Synovial osteochondromatosis in the subacromial bursa mimicking calcific tendinitis: sonographic diagnosis.

Synovial osteochondromatosis is an idiopathic benign metaplasia of the synovial membrane rarely found in an extra-articular bursa. We describe the case of a 55-year-old woman with synovial osteochondromatosis in the subacromial bursa mimicking calcific tendinitis. Plain radiographs showed a radiopaque mass over the middle facet of the greater tuberosity, suggesting calcific tendinitis. Sonography, however, showed a loose body in the subacromial bursa, and no evidence of calcification inside the rotator cuff.

Usefulness of MRI in determining the appropriate level of cement augmentation for acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective study on consecutive patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosing appropriate acute lesions before a percutaneous cement augmentation technique. BACKGROUND: Vertebral compression fractures related to osteoporosis are very common in the elderly. Acute OVCFs are usually treated conservatively. In recent years, minimally invasive percutaneous cement augmentation techniques, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, have been introduced as alternative treatment options. However, the localization of acute fractures of the spine can be difficult, yet is critical in implementing these treatments. METHODS: A total of 168 patients were enrolled in this study. All participants were 50 years of age or older and were admitted via the emergency room because of acute severe back pain with suspected OVCFs with or without a history of trauma. Standard plain radiographs and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the spine were initially obtained in the emergency room. An MRI scan with short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequencing of the spine was performed within 3 days of hospitalization. Patients were divided into 2 groups: single group and multiple group. The single group consisted of those with a single fracture, and the multiple group consisted of those with multiple fractures of the vertebral body, as diagnosed using only standard radiographs and CT scans. We compared the level and number of fractures from the initial findings of the standard radiographs and CT scans with the MRI scan results within each group. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 68.9 years. Forty-nine patients were male and 119 were female. In the single group, the concordance rate of diagnosis was 77% (97/125) and the discordance rate was 23% (28/125). In the multiple group, the discordance rate was 65% (28/43). There was a significantly higher rate of misdiagnosis in the multiple group compared with the single group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MRI with STIR sequencing exhibited a multitude of benefits in the exact identification of acute lesions and hidden lesions. Because of the high rate of misdiagnosis using standard plain radiographs and CT scans of the spine for OVCFs, MRI with STIR sequencing should be considered before cement augmentation procedures. Moreover, in cases with multiple lesions or severe osteoporosis, the importance of MRI should be further emphasized.

Treatment and complications in flaccid neuromuscular scoliosis (Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy) with posterior-only pedicle screw instrumentation.

Literature has described treatment of flaccid neuromuscular scoliosis using different instrumentation; however, only one article has been published using posterior-only pedicle screw fixation. Complications using pedicle screws in paralytic neuromuscular scoliosis has not been described before. To present results and complications with posterior-only pedicle screws, a retrospective study was carried out in 27 consecutive patients with flaccid neuromuscular scoliosis (Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy), who were operated between 2002 and 2006 using posterior-only pedicle screw instrumentation. Immediate postoperative and final follow-up results were compared using t test for Cobb angle, pelvic obliquity, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis. Perioperative and postoperative complications were noted from the hospital records of each patient. Complications, not described in literature, were discussed in detail. Average follow-up was 32.2 months. Preoperative, immediate postoperative and final follow-up Cobb angle were 79.8 degrees , 30.2 degrees (63.3% correction, p < 0.0001) and 31.9 degrees , respectively; and pelvic obliquity was 18.3 degrees , 8.9 degrees (52% correction, p < 0.0001) and 8.9 degrees . Postoperative thoracic kyphosis remained unchanged from 27.6 degrees to 19.9 degrees (p = 0.376); while lumbar lordosis improved significantly from +15.6 degrees to -22.4 degrees lordosis (p = 0.0002). Most patients had major to moderate improvement in postoperative functional and ambulatory status compared to the preoperative status. Thirteen (48.1%) perioperative complications were noted with five major complications (four respiratory in the form of hemothorax or respiratory failure that required ventilator support and one death) and eight minor complications (three UTI, two atelectasis, two neurological and one ileus). Postoperatively, we noted complications, such as coccygodynia with subluxation in 7, back sore on the convex side in 4 and dislodging of rod distally in 1 patient making a total of 12 (44.4%) postoperative complications. Of 12 postoperative complications, 6 (50%) required secondary procedure. We conclude that although flaccid neuromuscular scoliosis can be well corrected with posterior-only pedicle screw, there is a high rate of associated complications.

Intravenous iron supplementation with intra-articular administration of tranexamic acid reduces the rate of allogeneic transfusions after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Peri-operative intravenous administration of iron supplementation seems a good option to reduce allogeneic blood transfusion in major orthopaedic surgery. However, its efficacy in simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty has not been studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2014 to May 2015, a total of 72 consecutive patients underwent simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty and received peri-operative intravenous iron supplementation (iron isomaltoside 1000: 600 mg pre-operatively and 400 mg 1 week post-operatively) and intra-articular tranexamic acid (2 g in 20 mL saline at the end of surgery), and were managed with a restrictive transfusion trigger (haemoglobin <7 g/dL). Post-operatively, we observed patients closely for symptoms of anaemia and checked their haemoglobin levels on days 1, 6 and 13 after surgery. RESULTS: The mean baseline haemoglobin level was 13.1 g/dL. The levels remained above 7.0 g/dL on post-operative days 1, 6 and 13 (mean, 11.4 g/dL, 9.9 g/dL and 10.4 g/dL, respectively) in all but one patient who experienced melaena and required allogeneic blood transfusion. DISCUSSION: Intravenous iron supplementation combined with intra-articular administration of tranexamic acid seems to be an effective strategy for reducing the rate of allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty managed with a restrictive transfusion trigger.

