[Breaking the line of defence]. / "Line of defence" durchbrochen.

Tarantulas have urticating hairs which may cause severe irritation of the skin, respiratory tract and eyes. Inflammation and granulomas (ophthalmia nodosa) can develop in the anterior and posterior segment of the eye presenting as keratoconjunctivitis or uveitis. We present a case of a female patient with an intracorneal tarantula hair and subsequent keratouveitis after contact with a pet tarantula. Because of the unsatisfactory effects of topical steroids surgical removal of the tarantula hair was performed which resulted in remission of the inflammatory signs and recovery of visual acuity.

[Isolated bilateral Sternocostoclavicular Hyperostosis (SCCH) with a pathological clavicular fracture--a 10-year follow-up]. / Isolierte, bilaterale sternokostoklavikuläre Hyperostose (SCCH) mit pathologischer Klavikulafraktur--Ein Verlauf über 10 Jahre.

The presented case demonstrates the clinical and radiological course of a woman suffering from bilateral sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis (SCCH) from early changes to a spontaneous clavicula fracture after 10 years. SCCH is characterised by a chronic recurrent painful swelling of the sternoclavicular region due to an aseptic inflammation and hyperostosis of the clavicula, sternum, upper ribs and the adjacent soft tissues. Frequently the picture is accompanied by cutaneous and other skeletal symptoms. The disease can be part of the SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) syndrome. The chronic process is represented by the typical "bull horn sign" in a bone scan. NSAIDS should represent the first line treatment.

[Bacterial osteitis. Special considerations in immunocompromised patients]. / Bakterielle Osteitis. Besonderheiten beim immunkompromittierten Patienten.

With increasing life expectancy and better medical competence, the number of older patients with multimorbidity is growing. Patients with a deficient immune system need more attention during diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis.

[The value of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) in the diagnosis of osteoporosis]. / Wert der peripheren quantitativen Computertomographie (pQCT) in der Osteoporosediagnostik.

AIM: To evaluate the accuracy of distal radial pQCT in discriminating between osteoporotic fracture and non fracture cases and its efficiency to predict fractures. METHODS: Densitometric data determined with an XCT 900 Stratec pQCT device at the distal radius of women who had suffered distal radius (57), spinal (87) or femoral neck fractures (21) before or after measurement were compared with densitometric data of age-matched healthy women (265) and were analyzed in regression tests. Women whose fractures occurred before measuring were selectively analyzed. RESULTS: More significant differences between fracture and non fracture groups were obtained by trabecular bone density (TBD) (r2radius = 0.531, r2spine = 0.528, r2femur = 0.711, p < 0.001) than by total bone density (BD) (r2radius = 0.468, r2spine = 0.495, r2femur = 0.605, p < 0.001). In the radius and spine group TBD data determined before fracture showed less significant differences than those determined afterwards, whereas in the femur group TBD data were almost equal. All femur fractures could be predicted. As TBD decreased, the relative risk of fracture increased by gradients of m radius = 0.017, m spine = 0.013, and m femur = 0.027 in the linear regions of the risk curves. CONCLUSION: Selective measuring of TBD at the distal radius enables one to detect bone loss at an early stage and to estimate the risk of future fractures not only at the point of measurement.

[Portable NMR-MOUSE: a new method and its evaluation of the Achilles tendon]. / Mobile NMR-MOUSE: eine neue Methode und erste Anwendung an der Achillessehne.

