Routine Radiographic Evaluation Research Articles

Diagnostic efficacy of cone beam computed tomography in tmj disorders – A narrative review

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) diagnosis requires routine clinical evaluation and radiographic evaluation of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Various imaging techniques have been described in the literature to evaluate TMJ in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a fast developing method, is currently used often in dento-maxillofacial imaging. Due to its great resolution and relatively low dosage, it has an advantage. When looking through the data on TMJ imaging, it appears that the ongoing CBCT revolution has had a significant influence. The goal of this narrative review is to discuss the current situation regarding the diagnostic use of CBCT in TMDs.

English

Odontomas are asymptomatic, benign odontogenic tumours comprised of dental tissue. Most of the cases usually get detected on routine radiographic evaluation. Odontoma can be classified according to morphology in two different variants, compound odontoma showing anatomic similarity or miniature version of the tooth and complex odontoma having irregular masses with different type of dental tissues. Early detection of such type of silent lesion is mandatory to rule out certain silent but aggressive pathologies. Here, we present a case of erupting compound odontoma of maxillary area in 15-year-old male patient. Development of tooth is a result of complicated interaction between ectodermal and ecto mesenchymal tissue. Sometimes the remnants of such tissues are left behind in the jaw after development and eruption of tooth, which can become a source of development of odontogenic lesions later on.1 As revealed by World Health Organization (WHO), Odontogenic tumours can be classified in three different categories according to their histopathological form.2 1. Odontogenic tumours which develop from odontogenic epithelium without involvement of odontogenic ectomesenchyme, 2. Odontogenic tumours which develop from odontogenic epithelium with involvement of odontogenic ectomesenchyme, with or without formation of dental hard tissue and 3. Odontogenic tumours which develop from odontogenic ectomesenchyme with or without involvement of odontogenic epithelium.2 For such lesions “Odontoma” word was initially given by Paul Broca in 1866, who revealed the term as tumour occurred by the overgrowth of entire dental tissue. The growth of absolutely differentiated epithelial cells as functional ameloblast and mesenchymal cells as functional odontoblast can give rise to a different developmental anomaly coined as Odontomas.3 According to their behaviour and composition, odontomas can be considered as malformations or hamartomas rather than a true neoplasm. 4,5,6 In 2005, World Health Organization (WHO) classified two variants of odontomas, 1. Compound odontomas, which typically appears as unilocular lesions containing multiple radiopaque, tiny tooth like structures commonly known as denticles; and 2. Complex odontomas, which is comprised of an irregular mass of soft and hard dental tissues.

Non-rising PSA disease progression on C-11 choline PET/CT imaging in patients receiving second generation hormone therapies (2nd-HT).

144 Background: Despite having well-recognized limitations, urologists often rely on serial PSA testing as a marker for treatment response or disease progression. To determine if PSA was indeed a reliable marker for treatment response or disease progression, we compared PSA levels against C-11 choline PET/CT in the evaluation of patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with second generation hormonal therapy (2nd-HT). Methods: We retrospectively identified 239 patients who were undergoing treatment with 2nd-HT (enzalutamide or abiraterone) for advanced prostate cancer. While on treatment, patients underwent serial PSA testing and C-11 choline PET/ CTs every 3 – 6 months. Paradoxical response was defined as increasing blood pool-corrected SUVmax of known choline-avid lesions and/or identification of new choline-avid lesions, despite stable or down-trending PSA. Results: Median (IQR) age was 70.4(64.3 – 75.7) years and median (IQR) primary Gleason Score was 8 (7 – 9). In our study, 19% of patients (n = 46/239) who were receiving 2nd-HT exhibited paradoxical response. Median (IQR) PSA and corrected SUVmax at baseline evaluation were 1.3 ng/mL (0.3 – 12.8 ng/mL) and 3.5 (1.8 – 5.8), respectively. Median (IQR) PSA and corrected SUVmax at the time of paradoxical response were 0.4 ng/mL (0.1 – 5.4 ng/mL) and 4.5 (2.8 – 6.8), respectively. The median duration of 2nd-HT treatment prior to detection of paradoxical response was 4.8 months (2.9 – 10.1 months). No significant difference was noted between patients receiving enzalutamide versus abiraterone (p = 0.35). Independent predictors of paradoxical response were prior primary systemic treatment (i.e. hormonal/chemo-hormonal therapy versus local therapy) and patient’s age at time of 2nd-HT initiation on univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Our retrospective review demonstrated prostate cancer disease progression discordant with PSA down-trending in 19% of patients receiving 2nd-HT. We conclude that in this subset of patients with advanced prostate cancer, PSA may not be a reliable marker of treatment response of disease progression, and routine radiographic evaluation in these patients is warranted.

