyloxazolyl)]benzene (POPOP, 0.01 wt%), and CdTe (0.2 wt%) materials in a styrene-based matrix. To evaluate the applicability of the plastic scintillator manufactured to in-situ radiological measurement, an integrated plastic detection system was created, and the measurement experiment was performed using the Cs-137 radiation source. Additionally, detection efficiency was compared with a commercial plastic scintillator. As results, the efficiency and light yield of a functional plastic scintillator including CdTe were higher than a commercial plastic scintillator. Furthermore, the remarkable performance of the functional plastic scintillator was confirmed through comparative analysis with Monte Carlo simulation.

INTEROBSERVER VARIABILITY IN LIMB LENGTH DISCREPANCY IN THR ON RADIOGRAPH - A MULTICENTRIC STUDY.

Introduction: Restoration of limb length is one of the most important aims after total hip replacement . The measurement is often done by various radiological methods ,but its measurement is often difcult and variable. We studied to check if measurements of limb length discrepancy has interobserver variability using standard anteroposterior radiograph. Material and methods: Forty patients (40 hips) underwent measurement of limb length discrepancy on standard AP radiographs. The measurement was done by two observers from two different institutions (On digital X-ray AP view of hip, a line is drawn at the level of & parallel to inter teardrop area and intersecting the lesser trochanter on each side. Compare 2 points of intersection & measure difference to determine the amount of limb discrepancy). Results:There was excellent inter-observer agreement for radiological measurments kappa=0.867 (good aggrement) for pre-operative radiographic measurements and kappa=0.811(good aggrement) for post-operative radiographic measurements. Conclusions: Our data show use of radiological measurement of Limb Length Discrepancy (using intertear drop as pelvic reference and lesser trochanter as femoral reference) has excellent interobserver agreement and hence is more reliable than manual measurement of Limb Length Discrepancy

Do Techniques for Hill-Sachs Remplissage Matter in Terms of Functional and Radiological Outcomes?

Background: Different techniques are used for the remplissage procedure, including the double-pulley and mattress suture techniques. Both techniques have shown good results; however, it is unclear if one technique is superior. Hypothesis: The remplissage procedure using the double-pulley technique with 2 anchors would have superior functional and radiological outcomes compared with the mattress suture technique with a single anchor. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study included patients with anterior shoulder instability who were treated using arthroscopic Bankart repair combined with remplissage between 2012 and 2017. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information on the following metrics: Instability Severity Index Score, hyperlaxity, Sugaya index, presence of a Hill-Sachs defect, number of dislocations before surgery, sports participation, radiological measurement of the Hill-Sachs lesion, postoperative range of motion in both shoulders, Rowe score, Walch-Duplay score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and Filling Index Score of Remplissage grade according to magnetic resonance imaging scans at the last follow-up. Results: There were 41 patients included with a mean age of 30 ± 7 years who underwent the Hill-Sachs remplissage procedure using the double-pulley technique with 2 anchors (n = 21; group DA) or the mattress suture technique with a single anchor (n = 20; group SA). At the final follow-up, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding the Instability Severity Index Score ( P = .134), the Sugaya index ( P = .538), sports participation ( P = .41), the radiological measurement of the Hill-Sachs lesion ( P = .803), or the Rowe score ( P = .182). However, there were significant differences between the groups in the Walch-Duplay score ( P = .012), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score ( P = .005), and Filling Index Score of Remplissage grade ( P = .015), favoring group DA, as well as differences in external rotation in a neutral position (external rotation loss: 9° ± 3° [group SA] vs 12° ± 3° [group DA]; P = .003) and at 90° of abduction (external rotation loss: 8° ± 3° [group SA] vs 11° ± 3° [group DA]; P = .006), favoring group SA. Conclusion: In the remplissage procedure, the double-pulley technique provided better filling of the lesion and improvement in functional scores, but external rotation was limited compared with the mattress suture technique.

A new radiological measurement method used to evaluate the modified transconjunctival orbital fat decompression surgery

Purpose A new radiological method was used to evaluate the plastic effect of modified transconjunctival orbital fat decompression surgery in patients with inactive thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Methods In this study, 10 inactive patients (14 eyes) with moderate to severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy were selected. The patients underwent modified transconjunctival orbital fat decompression surgery. According to the results of a spiral CT scan before and 6 months after the surgery, the INFINITT system workstation was used to measure the eyeball protrusion value. According to the results obtained by the PHLIPS IntelliSpace Portal elliptical area and line segment measurement tools, the standard elliptical vertebral volume formula was used to calculate the muscular cone inner volume. Changes in eyeball protrusion and the inner volume of the muscular cone before and after surgery were examined. Statistical analysis of the correlation between the two parameters was performed. Results Radiological measurement results confirmed that removing the orbital fat in the muscle cone during surgery was effective for alleviating eyeball protrusion in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (P < 0.05). This surgery caused an obvious change in the muscle cone inner volume (P < 0.05). And there was significant correlation between changes in eyeball protrusion and muscle cone inner volume (r = 0.797, P = 0.0006, P < 0.05). Conclusion The radiological assessment method used in this study is simple and easy to implement. For inactive patients with moderate to severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy who just want to improve their appearance, the modified orbital fat decompression surgery is worth considering.

