Losartan in Combination With Bone Marrow Stimulation Showed Synergistic Effects on Load to Failure and Tendon Matrix Organization in a Rabbit Model.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of combining bone marrow stimulation (BMS) with oral losartan to block transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) on biomechanical repair strength in a rabbit chronic injury model. METHODS: Forty rabbits were randomly allocated into 4 groups (10 in each group). The supraspinatus tendon was detached and left alone for 6 weeks to establish a rabbit chronic injury model and was then repaired in a surgical procedure using a transosseous, linked, crossing repair construct. The animals were divided into the following groups: control group (group C), surgical repair only; BMS group (group B), surgical repair with BMS of the tuberosity; losartan group (group L), surgical repair plus oral losartan (TGF-ß1 blocker) for 8 weeks; and BMS-plus-losartan group (group BL), surgical repair plus BMS plus oral losartan for 8 weeks. At 8 weeks after repair, biomechanical and histologic evaluations were performed. RESULTS: The biomechanical testing results showed significantly higher ultimate load to failure in group BL than in group B (P = .029) but not compared with group C or group L. A 2 × 2 analysis-of-variance model found that the effect of losartan on ultimate load significantly depended on whether BMS was performed (interaction term F1,28 = 5.78, P = .018). No difference was found between the other groups. No difference in stiffness was found between any groups. On histologic assessment, groups B, L, and BL showed improved tendon morphology and an organized type I collagen matrix with less type III collagen compared with group C. Group BL showed the most highly organized tendon matrix with more type I collagen and less type III collagen, which indicates less fibrosis. Similar results were found at the bone-tendon interface. CONCLUSIONS: Rotator cuff repair combined with oral losartan and BMS of the greater tuberosity showed improved pullout strength and a highly organized tendon matrix in this rabbit chronic injury model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tendon healing or scarring is accompanied by the formation of fibrosis, which has been shown to result in compromised biomechanical properties, and is therefore a potential limiting factor in healing after rotator cuff repair. TGF-ß1 expression has been shown to play an important role in the formation of fibrosis. Recent studies focusing on muscle healing and cartilage repair have found that the downregulation of TGF-ß1 by losartan intake can reduce fibrosis and improve tissue regeneration in animal models.

Timing From Symptom Onset to Hip Arthroscopy Does Not Affect Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for the Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Adolescent Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate symptom duration and its relationship to patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and survivorship after hip arthroscopy in adolescents. METHODS: Patients ≤18 at time of primary hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) between January 2011 and September 2018 were included. Exclusion criteria consisted of history of previous ipsilateral hip surgery, presence of osteoarthritis or dysplasia on preoperative radiographs, previous hip fracture, or history of slipped capital femoral epiphysis or Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Minimum 2-year PROs (modified Harris Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score [HOS]-Activities of Daily Living, HOS-Sport Scale, Short Forms 12 [SF-12]), minimum clinically significant difference (MCID) and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) rates, and revision surgery rates were compared based on symptom duration. RESULTS: Two-year minimal follow-up was obtained for 111 patients (134 hips) (80%), including 74 females and 37 males with a mean age of 16.4 ± 1.1 (range 13.0-18.0). The mean symptom duration was 17.2 ± 15.2 months (range 43 days to 6.0 years). Ten patients (11 hips), 6 females (7 hips) and 4 males, required revision surgery at an average of 2.3 ± 1.0 years (range 0.9-4.3 years). At a mean follow-up of 4.8 ± 2.2 years (range 2-10 years), there were statistically significant improvements in all PROs (P < .05 for all). Symptom duration showed no significant correlation to post-operative scores (correlation coefficient range -0.162 to -0.078, P > .05 for all). Symptom duration ≤12 months versus >12 months or as a continuous variable was not a predictor for requiring revision surgery or achieving MCID/PASS (95% confidence interval crosses 1 for all). CONCLUSIONS: In an adolescent cohort of symptomatic FAI patients who underwent hip arthroscopy, there is no difference in PRO measures when analyzing symptom duration by arbitrary time intervals or as a continuous variable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Outcomes of palliative surgery for bone metastasis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has revolutionized treatment strategies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and has improved survival rates. The number of patients with bone metastases from RCC requiring surgery will increase as survival rates improve. However, there is insufficient evidence to standardize the treatment of bone metastases after the introduction of targeted therapy for metastatic RCC. We aimed to determine the outcomes of palliative surgical treatment of bone metastases in the extremities of patients with metastatic RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 26 lesions from 17 patients who underwent surgery for extremity and acetabular bone metastases and were treated with targeted therapies for advanced RCC between 2008 and 2020. The median follow-up duration was 19 months (range, 4-76). We assessed the patients' activities of daily living, quality of life, and pain and analyzed their postoperative values relative to preoperative values. Postoperative overall survival (OS), local progression-free survival (LPFS), and the factors affecting them were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS: The 5-year OS and LPFS rates were 39.5% and 65.6%, respectively. The factors affecting OS were sex, Katagiri score, visceral metastases, and preoperative targeted therapy, while the factors affecting LPFS were pathologic fractures and surgical technique. CONCLUSION: In this study, the postoperative outcomes of palliative surgery for bone metastases from metastatic RCC were good. We suggest that systemic treatment should be prioritized over local control for advanced bone metastasis in RCC and surgery before pathological fracture should be performed for local control.

