Background: Knee osteo-arthritis is widely prevalent in the elderly population in our society and associated with significant morbidity and poor quality of life. Early diagnosis of the condition can enable timely and proper care for the patients. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, CT Scan, Ultrasonography and plain radiography are the different modalities of imaging that are commonly used for detection and diagnosis of knee osteo-arthritis. Aims and Objectives: To find out the early osteoarthritic changes of knee by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and compare those findings with conventional radiography, high frequency USG and CT scan findings. Materials and Methods: Patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA) as per American College of Rheumatology guideline criteria (n=56) underwent imaging of the knee using plain radiography, ultrasonography, CT scan and MRI. The imaging findings studied in the patients were joint space narrowing (JSN), meniscal abnormality, Baker’s cyst, cruciate ligament abnormality, knee effusion, subchondral cyst, and loose bodies. A comparison between radiography, CT scan and USG was done for the imaging findings with MRI as the reference standard. Z-test of proportionality was used to find statistically significant difference for the three imaging modalities. A P<0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 61 years (38 males). The tibiofemoral compartment was most commonly affected. CT scan was more sensitive than radiography in detecting sub-chondral cyst (P=0.018) and loose bodies (P=0.004). USG and MRI were equally sensitive in detecting knee effusion (P=0.22) and synovial thickening (P=0.10). CT scan and MRI were equally sensitive in detecting subchondral cyst (P=1.00) and loose bodies (P=0.22). Conclusion: While CT imaging was more sensitive for detection of subchondral cysts and loose bodies than conventional radiography, it was as sensitive as MRI in detecting these findings in the study group. Additional study is warranted to assess diagnostic performance of CT scan and MRI in the diagnosis and progression of knee OA.

Background: Iodine-based contrast media are used to obtain contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images for better visualization of anatomical structures and improved diagnostic accuracy. These contrast agents are water soluble and are primarily eliminated through renal route. Studies on the acute effects of these agents on the hepatic function are very few in literature. This study was conducted to assess the change of serum parameters of hepatic function within 1 week of administration of the contrast agents. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the acute effect of iodinated contrast media on liver function test. Materials and Methods: Patients attending radiology department for CECT, pre-advised by physicians as part of the treatment protocol of their specific indication were invited to participate in the study. Patients of either gender with normal kidney function test were included in the study. The study was a single-arm, observational prospective study designed to evaluate the change in liver function tests in the study participants after administration of iodinated contrast agent for CECT. All patients who participated in the study provided written informed consent (n=50). Blood sample was obtained for hepatic function tests before administration of the contrast agent and after 3–7 days of CECT. The parameters observed were serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum bilirubin-total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, serum protein-total protein, serum albumin, and serum globulin. Paired t-test was used to find out the significant differences between the respective blood parameters before and after the CECT. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean hepatic serum parameters before and after the CECT were found to be in the normal range. There was a nearly statistically significant (P=0.052) but clinically insignificant increase in the mean value of ALP after the CECT (3.020±10.739, 95% confidence interval: −0.032–6.072). Similarly, there was a paradoxical decrease in indirect bilirubin after CECT (P=0.002) which, however, was clinically insignificant (−0.0280±0.0607, 95% confidence interval: −0.0453–−0.0107). There was no statistically or clinically significant difference between the before and after test values in all other parameters. Conclusion: Iodinated contrast agents used in CECT do not have any clinically significant effects on change in serum hepatic functions within 1 week of administration of the contrast agents. The mild elevation in alkaline phosphatase may be an indication of acute cholestatic effect of the contrast agents on the hepatic parenchyma. Further studies are warranted to decipher the complete and true picture of these agents on hepatic function.