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Biomedical subjects

C A Helms

Publications and source records attributed to C A Helms.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Proper protocols key to CT of lumbar spine.

MRI is clearly superior to CT in imaging the lumbar spine for evaluation of the postoperative back. The one area in which CT has been shown to be superior to MRI in the lumbar spine is in diagnosing spondylolysis. Pars defects can be very difficult to appreciate with MRI, yet are easily seen with CT. Other than spondylolysis, the postoperative spine, and bone marrow imaging, CT and MRI appear to be diagnostically equivalent.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Musculoskeletal infection: findings on magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide considerable useful information in cases of musculoskeletal infection, in particular demonstrating the extent of involvement of soft tissues and medullary bone. Differentiation between infected tissue and abscess is also possible with MRI, especially if contrast agent is administered. MRI therefore serves as an adjunct to other imaging modalities, especially in complex cases. This review covers various manifestations of musculoskeletal infection as depicted with MRI.

Abscess↗
PubMed1993

Quadrilateral space syndrome: findings at MR imaging.

Shoulder pain due to compression of the axillary nerve by fibrous bands in the quadrilateral space has been termed the quadrilateral space syndrome. Selective atrophy of the teres minor muscle, which is innervated by the axillary nerve, was demonstrated at magnetic resonance imaging in three patients with clinical findings of the syndrome. This finding, in the appropriate clinical setting, is highly suggestive of the quadrilateral space syndrome, which is a potentially reversible cause of shoulder pain.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Calcification demonstrated as high signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images of the disks of the lumbar spine.

PURPOSE: To report that calcification of lumbar disks may not show the usual low signal intensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors present five cases of high signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images of a lumbar disk that reflect the presence of calcium deposition. RESULTS: In four cases there was conventional radiographic confirmation and in one case there was computed tomographic confirmation of the disk calcification, which corresponded to the high signal intensity seen on the MR studies. One patient had undergone surgical removal of a partially calcified protruding disk. CONCLUSION: Lumbar disk calcification can vary in signal intensity from low to high on T1-weighted MR images.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Importance of routine T2-weighted or T2*-weighted coronal images in magnetic resonance imaging of the knee.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee is most commonly performed with T1-weighting in the coronal plane. This type of imaging is insensitive to meniscocapsular separation and tears of the medial collateral ligament. T2-weighted and T2*-weighted coronal imaging is sensitive to these abnormalities and should be a part of the routine protocol for imaging the knee.

Collateral Ligaments↗
PubMed1993

Rapid triple-compartment wrist arthrography with diluted contrast medium.

Triple-compartment wrist arthrography is currently considered the optimal technique for evaluating carpal instability, because injection of contrast agent into the radiocarpal joint alone can fail to reveal ligamentous disruption due to a ball-valve tear. Unfortunately, triple-compartment arthrography can be time consuming for both the patient and the radiologist. This report describes a technique for rapid triple-compartment wrist arthrography with standard (as opposed to digital subtraction) fluoroscopy. This technique reduces the time necessary to perform the study to 30 to 45 minutes without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy.

Diatrizoate↗
PubMed1992

Suprascapular nerve entrapment: evaluation with MR imaging.

Entrapment of the suprascapular nerve is frequently overlooked in the differential diagnosis of shoulder pain. The diagnosis is typically not considered until patients develop severe weakness secondary to atrophy of the spinatus (spinous) musculature that the nerve supplies. Twenty-seven masses were identified adjacent to the suprascapular nerve on magnetic resonance (MR) images of the shoulder; there were 21 ganglion cysts, two synovial sarcomas, one Ewing sarcoma, one chondrosarcoma, one metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and one hematoma associated with a fracture. Atrophy of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles was seen in association with anteriorly located masses and proximal entrapment of the nerve in 11 cases (40%); isolated atrophy of the infraspinatus muscle was seen in association with posteriorly located masses and distal entrapment of the nerve in nine cases (33%). MR imaging may facilitate the diagnosis of suprascapular nerve entrapment in patients with shoulder pain of unclear origin when perineural masses and atrophy of the spinatus musculature are present.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Current status of magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle and the hindfoot.

With the increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for examining the musculoskeletal system, numerous applications have been found in the evaluation of ankle and hindfoot problems. For example, MRI is ideal for assessing tendon disorders, which are common in this region. In addition, the technique allows accurate staging of osteochondral fractures, as well as both soft-tissue and bony neoplasms. Tarsal coalition can be readily evaluated and the type determined. Increasingly, arthritis and synovial abnormalities are coming under scrutiny with MRI; this is currently an area of avid interest. In this article the authors review the current status of MRI of the ankle and the hindfoot and illustrate a variety of these disorders.

Ankle Joint↗
PubMed1992

Current status of magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist.

Conventional imaging of the wrist has relied heavily on plain radiography, tomography, fluoroscopy and arthrography. More recently, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been added to this armamentarium. In this article the authors review the normal anatomy of the wrist and demonstrate a variety of pathologic conditions that can be assessed with MRI, including avascular necrosis and tears of the intrinsic and the extrinsic ligaments and the triangular fibrocartilage. MRI of the wrist is still evolving rapidly, and its place in the work-up of wrist disorders is only now being defined.

Bone Diseases↗
PubMed1991

Automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy.

The use of automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy for the treatment of herniated lumbar disks is increasing. More than 3000 physicians have been trained to perform the procedure, and over 40,000 cases have been completed worldwide. This review describes the development of automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy, the selection of appropriate patients, how the technique is performed, and its efficacy relative to other methods of treatment.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder: rationale and current applications.

Because it can demonstrate a wide range of tissue contrast with excellent resolution, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has revolutionized imaging in many areas of the musculoskeletal system and has generated excitement among those interested in the painful shoulder. Shoulder impingement syndrome and glenohumeral instability constitute the two major categories of shoulder derangements. Correct diagnosis requires the use of appropriate pulse sequences and imaging planes, proper patient positioning, and a satisfactory surface coil. In addition the imager must have a thorough understanding of shoulder anatomy and pathology. We present a summary of the current status of MR imaging of the shoulder including technical, anatomic, and pathologic considerations and a review of the pertinent literature.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

A prospective evaluation of the effectiveness of temporomandibular joint arthroscopy.

This is a prospective study to evaluate therapeutic arthroscopy for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Fifty-nine patients with 76 abnormal joints were evaluated preoperatively for pain, noise, maximal incisal opening (MIO), and deviation on opening. Preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained for 29 joints. Patients were treated by superior joint arthroscopy, lysis of adhesions, lavage, and steroid injection, along with preoperative and postoperative splint and physiotherapy. Pain, noise, and motion were evaluated at three time periods: 1) early (10 to 30 days); 2) intermediate (1 to 6 months); and 3) late (greater than 6 months). At early, intermediate, and late follow-up, increase in MIO was statistically significant (P less than .05). Noise did not return in the majority of patients. Disc position, evaluated by MRI, did not appear to change in 25 of 29 joints and did not correlate with clinical outcome. The results of this study indicate that TMJ arthroscopy is effective in reducing pain and increasing motion in patients with TMJ internal derangement.

Adult↗