Skeleton In Patients Research Articles

Comparative analysis of long-term results of surgical treatment of children with basal encephaloceles

Basal encephaloceles (skull base hernias) are a rare pathology manifested by prolapse of altered membranes and brain tissue through a bone defect of the skull base. Endoscopic access is safer and is currently used as the method of choice in the treatment of this pathology. Available literature studies do not cover the quality of life of these patients at follow-up. There is a controversy regarding the impact of endoscopic access on the growth centers of the facial skeleton. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of a series of 100 patients aged 0 to 18 years with basal encephaloceles who underwent surgical treatment at the N. N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery from 2005 to 2022 was carried out to determine the effectiveness and safety of the endoscopic method in the treatment of patients with basal encephaloceles and identify factors affecting the quality of life of these patients. Results and conclusions. Endoscopic endonasal access in the treatment of children with basal encephaloceles is effective and safe. Patients have a high quality of life (>85 points) at follow-up. After the operation, there is an improvement in nasal breathing and an increase in the degree of psychomotor development. Patients have a high quality of life (>85 points) at follow-up. A lower quality of life at follow-up was observed in children with delayed psychomotor development before surgery (OR=0.6; p=0.003). The follow-up study of the dynamics of craniometric parameters did not reliably show any disturbances in the growth of the bones of the facial skeleton in patients after endoscopic surgery.

Rehabilitation for Marfan Syndrome

Abstract: Marfan syndrome is a spectrum of disorders caused by a heritable genetic defect of connective tissue that has an autosomal dominant mode of transmission. The defect itself has been isolated to the FBN1 gene on chromosome 15, which codes for the connective tissue protein fibrillin. Abnormalities in this protein cause a myriad of distinct clinical problems, of which the musculoskeletal, cardiac, and ocular system problems predominate. The skeleton of patients with Marfan syndrome typically displays multiple deformities. Mitral valve prolapses that requires valve replacement can occur as well. Given the variable expressivity of Marfan Syndrome, no single sign is pathognomonic; the diagnosis is made on clinical grounds on the basis of typical abnormalities. We reported a boy, 12 years old, referred from surgeon with diagnosis pectus carinatum pro brace. Chest protusion appeared since age 6, getting bigger without any complaint but cosmetic. Other complaints on feet which looked flat, sometimes ankle sore after long distance running or futsal. He was the first child and no family history had a condition like him. His hobby was playing futsal, and daily activities were independent without assistive devices. General appearance and vital signs were normal, cardiorespiratory assessment was normal, BMI on percentile 10-25, arm span to height ratio 1.09, lens subluxation of left eye, lens dislocation of right eye, poor standing balance, inadequate toe off, thoracic hyperkyphotic, positive wrist sign, true leg length discrepancy of 1 cm (left>right), bilateral ankle ROM limitation, rigid flat feet suspected bilateral vertical talus, left hallux valgus, Marfan syndrome score 9, and normal echocardiography. In this patient, we gave semi rigid thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (TLSO) with 3 points pressure system and rigid bar on protution area (custom molded). resistance exercise (F: 3x/week, I: moderate fatigue, Borg scale 13-15/20, T: 8-15 reps/ set, 2-3 set/ session, T: major muscle group upper and lower extremities aerobic exercise (F: 3x/week, I: moderate to vigorous, borg scale 13-15/20, T: ≥60 min/session, @5-10 min warming up and cooling down (stretching), T: sport (swimming, running, cycling). The patient was referred to a surgeon for a brace. In conclusion, this case report highlights the multidisciplinary management of patients with Marfan syndrome. Keywords: Marfan syndrome; typical abnormalities; multiple deformities

