Synovial sarcomas: A single surgeon experience of 130 cases.

BACKGROUND: Synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that generally requires a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. In this study we report the experience of a single surgeon, evaluating surgical and oncological outcomes of the cases he treated through his 30 years carrier. METHODS: We enrolled patients treated surgically between 1988 and 2018. Surgical and medical treatments, as well as surgical and oncological results, were investigated. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty cases were included. Surgical resection was carried out achieving wide margins in 90% of the cases. At their latest follow-up, 76 patients were continuously disease free, 16 were no evidence of disease, and other 16 were alive with disease. Twenty cases were dead of disease and two dead of other causes. Twenty-five patients (19%) had local recurrence of synovial sarcoma through their postoperative intercourse. Thirty-seven patients (28%) were diagnosed with at least a metastasis during their follow-up. The global survival of our population, at each patient's latest follow-up, was 82%. Cases with tumor size above 5 cm had a significantly higher risk to develop metastasis (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Synovial sarcoma is a threatening disease and represents a challenge for oncological physicians and surgeons. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach are mandatory to limit the spread of synovial sarcomas, maximizing the effectiveness of surgery and the other treatments.

Schwannomas of the peroneal nerves: Clinical and functional results of surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Peroneal nerves Schwannomas are rare benign tumors. Literature is still poor of studies about clinical and functional outcomes after surgical treatment. We evaluated the pre-operative presentation of the disease and assessed clinical and functional outcomes after surgery. METHODS: We collected all the cases of peroneal nerves' neurinoma treated surgically between June 2016 and June 2020. We analyzed each patients' personal data and carried out accurate clinical examinations before and after surgery. MRI was performed both pre-operatively and post-operatively. RESULTS: We reported 9 cases of peroneal nerves schwannomas: five arising from the common peroneal nerve and four arising from the deep or superficial branches alone. Their mean size was 22.6 mm. Each patient showed sensation deficits before surgery; pre-operative MRC score was 4.2. Pre-Operative MSTS and LEFS scores were 23.6 and 64.4. Surgery was successful in each case. No local recurrence nor major complication occurred. Tumor size was significantly associated with both diagnostic delay and development of pre-operative deficits. Surgery was proven to be globally successful: post-operative evaluations highlighted a marked reduction of neurological signs and overall functional limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment at early stages of the disease represents a reliable and relatively safe therapeutic option.

One-Step Reconstruction with Custom-made 3D-printed Scapular Prosthesis After Partial or Total Scapulectomy.

En bloc scapulectomy with covering muscles was historically considered the only procedure available for surgical treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors of the scapula. When possible, reconstruction with scapular allograft is the gold standard, and gives satisfactory functional, cosmetic, and oncological outcomes. While good results have recently been reported with 3D-printed prostheses for reconstruction of bone loss, there is little information available in the medical literature regarding scapula reconstruction with a 3D-printed prosthesis. Between 2016 and 2018, we performed four scapular resections (two total and two involving the superior 1/3) followed by reconstruction with a 3D-printed prosthesis made of a porous titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V, diameter between 100 and 400 mm), using computer-aided design (CAD) and patient-specific implants (PSI) with previously acquired CT-MR fusion images. At 2 years follow-up, the patients with partial scapulectomy had an MSTS score of 76%, no local or systemic recurrence, good clinical results and no pain. At 1 year 6 months follow-up, the patients with total scapulectomy had an MSTS score of 46%, no local or systemic recurrence, fair clinical results and no pain. Thus, custom-made 3D-printed prostheses appear to be valuable in orthopedic surgery. However, a larger cohort and longer-term analysis are needed to evaluate the scapular 3D-printed prosthesis as a reliable reconstruction technique.

Self-inflicted long bone fractures for insurance fraud.

Self-inflicted fractures simulating traffic accident represent a new social fraud opportunity for criminality. Recognising scams through an increase of awareness of existence of self-inflicted arm fractures for insurance fraud could help community health workers to report these injuries to the competent authorities. In this article, authors have recognised an unusual but consistent pattern of upper and lower limb fractures whose incidence does not coincide in numerical terms with what is reported in literature. The aim of the present study is to describe fracture patterns observed over the past 2 years. Further, authors describe clinical presentations of these fractures and attempt to define a possible mechanism of these types of injuries.

Biological Intercalary Reconstruction with Bone Grafts After Joint-Sparing Resection of the Lower Limb: Is this an Effective and Durable Solution for Joint Preservation?

