Radiation exposure in fluoroscopy-guided lumbar spinal injections is lower for patients and higher for physicians when compared with CT-guided injections; however, no associations were observed between patient outcomes and type of imaging-guided injection. Purpose To compare the radiation exposure for participants and interventionalists as well as participant outcomes between fluoroscopy-guided versus CT-guided lumbar spinal injections. Materials and Methods This prospective, nonrandomized observational study included 1446 participants (mean age, 60.6 years; range, 18–91 years) who received transforaminal epidural injections or facet joint injections under fluoroscopic or CT guidance between October 2009 and April 2016. Effective doses were estimated by conversion from dose-area product for fluoroscopy-guided injections and dose-length product for CT-guided injections. Radiation exposure for interventionalists was measured with dosimeters at the body and wrist. The Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale was used to assess clinical participant outcomes at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after lumbar spine injections. Student t and χ2 tests were used for statistical analysis. Results The mean effective participant dose for fluoroscopy-guided lumbar trans...
Postoperative changes after arthroscopic hip surgery, including capsular adhesions or defects, obliteration of the paralabral sulcus, and residual labral tears, are typical imaging findings and do not occur more commonly in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients. PurposeTo determine and compare the frequency of imaging abnormalities in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients after arthroscopic hip surgery.Materials and MethodsThis study was approved by the institutional review board. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Thirty-four patients (17 asymptomatic and 17 symptomatic patients) underwent 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography of the hip 1 year after arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Two readers independently analyzed all MR arthrographic images for the presence of abnormal imaging findings, including capsular adhesions at the femoral neck, obliteration of the paralabral sulcus, labral defects, and defects of the hip capsule in several anatomic positions (anterior to posterior). Postoperative findings were compared with linear and generalized linear mixed-effects regression models.ResultsCapsular adhesions at the anterior femoral neck were present in 12 of the 34 patients (35%), and there were no differences between the g...
Objectives: The purpose of this agreement was to establish evidence-based consensus statements on imaging of scapholunate joint (SLJ) instability by an expert group using the Delphi technique. Methods: Nineteen hand surgeons developed a preliminary list of questions on SLJ instability. Radiologists created statements based on the literature and the authors’ clinical experience. Questions and statements were revised during three iterative Delphi rounds. Delphi panellists consisted of twenty-seven musculoskeletal radiologists. The panellists scored their degree of agreement to each statement on an eleven-item numeric scale. Scores of ‘0’, ‘5’ and ‘10’ reflected complete disagreement, indeterminate agreement and complete agreement, respectively. Group consensus was defined as a score of ‘8’ or higher for 80% or more of the panellists. Results: Ten of fifteen statements achieved group consensus in the second Delphi round. The remaining five statements achieved group consensus in the third Delphi round. It was agreed that dorsopalmar and lateral radiographs should be acquired as routine imaging work-up in patients with suspected SLJ instability. Radiographic stress views and dynamic fluoroscopy allow accurate diagnosis of dynamic SLJ instability. MR arthrography and CT arthrography are accurate for detecting scapholunate interosseous ligament tears and articular cartilage defects. Ultrasonography and MRI can delineate most extrinsic carpal ligaments, although validated scientific evidence on accurate differentiation between partially or completely torn or incompetent ligaments is not available. Conclusions: Delphi-based agreements suggest that standardized radiographs, radiographic stress views, dynamic fluoroscopy, MR arthrography and CT arthrography are the most useful and accurate imaging techniques for the work-up of SLJ instability. Key Points: • Dorsopalmar and lateral wrist radiographs remain the basic imaging modality for routine imaging work-up in patients with suspected scapholunate joint instability. • Radiographic stress views and dynamic fluoroscopy of the wrist allow accurate diagnosis of dynamic scapholunate joint instability. • Wrist MR arthrography and CT arthrography are accurate for determination of scapholunate interosseous ligament tears and cartilage defects.