#2886 THE COURSE OF OSTEODYSTROPHY IN PATIENTS WITH STAGE 5 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE RECEIVING PROGRAMMED HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract Background and Aims In a normal physiological state, there are many regulatory molecules that act as inhibitors of mineral formation to prevent the spread of tissue hardening. In patients with CKD, the levels or functions of these inhibitors may be abnormal, which in turn may predispose to or enhance ectopic calcification. to increase the effectiveness of early diagnosis of demineralization of the bone skeleton in patients with stage V chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis. Method The study included 94 CKD patients receiving hemodialysis for 15 months. The average age of the patients was 42.13±12.16 years. Etiologically, the cohort of patients included in the study was diverse, with a significant predominance of chronic glomerulonephritis as the cause of CKD in 72 patients, chronic pyelonephritis in 22 patients occupied the second place among the causes of CKD, the remaining causes occurred with a single frequency. Anemia was diagnosed in 71 patients. The observation lasted 12 months. Pathological changes in phosphorus-calcium metabolism and secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients were associated with a significant decrease in bone mineral density, it was shown both for the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae and for the femoral neck, the significance of the difference from the control group for absolute values of mineral density and relative deviation. Results In dynamics for 6 months in the general cohort of patients, there was a significant increase in the absolute mineral density of the femoral neck by 11.38%, p<0.01 the reliability of the difference with the baseline data, and a decrease in the degree of deviation of the mineral density index from the age norm -3.13%, p<0.05 for the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae and -4.01%, p<0.01 for the femoral neck, which confirms the effectiveness of osteoporosis therapy. In the present study, in 45 patients 37.5% at the time of inclusion in the study in the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae, the T-index was higher than -2.5 SD, in respect of the femoral neck – in all patients, the T was lower than 2.5 ST. The study of bone mineral density in patients with HCBP, the decrease of which reflects the syndrome of renal osteodystrophy, developing in response to secondary hyperparathyroidism, against the background of osteoporosis therapy. Conclusion In patients with CKD, against the background of programmed hemodialysis, there is a decrease in bone mineral density (1.93 times the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae and 2.83 times the femoral neck). The use of calcium carbonate, biphosphonate and vitamin D3 contributes to an increase in the mineral density of the femoral neck by 8.64% (p<0.05). The introduction of sevelamer hydrochloride into the therapy regimen increases the effectiveness of therapy and increases the mineral density of the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae by 5.96% (p< 0.05) and the femoral neck by 14.04% (p<0.05).

Comprehensive Associations between Acidosis and the Skeleton in Patients with Kidney Disease.

Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) contributes substantially to morbidity in CKD, including increased fracture risk. Metabolic acidosis (MA) contributes to the development of ROD, but an up-to-date skeletal phenotype in CKD-associated acidosis has not been described. We comprehensively studied associations between acidosis and bone in patients with CKD using advanced methods to image the skeleton and analyze bone-tissue, along with biochemical testing. Cross-sectionally, acidosis was associated with higher markers of bone remodeling and female-specific impairments in cortical and trabecular bone quality. Prospectively, acidosis was associated with cortical expansion and trabecular microarchitectural deterioration. At the bone-tissue level, acidosis was associated with deficits in bone mineral content. Future work investigating acidosis correction on bone quality is warranted. Renal osteodystrophy is a state of impaired bone quality and strength. Metabolic acidosis (MA) is associated with alterations in bone quality including remodeling, microarchitecture, and mineralization. No studies in patients with CKD have provided a comprehensive multimodal skeletal phenotype of MA. We aim to describe the structure and makeup of bone in patients with MA in the setting of CKD using biochemistry, noninvasive imaging, and histomorphometry. The retrospective cross-sectional analyses included 180 patients with CKD. MA was defined as bicarbonate ≤22 mEq/L. We evaluated circulating bone turnover markers and skeletal imaging with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and high-resolution peripheral computed tomography. A subset of 54 participants had follow-up. We assessed associations between baseline and change in bicarbonate with change in bone outcomes. Histomorphometry, microCT, and quantitative backscatter electron microscopy assessed bone biopsy outcomes in 22 participants. The mean age was 68±10 years, 54% of participants were male, and 55% were White. At baseline, acidotic subjects had higher markers of bone turnover, lower areal bone mineral density at the radius by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and lower cortical and trabecular volumetric bone mineral density and impaired trabecular microarchitecture. Over time, acidosis was associated with opposing cortical and trabecular effects: cortical expansion but trabecular deterioration. Bone-tissue analyses showed reduced tissue mineral density with increased heterogeneity of calcium distribution in acidotic participants. MA is associated with multiple impairments in bone quality. Future work should examine whether correction of acidosis improves bone quality and strength in patients with CKD.

Significance of structural changes in the axial skeleton in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: how important are lesions in the sacroiliac joint?

Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is a characteristic clinical symptom of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) that is caused by inflammation in the axial skeleton. In early disease stages the sacroiliac...

Does Maxillary Expansion for Alveolar Cleft Bone Grafting Affect Nasal Width More on the Cleft Side?

