PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

W R Reinus

Publications and source records attributed to W R Reinus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Plain radiographic predictors of survival in treated Ewing's sarcoma. IESS Committee.

We analyzed 16 radiographic features of primary Ewing's sarcoma in 342 patients from the IESS 7299 (Intergroup Ewing's Sarcoma Study) for prognostic significance. Of these, 3 features demonstrated a statistically significant relationship to survival: maximal tumor dimension, tumor location, and an appearance of honey-combing within the lesion. Those individuals with primary lesions centered in the pelvis, femur, or humerus had a worse survival rate than those with lesions centered elsewhere. Similarly, we observed an inverse relationship between the greatest dimension of the osseous portion of the lesion and survival. The radiographic finding of honeycombing also showed a statistical association with improved survival. However, this feature was observed infrequently, and its significance should be assessed further. Otherwise, no other feature that we analyzed showed any relationship to patient prognosis.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

Ultrasound evaluation of the common duct in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

We studied common duct (CD) diameter using real time ultrasound in 551 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: those referred for evaluation of the biliary tree [biliary-referred group (BRG)], and those referred for a problem unrelated to potential biliary tree pathology [non-biliary-referred group (NBRG)]. Potentially obstructed CDs were excluded from analysis. The CD diameter in the NBRG patients was found to increase after cholecystectomy (p less than 0.0003), but not in patients in this group with intact gallbladders and cholelithiasis. Dilation was observed in the BRG patients with either cholelithiasis (p less than 6 x 10(-7)) or cholecystectomy (p less than 4 x 10(-10)) compared to patients with intact gallbladders without cholelithiasis. To our knowledge, the former phenomenon has not been described in the literature. Our NBRG data suggest that the normal CD diameter should be set at 5 mm and 8 mm, respectively, for patients with intact gallbladders and patients post-cholecystectomy. No correlation was found between duct size and sex, age, or weight.

Adolescent

Arthrography after total hip arthroplasty: utility of postambulation radiographs.

We compare pre- and postambulation arthrograms in 24 patients with total hip arthroplasty. In nearly half (42%) of these cases, the arthrographic evidence of a loosened prosthesis was more obvious after ambulation. Three patients (12.5%) had components which were normal by arthrographic criteria before walking, but were abnormal afterwards. We conclude that postambulation radiographs are valuable in patients who are examined for suspected loosening of prosthetic components.

Adult

Arthrographic surface anatomy of the carpal triangular fibrocartilage complex.

In a review of 364 radiocarpal and 123 distal radioulnar joint arthrograms we identified 44 (12%) patients with contrast defects at either the proximal or distal surface of the carpal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Differences in their arthrographic characteristics distinguished two separate groups of patients; one with similar and another with dissimilar appearing TFCC surface contrast collections. Thirty-one of our 44 patients had similar appearing, isolated radial-sided collections at either the proximal or distal TFCC surfaces. Our arthrographic, demographic, and historical study of these patients suggests that the collections are not caused by traumatic partial TFCC tears but represent a normal anatomic variant, probably a synovial recess at the radial TFCC attachment. Arthrography and dissection of a limited number of cadaveric specimens confirmed this conclusion. The second group included the remaining 13 patients. This group had contrast collections at either the proximal or distal TFCC surface, which varied in location and appearance. This smaller group is more likely to represent those uncommon patients with partial TFCC defects caused by tears.

Adolescent

In vivo analysis of single, pre- and postprocessing quantitative CT techniques.

Measurements of bone mineral using single and dual-energy quantitative computed tomography (CT) are examined in vivo in 108 vertebral bodies scanned on a Siemens DRH scanner. Pre and postprocessing dual-energy techniques are compared. In the range of clinically useful kilovoltage, the choice of beam energy does not make a significant difference to the single-energy bone mineral measurement. Postprocessing dual-energy measurement in vivo shows a statistically significant decrease in the amount of mineral measured compared to single-energy measurements, whereas the preprocessing measurement shows a significant increase.

Adult

Primary Ewing's sarcoma involving the bones of the head and neck.

