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Purpose: Vertebral augmentation procedures such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are utilized in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). However, their capacity for providing analgesia, reducing disability, and improving quality of life in patients with osteoporotic VCFs remains a topic of debate. The objective of this narrative review is to summarize the latest evidence for the safety and efficacy of vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Cochrane electronic databases for systematic reviews, review articles, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials prior to May 2017. The keywords were “vertebroplasty,” “kyphoplasty,” and “vertebral augmentation.”Results: Thirty-three papers (7 systematic reviews, 6 cohort studies, 15 randomized clinical trials, and 5 international guidelines) were included in this narrative review.Conclusion: Vertebral augmentation is a safe procedure, with low rates of serious complications and no increase in subsequent post-treatment fracture risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thoracolumbar junction and lumbosacral segment are the portions of the spinal column most prone to acute traumatic fractures. Multiple classifications and injury severity score systems have been published to standardize the management of patients, establishing stable/unstable and surgical/nonsurgical fractures. In the past, patients could be treated only by surgical stabilization or conservative methods. The latter implied bed rest, long immobilization periods, prolonged drugs therapies, and, at worst, the evolution of kyphosis. Percutaneous mini-invasive treatments have been developed to improve the quality of life of patients affected by stable fractures, by rapidly recovering mobility and preventing deformity of the spinal column. These approaches, based on assisted techniques, imply the placement of different types of expandable bone implant systems. We discuss the treatment of vertebral fractures, focusing on percutaneous procedures and analyzing indications, contraindications, and outcomes of patients affected by vertebral nonosteoporotic/nonneoplastic but traumatic fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radicular lumbar back pain is an important public health problem not yet benefiting from a unequivocal treatment approach. Medical and physical therapies represent the first solution; however, when these fail, the second therapeutic step is still controversial and mini-invasive treatments may play an important role. In these cases oxygen–ozone therapy has been proved to be a very safe and effective option that is widely used with different modalities. This paper, by reviewing oxygen–ozone therapy literature data, aims to describe the rationale of oxygen–ozone therapy for the treatment of lumbar disk herniations, propose an effective procedural technique and clarify patient selection criteria; furthermore, complications and follow-up management are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to determine changes in size of lumbar spinal canal and related articular structures, during dynamic MR scans acquired in symptomatic patients standing upright using a new open MR system. Methods: Forty patients (mean age 58.4 years) affected by lumbar back pain associated with claudication, referring symptoms since more than 6 months. No one underwent to previous spine surgery. MR scans were performed with a novel open 0.5-T scanner, patient supine and upright (90°). Lumbar lordotic angle, flavum ligament thickness, herniated discs, spinal canal area, spinal canal and dural sac antero-posterior diameters, and spinal alignment were measured and compared in both supine and upright positions. Mean scanning time was 43 min. Results: All the considered parameters showed a statistically significant difference, except for lumbar lordotic angle. Mean percentage differences moving from supine to upright were +3.9 % for lumbar lordotic angle, +15 % for flavum ligament thickness, +16.2 % for sagittal disc bulge, −10.8 % for dural sac diameter, −13.1 % for spinal canal diameter, and −15.8 % for spinal canal area. In supine position, no patient presented with spondylolisthesis; moving to upright position, four patients showed spondylolisthesis (grade I). Conclusion: Dynamic MR is a valuable diagnostic exam to analyze the structures involved in lumbar back pain due to spinal canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis; in supine position, relevant factors can be underestimated or hidden, becoming appreciable only patient standing upright. In this series, flavum ligament thickening presented a role comparable to disc bulge for narrowing of lumbar spinal canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertebral cementoplasty is a well-known mini-invasive treatment to obtain pain relief in patients affected by vertebral porotic fractures, primary or secondary spine lesions and spine trauma through intrametameric cement injection. Two major categories of treatment are included within the term vertebral cementoplasty: the first is vertebroplasty in which a simple cement injection in the vertebral body is performed; the second is assisted technique in which a device is positioned inside the metamer before the cement injection to restore vertebral height and allow a better cement distribution, reducing the kyphotic deformity of the spine, trying to obtain an almost normal spine biomechanics. We will describe the most advanced techniques and indications of vertebral cementoplasty, having recently expanded the field of applications to not only patients with porotic fractures but also spine tumours and trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The primary objective of this pilot study was to compare pain and function scores from patients before and after an ozone injection in combination with steroids and bupivacaine to treat herniated discs. A secondary objective was to correct some of the methodological weaknesses of some previously published ozone studies. Methods Fifty patients were enrolled; 1-3 mL of 2 wt% ozone in 98 wt% oxygen was delivered into the nucleus pulposus, and 7-9 mL into the adjacent paravertebral tissues. The oxygen/ozone treatment was followed by a periganglionic injection of corticosteroid and bupivacaine. All patients were evaluated 1 month after the treatment to quantify improvement in pain and function, and to monitor for potential adverse events. Results Forty-four patients had intradiscal injections and were included in the analysis. After 1 treatment, 75.0% showed significant improvement in pain based on the visual analog scale (improvement >1.8), 72.7% showed significant improvement in function based on the Oswestry disability index (improvement >15%), and 79.5% showed improvement based on the modified MacNab criteria. There were no adverse events associated with the treatment. Conclusions Patients showed significant improvement in pain and function after receiving ozone injections in combination with steroids and bupivacaine for the treatment of herniated discs. Because of the lack of a control group and short follow-up times, conclusions about the safety and efficacy of ozone injections for the treatment of herniated discs are not warranted. However, the results provide sufficient evidence that the risk and expense of an additional randomized controlled study is merited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Any surgical approach modifies the normal anatomical and functional arrangement of the segmental spine which is aimed, therefore image interpretation cannot ignore a correct set of knowledge in the field of anatomy, pathophysiology, drug compliance, interventional radiology and surgery. Neuroradiological imaging has an important role before surgery to direct the surgeon or interventional radiologist during the operation, both in post-surgery, where imaging examination can rightly evaluate properties and effects of the treatment and can detect potential complications as infections, abscess, bleeding, exuberant scar, mobilization and rupture of devices. The available methods of imaging are the X-rays (XR) made at least in two projections, Computed Tomography (CT) with MPR (multiplanar) and VR (volume rendering) reconstruction, and Magnetic Resonance (MR), often performed before