Minimal impact of beam projection angle deviations in skyline (Laurin) view and the efficacy of the anterior border of proximal tibia as a guiding landmark.

OBJECTIVE: Obtaining an optimal knee skyline view is challenging due to inaccuracies in beam projection angles (BPAs) and soft tissue obscuring bony landmarks. This study aimed to assess the impact of BPA deviations on patellofemoral index measurements and assessed the anterior border of the proximal tibia as an anatomic landmark for guiding BPAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of three parts. The first was a simulation study using 52 CT scans of knees with a 20° flexion contracture to replicate the skyline (Laurin) view. Digitally reconstructed radiographs simulated neutral, 5° downward, and 5° upward tilt BPAs. Five patellofemoral indices (sulcus angle, congruence angle, patellar tilt angle, lateral facet angle, and bisect ratio) were measured and compared. The second part was a proof of concept study on 162 knees to examine patellar indices differences across these BPAs. Lastly, the alignment of the anterior border of the proximal tibia with the BPA tangential to the patellar articular surface was tested from the CT scans. RESULTS: No significant differences in patellofemoral indices were found across various BPAs in both the simulation and proof of concept studies (all p > 0.05). The angle between the anterior border of the proximal tibia and the patellar articular surface was 1.5 ± 5.3°, a statistically significant (p = 0.037) yet clinically acceptable deviation. CONCLUSION: Patellofemoral indices in skyline view remained consistent regardless of BPA deviations. The anterior border of the proximal tibia proved to be an effective landmark for accurate beam projection.

Clinical Implication of Glenohumeral and Subacromial Synovitis in Rotator Cuff Tears.

Background: Synovitis of the glenohumeral (GH) joint and the subacromial (SA) space is commonly observed during arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery. Purpose: To investigate the distribution, severity, and clinical implications of synovitis in the GH joint and SA space in patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT). Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 207 patients with a full-thickness RCT who underwent arthroscopic repair. Preoperative parameters used in the clinical assessment included pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, and functional scores. Macroscopic assessment of synovitis was performed intraoperatively in the 3 regions of interest (ROIs) of the GH joint and 4 ROIS of the SA space using an evaluation system. The distribution and severity of synovitis and the association between synovitis and clinical assessment were evaluated. Results: Synovitis was more severe in the GH joint than in the SA space (P < .001). Synovitis in the posterior GH joint and the lateral SA space, where most of the rotator cuff was located, was the most severe area among the ROIs of the GH joint and the SA space, respectively (P < .05). All types of pain, except for pain at rest, were associated with synovitis in the posterior GH joint (P < .05). All ROM measures were associated with synovitis in the posterior and inferior GH joint (|r| > 0.20; P < .05 for both). The strength of the supraspinatus and the infraspinatus was associated with synovitis in the posterior GH joint (P < .05). Shoulder function was associated with synovitis in the posterior and inferior GH joint and more in the posterior GH joint (P < .05 for both). Synovitis in the SA space was not associated with any of the clinical parameters. Conclusion: Synovitis in the posterior GH joint was the most severe form of synovitis in the GH joint in patients with a full-thickness RCT. Synovitis in the posterior GH joint was closely associated with increased pain and decreased ROM, muscle strength, and functional score. Synovitis in the SA space was milder and not associated with any clinical parameters.

Midterm Outcomes of Muscle-Preserving Posterior Lumbar Decompression via Sagittal Splitting of the Spinous Process: Minimum 5-Year Follow-up.

Background: To overcome several disadvantages of conventional laminectomy for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS), several types of minimally invasive surgery have been developed. The purpose of the present study was to report the clinical and radiological mid-term outcomes of spinous process-splitting decompression (SPSD) for DLSS. Methods: Seventy-three consecutive patients underwent SPSD between September 2014 and March 2016. Of these, 42 (70 segments) who had at least 5 years of follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. The visual analog scale for back pain and leg pain, Oswestry disability index, and walking distance without resting were scored to assess clinical outcomes at the preoperative and final follow-up. A subgroup analysis was performed according to the union status of the split spinous processes (SPs). For radiological outcomes, slip in the neutral position as a static parameter, anterior flexion-neutral translation, and posterior extension-neutral translation as a dynamic parameter were measured before and at the final follow-up after surgery. Spinopelvic parameters were also measured. Reoperation rate at the index levels was investigated, and predictive risk factors for reoperation were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression. Survival analysis was performed with reoperation as the endpoint to estimate the longevity of the SPSD for DLSS. Results: All clinical outcomes improved significantly at the final follow-up compared to those at the initial visit (p < 0.05). The clinical outcomes did not differ according to the union status of the split SP. There were no cases of definite segmental instability and no significant changes in the static or dynamic parameters after surgery. Sacral slope and lumbar lordosis increased, and pelvic tilt decreased significantly at the follow-up (p < 0.05), despite no significant change in the sagittal vertical axis. The mean longevity of the procedure before the reoperation was 82.9 months. Five patients (11.9%) underwent reoperation at a mean of 52.2 months after the SPSD. There were no significant risk factors for reoperation; however, the preoperative severity of foraminal stenosis had an odds ratio of 7.556 (p = 0.064). Conclusions: SPSD for DLSS showed favorable clinical and radiological outcomes at the mid-term follow-up. SPSD could be a good surgical option for treating DLSS.