Congenital pelvic skeletal anomalies: Clinical and radiographic evaluation of newborns with gastrointestinal malformation

BackgroundCongenital pelvic skeletal anomalies (CPSA) may appear as isolated defects or in association with other anomalies like congenital malformations of the digestive system (CMDS). Minor CPSA in non-syndromic patients are often overlooked.We aimed to assess the frequency of CPSA in newborns with CMDS to review the diagnostic approaches. Study designA retrospective review of medical records of 201 newborns who underwent X-rays for different neonatal indications was conducted. In 122 patients CMDS were diagnosed and classified according to the ICD-10 classification; 79 non-CMDS patients acted as controls. Pelvic skeletal segments were examined by X-rays. ResultsPatients with CMDS, showed a higher risk of CPSA (Odds ratio 2.89; 95% CI 1.34 6.23) and other associated malformations in comparison to non-CMDS patients. Newborns with malformations of the large intestine have the highest risk of adjacent CPSA (48%), as it is a developmental defect originating from the same somite. In addition to skeletal agenesis/hypoplasia, we reported dysmorphic and bifid vertebras, trident ileum, and elongated neural arches. ConclusionsThe high incidence of CPSA in CMDS suggests performing a routine radiographic pelvic evaluation in cases of CMDS in order to identify complex phenotypes that could originate from the same developmental field.

Postoperative Radiographic Evaluation Following Adult Spine Deformity Correction: The Impact on Subsequent Management and Associated Risk of Radiation Exposure

BackgroundDuring the follow-up visits after Adult Spine Deformity (ASD) surgery, obtaining surveillance radiographs is a usual practice, and this study tried to identify evidence to support or refute such practice. MethodsThis is a retrospective, diagnostic case series (Level IV) of 49 patients. We identified the abnormal radiographic findings and their association with need for revision surgery. We determined the odds of obtaining an abnormal radiographs that lead to revision surgery at each of the given time intervals of follow-up. We also estimated the risk versus benefit of obtaining radiographs at each of the given time intervals of follow-up. ResultsWe identified a total of 11 individual types of abnormal postoperative radiographic findings. Of them, the two radiographic findings that always needed revision surgery because of the associated clinical presentation were pedicle screw pullout and bilateral rod fracture. One abnormal radiographic finding that was never associated with revision surgery was the halo around a pedicle screw. In each of the given postoperative time intervals of follow-up at which the routine radiographs were obtained, we noted that the odds of noticing abnormal radiographic finding that lead to revision surgery was always >1. We found that the cumulative hazard rate for exposure to radiation was significantly higher during the initial follow-up visits when compared to subsequent follow-up visits. ConclusionThis study finds evidence to support the practice of routine postoperative radiographic evaluation of patients who come for follow-up after ASD surgery.

Idiopathic osteosclerosis in the maxillomandibular area.

To test a more complete set of morphometric radiographic parameters to evaluate the idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) lesions located in the maxillomandibular area and to know their features during routine radiographic evaluation. Radiographs from patients attending the oral diagnosis clinic of our institution were reviewed. Evaluated parameters were gender and age of the patients, size, side, homogeneity, morphology, radiodensity, mineralization, borders, relation to roots, affected tooth or teeth and location of the analyzed lesions. Of the 6340 assessed patients, 354 (5.6%) harbored 362 lesions. IOs were more common during 2nd to 4th decades (mean age = 39years). IO frequency rose from 1st to 3rd decades and then decreased. Size varied from 0.1 to 5.8cm, and its frequency increased from 7 to 30years age and then decreased too. The mandible and molar region were more commonly affected. Radiopaque image, radicular location, round shape, homogeneous core and well-defined boundaries were the more frequent IO features. Our method allows to analyze IO lesions with precise parameters. Analysis of the results does not support the previously suggested theories to explain their origin, and these figures suggest that the so-called IOs are developmental alterations of the bone.