Due to advances in neoadjuvant therapies and preoperative imaging modalities, joint-sparing resections have become appealing in bone tumor surgery. However, the intercalary reconstruction of metadiaphyseal bone defects of the femur and the tibia after juxta-articular tumor resection remains challenging. Both biological and prosthetic reconstructions have been used for joint-sparing resections, but little is known about the long-term outcome of these procedures. The authors reviewed a consecutive series of 64 patients treated with joint-sparing intercalary resection and reconstruction with bone grafts. Inclusion criteria were an osteotomy line within 5 cm from the knee and ankle joint surface and an osteotomy line proximal to 1 cm below the lesser trochanter at the hip level. Intra-epiphyseal resection was performed in 25 patients (39%)and intercalary resection was performed in 39 (61%). Reconstruction included 49 allograft + vascularized fibular graft (VFG), 10 allografts, and 5 VFG + structural allogenic grafts. At a mean follow-up of 117 months (range 12-305), 51 patients (80%) were continuously disease-free, and 6 showed no evidence of disease after treatment of local recurrence or metastatic lesion. One patient was alive with lung metastases at 26 months of follow-up and six patients died of disease. In the entire series of 64 patients, 26 had a non-oncological complication that required surgical revision (40.6%). Overall survival (OS) of reconstruction was 92% at 5 years and 90% at 10 and 15 years. Limb salvage survival (LSS) was 94% at 5, 10 and 15 years. Twenty-two fractures occurred in 17 patients (26.5%). There were a total of nine non-unions (14%). Six patients (9.3%) presented early wound dehiscence (average 1.8 months, range 0-6). A deep infection occurred in 3 cases (4.7 %). In 12 patients treated with VGF reconstruction (12/54:22%), a donor-site complication was observed. The overall Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional score in 54 evaluable patients, who were alive with reconstruction in situ, was 27 points (range 18-30). Biologic intercalary reconstructions with bone grafts resulted in effective joint-sparing resections of the lower limb, allowing joint preservation in all but one case who required a total knee replacement for varus osteoarthritis. Despite the high rate of complications requiring surgical revision, at 15 years, overall survival of the reconstruction was 90% and limb salvage survival was 94%. In our experience, revision-free survival was better with VFG reconstruction than with allograft alone and the combination of VFG and allogenic graft seems to favor spontaneous fracture-healing and to decrease the non-union rate.

Surgical Treatment of Sacral Chordoma: En Bloc Resection with Negative Margins is a Determinant of the Long-Term Outcome.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVE: To report the outcome of a series of patients with sacral chordoma who were surgically treated at a single center. SUMMARY: Chordomas are low-grade malignant tumors that arise from remnants of the notochord. They are most often found in the sacrum, spine and skull-base. These tumors have a slow clinical evolution and may eventually metastasize, even after adequate treatment. Rarely, they can dedifferentiate into high-grade sarcomas. Traditionally, chordomas were considered to be resistant to chemotherapy and standard radiation therapy. However, recently, adrotherapy has been shown to be effective for local and systemic control of the disease. In this study, clinical outcomes and local and systemic recurrence were reviewed to identify prognostic factors for local and systemic control. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with sacral chordoma (19 males, 14 females; median age 61 y, range 43-80) who were surgically treated at our institution between 1994 and 2015 were reviewed. In 24 patients, resection was performed above S2. No patients received pre-operative radiotherapy (RT). Three cases received RT (carbon ion therapy) as treatment for local recurrence. Wide (R0) surgical margins were achieved in 17 patients, marginal (R1) margins in 14 patients and intralesional (R2) margins in 2 patients. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 53 months (range 0-198), 19 patients were continuously disease-free, 6 were disease-free after local recurrence (5) or metastases (1), 3 were alive with disease (2 local recurrence and 1 metastasis), 4 were dead of disease (1 patient died intraoperatively) and 1 was dead of another cause. Local recurrence was observed in 9 cases (27%); all 9 were treated surgically and 3 received carbon ion therapy after surgical intralesional excision. Overall survival at 10 years was 86.6%. Local recurrence-free survival at 10 years was 51%. A statistical analysis confirmed the importance of negative surgical margins (R0) to achieve local control of the disease (p = 0.0007). High resections (above S2) were associated with lower survival and higher risk of local recurrence. CONCLUSION: Surgical en bloc resection is the primary treatment for sacral chordoma. Carbon ion therapy is used when it is difficult to obtain wide surgical margins. Due to morbidity and the disabling sequelae of surgery, adrotherapy may be considered an alternative to high (above S2-S3) sacral chordoma resections.