Intra-articular acetabular osteochondroma in patients with multiple hereditary exostoses.

We report three additional cases of intra-articular acetabular osteochondroma in multiple hereditary exostoses patients in order to raise the awareness of this rare location, to prompt early diagnosis, and to present various treatment options according to the patient's condition. A 2.5-year-old boy presenting with an out-toeing gait had a large acetabular osteochondroma causing lateral displacement of the femoral head and acetabular dysplasia. Mass excision through hip subluxation via anterior approach and concomitant Dega osteotomy resulted in a congruent, well-developed, and well-covered hip joint at 11-year follow-up. A 10-year-old boy showing a pedunculated osteochondroma arising from the triradiate cartilage was successfully treated by arthroscopic excision. Normal development of the hip joint was observed at skeletal maturity. A 6-year-old boy presented with a painless limp. Acetabular osteochondroma could be confirmed by computed tomography scan, which was excised through hip subluxation by anterior approach. Persistent coxa valga and femoral head uncovering were addressed by femoral varization osteotomy at 9 years of age. A high index of suspicion is required to detect a lesion at this rare location. Various procedures may be considered according to the pathoanatomy. Acetabular dysplasia, coxa valga, and femoroacetabular impingement by femur neck mass, if associated, should be addressed in due time.

Involvement of L5-S1 level as an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes after surgical treatment of lumbar pyogenic spondylitis: A multivariate analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify the independent risk factors for adverse outcomes and determine the effect of L5-S1 involvement on the outcome of surgical treatment of lumbar pyogenic spondylitis (PS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for all consecutive patients who underwent surgery for lumbar PS between November 2004 and June 2020 at a single institution. The patients were divided into two groups based on the outcomes: good and adverse (treatment failure, relapse, or death). Treatment failure was defined as persistent or worsening pain with C-reactive protein (CRP) reduction less than 25% from preoperative measurement or requiring additional debridement. Relapse was defined as the reappearance of symptoms and signs with an elevated white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CRP after the first period of treatment. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-four (21.2%) of the 113 patients were classified as having adverse outcomes: treatment failure, relapse, and death occurred in 15, 7, and 2 patients, respectively. The involvement of L5-S1 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.561, P = 0.004), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection (aOR = 6.870, P = 0.008), polymicrobial infection (aOR = 12.210, P = 0.022), and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI; P = 0.005) were identified as significant risk factors for adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: Involvement of L5-S1, MRSA, polymicrobial infection, and CCI were identified as independent risk factors for adverse outcomes after surgical treatment of lumbar PS. Because L5-S1 is anatomically demanding to access anteriorly, judicious access and thorough debridement are recommended in patients requiring anterior debridement of L5-S1.

Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration versus Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for the Management of Gastric Variceal Bleeding.

Background/Aims: Gastric varices (GVs) are a major cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. The current treatments of choice are balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) and the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). We aimed to compare the efficacy and outcomes of these two methods for the management of GV bleeding. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who received BRTO (n=157) or TIPS (n=19) to control GV bleeding from January 2005 to December 2014 at a single tertiary hospital in Korea. The overall survival (OS), immediate bleeding control rate, rebleeding rate and complication rate were compared between patients in the BRTO and TIPS groups. Results: Patients in the BRTO group showed higher immediate bleeding control rates (p=0.059, odds ratio [OR]=4.72) and lower cumulative rebleeding rates (log-rank p=0.060) than those in the TIPS group, although the difference failed to reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences in the rates of complications, including pleural effusion, aggravation of esophageal varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, and portosystemic encephalopathy, although the rate of the progression of ascites was significantly higher in the BRTO group (p=0.02, OR=7.93). After adjusting for several confounding factors using a multivariate Cox analysis, the BRTO group had a significantly longer OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=0.44, p=0.01) and a longer rebleeding-free survival (aHR=0.34, p=0.001) than the TIPS group. Conclusions: BRTO provides better bleeding control, rebleeding-free survival, and OS than TIPS for patients with GV bleeding.