PurposeMaxillary expansion is often required in patients with cleft lip and alveolus/palate prior to alveolar cleft bone grafting (ABG) to align maxillary segments and provide space for closure of an oronasal fistula (ONF). There is limited information on how maxillary expansion affects the nasal skeleton in patients with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus/palate (UCLA/P). The purpose of this study was to compare changes in width between the cleft and non-cleft sides after maxillary expansion at the widest part of the nasal pyriform and at the level of the inferior turbinates. Patients and methodsThis is a retrospective case series of patients with UCLA/P who had maxillary expansion prior to alveolar bone grafting by the author (BLP) at Boston Children's Hospital from 2015 through 2020. Patients were included if they had maxillary expansion prior to ABG and had CBCT before and after expansion. Linear measurements at the widest aspect of the nasal pyriform and the most superior position of the inferior turbinate were recorded for both the cleft and non-cleft sides. Patients were excluded if they did not have maxillary expansion, if the CBCT data did not include all relevant landmarks, or the scans were greater than 4 years apart. Twenty patients with UCLP who underwent ABG without expansion during the same time period were used as a control group. A paired sample T-test was used to compare the cleft vs. the non-cleft side in the expansion group. The same test was used to compare the non-expanded control group to those who underwent maxillary expansion. ResultsA total of 119 patients with UCLA/P had maxillary expansion prior to ABG, but only 41 (61.0% male, mean age at ABG 10.1 years) had adequate pre- and post-expansion CBCT and were included in the study. Patients with UCLA/P who underwent maxillary expansion showed greater increase in width at the nasal pyriform and inferior turbinate levels on the cleft side compared to the non-cleft side (P < .001). When compared to the non-expanded control group of patients with UCLA/P, the percent increase at the nasal pyriform and inferior turbinate on both the cleft and non-cleft sides were statistically greater for those who underwent maxillary expansion (P < .001, P = .01 at inferior turbinate on the non-cleft side). ConclusionPatients with UCLA/P who undergo maxillary expansion prior to alveolar bone grafting have greater dimensional change of the anterior nasal skeleton on the side of the cleft.

Estimation of the effi ciency of treatment of somatic dysfunctions of the pelvis bones using the technology of computer stabilography with biological feedback

Introduction. Somatic dysfunctions of the pelvic and sacral bones are one of the most common causes of lumbosacral pain with impaired spine statics, functional disorders of internal organs and other manifestations. Remote symptoms include torsional dural dysfunctions. Distortion of proprioceptive somatosensory afferentation blocks postural tonic reflexes of the axial skeleton and extremities, disrupts the sequence of activation of motor units of the locomotion system, changes the mechanisms for providing support and walking. Osteopathic correction of somatic dysfunctions in the region improves the condition of patients, however, in some cases, it is not possible to achieve complete regression of the identified syndromes. One of the effective corrective methods are computer technologies with the registration of the parameters of the static-dynamic function of support and maintaining balance. The possibilities of restoring reflex mechanisms can be obtained using computer stabilometry with a biofeedback program (BFB). Testing was carried out at the stage of diagnosis and follow-up: at the stage of screening, immediately after the treatment session, and 14 days after the moment of treatment. The clinical effect was compared with the results of stabilometric testing. The training sessions were carried out after registering the statokinesiogram.The aim of the research was to study the possibilities of using a stabiloplatform with BFB in in the mode of diagnosis of coordination and static-dynamic disorders of the axial skeleton in patients with various types of somatic dysfunctions of the pelvic bones and in the training mode together with the osteopathic correction of the somatic dysfunctions identified in patients.Materials and methods. In a prospective controlled study, the results of examination and treatment of 66 patients aged 23–56 years (median — 33) were analyzed, including 36 women and 39 men with somatic dysfunctions of the pelvic bones. In the main group, clinical and osteopathic signs of somatic dysfunctions of the pubic bone and ilium were revealed. The observation was carried out for 14 days. Osteopathic treatment of the corresponding type of dysfunction and stabilometric examination (3 control points) and training (3 sessions) were performed. Among the analyzed clinical manifestations, the intensity of pain syndrome and muscle-tonic reactions was taken into account. According to the results of the stabilometry, stability (RC) was assessed in the «eyes open» and «eyes closed» modes. The primary checkpoint is the start of observation and the correction procedure. Stage control after 7 days and the final observation point — 14 days. In total, 3–4 osteopathic sessions were carried out, stabilometric control was the screening stage, before and after the session, observation after 14 days from the last session.Results. There was detected decrease in pain intensity, normalization of axial balance and coordination of movements. The most significant was the decrease in the Romberg coefficient in patients with dysfunction of the iliac bones in the anterior rotation, regardless of the side: dynamics on the right: decrease from 570±12 to 295±23 % and on the left from 550±22 to 260±25 % (p&lt;0,05).Conclusion. The combined use of osteopathic correction and physiotherapy exercises on a stabiloplatform in a training mode with BFB promotes regression of neurological and clinical symptoms, which is confirmed by all diagnostic methods used in the study — clinical neurological, clinical osteopathic, stabilometric with BFB. The best results were achieved in patients with somatic dysfunction anterior rotation of the ilium. The use of a stabiloplatform with BFB in the diagnostic mode allows obtaining objective data on the nature of the imbalance and balance disorders. The training regime contributes to the achievement of a therapeutic result in a short time (3 sessions) and can be used in inpatient and outpatient conditions of medical institutions.

