Franklin & Seidelmann Publishes Complex Podiatry...( Subspecialty Teleradiology Mod...),Health

Subspecialty Teleradiology Model Accelerates Study Conclusions

CLEVELAND, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Franklin & Seidelmann Subspecialty Radiology (F&S) announced that it recently completed a complex podiatry study that was published in the March, 2008 issue of the journal Skeletal Radiology. Because of its subspecialty teleradiology model, which aggregates a high volume of MRI interpretations coupled with specialized podiatry expertise, F&S was able to complete the study in just a few months rather than the years that would be required in a traditional radiology environment.

The scientific article, "Plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur formation are associated with abductor digiti minimi atrophy on MRI of the foot," describes a study conducted from August 2006 to January 2007 with 200 patients of all ages from 40 states referred for an MRI of the hindfoot due to the presence of heel pain.

Study conclusions showed a significant association between atrophy of the abductor digit minimi muscle, an MRI manifestation of Baxter's neuropathy, with age, plantar calcaneal spur formation and plantar fasciitis. These findings support the notion of an etiologic role for compression of the inferior calcaneal nerve as it passes anterior to the medial calcaneal tuberosity in the development of Baxter's neuropathy.

"Heel pain is very common yet not well understood, and the significance of the study proved that MRI can be a useful diagnostic tool when done prior to a surgical procedure in order to better define the patient's problem and potentially alter the surgery or patient expectations," said Dr. Javier Beltran, American Board of Radiology Certified Radiologist and Musculoskeletal MRI Specialist with Franklin & Seidelmann. Beltran also is the current chairman of the Department of Radiology at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY and a Clinical Professor of Radiology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY.

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