Advances in whole body MRI for musculoskeletal imaging: Diffusion-weighted imaging

Recent advances in imaging technology have enabled the acquisition of anatomical and functional imaging from head to toe in a reasonably short scan time. Accordingly, whole body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (WB-DWI) have gained recent attention for the management of musculoskeletal problems such as bone tumors and rheumatologic diseases. WB-MRI is especially useful in diagnosing systemic or widespread disease requiring whole body evaluation, such as bone metastases, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, neurofibromatosis, and spondyloarthropathies. Among WB-MRI sequences, the WB-DWI technique greatly increases the value of WB-MRI in the evaluation of disease extent and characterization as well as treatment monitoring. In support of the utilization of WB-MRI and WB-DWI in orthopedic clinics for various musculoskeletal diseases, we provide an overview of the technical aspects of WB-MRI and WB-DWI and their clinical applications in musculoskeletal tumors and rheumatic diseases.     

Ultrasound imaging in musculoskeletal injuries-What the Orthopaedic surgeon needs to know

Patients with musculoskeletal complaints have either been ignored or advised investigations far beyond their means or comfort. Focusing attention only on spine and head restricted the evaluation in cases of trauma and were followed up only if the injuries were life threatening. In the same vein, the extremities often got overlooked or at best were evaluated only by plain radiographs. Soft tissue injuries were therefore often missed and not only raised the morbidity in the patient but also dissatisfaction towards the treating physician. Recent exponential improvement in medical ultrasound technology has revolutionised the field of musculoskeletal imaging. Cutting-edge technology using state-of-the-art machines and high-frequency transducers have placed it in a stronger position as compared to in the past in many aspects of musculoskeletal imaging. Also, with better techniques and understanding of the modality, under given set of circumstances MSK ultrasound has far reaching results allowing for detailed evaluation of soft tissues including nerves, ligaments and tendons.     

Osteoarticular manifestations of human brucellosis:A review

Brucellosis is a common global zoonotic disease, which is responsible for a range of clinical manifestations. Fever, sweating and musculoskeletal pains are observed in most patients. The most frequent complication of brucellosis is osteoarticular involvement, with 10% to 85% of patients affected. The sacroiliac(up to 80%) and spinal joints(up to 54%) are the most common affected sites.Spondylitis and spondylodiscitis are the most frequent complications of brucellar spinal involvement. Peripheral arthritis, osteomyelitis, discitis, bursitis and tenosynovitis are other osteoarticular manifestations, but with a lower prevalence. Spinal brucellosis has two forms: focal and diffuse. Epidural abscess is a rare complication of spinal brucellosis but can lead to permanent neurological deficits or even death if not treated promptly. Spondylodiscitis is the most severe form of osteoarticular involvement by brucellosis, and can have single-or multifocal involvement. Early and appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the disease is important in order to have a successful management of the patients with osteoarticular brucellosis. Brucellosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for sciatic and back pain, especially in endemic regions. Patients with septic arthritis living in endemic areas also need to be evaluated in terms of brucellosis. Physical examination, laboratory tests and imaging techniques are needed to diagnose the disease. Radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and bone scintigraphy are imaging techniques for the diagnosis of osteoarticular brucellosis. MRI is helpful to differentiate between pyogenic spondylitis and brucellar spondylitis. Drug medications(antibiotics)and surgery are the only two options for the treatment and cure of osteoarticular brucellosis.     