Hydatid cyst in the vastus lateralis muscle: a case report.

Hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease; human infection occurs through the consumption of food and water contaminated with the eggs of parasites of the Echinococcus type. While the liver is the most common site of infection, involvement of the musculoskeletal system is extremely rare. In the context of musculoskeletal involvement, the spine is the most commonly infected site, while the muscles are rarely infected and account for approximately <1% of cases. It has been suggested that muscles provide an unsuitable environment for the parasite, because of the presence of lactic acid. The cysts appear as slow-growing masses of soft tissue, and signs of inflammation and fistulization often coexist. We report a rare case of an hydatid cyst located in the vastus lateralis muscle of a 41-year-old man. Muscular echinococcosis is an extremely rare disease. A MRI evaluation should be taken into account as gold standard in the diagnosis. Surgical cystectomy is often indicated, and an excision with wide margins is mandatory to avoid the rupture of the cyst and anaphylaxis. Adjuvant pharmacological therapy is recommended to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Giant schwannoma of the foot: a case report and literature review.

A schwannoma is a rare, benign tumor originating from Schwann cells of peripheral nerve sheath. It commonly occurs in subjects between 20 and 50 years of age, and its malignant transformation is exceptional. While schwannomas usually affect the head and neck region, localization in the lower extremity is exceptionally rare, and even fewer cases have described schwannomas occurring in the foot. We report a case of a giant schwannoma of the foot diagnosed in a 65-year-old woman. A giant schwannoma of the foot is an extremely rare soft tissue tumor. MRI may allow an earlier diagnosis and provide valuable information about the size and possible bone invasion. This case report noted that a complete excision of the schwannoma may prevent the risk of local recurrence, regardless of its size.

Femoral neck's fracture in Fahr's Syndrome: case report.

Fahr's syndrome, also known as "Bilateral Striopallidodentate Calcinosis" (BSPDC) primitive, is a rare neurological disease characterized by the presence of idiopathic, bilateral, symmetrical and abnormal deposition of calcium in areas of the brain that control movements including the basal ganglia, dentate nuclei of the cerebellum, nuclei of thalamus and semi-oval center. We describe a case of a 76-year-old male patient underwent reduction and fixation of a subtrochanteric fracture with intramedullary nail. During post-operative rehabilitation therapists's patient management was difficult due to obvious extrapyramidal symptoms characterized by dysarthria, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability. A CT scan, performed for the onset of stiffness and confusion before the operation, showed: IV ventricle eumorphic and in axis; expansion in atrophic sense of supratentorial ventricular system; bilateral, diffuse and coarse calcifications of the basal ganglia in the cerebellar and occipital cortex, elements compatible with Fahr's syndrome. The patient presented repeated postural instability episodes in the upright position, with loss balance tendency and recurrent falls. Fahr's syndrome patient is a "weak" patient, which requires a multi-disciplinary approach in order to prevent the mobility reduction, to improve the condition of postural instability, thus reducing the risk of fractures using preventive measures in domestic environment.

Pre-operative diclofenac HPßCD for pain control of needle biopsy in musculoskeletal neoplasm: preliminary results.

Needle biopsy is the main standard method used for diagnosis of musculoskeletal tumors of the limbs and superficial trunk. Pain control during this procedure is through the use of Local Anaestetic (L.A.). In order to achieve a complete pain control in our cases, recently we started using diclofenac HPßCD 50 mg via s.c. preoperativly. We present the clinical results of a non-randomized study of two eterogeneous groups of patients: "Experimental" Group (1): diclofenac HPßCD 50 mg via s.c. one hour before surgical procedure, local anesthesia and ev. diclofenac HPßCD 50 mg via s.c. 12 hours postoperative; "Conventional" Group (2): local anesthesia and ev. postoperative tramadol 100 mg via oral for pain control. In October 2014, at the Department of Orthopedic Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery of Florence, 37 musculoskeletal biopsies for a bone or a soft tissue lesion were performed. Exclusion criteria for this study were: known allergies to lidocaine, diclofenac, tramadol; known gastric or duodenal ulcers; known gastrointestinal bleed or perforation; refusal of the patients to collaborate. For one or more of these reasons, 6 patients were excluded from this study. In the Group 1, 10 patients (59%) referred no pain during the surgical procedure (8/14 biopsies on soft tissue and 2/3 on bone). In 5 cases (29%) no exacerbation of previous chronic pain, and in 2 cases (12%) a progression of local pain after biopsy (average 1 points higher in the VAS). In Group 2, only 6 patients (42%) did not have any pain during the procedure, 4 (29%) no exacerbation of previous chronic pain and 4 (29%) a progression of local pain (average 2 points higher in the VAS). Despite similar results in both Groups, Group 1 seemed to have a mild better control of perioperative pain. The use of diclofenac HPßCD 50 mg preoperative seems to be a rational approach for minimizing perioperative pain and the preliminary data of our study seem encouraging. Obviously many bias are present in this study (small numbers of cases, heterogeneity of diseases, association with local anesthetic, non-randomized study, comparison between preoperative versus postoperative treatment) and this cannot absolutely be considerate as definitive conclusions.