and after contrast media injection. Imaging assessment of spine after surgery is complex and depends upon several factors, including surgical procedures and disease for which it was performed; biomechanical of the underlying cortical and cancellous bone findings; conditions of muscles, intervertebral disk and ligaments; time since surgery procedures; duration and nature of the post-surgical syndrome. Depending upon several factors, one or a combination of complementary imaging modalities (X-rays, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance) may be required to evaluate effectiveness of the treatment; to demonstrate any clinically relevant abnormality at the treated region and adjacent structures (complications such as inflammation, abscesses, bleeding and misplacement of the device); to assist the interventional radiologist or surgeon in deciding if is necessary intervene again, in which nature and in which vertebral level(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a thunderstorm for all the world not ready from all the points of view to manage the sudden diffusion of this virus and to give the correct answer to the incredible number of patients affected by the disease. All the intensive care units (ICUs) were full and there were not enough beds for all the patients with dramatic consequences. [Extracted from the article]

The interventional procedures for disk herniation and protrusion by percutaneous techniques are decompressive such as chemodiscolysis with chimopapain, nucleo-discectomy introduced by Onik, LASER discectomy, and recently nucleoplasty, and decompressive and direct antinflammatory such as chemiodiscolysis with an Oxygen-ozone mixture.These techniques have minimized the invasive nature of surgery and avoid or decrease complications like infection linked to surgery.Reducing intervertebral disc size by mechanical aspiration of a part of the disc or partially dissolving the herniation by drying reduces the conic pressure on the torn annulus and creates the space necessary for retropulsion whenever the circular fibres of the annulus regain a minimum capacity to contain the disc under tension. The proposed suggestion in these techniques is that a small change in volume produces large change in pressure.The success rates reported in different studies vary from 65 to 80% of excellent or good results with chemonucleolysis and aspiration.Vertebroplasty (VP) is done by percutaneous injection of acrylic cement (polymethylmetacrylate-PMMA) into the vertebrae under fluoroscopic and/or CT control to achieve an antalgic effect and stabilize the vertebral body.VP has been used for vertebral collapses caused by osteoporosis, long-term steroid treatment, aggressive symptomatic angiomas and lytic metastasis.The reported figures in literature are 80–95% of pain relief, within 7 days after procedure, commonly on the same day. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Door-to-needle time (DNT) is an established predictor of outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Several strategies have been proposed to streamline in-hospital pathways, among which treatment at CT/MR bed. Aim: To explore the impact of treatment at CT/MR bed, here defined as imaging area (IA), on functional outcome in stroke patients treated with IVT alone. Methods: All AIS patients treated with IVT alone at our center in 2020, 2021, and 2022 were included. Patients with any previous disability were excluded. The cohort was divided into two groups, depending on the treatment site. One group received IVT at IA, the other at emergency room or stroke unit (non-IA). Regression analysis assessed the association between treatment site and 3-month outcome. Results: A total of 327 patients who received IVT alone were included in the analysis. One hundred thirty-three (40.7%) were in the IA group and 194 (59.3%) in the non-IA group. The groups showed similar baseline characteristics. In the IA group, DNT was 45 min shorter. Despite similar rates of functional independence (mRS 0-2), the IA group showed higher rates of excellent outcome (mRS 0-1) compared to the non-IA group (60.1% vs 42.8%, p<0.01). Immediate treatment at IA was independently associated to excellent outcome (OR 1.78 [1.03–3.08]). Conclusions: Thrombolytic treatment at IA lowers DNT and is an independent predictor of excellent outcome after AIS. Our study emphasizes the importance of immediate thrombolytic treatment at IA, soon after radiological eligibility is confirmed. Immediate treatment at IA should be a standard-of-care for AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the effect of oxygen-ozone therapy guided by percutaneous Computed Tomography (CT) compared to corticosteroids in individuals experiencing lower back pain (LBP) not attributed to underlying bone-related issues. Methods: A total of 321 patients (192 males and 129 females, mean age: 51.5 ± 15.1 years) with LBP were assigned to three treatment groups: group A) oxygen-ozone only, group B) corticosteroids only, group C) oxygen-ozone and corticosteroids. Treatment was administered via CT-guided injections to the intervertebral disc (i.e., intradiscal location). Clinical improvement of pain and functionality was assessed via self-reported pain scales and magnetic resonance (MR) and CT imaging. Results: At all follow-up times, the mean score of the numeric rating scale and the total global pain scale (GPS) of study groups receiving oxygen-ozone (groups A and C) were statistically significantly lower than the study group receiving corticosteroids only (group B), with p < 0.001. There was a statistically significant difference between groups A and C at 30 days for the numeric rating scale. Conclusions: The percutaneous application of oxygen-ozone in patients with LBP due to degeneration of the lumbosacral spine showed long-lasting significant pain reduction of up to two years post-treatment when compared to corticosteroids alone. Combination therapy of oxygen-ozone and corticosteroids can be useful as corticosteroids showed statistically significant improvement in LBP earlier than the oxygen-ozone-only treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information about degenerative facet joint (FJ) disease. Degenerative changes which can lead to acquired spinal stenosis are mentioned. Symptoms of FJ disease and diagnostic imaging techniques such as standard x-ray, flexo-extension S ray, and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging are noted.

Endovascular thrombectomy is the standard treatment in selected patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion, but continuous improvement in angiographic and clinical outcome is still needed. Intra-arterial thrombolysis has been tested as a possible rescue tool in unsuccessful thrombectomy, or as an adjuvant therapy after the endovascular procedure, to pursue complete recanalization. Here we present a case series analysis of intra-arterial alteplase administration (5 mg bolus, repeated up to 15 mg if Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale ≥2c is not achieved) in 15 consecutive anterior circulation stroke patients after unsuccessful thrombectomy, defined as TICI score ≤2b after at least 3 passes or if unsuitable for further endovascular attempts, with the aim of improving recanalization. An improvement of final TICI score was achieved in 10 of 15 patients (66.7%). TICI score ≥2c was achieved after 5 mg intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator (iaTPA) in 4 patients, and after 10 mg iaTPA in 5 cases. Six of 15 patients received 15 mg iaTPA: 1 of 6 showed angiographical improvement. A major effect of intra-arterial alteplase was observed for distally migrated emboli. None of the patients experienced any symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation or other major bleeding. Our report shows, in a very small cohort, a high rate of final TICI score improvement, encouraging the development of randomized controlled trials of rescue intra-arterial thrombolysis in patients with suboptimal angiographic results after mechanical thrombectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A direct aspiration, first pass technique (ADAPT) has been introduced as a rapid and safe thrombectomy strategy in patients with intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO). The aim of the study is to determine the technical feasibility, safety, and functional outcome of ADAPT using the newly released large bore pHLO 0.072-inch aspiration catheter (AC; Phenox). Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively (October 2019-November 2021) from 2 comprehensive stroke centers. Accessibility of the thrombus, vascular recanalization, time to recanalization, and procedure-related complications were evaluated. National Institutes of Health stroke scale scores at presentation and discharge and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 90 days post-procedure were recorded. Results: Twenty-five patients (14 female, 11 male) with occlusions of the anterior circulation were treated. In 84% of cases, ADAPT led to successful recanalization with a median procedure time of 28 minutes. In the remaining cases, successful recanalization required (to a total of 96%; modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b/3) the use of stent retrievers. No AC-related complications were reported. Other complications included distal migration of the thrombus, requiring a stent-retriever, and symptomatic PH2 hemorrhage in 16% and 4%, respectively. After 3 months, 52% of the patients had mRS scores of 0-2 with an overall mortality rate of 20%. Conclusion: Results from our retrospective case series revealed that thrombectomy of LVOs with pHLO AC is safe and effective in cases of large-vessel ischemic stroke. Rates of complete or near-complete recanalization after the first pass with this method might be used as a new benchmark in future trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the last Italian report by the Ministry of Health in 2018, the estimated number of acute ischemic strokes (AIS) in Campania is 10,000/year, with an expected number of 1390 intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and 694 mechanical thrombectomies (MT). In 2017, only 1.5% of expected patients received IVT and 0.2% MT. This study analyzed the trend of IVT and MT in 2019-2020 and depicted the state of art of Stroke Care in Campania.Methods: From the regional health task force, we obtained the hospital discharge forms from all private and public hospitals in Campania; we selected patients with a principal diagnosis of AIS and measured the rate of patients admitted to neurology units and the rate of IVT, MT, and IVT + MT for both 2019 and 2020.Results: In 2019, we observed 4817 admissions for AIS; 2858/4817 (59.3%) patients were admitted to neurology units. Out of 4817 patients, 192 received IVT, 165 MT, and 131 IVT + MT (488 treated patients; 10.1%). In 2020, we observed 4129 admissions for AIS; 2502/4129 (62.7%) patients were admitted to neurology units. Out of 4129 patients, 198 received IVT, 250 MT, and 180 IVT + MT (628 treated patients; 15.2%). These results showed that despite a reduction of AIS admissions in 2020, the relative and absolute rate of recanalization treatments increased. However, the number of patients who were not admitted to neurology units nor received acute treatments remained dramatically high.Conclusion: Despite the development of acute treatments, the Campania Stroke Network still needs significative efforts to improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: CT-guided percutaneous procedures involving the skull base and atlanto-axial cervical spine pose particular challenges due to high density of vital vascular and nervous structures and because the ideal needle trajectory often has a cranio-caudal obliquity different from the axial scan plane. We describe how the variable CT gantry tilt, combined with gantry-needle-target alignment technique, is used to obtain precise and safe needle placement in conventional and non-conventional approaches to the skull base and the atlanto-axial spine. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive CT-guided needle accesses to the skull base and atlanto-axial spine performed for tissue sampling through fine-needle aspirates and core biopsies, cementoplasty of neoplastic lytic lesions of atlanto-axial spine, pain management injections, and dural puncture for cerebro-spinal fluid sampling. All the accesses were performed with the gantry-needle-target alignment technique. Procedural complications were recorded. Results: Thirty-nine CT-guided procedures were analyzed. Paramaxillary approach was used in 15 cases, postero-lateral in 11, subzygomatic in 3. Nine non-conventional approach were performed: submastoid in 3 cases, suprazygomatic in 2, trans-nasal in 2, trans-mastoid in 1, and trans-auricular in 1. Two peri-procedural complications occurred: one asymptomatic and one resolved within 24 h. All the procedures were successfully completed with successful needle access to the target. Conclusion: The gantry tilt and gantry-needle-target alignment technique allows to obtain double-oblique needle accesses for CT-guided procedures involving the skull base and atlanto-axial cervical spine, minimizing uncertainty of needle trajectory and obtaining safe needle placement in conventional and non-conventional approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord evaluation is an integral part of spine assessment, and its reliable imaging work-up is mandatory because even localized lesions may produce serious effects with potentially irreversible sequelae. Spinal cord alterations are found both incidentally during spine evaluation in otherwise neurologically asymptomatic patients or during neurologic/neuroradiologic assessment in myelopathic patients. Myelopathy (an umbrella term for any neurologic deficit that refers to spinal cord impairment) can be caused by intrinsic lesions or extrinsic mechanical compression, and its etiology may be both traumatic and/or nontraumatic. The symptoms largely depend on the size/extension of lesions, ranging from incontinence to ataxia, from spasticity to hyperreflexia, from numbness to weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging is the reference imaging modality in spinal cord evaluation, ensuring the best signal and spatial resolution. We provide an overview of the most common spinal cord disorders encountered by radiologists and describe the technical measures that offer optimal spinal cord visualization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal trauma is very frequent injury with different severity and prognosis varying from asymptomatic condition to temporary neurological dysfunction, focal deficit or fatal event. The major causes of spinal trauma are high- and lowenergy fall, traffic accident, sport and blunt impact. The radiologist has a role of great responsibility to establish the presence or absence of lesions, to define the characteristics, to assess the prognostic influence and therefore treatment. Imaging has an important role in the management of spinal trauma. The aim of this paper was to describe: incidence and type of vertebral fracture; imaging indication and guidelines for cervical trauma; imaging indication and guidelines for thoracolumbar trauma; multidetector CT indication for trauma spine; MRI indication and protocol for trauma spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major source of health loss and disability worldwide. Accurate and timely diagnosis of TBI is critical for appropriate treatment and management of the condition. Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and characterization of TBI. Computed tomography (CT) is the first-line diagnostic imaging modality typically utilized in patients with suspected acute mild, moderate and severe TBI. Radiology reports play a crucial role in the diagnostic process, providing critical information about the location and extent of brain injury, as well as factors that could prevent secondary injury. However, the complexity and variability of radiology reports can make it challenging for healthcare providers to extract the necessary information for diagnosis and treatment planning.In this article, we report the efforts of an international group of TBI imaging experts to develop a clinical radiology report template for CT scans obtained in patients suspected of TBI and consisting of fourteen different subdivisions (CT technique, mechanism of injury or clinical history, presence of scalp injuries, fractures, potential vascular injuries, potential injuries involving the extra-axial spaces, brain parenchymal injuries, potential injuries involving the cerebrospinal fluid spaces and the ventricular system, mass effect, secondary injuries, prior or coexisting pathology).Methods/results/conclusion: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major source of health loss and disability worldwide. Accurate and timely diagnosis of TBI is critical for appropriate treatment and management of the condition. Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and characterization of TBI. Computed tomography (CT) is the first-line diagnostic imaging modality typically utilized in patients with suspected acute mild, moderate and severe TBI. Radiology reports play a crucial role in the diagnostic process, providing critical information about the location and extent of brain injury, as well as factors that could prevent secondary injury. However, the complexity and variability of radiology reports can make it challenging for healthcare providers to extract the necessary information for diagnosis and treatment planning.In this article, we report the efforts of an international group of TBI imaging experts to develop a clinical radiology report template for CT scans obtained in patients suspected of TBI and consisting of fourteen different subdivisions (CT technique, mechanism of injury or clinical history, presence of scalp injuries, fractures, potential vascular injuries, potential injuries involving the extra-axial spaces, brain parenchymal injuries, potential injuries involving the cerebrospinal fluid spaces and the ventricular system, mass effect, secondary injuries, prior or coexisting pathology). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertebroplasty (VP) is a percutaneous mini-invasive technique developed in the late 1980s as antalgic and stabilizing treatment in patients affected by symptomatic vertebral fracture due to porotic disease, traumatic injury and primary or secondary vertebral spine tumors. The technique consists of a simple metameric injection of an inert cement (poly-methyl-methacrylate, PMMA), through a needle by trans-peduncular, parapeduncular or trans-somatic approach obtaining a vertebral augmentation and stabilization effect associated with pain relief. The technique is simple and fast, and should be performed under fluoroscopy or CT guidance in order to obtain a good result with low complication rate. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the utility of VP, the indications-contraindications criteria, how to technically perform the technique using imaging guidance, and the results and complications of this treatment in patients affected by symptomatic vertebral compression fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The spine is a frequent localization of primary tumours or metastasis involving posterior arch, pedicles and vertebra body, and often causing unsustainable pain. The management of spinal metastasis remains complex, including medical therapy (corticosteroids, chemotherapy), radiotherapy and surgical treatment, or the recent percutaneous mini-invasive approach. The target of all these treatments is to improve the quality of life of patients affected by this type of lesion. Diagnosis of spinal metastasis and then its treatment should be based on the combination of different elements: clinical evaluation, CT, MRI and nuclear medicine patterns, considering the age of the patient, known primary tumour, location of the lesions, single/multiple lesions, pattern of morphology (border, matrix, expansile character, soft tissue extension), density or signal intensity, oncologic instability and expectancy of life. The percutaneous mini-invasive approach for patients affected by secondary lesions involving the spine has as treatment goal of: (1) pain relief improving the quality of life; (2) stability treatment re-establishing the spinal biomechanics, alterated by bone destruction or deformity, preventing pathological fracture; and (3) an anti-neoplastic effect. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive diagnostic and percutaneous approach to the bone metastatic spine lesions, identifying which metamer should be treated to improve patient quality of life, showing the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To obtain information from radiology departments throughout Europe regarding the practice of emergency radiology Methods: A survey which comprised of 24 questions was developed and made available online. The questionnaire was sent to 1097 chairs of radiology departments throughout Europe using the ESR database. All data were collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 20 (IBM). Results: A total of 1097 radiologists were asked to participate, 109 responded to our survey. The response rate was 10%. From our survey, 71.6% of the hospitals had more than 500 beds. Ninety-eight percent of hospitals have an active teaching affiliation. In large trauma centers, emergency radiology was considered a dedicated section. Fifty-three percent of institutions have dedicated emergency radiology sections. Less than 30% had all imaging modalities available. Seventy-nine percent of institutions have 24/7 coverage by staff radiologists. Emergency radiologists interpret cross-sectional body imaging, US scans, and basic CT/MRI neuroimaging in more than 50% of responding institutions. Cardiac imaging examinations/procedures are usually performed by cardiologist in 53% of institutions, while non-cardiac vascular procedures are largely performed and interpreted by interventional radiologists. Most people consider the European Diploma in Emergency Radiology an essential tool to advance the education and the dissemination of information within the specialty of emergency radiology. Conclusion: Emergency radiologists have an active role in the emergency medical team. Indeed, based upon our survey, they have to interact with emergency physicians and surgeons in the management of critically ill patients. A broad skillset from ultrasonography and basic neuroimaging is required. Key Points: • At most major trauma centers in Europe, emergency imaging is currently performed by all radiologists in specific units who are designated in the emergency department. • Radiologists in the emergency section at present have a broad skillset, which includes cross-sectional body imaging, ultrasonography, and basic neuroimaging of the brain and spine. • A dedicated curriculum that certifies a subspecialty in emergency radiology with a diploma offered by the European Society of Emergency Radiology demonstrates a great interest by the vast majority of the respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To promote a better radiological interpretation of spine degeneration, a consistent standardization of the acquisition, interpretation and description of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) l findings. Materials and methods: In order to achieve this objective, a consensus among experts in imaging of degenerative spine disease (DSD) from Italian radiological societies (SIRM—Italian Society of Radiology, AINR—Italian Association of Neuroradiology) was achieved. The representatives of the Italian inter-societal working group examined the literature produced by European/American task forces on optimizing the study sequences, classification of degenerative disc changes, spondylo-arthrosis, osteochondrosis, synovial and ligament pathologies of the spinal column, and on canal and foraminal stenosis. The document-resulted from the consensus between experts—was then presented to the scientific societies of Neurosurgery (SINCH) and Orthopedics and Traumatology (SIOT) for their approval. Results: This position paper presents a proposal for an optimized MRI protocol for studying DSD and provides a glossary of terms related to this pathology and indications on their use. The international terminological recommendations have been translated and adapted to the Italian language and clinical practice and clinical cases have been used to illustrate some of the main classifications. Conclusions: This revision of international DSD guidelines/recommendations and consensus made it possible to (1) update the nomenclature to international standards and (2) harmonize the MRI protocol and description of radiological findings, adapting both (1, 2) to the Italian context. With this position paper we intend to contribute to an improvement of the communication among doctors and between physicians and their patients as well as the