Diagnostic imaging in spinal cord trauma - general principles

O conhecimento dos mecanismos fisiopatológicos no trauma raquimedular é importante para o entendimento das características das diversas lesões. Os métodos por imagem são essenciais no seu diagnóstico e estadiamento, devendo-se, no entanto, sempre ser correlacionados com o quadro clínico para adequada valorização dos achados por imagem e conseqüente conduta terapêuticaThe knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms in spinal trauma is important to understand the characteristics of the several injuries. Imaging methods are essential in diagnosis and staging, which should always be correlated with clinical findings in order to make appropriate imaging interpretation and adequate treatmen

Diagnostic imaging in musculoskeletal trauma - general principles

Os métodos de imagem são essenciais no diagnóstico de uma fratura óssea. A radiografia simples geralmente inicia a avaliação radiológica, fornecendo informações essenciais em relação as estruturas ósseas. Os demais métodos por imagem possuem um papel secundário, geralmente complementares ao RX, especialmente a RM e a TC. Estes métodos são utilizados em casos de ausência de anormalidade ao RX com exame clínico suspeito ou na necessidade de se fazer um estadiamento pré-cirúrgico mais detalhado, visando o planejamento cirúrgicoImaging methods are essential in the diagnosis of a bone fracture. Imaging evaluation starts with a simple x-ray, providing essential information regarding bony structures. Other imaging methods have a secondary role, complementary to the radiographs, especially MRI and CT. These methods may be used in cases of a normal x-ray with positive clinical examination or when a detailed presurgical evaluation is necessar

Verrucous carcinoma of the hand: a rare presentation evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging

O carcinoma verrucoso é uma variante do carcinoma de células escamosas, vista em mucosas e pele, raramente encontrada na mão. Nós relatamos um caso de duas lesões no dorso da mão, sem contato entre si, que foram ressecadas em bloco e confirmadas como carcinoma verrucoso.Verrucous carcinoma is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma seen in mucous membranes and skin, and rarely found in the hand. The present report describes a case of two lesions on the dorsum of the hand, with no contact to each other, which underwent en-block resection and were confirmed as verrucous carcinoma

A comparative radiographic investigation of femoroacetabular impingement in young patients with and without hip pain

OBJECTIVE: To compare the existence of radiographic abnormalities in two groups of patients, those with and without hip pain. METHODS: A total 222 patients were evaluated between March 2007 and April 2009; 122 complained of groin pain, and 100 had no symptoms. The individuals in both groups underwent radiographic examinations of the hip using the following views: anteroposterior, Lequesne false profile, Dunn, Dunn 45º, and Ducroquet. RESULTS: A total of 1110 radiographs were evaluated. Female patients were prevalent in both groups (52% symptomatic, 58% asymptomatic). There were statistically significant differences between the groups in age (p<0.0001), weight (p = 0.002) and BMI (p = 0.006). The positive findings in the group with groin pain consisted of the presence of a bump on the femoral head in the anteroposterior view (p<0.0001) or in the Dunn 45º view (p = 0.008). The difference in the a angle in the anteroposterior, Dunn, Dunn 45º, and Ducroquet views for all of the cases studied was p,0.0001. The joint space measurement differed significantly between groups in the Lequesne view (p = 0.007). The Lequesne anteversion angle (&#961;) and the femoral offset measurement also differed significantly (p = 0.005 and p = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the best views for diagnosing a femoroacetabular impingement are the anteroposterior pelvic orthostatic, the Dunn 45º, and the Ducroquet views. The following findings correlated with hip pain: a decrease in the femoral offset, an increase in the &#945; angle, an increase in the Lequesne &#961; angle, a decrease in the CE angle of Wiberg, a thinner articular space and the presence of a bump on the femoral head-neck transition

Magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing the pre-slip stage of the contralateral proximal femoral epiphysis in patients with unilateral epiphysiolysis

