Improved detection of juxtacortical lesions using highly accelerated double inversion-recovery MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare a highly-accelerated double inversion recovery (fast-DIR) sequence using a recent parallel imaging technique (CAIPIRINHA) with a conventional DIR (conv-DIR) sequence for image quality and the detection of juxtacortical and infratentorial multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 38 patients with MS who underwent brain MRI at 3 T between 2020 and 2021 were included. There were 27 women and 12 men with a mean age of 40 ± 12.8 (standard deviation) years (range: 20-59 years). All patients underwent conv-DIR sequence and fast-DIR sequence. Fast-DIR was obtained with a T2-preparation module to improve contrast and an iterative denoising algorithm to compensate noise enhancement. Two blinded readers reported the number of juxtacortical and infratentorial MS lesions for fast-DIR and conv-DIR, confirmed by further consensus reading that was used as the standard of reference. Image quality and contrast were evaluated for fast-DIR and conv-DIR sequences. Comparisons between fast-DIR and conv-DIR sequences were performed using Wilcoxon test and Lin concordance correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were analyzed. Fast-DIR imaging allowed detection of 289 juxtacortical lesions vs. 238 with conv-DIR, corresponding to a significant improved detection rate with fast-DIR (P < 0.001). Conversely, 117 infratentorial lesions were detected with conv-DIR sequence vs. 80 with fast-DIR sequence (P < 0.001). Inter-observer agreement for lesion detection with fast-DIR and conv-DIR was very high (Lin concordance correlation coefficient ranging between 0.86 and 0.96).

CONCLUSION

Fast-DIR improves the detection of juxtacortical MS lesions, but is limited for the detection of infratentorial MS lesions.

Surgical repair of massive rotator cuff tendon tears: Autologous quadriceps tendon graft versus arthroscopic repair

INTRODUCTION

Massive rotator cuff tear repair results are variable. The main purpose of this study was to compare functional outcome between two procedures: open repair by autologous quadriceps-patella tendon patch, and arthroscopic suture. The study hypothesis was that there is no significant difference in results between the two techniques.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study included all patients younger than 70 years operated on from 1995 to 2013 for massive rotator cuff tear. Exclusion criteria comprised history of dislocation, fracture or surgery or osteoarthritis in the affected shoulder, and infra- and supra-spinatus fatty degeneration equal to or greater than stage 3. Two consecutive groups were distinguished: group 1, from 1995 to 2003, comprised 23 patients (24 shoulders; mean age, 55.8 years) treated by open repair using quadriceps tendon autograft; group 2, from 2003 to 2013, comprised 27 patients (29 shoulders: mean age, 60.3 years) treated by arthroscopic repair.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, mean Constant score was 42.9 in group 1 and 45.7 in group 2 (P=0.36), pain score 5.5/15 and 7.6/15 (P=0.08), strength 3.0kg and 2.4kg (P=0.30), and subacromial space 6.3 and 6.7mm (P=0.05), respectively. At respectively 58 and 55 months' mean follow-up, Constant score was 71.1 in group 1 and 71.8 in group 2 (P=0.086), pain 11.9/15 and 12.7/15 (P=0.76), gain in strength 1.4kg and 2.3kg (P=0.0006), and subacromial space 7.1mm and 6.3mm (P=0.29), respectively. The complications rate was 70% in group 1 and there were no specific complications in group 2.

CONCLUSION

Functional improvement was significant and comparable between the 2 groups. Quadriceps tendon harvesting was associated with high morbidity, but the technique increased subacromial space.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective, single-center.

Can we improve the indication for Bankart arthroscopic repair? A preliminary clinical study using the ISIS score

The objectives of this study on arthroscopic treatment of chronic anterior shoulder instability were the collection of the current practices for this indication, their development as reported in the literature, and the analysis of preliminary results on a multicenter prospective series of Bankart arthroscopic procedures undertaken using a common technique on patients selected based on the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS). This procedure predominates in the English-speaking world, whereas the Latarjet protocol is preferred in France. The choice between the two seems to be cultural since neither technique could be demonstrated to be superior in an analysis of 171 responses to an Internet questionnaire in this study. The literature reports disappointing results in the Bankart arthroscopic procedure and recent articles have researched the predictive factors for its failure. Eleven centers prospectively included 125 patients from 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008. The inclusion criteria were recurrence of anterior instability and an ISIS less than or equal to four points out of 10. All the selected patients underwent capsuloligamentous reinsertion with a common minimal technique of at least three anchors and four sutures with the same postoperative protocol. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, four patients (3.2%) had experienced recurrence. For the 84 patients reexamined at 1 year, the Walch-Duplay and Rowe scores were, respectively, 88.4 and 87.8 points out of 100. Subjectively, 88.1% of the patients declared they were satisfied and would undergo the intervention again. This study confirmed the use of the ISIS as a consultation tool. Only continuation of the study with a minimum follow-up of 3 years will allow us to validate the lower limit of the ISIS below which this technique could be proposed provided that it respects the technical prerequisite of at least four capsuloligamentous sutures.