Franklin & Seidelmann Publishes Complex Podiatry MRI Study

Subspecialty Teleradiology Model Accelerates Study Conclusions

CLEVELAND, OHIO - March 11, 2008 - 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 hind foot 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. 

"The sheer number of radiology cases reviewed by Franklin & Seidelmann enabled the group to complete the study so quickly," added Beltran.

"The ability to collect large amounts of data in few months is unique to this setting. In any other environment a clinical researcher would have to wait years before having sufficient data to validate any conclusions," he said.  "In this particular study the team requested all F&S radiologists who interpret musculoskeletal ankle MRI studies to send any cases that fulfilled specific diagnostic criteria to them. In a few months they were able to have enough cases to provide a sound statistical analysis and reach significant conclusions."

The research team included musculoskeletal radiology specialists from both Franklin & Seidelmann and Maimonides Medical Center.

Franklin & Seidelmann subspecialty radiologists interpret an average of 14,000 podiatry cases on an annual basis. Comparatively, typical radiology environments process less than 2,000 cases annually.  By aggregating subspecialty radiology cases across its national client base, F&S enables its radiology team to maintain and build upon their level of expertise ensuring high quality interpretations.

The Franklin & Seidelmann team includes many of the industry's leading academic subspecialty radiologists, who join in order to gain access to high case volume in order to maintain their level of expertise. Many are nationally and internationally recognized as subspecialty experts, educators, writers and lecturers.  Collectively, Franklin & Seidelmann radiologists have completed more than 8,000 academic books, chapters, articles, abstracts, research awards, lectures and exhibits.