Assessing SPECT/CT for the identification of cartilage lesions in the knee joint: A systematic review (2025)

Type of publication:

Systematic review

Author(s):

Rix L.; *Tushingham S.; Wright K.; Snow M.;

Citation:

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open. 7(1) (no pagination), 2025. Article Number: 100577. Date of Publication: 01 Mar 2025.

Abstract:

Background: Single-photon emission computerised tomography with conventional computer tomography (SPECT/CT) is an emerging technology which may hold clinical value for the identification of cartilage lesions in the knee joint. The intensity and distribution of SPECT/CT uptake tracer may identify physiological and structural information in the absence of structural change on other imaging modalities.

Objective(s): To systematically assess the utility of SPECT/CT in the detection of chondral lesions within the knee joint, in patients presenting with knee pain, with or without structural change.

Result(s): PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, and NHS databases were searched for English language articles focusing on the diagnostic value of SPECT/CT for knee chondral lesions and knee pain. Animal studies, cadaver studies, comparator radiological technique other than SPECT/CT or patients with a pathology other than knee chondral lesions were excluded. From the search, 11,982 manuscripts were identified, and screened for relevance. Seven studies were identified and scored low on QUADAS-2 bias review. SPECT/CT correlated with lesions found on other imaging modalities and during intraoperative assessment. Furthermore, in some cases, SPECT/CT out-performed other modalities in the detection of cartilage lesions.

Conclusion(s): Evidence suggests SPECT/CT may be a useful tool for the detection and localisation of cartilage lesions, particularly in discrepant cases when there is an absence of lesions on other imaging modalities, or a lack of correlation with patients' symptoms. Further studies are required to confirm the conclusions of this review.

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Description and Cross-Sectional Analyses of 25,880 Adults and Children in the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases Cohort (2024)

Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Wong K.; Pitcher D.; Braddon F.; Downward L.; Steenkamp R.; Masoud S.; Annear N.; Barratt J.; Bingham C.; Coward R.J.; Chrysochou T.; Game D.; Griffin S.; Hall M.; Johnson S.; Kanigicherla D.; Karet Frankl F.; Kavanagh D.; Kerecuk L.; Maher E.R.; Moochhala S.; Sayer J.A.; Simms R.; Sinha S.; Srivastava S.; Tam F.W.K.; Thomas K.; Turner A.N.; Walsh S.B.; Waters A.; Wilson P.; Wong E.; Sy K.T.L.; Huang K.; Ye J.; Nitsch D.; Saleem M.; Bockenhauer D.; Bramham K.; Gale D.P.; Abat S.; Adalat S.; Agbonmwandolor J.; Ahmad Z.; Alejmi A.; Almasarwah R.; Asgari E.; Ayers A.; Baharani J.; Balasubramaniam G.; Kpodo F.J.-B.; Bansal T.; Barratt A.; Bates M.; Bayne N.; Bendle J.; Benyon S.; Bergmann C.; Bhandari S.; Boddana P.; Bond S.; Branson A.; Brearey S.; Brocklebank V.; Budwal S.; Byrne C.; Cairns H.; Camilleri B.; Campbell G.; Capell A.; Carmody M.; Carson M.; Cathcart T.; Catley C.; Cesar K.; Chan M.; Chea H.; Chess J.; Cheung C.K.; Chick K.-J.; Chitalia N.; Christian M.; Clark K.; Clayton C.; Clissold R.; Cockerill H.; Coelho J.; Colby E.; Colclough V.; Conway E.; Cook H.T.; Cook W.; Cooper T.; Crosbie S.; Cserep G.; Date A.; Davidson K.; Davies A.; Dhaun N.; Dhaygude A.; Diskin L.; Dixit A.; Doctolero E.A.; Dorey S.; Downard L.; Drayson M.; Dreyer G.; Dutt T.; Etuk K.; Evans D.; Finch J.; Flinter F.; Fotheringham J.; Francis L.; Gallagher H.; Garcia E.L.; Gavrila M.; Gear S.; Geddes C.; Gilchrist M.; Gittus M.; Goggolidou P.; Goldsmith C.; Gooden P.; Goodlife A.; Goodwin P.; Grammatikopoulos T.; Gray B.; Griffith M.; Gumus S.; Gupta S.; Hamilton P.; Harper L.; Harris T.; Haskell L.; Hayward S.; Hegde S.; Hendry B.; Hewins S.; Hewitson N.; Hillman K.; Hiremath M.; Howson A.; Htet Z.; Huish S.; Hull R.; Humphries A.; Hunt D.P.J.; Hunter K.; Hunter S.; Ijeomah-Orji M.; Inston N.; Jayne D.; Jenfa G.; Jenkins A.; Jones C.A.; Jones C.; Jones A.; Jones R.; Kamesh L.; Frankl F.K.; Karim M.; Kaur A.; Kearley K.; Khwaja A.; King G.; Kislowska E.; Klata E.; Kokocinska M.; Lambie M.; Lawless L.; Ledson T.; Lennon R.; Levine A.P.; Maggie Lai L.W.; Lipkin G.; Lovitt G.; Lyons P.; Mabillard H.; Mackintosh K.; Mahdi K.; Maher E.; Marchbank K.J.; Mark P.B.; Masunda B.; Mavani Z.; Mayfair J.; McAdoo S.; Mckinnell J.; Melhem N.; Meyrick S.; Morgan P.; Morgan A.; Muhammad F.; Murray S.; Novobritskaya K.; Ong A.C.; Oni L.; Osmaston K.; Padmanabhan N.; Parkes S.; Patrick J.; Pattison J.; Paul R.; Percival R.; Perkins S.J.; Persu A.; Petchey W.G.; Pickering M.C.; Pinney J.; Plumb L.; Plummer Z.; Popoola J.; Post F.; Power A.; Pratt G.; Pusey C.; Rabara R.; Rabuya M.; Raju T.; Javier C.; Roberts I.S.; Roufosse C.; Rumjon A.; Salama A.; Sandford R.N.; *Sandu K.S.; Sarween N.; Sebire N.; Selvaskandan H.; Shah S.; Sharma A.; Sharples E.J.; Sheerin N.; Shetty H.; Shroff R.; Sinha M.; Smith K.; Smith L.; Stott I.; Stroud K.; Swift P.; Szklarzewicz J.; Tam F.; Tan K.; Taylor R.; Tischkowitz M.; Tse Y.; Turnbull A.; Tyerman K.; Usher M.; Venkat-Raman G.; Walker A.; Watt A.; Webster P.; Wechalekar A.; Welsh G.I.; West N.; Wheeler D.; Wiles K.; Willcocks L.; Williams A.; Williams E.; Williams K.; Wilson D.H.; Wilson P.D.; Winyard P.; Wood G.; Woodward E.; Woodward L.; Woolf A.; Wright D.;

Citation:

Kidney International Reports. 9(7) (pp 2067-2083), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Jul 2024.

Abstract:

Introduction: The National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) collects data from people living with rare kidney diseases across the UK, and is the world's largest, rare kidney disease registry. We present the clinical demographics and renal function of 25,880 prevalent patients and sought evidence of bias in recruitment to RaDaR.

Method(s): RaDaR is linked with the UK Renal Registry (UKRR, with which all UK patients receiving kidney replacement therapy [KRT] are registered). We assessed ethnicity and socioeconomic status in the following: (i) prevalent RaDaR patients receiving KRT compared with patients with eligible rare disease diagnoses receiving KRT in the UKRR, (ii) patients recruited to RaDaR compared with all eligible unrecruited patients at 2 renal centers, and (iii) the age-stratified ethnicity distribution of RaDaR patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) was compared to that of the English census.

Result(s): We found evidence of disparities in ethnicity and social deprivation in recruitment to RaDaR; however, these were not consistent across comparisons. Compared with either adults recruited to RaDaR or the English population, children recruited to RaDaR were more likely to be of Asian ethnicity (17.3% vs. 7.5%, P-value < 0.0001) and live in more socially deprived areas (30.3% vs. 17.3% in the most deprived Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile, P-value < 0.0001).

Conclusion(s): We observed no evidence of systematic biases in recruitment of patients into RaDaR; however, the data provide empirical evidence of negative economic and social consequences (across all ethnicities) experienced by families with children affected by rare kidney diseases.

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Each Baby Counts: Learn and Support (2024)

Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Paula Pryce

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, September 2024

Abstract:

To introduce the communication tool and terminology of Each Baby Counts: Learn and Support to the team by the end of August 2024 as evidenced by observation of conversations and documentation.