quality of the radiological reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is to review the different types of vertebral augmentation implants recently becoming available for the treatment of benign and malignant spinal compression fractures. After a detailed description of the augmentation implants, we review the available clinical data. We will conclude with a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of vertebral implants and how they can affect the future treatment options of compression fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracranial vascular malformations are increasingly being treated via the endovascular route. Though generally safe, a multitude of intraprocedural complications that potentially lead to disastrous clinical outcomes may arise. It is crucial for the operators to be well versed with the various techniques that are available to overcome any procedure-specific complications. We present 2 cases in which we encountered premature intravascular detachment of the microcatheter tip and coil migration while treating a dural arteriovenous fistula and aneurysm, respectively. We used a stentriever to remove the detached microcatheter tip and suction using the reperfusion catheter to remove the migrated coil, both techniques that have not been reported in the literature thus far. Detached microcatheter tip and migrated coil were successfully retrieved using a stentriever and aspiration catheter. These novel techniques could potentially reduce mortality and morbidity associated with neurointervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer arising from the uncontrolled clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells resulting in impaired hematopoiesis, hyper production of monoclonal protein, bone tissue destruction leading and renal system alterations up to kidney failure. The aim is to review the state-of-the-art of radiological imaging in multiple myeloma. Methods: Radiological techniques as well as the advancements in imaging technology have been reviewed and summarized. The main radiological findings of different imaging techniques in patients suffering from multiple myeloma are also illustrated. Results: Different radiological techniques provide structural and functional data. In the last years, conventional skeletal survey has gradually lost its utility and it has been replaced by whole body low-dose computed tomography which allows to identify also small lytic lesions, the medullary and the extramedullary involvement. Nowadays, magnetic resonance is the most sensitive imaging technique for detecting of skeletal as well as medullary involvement in patients with multiple myeloma. Thanks to the multiparametric evaluation (morphological, diffusion weighted and perfusion imaging sequences) and to the quantitative analysis, magnetic resonance imaging is proved to be useful in the early evaluation of response to therapy. Finally, positron emission tomography has greater sensibility compared to computed tomography as it provides quantitative data; however, the lower expression levels of the specific gene involved in the glycolysis pathway are associated with false-negative results with consequent underestimation of the disease. Conclusion: The only use of the advanced combined multimodal imaging allows a better evaluation, staging and early assessment of treatment response in patients with multiple myeloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document sets out standards for training in Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) in Europe. These standards have been developed by a working group of the European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR) and the European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT) on the initiative and under the umbrella of the Division of Neuroradiology/Section of Radiology of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Diagnosis of spondylodiscitis (SD) may be challenging due to the nonspecific clinical and laboratory findings and the need to perform various diagnostic tests including serologic, imaging, and microbiological examinations. Homogeneous management of SD diagnosis through international, multidisciplinary guidance would improve the sensitivity of diagnosis and lead to better patient outcome. Methods: An expert specialist team, comprising nuclear medicine physicians appointed by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), neuroradiologists appointed by the European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR), and infectious diseases specialists appointed by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), reviewed the literature from January 2006 to December 2015 and proposed 20 consensus statements in answer to clinical questions regarding SD diagnosis. The statements were graded by level of evidence level according to the 2011 Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine criteria and included in this consensus document for the diagnosis of SD in adults. The consensus statements are the result of literature review according to PICO (P:population/patients, I:intervention/indicator, C:comparator/control, O:outcome) criteria. Evidence-based recommendations on the management of adult patients with SD, with particular attention to radiologic and nuclear medicine diagnosis, were proposed after a systematic review of the literature in the areas of nuclear medicine, radiology, infectious diseases, and microbiology. Results: A diagnostic flow chart was developed based on the 20 consensus statements, scored by level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine criteria. Conclusions: This consensus document was developed with a final diagnostic flow chart for SD diagnosis as an aid for professionals in many fields, especially nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, and orthopaedic and infectious diseases specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate technical success and long-term outcome of CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of spinal osteoid osteomas (OO) and osteoblastomas (OB) in six different European centres. Methods: Eighty-seven patients with spinal OO (77) or OB (10) were treated with CT-guided RFA, after three-dimensional CT-guided access planning. Patient's long-term outcome was assessed by clinical examination and questionnaire-based evaluation including 10-point visual analogue scales (VAS) regarding the effect of RFA on severity of pain and limitations of daily activities. Clinical success was defined as a reduction of > 30% in the VAS score and patient's satisfaction. Results: Overall, RFA was technically successful in 82/87 cases (94.3%) with no major complications; clinical success was achieved in 78/87 cases (89.7%). The OO/OB were localized in the cervical (n = 9/3), the thoracic (n = 27/1), the lumbar (n = 29/4), and the sacral spine (n = 12/2). A decrease in severity of pain after RFA was observed in 86/87 patients (98.9%) with a persistent mean reduction of overall pain score from 8.04 ± 0.96 to 1.46 ± 1.95 (p < 0.001) after a median follow-up time of 29.35 ± 35.59 months. VAS scores significantly decreased for limitations of both daily (5.70 ± 2.73 to 0.67 ± 1.61, p < 0.001) and sports activities (6.40 ± 2.58 to 0.67 ± 1.61, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In a multicentric setting, this trial proves RFA to be a safe and efficient method to treat spinal OO/OB and should be regarded as first-line therapy after interdisciplinary case discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) classifications have been proposed. However, they lacked predictive factors for the clinical presentation, natural history, and hemorrhagic risk. Our aim was to externally validate a new classification according to venous drainage (i.e., the Thomas classification [TC]) to assess its relationship with symptoms, endovascular treatment, and outcomes. We performed a multicenter retrospective review of CCFs at 2 major academic institutions. The CCFs were classified using the Barrow classification (BC) and TC systems. The data from 94 patients with a diagnosis of CCF were collected during a study period 23 years, 4 months. Of these 94 patients, 89 had undergone CCF treatment and 5 had experienced spontaneous occlusion. Complete occlusion was achieved in 89.9% of the treated patients. Complications occurred in 5.3% of