Dose modulated retrospective ECG-gated versus non-gated 64-row CT angiography of the aorta at the same radiation dose: Comparison of motion artifacts, diagnostic confidence and signal-to-noise-ratios

To compare ECG-gated and non-gated CT angiography of the aorta at the same radiation dose, with regard to motion artifacts (MA), diagnostic confidence (DC) and signal-to-noise-ratios (SNRs).

Joint-preserving surgery improves pain, range of motion, and abductor strength after Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

Patients after Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) often develop pain, impaired ROM, abductor weakness, and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in early adulthood. Based on intraoperative observations during surgical hip dislocation, we established an algorithm for more detailed characterization of the underlying pathomorphologies with a proposed joint-preserving surgical treatment.

LCPD: reduced range of motion resulting from extra- and intraarticular impingement

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) often results in a deformity that can be considered as a complex form of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Improved preoperative characterization of the FAI problem based on a noninvasive three-dimensional computer analysis may help to plan the appropriate operative treatment.

Microwave remote sensing of stratospheric trace gases using digital Fast Fourier Transform spectrometers

The Institute of Applied Physics observes middle atmospheric trace gases, such as ozone and water vapour, by microwave radiometry. We report on the comparison of measurements using a novel digital Fast Fourier Transform and accousto optical spectrometers. First tests made on ground are presented as well as first experience about the use of such spectrometers under aircraft conditions.

Range of motion in anterior femoroacetabular impingement

The range of motion of normal hips and hips with femoroacetabular impingement relative to some specific anatomic reference landmarks is unknown. We therefore described: (1) the range of motion pattern relative to landmarks; (2) the location of the impingement zones in normal and impinging hips; and (3) the influence of surgical débridement on the range of motion. We used a previously developed and validated noninvasive 3-D CT-based method for kinematic hip analysis to compare the range of motion pattern, the location of impingement, and the effect of virtual surgical reconstruction in 28 hips with anterior femoroacetabular impingement and a control group of 33 normal hips. Hips with femoroacetabular impingement had decreased flexion, internal rotation, and abduction. Internal rotation decreased with increasing flexion and adduction. The calculated impingement zones were localized in the anterosuperior quadrant of the acetabulum and were similar in the two groups and in impingement subgroups. The average improvement of internal rotation was 5.4 degrees for pincer hips, 8.5 degrees for cam hips, and 15.7 degrees for mixed impingement. This method helps the surgeon quantify the severity of impingement and choose the appropriate treatment option; it provides a basis for future image-guided surgical reconstruction in femoroacetabular impingement with less invasive techniques.

Range of motion after computed tomography-based simulation of intertrochanteric corrective osteotomy in cases of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: comparison of uniplanar flexion osteotomy and multiplanar flexion, valgisation, and rotational osteotomies

BACKGROUND: Various osteotomy techniques have been developed to correct the deformity caused by slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and compared by their clinical outcomes. The aim of the presented study was to compare an intertrochanteric uniplanar flexion osteotomy with a multiplanar osteotomy by their ability to improve postoperative range of motion as measured by simulation of computed tomographic data in patients with SCFE. METHODS: We examined 19 patients with moderate or severe SCFE as classified based on slippage angle. A computer program for the simulation of movement and osteotomy developed in our laboratory was used for study execution. According to a 3-dimensional reconstruction of the computed tomographic data, the physiological range was determined by flexion, abduction, and internal rotation. The multiplanar osteotomy was compared with the uniplanar flexion osteotomy. Both intertrochanteric osteotomy techniques were simulated, and the improvements of the movement range were assessed and compared. RESULTS: The mean slipping and thus correction angles measured were 25 degrees (range, 8-46 degrees) inferior and 54 degrees (range, 32-78 degrees) posterior. After the simulation of multiplanar osteotomy, the virtually measured ranges of motion as determined by bone-to-bone contact were 61 degrees for flexion, 57 degrees for abduction, and 66 degrees for internal rotation. The simulation of the uniplanar flexion osteotomy achieved a flexion of 63 degrees, an abduction of 36 degrees, and an internal rotation of 54 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from abduction, the improvement in the range of motion by a uniplanar flexion osteotomy is comparable with that of the multiplanar osteotomy. However, the improvement in flexion for the simulation of both techniques is not satisfactory with regard to the requirements of normal everyday life, in contrast to abduction and internal rotation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective comparative study.

Femoral morphology due to impingement influences the range of motion in slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Femoroacetabular impingement due to metaphyseal prominence is associated with the slippage in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), but it is unclear whether the changes in femoral metaphysis morphology are associated with range of motion (ROM) changes or type of impingement. We asked whether the femoral head-neck junction morphology influences ROM analysis and type of impingement in addition to the slip angle and the acetabular version. We analyzed in 31 patients with SCFE the relationship between the proximal femoral morphology and limitation in ROM due to impingement based on simulated ROM of preoperative CT data. The ROM was analyzed in relation to degree of slippage, femoral metaphysis morphology, acetabular version, and pathomechanical terms of "impaction" and "inclusion." The ROM in the affected hips was comparable to that in the unaffected hips for mild slippage and decreased for slippage of more than 30 degrees. The limitation correlated with changes in the metaphysic morphology and changed acetabular version. Decreased head-neck offset in hips with slip angles between 30 degrees and 50 degrees had restricted ROM to nearly the same degree as in severe SCFE. Therefore, in addition to the slip angle, the femoral metaphysis morphology should be used as criteria for reconstructive surgery.