Ocena twarzowej części czaszki u pacjentów z rozszczepem podniebienia wtórnego operowanych we wczesnym dzieciństwie

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Racka-Pilszak B, Szemraj-Folmer A, Orzelska-Blomberg M. Assessment of the facial skeleton in patients with secondary cleft palate operated on in early childhood. Forum Ortodontyczne / Orthodontic Forum. 2021;17(1):5-19. doi:10.5114/for.2021.105077. APA Racka-Pilszak, B., Szemraj-Folmer, A., & Orzelska-Blomberg, M. (2021). Assessment of the facial skeleton in patients with secondary cleft palate operated on in early childhood. Forum Ortodontyczne / Orthodontic Forum, 17(1), 5-19. https://doi.org/10.5114/for.2021.105077 Chicago Racka-Pilszak, Bogna, Agnieszka Szemraj-Folmer, and Maria Orzelska-Blomberg. 2021. "Assessment of the facial skeleton in patients with secondary cleft palate operated on in early childhood". Forum Ortodontyczne / Orthodontic Forum 17 (1): 5-19. doi:10.5114/for.2021.105077. Harvard Racka-Pilszak, B., Szemraj-Folmer, A., and Orzelska-Blomberg, M. (2021). Assessment of the facial skeleton in patients with secondary cleft palate operated on in early childhood. Forum Ortodontyczne / Orthodontic Forum, 17(1), pp.5-19. https://doi.org/10.5114/for.2021.105077 MLA Racka-Pilszak, Bogna et al. "Assessment of the facial skeleton in patients with secondary cleft palate operated on in early childhood." Forum Ortodontyczne / Orthodontic Forum, vol. 17, no. 1, 2021, pp. 5-19. doi:10.5114/for.2021.105077. Vancouver Racka-Pilszak B, Szemraj-Folmer A, Orzelska-Blomberg M. Assessment of the facial skeleton in patients with secondary cleft palate operated on in early childhood. Forum Ortodontyczne / Orthodontic Forum. 2021;17(1):5-19. doi:10.5114/for.2021.105077.

NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR ANALYSIS SKELETON PLANAR SCINTIGRAMMS OF PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER

In work is described practical approach to the expert system building for the analysis skeleton planar scintigramms. The aim is to analyze the numerical characteristics of bone metastases by scintigraphy. Objective. Progress in the development of bioinformatics and mathematical methods in biomedicine, as well as the development of computer and telecommunications systems and networks determines the look of the present and future of oncology technology and of medicine in general. At last years of one of the directions of high-tech-medicine development is a processing the digital image: improvement of quality of image, recovering image, its recognition of separate elements. Recognition of pathological processes is one of the most important problems of processing the medical image. Methods and results. Method of computer-aided analysis of planar osteostsintigrammy studied the skeleton of patients with breast cancer are in complete remission and in the phase progression of the disease with metastases to the skeleton. As analyzed parameter was used brightness of images. The study of the physiological accumulation of radiopharmaceuticals in patients without metastasis to the skeleton indicates a wide variation in the brightness values of the scintigram in some areas of the skeleton. At the same anatomical areas of the skeleton there are significant differences in the values of the index of average brightness. In almost all areas of the skeleton averages of the brightness lesions hyperfixation RFP for scintigram significantly prevail over those of «physiological» lesions hyperfixation. Thus, there is a direct relationship between the levels of accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical in areas of the skeleton without metastatic lesion and bone metastases occurring in these zones. Consider methodological approaches to studies of quality of qualifier at the expert system building for the analysis skeleton planar scintigramms, as well as results of conducting calculations.

Multidetector CT of Laryngeal Injuries: Principles of Injury Recognition.

