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Biomedical subjects

J F Griffith

Publications and source records attributed to J F Griffith.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma: a rare soft-tissue malignancy with distinctive clinical and radiological features.

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare tumour. Certain distinctive clinical and radiological features suggest the correct diagnosis. There is moderate predilection for young women. ASPS almost always arises in skeletal muscle and occurs most frequently in the lower limbs. There is often a long clinical history and a large mass at presentation. Two young females with ASPS presented with very vascular tumours in the thigh, with prominent intra- and extra-tumoural blood vessels. The imaging findings and the existing literature are reviewed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

MR imaging of children's knees.

The spectrum of paediatric knee disorders ranges from developmental and growth disorders, traumatic derangement, inflammation, infection, and diffuse marrow disorder to neoplasm. We present in this pictorial review the MR imaging findings used to characterize these various diseases affecting the knee region of children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Acute elbow trauma in children: spectrum of injury revealed by MR imaging not apparent on radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency and significance of unrecognized bone or soft-tissue injury in pediatric patients with elbow trauma assessed with radiographs alone. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty children (32 boys and 18 girls; mean age, 7.3 years; age range, 2-12 years) with acute elbow trauma were examined with radiography and MR imaging. Radiographs were categorized into those showing normal findings, an effusion, an equivocal fracture, or an unequivocal fracture. MR examinations were assessed for an effusion, fracture, transphyseal fracture extension, physeal injury, bone bruising, and ligament or muscle injury. Average clinical follow-up was 1.6 years (range, 6-28 months) after injury. RESULTS: Radiographs showed normal findings in seven children (14%), an effusion only in 17 children (34%), and an unequivocal or equivocal fracture in 26 children (52%). MR imaging showed an effusion in 48 children (96%); unequivocal fracture in 37 children (74%), including transphyseal fracture in seven children (14%) and other physeal injury in three children (6%); bone bruising in 45 children (90%); ligament injury in six children (14%); and muscle injury in 19 children (38%). A less severe spectrum of injury occurred in children with normal findings on radiographs than in those with an effusion or fracture seen on radiography. Follow-up radiographs did not help in the detection of radiographically occult fractures. MR findings had no appreciable effect on patient treatment and no value in predicting duration of convalescence or clinical outcome at an average of 1.6 years after injury. CONCLUSION: In children with elbow trauma, MR imaging reveals a broad spectrum of bone and soft-tissue injury beyond that recognizable radiographically. However, the additional information afforded by MR imaging has little bearing on treatment or clinical outcome.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Neck ultrasound in staging squamous oesophageal carcinoma - a high yield technique.

AIM: This study evaluates the use of neck ultrasound in staging squamous oesophageal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of the clinical, neck ultrasound (US) and thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings in 121 patients with squamous oesophageal carcinoma at presentation was performed. The relationship between malignant neck nodes, mediastinal and abdominal adenopathy, location and size of the primary tumour was analysed. RESULTS: Ten of 121 patients (8%) had clinically palpable neck nodes which were deemed malignant in six (5%) following US and fine-needle aspiration for cytology. Of those 111 patients with no palpable neck nodes, 31 (28%) had malignant nodes shown on US. The more cephalad the location of the primary tumour, the higher the frequency of malignant neck nodes which were found in 80%, 52%, 29% and 9% of cervical, upper thoracic, mid-thoracic and lower thoracic oesophageal tumours, respectively. Eleven (29%) of the 38 patients with malignant neck nodes shown on US had no CT evidence of additional adenopathy in the mediastinum or upper abdomen. Neck US altered TNM staging in 22/121 (18%) patients at presentation. CONCLUSION: Neck US frequently detects clinically impalpable metastatic nodes leading to altered TNM staging in patients with squamous oesophageal carcinoma. We advocate its routine use when staging squamous oesophageal carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Vascularised bone grafting for fibrous dysplasia of the upper limb.

We describe our experience with vascularised bone grafting for the treatment of fibrous dysplasia of the upper limb in eight patients, five men and three women, aged between 17 and 36 years. The site was in the humerus in six and the radius in two. Persistent pain, progression of the lesion and pathological fracture with delayed union were the indications for surgical intervention. We used a vascularised fibular graft after curettage of the lesion. Function and radiological progress were serially monitored. Early radiological union of the graft occurred at periods ranging from 8 to 14 weeks. The mean period for reconstitution of the diameter of the bone was 14 months (12 to 18) predominantly through inductive formation of bone around the vascularised graft, which was a prominent feature in all patients. There were no recurrences and none of the grafts sustained a fracture or failed to unite. After operation function was excellent in three patients and good in five. Vascularised bone grafts provide a safe and reliable means of ensuring good continuity of bone with little risk of recurrence and failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