Accuracy and Reliability of Postoperative Radiographic Evaluation of First Metatarsal-Phalangeal Joint Arthrodesis

The clinical value of routine postoperative radiographic evaluation after orthopedic procedures has recently been called into question. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the ability of foot and ankle surgeons to accurately and reliably assess postoperative radiographs after first metatarsal-phalangeal joint arthrodesis. Thirty sets of digital radiographs from 11 patients who had undergone first metatarsal-phalangeal joint arthrodesis were retrospectively evaluated by 5 podiatric physicians board-certified in foot surgery. The surgeons were asked to answer several questions, including whether the radiograph appeared to be >4 or <4 postoperative weeks; whether the radiograph appeared to be >8 or <8 postoperative weeks; their estimation of the postoperative week; and whether they would allow the patient to begin weightbearing based on the radiographic findings. With respect to whether the radiographs were >4 or <4 postoperative weeks, surgeons made accurate assessments 63.33% of the time (95 of 150; range 56.67% to 73.33%), with a kappa of 0.220. With respect to whether the radiographs were >8 or <8 postoperative weeks, surgeons made accurate assessments 60.0% of the time (90 of 150; range 53.33% to 70.0%), with a kappa of 0.203. With respect to the estimation of the postoperative week of the radiograph, surgeons accurately assessed the radiographs within a 4-week period 34.0% of the time (54 of 150; range 26.67% to 46.67%), with a kappa of 0.425. With respect to allowing the patient to bear weight according to the radiographic findings, the surgeons were in complete agreement 26.67% of the time (8 of 30), with a kappa of 0.251. These results provide evidence against the serial routine use of postoperative radiographs for the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint arthrodesis in the absence of a specific clinical indication.

MULTIPLE DENS INVAGINATUS - A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

ABSTRACT Dens invaginatus is a developmental variation of a tooth resulting from an alteration in the normal growth pattern of the dental papilla. It is clinically characterized by a palatine furrow that can be limited to the coronal pulp or may extend to the radicular apex. The commonly affected tooth is maxillary lateral incisor. The occurrence of multiple dens invaginatus is extremely rare. Although a clinical examination may reveal a deep pit or fissure on the lingual surfaces of maxillary anterior teeth, the radiographic examination is the choice for diagnosis of dens invaginatus. Familiarity with the radiographic appearance of this anomaly is essential for the dental practitioner. The purpose of this paper is to present a clinical case of multiple dens invaginatus involving maxillary anterior teeth which was diagnosed during routine radiographic evaluation. Keywords: Anomaly, Dens invaginatus, Dens in dente

Vancouver type B2 and B3 periprosthetic fractures treated with revision total hip arthroplasty

Periprosthetic fractures are the fourth most common cause for hip revision and a devastating complication. Our purpose is to report results and quality of life following revision THA for Vancouver B2 and B3 fractures. This was a retrospective review from January 2000 to November 2012 to identify all revision THA performed for Vancouver types B2 and B3 that had a minimum follow-up of two years. Routine post-operative and radiographic evaluation to assess patient survival, implant failure, complications and quality of life was involved. Statistical analysis was made with the Kaplan-Meier survival curve with 95 % confidence interval and the log rank (Mantel-Cox) test. A total of 76 fractures were included, with an average follow-up 74.4 months. Mean age at the revision surgery was 75.7 years (range, 41-97 years; SD, 12.4). Sixty-six cases were classified as Vancouver B2 and treated with distal fixation stem. Ten cases were Vancouver B3 and a proximal femoral allograft technique was used. The overall five-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate for the patients was 77.9 % (95 % CI, 67.4-88.4), and the ten-year rate was 65.1 % (95 % CI, 51.4-78.8). Five-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate for the implants was 89.6 % (95 % CI, 82.2-97); we presented seven failures. The mean SF-12 mental was 55.1 (range, 31-68; SD, 8.1) and the physical was 37.4 (range, 16-55; SD, 9.4). Mortality rate after periprosthetic fractures is high as compared to other hip surgeries; our Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that it tends to plateau after five years. In our series the failure rate was low and occurred early in the post-operative period.