Blunt laryngeal trauma is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, owing to their relatively rare occurrence, laryngeal injuries may be missed or underdiagnosed. Even subtle abnormalities at multidetector CT may correspond to significant functional abnormalities. It is important to understand normal CT laryngeal anatomy and develop a systematic review of the cervical soft tissues and laryngeal skeleton in patients who undergo screening CT cervical spine or other neck examinations in the setting of trauma, such as CT angiography. Multidetector CT findings of the normal larynx are reviewed, and blunt laryngeal injuries including soft-tissue edema, hematoma, mucosal lacerations, cartilage fracture, cricoarytenoid dislocation, and vocal fold paralysis are presented. The radiologist plays an important role in diagnosis and may be the first to identify laryngeal injuries that are not evident at physical examination. This article reviews normal laryngeal anatomy, presents various blunt laryngeal injuries at multidetector CT with case examples, discusses the role of multidetector CT in acute management, and describes pitfalls of diagnosis. ©RSNA, 2019.

Metal wear particles in hematopoietic marrow of the axial skeleton in patients with prior revision for mechanical failure of a hip or knee arthroplasty.

Wear particles generated by hip and knee arthroplasties disseminate to the liver and spleen with the highest concentrations observed in subjects who have had a failed arthroplasty. We asked to what extent metallic particles could also disseminate to remote hematopoietic bone marrow. Cored samples of red marrow from the axial skeleton and proximal humerus were obtained postmortem from four males and two females aged 79-92 years. Seven to seventeen years prior to their demise, each subject had undergone successful revision of their arthroplasty for mechanical failure in which an unintended wear condition had generated a large volume of metal particles. The marrow samples were analyzed using stained histological sections and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Intracellular metal alloy particles were detected in the bone marrow of the cranium, proximal humerus, sternum, ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and the iliac crest. The components previously revised for mechanical failure were confirmed to be the predominant source of the disseminated wear debris. Particles of either Ti, Ti6Al4V, CoCrMo, FeCrNi alloys, or BaSO4 were identified in 24 of the 25 marrow samples examined. The particles ranged in size from 50 nm (the limit of resolution of our technique) to 6 μm. Metallic wear particles generated by hip and knee arthroplasties can disseminate widely to hematopoietic bone marrow throughout the axial skeleton and proximal humerus, especially in cases with a history of severe wear. The hematopoietic microenvironment is potentially sensitive to metallic degradation products. However, actual medical sequelae from disseminated wear debris is a rare occurrence. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1930-1936, 2019.

Cleft Skeletal Asymmetry: Asymmetry Index, Classification and Application.

To quantitatively measure the extent of 3D asymmetry of the facial skeleton in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) using an asymmetry index (AI) approach, and to illustrate the applicability of the index in guiding and measuring treatment outcome. Two groups of subjects between the ages of 15 and 20 who had archived CBCT scan were included in this study. Twenty-five patients with complete UCLP were compared with 50 age-matched noncleft subjects. The CBCT scans were segmented and landmarked for 3D anthropometric analysis. An AI was calculated as a quantitative measure of the extent of facial skeletal asymmetry. For the control group, the AI ranged from 0.72 ± 0.47 at A point to 4.77 ± 1.59 at Gonion. The degree of asymmetry increased with the increasing laterality of the landmark from the midsagittal plane. In the UCLP group, the values of AI significantly increased compared to the control group at nearly all measured landmarks. The extent of the asymmetry to involve the upper, middle, and lower facial skeleton varied widely with the individual patient with UCLP. The asymmetry index is capable of capturing the 3D facial asymmetry of subjects with UCLP and as a basis for classification of the extent of the asymmetry. We found the index to be applicable in surgical planning and in measuring the outcome in improving the symmetry in patients who have undergone orthognathic surgery.

Preliminary Data Show Heterogenous Patterns of 18f-FDG PET/CT When Assessing the Inflammatory Component of Primary or Secondary Myelofibrosis