the patients, including permanent deficits in 2.1%. TC type 4 was associated with cortical symptoms compared with type 2 (P = 0.003) and type 3 (P < 0.001). The BC was not able to detect significant differences among the symptom types. Significant differences were found using the TC for the transarterial-only, transvenous anterior-only, and transvenous posterior-only approaches (P < 0.001, P = 0.03, and P = 0.001, respectively). The transvenous posterior and transvenous anterior approach were significantly associated with type 2 and 3 TC, respectively. Excluding direct CCFs, the BC was not related to the treatment approach. No significant differences in the outcomes were found. However, a trend toward a lower occlusion rate for TC type 4 compared with type 3 was observed. The TC provided useful information regarding the fistula anatomy and venous hemodynamics, which correlated with the clinical symptoms and treatment strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal traumas represent a significant proportion of muscle-skeletal injuries worldwide. Spinal injuries involve a complex structure with components having different traumatic susceptibility and variable healing capabilities. The interaction of numerous variables at time of trauma creates a great variety of lesions which makes challenging the creation and comparison of homogeneous groups, with difficulties in classifying spinal lesions, in assessing their instability, and in defining the indication and outcome of different treatment strategies. The evolution of concepts on instability has accompanied that of traumas classification schemes and treatment strategies. The assessment of instability in a spinal injury is actually crucial in front of newer surgical techniques and hardwares. Despite a long history of attempts to classify spinal traumas, it remains some degree of controversy in describing imaging data and a wide variety of treatment strategies. Acute cervical spine injuries affect from 1.9% to 4.6% of subjects reporting a blunt trauma, and up to 5.9% of multiple-injured patients. Most of spinal cord injuries are a consequence of unstable fractures of the cervical spine. An accurate and early diagnosis is mandatory to prevent neurological damage in unstable fractures. Classic and newer classifications are primarily based on features identifiable by using conventional imaging and CT scan, which are the most available modalities at most trauma centers. Even though multidetector-CT remains superior in assessing with high accuracy bone injuries, MRI is the most sensitive modality for detecting soft tissues injuries and spinal cord damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is characterized by a progressive spontaneous occlusion of distal internal carotid arteries and its main branches. It is necessary to promptly diagnose and treat this condition, especially in children, because of the high risk of stroke and consequent severe disability. In this study, we examine the role of multiple burr-hole surgery (MBHS) in the treatment of pediatric patients with MMD and quasi-MMD and the role of perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the surgical indication and during follow-up. We reviewed preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative MRI perfusion and digital subtraction angiography images together with clinical and surgical outcomes in 10 children with MMD treated by MBHS. Fourteen MBHS procedures (6 unilateral, 2 bilateral, and 2 single-setting bilateral) were performed in 10 children. Clinical and radiologic follow-up for all patients ranges from 16 months to 7 years. No ischemic events (transient ischemic attacks or stroke) occurred during the follow-up period. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography showed good revascularization around the burr-hole sites in all patients. The functional efficacy of the surgery was confirmed by dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI studies in 8 patients. Our data underline the good rate of success of MBHS in pediatric MMD and quasi-MMD. This technique results in good collateral revascularization, improved cerebral perfusion and excellent short and long-term symptoms control, with low perioperative risk. Postoperative changes of perfusion parameters and ivy sign MRI finding seem to show a positive correlation and mainly occur in posterior middle cerebral artery territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different treatment options have been proposed for aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) with sclerotherapy favored as primary treatment and surgery remaining the mainstay of treatment in case of compression of neural structures. Recurrent spinal ABCs are burdened by increased risk of spinal deformity and instability, further complicating the management of these cases. A 15-year-old boy presented with acute symptoms and signs of spinal cord compression due to a large thoracic ABC. Subtotal resection of the lesion achieved optimal decompression of neural structures with good neurologic recovery, but the remnant of the lesion rapidly grew with recurrent spinal cord compression after 40 days. The patient underwent total surgical resection with full neurologic recovery. Unfortunately, recurrence of the lesion was documented at 3-months' follow-up. This was successfully treated with percutaneous injection of hydroxyapatite cement. Two years' follow-up ruled out any further recurrence of the lesion. Furthermore, spinal deformity and instability were also excluded. Percutaneous sclerotherapy with hydroxyapatite cement proved to be highly effective and safe in the treatment of spinal ABC, though surgery remains mandatory in case of spinal cord compression. The main advantage of sclerotherapy with hydroxyapatite cement seems to be the capacity to regenerate bone with normal radiologic features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of low back pain should always start with a conservative approach; however, when it fails, intervention is required and at that moment the most appropriate choice remains unclear. Before invasive surgery, minimally invasive techniques can be adopted. In European trials and in a trans-Canadian clinical trial 03 ozone has been used successfully. In total over 50,000 patients have been treated safely. Ozone is a gas normally present in the atmosphere with potent oxidizing power; it has been used for percutaneous intradiscal injection combined with oxygen (O 2 O 3 ) at very low concentrations for 15 years in Europe. The main indication is back pain with or without radicular pain but without motor deficits, which is refractory to 4-6 weeks of conservative therapies. Its mechanism of action on the disc is mechanical (volume reduction by subtle dehydration of the nucleus pulposis) and antinflammatory. The intradiscal ozone injection is performed with a thin needle (18-22 gauge) image guided by computed tomography or angiofluoroscopy and is usually complimented by periganglionic injection of corticosteroids and anesthetics. This combination gives immediate pain relief and allows time for the ozone to act. It is a cost-effective procedure that presents a very low complication rate (0.1%). The radicular pain is resolved before the back pain does, as is seen with microdiscectomy. Peer-reviewed publications of large randomized trials, case series, and meta analysis from large samples of patients have demonstrated the procedure to be safe and effective in the short and the long terms, with benefits recognized up to 10 years after treatment. We aim to review the principles of action of O 2 O 3 and report the injection techniques, complications, and short- and long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO) is an infrequent but potentially fatal cause of strokes in both adults and children, and it is usually due to vertebral artery dissection (VAD). VAD has been found to be usually a consequence of traumatic vertebral artery injury. ABAO usually presents with symptoms of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) of the posterior circulation or transient ischemic attack (TIA). It may lead to death or long-term disability if not promptly recanalized. Basilar artery recanalization in children can be achieved safely and with excellent clinical outcome using endovascular thrombectomy with the new generation self-expanding and retrievable