scholarly journals The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of postoperative spondylodiscitis

2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 479-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatjana Stosic-Opincal ◽  
Vesna Peric ◽  
Danica Grujicic ◽  
Svetlana Gavrilovic ◽  
Ivana Golubicic

Background. Spondylodiscitis, discitis associated with vertebral osteomyelitis may follow disc-removal surgery. A targeted successful treatment of spinal infections requires clinical and laboratory data that are completed by the contribution of imaging procedures. Neuroimaging provides precise information on correct topography, localization, propagation, and differential diagnosis of spinal infectious lesions. The aim of this study was to present magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with postoperative spondylodiscitis. Methods. MRI was performed in 6 patients aged 29-50, with clinically suspected postoperative spondylodiscitis. Initial examination was performed 3-8 weeks after surgery and 3, 6, or 12 months after the treatment by antibiotics. Patients underwent MRI on a 1T imaging unit (Siemens, Magnetom-Impact), including sagittal T1W and T2W images and axial T1W images before and after the administration of gadolinium contrast medium. Results. MRI findings included: significantly decreased signal intensity with the loss of distinction between vertebral body and intervertebral disc space on T1W, increased signal intensity in the adjacent vertebral body and end-plates on T2W, contrast enhancement of vertebral body and disc space and paravertebral soft tissue changes. Follow-up examinations performed 3, 6, or 12 months after the treatment showed less abnormal signal intensities on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Conclusion. Postoperative spondylodiscitis is a rare but severe complication of lumbar disc surgery. Since conventional imaging techniques are not reliable for detecting spondylodiscitis in its early stages, MRI is of great significance in the diagnosis of postoperative spondylodiscitis.

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferdinando Draghi ◽  
Chandra Bortolotto ◽  
Davide Renato Coscia ◽  
Mario Canepari ◽  
Salvatore Gitto

Background Mucoid degeneration and ganglia reflect a continuum of degenerative changes within the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Purpose To assess the prevalence of and radiologists’ familiarity with PCL mucoid degeneration and ganglia. Material and Methods Knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from July 2013 to June 2015, excluding patients who had a preceding trauma or MRI findings indicative of a prior injury, were retrospectively reviewed, with the specific request to assess degenerative changes of the PCL, by the same musculoskeletal radiologists who previously reported these examinations, and one fellow. Results A total of 692 patients entered this study. The radiologists and the fellow together identified mucoid degeneration in 34 patients (4.9%), ganglia in 14 patients (2.0%), and both in four patients (0.6%). Several patterns of PCL mucoid degeneration were identified: diffuse thickening in seven patients, partial thickening in 16 (four associated with a ganglion), longitudinal intraligamentous PCL signal-intensity abnormalities resembling a “tram track” in 15. In all cases there was increased signal intensity on fluid-sensitive sequences. In the previous reports, only three cases of PCL mucoid degeneration out of 38 (7.9%) were described, with intraligamentous PCL signal-intensity abnormalities. In the reports of the patients with degeneration and ganglia, only ganglia were described. In the previous reports, ganglia were correctly diagnosed. Conclusion Mucoid degeneration of the PCL is much more common than previously assumed and is underestimated by radiologists.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 621-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Geun Jung ◽  
Na-Ra Kim ◽  
Tae-Hoon Kim ◽  
Joon-Sang Eom ◽  
Dong-Oh Lee

