Orthopedics, Pediatrics / 13.05.2026
Nemours Study: FAST Spine MRI as a Screening Tool for Idiopathic Scoliosis in Pediatric Patients
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you describe what is meant by FAST spine MRI? Does it require any new technology or learning curve?
Response: Full sequence spine MRIs are routinely performed as screening studies in pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis; however, they may take up to 60 minutes or require sedation.
Limited sequence or "FAST" spine MRI scans require less time and a less frequent need for sedation, but they may decrease diagnostic accuracy. Limited sequence MRI scans perform fewer imaging sequences compared to full sequence MRI scans.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and safety of limited sequence MRI scans as a screening tool in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.
The learning curve is not steep to become comfortable in evaluating limited sequence spine MRI images or reports.
Ridge Maxson[/caption]
Ridge Maxson
M.D. Candidate, Class of 2024
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Dog walking is an increasingly popular mode of physical activity for adults in the US, but its injury burden and associated risk factors are not fully understood. This study found that the 3 most common injuries sustained by adult dog walkers in the US were finger fracture, TBI, and shoulder sprain or strain. Dog walking-related injuries sent approximately 423,000 adults to US EDs between 2001 and 2020, with an annual average of more than 21,000 visits. During that 20-year period, the estimated annual injury incidence increased by more than 4-fold. Among injured dog walkers, older adults and women were particularly vulnerable to serious injury, such as fracture and TBI.