AIM: The increased demands placed on the Achilles tendon in recreational and professional sports have led to a rise in pathological changes in this anatomic region. Magnetic resonance evaluations of the tendon have proven to be a valid but expensive and stationary diagnostic tool. In this study, a new mobile NMR sensor was to be tested in the evaluation of the Achilles tendon. METHOD: The technical development of the so-called NMR-MOUSE ( Mobile Universal Surface Explorer) represents a novelty with an open and portable sensor. To appraise its diagnostic efficacy, healthy athletes (professional soccer players, track and field, as well as aquatic athletes), healthy controls and patients with Achilles tendon lesions were evaluated. As an accessible, sensitive and reproducible parameter for the study the transverse relaxation time T2 with its angular dependency was chosen. As part of the examination, the relaxation times of the skin, the tendon and the surrounding soft tissue were determined. RESULTS: During the evaluation with the NMR-MOUSE, the skin and peritendineous tissue exhibited relatively long T2 relaxation times, while the tendon itself had significantly shorter T2 times, allowing for a clear differentiation of the structures. The T2 relaxation time of the Achilles tendon in the control group averaged 5.8 ms. The MRI-MOUSE was able to demonstrate an increase in the T2 relaxation times in patients with pathological lesions of the tendon due to the increased water retention of the tissue. CONCLUSION: The novel NMR-MOUSE represents a cost efficient and portable sensor, which allows for a reliable evaluation of surface structures, such as the Achilles tendon. The anisotropic structure of the tendon and the surrounding soft tissue can be reliably differentiated with the help of the NMR-MOUSE.

[Arm motion analysis: a new method and its clinical application]. / 3D-Analyse der Armbewegung: eine neue Methode und erste klinische Anwendung.

AIM: An investigation into the objective criteria of shoulder mobility possesses special meaning for diagnostic documentation, the evaluation of therapy and the effects of rehabilitation in the treatment of diseases of the shoulder. In order to ascertain the criteria which characterise shoulder mobility, it is necessary to have a tool available that is objective, comparable and allows the complexity, variability and range of motion to be recorded. Motion analysis represents one such standard procedure used to measure joint movement. METHOD: Accordingly, a marker- based motion analysis of the wrist and elbow, a marker-based three-dimensional motion analysis system for the upper extremities was developed. We evaluated 10 healthy subjects without shoulder conditions and 8 patients with impingement syndrome (7 operative, 1 conservative therapy). RESULTS: The healthy subjects revealed a reproducible motion curve for the specific motion tested. The curves were defined as the normal standard and we used them for comparative purposes. In the treatment group, an improvement of the 3D range of motion could be documented for the affected shoulder following rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: It can be stated that this newly developed marker-based procedure for the three-dimensional motion analysis is suitable for recording complex unconstrained movements. This was found to be more relevant for the assessment of the ability of patients to manage the physical demands of daily living than traditional clinical tests. Furthermore, the information gained from motion analysis of the upper extremities will play a valuable role in the future for quality control during diagnosis and treatment, as well as for the design of shoulder rehabilitation programs.

Impact of hematocrit value after coronary artery surgery on perioperative myocardial infarction rate.

BACKGROUND: The optimal hematocrit (HCT) value after coronary artery bypass grafting on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has not yet been established. The purpose of our retrospective study was to investigate the association between HCr at the time of entry into the ICU and perioperative Ml rate. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 500 consecutive coronary artery surgery patients with respect to biometric data, operative procedure, aprotinin or tranexamic acid use, perioperative drainage blood loss and transfusion requirements, perioperative Ml, ICU stay and hospital mortality. Perioperative Ml was defined as new Q-wave on ECG and CK-MB 250U/I. Patients were categorized into three groups depending on their HCr value at the time of entry into the ICU: low (HCTcu 27%): medium (HCr,cu 28% to 32%); high(HCTrcu > or =33%). RESULTS: Age, gender distribution, preoperative LV function, and previous Ml rate were similar between the three groups. Low HCT patients (n -133) received 3.1 +/- 1.0 (Mean + SD) grafts during 55 +/- 19 minutes aortic cross clamp time, 98 +/- 31 minutes on CPB (medium HCT: n = 257; 3.2 +/- 1.0 grafts, 51 +/- 20 min cross clamp time, 93 +/- 30 min CPB; p - 0.45 vs. low HCT; high HCT: n = 110: 3.3 +/- 1:0 grafts; 53 +/- 20 min cross clamp time; 104 +/- 38 min CPB; p = 0.02 vs. medium HCT). The perioperative Ml rate was 3.8% in the low, 4.3% in the medium, and 6.4% in the high-HCr group (p =0.59 ). Intraoperative red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma transfusions were similar between the groups. In the low-HCa group, 53.4% of the patients received aprotinin during the procedure (medium HCa: 65.4%; high HCT: 77.3%; p<0.001). Drainage blood loss during the first 24 hours on ICU was 834 +/- 453 ml in the low, 757 +/- 485 ml in the medium (p -0.44 vs. low), and 640 +/- 353 ml in the high-HCr group (p = 0.003 vs. low). Postoperative red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma transfusions were highest in the low-HCa group(p<0.001). ICU stay was similar between the groups. Hospital mortality was 0.75% in the low, 1.9% in the medium, and 4.5%in the high-HCa group (p = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis of 500 consecutive coronary artery surgery patients, we did not find any association between perioperative Ml rate and HCr value on entry into the ICU. These results do not support the recent suggestion that low HCT at the time of entry into the ICU protects against perioperative Ml.