Snapping knee caused by a popliteomeniscal fascicle tear of the lateral meniscus in a professional Taekwondo athlete.

A 19-year-old male professional Taekwondo athlete presented with a 2-year history of pain-free snapping of his right knee. He reported that his right knee joint gave way during games and training and that he could induce pain-free snapping between the proximal-to-fibular head and the lateral knee joint line. None of these physical findings suggested a meniscal pathology or ligamentous instability. Routine radiographs were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of his right knee joint showed that the shape of the lateral meniscus was normal, and no lateral meniscus tears existed. On arthroscopic examination, popliteal hiatus view showed a posterosuperior popliteomeniscal fascicle tear between the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the posterior joint capsule just posteromedial to the popliteus tendon. With medial traction by probing, this popliteomeniscal tear made visible the significant subluxation of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the center or anterior half of the tibial plateau. Based on the diagnosis of a posterosuperior popliteomeniscal tear of the right knee, Fast-Fix (Smith & Nephew, Andover, Massachusetts) was used for the direct repair of the peripheral portion of the lateral meniscus and joint capsule, targeting the popliteomeniscal junction. At 24 months postoperatively, the patient was performing athletic exercises relevant to his profession and was taking part in Taekwondo games, with no pain or recurrence of snapping. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of snapping of the lateral aspect of the knee due to a popliteomeniscal fascicle tear.

Maggot debridement therapy for postsurgical wound infection in scoliosis: a case series in five patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series of 5 patients who developed resistant wound infection after scoliosis surgery. OBJECTIVE: To present maggot debridement therapy (MDT) as an effective alternative to the conventional treatment in postsurgical infection in scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Numerous clinical reports have been published that describe outstanding effects of MDT, most notable on debridement, cleansing, disinfection, and healing of indolent wounds, many of which have previously failed to respond to conventional treatment. However, till date no reports have been found in the literature describing its use for the treatment of wound infection after scoliosis surgery, which has relatively longer and deeper wound. METHODS: A total of 5 patients (2 females and 3 males) who developed wound infection after scoliosis correction surgery were included in this study. All were operated for neuromuscular scoliosis using posterior approach with pedicle screw fixation. All developed deep wound infection within 2 to 6 weeks of surgery, which was resistant to all kinds of conventional therapy. MDT applied in all using prepared commercially available maggot bags, and dressing was changed twice a week till wound shows signs of healing. After confirming negative culture, MDT was stopped and routine dressings or secondary closure was done. During the treatment, wound appearance, size, and development of healing were observed. RESULTS: There were 1 patient with paralytic scoliosis and 4 with cerebral palsy. All wound healed completely within 5.2 ± 1.8 weeks of MDT or 8.8 ± 3.8 cycles of MDT. There was no recurrence on final follow-up of 21.6 ± 5.9 months. Wound size was also decreased from 24.2 ± 3.3 cm of pre-MDT to 11.8 ± 4.5 cm post-MDT showing 51.2% reduction in wound size. There was partial implant removal in 2 cases before MDT; however, no further implant extraction was needed in any case after MDT. Treatment was tolerated well by all patients without any obvious complications due to MDT. CONCLUSION: We would propose to use MDT for the treatment of wound infection after scoliosis surgery as an effective alternative to conventional treatment. In this way, implant extraction could be avoided without losing any correction.

Femoroacetabular impingement due to synovial chondromatosis of the hip joint.

This article describes a rare case of primary synovial chondromatosis of the hip associated with classical femoroacetabular impingement. A 38-year-old man presented with left hip pain of 3 years' duration and range of motion (ROM) limitations. Flexion abduction external rotation and impingement tests were positive and preoperative Harris Hip Score was 68. Radiographs showed multiple loose bodies, a calcified labrum, and a bump at the head-neck junction. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the findings. Acetabular overcoverage and the crossing over sign were present. The lateral center edge angle was 48 degrees, acetabular roof angle was +2 degrees, alpha angle was 80 degrees, triangular index was 2 mm more than the radius of the femoral head, and anterior offset was 4.5 mm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an acetabular labral tear, impaction on the femoral head-neck junction, and mild synovial hypertrophy with no acetabular cartilage damage. Loose body removal along with a total synovectomy, excision of the calcified labrum, and osteochondroplasty of the head-neck junction were performed after safe surgical dislocation. At 6-month follow-up, the patient was doing well with a Harris Hip Score of 96, improved ROM, and negative flexion abduction external rotation and impingement tests. Early diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis and impingement can be made by MRI and CT. Clinically, flexion abduction external rotation and impingement tests are positive in 99% and 97% of cases, respectively. Although arthroscopy management has been described for both the entities separately, it has drawbacks. With an open procedure, debridement of the hip joint and excision of femoral and acetabular impingement deformities are possible at the same time.