Abstract Background. Recent studies have highlighted the interest of non-invasive procedures to assess extramedullary hematopoiesis in patients with overt myelofibrosis, primary (PMF) or secondary (sMF) to essential thrombocytemia (ET) or to polycythemia vera (PV) (1-4). Several nuclear medicine imaging techniques have been employed without clear consensus about the predominant value of one over other in these mostly preliminary works (2-4). Population and objectives. Because the pathophysiology of PMF or sMF involves some inflammatory pathways we studied the interest of 18F-FDG (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose) PET/CT in patients with PMF (5). The main objective was to know whether the inflammatory component of PMF could be well detected by this technique. Secondly, we looked for some kind of correlation between the FDG uptake on medullary and extramedullary sites of hematopoiesis and the severity of the disease. Five patients with diagnosis of MF (3 PMF and 2 sMF) were assessed (see Table 1 for baseline characteristics and results) Methods.18F-FDG PET/CT imaging was performed following a 60 min. uptake after intravenous injection of a weight-adapted FDG activity (2,5 MBq/kg) on a Siemens Biograph mCT. Images were reviewed by board certified nuclear medicine physicians. Spleen size was measured on axial slices. SUVmax were assessed in a 5 mm diameter spheric volume of interest in homogenous parts of liver and spleen, and in the L2 vertebral body for axial skeleton assessment. Spleen uptake was considered as abnormal in case of a diffuse uptake exceeding hepatic baseline uptake. Skeleton uptake was considered as abnormal in case of diffuse increased uptake. Results. UPN01LP: slight higher metabolic activity in the axial skeleton and diffuse spleen uptake ; UPN02AP: no hypermetabolic activity in the spleen and slightly higher uptake in the axial skeleton ; UPN03AA: diffuse bone hypermetabolic activity and high metabolic activity in the spleen ; UPN05HL: diffuse bone hypermetabolic activity and higher metabolic activity in the spleen ; UPN06DF: no diffuse hypermetabolic activity in the spleen, slight higher uptake in the axial skeleton. In summary, those patients with overt myelofibrosis and constitutional signs tend to show a diffuse higher activity both in the axial skeleton and the spleen whereas those without overt myelofibrosis and without constitutional signs tend to present a normal metabolic activity in the axial skeleton and in the spleen. These patterns are in accordance with the progression and severity of the disease. The higher uptake of 18FDG in the axial skeleton in patients with overt MF contrasts with what is observed with some hybrid imaging techniques that show a lower radionuclide (111In/SPECT/CT) uptake at this level translating a lower hematopoietic activity (3). Conclusions. Based on these preliminary results we consider 18FDG-PET/CT procedures are able to detect the inflammatory component of PMF or sMF and the intensity of FDG uptake appears to be correlated to the severity of the disease. Those patients with a high metabolic activity in the axial skeleton and the spleen might be candidates for specific therapies, although these statements need to be confirmed in a larger series of patients. Bibliography. 1 Derlin T et al. Assessment of bone marrow inflammation in patients with myelofibrosis: an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT study. Eur J. of Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2015 2 Agool A et al. Radionuclide imaging of bone marrow disorders. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2011. 3 Ojeda-Uribe M et al. Assessment of sites of marrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis by hybrid imaging in primary myelofibrosis patients. Cancer Medicine 2016. 4 Vercellino L et al. Assessing bone marrow activity in patients with myelofibrosis: results of a pilot study of 18F-FLT PET. J. of Nucl Med 2017. 5 Desterke C et al. Inflammation as a Keystone of Bone Marrow Stroma Alterations in Primary Myelofibrosis. Mediators Inflamm. 2015 Download : Download high-res image (107KB) Download : Download full-size image Table 1 . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Axial Skeleton in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: Distribution Pattern of Inflammatory and Structural Lesions.

Purpose:Spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the musculoskeletal system driven by systemic enthesitis and typically involving the axial skeleton, ie, the spine and the sacroiliac joints. The purpose of this study was to assess the distribution pattern of inflammatory and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in spondyloarthritis.Methods:Retrospective study of 193 patients with axial spondyloarthritis who received MRI of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. We quantitatively assessed inflammatory and structural lesions using established MRI-based scoring methods. The significance of the differences between gender, HLA-B27 status, and spine and sacroiliac involvement was determined.Results:In total, 174 patients (90.2%) showed a sacroiliac involvement and 120 patients (62.2%) a combined involvement of the sacroiliac joints and the spine. An isolated sacroiliac involvement was found in 54 patients (28.0%) and an isolated spine involvement in 19 patients (9.8%). The sacroiliac joint was significantly more involved in men than in women (P < .01), and men had significantly higher scores for structural lesions (P < .001). The subgroup of HLA-B27–positive patients showed a significantly higher percentage of sacroiliac involvement compared with HLA-B27–negative patients (P < .05).Conclusions:Spondyloarthritis is a systemic disorder predominantly involving the sacroiliac joints. However, the entire axial skeleton may be affected. In particular, HLA-B27–negative women show atypical manifestations without sacroiliac involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging in spondyloarthritis should cover the entire axial skeleton, ie, sacroiliac joints and the spine to meet the pathophysiology of this disorder and capture the true extent of inflammatory and structural lesions.

Pro: Should we correct vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in chronic kidney disease patients with inactive forms of vitamin D or just treat them with active vitamin D forms?