stents. Clinical presentation: We report the case of a 23-month old baby that came to the emergency room of our hospital for progressive impairment of consciousness associated with widespread stiffness and plaintive cry, appeared after accidental fall from stroller. An emergency brain CT scan was obtained showing multiple infarction lesions in the brainstem and left cerebellum suggestive of acute stroke in posterior circulation territories. An MR scan with angiography and diffusion-weighted sequences confirmed the multiple infarction lesions and demonstrated poor representation of the flow signal at the V3 segment of the left vertebral artery and absent representation of the flow signal at the distal segment of the basilar artery suggestive of acute thrombotic occlusion. The patient was immediately referred to interventional neuroradiology unit, and digital subtraction angiography showed complete basilar artery occlusion and left vertebral artery dissection at extracranial V2-V3 segment. The patient underwent intra-arterial thrombectomy using stent retrievers and occlusion of the V2-V3 segment of the left vertebral artery. The patient survived and long-term outcome was excellent. Conclusions: To our knowledge, only nine cases of ABAO in children treated with intra-arterial thrombectomy have been previously reported in the literature. In only three cases, the Solitaire stent was applied. Our case is the first case of basilar artery occlusion treated with Solitaire stent, in a child under 24 months. The reports that are available so far indicate that basilar artery recanalization in children can be achieved safely and with excellent clinical outcome using endovascular thrombectomy with the new generation self-expanding and retrievable stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07520-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case report of a 33-year-old woman with back pain for several months which was resistant to medical treatment. Thoracolumbar MRI and multidetector CT showed an aneurysmal bone cyst intersecting the body and pedicles of L5. Minimally invasive treatment was performed with percutaneous injection of osteoconductive cement (Cerament) to induce sclerosis and bone remodeling of the bone cyst lesion with an analgesic effect. Before treatment, spinal angiography was performed to exclude arterial afferents. No bone biopsy was done. Under general anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance, a first vertebroplasty was performed by a bilateral transpedicular approach using the osteoconductive cement followed 2 months later by a second treatment with CT- fluoro-guided direct injection of Cerament. No complications occurred during the procedure. At 4 and 6 months follow-up the MRI/CT showed sclerotic bone remodeling of the walls of the aneurysmal cyst with clinical improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the one-year clinical and radiographic outcomes, in terms of pain-relief, vertebral re-fracture and complications, after vertebroplasty (VP) using a new osteoconductive cement (calcium triglyceride bone cement -Kryptonite™ bone cement, Doctors Research Group Inc., Southbury, CT, USA) to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Sixteen consecutive osteoporotic patients (12 women and four men, mean age 68+/-10.5) were treated with VP using Kryptonite™ bone cement for a total of 20 vertebral fractures. All the patients complained of a pain syndrome resistant to medical therapy and all procedures were performed under fluoroscopy control with neuroleptoanalgesia using a monopedicular approach in 12 patients and bipedicular approach in four patients. All patients were studied by MR and MDCT and were evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) before treatment and at one and 12 months after the procedure. A successful outcome was observed in 80% of patients, with a complete resolution of pain. Differences in pre and post treatment VAS and ODI at one-year follow-up were significant (P<0.0001). We observed a disk and venous leakage in 66% of patients but only in one case did an asymptomatic pulmonary embolism occur during cement injection. Two cases of vertebral re-fractures at distant metamers were observed during follow-up. VP using Kryptonite bone cement is a helpful procedure that allows complete and long-lasting resolution of painful vertebral symptoms. The cost of the material is very high and the rate of disk and venous leakage is too high compared to standard cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spine stability is the basic requirement to protect nervous structures and prevent the early deterioration of spinal components. All bony and soft spinal components contribute to stability, so any degenerative, traumatic or destructive lesion to any spinal structure gives rise to some degree of instability. Degenerative instability is considered a major cause of axial and radicular pain and is a frequent indication for surgery. Nevertheless the assessment of instability remains difficult in both clinical and imaging settings. All static imaging modalities, even conventional MR, the most accurate technique, are unreliable in assessing instability and chronic pain due to degenerative spine. Dynamic-positional MR is considered the most sophisticated imaging modality to evaluate abnormal spinal motion and instability. In spinal traumas, as multi-detector CT yields high-resolution reconstructions in every spatial plane, it will detect even the tiniest fractures revealing potentially unstable lesions, often avoid the routine use of MR. Nevertheless, MR remains the only modality that will directly and routinely assess soft tissue changes. Unfortunately the objectivity of MR in assessing the integrity of ligaments is not rigorously defined and its use in routine protocols to clear blunt spinal injuries remains controversial. There are no evidence-based guidelines currently available to assess the risk of spinal instability in the setting of neoplastic spinal disease, so predicting the risk of a pathological fracture or the timing of a collapse remains challenging even when the lesions are well-characterized by neuroimaging. Diagnostic difficulties lead to controversy in the choice of the best treatment in all forms of spinal instability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biomechanics, the application of mechanical principles to living organisms, helps us to understand how all the bony and soft spinal components contribute individually and together to ensure spinal stability, and how traumas, tumours and degenerative disorders exert destabilizing effects. Spine stability is the basic requirement to protect nervous structures and prevent the early mechanical deterioration of spinal components. The literature reports a number of biomechanical and clinical definitions of spinal stability, but a consensus definition is lacking. Any vertebra in each spinal motion segment, the smallest functional unit of the spine, can perform various combinations of the main and coupled movements during which a number of bony and soft restraints maintain spine stability. Bones, disks and ligaments contribute by playing a structural role and by acting as transducers through their mechanoreceptors. Mechanoreceptors send proprioceptive impulses to the central nervous system which coordinates muscle tone, movement and reflexes. Damage to any spinal structure gives rise to some degree of instability. Instability is classically considered as a global increase in the movements associated with the occurrence of back and/or nerve root pain. The assessment of spinal instability remains a major challenge for diagnostic imaging experts. Knowledge of biomechanics is essential in view of the increasing involvement of radiologists and neuroradiologists in spinal interventional procedures and the ongoing development of new techniques and devices. Bioengineers and surgeons are currently focusing on mobile stabilization systems. These systems represent a new frontier in the treatment of painful degenerative spine and aim to neutralize noxious forces, restore the normal function of spinal segments and protect the adjacent segments. This review discusses the current concepts of spine stability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new era of stroke treatment may have begun with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) by