RSNA News - April 2005

Journal Highlights

The following are highlights from the current issues of RSNA's two peer-reviewed journals.

MR Arthrography of Rotator Interval, Long Head of the Biceps Brachii, and Biceps Pulley of the Shoulder

MR arthrography appears to be a promising imaging modality for evaluation of the rotator interval through the distention of the capsule and depiction of the associated ligaments.

Because orthopedic surgeons are actively pursuing rotator interval abnormalities with the intention to treat them as part of shoulder instability surgery, rotator cuff repair or as a solitary finding, it is important for radiologists to be aware of this region.

In a review article in the April issue of Radiology (rsna.org/radiologyjnl), Yoav Morag, M.D., and colleagues from the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor discuss the anatomy and biomechanics of the structures that compose the rotator interval, and present examples of pathologic conditions.

The article also includes "Essentials" or highlighted points to help busy readers recognize important information at a glance.

To access this article online, go to radiology.rsnajnls.org.

	Illustration of rotator interval anatomy Frontal view depicts anatomic boundaries of rotator interval. B = long head of biceps brachii tendon, C = coracohumeral ligament, SSC = subscapularis tendon, SST = supraspinatus tendon, T = transverse humeral ligament.

(Radiology 2005;235:21-30)
© 2005 RSNA. All rights reserved. Printed with permission.

Pitfalls in 16-Detector Row CT of the Coronary Arteries

Recently developed 16-detector row CT has been introduced as a reliable noninvasive imaging modality for evaluating the coronary arteries.

In most cases, with appropriate premedication that includes ß-blockers and nitroglycerin, ideal data sets can be acquired from which to obtain excellent-quality coronary CT angiograms, most often with multiplanar reformation, thin-slab maximum intensity projection, and volume rendering. However, various artifacts associated with data creation and reformation, postprocessing methods, and image interpretation can hamper accurate diagnosis.

In a review article in the March-April issue of RadioGraphics (rsna.org/radiographics), Tadashi Nakanishi, M.D., and colleagues from Mazda Hospital in Hiroshima, Japan, describe and illustrate the pitfalls of coronary CT angiography that are attributable to artifacts associated with reformation and postprocessing methods and image interpretation.

Partial volume averaging effect (a, b) Coronary catheter angiograms show wall irregularity of the LAD artery (arrowheads in a) without significant stenosis. (c, d) On thin-slab MIP (c) and curved MPR (d) images, the patency of the vessel lumen in the coronary arteries is difficult to appreciate due to diffuse and dense calcification. This blooming effect can lead to the creation of nonassessable segments or to pseudostenosis, depending on interpretation.

(RadioGraphics 2005;25:425-440)
© 2005 RSNA. All rights reserved. Printed with permission.