Radiological measurement of cochlear dimensions in cochlear hypoplasia and its effect on cochlear implant selection

Objective To determine the effect of cochlear dimensions on cochlear implant selection in cochlear hypoplasia patients. Methods Temporal bone computed tomography images of 36 patients diagnosed with cochlear hypoplasia between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed and compared with those of 40 controls without sensorineural hearing loss. Results Basal turn length and mid-modiolar height were significantly lower in the cochlear hypoplasia patients with subtypes I, II and III than in the control group (p < 0.001). Mid-scalar length was significantly shorter in subtype I–III patients as compared with the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, cochlear canal length (measured along the lateral wall) was significantly shorter in subtype I–IV patients than in the control group (subtypes I–III, p < 0.001; subtype IV, p = 0.002) Conclusion Cochlear hypoplasia should be considered if basal turn length is less than 7.5 mm and mid-modiolar height is less than 3.42 mm. The cochlear implant should be selected according to cochlear hypoplasia subgroup. It is critically important to differentiate subtype II from incomplete partition type I and subtype III from a normal cochlea, to ensure the most appropriate implant electrode selection so as to optimise cochlear implantation outcomes.

Is the Femoro-Epiphyseal Acetabular Roof (FEAR) index on MRI a relevant predictive factor of instability in a borderline dysplastic hip?

Aims A borderline dysplastic hip can behave as either stable or unstable and this makes surgical decision making challenging. While an unstable hip may be best treated by acetabular reorientation, stable hips can be treated arthroscopically. Several imaging parameters can help to identify the appropriate treatment, including the Femoro-Epiphyseal Acetabular Roof (FEAR) index, measured on plain radiographs. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and the sensitivity of FEAR index on MRI compared with its radiological measurement. Patients and Methods The technique of measuring the FEAR index on MRI was defined and its reliability validated. A retrospective study assessed three groups of 20 patients: an unstable group of ‘borderline dysplastic hips’ with lateral centre edge angle (LCEA) less than 25° treated successfully by periacetabular osteotomy; a stable group of ‘borderline dysplastic hips’ with LCEA less than 25° treated successfully by impingement surgery; and an asymptomatic control group with LCEA between 25° and 35°. The following measurements were performed on both standardized radiographs and on MRI: LCEA, acetabular index, femoral anteversion, and FEAR index. Results The FEAR index showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability on both MRI and radiographs. The FEAR index was more reliable on radiographs than on MRI. The FEAR index on MRI was lower in the stable borderline group (mean -4.2° (sd 9.1°)) compared with the unstable borderline group (mean 7.9° (sd 6.8°)). With a FEAR index cut-off value of 2°, 90% of patients were correctly identified as stable or unstable using the radiological FEAR index, compared with 82.5% using the FEAR index on MRI. The FEAR index was a better predictor of instability on plain radiographs than on MRI. Conclusion The FEAR index measured on MRI is less reliable and less sensitive than the FEAR index measured on radiographs. The cut-off value of 2° for radiological FEAR index predicted hip stability with 90% probability. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1578–1584

Trans-lateral Decubitus Radiograph of the Hip: A New View to Measure the Version of the Femoral Stem

Background We developed a radiological method, trans-lateral decubitus view, to measure stem version and assessed its reliability as well as the validity.Methods Trans-lateral decubitus view of the hip was a lateral radiograph, which was taken with the patient in lateral decubitus position, hip extension, 90° knee flexion and patella facing forward. In 40 patients, who underwent total hip replacement (THR), a trans-lateral decubitus view and CT scan of the hip were taken. Three observers measured stem neck-shaft angle (α) on hip AP view, and the stem anteversion (β), which was the angle between the axis of stem neck and axis of the femur, on the trans-lateral decubitus view. The stem version (θ) was calculated using the formula; θ = arc ((tan (180°-β) /tan (180°-α)). The intra and inter-observer reliabilities of each measurement were examined. The radiological measurements were compared with those on the CT scan to evaluate their validity.Results The mean stem anteversion on radiological measurement was 23.72° (SD 8.17) and the mean CT measurement was 23.91° (SD 10.25) (p = 0.929). The intra- and interobserver reliabilities of the radiological measurements were 0.934 and 0.931, respectively. Those of CT measurements were 0.941 and 0.942, respectively. When the radiological anteversion was between -30° and 30°, the correlation coefficient between radiological measurements and CT measurements was 0.729 (p = 0.001).Conclusion The trans-lateral decubitus method appears reliable and valid for the measurement of femoral stem version. Trial Registration: NCT02554149 (29 March 2016).