Identification and characterization of slow­cycling cells in Ewing sarcoma.

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive primary malignant bone tumor that predominantly affects children and young adults. Multimodal treatment approaches have markedly improved the survival of patients with localized ES. However, local recurrence and distant metastasis following curative therapies remain a main concern for patients with ES. Recent studies have suggested that slow­cycling cells (SCCs) are associated with tumor progression, local recurrence and distant metastasis in various types of cancers. According to the results of these studies, it was hypothesized that SCCs may play a critical role in tumor progression, chemoresistance and local/distal recurrence in patients with ES. The present study applied a label­retaining system using carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) to identify and isolate SCCs in ES cell lines. In addition, the properties of SCCs, including sphere formation ability, cell cycle distribution and chemoresistance, in comparison with non­SCCs were investigated. RNA sequencing also revealed several upregulated genes in SCCs as compared with non­SCCs; the identified genes not only inhibited cell cycle progression, but also promoted the malignant properties of SCCs. On the whole, the present study successfully identified SCCs in ES cells through a label­retaining system using CFSE. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to describe the characteristic properties of SCCs in ES. The findings of this study, if confirmed, may prove to be useful in elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms and identifying effective therapeutic targets for ES.

Wireless Measurements Using Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy to Monitor Fracture Healing.

There is an unmet need for improved, clinically relevant methods to longitudinally quantify bone healing during fracture care. Here we develop a smart bone plate to wirelessly monitor healing utilizing electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to provide real-time data on tissue composition within the fracture callus. To validate our technology, we created a 1-mm rabbit tibial defect and fixed the bone with a standard veterinary plate modified with a custom-designed housing that included two impedance sensors capable of wireless transmission. Impedance magnitude and phase measurements were transmitted every 48 h for up to 10 weeks. Bone healing was assessed by X-ray, µCT, and histology. Our results indicated the sensors successfully incorporated into the fracture callus and did not impede repair. Electrical impedance, resistance, and reactance increased steadily from weeks 3 to 7-corresponding to the transition from hematoma to cartilage to bone within the fracture gap-then plateaued as the bone began to consolidate. These three electrical readings significantly correlated with traditional measurements of bone healing and successfully distinguished between union and not-healed fractures, with the strongest relationship found with impedance magnitude. These results suggest that our EIS smart bone plate can provide continuous and highly sensitive quantitative tissue measurements throughout the course of fracture healing to better guide personalized clinical care.

Biomechanical Evaluation of 4 Suture Techniques for Hip Capsular Closure.

