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Farrell SF, Cornwall J, Osmotherly PG. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of Cervical-Spine Meniscoid Composition: A Validation Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2020; 43:579-587. [PMID: 32861523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The composition of cervical-spine meniscoids may have clinical significance in neck-pain conditions, but the accuracy of assessment of meniscoid composition in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging has not been established. The aim of this study was to compare cervical-spine meniscoid composition by magnetic resonance imaging with histologic composition. METHODS Four embalmed cadaveric cervical spines (mean [standard deviation] age, 79.5 [3.7] years; 1 female, 3 male) underwent magnetic resonance imaging, allowing radiologic classification of lateral atlantoaxial- and zygapophyseal-joint (C2-3 to C6-7) meniscoids as either mostly fatty, mixed tissue, or mostly connective tissue. Subsequently, each joint was dissected and disarticulated to allow excision of meniscoids for histologic processing. Each meniscoid was sectioned sagittally, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, examined using light microscopy, and classified as adipose, fibroadipose, or fibrous in composition. Data were analyzed using the kappa statistic with linear weighting. RESULTS From dissection, 62 meniscoids were identified, excised, and processed; 46 of these 62 were visualized with magnetic resonance imaging. For single-rater identifying structures, agreement between assessment of meniscoid composition by magnetic resonance imaging and by microscopy was fair (κ = 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.46; P = .02). CONCLUSION Findings suggest that the accuracy of this method of magnetic resonance imaging assessment of cervical-spine meniscoid composition may be limited. This should be considered when planning or interpreting research investigating meniscoid composition using magnetic resonance imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott F Farrell
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Jon Cornwall
- Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Institute for Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Peter G Osmotherly
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
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Farrell SF, Stanwell P, Cornwall J, Osmotherly PG. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging assessment of lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoid composition: a validation study. 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 2019; 28:1180-1187. [PMID: 30604294 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-018-05868-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lateral atlantoaxial (LAA) joint meniscoid composition may have clinical significance in patients following neck trauma. However, the existing method of radiologically assessing meniscoid composition has an inherent element of subjectivity, which could contribute to measurement variability. The present study sought to investigate the accuracy of two-point Dixon fat/water separation MRI as a quantitative assessment of LAA joint meniscoid composition. METHODS Sixteen LAA joint meniscoids were excised from four cadavers (mean [SD] age 79.5 [3.7] years; one female) following cervical spine MRI (two-point Dixon, T1-weighted VIBE and T2-weighted SPACE sequences). Composition of LAA joint meniscoids was undertaken by (1) histological examination by light microscopy, (2) calculation of fat fraction by Dixon MRI (both in-phase/opposed-phase and fat/water methods), and (3) the existing method of considering VIBE and SPACE signal intensities. Analysis was performed using the kappa statistic with linear weighting. RESULTS Microscopy revealed three, five, and eight meniscoids to be composed of adipose, fibroadipose, and fibrous tissues, respectively. Dixon sequence MRI classified 11 of these meniscoids correctly, with 'substantial' level of agreement (In-phase/Opp-phase kappa statistic = 0.78 [95% CI 0.38, 1.17]; fat/water kappa statistic = 0.72 [95% CI 0.32, 1.11]). Level of agreement between microscopy and the VIBE and SPACE method was 'slight' (kappa statistic = 0.02 [95% CI - 0.34, 0.38]). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that Dixon fat/water separation MRI may have superior utility in the assessment of LAA joint meniscoid composition than the existing method of considering VIBE and SPACE signal intensities. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott F Farrell
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. .,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. .,RECOVER Injury Research Centre, Level 7 Oral Health Building, The University of Queensland, Herston Campus, Herston, 4006, QLD, Australia.
| | - Peter Stanwell
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Jon Cornwall
- Centre for Early Learning in Medicine, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Institute for Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter G Osmotherly
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
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Farrell SF, Khan S, Osmotherly PG, Sterling M, Cornwall J, Rivett DA. Lateral atlantoaxial joint meniscoid volume in individuals with whiplash associated disorder: A case-control study. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2018; 33:46-52. [PMID: 29153925 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lateral atlantoaxial (LAA) joints are established sources of nociceptive input in chronic whiplash associated disorder (WAD). These joints contain intra-articular meniscoids that may be damaged in whiplash trauma. LAA joint meniscoid morphology has not been investigated comprehensively in a chronic WAD population, and it is unclear whether morphological differences exist compared to a pain-free population. OBJECTIVES This study examined LAA joint meniscoid volume in individuals with chronic WAD who report pain in a distribution consistent with LAA joint pain. DESIGN Case-control study. METHOD Fourteen individuals with chronic WAD with pain in an LAA joint distribution (mean [SD] age 38.1 [10.8] years; six female) and 14 age- and sex-matched pain-free controls (38.0 [10.5] years) underwent cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging. LAA joint images were inspected for meniscoids; meniscoid volume was calculated in mm3 and as a percentage of articular cavity volume. Symptom duration, location and intensity were recorded. Data were analysed using paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank testing, Spearman's rank testing, linear and logistic regression (α < 0.05). RESULTS Ventral and dorsal meniscoids (n = 112) were found in each LAA joint. Greater dorsal meniscoid volume as a percentage of articular cavity volume was associated with higher pain intensity (odds ratio 1.48, p = 0.03; likelihood ratio test chi-square2 = 6.64, p = 0.04), however no significant differences existed between meniscoid volumes of WAD and control participants. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate a potential link between dorsal LAA joint meniscoid volume and pain, suggesting larger meniscoid size may have pathoanatomical significance in WAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott F Farrell
- Recover Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries, The University of Queensland, Herston, 4006, QLD, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, 4222, QLD, Australia.