Hip Pathology in Majewski Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism Type II

Majewski osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPDII) is characterized by severe prenatal and postnatal growth failure with microcephaly, characteristic skeletal dysplasia, an increased risk for cerebrovascular disease, and insulin resistance. MOPDII is caused by mutations in the pericentrin (PCNT) gene and is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner. This study aimed to determine the incidence of hip pathology in patients with molecularly confirmed MOPDII and to describe the functional outcomes of surgical treatment. Thirty-three enrolled patients had a clinical diagnosis of MOPDII. Biallelic PCNT mutations or absent pericentrin protein was confirmed in 25 of these patients. Twelve patients (7 female) had appropriate clinical and radiographic records at this institution and were included in this study. The data collected included age at presentation, age at surgery, sex, body weight and height, weight-bearing status at diagnosis, and the clinical examination. Four patients (31%) had coxa vara: 3 unilateral and 1 bilateral. Three unilateral patients had in situ pinning at a mean age 4 years. The patient with bilateral coxa vara had valgus osteotomy at the age of 5 years. Two children had bilateral hip dysplasia and subluxation with no surgery. One patient had bilateral developmental hip dislocations. The patient was treated by open reduction-spica cast and 2 years after surgery, coxa valga was noted. Another patient was diagnosed at an age of 12 years with bilateral avascular necrosis of the hips. Four patients did not have hip pathology. Hip pathology is common among children with MOPDII; coxa vara is the most frequent diagnosis. Routine clinical and radiographic hip evaluation is important. The capital femoral epiphysis appears to slip down along the shaft, giving the appearance of a proximal femoral epiphysiolysis. A hip diagnosed with slipped capital femoral epiphysis in early life may progress to severe coxa vara. Level IV.

Stainless steel double loop appliance to correct ectopically positioned maxillary permanent first molar

Ectopic eruption is the abnormal eruption of a permanent tooth that often causes root resorption of an adjacent primary tooth which can be noted during routine dental radiographic evaluation. The mesial eruption of the permanent first molar may be a local eruption problem or may indicate developmental arch circumference deficiency requiring further consideration. Early treatment is mandatory to move the ectopically erupting tooth away from the tooth it is resorbing to allow the tooth to erupt into its normal position, maintaining a normal arch circumference. Although much has been written about ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molar, no case report mentions correction of ectopically erupted maxillary permanent first molar by using double loop stainless steel.

Foreign Body Induced Neuralgia: A Diagnostic Challenge

Neuropathic pain is caused by neural injury or painful states associated with either peripheral or central nerve injury. One of the aetiologies of this type of pain is iatrogenic trauma. This case highlights the features of peripheral neuropathic pain caused by foreign body left in the mental foramen following a previous surgical procedure. The foreign body was detected on routine radiographic evaluation. Once the foreign body was removed by surgical intervention, the pain resolved. This stresses the importance of routine radiographic evaluation in proper diagnosis and treatment planning in the management of neuropathic pain. This paper also sheds light on the role of iatrogenic mechanical cause of peripheral neuropathic pain and warrants a tough degree of caution on the part of oral clinicians.

Incidental Discovery of Odontogenic Keratocyst in an Edentulous Patient: Importance of Routine Pre-Prosthetic Radiographic Evaluation

The most common modality of treatment for completely edentulous patients are conventional removable complete dentures. The protocol for fabrication of complete denture would involve a thorough clinical examination and radiographic investigation. As a routine, unless clinical findings suggest presence of remnant tooth structures, or the patient presents himself with symptoms, the radiographic investigations are overlooked. This case report presents one such situation wherein routine radiographic evaluation of a clinically asymptomatic edentulous individual prior to prosthetic rehabilitation revealed the presence of an odontogenic keratocyst of anterior maxilla substantiating the importance of such routine pre-prosthetic radiographic investigations.