Septic arthritis of the knee in adults: treatment by arthroscopy or arthrotomy.

Fifty-one patients with septic arthritis of the knee were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-seven patients had been treated by arthroscopic lavage and debridement, 24 patients by open arthrotomy with subtotal synovectomy. The patients were staged according to the duration of preoperative symptoms and to the intraoperative spread of the inflammatory process. With early onset of therapy (less than 5 days) and without osseous involvement arthroscopic treatment led to an effective resolution of infection with better functional results than open arthrotomy.

Interleukin-6: a potential inflammatory marker after total joint replacement.

In a prospective study C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) measurements were taken serially in 30 patients before and after 20 total hip arthroplasties (THR) and 10 total knee arthroplasties (TKR). There were no peri- and postoperative complications. Postoperatively the IL-6 serum concentration increased rapidly and peaked 6 h postoperatively at maximum levels (399+/-140 pg/ml). There was a mean half-life of 15 h and thereafter a rapid return to normal concentrations. In comparison, the postoperative CRP concentration rose more slowly and reached maximum levels (138+/-54 mg/l) on the second postoperative day. There was thereafter a slow descent with a mean half-life of 62 h. There was no significant difference between the patients with THR and those with TKR (P>0.05). IL-6 is therefore a superior marker for the inflammatory phase after THR and TKR.

Diagnostic and therapeutic management of lumbar and thoracic spondylodiscitis--an evaluation of 59 cases.

Fifty-nine patients with spondylodiscitis (SD) of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine were followed-up clinically and radiologically [X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] over a mean time of 2.2 years (1-6.5 years). All patients without abscess formation (n = 35) were treated conservatively. Out of the group with abscess formation (n = 24) 6 patients were also treated conservatively, 11 were drained under CT control and 7 were operated. At time of diagnosis, "signs of florid inflammation" were seen in 60% of the roentgenograms, in 93% of the CTs and in all of the MRls. The sensitivity to differentiate between SD with and without abscess formation was 85% by MRI and 69% by CT. "Signs of regressive inflammation" and "signs of increasing osseous consolidation", essential facts for starting remobilization, could first be seen using CT 6 weeks after onset of therapy. Using MRI these signs were seen with a considerable delay at 12 weeks. Clinically, only 3 of the 59 analyzed patients developed recurrent SD. In conclusion, MRI is the radiological method of choice for establishing the diagnosis of SD, in particular with regard to differentiating between cases with and without abscess formations. In contrast, CT is superior for performing success control after treatment. Therapeutically, conservative, minimal-invasive and operative procedures are not rival but rather complementary.

[Optimizing the bone cement-implant interface by hydrolysis-resistant conditioning of the metal surface]. / Optimierung des Knochenzement-Implantat-Verbundes durch hydrolysebeständige Konditionierung der Metalloberfläche.

