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Biomedical subjects

P Cotty

Publications and source records attributed to P Cotty.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Importance of MRI in the diagnosis of meniscal ossicle. Apropos of 2 cases].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To determine the contribution of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of meniscal ossicle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cases of meniscal ossicle were evaluated by plain radiography and MR imaging. Sagittal and coronal T1-weighted (400/15), proton density and T2-weighted (2,000/20,80) sequences were performed with 0.5 T magnet. RESULTS: Plain radiography revealed a triangular ossified body in the postero-medial aspect of the knee joint. MR images demonstrated that these ossicles were located within the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. The signal of these ossicles was isointense with that of bone marrow in all sequences. CONCLUSION: MR findings allow the diagnosis of meniscal ossicle and help to differentiate it from osteochondral loose body.

Adult↗

Infectious discitis diagnostic contribution of laboratory tests and percutaneous discovertebral biopsy.

Clinical and laboratory findings in 120 patients with suspected discitis (loss of disk height and erosions of the vertebral endplates on plain radiographs) were reviewed and compared with percutaneous discovertebral biopsy results. Patients were categorized into three groups based on whether the symptoms developed after an invasive procedure (Group I), during septicemia (Group II), or spontaneously (Group III). Group II patients were more likely to have fever and had higher mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values. A pathogen was recovered in the biopsy specimen in 34%, 60.7%, and 43.5% of patients in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Specific histologic changes were seen in 49%, 42.8%, and 51.3% of cases, respectively. The combination of clinical, laboratory test, and biopsy findings established the diagnosis of pyogenic discitis in 74 cases (62.5%), tuberculous discitis in nine cases (7.5%), and degenerative pseudodiscitis in 37 cases (30%). Percutaneous biopsy had a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 94%. Percutaneous discovertebral biopsy is helpful for the diagnosis of infectious discitis and should be done whenever this condition is suspected.

Adult↗

[Automated percutaneous nucleotomy. Results in 50 patients].

Automated percutaneous discectomy was introduced by Onik et al. in 1985 for the treatment of lumbar disk herniation. Success rates have ranged from 42% to 86%. We evaluated efficacy and looked for factors with a bearing on outcome in a retrospective study of 50 patients. Patients who did not have subsequent surgery were evaluated at least six months after the procedure, using the criteria developed by Mac Nab and by Stauffer and Coventry. The procedure was successful in 31 patients (62%) and failed in 19 (38%). Thirteen patients with failed automated percutaneous discectomy required surgery. Severe disk degeneration was significantly predictive of treatment failure. Lumbar spinal stenosis was also associated with lower success rates. Two patients developed infectious discitis after the procedure. Automated percutaneous discectomy may be less satisfactory than nucleolysis. Further studies are needed to determine the role and efficacy of this method for the treatment of lumbar disk herniation.

Adolescent↗

[Denervation of the posterior lumbar vertebral apophyses by thermocoagulation in chronic low back pain. Results of the treatment of 103 patients].

The facet syndrome seems to be a common cause of low back pain. Percutaneous radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation, developed by Shealy, may be of therapeutic value in facet syndrome patients. This method consists in thermocoagulation of the middle branch of the dorsal primary ramus of the spinal nerve. The authors report their experience with this technique in a retrospective series of 103 patients with chronic low back pain ascribed to facet syndrome. Results were evaluated after 6 and 24 months using a questionnaire and the Stauffer and Coventry classification. Among the 86 patients who completed the questionnaire, 38.4% considered the treatment successful, whereas 61.6% considered that it had not been of benefit. According to the Stauffer and Coventry classification, there were 20.9% excellent results, 22.1% fair results, and 57% failures. Results were better in those patients with a negative history for surgical discectomy. Success rates reported in the literature vary widely, from 14% to 76%. Interpretation of these data is difficult since studies used a broad range of treatment techniques, evaluation methods, and patient selection criteria. A prospective study using stringent inclusion criteria and appropriate evaluation criteria taking quality of life into account is needed to determine the role of percutaneous facet denervation among other treatment options available to low back pain patients.

