Prospective comparative study of quantitative X-ray (QXR) versus dual energy X-ray absorptiometry to determine the performance of QXR as a predictor of bone health for adult patients in secondary care

ObjectivesTo evaluate a method of quantitative X-ray (QXR) for obtaining bone health information from standard radiographs aimed at identifying early signs of osteoporosis to enable improved referral and treatment. This QXR measurement is performed by postexposure analysis of standard radiographs, meaning bone health data can be acquired opportunistically, alongside routine imaging.DesignThe relationship between QXR and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was demonstrated with a phantom study. A prospective clinical study was conducted to establish areal bone mineral density (aBMD) prediction model and a risk prediction model of a non-normal DEXA outcome. This was then extrapolated to a larger patient group with DEXA referral data.SettingSecondary care National Health Service Hospital.Participants126 consenting adult patients from a DEXA clinic.InterventionsAll participants underwent a DEXA scan to determine BMD at the lumbar spine (L2–L4) and both hips. An additional Antero-Posterior pelvis X-ray on a Siemens Ysio, fixed digital radiograph system was performed for the study.OutcomePerformance of QXR as a risk predictor for non-normal (osteoporotic) BMD.ResultsInterim clinical study data from 78 patients confirmed a receiver operator curve (area under the ROC curve) of 0.893 (95% CI 0.843 to 0.942) for a risk prediction model of non-normal DEXA outcome. Extrapolation of these results to a larger patient group of 11 029 patients indicated a positive predictive value of 0.98 (sensitivity of 0.8) for a population of patients referred to DEXA under current clinical referral criteria.ConclusionsThis study confirms that the novel QXR method provides accurate prediction of a DEXA outcome.Trial registration numberISRCTN98160454; Pre-results.

Isolated ulnopalmar dislocation of 5th carpometacarpal joint: a rare case report

<p class="abstract">Isolated volar dislocations of the fifth carpometacarpal joints are an uncommon injury. They are classified as ulnopalmar or radiopalmar dislocations. It can be easily missed on standard radiographs. A high degree of suspicion and accurate reduction is pivotal in restoring the functional outcome of the hand. In our case report, a forty year old man presented with ulnopalmar dislocation of the fifth carpometacarpal joint and was treated with open reduction and K wiring. We review the literature and discuss the available methods of management.</p>

The association of lumbosacral transitional vertebral anomalies with acetabular dysplasia in adult patients with hip-spine syndrome

Aims Some patients presenting with hip pain and instability and underlying acetabular dysplasia (AD) do not experience resolution of symptoms after surgical management. Hip-spine syndrome is a possible underlying cause. We hypothesized that there is a higher frequency of radiological spine anomalies in patients with AD. We also assessed the relationship between radiological severity of AD and frequency of spine anomalies. Methods In a retrospective analysis of registry data, 122 hips in 122 patients who presented with hip pain and and a final diagnosis of AD were studied. Two observers analyzed hip and spine variables using standard radiographs to assess AD. The frequency of lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV), along with associated Castellvi grade, pars interarticularis defect, and spinal morphological measurements were recorded and correlated with radiological severity of AD. Results Out of 122 patients, 110 (90.2%) were female and 12 (9.8%) were male. We analyzed the radiographs of 122 hips (59 (48.4%) symptomatic left hips, and 63 (51.6%) symptomatic right hips). Average age at time of presentation was 34.2 years (SD 11.2). Frequency of LSTV was high (39% to 43%), compared to historic records from the general population, with Castellvi type 3b being the most common (60% to 63%). Patients with AD have increased L4 and L5 interpedicular distance compared to published values. Frequency of pars interarticularis defect was 4%. Intraclass correlation coefficient for hip and spine variables assessed ranged from good (0.60 to 0.75) to excellent (0.75 to 1.00). Severity of AD did not demonstrate significant correlation with frequency of radiological spine anomalies. Conclusion Patients with AD have increased frequency of spinal anomalies seen on standard hip radiographs. However, there exists no correlation between radiological severity of AD and frequency of spine anomalies. In managing AD patients, clinicians should also assess spinal anomalies that are easily found on standard hip radiographs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(8):1351–1357.

