Indian Academy of Pediatrics Consensus Statement on Diagnosis and Management of Bone and Joint Infections in Children.

JUSTIFICATION: Osteoarticular infections are fairly common in children but often these are associated with underdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis and improper management. This leads to an increased incidence of complications and poor outcomes. Given the paucity of standard protocols for the management of these children in the Indian context, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) has taken the initiative to formulate guidelines for the early diagnosis and rational management of bone and joint infections (BJIs). OBJECTIVES: To critically evaluate the current evidence and formulate consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of BJIs in children. PROCESS: A committee comprising of eminent national faculty from different parts of the country who are experts in the field of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Radiology was constituted and duly approved by the IAP. On Jan 16, 2021, a virtual meeting was held and a detailed discussions were carried out regarding the need to formulate these guidelines. Subsequently, the expert group defined the key questions in the first stage followed by collection and review of scientific evidences including available national and international recommendations or guidelines. This was followed by detailed deliberation among group members and presentation of their recommendations. The same were finalized in an online meeting on Aug 01, 2021, and a consensus statement was developed and adopted by the group. STATEMENT: BJIs are medical emergencies that need early diagnosis and appropriate therapy to prevent long term sequelae like limb deformities. Bacterial infections like Staphylococcus aureus is the most common etiological agent. Nonspecific and subtle clinical manifestations make the diagnosis of pediatric BJIs more challenging. Diagnosis of BJIs is primarily clinical, supplemented by laboratory and radiological investigations. The choice of antibiotic(s), mode of administration and duration of therapy requires individualization depending upon the severity of infection, causative organism, regional sensitivity patterns, time elapsed between onset of symptoms and the child's presentation, age, risk factors and the clinical and laboratory response to treatment. There is paucity of appropriate guidelines regarding the diagnosis and management of BJIs in children in Indian context. Hence, the need for this expert consensus guidelines in Indian settings.

Labral Support Shelf Acetabuloplasty for Late Presenting Perthes Disease: Outcomes in Indian Patients.

Introduction: The treatment of late-presenting Perthes disease with extrusion is controversial and debatable. One of the options available is the labral shelf acetabuloplasty (LSA). Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of LSA in late-presenting Perthes disease in terms of clinic-radiological outcome measures. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients with late presenting Perthes disease (Elizabethtown stage 2B onwards) treated by LSA by 2 experienced paediatric orthopaedic surgeons was performed. Data was collected of clinical parameters such as hip range of motion(ROM) and Harris Hip score and radiological parameters such as acetabular height, width and volume, shelf width, Centre Edge angle(CEA) and the lateral extrusion. Results: Thirty-five patients (28 males and 7 females) treated between 2012 to 2019 were analyzed. Majority were in Elizabethtown stage 3A (23) followed by 2B and 3B (12 each). At a mean follow up of 36 months, the hip ROM and the Harris Hip Score (from 65 ± 3.5 to 81.33 ± 7.12) improved significantly and there was a statistically significant improvement in terms of all radiological parameters. Majority of the hips were in Stulberg grade 3 (20) followed by grade 1 and 2 (7 each) and Stulberg 4 (1). There were no major complications in any of the patients of the series. Conclusion: Labral support shelf acetabuloplasty is a valuable surgery for late presenting Perthes disease and helps in maintenance of good coverage and allows restoration of range of motion over time.

Lower-Limb Ischemia at Birth Because of Spontaneous Arterial Thrombosis: A Case Report.

CASE: A full-term neonate presented with right lower extremity ischemia at birth because of spontaneous thrombosis of the right common iliac artery. He was initially managed with supportive treatment, anticoagulation, and dressings; however, advanced gangrenous changes precluded salvage of the ischemic limb. A guillotine amputation was performed at day 15 of life, and the stump went on to heal well by secondary intention. CONCLUSION: Thromboembolic events occurring in infancy are well-recognized phenomena; however, it is far rarer to encounter a neonate born with "congenital gangrene". We discuss the etiology, approach to diagnosis, and treatment of this rare but devastating condition.

