Are bilateral decubitus views necessary in assessing for vertebral compression fractures using DXA vertebral fracture assessment?

The purpose of this study is to assess the differences in VFA diagnostic accuracy when using bilateral decubitus views and whether diagnostic accuracy is affected by scoliosis. Our findings show that the current practice of performing only one side is valid; however, bilateral views can improve specificity in scoliosis.

INTRODUCTION

The diagnostic accuracy of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) can be influenced by poor patient position and scoliosis. This study aims to assess the differences in VFA diagnostic accuracy for right and left lateral decubitus views and the effect of scoliosis.

METHODS

One hundred fourteen postmenopausal women received right and left lateral thoracolumbar spine dual-energy VFA and radiography. Cobb angles were measured from the posteroanterior absorptiometry image, and lumbar spine radiography was the standard reference for vertebral fracture and also provides the levels investigated. McNemar's test was used to compare accuracy between the two decubitus position and Fisher's exact test was used for patients with and without scoliosis.

RESULTS

Forty-two vertebral fractures (VFs) were identified. There was no significant difference in sensitivity (p = 0.125) or specificity (p = 0.866) between the left lateral decubitus (64.3, 97.2%) and right lateral decubitus (76.2, 91.1%), respectively, views. Scoliotic patients had a significantly worse specificity (92.7 vs 98.1%, p = 0.003) than patients without scoliosis; however, a combination of both decubitus positions significantly improved specificity (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Right and left side lateral decubitus views have excellent agreement with radiography and similar diagnostic accuracy in the detection of VFs. Thus, the current practice of performing only one side is valid. With scoliosis, bilateral decubitus views can improve the specificity of detecting VF; however, this would increase radiation dose.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage mimicking transient ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Patients often present to the emergency department with loss of consciousness. The differential diagnosis of such condition may be difficult because of limited clinical information. The authors present a case of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) with initial electrocardiographic (ECG) finding mimicking ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which was confirmed to resolve in a follow-up study. Accurate and timely diagnosis of SAH-related ST-segment elevation was important, as the therapeutic strategy for SAH is completely different from that for STEMI. If the clinicians do not have other tools for diagnosis, the follow-up ECG may help us make a most possible diagnosis.

Chain of rings: a radiographic sign of papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common form of thyroid malignancy in children and adult with frequent metastases to the cervical lymph nodes. We present a case of metastatic papillary thyroid cancer with remarkable imaging findings of consecutive metastatic calcified lymph nodes resembling a chain of rings. While accompanying by a coarsely calcified thyroid mass, possible thyroid cancer should be considered and serve as a guide to warrant further thyroid cancer evaluation.

Intramural haematoma of the esophagus: multimodality imaging findings and clinical triad

Intramural haematoma of the esophagus (IHE) is an uncommon clinical condition, which can mimic other cardiothoracic emergencies in both clinical and imaging perspectives. We presented the case of a 54-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with a clinical triad of retrosternal chest pain, odynophagia, and haematemesis for 3 days. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) revealed long-segmental, well-defined, isodense mass in postero-lateral wall of esophagus with smooth arc-shaped indentation into the lumen and no obvious enhancement after IV contrast administration. The preserved fat plane between the thickened esophagus and the aorta allows exclusion of aortic dissection. Subsequent esophagogram and endoscopy confirmed the finding of IHE and thus, patient was successfully treated with conservative treatment and discharged uneventfully. Owing to the presence of clinical and image mimickers of IHE, the recognition of clinical triad of retrosternal pain, odynophagia, and haematemesis, and the typical MDCT and esophagographic presentation of submucosal haematoma are important in avoiding misdiagnosis with inappropriate treatment.

Pain following double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: correlation with morphological graft findings and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI

AIM

To determine the relationship between knee pain following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft placement with morphological graft findings and dynamic contrast enhancement as assessed at MRI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Following institutional review board approval, 37 consecutive patients with double-bundle ACL reconstruction were enrolled. Thirteen patients had pain and 24 were asymptomatic. Imaging was performed using a 1.5 T MRI machine an average of 7.6 months after surgery. Graft-related (increase signal intensity, abnormal orientation, discontinuity, cystic degeneration, anterior translation of lateral tibia, arthrofibrosis), and non-graft related causes of knee pain (meniscal tear, cartilage injury, loose bodies, and synovitis) were evaluated. During dynamic contrast enhancement analysis, peak enhancement (ePeak) was calculated by placing a region of interest at the osteoligamentous interface of each bundle. Student's t-test was used for continuous variables analysis and chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables analysis.

RESULTS

There was no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients regarding morphological graft-related or non-graft-related causes of knee pain. For dynamic contrast enhancement analysis, symptomatic patients had significantly lower ePeak values than asymptomatic patients in the anteromedial (p = 0.008) and posterolateral (p = 0.001) bundles or when using the higher ePeak value in either bundle (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Morphological ACL graft findings as assessed at MRI could not be used to distinguish between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. However, lower ePeak values had a significant association with knee pain. This may indicate poor neovascularization of the graft, potentially leading to graft failure.

Gas-forming liver abscess in a patient with multi-organ failure: role of imaging and management

We present an unusual case of air-containing liver abscess demonstrated on plain film and ultrasonography with successful treatment utilizing ultrasound-guided drainage in a patient in septic shock. Although surgical drainage is often indicated, ultrasound-guided catheter drainage along with supportive antibiotic therapy can be a safe treatment alternative in critical patients.

Chemotherapy with low-dose bevacizumab and carboplatin in the treatment of a patient with recurrent cervical cancer

Management of patients with recurrent or advanced cervical cancer is a challenge. Concurrent chemotherapy has become the mainstay of treatment and platinum remains the most effective single agent. Combinations of other agents have not demonstrated significant advantages. The application of angiogenesis inhibitors such as bevacizumab, an antibody inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor, in metastatic or advanced cervical cancer remains to be evaluated. We present the case of a patient with platinum-resistant recurrent cervical cancer treated with low-dose bevacizumab and carboplatin, with resultant improved disease progression and tolerable toxicity profiles.