| | - Subaat Khan
- Recover Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries, The University of Queensland, Herston, 4006, QLD, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, 4222, QLD, Australia; School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, 4222, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter G Osmotherly
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Michele Sterling
- Recover Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries, The University of Queensland, Herston, 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Jon Cornwall
- Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand; Department of Physiology, University of Otago, 270 Great King St, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand; Institute for Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Science, Technikumstrasse 71, 8401, Winterthur, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Darren A Rivett
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, 2308, NSW, Australia
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Farrell SF, Osmotherly PG, Cornwall J, Sterling M, Rivett DA. Cervical spine meniscoids: an update on their morphological characteristics and potential clinical significance. 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 2016; 26:939-947. [DOI: 10.1007/s00586-016-4915-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Farrell SF, Osmotherly PG, Cornwall J, Rivett DA. Immunohistochemical investigation of nerve fiber presence and morphology in elderly cervical spine meniscoids. Spine J 2016; 16:1244-1252. [PMID: 27298080 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Innervation of anatomical structures is fundamental to their capacity to generate nociceptive impulses. Cervical spine meniscoids are hypothesized to be contributors to neck pain; however, their innervation is not comprehensively understood. PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the presence and morphology of nerve fibers within cervical spine meniscoids and adjacent joint capsules. STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. PATIENT SAMPLE The sample consists of cervical hemispines of 12 embalmed cadavers (mean [standard deviation] age 82.9 [6.5] years, six female, six left). Either the right or the left half of the cervical spine (hemispine) of each cadaver was included in the sample. So six left sides and six right sides of the cadaver cervical spines made up the 12 hemispines that formed the sample. METHODS Cervical spine meniscoids and adjacent joint capsules were excised from lateral atlantoaxial and cervical zygapophyseal (C2-C3 to C6-C7) joints (n=67), then paraffin embedded. Meniscoids were sectioned sagittally (5 µm), slide mounted, and immunohistochemistry was performed using primary antibodies to neurofilament heavy (NF-H) and pan-neurofilament (Pan-NF) to identify nerve tissue. The study was supported by institutional graduate student funding. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. RESULTS Seventy-seven meniscoids (23 lateral atlantoaxial, 54 cervical zygapophyseal) were extracted and processed (154 sections in total). Sixty-four individual nerve fiber bundles were identified (26 NF-H positive, 38 Pan-NF positive) from 14 meniscoids. Nerves immunoreactive to both NF-H and Pan-NF were identified in 13 of 77 meniscoids (10 of 14 lateral atlantoaxial joint) from 11 joints (eight cadavers). Nerves were always located in joint capsules except three exclusively Pan-NF immunoreactive nerve fiber bundles from two adipose meniscoids. CONCLUSIONS The low nerve prevalence in elderly cervical spine meniscoids, with nerves only found in two adipose type meniscoids, suggests these structures may play a minimal role in cervical nociception generation in this demographic. The joint capsules, which were more frequently innervated, appear to be more likely generators of nociception in the elderly. Joint capsule nerves were mostly NF-H positive, indicating potential Aδ-fiber presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott F Farrell
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callghan 2308, NSW, Australia.
| | - Peter G Osmotherly
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callghan 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Jon Cornwall
- CS 705 Level 7, Wellington Hospital Clinical Services Block, Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand; Department of Physiology, University of Otago, 270 Great King St, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; Centre for Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Science, Technikumstrasse 71, 8401 Winterthur, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Darren A Rivett
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callghan 2308, NSW, Australia
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Morphology of Cervical Spine Meniscoids in Individuals With Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorder: A Case-Control Study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016; 46:902-910. [PMID: 27594664 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2016.6702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Study Design Case-control study. Background Cervical spine meniscoids are thought to contribute to neck pain and hypomobility in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD); however, their morphology has not been studied in a clinical population. Objectives To investigate cervical spine meniscoid morphology in individuals with chronic WAD. Methods Twenty volunteers with chronic WAD (mean ± SD age, 39.3 ± 11.0 years; 10 female) and 20 age- and sex-matched controls (age, 39.1 ± 10.6 years) underwent cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging. Lateral atlantoaxial and zygapophyseal joints (C2-3 to C6-7) were inspected for meniscoids. Length of meniscoid protrusion was measured and composition (adipose/fibrous/fibroadipose) assessed. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and linear and logistic regression (P<.05). Results Meniscoids were identified in the chronic WAD (n = 317) and control (n = 296) groups. At the lateral atlantoaxial joints, median meniscoid length was greater in the control group (ventral, 6.07 mm; dorsal, 7.24 mm) than the WAD group (ventral, 5.01 mm; P = .06 and dorsal, 6.48 mm; P<.01). At the dorsal aspect of zygapophyseal joints, meniscoids were more frequently fibrous in the chronic WAD group (odds ratio = 2.38, P<.01; likelihood ratio test: χ22, 9.02; P = .01). Conclusion In individuals with chronic WAD, lateral atlantoaxial meniscoids were shorter and dorsal cervical zygapophyseal meniscoids were more fibrous, suggesting alterations in meniscoid composition. This may have pathoanatomical implications in chronic WAD. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(10):902-910. Epub 3 Sep 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6702.
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