Background: The most reliable suture technique for capsular closure after a capsulotomy remains unknown. Purpose: To determine which suture technique best restores native stability after a 5-cm interportal capsulotomy. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Ten human cadaveric hip specimens were tested using a 6-degrees-of-freedom robotic arm in 7 states: intact, capsular laxity, 5-cm capsulotomy, standard suture, shoelace, double shoelace, and Quebec City slider (QCS). Rotational range of motion (ROM) was measured across 9 tests: flexion, extension, abduction, abduction at 45° of flexion, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, anterior impingement, and log roll. Distraction (ie, femoral head translation [FHT]) was measured across a range of flexion and abduction angles. Results: When compared with the native state, the 5-cm capsulotomy state showed the largest laxity increases on all tests, specifically in external rotation ROM (+13.4°), extension ROM (+11.5°), and distraction FHT (+4.5 mm) (P < .001 for all). The standard suture technique was not significantly different from the 5-cm capsulotomy on any test and demonstrated significantly more flexion ROM than the double shoelace suture (+1.41°; P = .049) and more extension ROM (+5.51°; P = .014) and external rotation ROM (+6.03°; P = .021) than the QCS. The standard suture also resulted in significantly higher distraction FHT as compared with the shoelace suture (+1.0 mm; P = .005), double shoelace suture (+1.4 mm; P < .001), and QCS (+1.1 mm; P = .003). The shoelace, double shoelace, and QCS techniques significantly reduced hip laxity when compared with the 5-cm capsulotomy state, specifically in external rotation ROM (respectively, -8.1°, -7.8°, and -10.2°), extension ROM (-6.3°, -7.3°, and -8.1°), and distraction FHT (-1.8, -2.2, and -1.9 mm) (P ≤ .003 for all). These 3 techniques restored native stability (no significant difference from intact) on some but not all tests, and no significant differences were observed among them on any test. Conclusion: Hip capsule closure with the standard suture technique did not prevent postoperative hip instability after a 5-cm capsulotomy, and 3 suture techniques were found to be preferable; however, none perfectly restored native stability at time zero. Clinical Relevance: The shoelace, double shoelace, and QCS suture techniques are recommended when closing the hip capsule.

Clinical Outcome of Patients with Pelvic and Retroperitoneal Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Japan.

This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with pelvic and retroperitoneal bone and soft tissue sarcoma (BSTS). Overall, 187 patients with BSTS in the pelvis and retroperitoneal region treated at 19 specialized sarcoma centers in Japan were included. The prognostic factors related to overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. The 3-year OS and LC rates in the 187 patients were 71.7% and 79.1%, respectively. The 3-year PFS in 166 patients without any distant metastases at the time of primary tumor diagnosis was 48.6%. Osteosarcoma showed significantly worse OS and PFS than other sarcomas of the pelvis and retroperitoneum. In the univariate analyses, larger primary tumor size, soft tissue tumor, distant metastasis at the time of primary tumor diagnosis, P2 location, chemotherapy, and osteosarcoma were poor prognostic factors correlated with OS. Larger primary tumor size, higher age, soft tissue tumor, chemotherapy, and osteosarcoma were poor prognostic factors correlated with PFS in patients without any metastasis at the initial presentation. Larger primary tumor size was the only poor prognostic factor correlation with LC. This study has clarified the epidemiology and prognosis of patients with pelvic and retroperitoneal BSTS in Japan.

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients After Unplanned Excision.

Purpose: Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) constitute a group of rare, heterogeneous tumors representing approximately 1% of all cancers. Owing to the rarity and pathological diversity of the disease, unplanned excision (UE) has often been performed for STS, resulting in an unfavorable prognosis. This study aimed to clarify clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in STS patients who underwent UE. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective review of the medical records of patients with STS who underwent surgery at our institution between 1999 and 2015, patients were enrolled to either a UE group or a planned excision (PE) group. An analysis was then conducted to identify factors associated with prognosis after UE. Results: Of 134 patients undergoing surgery for STS, 110 were enrolled to the PE group and 24 to the UE group. The median size of the primary tumor was significantly smaller, and more lesions were located in the superficial layer in the UE group than in the PE group. In addition, plastic reconstruction after additional radical resection was required significantly more often in the UE group than in the PE group. No significant difference in overall survival, local recurrence-free survival, or disease-free survival (DFS) between the UE and PE groups was observed; however, metastasis-free survival was significantly better in the UE group. In the UE group, poorer DFS was associated with older age (≥61 years) and a larger primary tumor (≥2.9 cm). Conclusion: A prognosis similar to that in patients undergoing PE could be achieved by appropriate additional surgeries in patients initially undergoing UE. However, UE for STS should be avoided, especially in older patients and those with a larger primary tumor.