PURPOSE: The hydrolytic degradation of the implant-cement interface has to be seen as the main reason for aseptic loosening of cemented total hip replacements. Therefore, a new method of conditioning the metallic surface was developed in order to achieve a hydrolytic-resistant bound stability between the implant and bone cement. Preliminary experimental data on test bodies are presented here. METHOD: The metallic surface of 6 pairs of cylindrical test bodies each (CoCr-alloy, circular testing surface with O 6 mm) were conditioned by the method of silicoating/silanisation to gain a covalent coupling with the applied bone cement. In order to examine the initial stability and the hydrolytic resistance of the metal-cement compound, these pairs of surface-conditioned test bodies (SCT) as well as a reference series of surface-unconditioned test bodies (SUT) were immersed for 0, 30, 90, 150 days (d) in moisture environment (physiological saline solution, 37 degrees C) after coupling with bone cement. The adhesive strength of the test bodies-(bone cement-compounds) were determined by tensile tests on an universal testing machine (Typ Z030, Zwick, Ulm) with gimbal suspension. RESULTS: At time 0 d (that was without immersion of the test bodies) the mean maximum tensile bond strength of the SCT-cement-compounds was 39.5 MPa (SD +/- 4.7 MPa) and that of the SUT-cement-compounds 37.1 MPa (SD +/- 7.3 MPa) (p = 0.575). After immersion the tensile bond strength of the SUT-cement-compounds significantly decreased to an average of 13.5 MPa (SD +/- 2.7 MPa) (30 d), 10 MPa (SD +/- 1.7 MPa) (90 d) and 12.3 MPa (SD +/- 1.4 MPa) (150 d) (p < 0.01). In contrast, the SCT-cement-compounds showed a nearly unchanged high mechanical stability with tensile bond strength values of 37.0 MPa (SD +/- 4.9 MPa) after 30 d, 36.1 MPa (SD +/- 5.0 MPa) after 90 d und 30.2 MPa (SD +/- 4.7 MPa) after 150 d (p > 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: With reservation as to further in vitro and in vivo investigations the increased hydrolytic stability of the metal-cement-bound of surface-conditioned CoCr-alloy test bodies promises an improvement of the long-term stability of cement total joint replacements.

[Early diagnosis of isthmic spondylolysis with MRI]. / Frühdiagnose einer isthmischen Spondylolyse mittels MRT.

INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis of isthmic lumbar spondylolysis cannot always be established on plain radiographs and CT scans, only. In the case presented here, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed typical bone marrow changes in T1- and T2-weighted images, even at an early stage. CASE: A 11-year old female judoka complained of deep lumbar pain with local tenderness to pressure at L3 to S1. Clinically, there was no neurologic deficit. Conventional x-ray showed no abnormalities. In contrast, MRI revealed a locally ill-defined bone marrow oedema in both pars interarticularis of the 5th lumbar vertebra. This was interpreted as the typical MR-tomographic feature of occult stress fracture, which has to be seen as early evidence of isthmic spondylolysis. Complete restitution was achieved after conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: In early spondylolysis--presented here in form of a case report--, changes of MR signal intensity in the pars interarticularis may be detected, even before fracture lines are to be seen on plain radiographs. Further studies are necessary to confirm MRI to be the method of choice for early diagnosis.

[A new MR-(and CT-) compatible bone biopsy system: first clinical results]. / Neues MR-(und CT-)kompatibles Knochenbiopsiesystem: Erste klinische Ergebnisse.

PURPOSE: To describe the development and clinical evaluation of a new, hand-powered or alternatively motor-driven, MRI and CT compatible percutaneous bone biopsy system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new coaxial drill system (Cook Europe A/S) was designed for percutaneous, MR-guided bone biopsies and powered either by hand or an optional motor (10-250 rotations/minute using 6 bar [88.2 PSI] compressed air). The system has been used in 23 patients. Fourteen procedures were performed in a 1.5 T MR scanner (Philips-Gyroscan ACS-NT) which has an attached C-arm (Philips-BV 212-Angio) in case fluoroscopy is required, and 9 procedures in a CT scanner (Siemens-Somatom Plus). RESULTS: Driven by hand or by the pneumatic motor unit, the system achieved safe and accurate MR-guided access to all of the lesions and was even able to penetrate osteosclerotic lesions. MR- or CT-guided percutaneous biopsy yielded a correct diagnosis in all but 5 cases. No procedural complications occurred. CONCLUSION: MR-guided percutaneous bone biopsy performed with the new coaxial drill system was found to be safe and reliable, and suitable for obtaining histological specimens from skeletal lesions even when covered with thick cortical or sclerotic bone.

