European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
-
The pathogenesis and the clinical impact of disc calcification are not well known. Utilizing ultra-short time-to-echo (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging, the UTE Disc Sign (UDS) (i.e., hypo/hyper-intense disc band) was developed and found to be more significantly related to pain and disability than the conventional T2-weighted (T2W) MRI. It has been hypothesized that the UDS may represent mineralized deposits in the disc. The following study addressed the relationship between disc calcification on plain radiographs to that of the UDS on MRI. ⋯ This is the first study to compare the UDS on UTE MRI with disc calcification on plain radiographs. Disc calcification was correlated with the UDS on UTE, suggesting that the UDS may represent disc calcification. However, UTE MRI appears to be a more sensitive imaging modality in identifying subtle and unique disc changes that may not be revealed on plain radiographs or conventional MRI. This disconnect may rationalize the significant correlation of UTE with disability in comparison with the conventional imaging, further stressing its potential clinical importance.
-
The aim of this study was to compare the radiation dose, image quality and 3D spine parameter measurements of EOS low-dose and micro-dose protocols for in-brace adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. ⋯ The micro-dose protocol substantially reduced the delivered dose (by a factor of 5-7 compared to the low-dose protocol) in braced children with AIS. Although image quality was reduced, the micro-dose protocol proved to be adapted to radiological follow-up, with adequate image quality and reliable clinical measurements. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
-
We compared the results of manual therapy combined with steroid injection with single steroid injection in the treatment of persistent coccydynia. ⋯ Manual therapy combined with steroid injection would be an alternative method in case of persistent coccydynia. It is a safe and easy option before surgical treatment.
-
Evidence guiding the use of CT and MRI scans in blunt trauma patients who are obtunded remains controversial. This study aims to determine and predict if computed tomography (CT) scans alone can be performed without risking oversight of substantial injuries found on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ⋯ MRI should be performed in the presence of the aforementioned predictive factors and in the presence of neurological deficits. Otherwise, patients can be treated medically without the fear of missing a substantial cervical injury.
-
The cross-sectional area and fat infiltration are accepted as standard parameters for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of muscle degeneration. However, they are time-consuming, which prevents them from being used in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between lumbar muscle degeneration and spinal degenerative disorders, using lumbar indentation value (LIV) as quantitative and Goutallier classification as qualitative measures. ⋯ Lumbar muscle quantity and quality showed specific correlation with age and spine disorders. Additionally, LL can be predicted by the muscle quantity, but not the quality. These time-saving evaluation tools potentially accelerate the study of lumbar muscles. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.