不同中医证候类风湿关节炎患者28关节肌肉骨骼超声表现差异分析

背景　既往研究表明,不同中医证候类风湿关节炎（RA）患者实验室检查、影像学检查等临床指标具有一定的差异,同时临床指标能够为中医辨证提供依据。而探究不同中医证候RA患者28关节肌肉骨骼超声表现的差异,可为客观化RA的辨证论治提供依据。目的　分析不同中医证候RA患者28关节肌肉骨骼超声表现差异,为进一步将肌肉骨骼超声纳入RA中医辨证体系提供依据。方法　选取2017年4月-2018年4月在中日友好医院中医风湿病科住院及于门诊就诊的RA患者120例为研究对象。参照《中药新药临床研究指导原则》将患者分为湿热痹阻证、肝肾亏虚证、寒湿痹阻证、痰瘀痹阻证4大临床常见证候类型。收集患者性别、年龄、病程、C反应蛋白（CRP）、红细胞沉降率（ESR）、抗环瓜氨酸多肽抗体（ACPA）、类风湿因子（RF）〔由于ACPA与RF是呈指数级进行增加的,为处理数据方便本研究使用ln（ACPA+1）及ln（RF+1）进行数据统计〕,记录28关节压痛关节数目（TJC28）、28关节肿胀关节数目（SJC28）及一般情况（GH）自我评估得分,计算28关节疾病活动度（DAS28）。对患者行28关节肌肉骨骼超声检查,记录其滑膜炎关节数、滑膜炎积分、多普勒血流信号（PD）关节数、PD积分、骨侵蚀关节数。结果　120例患者中医证候辨证分型：湿热痹阻证42例、肝肾亏虚证32例、寒湿痹阻证25例、痰瘀痹阻证21例。肝肾亏虚证患者病程长于湿热痹阻证、痰瘀痹阻证患者（P<0.05）;肝肾亏虚证、寒湿痹阻证、痰瘀痹阻证患者CRP、ESR、ln（RF+1）、SJC28、GH自我评估得分、DAS28低于湿热痹阻证患者（P<0.05）;寒湿痹阻证、痰瘀痹阻证患者TJC28低于湿热痹阻证患者（P<0.05）。湿热痹阻证、肝肾亏虚证患者滑膜炎关节数、滑膜炎积分大于寒湿痹阻证、痰瘀痹阻证患者（P<0.05）;湿热痹阻证患者PD关节数、PD积分大于肝肾亏虚证、寒湿痹阻证、痰瘀痹阻证患者（P<0.05）;湿热痹阻证患者骨侵蚀关节数小于肝肾亏虚证患者,大于寒湿痹阻证患者（P<0.05）;肝肾亏虚证患者骨侵蚀关节数大于寒湿痹阻证、痰瘀痹阻证患者（P<0.05）。结论　RA的临床指标与中医证候具有密切关联,其中湿热痹阻证患者处于较高的疾病活动状态。同时中医证候与RA患者28关节肌肉骨骼超声下表现亦有一定的关联,湿热痹阻证与滑膜炎及PD密切相关,而肝肾亏虚证伴随着较多的骨侵蚀关节数。     

三维平衡正脊手法配合针灸治疗腰椎间盘突出症临床研究

目的 :观察三维平衡正脊手法配合针灸治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效及患者血清白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)水平的变化。方法:将确诊患者73例随机分组,治疗组37例给予三维平衡正脊手法配合针灸治疗,对照组36例给予单纯针灸治疗。治疗1个月后观察疗效,对两组治疗前后疼痛等症状变化进行量化评分,包括视觉疼痛量表(VAS)及下腰痛日本骨科学会(JOA)量表评分,并用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测血清IL-6及CGRP的表达情况。结果:治疗组总有效率94.59%优于对照组77.78%(P0.05);两组治疗后VAS值均较治疗前明显降低(P0.05),且治疗组优于对照组(P0.05);两组治疗后JOA值均明显高于治疗前(P0.05),且治疗组优于对照组(P0.05);两组患者治疗前血清IL-6及CGRP水平均明显高于健康组,两组治疗后均较治疗前明显降低(P0.05),且治疗组两项指标的改善较对照组更显著(P0.05)。结论:三维平衡正脊手法配合针灸治疗腰椎间盘突出症,通过调节炎症介质IL-6及CGRP的表达,能够有效改善患者的疼痛症状及腰部功能。     

Assessing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among otolaryngology residents

Purpose

Previous studies have suggested that musculoskeletal symptoms are common among practicing otolaryngologists. Early training can be the ideal time to foster knowledge of ergonomics and develop safe work habits, however, little data exists regarding musculoskeletal symptoms in residents. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize musculoskeletal symptoms in a preliminary sample of otolaryngology residents.

