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Zagarella A, Folco G, Monti CB, Rizzo A, Arrigoni P, Vismara V, Cassin S, Gallazzi MB. Semiquantitative index of symptomatic minor instability of the lateral elbow at CT arthrography (SMILE index): clinical applicability and reproducibility study. Eur Radiol 2024; 34:2742-2750. [PMID: 37704855 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10233-x] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the applicability of a semiquantitative index for symptomatic minor instability of the lateral elbow (SMILE). MATERIALS AND METHODS CT arthrograms of consecutive patients with lateral elbow pain who underwent ultrasound-guided CT arthrography at our orthopedic center between April 2019 and May 2022 were included. Images were acquired at 100 kVp and 80 mAs. An expert radiologist (R1) and a radiology resident (R2) retrospectively performed an independent, blinded evaluation of the arthrograms to assess the presence of imaging findings suggestive of elbow instability. The SMILE index (0-8) was obtained adding (I) radial head chondromalacia (0 - 1); (II) humeral capitellum chondromalacia (0 - 1); (III) humeral trochlear ridge chondromalacia (0 - 1); (IV) annular ligament laxity (0 - 2); (V) synovial thickening (0 - 1); (VI) humeroradial joint asymmetry (0 - 1); and (VII) capsular tear (0 - 1). R1 repeated the assessment after 14 days. Cohen's weighted κ statistic and raw concordance were used to appraise reproducibility. RESULTS Eighty patients (median age 49 years, interquartile range 40-53 years, 49, 61% males) underwent CT arthrography at our center, and 10 (12%) of them underwent bilateral elbow examination, leading to 90 included CT arthrograms. Median SMILE index was 4 (IQR: 2-5) for R1, 4 (IQR: 2-5) for R2, and 4 (IQR: 2-5) for the second assessment by R1. Intra-reader agreement was excellent (κ = 0.94, concordance 87%), while inter-reader agreement was substantial (κ = 0.75, concordance 67%). CONCLUSION The proposed SMILE index showed good reproducibility; further studies are warranted to correlate our index with clinical and surgical data. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Our scoring system allows a standardized evaluation of patients with lateral elbow pain and instability suitable for application into clinical practice, complementing the orthopedic surgeon's clinical diagnosis with imaging findings that may aid treatment choices. KEY POINTS • Lateral elbow pain is often interpreted clinically as lateral epicondylitis, but it can also encompass intra-articular pathology. • The proposed arthrographic index allows comprehensive quantification of lateral elbow pathology with good reproducibility and application times. • Our index provides the orthopedic surgeon with information regarding intra-articular findings, aiding treatment choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Zagarella
- U.O.C. Radiodiagnostica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Milan, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Folco
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Beatrice Monti
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Aldo Rizzo
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Arrigoni
- U.O.C. 1° Clinica Ortopedica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Vismara
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Cassin
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Battista Gallazzi
- U.O.C. Radiodiagnostica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Milan, Italy
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Grunz JP. Don't forget to SMILE-a novel radiological index to characterize symptomatic minor instability of the lateral elbow. Eur Radiol 2024; 34:2740-2741. [PMID: 37776362 PMCID: PMC10957614 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10259-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Peter Grunz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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Ricci V, Cocco G, Mezian K, Chang KV, Naňka O, Tamborrini G, Kara M, Özçakar L. Anatomy and Sonographic Examination for Lateral Epicondylitis: EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM Approach. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2023; 102:300-307. [PMID: 36002120 DOI: 10.1097/phm.0000000000002090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to define a standardized comprehensive sonographic approach for evaluating the different histoanatomical compartments of the lateral elbow. DESIGN Using high-frequency ultrasound probes, we tried to match the anatomical features of the lateral elbow and its different sonographic patterns in patients with the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis. Moreover, high-sensitive color/power Doppler assessments have also been performed to evaluate the microcirculation. RESULTS Modern ultrasound equipment seems to provide an extremely detailed sonographic assessment of the different anatomical layers located in the lateral compartment of the elbow. Moreover, high-sensitive color/power Doppler imaging allows for clear visualization of the perfusion patterns in pathological conditions. CONCLUSIONS In clinical practice, high-frequency B-mode and high-sensitive color/power Doppler imaging can be integrated with the clinical findings to better define the pain generator(s) for optimizing the management of patients with lateral epicondylitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Ricci
- From the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy (VR); Unit of Ultrasound in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy (GC); Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic (KM); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Community and Geriatric Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei City, Taiwan (K-VC); Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (ON); UZR, Ultraschallzentrum und Institut für Rheumatologie, Basel, Switzerland (GT); Rheumatology Clinic, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (GT); and Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey (MK, LÖ)
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Arrigoni P, Cucchi D, Luceri F, Zagarella A, Catapano M, Menon A, Bruno V, Gallazzi M, Randelli PS. Ultrasound evaluation shows increase in laxity after partial common extensor origin detachment but not after additional lesion of the radial band of the lateral collateral ligament. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2021; 29:4067-4074. [PMID: 34455451 PMCID: PMC8595151 DOI: 10.1007/s00167-021-06711-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The lateral elbow musculature conveys a dynamic valgus moment to the elbow, increasing joint stability. Muscular or tendinous lesions to the anterior half of the common extensor origin (CEO) may provoke a deficiency in the elbow dynamic stabilizers, regardless of their traumatic, degenerative, or iatrogenic aetiology. Furthermore, a role for the radial band of the lateral collateral ligament (R-LCL) has been postulated in the aetiology of lateral elbow pain. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sequential lateral releases with dynamic ultrasound, evaluating its capability to detect lesions of the CEO and of the R-LCL. METHODS Ultrasound investigation of the lateral compartment of the elbow was performed on nine cadaveric specimens with a 10 MHz linear probe in basal conditions, after the release of the anterior half of the CEO and after complete R-LCL release. The lateral joint line widening (λ) was the primary outcome parameter, measured as the linear distance between the humeral and radial articular surfaces. RESULTS The release of the anterior half of the CEO significantly increased λ by 200% compared to the starting position (p = 0.0008) and the previously loaded position (p = 0.0015). Conversely, further release of the R-LCL caused only a marginal, non-significant increase in λ. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound evaluation can detect changes related to tendon tears or muscular avulsions of the CEO and can depict lateral elbow compartmental patholaxity by assessing articular space widening while scanning under dynamic stress. However, it cannot reliably define if the R-LCL is injured. Iatrogenic damage to the CEO should be carefully avoided, since it causes a massive increase in compartmental laxity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Arrigoni
- U.O.C. 1° Clinica Ortopedica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy ,Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Cucchi
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Francesco Luceri
- U.O.C. 1° Clinica Ortopedica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Zagarella
- U.O.C. Radiodiagnostica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Catapano
- U.O.C. Radiodiagnostica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Menon
- U.O.C. 1° Clinica Ortopedica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy ,Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bruno
- Istituto Clinico San Siro, Via Monreale, 18, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Gallazzi
- U.O.C. Radiodiagnostica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Simone Randelli
- U.O.C. 1° Clinica Ortopedica, ASST Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico Gaetano Pini-CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy ,Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy ,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases (RECAP-RD), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy
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