Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy of a multimodal intervention in reducing CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) overutilization in the evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism in the emergency department (ED). METHODS:Previous mixed-methods analysis of barriers to guideline-concordant CTPA ordering results was used to develop a provider-focused behavioral intervention consisting of a clinical decision support tool and an audit and feedback system at a multisite, tertiary academic network. The primary outcome (guideline concordance) and secondary outcomes (yield and CTPA and D-dimer order rates) were compared using a pre- and postintervention design. ED encounters for adult patients from July 5, 2017, to January 3, 2019, were included. Fisher's exact tests and statistical process control charts were used to compare the pre- and postintervention groups for each outcome. RESULTS:Of the 201,912 ED patient visits evaluated, 3,587 included CTPA. Guideline concordance increased significantly after the intervention, from 66.9% to 77.5% (P < .001). CTPA order rate and D-dimer order rate also increased significantly, from 17.1 to 18.4 per 1,000 patients (P = .035) and 30.6 to 37.3 per 1,000 patients (P < .001), respectively. Percent yield showed no significant change (12.3% pre- versus 10.8% postintervention; P = .173). Statistical process control analysis showed sustained special-cause variation in the postintervention period for guideline concordance and D-dimer order rates, temporary special-cause variation for CTPA order rates, and no special-cause variation for percent yield. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Our success in increasing guideline concordance demonstrates the efficacy of a mixed-methods, human-centered approach to behavior change. Given that neither of the secondary outcomes improved, our results may demonstrate potential limitations to the guidelines directing the ordering of CTPA studies and D-dimer ordering.

This study aimed to describe patterns of imaging utilization after resection of extremity soft tissue sarcoma in the United States, assess for potential disparities, and evaluate temporal trends. A retrospective cohort study using a national database of private payer claims data was performed to determine the utilization rate of extremity and chest imaging in a 5-year postoperative follow-up period for patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma treated between 2007 and 2019. Imaging utilization was assessed according to patient demographics (age, sex, race and ethnicity, and region of residency), calendar year of surgery, and postoperative year. Associations of demographic variables with imaging use were assessed using chi-square tests, trends in imaging use were analyzed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test or linear regression, and associations of postoperative year with imaging use were evaluated with the Pearson Correlation coefficient. A total of 3707 patients were included. Most patients received at least 1 chest (74%) and extremity (53%) imaging examination during their follow-up period. The presence of surveillance imaging was significantly associated with age (P < 0.0001) and region (P = 0.0029). Over the study period, there was an increase in use of extremity MRI (P < 0.05) and ultrasound (P < 0.01) and chest CT (P < 0.0001) and a decrease in use of chest radiographs (P < 0.0001). Imaging use declined over postoperative years (decrease by 85%-92% from year 1-5). In conclusion, the use of surveillance imaging varied according to patient demographics and has increased for extremity MRI and ultrasound and chest CT over the study period.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the current literature on the use of image-guided corticosteroid injections in the treatment of patients with knee and hip OA. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION/METHODS:We conducted a comprehensive literature search through June 30, 2022. Publication type, study design, imaging guidance modality, osteoarthritis severity, number of injections, steroid type and dose, anesthetic type and dose, the total number of patients, follow-up intervals, and measured outcomes were extracted from the included studies. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS/RESULTS:There were 23 included studies (10 hips, 12 knees, 1 both hip and knee). Hip injections were found to be effective in treating short- and long-term pain and more effective than hyaluronic acid, Mepivacaine, NSAIDs, and normal saline in terms of improvement in pain and/or function. There was less impact on QoL. Knee injections were found either to have little or no impact or were similar or inferior to comparison injections (intra-articular hyaluronic acid, PRP, NSAIDs, normal saline, adductor canal blocks). Study data could not be aggregated because the corticosteroid types and doses, methods of outcome assessment, and follow-up time points varied widely. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Our systematic review found generally positive outcomes for the hip, but overall negative outcomes for the knee, although hip injections may carry a risk of serious adverse outcomes. A larger trial with uniform methodology is warranted. Specific studies on the adverse effects of corticosteroid injections are also warranted.