Prevalence of ultrasound-detected knee synovial abnormalities in a middle-aged and older general population—the Xiangya Osteoarthritis Study

Background There is paucity of data on the prevalence of ultrasound-detected synovial abnormalities in the general population, and the relationship between synovial changes and knee pain remains unclear. We examined the prevalence of synovial abnormalities on ultrasound and the relationship of these features with knee pain and radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) in a community sample. Methods Participants aged 50 years or over were from the Xiangya Osteoarthritis Study, a community-based cohort study. Participants were questioned about chronic knee pain and underwent (1) ultrasonography of both knees to determine presence of synovial hypertrophy (≥ 4 mm), effusion (≥ 4 mm), and Power Doppler signal [PDS; yes/no]; and (2) standard radiographs of both knees (tibiofemoral and patellofemoral views) to determine ROA. Results There were 3755 participants (mean age 64.4 years; women 57.4%). The prevalence of synovial hypertrophy, effusion, and PDS were 18.1% (men 20.2%; women 16.5%), 46.6% (men 49.9%; women 44.2%), and 4.9% (men 4.9%; women 5.0%), respectively, and increased with age (P for trend < 0.05). Synovial abnormalities were associated with knee pain, with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of 2.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.00–2.86) for synovial hypertrophy, 1.58 (95%CI 1.39–1.80) for effusion, and 4.36 (95%CI 3.09–6.17) for PDS. Similar associations with ROA were observed, the corresponding aORs being 4.03 (95%CI 3.38–4.82), 2.01 (95%CI 1.76–2.29), and 6.49 (95%CI 4.51–9.35), respectively. The associations between synovial hypertrophy and effusion with knee pain were more pronounced among knees with ROA than those without ROA, and the corresponding P for interaction were 0.004 and 0.067, respectively. Conclusions Knee synovial hypertrophy and effusion are more common and increase with age, affecting men more than women. All three ultrasound-detected synovial abnormalities associate both with knee pain and ROA, and knee synovial hypertrophy or effusion and ROA may interact to increase the risk of knee pain.

AB0148 CHARACTERISTICS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS WITH HIP INVOLVEMENT

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects both small and large joints. Hip involvement is an evolutionary turning point in RA and significantly alters the patient’s quality of life.Objectives:This study aimed to assess characteristics of RA patients with hip involvement.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study, including patients with RA (according to 2010 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria).We divided patients into two groups: G0 patients without hip involvement, G1 patients with hip involvement. Hip involvement was defined with a limited movement during examination with abnormalities on standard radiographs. We collected the following data: age, the disease activity score (DAS28), the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Rheumatoid Factor (RF), and Anti Citrullinated Peptides Antibodies (ACPA), and SHARP score (A scoring system used to assess the radiological changes in patients with RA. It describes erosions and narrowing of the joint space of 27 small joints of the hands, including the carpal bones and feet).Results:Among the 224 patients included, 25had hip involvement (11%). The male / female sex-ratio was higher in G1 (0.66 vs 0.22, p=0.017).Patients in G1 were younger at disease onset (44,16±16,11 years vs 51.9±13.9 years, p= 0.022) and had a longer disease duration (12,28 ± 11,49 years vs 6,2010 ± 6,45 years, p=0.02). They had also higher HAQ(1,7692 vs 1,3054, p=0.05).SHARP score was higher in G1 (176.32 vs. 106.88, p=0.011). Atlantoaxial subluxation was more common in G1 (32% vs 14%,p=0.035).When comparing the groups we did not find any significant difference regarding age (56.12 ± 11.88 years vs 58,24±12,26 years, p=0.341), disease activity (DAS28-ESR:5.41 vs. 5.65, p=0.380; DAS28-CRP: 5.19 vs. 5.51, p=0.290), ESR (53.88 vs. 46.95, p=0.237), CRP:23,8894 vs 22,89, p=0.975), and in the serological profile (RF; G1:68% vs G0: 70.8%, p=0.817, ACPA; G1: 60% vs G0:69%, p=0.366).Conclusion:Patients with hip involvement were commonly male, were younger at disease onset and had more functional impairment based on the HAQ score. C1-C2 dislocation wasalso more common in this group.The SHARP score was also significantly higher in G1, which shows a severe and destructive disease.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

A Very Rare Fracture: Isolated Fresh Lunate Fracture

Lunate fractures are rare and usually occur together with other fractures, dislocations, or ligament disruptions. We want to report an acute fresh isolated lunate fracture without additional ligamentous injury fixated with early surgical intervention. A 23-year-old right-hand-dominated male patient was admitted to our hospital after falling from 1.5-meter ladder over right hand’s palmar face. Standard radiographs diagnosed a displaced lunate fracture. In the intraoperative evaluation, it was observed that there was only lunate dislocation, and there was no ligament lesion or other carpal bone pathology. Fracture was fixed with a headless cannulated screw. Radiographs showed bony union at 6-week follow-up. There was no evidence for Kienböck’s disease 6 months after surgery. Case report regarding fresh isolated lunate fracture that results in clinical success with early intervention without developing avascular necrosis as in our report is extremely rare. In conclusion, satisfying results can be obtained in these patients with careful surgical intervention.