Outcomes and Survivorship at a Median of 8.9 Years Following Hip Arthroscopy in Adolescents with Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Matched Comparative Study with Adults.

BACKGROUND: Because of the unique theoretical surgical risks, including osteonecrosis, acute iatrogenic slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and epiphyseal injury, the optimal treatment strategy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in growing adolescents has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of primary arthroscopic treatment of FAI in growing adolescents with a matched adult group. METHODS: Patients with FAI who underwent arthroscopic treatment with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. Patients with previous ipsilateral hip surgery, an Outerbridge grade of ≥3, a preoperative Tönnis grade of ≥2, or evidence of dysplasia (lateral center-edge angle of <25°) were excluded. Eligible patients who were ≤19 years old and whose proximal femoral physis had not yet closed were matched to adult (20 to 40-year-old) counterparts in a 1:1 ratio by sex, body mass index, and time of surgery. For the adolescents, cam resection was performed with a physeal-sparing approach. Outcome scores, including the modified Harris hip score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), and HOS-Sports-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), were prospectively collected. RESULTS: Of the 196 eligible adolescents, 157 (80%) were pair-matched to adult controls, with a median postoperative follow-up of 8.9 and 6.6 years, respectively. Fourteen (9%) of the adolescents required revision hip arthroscopy compared with 18 adults (11%) (p = 0.46). No patient in the adolescent group had conversion to a total hip arthroplasty (THA), while 3 in the adult group had a THA (p = 0.25). For adolescents without subsequent hip surgery, the median mHHS improved from 59 preoperatively to 96 postoperatively; the HOS-ADL, from 71 to 98; and the HOS-SSS, from 44 to 94 (p < 0.001), which were significantly higher postoperative scores than those of the matched adults (p < 0.05) despite similar or inferior baseline scores. No complications were found during the office visit or at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Hip arthroscopy performed with a physeal-sparing approach for FAI in growing adolescents is safe and effective and yields superior clinical outcomes compared with those in a matched adult group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Cotyloid Fossa Coverage Percentages May Be Associated With Alpha Angle, Labral Tear, and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement.