Adult↗

[Injection into the lumbar vertebrae in chronic low back pain. Results in 206 patients].

Facet syndrome is an apparently common although not readily identifiable cause of low back pain. To evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroid facet joint injection for the treatment of low back pain, we retrospectively studied 206 patients with low back pain ascribed to facet syndrome. Effectiveness was evaluated on the basis of a clinical score and of a questionnaire completed 10 to 34 months after treatment. Success rate was 53.9% according to the clinical score (23.3% excellent results and 30.6% average results) and 41.74% according to the questionnaire. Results were better in patients who were not gainfully employed and had a negative history for occupational injury and surgical discectomy. Success rates in earlier studies varied from 22% to 76% in the short term and from 8% to 62% in the long term. These broad ranges denote substantial variations in evaluation criteria and patient selection. Only two placebo-controlled trials have been performed. There is a need for a prospective study with strict inclusion criteria and appropriate evaluation criteria taking quality of life into account to determine the role of facet joint injection in low back pain.

Adult↗

MRI of cranial chordomas: the value of gadolinium.

Two intracranial chordomas are presented: a typical chordoma and a chondroid tumour. MRI with gadolinium showed different enhancement patterns, which may be related to pathological findings. The value of differentiating the two types of chordoma lies in their very different prognosis.

Adult↗

The temporomandibular joint in rheumatoid arthritis: correlations between clinical and tomographic features.

Clinical and radiological involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) varies greatly in the literature. Clinical and tomographic (sagittal plane) examination of the TMJ was performed in 26 patients with RA and 26 control subjects. Sixty-one per cent of the RA group had physical signs in the TMJ, compared with 42% in the control group (NS). Sixty-nine per cent of the RA group had erosive or cystic lesions of the TMJ compared with 31% of control subjects (P < 0.01). The clinical dysfunction score did not correlate with the tomographic TMJ score in patients with RA. It was found that a wide range of tomographic abnormalities occurs in patients with RA and in patients without the disease, and that there are no tomographic abnormalities specific for RA; however, the incidence of erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle are significantly higher in patients with RA (P < 0.01), and should suggest the diagnosis. It was also found that there is no correlation between the clinical and tomographic findings of the TMJ in RA, and that the intensity of destructive lesions of the TMJ on tomography in RA is well correlated to the severity of the disease (evaluated with clinical and laboratory features).

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

[Value of standard radiographies in the diagnosis of rotator cuff rupture].

To assess the value of the Leclercq maneuver (anteroposterior roentgenogram of the shoulder during resisted active abduction) for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear, the medical records of 93 patients evaluated by glenohumeral arthrography, standard radiographs, and radiographs taken using the Leclercq maneuver were retrospectively reviewed. The comparison of patients with (n = 53) and without (n = 40) arthrographic evidence of rotator cuff tear demonstrated statistically significant differences for mean acromiohumeral space difference between the normal and affected shoulders, for the acromiohumeral space difference between the standard film and Leclercq maneuver film, and for presence of an inferior glenohumeral diastasis on the Leclercq maneuver film. An acromiohumeral space of 7 mm or less on standard radiographs proved a specific (0.975) but insensitive (0.24) sign of rotator cuff tear. This parameter measured on the Leclercq maneuver film exhibited better sensitivity (0.62) and excellent specificity. Other criteria with good specificity for rotator cuff tear included an acromiohumeral space difference between the normal and abnormal side of 2 mm or more (0.97), an acromiohumeral space difference between standard and Leclercq maneuver films of at least 4 mm, and existence of an inferior glenohumeral diastasis; however, sensitivities of these three parameters were poor (respectively 0.65; 0.20; and 0.19).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arthrography↗

Discitis after lumbar disc surgery. Features of "aseptic" and "septic" forms.