Background: Studies regarding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the lateral ankle ligaments in chronic lateral ankle instability and their clinical relevance for surgery are lacking. This study classified the lateral ankle ligament MRI findings of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) in chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) and correlated these findings with ankle stress radiographs. Methods: We included 132 ankles with CLAI that underwent ligament reconstructions from 2006 to 2013. The distributions of the ATFL and CFL morphologies were evaluated using the following categories: (1) the amount of thickness: normal/thickened/attenuated/non-visualized, (2) the presence of discontinuity, (3) wavy or irregular contour, and (4) increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The relationships between the ligament morphologies and stress radiographs were analyzed. Results: The ATFL was normal in 5 (4%) ankles, thickened in 35 (27%), attenuated in 76 (58%), and non-visualized in 16 (12%), while the CFL was normal in 39 (30%) ankles, thickened in 42 (32%), attenuated in 44 (33%), and non-visualized in 7 (5%). Discontinuity of the ATFL or CFL was observed in 46 (35%) ankles. Wavy or irregular contours were observed in 55 (42%) ATFLs and 37 (28%) CFLs, and signal intensity of both ligaments was increased in 19 (14%) ankles. ATFL ( P < .001) and CFL thickness ( P = .007) correlated with the talar tilt angle. Conclusions: The MRI findings of CLAI showed several morphologies and specific incidences for each morphology. Attenuated, wavy appearance was the most frequent MRI pattern. Thickness was related to the degree of instability. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


Spine ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 2276-2281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumihiko Kato ◽  
Toshihiro Ando ◽  
Noriaki Kawakami ◽  
Kentaro Mimatsu ◽  
Hisashi Iwata

VASA ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Milos Sladojevic ◽  
Petar Zlatanovic ◽  
Zeljka Stanojevic ◽  
Igor Koncar ◽  
Sasenka Vidicevic ◽  
...  

Summary: Background: Main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of statins and/or acetylsalicylic acid on biochemical characteristics of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall and intraluminal thrombus (ILT). Patients and methods: Fifty patients with asymptomatic infrarenal AAA were analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging on T1w sequence. Relative ILT signal intensity (SI) was determined as a ratio between ILT and psoas muscle SI. Samples containing the full ILT thickness and aneurysm wall were harvested from the anterior surface at the level of the maximal diameter. The concentration of enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, MMP2 and neutrophil elastase (NE/ELA) were analyzed in ILT and AAA wall; while collagen type III, elastin and proteoglycan 4 were analyzed in harvested AAA wall. Oxidative stress in the AAA wall was assessed by catalase and malondialdehyde activity in tissue samples. Results: Relative ILT signal intensity (1.09 ± 0.41 vs 0.89 ± 0.21, p = 0.013) were higher in non-statin than in statin group. Patients who were taking aspirin had lower relative ILT area (0.89 ± 0.19 vs 1.13. ± 0.44, p = 0.016), and lower relative ILT signal intensity (0.85 [0.73–1.07] vs 1.01 [0.84–1.19], p = 0.021) compared to non-aspirin group. There were higher concentrations of elastin in AAA wall among patients taking both of aspirin and statins (1.21 [0.77–3.02] vs 0.78 (0.49–1.05) ng/ml, p = 0.044) than in patients who did not take both of these drugs. Conclusions: Relative ILT SI was lower in patients taking statin and aspirin. Combination of antiplatelet therapy and statins was associated with higher elastin concentrations in AAA wall.


Author(s):  
Hongzhang Zhu ◽  
Shi-Ting Feng ◽  
Xingqi Zhang ◽  
Zunfu Ke ◽  
Ruixi Zeng ◽  
...  

Background: Cutis Verticis Gyrata (CVG) is a rare skin disease caused by overgrowth of the scalp, presenting as cerebriform folds and wrinkles. CVG can be classified into two forms: primary (essential and non-essential) and secondary. The primary non-essential form is often associated with neurological and ophthalmological abnormalities, while the primary essential form occurs without associated comorbidities. Discussion: We report on a rare case of primary essential CVG with a 4-year history of normal-colored scalp skin mass in the parietal-occipital region without symptom in a 34-year-old male patient, retrospectively summarizing his pathological and Computer Tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The major clinical observations on the CT and MR sectional images include a thickened dermis and excessive growth of the scalp, forming the characteristic scalp folds. With the help of CT and MRI Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques, the characteristic skin changes could be displayed intuitively, providing more evidence for a diagnosis of CVG. At the 5-year followup, there were no obvious changes in the lesion. Conclusion: Based on our observations, we propose that not all patients with primary essential CVG need surgical intervention, and continuous clinical observation should be an appropriate therapy for those in stable condition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117954762198967
Author(s):  
Van Trung Hoang ◽  
Cong Thao Trinh ◽  
Hoang Anh Thi Van ◽  
Thanh Tam Thi Nguyen ◽  
Vichit Chansomphou ◽  
...  