BACKGROUND: Within the hip joint, the anatomy of the acetabulum and cotyloid fossa is well established. There is little literature describing the association between the size of the cotyloid fossa relative to the acetabulum and characteristics of patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to calculate the cotyloid fossa coverage percentage in the acetabulum and determine its association with patient characteristics, radiographic parameters, intra-articular findings, and preoperative patient-reported outcomes in patients with FAI. We hypothesized there is an association between the cotyloid fossa coverage percentage of the acetabulum and characteristics of patients with FAI. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients were included who underwent standard clinical 3-T magnetic resonance imaging of the hip and primary arthroscopic FAI correction surgery during 2015 and 2016. Exclusion criteria were age <18 or >40 years, osteoarthritis, labral reconstruction, previous ipsilateral hip surgery, and hip dysplasia. Measurements of the cotyloid fossa and surrounding lunate cartilage were performed to calculate cotyloid fossa width (CFW) and cotyloid fossa height (CFH) coverage percentages. The relationships between coverage percentages and patient characteristics and intraoperative findings were assessed using independent t tests or Pearson correlations. RESULTS: An overall 146 patients were included. Alpha angle negatively correlated with CFH coverage percentage (r = -0.19; P = .03) and positively correlated with labral tear size (r = 0.28; P < .01). CFH coverage percentage was negatively correlated with labral tear size (r = -0.24; P < .01). Among patients with degenerative tears, CFH was negatively correlated with labral tear size (r = -0.31; P < .01). However, this association was no longer significant after adjusting for sex (partial r = -0.10; P = .39). Cotyloid fossa coverage was not associated with the condition of the cotyloid fossa synovium (synovitis vs no synovitis). CFW coverage percentage was negatively correlated with the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical component summary score (r = -0.23; P < .01). CONCLUSION: The CFW and CFH coverage percentages may be associated with alpha angle, labral tear size, and SF-12 physical component summary score in patients with FAI. We may be able to predict the labral condition based on preoperative measurements of CFH and CFW coverage percentages.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Patients With and Without Borderline Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Based on previous studies, it is difficult to discern whether patients who have femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with borderline developmental dysplasia of the hip (BDDH) would benefit from arthroscopy when compared with patients without BDDH. PURPOSE: To evaluate the existing comparative literature on arthroscopic findings, procedures, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and failures in patients who have FAI with BDDH compared with those without BDDH. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, and Ovid databases were searched for studies published up to August 31, 2019, that reported outcomes after arthroscopy to treat patients who had FAI with BDDH. Included studies were required to have patients diagnosed with FAI and BDDH who were treated arthroscopically and compared with control patients (FAI without BDDH). Arthroscopic findings, PROs, and revision or total hip arthroplasty (THA) conversion rates were compared between groups. RESULTS: Included in the review were 4 articles (933 patients). Patients who had FAI with BDDH were defined as having a lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) of either 18° to 25° or 20° to 25°; for control patients, the maximum LCEA was 40°. Across the studies, there were 224 patients who had FAI with BDDH compared with 709 control patients; the mean follow-up time ranged from 21.6 to 31.3 months among the groups. Improvements were shown across all PROs in each study. Random-effects meta-analysis indicated no statistically significant differences in postoperative PROs, the risk for revision surgery, or conversion to THA between the patients who had FAI with versus without BDDH. CONCLUSION: The results of the current review indicated that hip arthroscopy produced similar short-term outcomes between patients who had FAI with versus without BDDH.

Comparison Between Hip Arthroscopic Surgery and Periacetabular Osteotomy for the Treatment of Patients With Borderline Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The treatment for borderline developmental dysplasia of the hip (BDDH) has historically been arthroscopic surgery or periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). As orthopaedic surgery is constantly evolving, a lack of comparison of outcomes for these 2 treatment methods could potentially be stalling the progression of treatment for patients with BDDH. PURPOSE: To evaluate the existing literature on patient characteristics, procedures, clinical outcomes, and failure rates for patients with BDDH and to determine whether PAO or hip arthroscopic surgery is a better treatment method for patients with BDDH. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Studies included were found using the following search words: "hip" and "borderline dysplasia," "osteotomy" or "arthroscopy," and "outcome" or "procedure." Articles were included if they detailed participants of all sexes and ages, reported on isolated hips, and had patients diagnosed with BDDH. RESULTS: A search was conducted across 3 databases, resulting in 469 articles for consideration, from which 12 total studies (10 on arthroscopic surgery and 2 on PAO) were chosen for a review. There were 6 studies that included patients with a lateral center-edge angle of 18° to 25°, while the remainder included patients with a lateral center-edge angle of 20° to 25°. All the studies reviewing arthroscopic surgery reported concomitant/accessory procedures, while the articles on the topic of PAO did not. It was determined that, whether treated using arthroscopic surgery or PAO, outcomes improved across all patient-reported outcome measures. Revision surgery was also common in both procedures. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of consensus in the literature on the best treatment option for patients with BDDH. Preoperative patient characteristics and concomitant injuries should be considered when evaluating which surgical procedure will result in the most favorable outcomes.

Surgical outcomes of metastatic bone tumors in the extremities (Surgical outcomes of bone metastases).