Knee Extensor Apparatus Reconstruction with Allograft after Patellar Resection: A Case Report.

Background: The extensor apparatus of the knee can be thought of a chain that transmits the muscular strength developed by the quadriceps muscles to the proximal tibia. This complex is essential to allow the extension of the tibia over the femur, being essential to provide knee mobility and stability. In case of lesions which irreparably damage the patella, such as a locally aggressive bone tumor, it is necessary to restore both the apparatus' anatomical continuity and its strength. Case report: A 39-years-old Caucasian man with a history of lung carcinoma developed atraumatic swelling and soreness in his left knee. Imaging evidence reported a degeneration of the left patella. We performed an en bloc resection of the patella and the nearby soft tissues of the extensor apparatus. The resulting gap was fulfilled with a massive allograft consisting of a quadriceps tendon, a patella and a patellar ligament. No complication or local recurrences were observed. At the patient's latest follow-up, he did not have any extension lag and quadriceps strength was completely restored. Conclusion: Massive allografts can represent a reliable alternative for the reconstruction of the patella and the knee extensor apparatus in orthopedic oncology.

Angioleiomyoma of the Foot: Clinical and Functional Outcomes of Surgical Treatment in a Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Angioleiomyoma is a benign soft-tissue tumor that arises from the smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of the blood vessels. Although the most common location for these neoplasms is the uterine wall, they can also originate from lower limbs. Altogether, these neoplasms account for 0.2% of all those located in the foot and ankle region. Signs and symptoms of foot angioleiomyoma can be a localized pain, swelling, and functional impairment. To date, only case reports and case series with small populations have been reported in the literature to describe the clinical picture of these neoplasms and the effectiveness of surgical treatment. In this study, we report our results of surgical treatment for angioleiomyomas of the foot. METHODS: Thirteen cases suffering from angioleiomyoma of the foot underwent surgical resection in our institution between January of 2017 and January of 2022. For each case, we recorded preoperative and postoperative symptoms, and their preoperative and postoperative functional status according to both Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS). Eventual complications and local recurrence were reported. RESULTS: Each patient had at least mild pain before surgical treatment. The mean preoperative MSTS and AOFAS were 22.1 and 76.8, respectively. The mean tumor size was 17.7mm. Preoperatively, each patient underwent resection with wide margins. None had local recurrences or major complications at their latest follow-up. After surgery, the mean postoperative MSTS and AOFAS increased to 29.5 and 98.8, respectively. Each case had a marked increment of their functionality and a reduction of their pain after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that surgical approach with tumor resection should be considered a safe and reliable treatment for foot angioleiomyomas in light of the extremely low risk of local recurrence and because of the good postoperative pain relief and functional restoration that can be obtained after the treatment.

Myxoid Liposarcomas of the Thigh: Pre-Operative Presentation, Clinical Outcomes, and Functional Results of Surgical Treatment.

Myxoid liposarcomas are malignant soft-tissue sarcomas whose treatment represents a challenge, even for the most experienced surgeon. In this study, we report on our experience with the treatment of myxoid liposarcomas of the thigh. Our retrospective analysis included myxoid liposarcomas of the thigh treated with surgical resection between 2016 and 2022. Resection margins, complications, local recurrences, and metastases were recorded. The oncological outcome of each case was evaluated at their latest follow-up. Adjuvant therapies were administered according to the ESMO guidelines. Functionality was assessed with the MSTS score before surgery and at the patients' latest follow-up. Thirty cases (ten high-grade and 20 low-grade) were included. The mean diameter was 11.8 cm. Twenty-four cases had wide margins (80%) and six (20%) were marginal. Five cases (60% marginal) had local recurrences (17%). Marginal resection was associated with a higher risk of local recurrence (p = 0.041). Three cases with high-grade tumors (10%) developed metastases. At the patients' latest follow-up, their mean MSTS score had risen from 22.9 to 27.3. While tumor grade influences the risk of metastases, the quality of resection margins can determine the local recurrence rate. An adequate surgery can lead to good post-operative functional outcomes.