Balo’s concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare demyelinating disease known as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) lesion type III. It is a disease of the white matter of the brain characterized by a round lesion with variable concentric myelinated and demyelinated layers, appearing as “onion bulb.” We present a case of BCS and discuss the imaging findings and management strategies of this disease. A 26-y-old male developed headache, weakness, and numbness of limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed concentric lamellar like demyelinating lesions at the subcortical regions. The patient’s neurological symptoms were consistent with the MRI findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 957.1-957
Author(s):  
P. Ruscitti ◽  
A. Barile ◽  
O. Berardicurti ◽  
S. Iafrate ◽  
P. DI Benedetto ◽  
...  

Background:Adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic autoinflammatory disease and joint involvement is one of its clinical manifestations [1]. Arthritis, either oligoarthritis or bilateral symmetrical rheumatoid arthritis-like polyarthritis, is another common clinical feature of AOSD, with a migrating pattern at the beginning and becoming stable over the time [1].Objectives:The aims of the study were to assess joint involvement in AOSD by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to describe main patterns of involvement, and associated clinical characteristics, and to evaluate the global transcriptomic profile of synovial tissues in AOSD to elucidate possible pathogenic pathways involved with.Methods:AOSD patients, who underwent to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam on joints, were assessed to describe patterns of joint involvement and associated clinical characteristics. Some synovial tissues were collected for RNA-sequencing purposes.Results:In this study, 31 patients with AOSD (mean age 42.3 ± 15.2 years, 54.8% male gender), who underwent to at least one MRI exam on joints, were assessed. The most common MRI finding was the presence of synovitis on 60.5%, mainly in peripheral affected joints. MRI revealed a mild to moderate proliferative synovitis, as thickening of the synovial membrane, with low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-fat saturated weighted and STIR images, suggesting the presence of a hyperplastic than of a hypertrophied synovial tissue. Bone oedema and bone erosions were reported on 34.9% and 25.6% MRI exams, respectively. In all patients but one, bone erosions were synchronous with bone oedema, overlapping completely the locations. Assessing clinical characteristics in patients with MRI-erosions, a higher prevalence of splenomegaly, a more frequent chronic disease course, lower levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and ferritin was observed.Assessing the synovial tissues of some AOSD patients, a moderate perivascular mononuclear infiltrate in the sub-lining stroma of hip synovial tissues was observed, whereas the lining cells were relatively unremarkable. In addition, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, TNF, and heavy ferritin subunit (FeH) were found on AOSD synovial tissues.An RNA-sequencing analysis assessed the global transcriptomic profile of synovial tissues on AOSD patients and matched-controls. Assessing IL-1 pathway, we found an increased expression of il1a, il1b, il1rap, il1r1, il18r1, and Il18bp on AOSD tissues when compared with controls. In IL-6 pathway, we found an increased expression of il6 and il6st/gp130 on AOSD synovial tissues whereas an increased expression of il6r was shown on the controls. Among genes involved in TNF pathway, tnf, traf1, traf2, tnfaip3 and tnfrsf1a resulted to be more expressed in AOSD synovial tissues than in controls. Finally, fth1 and ftl were more expressed in AOSD patients than controls, when we explored the iron uptake and transport pathway.Conclusion:A peculiar MRI pattern of joint involvement in AOSD was reported; the most common finding was the presence of synovitis, characterised by intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-fat-saturated weighted and STIR images. Bone erosions and bone oedema were also observed. This MRI pattern was associated with a hyper-activation of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF pathways together with a hyper-expression of ferritin genes on AOSD synovial tissues.References:[1]Giacomelli R, Ruscitti P, Shoenfeld Y. A comprehensive review on adult onset Still’s disease. J Autoimmun. 2018;93:24-36.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


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