Functional and Radiological Outcomes Following Calcaneo-Cuboid-Cuneiform Osteotomy for the Treatment of Planovalgus Feet: A Short-Term Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Flexible flatfoot refers to the loss of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot on weight bearing and is associated with excessive heel eversion or forefoot abduction. Unless symptomatic, flexible flatfeet are best managed non-operatively. The calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy is a procedure that restores the anatomical shape of the foot without arthrodesis of the joints. Our study aims to evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of patients treated with calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy in patients with planovalgus feet. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective review of records and radiographs of patients with symptomatic flexible planovalgus feet, who were operated with the calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy by a single senior surgeon in a time period between April 2016 and July 2017 was done. The clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated in 12 feet in 8 children. RESULTS: A total of 12 feet in 8 children were operated (6 males and 2 females). Average age of patients was 11 ± 1.27 years; average follow up was 14.7 months ± 2.7 months. Two patients had planovalgus feet secondary to spastic diplegia and 6 had idiopathic planovalgus feet. There was a statistically significant improvement in the pain score as well as the radiographic parameters in all the operated patients. CONCLUSION: The calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy has potential to give good results for symptomatic planovalgus feet with minimal complications.

Preparation of cement spacer in treatment of segmental bone defects in children by the induced membrane technique: A technical note.

The Masquelet Induced Membrane Technique (IMT) is one of the tools in the surgeon's armamentarium for the management of segmental bone defects. The first stage of the IMT includes the insertion of a cement spacer, which is typically fashioned by the free-hand technique. We propose a novel technique for preparation of the cement spacer using a split syringe barrel as a mould. This technique produces a uniformly cylindrical spacer with minimum cement spillage, while also minimizing thermal damage to the surrounding soft tissues. It is a simple and cost-effective method that can be adapted for use in any long bone in children.

Modified Dunn Osteotomy for Moderate and Severe Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis - A retrospective study of thirty hips.

BACKGROUND: Modified Dunn procedure has become popular for the treatment of severe cases of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). We assessed the outcomes in a consecutive series of thirty Indian adolescents treated by the modified Dunn procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients treated by the modified Dunn procedure by a single senior Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeon over six years were retrospectively reviewed. Only moderate and severe slips undergoing modified Dunn procedure were included. Clinical records and radiographs were reviewed to obtain demographic information; to classify the slips by duration of symptoms, severity and physeal stability; and to assess the outcomes by Harris Hip Score, radiological changes and rate of complications. RESULTS: Thirty consecutive hips with 19 stable and 11 unstable slips were included. Mean age was 13.05 years, 25 boys and 5 girls; six were acute slips, six chronic and eighteen acute-on-chronic. There were 20 moderate and 10 severe slips. Slip angle correction was on average 43.63° ± 8.42° (p < 0.001). At a mean follow-up of 25.36 months, the slip angle averaged 9.9° ± 3.78°, and alpha angle was 33.63° ± 4.14. The average Harris Hip Score was 81.833 ± 7.12 points, with six excellent, 17 good, six fair and one poor result. Osteonecrosis occurred in two hips (6.6%). One hip had post-operative subluxation which was corrected. CONCLUSION: This study adds to the evidence that the modified Dunn procedure is safe, reliable and reproducible. It should be the first choice for the treatment of moderate and severe SCFE.

Technique and Interpretation of Arthrogram for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

Closed reduction, arthrography and hip spica application is the treatment of choice for DDH between 6 and 18 months. There is a lot of controversy about what exactly constitutes an "acceptable" closed reduction and arthrogram and the arthrography findings are often difficult to interpret. In this video, the authors describe the technique to perform the arthrogram as well as the interpretation of the same. Various static parameters such as the femoral head coverage, the medial dye pool and the hourglass constriction are shown. In addition, the validity of the safe zone is discussed. With this video technique article, the authors hope that it becomes easy for the budding paediatric orthopaedic surgeon to perform and interpret the DDH arthrogram with ease. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-021-00493-4.

