The sagging rope sign in achondroplasia--different from Perthes' disease.

OBJECTIVE: The sagging rope sign is a radio-opaque line, seen on radiographs of the hips, with Perthes' disease. The main purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, cause and importance of this sign in achondroplasia, and to reveal how it differs from in Perthes' disease. DESIGN: Serial radiograms, along with 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional CT images were studied in 42 achondroplastic patients. PATIENTS: Forty-two achondroplastic patients, reported at our institute (for routine outpatient consultation, spine surgeries, deformity corrections, limb-lengthening procedures) were included in this study. There were 26 males and 16 females. RESULTS: The sign was observed bilaterally, in all patients. Evaluation of CT images revealed spherical heads, with presence of circumferential overhang in all hips. This circumferential overhang, seen on 3-D CT scan, corresponded to the sagging rope sign on radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of the sagging rope sign in bilateral hips is a characteristic feature of achondroplasia. It usually appears before epiphyseal closure. Its cause, incidence, and nature differ from Perthes' disease, and its presence does not carry a bad prognosis in achondroplasia.

Deformity correction by external fixation and/or intramedullary nailing in hypophosphatemic rickets.

BACKGROUND: There are many modalities of treatment for complex lower extremity deformity in hypophosphatemic rickets. We evaluated the outcomes of deformity correction using an external fixation and/or intramedullary nailing in hypophosphatemic rickets. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 55 segmental deformities (20 femora, 35 tibiae) from 20 patients were examined retrospectively. There were 9 children and 11 adults. Distraction osteogenesis was used in 28 segments and acute deformity correction in 27. External fixation was applied in 24 segments, intramedullary nailing in 6, and external fixation and intramedullary nailing in 25. RESULTS: There were 18 major and 13 minor complications in 26 of 28 segments with distraction osteogenesis, and 13 major and 10 minor complications in 19 of 27 segments with acute correction. Recurrent deformity or refracture occurred in 10 of 21 segments with distraction osteogenesis by external fixation only, 4 of 6 with acute correction by intramedullary nailing, and 1 of 25 with distraction osteogenesis or acute correction by external fixation and intramedullary nailing. Nail-related complications occurred in 3 of 6 with intramedullary nailing and 2 of 25 with external fixation and intramedullary nailing. INTERPRETATION: External fixation and intramedullary nailing can be recommended to prevent complications during or after deformity correction in hypophosphatemic rickets.

Sagging rope sign in achondroplasia is different from Perthes disease.

The "sagging rope" sign is a radiopaque line seen on radiographs of hips with Perthes disease. The main purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, cause, and importance of this sign in achondroplasia and to reveal how it differs from in Perthes disease. Serial radiograms, along with two- and three-dimensional CT images were studied in 42 patients with achondroplasia. The sign was observed bilaterally in all patients. Evaluation of CT images revealed spherical heads with the presence of circumferential overhang in all hips. This circumferential overhang seen on three-dimensional CT images corresponded to the sagging rope sign on plain radiographs. The presence of the sagging rope sign in bilateral hips is a characteristic feature of achondroplasia. It usually appears before epiphyseal closure. Its cause, incidence, and nature differ from in Perthes disease, and its presence does not carry a negative prognosis in achondroplasia.

Rapid neurorrhaphy with titanium clips.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of titanium clips in the repair of transected peripheral nerves. The results of neurorrhaphy using titanium clips (VCS) were compared with the conventional technique of neurorrhaphy using nylon sutures. Transected sciatic nerves in 15 New Zealand white rabbits were repaired with VCS clips on one side and interrupted 9-0 nylon sutures on the other. The average time required for neurorrhaphy using the clip closure was 8.7 +/- 2.6 min, and this was shorter than the suture closure, which took 14.9 +/- 3.6 min (P < 0.01). Electromyographic studies revealed no significant differences in amplitudes of compound motor action potentials in both groups. Also, the number and extent of myelinizations of regenerated axons were not significantly different in both methods of nerorrhaphies. These results demonstrate that microscopic neurorrhaphy using titanium clips is a potential alternative to conventional neurorrhaphy using sutures.

Anterior tibiofibular ligament avulsion fracture in weber type B lateral malleolar fracture.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, relationship with the ankle diastasis, and effect of treatment of the anterior tibiofibular ligament avulsion fracture (Wagstaffe fracture) combined with the Weber type B lateral malleolar fracture. METHODS: This study reviewed 94 cases of ankle fractures treated with operative methods. RESULTS: There were 52 cases of Weber type B lateral malleolar fractures and 13 cases of Wagstaffe fractures combined with them (25%). Ankle diastases were diagnosed in 20 cases (38.5%) in all Weber type B fractures and 11 (84.6%) of the 13 Wagstaffe fractures. CONCLUSION: The Wagstaffe fracture can be a good diagnostic clue of ankle diastasis in Weber type B lateral malleolar fracture. The accurate reduction and fixation of the avulsed fragment is important for restoration of the stable distal tibiofibular joint and to prevent the chronic ankle joint pain caused by impingement of the avulsed fragment.