Skeletal radiology
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To evaluate the feasibility of non-invasive diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the knee of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and, further, to analyze the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) levels to distinguish synovium from effusion. ⋯ In this pilot study, on a patient-friendly 1.0-T open-bore MRI, we demonstrated that DWI may potentially be a feasible non-invasive imaging technique in children with JIA. We could differentiate synovium from effusion in seven out of eight patients based on the ADC of synovium and effusion. However, to select synovium and effusion on DWI, post-contrast images were still a necessity.
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Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone marrow mainly caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. It typically affects long bones, e.g. femora, tibiae and humeri. Recently micro-computed tomography (μCT) techniques offer the opportunity to investigate bone micro-architecture in great detail. Since there is no information on long bone microstructure in osteomyelitis, we studied historic bone samples with osteomyelitis by μCT. ⋯ Osteomyelitis is associated with severe alterations of cortical bone structure otherwise typically observed at old age such as cortical porosity and cortical thinning.
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The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve (PFCN) is a sensory nerve originating from the sacral plexus. PFCN neuropathy leads to pain within the inferior gluteal region and the posterior aspect of the thigh. As electrophysiological assessment is challenging, diagnosis of PFCN neuropathy has been, thus far, primarily based on clinical findings, which can result in misdiagnosis. Therefore, alternative confirmatory assessments such as an imaging modality that could aid in the diagnosis of PFCN neuropathy would be desirable. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of visualization of the PFCN with high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) and to test this technique in our clinical routine. ⋯ We confirmed the reliable visualization of the PFCN using HRUS. This offers a new technique for the assessment of the PFCN, which could also be demonstrated with the case series presented.
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To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) combined with osteoplasty in lung cancer patients with painful extraspinal bone metastases. ⋯ MWA combination with osteoplasty appeared to be an effective and safe treatment for lung cancer patients with painful extraspinal bone metastases.
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Clinical Trial
Fluoroscopy-guided infiltration for pain reduction in patients with Baastrup's disease: clinical experience and results.
Baastrup disease refers to degenerative changes of adjacent spinous processes with resultant back pain. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous, fluoroscopy-guided infiltrations in a consecutive series of patients suffering from Baastrup disease. ⋯ Fluoroscopy-guided infiltrations seem to be a feasible, efficacious, and safe approach for pain reduction and mobility improvement in patients with Baastrup disease.