Ewing's sarcoma is a rare tumor of the bone. In the Intergroup Ewing's Sarcoma Study (IESS) approximately 4% of the primary bone tumors arose in the bones of the head and neck. The mean age of patients was 10.9 years; boys slightly dominated the group. Signs and symptoms were local in distribution, with a mass or swelling most frequent. As in other sites, we categorized the dominant histologic pattern as diffuse or filigree, the latter carrying a more unfavorable prognosis. The radiographic appearance may be atypical as compared to Ewing's sarcoma at other sites. Prognosis of head and neck Ewing's is significantly better than Ewing's sarcoma overall. The gnathic bones were commonly affected, yet there was no associated mortality. No patient with primary disease in the bones of the head and neck who survived for 5 years on any of the IESS protocols has subsequently died.

Adolescent

Arthrographic evaluation of the carpal triangular fibrocartilage complex.

One hundred sixty-two patients had analyses for correlation of triangular fibrocartilage abnormalities (TFCC), with duration and location of pain and other possible associated radiographic, scintigraphic, and arthrographic abnormalities. Results indicated that TFCC perforations did not correlate with any pain complex or other associated radiographic, arthrographic, or scintigraphic abnormality. No association with carpal instability or with ulnar variance could be identified. No definition between perforations that were posttraumatic and those that were the results of a degenerative process could be made. Several small defects on both the proximal and distal surfaces of the TFCC were identified. They do not appear to have been reported previously in the literature. Their significance is discussed.

Adult

Posteroanterior wrist radiography: importance of arm positioning.

Proper interpretation of wrist radiography requires a standardized radiographic technique. We obtained posteroanterior (PA) radiographs of the wrist in nine patients in three different arm positions to study the effect of arm position on ulnar styloid process orientation. An appearance simulating a normal anteroposterior (AP) wrist radiograph was present in six of nine PA radiographs when the arm was positioned next to the trunk, and the elbow was flexed to a 90% angle. The orientation of the ulnar styloid was not helpful in differentiating either pronated from supinated wrist positions or AP from PA projections. We concluded that radiographic screening of the carpus should be performed with standardized wrist positioning and nomenclature as described in modern radiographic technological texts. Supplemental projections should be exposed and interpreted with an understanding of the position of the arm and the direction of the incident radiographic beam at the time of examination.

Arm

Two postprocessing CT techniques for determining the composition of trabecular bone.

Two dual-energy CT techniques have been developed to analyze the mineral and fat content of trabecular bone. Both are postprocessing techniques that employ calibration standards. Experiments were performed to test these techniques against conventional single-energy techniques and two other dual-energy techniques. As expected, all of the dual-energy methods estimate the mineral content more accurately when fat is present. In contrast to the other dual-energy methods, the new methods described in this article are unique because they make a separate estimate of the fat content of the bone. The results of preliminary tests of these techniques in estimating fat content have been encouraging. Although not exact, the estimates show the correct trend in increasing proportionately as the fat content increases. Possible applications of the techniques in the study of osteoporosis and other bone diseases are described.

Adipose Tissue

Improved accuracy of single-energy computed tomography bone mineral determination using threshold analysis.

Single-energy CT for bone-mineral determination underestimates the degree of mineralization because of error caused by fat in the marrow space. A correction using set theory and threshold analysis was developed to reduce this error. Corrections between 4.7% and 130.9% of fat-induced error are observed. The amount of correction is related directly to the amount of osteopenia present, and is patient specific. This technique may be appropriate for clinical evaluation because the major application of quantitative CT (QCT) is for bone mineral analysis in a population with increasing marrow space fat over time. This technique may allow reduction of the uncertainty of normal data developed using single energy QCT, thereby making the technique more sensitive to early detection of osteopenia.

Adipose Tissue

Fluoroscopic identification of torn intercarpal ligaments after injection of contrast material.

