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Tomography
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Orthopaedic Radiology: Clinical Diagnosis and Application
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Orthopaedic Radiology: Clinical Diagnosis and Application

A special issue of Tomography (ISSN 2379-139X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2025) | Viewed by 6524

Editor

Dr. Olumide A. Danisa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
Interests: MRI; CT; diagnostic imaging; orthopaedic radiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advancements in musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging continue to reshape the landscape of orthopedic diagnostics, yet significant gaps remain in the ability to quantitatively define and standardize many common conditions. While imaging modalities such as X-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound are widely utilized, many orthopedic diagnoses—such as spinal stenosis—still rely heavily on clinical assessment rather than objective radiologic criteria. Establishing more precise imaging-based diagnostic thresholds is crucial for enhancing the reliability of radiologic assessments and improving interdisciplinary collaboration between radiologists and orthopedic surgeons.

This Special Issue, Orthopaedic Radiology: Clinical Diagnosis and Application, seeks to highlight innovations in MSK imaging that refine diagnostic accuracy and expand the role of imaging beyond morphologic evaluation. We invite original research, comprehensive reviews, and case-based studies that explore advancements in musculoskeletal imaging techniques. Particular emphasis will be placed on research that can aid in establishing objective radiologic criteria for diagnosing conditions traditionally relying on subjective clinical evaluation.

This issue aims to advance imaging as a definitive diagnostic tool by exploring these topics, paving the way for a more standardized diagnostic approach. We welcome contributions that help shape the future of MSK radiology and improve the precision of orthopedic imaging.  

Dr. Olumide A. Danisa
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Tomography is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • X-ray
  • CT
  • MRI
  • ultrasound
  • orthopedic radiology
  • diagnosis