MRI evaluation of multifidus muscles in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: The role of the multifidus muscles in the initiation and progression of curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is not fully understood and controversy exists as to the side of the abnormality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate on MRI the multifidus muscles at the apex of the major curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to ascertain if the multifidus muscles on the convex or concave side are abnormal and the relationship to curve severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, separated into two groups, were studied using a 1.5-T MR scanner with the synergy spine coil, employing a modified STIR (short tau inversion recovery) axial sequence obtained at the apex of the major scoliotic curve. RESULTS: No hyperintense signal change was demonstrated in the convex side multifidus muscles in any patient. In group I, 16 of 18 patients with severe or rapidly progressive curve showed increase in signal intensity in the multifidus muscle on the concave side of the apex of the curve. In group II, of the 15 patients with mild curve (Cobb angle 10-30 degrees), 4 had increased signal intensity in the multifidus muscle on the concave side; of the 13 with more severe curve (Cobb angle greater than 30 degrees), 10 had increase in multifidus signal intensity on the concave side. CONCLUSIONS: The concave-side multifidus muscle at the apex of a scoliotic curve was morphologically abnormal. A significant association between abnormal signal change and curve severity was also established.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Imaging following allograft reconstruction in children with malignant bone tumours.

PURPOSE: To determine the nature of the imaging findings following reconstructive surgery using massive allografts in children with malignant bone tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the imaging studies and medical charts of 25 consecutive children who received an allograft as part of the management of a malignant bone tumour. RESULTS: Uncomplicated allografts were sclerotic relative to native bone on radiographs and showed a typical 'tramline' appearance on bone scintigraphy. On MR, the medullary canal of the allograft showed low signal, similar to or greater than skeletal muscle, but less than subcutaneous fat, on 91 % of T1-weighted images. On short-tau inversion recovery images, the medullary canal was inhomogeneous and hyperintense to subcutaneous fat in 70 % and hyperintense to muscle in the remainder. Complications occurred in 68 % of patients and included allograft fractures (36 %), recurrent tumour (20 %), infection (8 %), and non-union or delayed union (8 %). The radiographic findings alone permitted accurate diagnosis of most serious complications. Infection and rejection were difficult to distinguish with any technique. All complications were suspected on clinical and/or radiological grounds before being shown by MR or scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Allografts, whether normal or complicated, have characteristic imaging findings, except that infection and bone resorption related to rejection and revascularisation are difficult to distinguish. Routine MR and bone scintigraphy appear to contribute little to the management of these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: a great clinical and radiologic mimic in need of recognition by the pathologist.

The spectrum of histopathologic changes in four cases of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis encountered in our orthopedic outpatient clinic in the past 3 years was studied in conjunction with clinical and radiologic findings. All presented with pain with or without swelling in the affected region. Radiographically, the appearance of the lesions varied from a mixed picture of bone lysis and sclerosis with expansion to sclerosis alone to bone collapse. Bone scintigraphy demonstrated asymptomatic and separate foci of activity in all cases. Prior to biopsy, the clinical and radiologic differential diagnoses included Ewing's sarcoma, metastatic neuroblastoma, hematolymphoid malignancy, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and chronic infection, notably tuberculosis. The spectrum of histopathologic changes ranged from acute (acute inflammatory infiltration, active bone resorption and necrosis, reactive bone formation) to subacute (predominantly lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration) to chronic inflammation (fibroblastic organization and bony sclerosis). Histologic changes correlated poorly with clinical features, but relatively well with radiologic findings. Lesional excision was performed in one case, cortical saucerization in another, while the final two cases received supportive treatment. All remained well 18-21 months post-therapy. Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis is a great clinical and radiologic mimic, which merits recognition by the pathologist. Awareness of the spectrum of histologic features encountered enables a correct diagnosis to be made in the appropriate clinical setting. The patient can thus be reassured of a favorable prognosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Assessing chemotherapy response of squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma with spiral CT.