Occult Spinous Process Fractures Associated With Interspinous Process Spacers

Prospective observational study. To provide a more accurate estimate of the rate of acute spinous process fractures associated with IPS surgery. Biomechanical cadaveric studies have suggested adequate spinous process strength to support placement of interspinous process spacers (IPS). Postoperative spinous process fractures have been reported in one%-to 5.8% of patients in previous series based on routine biplanar radiographic evaluation. However, most fractures occur between the base and midportion of the spinous process in an area that is typically difficult to visualize on plain radiographs due to device design. All patients underwent preoperative biplanar plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine to confirm anatomy favorable for IPS placement and rule out fracture or spondylolysis. Postoperatively, all patients underwent repeat CT imaging within six months of surgery, biplanar radiographs at two weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, and one year. All studies were reviewed independently by a neuroradiologist and two orthopedic spine surgeons. Fifty implants (38 L4-5, 12 L3-4) were placed in 38 patients who completed follow-up and were included in final analysis. Three IPS designs were included (34 Medtronic X-STOP titanium, 8 X-STOP PEEK, 8 Lanx Aspen). Postoperative CT revealed 11 nondisplaced spinous process fractures in 11 patients (28.9% of patients, 22% of levels). Five fractures were associated with mild to moderate lumbar back pain and six fractures were asymptomatic. No patient reported a traumatic incident. No fracture was identifiable on plain radiographs. One fracture displaced during follow-up evaluation. Three patients underwent IPS removal and laminectomy. Three fractures healed by CT in one year. Overall, patients with fractures tended toward poorer outcomes by Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) (28.5% vs. 34.8% improvement in symptom severity, P = 0.496; 21.4% vs. 30.7% improvement in physical function, P = 0.199) and tended toward lower satisfaction rates (50% vs. 73.7%, P = 0.24) at one year compared to patients without fracture. Interspinous process spacer surgery appears associated with a higher rate of early postoperative spinous process fracture than previously reported. In all cases, in this series, plain radiographs were inadequate to identify fractures because all fractures were initially minimal or nondisplaced, many patients were osteopenic, and the metallic wings of the devices often obscured fractures. Moreover, in most patients, fractures were associated with mild or no acute localized pain. This study suggests that unrecognized spinous process fracture may be responsible for a significant number of patients who experience unsatisfactory outcome after IPS surgery. CT imaging is required to identify the vast majority of such fractures.

Bilateral Ameloblastic Fibroma in A 6 Year Old Child: A Unique Case

ABSTRACT Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) is an extremely rare true mixed benign tumour that can occur either in mandible or maxilla, but is most frequently found in the posterior region of mandible. It is usually seen in the first two decades of life and is associated with tooth enclosure, hence causing delay in eruption or altering the dental eruption sequence. AF is found during routine radiographic evaluation but is clinically and radiographically similar to Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma and odontoma, which makes an accurate diagnosis mandatory as it may change the course of treatment. There has been lot of debate regarding the treatment for AF. We describe a case of bilateral ameloblastic fibroma in the posterior region of mandible in 6 year old child which was treated by conservative curettage with admirable results.

ESTUDO COMPARATIVO E ANÁLISE INTEROBSERVADOR ENTRE DOIS MÉTODOS DE AVALIAÇÂO DA DISPLASIA COXOFEMORAL DE CÃES

Os objetivos desse trabalho foram avaliar as dificuldades da execução do método PennHIP no diagnóstico da displasia coxofemoral, comparar essa modalidade com a empregada pelo CBRV e determinar a influência do treinamento na interpretação por meio de uma análise interobservador. Foram utilizados 15 cães da raça Labrador, realizou-se exame radiográfico conforme as recomendações do CBRV e análise da distração articular. A comparação entre as técnicas se deu de forma subjetiva e pela concordância Kappa(K) quando na análise interobservador. Os valores de foram K= 0,44 moderada pelo método diagnóstico convencional e K=1,0 quase perfeita pelo método PennHIP, todavia, houve maior variabilidade no PennHIP quando na comparação entre os membros. Conclui-se que apesar das dificuldades o método PennHIP deve ser introduzido na rotina de avaliação radiográfica para pesquisa da displasia em conjunto com a avaliação recomendada pelo CBRV.