BACKGROUND:Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an integral component of the treatment algorithm for proximal hamstring avulsion injuries. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to survey orthopedic surgeons and musculoskeletal radiologists on the reporting and analysis of proximal hamstring avulsions on MRI. METHODS:Two online surveys were developed to evaluate musculoskeletal radiologists' and orthopedic surgeons' perceptions of MRI-reporting for proximal hamstring avulsion injuries. Each survey was designed to provide information on physicians' best practices with respect to four primary questions (1) ischial tuberosity landmark determination (2) difficulties associated with measuring tendon retraction, (3) important ancillary findings, and (4) perceived clinical impact of measured retraction. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all categorical variables, which were reported as frequencies with percentages. Chi-squared test was utilized to compare rates of responses between surgeons and radiologists. Statistically significant differences were analyzed with post-hoc Fisher's exact tests; p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS:218-Musculoskeletal radiologists and 33-orthopedic surgeons responded to their respective surveys. There were statistically significant differences with responses to two of the questions asked in both surveys; (1) in cases of complete hamstring avulsion (avulsion of both the semimembranosus and conjoint tendon), which arrow represents the tendon gap measurement used for planning surgery? p = 0.028; (2) in cases of avulsion of only the conjoint tendon, which arrow represents the tendon gap measurement used for planning surgery? p = 0.013. Post-hoc testing demonstrated that for either partial or complete hamstring avulsions, more surgeons use the conjoint tendon origin to measure tendon retraction than radiologists (p < 0.05 for both). Significantly more radiologists use the semimembranosus origin to measure hamstring retraction for partial or complete hamstring tears (p < 0.05 for both). However, for each of these questions, both radiologists and surgeons most frequently stated that the conjoint tendon landmark should be used for surgical planning. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Musculoskeletal radiologists and orthopedists frequently utilize the conjoint tendon origin as an anatomic landmark for measuring complete and partial proximal hamstring avulsion injuries; though, orthopedists are more likely to utilize this landmark. Additionally, the broad surface area of the ischial tuberosity may lead to variability in measurement. CLINICAL IMPACT/CONCLUSIONS:Standard landmarks at the ischial tuberosity and/or detailed descriptions of tendon retractions would improve communication between radiologists and surgeons for proximal hamstring avulsions.

Diagnostic musculoskeletal imaging represents a large economic expenditure within the health care system. Cost-effectiveness analysis can identify the most efficient use of imaging resources, but the literature is not well summarized. The purpose of this study was to summarize the existing literature on this topic and identify areas for future research. A systematic review of the literature was performed for 1995 - 2020. Data was extracted and summarized from those studies meeting inclusion criteria including publication and analysis characteristics and clinical topics. The search found 27 studies meeting inclusion criteria of which 16 (59%) were published in the last 5 years. Studies were clustered around specific topics with 21 (78%) of studies analyzing either osteoporosis screening (n = 9, 33%), cancer imaging (n = 4, 15%), inflammatory arthritis (n = 4, 15%), or spinal trauma (n = 4, 15%). Only 4 studies (15%) were published in radiology journals. Although 12 studies (44%) had a radiologist author, only 8 (30%) had a radiologist as first or senior author. Existing cost-effectiveness analyses in musculoskeletal radiology are clustered around a small number of topics and few studies are led by radiologists. Future research should target under-represented clinical topics and radiologists should actively pursue involvement in this field to apply their unique expertise and understanding of imaging.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The current investigation evaluated the relationship between the synovial fluid cytokine microenvironment at the time of isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the presence of subsequent chondral wear and radiologic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA) on cartilage-specific MRI sequences at a minimum of 5-year follow-up. METHODS:Patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with no baseline concomitant cartilage or meniscal defects and had synovial fluid samples obtained at the time of surgery were retrospectively identified. Patients with a minimum of 5 years of postoperative follow-up were contacted and asked to complete patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures including Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Lysholm Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Tegner Activity Scale, along with postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The concentration of ten biomarkers that have previously been suggested to play a role in cartilage degradation and inflammation in the joint space was measured. Linear regression controlling for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) was performed to create a model using the synovial fluid concentrations at the time of surgery to predict postoperative semiquantitative cartilage lesion size and depth on MRI at a minimum of 5 years follow up. RESULTS:The patients were comprised of eight males (44.4%) and ten females (55.6%) with a mean age at the time of surgery of 30.8 ± 8.7 years (range 18.2-44.5 years). The mean follow-up time was 7.8 ± 1.5 years post-operatively (range 5.7-9.7 years). MCP-1, VEGF, and IL-1Ra were found to have significant associations with the presence of postoperative cartilage wear (p < 0.05). No correlations were demonstrated among the biomarker concentrations at the time of injury with PRO scores at final follow-up (NS). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Synovial fluid inflammatory biomarker concentrations at the time of injury can predict progression of early-stage post-traumatic osteoarthritis at a mean of almost 8 years post-operatively. Findings from this study may help identify treatment targets to alter the natural history of cartilage loss following anterior cruciate ligament injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Purpose/UNASSIGNED:To investigate the variance in 90-day complication, emergency department (ED) visit, revision, and readmission rates between the Latarjet procedure (LP) performed as a primary procedure for the treatment of recurrent shoulder instability associated with critical levels of glenohumeral bone loss and the LP performed as a salvage surgical procedure after failed arthroscopic instability repair (FAIR). Methods/UNASSIGNED:< .05. Results/UNASSIGNED:The final sample sizes consisted of 54 patients in the LP-PBL group and 23 patients in the LP-FAIR group. In the postoperative period, 4 complications were observed in the first 90 days. These included complex regional pain syndrome (n = 1) and superficial wound dehiscence (n = 1) in the LP-PBL cohort. Superficial suture abscess (n = 1) and audible crepitation (n = 1) were observed in the LP-FAIR cohort. There was 1 secondary intervention (arthroscopic debridement) in the LP-FAIR cohort. No statistically significant difference in complication rates, ED visits or admissions, or secondary procedures was found between the LP-PBL and LP-FAIR groups. Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:The results of this study indicate that the 90-day complication, ED visit, revision, and readmission rates after open LP are low irrespective of the extent of glenoid or bipolar bone loss and history of arthroscopic instability repair. Level of Evidence/UNASSIGNED:Level III, retrospective cohort study.