45 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus were examined prior to, and following, pre-operative chemotherapy by spiral CT. Oesophageal CT was performed following gaseous distention of the oesophagus. TNM stage and perceived resectability on CT before and after chemotherapy were compared and related to surgical resectability and pathological staging. T-stage changed in 26% and N-stage changed in 9% of tumours after chemotherapy. Post-chemotherapy CT predicted pathological T-stage with an accuracy of 88% and N-stage with an accuracy of 84%. Six of 14 tumours considered irresectable on CT pre-chemotherapy were considered resectable on post-chemotherapy CT. Five of these six tumours were resectable at surgery. Post-chemotherapy CT predicted surgical resectability with an accuracy of 88%, the main pitfall being underestimation and overestimation of tracheobronchial invasion. CT prediction of chemotherapy response as judged by change in tumour volume was compared with a quantitative pathological assessment of chemotherapy response. 93% of oesophageal tumours changed volume after chemotherapy with 51% having a volume reduction of > or = 50%. However, no correlation was found between tumour volume reduction on serial CT examinations and either a quantitative pathological assessment of tumour response or patient survival.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1999

Sonography compared with radiography in revealing acute rib fracture.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the sensitivities of sonography and radiography for revealing acute rib fracture. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Chest radiography and rib sonography were performed on 50 patients with suspected rib fractures. Sonography was performed with a 9- or 12-MHz linear transducer. Fractures were identified by a disruption of the anterior margin of the rib, costochondral junction, or costal cartilage. The incidence, location, and degree of displacement of fractures revealed by radiography and sonography were compared. Sonography was performed again after 3 weeks in 37 subjects. RESULTS: At presentation, radiographs revealed eight rib fractures in six (12%) of 50 patients and sonography revealed 83 rib fractures in 39 (78%) of 50 patients. Seventy-four (89%) of the 83 sonographically detected fractures were located in the rib, four (5%) were located at the costochondral junction, and five (6%) in the costal cartilage. Repeated sonography after 3 weeks showed evidence of healing in all reexamined fractures. Combining sonography at presentation and after 3 weeks, 88% of subjects had sustained a fracture. CONCLUSION: Sonography reveals more fractures than does radiography and will reveal fractures in most patients presenting with suspected rib fracture. Further scientific studies are needed to clarify the appropriate role for sonography in rib fracture detection.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Intracortical osteosarcoma.

Intracortical osteosarcomas originate in the bone cortex and represent the rarest type of osteosarcoma. We describe the clinical, radiological and histological features of an intracortical osteosarcoma occurring in the femur of a young man and discuss the pertinent features of this tumour compared to those previously reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Primary juxtacortical chondrosarcoma dedifferentiating after 20 years.

We present the clinical, radiographic and pathological features of a juxtacortical chondrosarcoma which underwent dedifferentiation to an osteosarcoma in a 47-year-old woman. The tumour, abutting the femoral diaphysis, had initially presented 20 years earlier. Local excision was performed at presentation and again 10 years later, but the tumour recurred on each occasion. Serial radiographs showed cortical saucerisation evolving to cortical buttressing and mounding. After 20 years a dramatic radiographic change heralded tumour dedifferentiation.

Chondrosarcoma↗
PubMed1998

Pseudoaneurysm after high tibial osteotomy and limb lengthening.

A case of a young man with anterior tibial artery rupture and pseudoaneurysm formation that occurred during lengthening of a scarred limb is presented. Leg length discrepancy occurred because of previous distal femoral and proximal tibial fractures. Two corrective operations were performed 11 and 2 years earlier at another hospital. As limb deformity persisted, distal femoral and proximal tibial osteotomies combined with limb lengthening were performed. The aim was to achieve 120 mm (70 mm femoral, 50 mm tibial) lengthening. The operative and early postoperative course was uneventful. Twenty-six days after surgery (when femoral and tibial lengthening was 13.5 mm and 5.5 mm, respectively), blood began oozing from the operative scar during limb distraction. At 70 days after surgery (when femoral and tibia lengthening was 41.5 mm and 14 mm, respectively), a rupture and pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery became apparent. Documentation of a normal pulses in the foot after surgery, the late presentation of pseudoaneurysm, and the initiation of bleeding by limb distraction indicate that limb lengthening either aggravated an unrecognized arterial injury or precipitated de novo rupture of the anterior tibial artery scarred from previous trauma. The pseudoaneurysm was treated successfully by transarterial embolization.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar vertebral apophyseal ring fractures.

Posterior lumbar vertebral apophyseal ring fractures are described in three adolescents presenting with severe low back pain, spinal tenderness and lower limb neurological deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging showed severe L4/5 posterior disc protrusion in all three patients. The actual fracture fragment was visualized with difficulty on MRI alone. The diagnosis of apophyseal ring fracture was made by either radiography or CT. Computed tomography delineated the size, shape and site of the fracture fragment. Surgical confirmation was obtained in all cases. Posterior lumbar vertebral apophyseal ring fractures may be difficult to visualize on MR imaging. Careful review of radiographs, supplemented by targeted CT, is necessary for the correct diagnosis and management of this entity.

Adolescent↗