Normal volumes and microstructural integrity of deep gray matter structures in AQP4+ NMOSD

OBJECTIVE: To assess volumes and microstructural integrity of deep gray matter structures in a homogeneous cohort of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including 36 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive (AQP4 Ab-positive) Caucasian patients with NMOSD and healthy controls matched for age, sex, and education. Volumetry of deep gray matter structures (DGM; thalamus, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens) was performed using 2 independent automated methods. Microstructural integrity was assessed based on diffusion tensor imaging. RESULTS: Both volumetric analysis methods consistently revealed similar volumes of DGM structures in patients and controls without significant group differences. Moreover, no differences in DGM microstructural integrity were observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Deep gray matter structures are not affected in AQP4 Ab-positive Caucasian patients with NMOSD. NMOSD imaging studies should be interpreted with respect to Ab status, educational background, and ethnicity of included patients

Latarjet Procedure for the Treatment of Anterior Glenohumeral Instability in the Athlete – Key Considerations for Rehabilitation

The Latarjet procedure with transfer of the coracoid process and its attached conjoint tendon is a well-established surgical technique for the treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability in patients with anteroinferior bone loss and/or high risk for recurrence. Biomechanical and clinical studies have shown excellent results and high rates of return to sports. However, there is an absence of standardized, objective criteria to accurately assess an athlete’s ability to progress through each phase of rehabilitation. Return to sports rehabilitation, progressed by quantitatively measured functional goals, may improve the athlete’s integration back to sports participation. Therefore, the purpose of this clinical commentary is to provide a rehabilitation protocol for the Latarjet procedure, progressing through clearly defined phases, with guidance for safe and effective return to sport. Recommended criteria are highlighted which allows the clinician to progress the patient through each phase appropriately rather than purely following timeframes from surgery. This progression ensures the patient has completed a thorough rehabilitation program that addresses ROM, strength, power, neuromuscular control and a graded return to play. Level of Evidence:

Rehabilitation Following Posterior Shoulder Stabilization

Posterior shoulder instability has been noted in recent reports to occur at a higher prevalence than originally believed, with many cases occurring in active populations. In most cases, primary surgical treatment for posterior shoulder instability—a posterior labral repair—is indicated for those patients who have failed conservative management and demonstrate persistent functional limitations. In order to optimize surgical success and return to a prior level of function, a comprehensive and focused rehabilitation program is crucial. Currently, there is a limited amount of literature focusing on rehabilitation after surgery for posterior instability. Therefore, the purpose of this clinical commentary is to present a post-surgical rehabilitation program for patients following posterior shoulder labral repair, with recommendations based upon best medical evidence. # Level of Evidence

Arthroscopic Knotless Modified McLaughlin Procedure for Reverse Hill–Sachs Lesions

Posterior shoulder dislocations often are associated with an impression fracture involving the anterior humeral head known as a reverse Hill–Sachs lesion. These injuries can result in significant bone defects that require surgical management to prevent them from engaging the posterior glenoid. We present a modified arthroscopic, knotless McLaughlin procedure (tenodesis of the subscapularis tendon into the bone defect) for the treatment of small-to medium-sized, engaging Hill–Sachs lesions. The knotless fashion aims to eliminate potential problems associated with knot tying, such as knot migration, knot impingement, and chondral abrasion

Insufficient consensus regarding circle size and bone loss width using the ratio—“best fit circle”—method even with three-dimensional computed tomography