BACKGROUND: Skeletal related events due to metastatic bone tumors markedly affect the activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. We focused on multidisciplinary therapy for metastatic bone tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment for metastatic bone tumors in the extremities. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 114 patients who underwent surgical treatment for metastatic bone tumors of the extremities between 2008 and 2019 and 69 patients were reassessed for more than 6 months after surgery. The most common primary tumor was renal, followed by lung, thyroid, and breast cancers. We assessed 69 patients' performance status (PS), Barthel Index (BI) for ADL, EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) for QOL, and numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain and analyzed these postoperative values relative to preoperative values using Friedman's test. The postoperative overall survival and the prognostic factors were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS: The 1-year overall survival rate was 59%, and the median survival time after surgery was 20 months. Primary tumor, visceral metastasis, and surgical procedure were risk factors correlated with overall survival. PS, BI, EQ-5D, and NRS improved at 3 months after surgery and these improvements were maintained for 6 months after surgery regardless of the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The significant factors affecting survival after surgical treatment for bone metastases included the primary tumor, presence of visceral metastases, and internal fixation without tumor resection or curettage. Surgical treatment for metastatic bone tumors effectively reduced pain and improved PS, ADL, and QOL postoperatively after 3 months.

BNCT for primary synovial sarcoma.

Synovial sarcoma is a rare tumor requiring new treatment methods. A 46-year-old woman with primary monophasic synovial sarcoma in the left thigh involving the sciatic nerve, declining surgery because of potential dysfunction of the affected limbs, received two courses of BNCT. The tumor thus reduced was completely resected with no subsequent recurrence. The patient is now able to walk unassisted, and no local recurrence has been observed, demonstrating the applicability of BNCT as adjuvant therapy for synovial sarcoma. Further study and analysis with more experience accumulation are needed to confirm the real impact of BNCT efficacy for its application to synovial sarcoma.

Clinical Outcome of the Patients With Brain Metastasis from Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the association of clinical characteristics with treatment outcomes to ascertain the appropriate treatment options for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) patients with brain metastasis (BM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of STS patients with BM who were treated in our institutions were retrospectively reviewed, and analyzed to identify the factors associated with post-BM survival. RESULTS: Among the 509 STS patients, BM occurred in five patients (0.98%). The median survival after BM was 1.5 months. Histological subtypes of the primary lesions in the five BM patients were: two synovial sarcomas, one myxoid liposarcoma, one alveolar soft part sarcoma, and one rhabdomyosarcoma. Among the five BM patients, the post-BM survival of two patients, who underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, was longer than that of the other patients (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Combined surgery and postoperative radiotherapy effectively managed symptoms and prolonged survival in STS patients with BM.

A Cell-free Biodegradable Synthetic Artificial Ligament for the Reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament in a Rat Model.

Traditional Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly performed using an allograft or autograft and possesses limitations such as donor site morbidity, decreased range of motion, and potential infection. However, a biodegradable synthetic graft could greatly assist in the prevention of such restrictions after ACL reconstruction. In this study, artificial grafts were generated using "wet" and "dry" electrospinning processes with a biodegradable elastomer, poly (ester urethane) urea (PEUU), and were evaluated in vitro and in vivo in a rat model. Four groups were established: (1) Wet PEUU artificial ligament, (2) Dry PEUU artificial ligament, (3) Dry polycaprolactone artificial ligament (PCL), and (4) autologous flexor digitorum longus tendon graft. Eight weeks after surgery, the in vivo tensile strength of wet PEUU ligaments had significantly increased compared to the other synthetic ligaments. These results aligned with increased infiltration of host cells and decreased inflammation within the wet PEUU grafts. In contrast, very little cellular infiltration was observed in PCL and dry PEUU grafts. Micro-computed tomography analysis performed at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively revealed significantly smaller bone tunnels in the tendon autograft and wet PEUU groups. The Wet PEUU grafts served as an adequate functioning material and allowed for the creation of tissues that closely resembled the ACL.

Chondrolipoma of the finger in a child: A case study.