Can individual health differences be explained by workplace characteristics?-A multilevel analysis

Research on work-related health has mainly focused on individual factors. The present study expands the focus by exploring the role of organizational characteristics of workplaces for different individual health outcomes. The aim of the study was to look at differences in relative effect of workplace variations on five health outcomes, and to explain those differences in health outcomes by organizational characteristics. The sample encompassed 90 workplaces in Sweden and about 4300 individuals employed within these workplaces. Measurement of the workplace characteristics was carried out independently of the measurement of the individual's working conditions and health. Organizational data were collected by interviews with local managers at participating workplaces, and individual data were obtained by means of a survey of the employees. The results showed that a significant proportion of the variance in sickness absence, work ability, general health, and musculoskeletal disorders was attributed to the workplace. Of eight tested organizational characteristics, customer adaptation, lean production, and performance control could explain some of this workplace variance. The results also showed that only one organizational effect remained significant when controlled for the individual confounder of age and gender. High customer adaptation is associated with higher sickness absence. This association is not mediated via differences in mental and physical job strain.     

Cervical spine mobilisation forces applied by physiotherapy students

Objectives

Postero-anterior (PA) mobilisation is commonly used in cervical spine treatment and included in physiotherapy curricula. The manual forces that students apply while learning cervical mobilisation are not known. Quantifying these forces informs the development of strategies for learning to apply cervical mobilisation effectively and safely. This study describes the mechanical properties of cervical PA mobilisation techniques applied by students, and investigates factors associated with force application.

Participants

Physiotherapy students (n = 120) mobilised one of 32 asymptomatic subjects.

Methods

Students applied Grades I to IV central and unilateral PA mobilisation to C2 and C7 of one asymptomatic subject. Manual forces were measured in three directions using an instrumented treatment table. Spinal stiffness of mobilised subjects was measured at C2 and C7 using a device that applied a standard oscillating force while measuring this force and its concurrent displacement. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences between techniques and grades, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to calculate the inter- and intrastudent repeatability of forces, and linear regression was used to determine the associations between applied forces and characteristics of students and mobilised subjects.

Results

Mobilisation forces increased from Grades I to IV (highest mean peak force, Grade IV C7 central PA technique: 63.7 N). Interstudent reliability was poor [ICC(2,1) = 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14 to 0.43], but intrastudent repeatability of forces was somewhat better (0.83, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.86). Higher applied force was associated with greater C7 stiffness, increased frequency of thumb pain, male gender of the student or mobilised subject, and a student being earlier in their learning process. Lower forces were associated with greater C2 stiffness.

Conclusion

This study describes the cervical mobilisation forces applied by students, and the characteristics of the student and mobilised subject associated with these forces. These results form a basis for the development of strategies to provide objective feedback to students learning to apply cervical mobilisation.     

激光优化金属托槽与普通金属托槽剪切强度比较的研究

目的 通过粘结强度实验比较新型的激光优化底板金属托槽和国产燕尾金属托槽的剪切粘结强度。方法 90颗因正畸需要而拔除的人类前磨牙,按照2种托槽(激光优化底板金属托槽和国产燕尾底板金属托槽)和3种储存条件(室温蒸馏水中、37℃人工唾液中、人工唾液冷热循环实验)随机均分为6组,在一定的压力下粘结托槽,并用外力使托槽与牙面分离后,测定并记录剪切粘结强度和牙釉质表面粘结剂残留指数(ARI)。结果 方差分析显示2种托槽剪切粘结强度有显著性差异(P<0.01)。结论 激光优化底板金属托槽剪切粘结强度大于国产燕尾托槽,去除托槽后牙面粘结剂残留少。