Evidence for the usefulness of using vitamin D to treat 'renal bone disease' is now nearly six decades old. In regular clinical practice, however, it is more like three decades, at most, that we have routinely been using vitamin D to try to prevent, or reverse, the impact of hyperparathyroidism on the skeleton of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The practice has been in the main to use high doses of synthetic vitamin D compounds, not naturally occurring ones. However, the pharmacological impacts of the different vitamin D species and of their different modes, and styles of administration cannot be assumed to be uniform across the spectrum. It is disappointingly true to say that even in 2016 there is a remarkable paucity of evidence concerning the clinical benefits of vitamin D supplementation to treat vitamin D insufficiency in patients with stage 3b-5 CKD. This is even more so if we consider the non-dialysis population. While there are a number of studies that report the impact of vitamin D supplementation on serum vitamin D concentrations (unsurprisingly, usually reporting an increase), and some variable evidence of parathyroid hormone concentration suppression, there has been much less focus on hard or semi-rigid clinical end point analysis (e.g. fractures, hospitalizationsand overall mortality). Now, in 2016, with the practice pattern changes of first widespread clinical use of vitamin D and second widespread supplementation of cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol by patients (alone, or as multivitamins), it is now, in my view, next to impossible to run a placebo-controlled trial over a decent period of time, especially one which involved clinically meaningful (fractures, hospitalisation, parathyroidectomy, death) end-points. In this challenging situation, we need to ask what it is we are trying to achieve here, and how best to balance potential benefits with potential harm.

Imaging Bone Metastases in Breast Cancer: Staging and Response Assessment.

Bone metastases are common in patients with advanced breast cancer. Given the significant associated morbidity, the introduction of new, effective systemic therapies, and the improvement in survival time, early detection and response assessment of skeletal metastases have become even more important. Although planar bone scanning has recognized limitations, in particular, poor specificity in staging and response assessment, it continues to be the main method in current clinical practice for staging of the skeleton in patients at risk of bone metastases. However, the accuracy of bone scanning can be improved with the addition of SPECT/CT. There have been reported improvements in sensitivity and specificity for staging of the skeleton with either bone-specific PET/CT tracers, such as (18)F-NaF, or tumor-specific tracers, such as (18)F-FDG, although these methods are less widely available and more costly. There is a paucity of data on the use of (18)F-NaF PET/CT for response assessment in breast cancer, but there is increasing evidence that (18)F-FDG PET/CT may improve on current methods in this regard. At the same time, interest and experience in using whole-body morphologic MRI augmented with diffusion-weighted imaging for both staging and response assessment in the skeleton have been increasing. However, data on comparisons of these methods with PET methods to determine the best technique for current clinical practice or for clinical trials are insufficient. There are early data supporting the use (18)F-FDG PET/MRI to assess malignant disease in the skeleton, with the possibility of taking advantage of the synergies offered by combining morphologic, physiologic, and metabolic imaging.

Periarticular Cysts of the Temporomandibular Joint Are More Frequently Synovial Than Ganglion

Differentiating between ganglion and synovial cysts by standard histology is difficult, leading to inaccurate statements on frequency for each of these periarticular lesions. The purpose of this study was to use immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis to 1) calculate the accuracy of the histologic diagnoses, 2) determine the frequency of ganglion and synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and 3) compare the frequency of these lesions in the TMJ compared with the extracranial skeleton in patients treated at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing treatment of TMJ cysts at MGH from 2001 through 2013. IHC analysis of tissue samples for each patient was completed and compared with the original histologic diagnoses. Categorical variables, including age, gender, and sidedness, were recorded. A natural language search of the MGH Department of Pathology database determined the frequency of extracranial periarticular cysts during the same period. Thirteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Eleven cysts were synovial and 2 were ganglion based on histology. IHC analysis identified 2 false-positive synovial cyst diagnoses, resulting in 100% sensitivity and 50% specificity for the original histologic assessment and a percentage error of 22%. Of the periarticular TMJ lesions, 69% were synovial cysts and 31% were ganglion cysts. The frequency of TMJ versus extracranial ganglion cysts was 0.24%, and the frequency of TMJ versus extracranial synovial cysts was 0.60% based on 3,176 extracranial cysts (1,506 synovial; 1,670 ganglion). This study represents the largest single-institution experience with periarticular cysts of the TMJ, and contrary to previous reports, TMJ cysts appear to be more frequently synovial than ganglion. IHC can be used to overcome the relatively poor specificity of histologic diagnosis of synovial cysts.

Paget's disease of bone: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline.