Widely Divergent Congenital Inferior Tibiofibular Diastasis with Separate Soft-Tissue Cover and Persistent Sciatic Artery: A Previously Unreported Combination: A Case Report.

CASE: We report a case of a child with widely divergent congenital inferior tibiofibular diastasis with persistent sciatic artery (PSA). The dysplastic tibia and fibula were widely divergent, and the fibula was displaced proximally and medially with the foot alongside the thigh between the 2 legs, with PSA diagnosed on computed tomography angiogram. The child was treated with fibula-foot complex excision and below-knee prosthesis and was ambulating independently at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a major structural anomaly (tibiofibular diastasis with a separate soft-tissue cover) and an unusual vascular malformation (PSA) has not been reported previously and made surgical reconstruction challenging.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome with bilateral radial head dislocations: a case report.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is characterised by vascular aneurysms, hypertelorism, and a bifid uvula. We report on an 11-year-old boy with Loeys-Dietz syndrome who presented with bilateral radial head dislocations and severe osteopaenia with changes of avascular necrosis in both hips causing an out-toeing, wide gait. Considering the poor prognosis for elbow movement and possible radial head dysplasia, surgical reduction of the radial heads was deferred. A subtrochanteric de-rotation osteotomy of the left hip was performed to improve the gait.

Outcome of total hip arthroplasty as a salvage procedure for failed infected internal fixation of hip fractures.

BACKGROUND: Failed infected internal fixation produces significant pain and functional disability. In infected internal fixation of hip fractures with partial or complete head destruction, total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be technically challenging; however, it restores hip biomechanics. The present study is to evaluate the results and assess the complications of THA following failed infected internal fixation of these fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data in a tertiary healthcare center was performed of 20 consecutive patients of THA following failed infected internal fixation operated between September 2001 and November 2007. There were 11 dynamic hip screw failures for intertrochanteric fractures, 6 failed osteotomies following transcervical fractures, and 3 failed screw fixations for transcervical fractures. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 48.5 years (range 28-70 years) and the average followup period was 6.5 years (range 3.5-10.5 years). An indigenously designed cement spacer was used in a majority of patients (n = 15). The custom-made antibiotic impregnated cement spacer was prepared on-table, with the help of a K-nail bent at 130°, long stem Austin Moore's prosthesis (n=1), Charnley's prosthesis (n=1), or bent Rush nail (n=1). The antibiotic mixed cement was coated over the hardware in its doughy phase and appropriately shaped using an asepto syringe or an indigenously prepared spacer template. Nineteen of the 20 patients underwent two-stage revision surgeries. The average Harris hip score improved from 35.3 preoperatively to 82.85 postoperatively at the last followup. A significant difference was found (P < 0.0001). None of the patients had recurrence of infection. CONCLUSIONS: The results were comparable to primary arthroplasty in femoral neck fractures. Thus, THA is a useful salvage procedure for failed infected internal fixation of hip fractures.

Paravertebral ligament ossification in vitamin D-resistant rickets: incidence, clinical significance, and genetic evaluation.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the cases of paravertebral ossification in vitamin D-resistant rickets (VDRR) and elucidate its incidence and clinical significance, and report specific genetic mutations uniquely associated with this phenomenon. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Paravertebral ligament ossification has been described in VDRR in a few cases previously. However, supraspinous and interspinous ligament ossification has so far not been described to occur in association with VDRR. We reviewed 6 cases of paravertebral ligament ossification with the added feature of supraspinous and interspinous ligament calcification. METHODS: Forty-four patients with clinical, radiological, and biochemical diagnoses of VDRR, who were positive for mutations in the PHEX gene, were screened for the presence of paravertebral ossification with plain radiographs and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging if necessary. This was correlated with the severity of disease, and we looked for specific genetic mutations. RESULTS: Six patients had paravertebral ligament ossification, which included supraspinous and interspinous ligament ossification. These patients had a more severe systemic disease, with all patients requiring at least 1 surgery for deformity correction of the limbs, with a total of 10 surgical procedures performed in these 6 patients. c.1601C>T, c.1699C>T, c.1363G>T, and c.466_467insAC were the genetic mutations associated with these cases. CONCLUSION: The spinal changes with paravertebral ligament ossification in VDRR were described in this study. Four different gene mutations related to the PHEX gene were detected in them. The presence of these changes was suggestive of a more severe systemic disease.