Two major types of postoperative discitis have been previously described: septic discitis and "avascular" or "chemical" discitis. Percutaneous discal biopsy is an important way of distinguishing these entities. In a retrospective study of 25 cases of postoperative discitis, three groups have been analyzed with bacteriologic and histologic tests: a group of nine patients (group A) with positive discal bacteriologic cultures; a group of eight patients (group B) with typical septic histologic tests but negative bacteriologic discal procedures; and a group of eight patients (group C) in whom the histologic picture was reminiscent of a mechanical process. No group was unique in any clinical and radiologic parameter. Group A and group B were quite similar in biological features, but group C had erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein serum levels significantly lower than groups A and B (P less than 0.01). After 4 weeks, these differences were still present. This study confirms that there are two main features of postoperative discitis that can be recognized by histologic and biological tests, allowing for different treatments.

Biopsy↗

Direct coronal computed tomography of the temporomandibular joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Direct coronal computed tomography (CT) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was performed in 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 26 control subjects. Erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle had a significantly higher frequency in the RA group than in the control group (p < 0.05) but there was no significant difference in the incidence of other abnormalities. Bone changes were bilateral in RA. A wide range of CT abnormalities was present in patients with RA and in the control group. There are no CT abnormalities specific for RA, but the incidence of erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle was significantly higher in the RA group and should suggest the diagnosis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

[Long-term results of chymopapain chemonucleolysis].

Results of chemonucleolysis were evaluated (on the basis of residual pain, occupational activities, physical activities, and use of analgesics) in 125 of 162 consecutive patients with lower back pain and sciatica associated with documented vertebral disc protrusion who were managed and followed up for at least five years. Results were satisfactory in 62% of patients. Among 82 patients evaluated during a follow-up visit, 30% were free of symptoms, 38% had lower back pain, and 30% had radicular pain; however, among symptomatic patients, 67% had no limitations of activities of daily living. Results were significantly less favorable in power drill workers and in patients who had chemonucleolysis at the L4-L5 level. These data are evidence that chemonucleolysis provides good long-term results.

Adult↗

[Temporomandibular joint and rheumatoid polyarthritis. Correlations between clinical and tomodensitometric abnormalities].

Clinical and CT scan abnormalities of the temporomandibular joint in rheumatoid arthritis have been little studied in the literature. The temporomandibular joint was examined clinically and by CT scan in 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 26 controls. In the rheumatoid arthritis group, 61.2% of patients had physical signs of temporomandibular disease as compared with 42.3% of the controls. 88.4% of rheumatoid arthritis had erosive or geodic lesions of the temporomandibular joint by CT scan as compared with 57.6% of the controls (p less than 0.05). The temporomandibular clinical score was not correlated with CT scan score in rheumatoid arthritis. CT scan score was correlated with the number of basic drugs used, rheumatoid factor levels and radiological scores of the hands and cervical spine. The authors feel that the only CT scan abnormalities specific to rheumatoid arthritis consist of erosive and geodic lesions of the mandibular condyle, that there is no correlation between clinical and CT scan abnormalities of the temporomandibular joint in rheumatoid arthritis and that the extent of destructive lesions of the temporomandibular joint by CT scan in rheumatoid arthritis is closely correlated with the severity of the disease.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

[Temporomandibular joint and rheumatoid polyarthritis. X-ray computed tomographic aspects].

Direct coronal computed tomography (CT) examination of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was performed in 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 26 control subjects. Changes in condylar shape, erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle and condylar head resorption were more frequent among the RA group than the control group. Only the erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle had a significantly higher frequency in the RA group than in the control group (p less than 0.05). Bone changes were bilateral in RA. Coronal view of the CT examination allow a clear visualization of the osseous elements of the TMJ but a control group is absolutely necessary to affirm with certainty the rheumatoid origin of the bone changes. The erosions and cysts of the mandibular condyle and their bilateral nature are the most specific features of RA on TMJ.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