fully deployed closed-cell self-expanding stents (stent-triever). Multiple case series and the first randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have now been published. More studies are under way involving large numbers of patients, which in turn has resulted in less strict 'pragmatic' study protocols. Problems with current trials include a lack of standardisation in the conduct of the recanalisation procedure, the definition of primary endpoints such as the grade of arterial recanalisation and tissue reperfusion, and the post-surgical care provided. In Part 1 of this two part series, we outline the current situation and the major research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on current data and experience, the joint working group of the European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT) and the European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR) make suggestions on trial design and conduct aimed to investigate therapeutic effects of mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We anticipate that this roadmap will facilitate the setting up and conduct of successful trials in close collaboration with our neighbouring disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate results and complications of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) performed in 6 different Italian Centres belonging to the European VErtebroplasty RESearch Team (E.VE.RES.T) in a large series of patients. Materials and methods: Follow-up was obtained in 4547 patients (3211 females and 1336 males; mean age 70.2years) that underwent PV for a total of 13.437 treated vertebrae. Procedures were performed by using fluoroscopic guidance or combined CT-fluoroscopic guidance. All patients underwent PV in local anaesthesia except for second cervical vertebrae treated with a trans-oral approach that required general anaesthesia. Results: 4004 out of 4547 (88.0%) patients reported significant pain relief (difference>or=2 point in pain evaluated with an 11-point visual analogue scale; p <0.0001) within 48h: an average of 7.7±0.4 dropped to 1.8±0.6 in the osteoporotic patients; 8.3±0.4 to 2.4±0.4 in metastases; 8.3±0.4 to 1.7±1.0 in myeloma; 6.2±3.5 to 0.3±0.2 in angioma and 7.4±0.4 to 1.4±0.9 in trauma. 430 osteoporotic patients (13%) were retreated for a subsequent fracture; in 302/430 patients (70.2%), the new fracture occurred in the contiguous vertebra. No major neurologic complications were reported and the most frequent minor complication was venous leakage (20.5%). Conclusions: This large series of patients confirms that percutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective and safe procedure in the treatment of vertebral fractures. Best results are obtained in the treatment of myeloma and trauma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate long-term stabilizing healing effectiveness and influence on adjacent intact vertebral bodies of a new injectable partly resorbable calcium sulfate (60 wt.%)/hydroxyapatite (40 wt.%) bone substitute employed in vertebral augmentation of osteoporotic collapses. Methods: From April 2009 to April 2011, 80 patients underwent vertebral augmentation. Patient enrolment criteria are as follows: age more than 20 years; symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture from low energy trauma encompassing level T5 to L1 and classified as A1.1 to A1.2 according to the AO classification system; vertebral height compression within 0-75% compared to the posterior (dorsal) wall; client history confirming the age of the compression fracture to be within at least 4 weeks; and patients who are able to understand the procedure and participate in the study. Preoperative and postoperative imaging studies consisted of computed tomography, plain X-ray, dual X-ray absorptiometry scanning, and magnetic resonance. Pain intensity has been evaluated by an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS), and physical and quality of life compromise assessments have been evaluated by Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODI). All procedures have been performed fluoroscopically guided by left unilateral approach under local anesthesia and mild sedation. Results: VAS-based pain trend over 12-month follow-up has shown a statistical significant ( p < 0.001) decrease, starting from 7.68 (SD 1.83) preoperatively with an immediate first day decrease at 3.51 (SD 2.16) and 0.96 (SD 0.93) at 12 months. The ODI score dropped significantly from 54.78% to 20.12% at 6 months. None device-related complication has been reported. In no case, a new incidental adjacent fracture has been reported. Conclusion: Data show how this injectable partly resorbable ceramic cement could be a nontoxic and lower stiffness alternative to polymethylmethacrylate for immediate and long-term stabilization of osteoporotic collapsed vertebral bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term stabilizing-healing effectiveness and influence on adjacent intact vertebral bodies of a new injectable partly resorbable calcium sulfate (60 wt.%)/hydroxyapatite (40 wt.%) bone substitute employed in vertebral augmentation of osteoporotic collapses. Methods: From April 2009 to April 2011, 80 patients underwent vertebral augmentation. Patients enrolling criteria were age >20 years and symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral collapse from low-energy trauma encompassed between levels T5 to L5. Preoperative and postoperative imaging studies consisted of computed tomography, plain X-ray, dual X-ray absorptiometry scanning, and magnetic resonance. Pain intensity has been evaluated by an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS) and physical and quality of life compromise assessments have been evaluated by Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODI). All procedures have been performed fluoroscopically guided by left unilateral approach under local anesthesia and mild sedation. Results: VAS-based pain trend over the 12-month follow-up has shown a statistically significant ( p < 0.001) decrease, starting from 7.68 (SD 1.83) preoperatively with an immediate first day decrease at 3.51 (SD 2.16) and 0.96 (SD 0.93) at 12 months. ODI score dropped significantly from 54.78% to 20.12% at 6 months. No device-related complication has been reported. In no case a new incidental adjacent fracture has been reported. Conclusion: Data show how this injectable partly resorbable ceramic cement could be a nontoxic and lower stiffness alternative to polymethylmethacrylate for immediate and long-term stabilization of osteoporotic collapsed vertebral bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Although guidelines about the use of MRI sequences for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and follow-up are available, variability in acquisition protocols is not uncommon in everyday clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the real-world application of MS imaging guidelines in different settings to clarify the level of adherence to these guidelines. (2) Via an on-line anonymous survey, neuroradiologists (NR) were asked about MRI protocols and parameters routinely acquired when MS patients are evaluated in their center, both at diagnosis and follow-up. Furthermore, data about report content and personal opinions about emerging neuroimaging markers were also retrieved. (3) A total of 46 participants were included, mostly working in a hospital or university hospital (80.4%) and with more than 10 years of experience (47.9%). We found a relatively good adherence to the suggested MRI protocols regarding the use of T2-weighted sequences, although almost 10% of the participants routinely acquired 2D sequences with a slice thickness superior to 3 mm. On the other hand, a wider degree of heterogeneity was found regarding gadolinium administration, almost routinely performed at follow-up examination (87.0% of cases) in contrast with the current guidelines, as well as a low use of a standardized reporting system (17.4% of cases). (4) Although the MS community is getting closer to a standardization of MRI protocols, there is still a relatively wide heterogeneity among NR, with particular reference to contrast administration, which must be overcome to guarantee an adequate quality of patients' care in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]