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 964 KB  
Article
MRI-Based Evaluation of Lumbar Epidural Space Depth and Its Correlation with Anthropometric Factors in Saudi Adults
by Ilhaam Alsaati, Khaleel Alyahya, Mohammed Alharbi, Zuhal Y. Hamd and Shaden Alhegail
Tomography 2026, 12(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/tomography12040053 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 842
Abstract
Background: Epidural procedures benefit from a pre-procedural informed estimation of epidural depth, as anticipating the approximate distance can support safer needle placement and reduce technical difficulties during analgesia or anesthesia procedures. The influence of ethnicity has been established across different populations worldwide; [...] Read more.
Background: Epidural procedures benefit from a pre-procedural informed estimation of epidural depth, as anticipating the approximate distance can support safer needle placement and reduce technical difficulties during analgesia or anesthesia procedures. The influence of ethnicity has been established across different populations worldwide; however, there is a lack of Saudi-specific MRI data on epidural depth among the adult population. Aim of this Study: To measure the skin to epidural space distance (SED) at the lumbar interspaces L3–L4 and L4–L5 in the Saudi adult population using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to examine its correlations with age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, sagittal T1-weighted lumbar MRI images of the spine of 169 adult Saudi patients were studied. The age group ranged from 20 to 70 years, with an equal distribution of males and females. The skin to epidural space distance (SED) was measured at the L3–L4 and L4–L5 interspaces, and its correlations with age, sex, height, weight, and BMI were analyzed. Results: The average measurement of skin to epidural space distance (SED) was 59.08 mm in L3–L4, and 63.21 in L4–L5. BMI and weight showed strong positive correlations with SED across both levels. Female sex was associated with longer SED values at L4–L5. There was no significant correlation between SED and age or height of the patients. Conclusions: MRI-based assessment of SED revealed strong correlations with weight and BMI, but no correlation with height, age, and sex. These findings support the individualized estimation of epidural depth and needle length selection to enhance procedural safety and reduce complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orthopaedic Radiology: Clinical Diagnosis and Application)
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18 pages, 3520 KB  
Article
Is Femoral Head Bone Marrow Edema of Unknown Etiology Associated with Acetabular Overcoverage? A CT-Based Three-Dimensional Study
by Veli Süha Öztürk, Tubanur Şanlı, Ali Balcı and Onur Hapa
Tomography 2026, 12(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/tomography12020019 - 4 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1427
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) morphology and femoral head bone marrow edema of unknown etiology on hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to assess the added value of computed tomography-based three-dimensional maximum intensity projection (CT-MIP) measurements [...] Read more.
Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) morphology and femoral head bone marrow edema of unknown etiology on hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to assess the added value of computed tomography-based three-dimensional maximum intensity projection (CT-MIP) measurements in identifying a predisposition to acetabular overcoverage. Methods: Hip MRI examinations performed between January 2007 and 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases with bone marrow edema attributable to identifiable etiologies were excluded. Twenty-six patients with available hip or pelvis computed tomography (CT) examinations obtained within one year were included, along with an age- and sex-matched control group imaged for indications unrelated to hip pain. A total of 104 hip joints were evaluated. Alpha angles were measured on axial oblique CT reformations. Virtual pelvic radiographs generated from CT-based three-dimensional reconstructions were used for lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) measurements, and acetabular coverage was quantified using the acetabular coverage index derived from CT-MIP images. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: FAI was identified in 82.7% of cases with bone marrow edema of unknown etiology on MRI (p < 0.001), with pincer-type morphology being the most prevalent subtype (55.8%). Bone marrow edema was significantly more common in pincer-type FAI compared with other subtypes (p < 0.001) and predominantly involved the posterolateral femoral head. Mean alpha angle, LCEA, and acetabular coverage index values were significantly higher in the case group than in controls (p < 0.001). For the detection of pincer-type FAI, CT-MIP-based acetabular coverage index demonstrated superior diagnostic performance compared with LCEA (AUC, 0.917 vs. 0.855; p = 0.017), with an optimal cutoff value of 0.93 yielding high specificity and accuracy. All measurements showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. Conclusions: Femoral head bone marrow edema of unknown etiology may serve as a radiologic clue to underlying pincer-type FAI, while CT-MIP-based analyses may provide incremental value beyond conventional angular measurements in characterizing acetabular overcoverage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orthopaedic Radiology: Clinical Diagnosis and Application)
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11 pages, 621 KB  
Article
Correlations of Lumbar Interspinous Distance with Neuroforaminal Dimensions, Disc Space Height, and Patient Demographic Factors
by Carson Cummings, Zachary Brandt, Kai Nguyen, Asael Isaac, Jean-Carlos Gutierrez, Ashley Kempf, David Cheng, Joel D. Carson, Emily Novak, Jacob Razzouk, Olumide Danisa and Wayne Cheng
Tomography 2025, 11(9), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/tomography11090100 - 27 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2967
Abstract
Background/Objectives: A thorough understanding of spinal anatomy is essential for diagnostic assessment and surgical intervention. Interspinous distance (ISD), neuroforaminal dimensions (NFDs), and disc space height (DSH) have each been studied separately; however, their interrelationship remains unstudied. Given the use of interspinous implants as [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: A thorough understanding of spinal anatomy is essential for diagnostic assessment and surgical intervention. Interspinous distance (ISD), neuroforaminal dimensions (NFDs), and disc space height (DSH) have each been studied separately; however, their interrelationship remains unstudied. Given the use of interspinous implants as a minimally invasive treatment for lumbar stenosis and degenerative disc disease, defining these relationships is of growing clinical significance. This study investigates the correlation between ISD and both NFDs and DSH in a normative population and whether ISD varies with demographic factors. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 852 patients who underwent CT imaging of the lumbar spine. ISD was measured from L1 to L5 as the shortest distance between the most caudal tip of the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process. DSH was measured at the anterior, middle, and posterior margins. NFDs were assessed in axial and sagittal views, including axial width, craniocaudal height, and foraminal area. Statistical analysis assessed correlations between ISD, NFDs, DSH, and demographic variables. Results: No strong correlation was observed between ISD and either NFDs or DSH. Slightly greater correlation was present at L1–L3, weakening at L4–L5, where interspinous implants are most commonly placed. Demographic analysis revealed no consistent relationship between ISD and ethnicity, sex, or BMI. While it may be expected that larger ISD correlates with greater NFDs or DSH, our findings do not support this assumption. Conclusions: ISD does not strongly correlate with NFDs or DSH, and demographic factors do not significantly influence ISD in a healthy population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orthopaedic Radiology: Clinical Diagnosis and Application)
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