[Percutaneous CT-controlled puncture and drainage of spondylodiscitis--a minimally invasive method]. / Percutane CT-gesteuerte Punktion und Drainage der Spondylodiszitis--ein minimal invasives Verfahren.

PURPOSE: Is there an absolute operative indication for the abscess-forming spondylodiscitis or is a curing also possible with minimal invasive procedures? METHOD: In a retrospective study over a period from 1986 to 1993, 40 patients with a spondylodiscitis of the thoracic and lumbar spine were treated and then followed up over two years in our Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Using a CT-controlled method of minimal invasive punction and drainage of the abscessed forms of spondylodiscitis, it was to be settled whether these therapeutic procedures result in a normalization of the biochemical inflammatory parameters (CRP) and in a normalization of the CT--as well as MRI-findings. RESULTS: 7 of the 40 patients had a spondylodiscitis with a local abscess, further 7 patients had a gravidation abscess. 92.5% of the cases were treated conservatively and minimal invasively, respectively. In 11 patients the minimal invasive procedure was used in addition to conservative therapy. 3 cases had to be operated on. A recurrence of the spondylodiscitis was seen in 1 patient; complications (n = 2; 1 x pneumonia, 1 x venous thrombosis) occurred in 5% of all patients. CONCLUSION: Minimal invasive therapy with CT-controlled punction or drainage may be a good alternative to the operative intervention in the predominantly old and multimorbid patients with abscessed forms of spondylodiscitis. The risk is minimized, the immobilizing period was 8.7 weeks on average.

[MRI-controlled outcome after core decompression of the femur head in aseptic osteonecrosis and transient bone marrow edema]. / MRT-kontrollierte Ergebnisse nach Core Decompression des Hüftkopfes bei aseptischer Osteonekrose und transientem Marködem.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the signal changes of avascular necrosis and transient bone marrow oedema before and after core decompression of the femoral head to deduce prognostic factors for this operative procedure. METHOD: 38 to 40 cases with core decompression (35 patients, medium age 44 years) were analysed with a mean follow-up time of 26 months. Preoperatively patients were staged by the ARCO classification. MR-images were judged in accordance to the criteria of Mitchell and Steinberg. The clinical outcome was analysed according to the hip index of Merle D'Aubigne. RESULTS: All hips with transient bone marrow oedema showed normal signal patterns at an average of 3 months after core decompression. In stage I and II, all patients with a preoperative necrosis area less than 30% of the femoral head showed a reduction of the necrotic zone and good clinical results. An unchanged or progressive appearance was observed in necrotic lesions with more than 30% head involvement. Because of failure a renewed operation had to be done in all patients with stage III and IV. CONCLUSION: In the case of transient bone marrow oedema, a restitutio ad integrum can be achieved with core decompression. In stage I and II of avascular necrosis, the successful outcome depends on the lesion size of the femoral head. Necrotic lesions less than 30% seem to have the best prognosis. In stage III and IV, core decompression cannot be recommended.

MRI-guided biopsy of bone in a hybrid system.

This is a report of our experience with percutaneous, MRI-guided biopsies in 25 patients with skeletal lesions using a 1.5-T MR hybrid system. Twenty-five consecutive patients with skeletal lesions were referred for MRI-guided biopsy. Biopsies were performed with a 1.5-T Philips Gyroscan (Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands) combined with a c-arm fluoroscopy. Specimens were obtained percutaneously either with a 14- or 18-gauge "side-slit" type of biopsy needle (n = 10 skeletal lesions that had penetrated through the cortex), or using a prototype coaxial drill system powered either by hand or an optional motor (n = 15 skeletal lesions still covered with cortical bone). All but two biopsies could be completed within the MR unit. For one patient, who required a transpedicular approach to a lumbar vertebra, and for one child, who required general anesthesia, we decided to switch to CT guidance. In 19 of the 25 cases (17 of the 23 cases performed in MR), the sample was sufficient and the histopathologic diagnosis was confirmed. Three patients had an inadequate sample, and three others had adequate samples but inaccurate results. No procedural complications occurred. Percutaneous biopsy of skeletal lesions performed under MRI-guidance was found to be safe and reasonably accurate. There were no procedural complications in our small series. MRI may be used as an alternative to CT, but its role vis-à-vis CT has yet to be ascertained.