Proximal Femur Megaprostheses in Orthopedic Oncology: Evaluation of a Standardized Post-operative Rehabilitation Protocol.

Background: Reconstructions of the proximal femur after massive resections represent one of the main challenges in orthopedic oncology. Among the possible treatments, megaprostheses represent one of the most used and reliable reconstructive approaches. Although literature about their outcomes has flourished through the last decades, a consensus rehabilitative treatment is still far from being established. Materials and methods: We evaluated the functional results of all our oncologic cases treated between 2016 and 2022 that could follow our standardized post-operative rehabilitative approach, consisting in progressive hip mobilization and early weight-bearing. Results: Twenty-two cases were included in our study. On average, their hospitalization lasted 15.1 days. The seated position was achieved on average within 3.7 days after surgery, the standing position reached 5.4 after surgery, while assisted deambulation was started 6.4 days after surgery. After a mean post-operative follow-up of 44.0 months, our patients' mean MSTS score was 23.2 (10-30). Our data suggested a statistically significant inverse linear correlation between post-operative functionality and patients' age, resection length, and the start of deambulation. Conclusions: A correct rehabilitation, focused on early mobilization and progressive weight-bearing, is crucial to maximize patients' post-operative functional outcomes.

Clinical and functional results after total scapulectomy in orthopedic oncology: are custom-made scapular prostheses better than humeral suspension?

Background: In orthopedic oncology, total scapulectomy is necessary to allow a wide resection of extended malignancies of the scapula and scapular girdle. Scapular reconstruction is challenging even for the most experienced surgeon. This paper reports our experience with total scapular resections, followed by humeral suspension or custom-made prostheses. Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated all the oncologic patients treated in our institution between 2016 and 2023 with total scapulectomy and consequential reconstruction using humeral suspension or a custom-made prosthesis. Only cases suffering from malignant bone tumors were included. The postoperative functionality of the treated limbs was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring scale. Complications and local recurrences were also recorded. Results: Nine patients were enrolled. Five had custom-made implants, and four had humeral suspensions. The mean postoperative MSTS score of patients treated with custom-made prostheses was 24.0 (22-26). Globally, our cohort's mean MSTS score was 19.1 (9-26). Patients with custom-made prostheses had significantly better functional outcomes (MSTS 24 vs 13) and similar complication rates (40% vs 50%) than those who received humeral suspensions. Conclusion: Our outcomes suggest that, when feasible, custom-made scapular prostheses can represent a reliable reconstructive option after total scapulectomy for malignant scapular tumors.

Hemicalcaneal reconstruction with a 3D printed custom-made prosthesis after partial calcanectomy due to a malignant bone tumor.

The malignant bone tumors of the calcaneus are extremely uncommon lesions. Surgical approach can consist in either an amputation or in a limb sparing procedure, depending on the width and the location of the neoplasm. Although several reconstructive options have been proposed to fulfill the bone defect in those cases that received a selective resection, to this date a consensus reconstructive approach is far from being established. Among the alternatives described in literature, 3D printed custom-made prostheses represent one of the most intriguing and promising reconstructive options. Herein, we report our experience of a spindle cell bone sarcoma of the calcaneus treated with selective resection of the anterior segment of the calcaneus and further reconstruction with a 3D printed custom-made prosthesis, based on patients' own anatomy. The posterior calcaneus and the insertion of the Achilles tendon were preserved. The resection was performed with wide margins and no major complication occurred through the intra-operative or post-operative intercourse. At her latest follow-up, our patient showed good functional results and was continuously disease free. Our outcomes therefore suggest that a partial prosthetic replacement of the anterior calcaneus with preservation of the Achilles insertion site may represent a safe and effective solution for cases that required the resection of the anterior calcaneus due to a malignant bone tumor.