The aim of this guideline was to formulate practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Paget's disease of the bone. The guideline was developed by an Endocrine Society-appointed Task Force of experts, a methodologist, and a medical writer. This evidence-based guideline was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to describe both the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. One group meeting, several conference calls, and e-mail communications enabled consensus. Committees and members of The Endocrine Society and the European Society of Endocrinology reviewed and commented on preliminary drafts of these guidelines. Two systematic reviews were conducted to summarize supporting evidence. We recommend that plain radiographs be obtained of the pertinent regions of the skeleton in patients with suspected Paget's disease. If the diagnosis is confirmed, we suggest that a radionucleotide bone scan be done to determine the extent of the disease. After diagnosis of Paget's disease, we recommend measurement of serum total alkaline phosphatase or, when warranted, a more specific marker of bone formation or bone resorption to assess the response to treatment or evolution of the disease in untreated patients. We suggest treatment with a bisphosphonate for most patients with active Paget's disease who are at risk for future complications. We suggest a single 5-mg dose of iv zoledronate as the treatment of choice in patients who have no contraindication. In patients with monostotic disease who have a normal serum total alkaline phosphatase, we suggest that a specific marker of bone formation and bone resorption be measured, although these may still be normal. Serial radionuclide bone scans may determine the response to treatment if the markers are normal. We suggest that bisphosphonate treatment may be effective in preventing or slowing the progress of hearing loss and osteoarthritis in joints adjacent to Paget's disease and may reverse paraplegia associated with spinal Paget's disease. We suggest treatment with a bisphosphonate before surgery on pagetic bone.

An Analytical Approach to Investigate the Evolution of Bone Volume Fraction in Bone Remodeling Simulation at the Tissue and Cell Level

Simulation of bone remodeling at the bone cell level can predict changes in bone microarchitecture and density due to bone diseases and drug treatment. Their clinical application, however, is limited since bone microarchitecture can only be measured in the peripheral skeleton of patients and since the simulations are very time consuming. To overcome these issues, we have developed an analytical model to predict bone density adaptation at the organ level, in agreement with our earlier developed bone remodeling theory at the cellular level. Assuming a generalized geometrical model at the microlevel, the original theory was reformulated into an analytical equation that describes the evolution of bone density as a function of parameters that describe cell activity, mechanotransduction and mechanical loading. It was found that this analytical model can predict changes in bone density due to changes in these cell-level parameters that are in good agreement with those predicted by the earlier numerical model that implemented a detailed micro-finite element (FE) model to represent the bone architecture and loading, at only a fraction of the computational costs. The good agreement between analytical and numerical density evolutions indicates that the analytical model presented in this study can predict well bone functional adaptation and, eventually, provide an efficient tool for simulating patient-specific bone remodeling and for better prognosis of bone fracture risk.

Biomechanical Effects on Maxillary Protraction of the Craniofacial Skeleton With Cleft Lip and Palate After Alveolar Bone Graft

To explore the biomechanical effects of maxillary protraction on the craniofacial skeleton in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) after alveolar bone graft (ABG) and resorption of ABG, thus to provide theoretical basis for the clinical application of maxillary protraction, which can improve the facial deformity of the UCLP patients. A finite element model of a UCLP patient's skull was generated using data from spiral computed tomographic (CT) scans. Based on this finite element model, another 6 ABG finite element models were constructed to simulate ABG and resorption of ABG, respectively (nonresorption model, upper one-third resorption of the grafted bone model, upper two-thirds resorption of the grafted bone model, lower one-third resorption of the grafted bone model, lower two-thirds resorption of the grafted bone model, upper one-third and lower one-third resorption of the grafted bone model). Two additional models were developed to simulate maxillary protraction with expansion and maxillary protraction alone. All models were loaded with orthopedic force (30 degrees downward and forward to the occlusal plane, 500 g per side) on the region of alveolar of maxillary canine. Before ABG, the cleft side showed larger displacement than the noncleft side, when it came to the stress distribution in the craniofacial suture, it showed an asymmetric pattern as well. After ABG, the displacement difference between the cleft side and the noncleft side decreased, and the stress distribution in the craniofacial suture showed more symmetric than that before ABG. The pterygopalatine suture obtained the largest value, followed by zygomaticotemporal, zygomaticomaxillary, and zygomaticofrontal sutures among the observed sutures. Higher stresses and pronounced forward displacement were generated in the craniofacial sutures after maxillary protraction with expansion. Maxillary protraction after ABG performed a more favorable outcome. Among the ABG models, nonresorption model showed the best effect after loading maxillary protraction force, and resorption in the lower region of the grafted bone showed a better effect than resorption in the upper region of the grafted bone. Maxillary expansion could effectively facilitate the orthopedic of the maxillary protraction presumably.