Chondrolipoma is, based on the limited case reports available, an extremely rare histological variant of lipoma with the proliferation of mature adipocytes containing an area of true hyaline cartilage. Chondrolipoma is characterized by adult onset and is often identified in the breast, pharynx and tongue. The current study presents a case of chondrolipoma of the finger in an 11 year-old girl. Physical examination indicated a well-defined elastic soft mass, measuring 2.5x2 cm, on the dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx of the left middle finger. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-circumscribed lesion with heterogeneous signal intensity. On T1- and T2-weighted images, the lesion indicated a predominantly marked hyperintense signal containing linear hypointense regions, and on fat-suppressed short-tau inversion recovery sequences, the lesion indicated a predominant hypointensity, with linear regions displaying hyperintensity. Marginal excision of the tumor was performed. Histologically, the major component of the tumor was mature adipose tissue containing a limited area of mature hyaline cartilage matrix, without lipoblasts or malignancy. The postoperative course of the patient was excellent, with no local recurrence three years after surgery. To the best of our knowledge, the current study outlines the first pediatric case of chondrolipoma arising in the finger.

Boron neutron capture therapy for clear cell sarcoma.

Clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses (CCS) is a rare, malignant tumor arising in lower extremities with no effective treatment other than wide surgical resection. Here described is a case of primary CCS in the peroneal tendon of the right foot of a 54-year-old woman enrolled to undergo BNCT. The tumor mass post-BNCT disappeared totally without damage to other normal tissue, demonstrating, for the first time, the potential efficacy of BNCT in complete local control of CCS.

Prognostic influence of the treatment approach for pulmonary metastasis in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare heterogeneous malignancies of mesenchymal origin. Pulmonary metastases develop in approximately 50% of the patients with high-grade STS, being the major cause of mortality in patients with metastatic STS. Pulmonary metastasectomy has been reported to contribute to long-term survival; however, an appropriate treatment has not been established. We aimed to identify factors associated with post-metastasis survival in STS patients with pulmonary metastasis and determine the appropriate treatment for each patient. We retrospectively reviewed the records of metastatic STS patients treated between 2000 and 2017 and analyzed the clinico-pathologic variables to identify factors associated with the survival. The median survival after pulmonary metastasis was 20.6 months, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 68.6%, 36.0%, and 25.1%, respectively. The survival was significantly greater in patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy than in those without surgery (38.9 months vs. 10.5 months; p < 0.0001). Among those who did not undergo surgery, the survival was significantly greater in patients who received chemotherapy than in those without chemotherapy (19.1 months vs. 6.3 months, p = 0.037). Multivariate analysis identified pulmonary metastasectomy as the most important prognostic factor for post-metastasis survival (Hazard ratio 5.623; 95% Confidence Interval 2.733-11.572; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, pulmonary metastasectomy was the most important prognostic factor for post-metastasis survival in patients with metastatic STS. In addition, chemotherapy could prolong survival in patients who were not eligible for pulmonary resection. Although we should carefully weigh the risks and benefits, appropriate treatment for pulmonary metastases could contribute to long-time survival.

Reduced nucleotomy-induced intervertebral disc disruption through spontaneous spheroid formation by the Low Adhesive Scaffold Collagen (LASCol).

Back pain is a global health problem with a high morbidity and socioeconomic burden. Intervertebral disc herniation and degeneration are its primary cause, further associated with neurological radiculopathy, myelopathy, and paralysis. The current surgical treatment is principally discectomy, resulting in the loss of spinal movement and shock absorption. Therefore, the development of disc regenerative therapies is essential. Here we show reduced disc damage by a new collagen type I-based scaffold through actinidain hydrolysis-Low Adhesive Scaffold Collagen (LASCol)-with a high 3D spheroid-forming capability, water-solubility, and biodegradability and low antigenicity. In human disc nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells surgically obtained, time-dependent spheroid formation with increased expression of phenotypic markers and matrix components was observed on LASCol but not atelocollagen (AC). In a rat tail nucleotomy model, LASCol-injected and AC-injected discs presented relatively similar radiographic and MRI damage control; however, LASCol, distinct from AC, decelerated histological disc disruption, showing collagen type I-comprising LASCol degradation, aggrecan-positive and collagen type II-positive endogenous cell migration, and M1-polarized and also M2-polarized macrophage infiltration. Reduced nucleotomy-induced disc disruption through spontaneous spheroid formation by LASCol warrants further investigations of whether it may be an effective treatment without stem cells and/or growth factors for intervertebral disc disease.