The kneeling view: Evaluation of the forces involved and side-to-side difference

The kneeling view is a method to objectively measure posterior knee laxity. However, the actual amount of load applied and the reliability of this method in term of side to side difference are not known. We studies these issues in a group a 25 healthy volunteers who underwent measurements of posterior knee laxity in both knees. A standard digital scale was positioned under both kneeling supports to measure the actual amounts of posterior displacement forces applied. We measured the mass of the subject, the side-to-side difference of the weight applied into anterior aspect of the tibia, and the ratio weight of the subject/ amount of posterior displacement load applied. The average amount of forces applied was at least 75% of the body weight of each subject, with a side-to-side variability of 3.3% of the weight applied. The kneeling view can be considered, in terms of forces applied, a reliable and reproducible alternative method for the routine radiographic evaluation of the posterior knee laxity.

Treatment of large ameloblastic fibroma: a case report

Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) is an extremely rare true mixed benign tumor that can occur in either the mandible or the maxilla, but is most frequently found in the posterior region of the mandible. It usually occurs in the first two decades of life and is associated with tooth enclosure, causing a delay in eruption or altering the dental eruption sequence. AF is diagnosed on routine radiographic evaluation and is clinically and radiographically similar to ameloblastic fibrodontoma and odontoma, which makes an accurate diagnosis mandatory. There is controversy in the literature as to whether treatment should be conservative or agressive. A conservative treatment strategy, such as enucleation and curettage, is usually sufficient. However, extensive lesions require radical treatment. We describe a case of ameloblastic fibroma with a very unusual clinical manifestation: it demonstrated considerable extension but no associated impacted tooth, was located in the anterior region of the mandible, and became symptomatic in the fifth decade of life. A radical surgical approach was taken, with immediate reconstruction.

Phrenic Nerve Injury After Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation: Characterization and Outcome in a Multicenter Study

The purpose of this study was to characterize the occurrence of phrenic nerve injury (PNI) and its outcome after radiofrequency (RF) ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF).It is recognized that extra-myocardial damage may develop owing to penetration of ablative energy.Between 1997 and 2004, 3,755 consecutive patients underwent AF ablation at five centers. Among them, 18 patients (0.48%; 9 male, 54 +/- 10 years) had PNI (16 right, 2 left). The procedure consisted of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in 15 patients and anatomic circumferential ablation in 3 patients, with additional left atrial lesions (n = 11) and/or superior vena cava (SVC) disconnection (n = 4).Right PNI occurred during ablation of right superior PV (n = 12) or SVC disconnection (n = 3). Left PNI occurred during ablation at the left atrial appendage. Immediate features were dyspnea, cough, hiccup, and/or sudden diaphragmatic elevation in 9, and in the remaining the diagnosis was made after ablation owing to dyspnea (n = 7) or on routine radiographic evaluation (n = 2). Four patients (22%) were asymptomatic. Complete recovery occurred in 12 patients (66%). Recovery occurred within 24 h in the two patients with left PNI and in one patient with right PNI occurring with SVC disconnection. In the other nine patients, right PNI recovery occurred after 4 +/- 5 months (1 to 12 months) with respiratory rehabilitation. After a mean follow-up of 36 +/- 33 months, six patients have persistent PNI (three with partial and three with no recovery).In this multicenter experience, PNI was a rare complication (0.48%) of AF ablation. Ablation of the right superior PV, SVC, and left atrial appendage were associated with PNI. Complete (66%) or partial (17%) recovery was observed in the majority.

Radiology of Shoulder Prostheses

This article is chiefly limited to the routine radiographic evaluation of shoulder arthroplasties and guidelines to their interpretation. Other imaging modalities for the evaluation of joint replacements are discussed elsewhere in this issue. The basic types of shoulder reconstructions and some of the shoulder replacement designs in previous and current use at The New York Orthopedic Hospital at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center are illustrated, along with the indications and contraindications of the various types of reconstructions. Their complications and pertinent anatomy are included.