Wrist arthrography is often used to evaluate the integrity of the scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligaments. This may be difficult when the ligaments are obscured by contrast material in standard radiographic projections, despite filming under fluoroscopic observation during the injection of contrast material. When superimposition occurs, we recommend fluoroscopic positioning of the wrist to optimally visualize the individual ligaments in profile. We applied this technique in performing 240 wrist arthrograms, 88 (37%) of which had scapholunate and/or lunotriquetral ligament tears. As a result, a definite diagnosis of the specific site of ligamentous disruption was possible in all but one case. Using this technique, we also identified six short-segment or "pinhole" ligamentous tears. Identification of commonly interrupted ligaments in profile by using fluoroscopy after contrast material has been injected may allow identification of specific ligamentous disruptions or short-segment tears, as well as a diagnosis of a specific anatomic abnormality that otherwise would not be possible.

Arthrography

Tenography in unresolved ankle tenosynovitis.

Tenosynovitis can be a source of prolonged ankle pain and disability. Based on a review of the literature and past clinical experience at our institution, early establishment of the correct diagnosis enabling definitive treatment may be difficult. We describe six patients with tenosynovitis of tendons about the ankle, the value of tenography in staging the severity of their disease, and its value in choosing appropriate definitive therapy.

Adolescent

Carpal avascular necrosis: MR imaging.

The authors evaluated the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in diagnosis of avascular necrosis (AVN) of carpal bones by examining 21 patients with wrist pain and two healthy volunteers. MR images were compared with conventional radiographs in every case and with bone scintigrams in 18 cases. MR imaging was slightly less sensitive than bone scintigraphy in depicting AVN, but in patients who were imaged with long repetition time (TR)/long echo time (TE) sequences in addition to short TR/short TE sequences, MR imaging was found to be more specific. While the authors believe that bone scintigraphy remains the screening test of choice for patients with wrist pain and normal plain radiographs, MR imaging promises to add significant diagnostic information in cases in which bone scans are abnormal.

Adult

Duplication of the inferior vena cava in thromboembolic disease.

Recurrent pulmonary embolism from the lower extremities or pelvis, despite anticoagulation, often requires interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC). We report two patients in whom interruption of the IVC failed to ameliorate symptoms. Both patients demonstrated a previously unrecognized duplication of the IVC. We stress the importance of excluding abdominal venous anomalies prior to interrupting the IVC using surgical or percutaneous methods.

Aged

Pitfalls of rotator cuff sonography.

Experience with rotator cuff sonography in 106 patients was analyzed to identify the causes of scan misinterpretation. Possible interpretive errors may be classified into four categories: those from failure to recognize normal anatomy, those caused by soft-tissue abnormalities, those caused by bony abnormalities, and those caused by technical limitations of the study. Errors in recognition of normal anatomy are easily overcome by experience and comparison to the normal, contralateral rotator cuff. Errors resulting from soft-tissue abnormalities were seen in two patients with calcific tendinitis simulating rotator cuff tears. Problems in interpretation resulting from fractures in two patients and inferior glenohumeral subluxation in two other patients could have been avoided by review of the plain films before performing sonography. The major technical limitation of the study arises from the inability to image the rotator cuff beneath the acromion. Fortunately, rotator cuff tears are rarely isolated in this location, and passive maneuvers often allow otherwise hidden parts of the cuff to be imaged.

Adolescent

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon.

Ultrasonography of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon was investigated in 106 patients who had been referred for arthrography of the shoulder. Both the sensitivity and the specificity of ultrasound in detecting a tear of the rotator cuff were 91 per cent. The predictive value of a negative sonogram was 95 per cent and the predictive value of a positive sonogram was 84 per cent. Ultrasonography proved to be superior to arthrography in the examination of the normal and abnormal biceps tendon. Sonographically detectable effusions from the tendon sheath of the biceps were present in 19 per cent of this population of patients. This finding was statistically highly associated (90 per cent) with rotator cuff tears and other soft-tissue abnormalities of the shoulder. Based on these results, it appears that ultrasonography can be used as the initial imaging test for many patients with suspected abnormalities of the rotator cuff or biceps tendon.

Adolescent