Link to PDF poster

Medical Acute Take Handover (2024)

Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Navya Basavaraju, *Dr Sam Craik, *Hazel Green, *Dr Nawaid Ahmad, *Dr Shakawan Ismaeel, * Dr Thimmegowda Govindagowda

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, September 2024

Abstract:

Improve how colleagues feel about the content and structure of a Medical Acute Take Handover by 1st September 2024. To improve the structure and standardization of handover at our hospital in concordance with Royal College of Physicians (RCP) recommendations for good clinical handover

Link to PDF poster

PRH ED Waiting Room Improvements (2024)

Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Laura Wild

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, August 2024

Abstract:

Improve the quality of care provided to patients as measured by an increase in compliance to observations, analgesia provision, reduction in interruptions and improvement in patient feedback by 31/07/2024.

Link to PDF poster

SATH Children’s Assessment Unit Improvement Programme (2024)

Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Rachel Triggs

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, October 2024

Abstract:

To facilitate a core group of Registered children's nurses who work in the Children’s Assessment Unit (CAU) to become competent in conducting a Triage on all paediatric patients referred to the unit using the Manchester Triage system.

Link to PDF poster

Base of Thumb Fractures: A Review of Anatomy, Classification, and Management (2025)

ype of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Younis, Zubair; Hamid, Muhammad A; Devasia, Thomas; *Khan, Muhammad Murtaza; *Abdullah, Faliq; *Singh, Rohit; Simons, Adrian William.

Citation:

Cureus. 17(1):e76729, 2025 Jan.

Abstract:

Fractures of the thumb metacarpal base are uncommon but significant due to their critical role in hand functionality and hand grip strength. These fractures exhibit diverse patterns, including extra-articular, Bennett, Rolando, and highly comminuted fractures, each with unique implications for management and outcomes. Each type presents unique challenges in achieving anatomical reduction, stability, and favorable long-term outcomes. This review explores the anatomy of the trapeziometacarpal joint, classification systems, clinical presentation, imaging techniques, and management strategies for these fractures. Stable extra-articular fractures often respond well to closed reduction and casting, while displaced intra-articular fractures generally require surgical intervention. Bennett fractures are typically treated using closed reduction and percutaneous pinning or open reduction and internal fixation. Rolando and comminuted fractures pose greater challenges due to their inherent instability and often necessitate advanced techniques such as locking plates, external fixation, or arthroscopic-assisted procedures. Achieving anatomical reduction is paramount to prevent complications such as joint incongruity, instability, and post-traumatic arthritis. Optimal treatment approaches depend on fracture patterns, stability, and patient-specific factors, with surgical techniques tailored to preserve thumb function and minimize long-term morbidity.

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Fish Tank-Associated Mycobacterium Marinum Infection in an Immunocompromised Host (2025)

Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

*Khan, Attam; *Jain, Dimple.

Citation:

BMJ Case Reports. 18(2), 2025 Feb 05.

Abstract:

Mycobacterium marinum infection can be challenging to diagnose and treat, especially in immunocompromised patients on tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. A patient with collagenous colitis on infliximab presented with ulcerated plaques accompanied by nodules in a sporotrichoid fashion. Initial treatments failed until a biopsy confirmed M. marinum Multiple antibiotic regimens, including rifampicin and ciprofloxacin, were required due to resistance. The case underscores the importance of patient education on avoiding aquatic environments, considering atypical mycobacterial infections in differentials for immunocompromised patients with sporotrichoid lesions, and prioritising urgent diagnostic biopsies. Treatment can be lengthy, often requiring up to 12 months, emphasising the need for ongoing patient counselling and multidisciplinary management. Current guidelines recommend a combination of ethambutol and macrolides, though further research is necessary to optimise treatment protocols.

Link to full-text [NHS OpenAthens account required]

AMA Seated Area Test of Change (2024)

Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Rebekah Tudor

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, November 2024

Abstract:

  • Improve the Length of stay (LoS) in the RSH Emergency Department (for medical patients) during the test of change weeks (by 25/10/2024)
  • Improve the LoS in the AMA Seated Area at RSH during the test of change weeks (by 25/10/2024)
  • Improve the number of discharges (all discharge destinations) from the RSH acute floor during the test of change weeks (by 25/10/2024)

Link to PDF poster