Purpose Glenoid bone integrity is crucial for shoulder stability. The purpose of this study was to investigate a non-invasive method for quantifying bone loss regarding reliability and accuracy to detect glenoid bone deficiency in standard two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) measurements at different time points. It was hypothesized that the diameter of the circle used would significantly differ between raters, rendering this method inaccurate and not allowing for an exact estimation of glenoid defect size. Methods Fifty-two shoulder CTs from 26 patients (26 2D-CTs; 26 3D-CTs) with anterior glenoid bone defects were evaluated by 6 raters at time 0 (T0) and at least 3 weeks after (T1) to assess the glenoid bone defect using the ratio method ("best fit circle"). Inter- and intra-rater differences concerning circle dimensions (circle diameter), measured width of bone loss and calculated percentage of bone loss (length-width-ratio) were compared in 2D- versus 3D-CT scans. The intraclass coefficient (ICC) was used to determine the inter- and intra-rater agreement. Results The mean circle diameter difference in 2D-CT was 2.0 +/- 1.9 mm versus 1.8 +/- 1.5 mm in 3D-CT, respectively (p < 0.01). Mean width of bone loss in 2D-CT was 1.9 +/- 1.7 mm compared to 1.7 +/- 1.5 mm in 3D-CT, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean difference of bone loss percentage was 5.1 +/- 4.8% in 2D-CT and 4.8 +/- 4.5% in 3D-CT (p < 0.01). No significant differences concerning circle diameter, bone loss width and bone loss percentage were detected comparing T0 and T1. Circle diameter, bone loss width and bone loss percentage measurements in 3D-CT were significantly smaller compared to 2D-CT at T0 and T1 (p < 0.01). Agreement (ICC) was fair to good for all indicators of circle diameter (range 0.76-0.83), bone loss width (range 0.76-0.86) and percentage of bone loss (range 0.85-0.91). Overall, 3D-CT showed superior agreement compared to 2D-CT. Conclusion The ratio method varies in all glenoid parameters and is not valid for consistently quantifying glenoid bone defects even in 3D computed tomography. This must be taken into consideration when determining proper surgical treatment. The degree of glenoid bone loss alone should not be used to decide for or against a bony procedure. Rather, it is more important to define a defect size as "critical" and to also take other patient-specific factors into consideration so that the best treatment option can be undertaken. Application of the "best fitting circle" is a source of error when using the ratio method; therefore, care should be taken when measuring the circle diameter

Rotator Cuff Sparing Arthroscopic SLAP Repair With Knotless All-Suture Anchors

Arthroscopic repair of SLAP tears is a common shoulder procedure, especially in overhead athletes. Repair techniques have evolved over the last 20 years, and the optimal technique remains elusive. In many cases, a transrotator cuff portal placed lateral to the acromion is used to access the superior glenoid. However, violating the rotator cuff is not desirable in an overhead athlete, and this approach can be associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe our preferred surgical technique with a rotator cuff–sparing approach for arthroscopic SLAP repair with all-suture anchors

Arthroscopic Knotless, Tensionable All-Suture Anchor Bankart Repair

Surgical management for glenohumeral instability has advanced to provide stronger fixation and to be less invasive. Arthroscopic suture anchor repair has been the gold standard for isolated capsulolabral tears over the years. Despite the ability of the solid suture anchors to handle physiologic load, they can present challenges such as chondral damage due to anchor size and imperfect angulation, osteolysis, anchor breakage, revision drilling, difficulty of revision surgery with accompanied bone loss, and compromised postoperative magnetic resonance imaging quality. Recently, knotless all-suture anchors have been introduced as a technique to overcome these challenges. These anchors lack a rigid component and can be placed in a tunnel of smaller diameter, thereby allowing for maintenance of glenoid bone stock. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe our preferred surgical technique with a minimally invasive approach for the fixation of capsulolabral tears using a knotless all-suture anchor construct

Brain parenchymal damage in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder - a multimodal MRI study

Objective: To investigate different brain regions for grey (GM) and white matter (WM) damage in a well-defined cohort of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients and compare advanced MRI techniques (VBM, Subcortical and cortical analyses (Freesurfer), and DTI) for their ability to detect damage in NMOSD. Methods: We analyzed 21 NMOSD patients and 21 age and gender matched control subjects. VBM (GW/WM) and DTI whole brain (TBSS) analyses were performed at different statistical thresholds to reflect different statistical approaches in previous studies. In an automated atlas-based approach, Freesurfer and DTI results were compared between NMOSD and controls. Results: DTI TBSS and DTI atlas based analysis demonstrated microstructural impairment only within the optic radiation or in regions associated with the optic radiation (posterior thalamic radiation p < 0.001, 6.9 % reduction of fractional anisotropy). VBM demonstrated widespread brain GM and WM reduction, but only at exploratory statistical thresholds, with no differences remaining after correction for multiple comparisons. Freesurfer analysis demonstrated no group differences. Conclusion: NMOSD specific parenchymal brain damage is predominantly located in the optic radiation, likely due to a secondary degeneration caused by ON. In comparison, DTI appears to be the most reliable and sensitive technique for brain damage detection in NMOSD