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- Movin, T, et al.
(author)
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Intratendinous alterations as imaged by ultrasound and contrast medium-enhanced magnetic resonance in chronic achillodynia
- 1998
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In: Foot & ankle international. - : SAGE Publications. - 1071-1007 .- 1944-7876. ; 19:5, s. 311-317
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: We performed a comparative study of ultrasonography and gadolinium imaging contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance to evaluate tendon pathology in chronic Achilles tendon disorder. Another main issue was to evaluate the structural basis as defined by histopathology from hypoechoic compared with normoechic areas within the same tendon. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients (16 male, 4 females, median age 40 years) with chronic achillodynia participated in the study. Clinical examination revealed swelling and tenderness localized to the midportion of the Achilles tendon. Contrast medium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CME-MRI) was performed in all patients. Ultrasonography-guided core biopsies were taken from regions with a clear widening of the tendon and a pathologic low-echo signal as well as from normoechoic areas. The specimens were analyzed with a standardized protocol giving a total tendon score (0–24), and a stereologic method for quantification of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-rich areas. Results: The volume of the intratendinous abnormality was larger in 13 of 20 when imaged by CME-MR ( P < 0.05), whereas the shape and enlargement of the tendon per se were similarly imaged by ultrasound (US) and CME-MR. Tendon pathology as imaged by US was graded as severe from hypoechoic regions and moderate from normoechoic regions. The corresponding quantification of GAGs was 0.36 compared with 0.17, respectively ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: CME-MR imaging revealed greater sensitivity in demonstrating intratendinous pathology than the ultrasound; this was documented by the larger size of the corresponding lesion and the fact that the pathology was occurring in areas that were considered normal by ultrasonography. US hypoechoic areas showed a markedly abnormal tendon structure including an increased amount of GAG-rich areas. However, moderate pathology was also found in the neighboring normoechogenous areas within the same tendon, indicating a more generalized disorder than depicted by echogenic properties.
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2. |
- Movin, T, et al.
(author)
-
MR imaging in chronic Achilles tendon disorder
- 1998
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In: Acta radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987). - : SAGE Publications. - 0284-1851 .- 1600-0455. ; 39:2, s. 126-132
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: the primary objective was to compare 4 imaging sequences (T1-weighted, T2-weighted, proton density, and T1-weighted with gadolinium contrast agent enhancement) with regard to intratendinous signal abnormality in patients with achillodynia. the secondary objective was to relate the images to the clinical symptoms and histopathological findings Material and Methods: Twenty patients (16 men, 4 women, median age 40 years) with chronic achillodynia participated in the study. the symptoms prohibited activity and clinical examination revealed swelling and tenderness 1.5–6 cm proximal to the Achilles tendon insertion. of the 20 patients: 5 had bilateral achillodynia, 4 had had previous contralateral Achilles tendon disorder, and 11 had never had symptoms in the contralateral tendon region. These 11 tendons served as controls for comparison MR imaging was performed on a superconductive 1.5 T unit. Both Achilles tendons were examined (n=40) at the same time, and multiple sagittal and transversal images were obtained. the corresponding sections on these images were visually graded according to both extension and level of MR signal intensity. Tissue was obtained for microscopic examination from the most symptomatic side in all patients (n=20) Results: T1-weighted images following gadolinium contrast medium enhancement proved to be the best method by which to visualize intratendinous signal abnormality. This sequence revealed signal abnormality in 24/25 symptomatic tendons and in 1/11 control tendons ( p>0.001). Histopathological examination showed an increased noncollagenous extracellular matrix and altered fiber structure in the lesions corresponding to the contrast-enhanced areas Conclusion: Gadolinium enhancement improved the imaging of intratendinous signal abnormality on T1-weighted images. There was a high level of extracellular glycosaminoglycans, which are highly-fixed negatively-charged macromolecules with extreme water-retaining capacity and which may have contributed to the enhancement by the gadolinium contrast agent
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