Anatomic study of femoral vein occlusion during simulated hip arthroplasty.

An anatomic study was undertaken to establish whether positioning of the leg and surgical approaches for total hip replacement (THR) cause changes in the femoral v. which may contribute to the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The patency of 32 femoral vv. of 18 cadavers was inspected at different levels during simulated THR. Before and after removal of the femoral head through a transgluteal or posterior approach, a wide-angle endoscope was inserted into the femoral v. via the external iliac v. Blood flow was simulated by proximal irrigation with saline through the popliteal v. After removal of the femoral head distinct changes were observed in both approaches. In the transgluteal approach the changes were dependent on the degree of adduction and the body build of the cadaver. Initially, an oval form was seen in a constricted lumen with an increasingly oblique oval deformation and a final facet-like closure, usually at about 5 to 7.5 cm below the inguinal ligament. In total adduction this stenosis occurred regardless of build. Using a posterior approach, the necessary internal rotation caused a closure of the vein in 50% of cases. In combination with flexion and adduction there was stenosis in all cadavers regardless of body build. Our results indicate that the duration of the adducted position of the thigh during THR via a transgluteal approach should be minimised, as there is a reduction in blood flow with even minor degrees of adduction. In the posterior approach the stenosis occurs earlier, and is independent of the build of the cadaver.

Does the anchorage form and depth influence the pull-out strength of screws from bone cement? An experimental study.

The pull-out strengths of cortical screws inserted into soft, unpolymerised Refobacin Palacos bone cement (procedure S) and into hardened polymerised cement into which a hole had been drilled and tapped (procedure P) were compared. Cortical screws 58 mm in length, outer diameter 4.5 mm and inner diameter 2.95 mm were used. Screws were inserted into cement cylinders at 5 mm incremental depths between 10 and 30 mm. At a screw depth of less than 25 mm, the screws pulled out, and at a depth of greater than 25 mm, the screws broke in both procedures. There was no statistically significant difference in pull-out strength leading to burst or break between the two procedures for screws inserted to comparable depths, but there was a statistically significant difference regarding the screwing depth regardless of the procedure of screw insertion chosen. The average material stability (sigma) of the cortical screws used was calculated to be 1191 N/mm2, and the elasticity limit was 5137 N. This study demonstrated that the material stability and not the depth of screw insertion was the limiting parameter in screw anchorage in bone cement while static testing. To avoid screw breakage due to fatigue during continuous alternate loading, the screws should not be loaded above this value.

Compound osteosynthesis of pathological fractures of the proximal femoral shaft. Experimental studies on the biomechanical effects of additional intramedullary splinting.

The biomechanical stability of two compound osteosynthesis techniques with and without intramedullary splinting were compared in 20 paired cadaver femora. Group A was stabilised using a contoured 12-hole DC plate and polymethylmethacrylate cement. In group B an additional intramedullary semi-diameter osteosynthesis plate was inserted parallel to the outer plate and transfixed with the same screws. The specimens were tested in a universal testing machine using a force applied to the specimen at 45 degrees to the load to provoke the most unfavourable condition, consisting of a bending moment and torsion. Both force and extension were recorded. The compound osteosynthesis with an additional intramedullary plate (group B) reached an average higher load stability. This increase of stability was not significant statistically.

Reactivation of a tuberculous coxitis due to loosening of a total hip endoprosthesis.

A 45-year-old woman who suffered from juvenile tuberculous coxitis at the age of 4 is presented. Her hip joint replacement lasted for 18 years and then needed replacing. Intraoperatively removed caseous soft tissue and an opalescent secretion histologically resembled a tuberculous focus, and bacteriological culture grew a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain. Four months after the replacement, the patient suffered from a tuberculosis-induced septic loosening of the newly replaced hip joint endoprosthesis. The tuberculosis relapse was probably due to aseptic loosening of the first hip joint endoprosthesis.