Convergent radioulnar translocation with radial head fracture in a child: a case report and review of the literature.

SUMMARY: Convergent type radioulnar translocation is an extremely rare form of injury occurring in a growing child. We report a case of convergent radioulnar translocation along with a radial head fracture in a young child. Open reduction of the elbow and internal fixation of the radial head fragment helped in achieving concentric reduction and good functional outcome at 2 years of follow-up. This case has been shown to highlight the diagnostic and management issues of this rare condition, which may be easily missed initially.

Clinical outcome of shoulder muscle transfer for shoulder deformities in obstetric brachial plexus palsy: A study of 150 cases.

BACKGROUND: Residual muscle weakness, cross-innervation (caused by misdirected regenerating axons), and muscular imbalance are the main causes of internal rotation contractures leading to limitation of shoulder joint movement, glenoid dysplasia, and deformity in obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Muscle transfers and release of antagonistic muscles improve range of motion as well as halt or reverse the deterioration in the bony architecture of the shoulder joint. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of shoulder muscle transfer for shoulder abnormalities in obstetric brachial plexus palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients of obstetric brachial plexus palsy with shoulder deformity underwent shoulder muscle transfer along with anterior shoulder release at our institutions from 1999 to 2007. Shoulder function was assessed both preoperatively and postoperatively using aggregate modified Mallet score and active and passive range of motion. The mean duration of follow-up was 4 years (2.5-8 years). RESULTS: The mean preoperative abduction was 45° ± 7.12, mean passive external rotation was 10° ± 6.79, the mean active external rotation was 0°, and the mean aggregate modified Mallet score was 11.2 ± 1.41. At a mean follow-up of 4 years (2.5-8 years), the mean active abduction was 120° ± 18.01, the mean passive external rotation was 80° ± 10.26, while the mean active external rotation was 45° ± 3.84. The mean aggregate modified Mallet score was 19.2 ± 1.66. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure can thus be seen as a very effective tool to treat internal rotation and adduction contractures, achieve functional active abduction and external rotation, as well as possibly prevent glenohumeral dysplasia, though the long-term effects of this procedure may still have to be studied in detail clinico-radiologically to confirm this hypothesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level IV.

A new technique of locked, flexible intramedullary nailing of spiral and comminuted fractures of the metacarpals: a series of 21 cases.

BACKGROUND: Spiral and comminuted fractures of the metacarpals are rotationally and axially unstable fractures with a tendency to shorten, which in turn causes significant extensor lag and loss of grip strength. We have designed a new, cheap and locally developed method of locked intramedullary nailing of these metacarpal fractures. We are presenting the results of our first 21 patients with 22 fractures treated by closed, fluoroscopically assisted, intramedullary K-wiring with proximal locking done by a specially designed locking pin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of all patients with spiral and comminuted fractures of metacarpals with minimum of 1 year of follow-up and average follow-up of 14 months (range, 12 to 26 months). The patients were evaluated clinico-radiologically using range of motion, extensor lag, time to healing, amount of collapse, angulation and rotation and complications. RESULTS: All fractures had healed uneventfully with average time to union being 8 weeks. Average metacarpal shortening was 2.04 ± 0.95 mm, while the average post-operative angulation of the fracture was 4.81° ± 1.7. The metacarpophalangeal range-of-motion recovered almost fully with the average extensor lag being only 5.22° ± 2.42. Other than extensor tendinitis in two patients, there were no other complications. CONCLUSIONS: This method is cosmetically appealing, provides stable fixation, avoids periosteal stripping associated with open reduction and is associated with very low complication rate, and thus can be safely and effectively used for the treatment of these difficult fractures.