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a importância da ressonância magnética convencional e com mapa T2 na determinação do pré-escorregamento da epífise contralateral em pacientes com diagnóstico clínico e radiográfico de epifisiólise femoral proximal unilateral, tratadas inicialmente com fixação in situ. MÉTODOS: Estudo clínico prospectivo de 11 pacientes com epifisiólise unilateral entre fevereiro de 2009 e agosto de 2010, com ressonância magnética do quadril contralateral. RESULTADOS: Verificamos alterações na região fisária capital femoral proximal no lado contralateral à doença, com edema sob a placa de crescimento em 27% dos pacientes analisados. CONCLUSÃO: A ressonância magnética é um método sensível e precoce para detecção do pré-escorregamento epifisário femoral proximal.OBJECTIVE: To assess the importance of using conventional magnetic resonance imaging and T2 mapping to determine the pre-slip stage of the contralateral epiphysis in patients with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of unilateral proximal femoral epiphysiolysis who were initially treated with in-situ fixation. METHODS: This prospective clinical study on 11 patients with unilateral epiphysiolysis was conducted between February 2009 and August 2010, using magnetic resonance imaging on the contralateral hip. RESULTS: We observed abnormalities in the proximal femoral capital physis of the contralateral unaffected hip, with edema under the growth plate in 27% of the patients assessed. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging is an early and sensitive method for detecting the pre-slip stage of the proximal femoral epiphysis

Patellar Tendon Healing With Platelet-Rich Plasma A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The patellar tendon has limited ability to heal after harvesting its central third. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) could improve patellar tendon healing. Hypothesis: Adding PRP to the patellar tendon harvest site would improve donor site healing and improve clinical outcome at 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with a patellar tendon graft. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Twenty-seven patients were randomly divided to receive (n = 12) or not receive (n = 15) PRP in the patellar tendon harvest site during ACL reconstruction. The primary outcome was magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of patellar tendon healing (gap area) after 6 months. Secondary outcomes were questionnaires and isokinetic testing of ACL reconstruction with a patellar tendon graft comparing both groups. Results: Patellar tendon gap area was significantly smaller in the PRP group (4.9 +/- 5.3 mm(2); 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-8.8) than in the control group (9.4 +/- 4.4 mm(2); 95% CI, 6.6-12.2; P = .046). Visual analog scale score for pain was lower in the PRP group immediately postoperatively (3.8 +/- 1.0; 95% CI, 3.18-4.49) than in the control group (5.1 +/- 1.4; 95% CI, 4.24-5.90; P = .02). There were no differences after 6 months in questionnaire and isokinetic testing results comparing both groups. Conclusion: We showed that PRP had a positive effect on patellar tendon harvest site healing on MRI after 6 months and also reduced pain in the immediate postoperative period. Questionnaire and isokinetic testing results were not different between the groups at 6 months

Biomechanical evaluation in runners with Achilles tendinopathy

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, ground reaction force (GRF), and function of the plantar muscles and dorsiflexors of the ankle in runners with and without Achilles tendinopathy (AT) and in nonrunners. METHODS: Seventy-two participants (42 men, 30 women; mean age: 37.3±9.9 years) were enrolled in this crosssectional study and divided into three groups: AT group (ATG, n=24), healthy runners’ group (HRG, n=24), and non-runners’ group (NRG, n=24). Both ankles were evaluated in each group. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale was used for clinical and functional evaluation. GRF was evaluated using force plates and muscle strength was evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: The AOFAS scores were lower in the ATG. The strike impulse was higher in the ATG than in the HRG and NRG. However, GRF was similar among the groups. The ATG exhibited lower total work at 120o /s speed than the HRG. The peak torque in concentric dorsiflexion was lower in the NRG than in the ATG and HRG. The peak torque and total work in concentric plantar flexion were lower in the NRG than in the ATG. The peak torque and total work in eccentric plantar flexion were lower in the NRG than in the ATG and HRG. CONCLUSION: Runners with AT showed higher strike impulse, lower muscle strength of the plantar flexors, and higher clinical and functional damage