Comparison of radiographic and tomographic evaluations for measurement of the Canal Flare Index in dogs

ABSTRACT The outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in dogs is directly related to surgical planning. Templating of radiographs prior to THA should help the surgeon anticipate prosthesis size and femoral shape allowing canal fill of the proximal metaphysis by the implant ensuring primary stable fixation. The canal flare index (CFI) obtained from radiograph has been used as a measure of risk of complications for the technique in human beings and dogs. However, standard radiographs only provide limited data for the selection of cementless prostheses and the assessment of their fit within the femoral canal, due to factors like radiographic magnification and femoral rotation. Therefore, three-dimensional evaluation based on computed tomography (CT) may be a better tool for CFI measurement. The aim of this study was to compare anatomical measurement with CFI values obtained from craniocaudal radiography and CT. Craniocaudal radiographs using a horizontal radiographic beam (CR), CT, and anatomical macroscopic measurements (A) were obtained from 45 femurs from 23 canine cadavers. The differences between the values of CFI obtained from radiograph (CFI-R), computed tomography on transverse (CFI- TT) and longitudinal axis (CFI-TL) compared to the CFI obtained from macroscopic measurements - gold standard - (CFI-A), and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) between the values, were evaluated by the Bland-Altman method. Dimensions obtained from CT techniques had a greatest mean difference from anatomical and CFI values were also different (P=0.032). Under the experimental conditions, the craniocaudal radiograph, provided the most accurate measurement of the CFI (mean difference: 0.087 ± 0.42).

Update options in the treatment of coccydina(tail bone pain): article review

This literature review is intended to provide oversight on the anatomy, incidence, etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of coccydynia. Relevant articles were retrieved with PubMed using keywords such as “coccydynia”, “coccyx”, “coccyx pain”, and “coccygectomy. Literature accumulated for this study was accumulated from PubMed using sourcombined to form this study. Images were also added from three separate sources to aid in the understanding of the coccyx and coccydynia. Focal points of this study included the anatomy of the coccyx, etiology and presentation of coccydynia, how to properly diagnose coccydynia, and possible treatments for the variety of etioloces. The coccyx morphology is defined using different methods by different authors as presented in this study. There is no conclusive quantitative data on the incidence of coccydynia; however, there are important factors that lead to increased risk of coccydynia such as obesity, age, and female gender. Injury to the coccyx or coccygeal joints with surrounding tissue inflammation and contraction of the muscles attached to the coccyx causes coccydynia. Diagnosis is made predominantly in clinical examinations with static standard radiographs, CT, and routine blood tests. Treatment options include conservative care, physical therapy, intrarectal massage and manipulation, sacrococcygeal injections (including ganglion impar block), and coccygectomy. Many cases are resolved with conservative treatments, despite the wide array of etiologies for the diagnosis. In more extreme cases, physician intervention requires a multidisciplinary approach. Surgical treatment is used as a last resort.

The trochanteric double contour is a valuable landmark for assessing femoral offset underestimation on standard radiographs: a retrospective study

Background Inaccurate projection on standard pelvic radiographs leads to the underestimation of femoral offset—a critical determinant of postoperative hip function—during total hip arthroplasty (THA) templating. We noted that the posteromedial facet of the greater trochanter and piriformis fossa form a double contour on radiographs, which may be valuable in determining the risk of underestimating femoral offset. We evaluate whether projection errors can be predicted based on the double contour width. Methods Plain anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of 64 adult hips were evaluated retrospectively. Apparent femoral offset, apparent femoral head diameter and double contour widths were evaluated from the radiographs. X-ray projection errors were estimated by comparison to the true neck length measured on MRIs after calibration to the femoral heads. Multivariate analysis with backward elimination was used to detect associations between the double contour width and radiographic projection errors. Femoral offset underestimation below 10% was considered acceptable for templating. Results The narrowest width of the double line between the femoral neck and piriformis fossa is significantly associated with projection error. When double line widths exceed 5 mm, the risk of projection error greater than 10% is significantly increased compared to narrower double lines, and the acceptability rate for templating drops below 80% (p = 0.02). Conclusion The double contour width is a potential landmark for excluding pelvic AP radiographs unsuitable for THA templating due to inaccurate femoral rotation.