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Pelvis in Children and Adolescents: Effectiveness of Surgical Treatment with Curettage, Cryotherapy and Bone Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are benign but locally aggressive cystic lesions of the bone. Pelvic ABCs are extremely rare and hard to treat due to their high risk of local recurrence and the tough access to pelvic bones. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated pediatric cases with pelvic ABC treated with curettage, cryotherapy and bone grafting treated in our institution between 2016 and 2022. Complications were recorded, as well as local recurrences. Patients' post-operative functionality was assessed with the MSTS score. RESULTS: Fourteen consecutive cases were included in our study. Their mean age at surgery was 13.5 years. The mean lesion size was 55 mm. The mean follow-up was 38 months. Two cases (11.8%) had local recurrences, which were successfully treated with further curettage. At their latest FU, 13 cases were continuously disease free (CDF), and one had no evidence of disease (NED). Only one case had a post-operative compilation (wound dehiscence). Patients' mean post-operative MSTS score was 29.6. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic ABCs are a challenge, even for the most experienced orthopedic surgeon. Our study suggests that the association of an accurate curettage, intraoperative cryotherapy and bone grafting can be a reliable and effective therapeutic option for large-sized ABCs of the pelvis.

Distal Femur Megaprostheses in Orthopedic Oncology: Evaluation of a Standardized Post-Operative Rehabilitation Protocol.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Megaprostheses are the most used reconstructive approach for patients who have undergone massive resection of their distal femurs due to bone tumors. Although the literature about their outcomes has flourished in recent decades, to date, a consensus on rehabilitative treatment is yet to be established. In this study, we report on our experience with our latest standardized rehabilitation program, evaluating our results in a mid-to-long-term scenario. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the functional results of all our oncologic patients treated between 2016 and 2022 who could follow our standardized post-operative rehabilitative approach, consisting of progressive knee mobilization and early weight-bearing. RESULTS: Sixteen cases were included in our study. The average duration of the patients' hospitalization was 12.2 days. A standing position was reached on average 4.1 days after surgery, while assisted walking was started 4.5 days after surgery. After a mean post-operative follow-up of 46.7 months, our patients' mean MSTS score was 23.2 (10-30). Our data suggest that the sooner patients could achieve a standing position (R = -0.609; p = 0.012) and start walking (R = -0.623; p = 0.010), the better their final functional outcomes regarding their MSTS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation should be considered a pivotal factor in decreeing the success of distal femur megaprosthetic implants in long-surviving oncologic patients. Correct rehabilitation, focused on early mobilization and progressive weight-bearing, is crucial to maximizing the post-operative functional outcomes of these patients.

Periprosthetic femoral re-fractures pathogenesis, classification, and surgical implications.

Periprosthetic femoral re-fractures (PFRFs) represent an emerging challenge for orthopaedic surgeons, since their incidence is growing in the last years, but very few experiences about their management have been currently published. The present study aims to (1) introduce, for the first time, an etiologic classification for PRFRs and (2) to provide surgical and pharmacological tips for the correct management of these injuries. Periprosthetic femoral re-fractures (PFRFs) could be classified into traumatic-PFRFs (T-PFRFs) and pathological-PFRFs (P-PFRFs). T-PFRFs, i.e. the "true" periprosthetic re-fractures, present as new fracture lines occurring proximally or distally to a previous periprosthetic fracture, that has correctly healed. They are generally unpredictable injuries but, in selected cases, it is possible to predict them by analyzing the construct used in the treatment of the previous periprosthetic fracture. P-PFRFs, on the other hand, define re-fractures occurring on a previous periprosthetic non-union or delayed union: the new fracture line appears in the same district of the old one. According to the etiologic factors influencing the P-PFRFs pathogenesis, it is possible to define re-fractures caused by mechanical failures, biological failures, septic failures and multifactorial failures, i.e., a combination of the previously mentioned concerns. A successful postoperative outcome, following the surgical management of PFRFs, requires the correct identification of all the underlying causes, which should be promptly and appropriately managed.

Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Localized Tenosynovial Giant-Cell Tumor of the Foot and Ankle: A Case Series.

Background: Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS), also termed Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT), is a locally aggressive tumor which originates from tendon sheaths or bursas. Around 3-5% of these tumors arise from foot and ankle. Localized lesions in this area are often manifested as firm masses or nodules with slow but continuous progression through months and years. Pain associated with weight-bearing, as well as limitations in joint motions, may be reported, depending on tumor's location. Surgery is the treatment of choice for the definitive removal of GCTTSs with the aim to eradicate the neoplasm and restore the lower limb's functionality. Methods: Thirteen cases suffering from GCTTS of the foot and ankle underwent surgical resection at our institution between 2017 and 2022. For each case we recorded pre-operative and post-operative symptoms, as well as their pre-operative and post-operative functional status according to both MSTS and AOFAS scores. Eventual complications and local recurrences were reported. Results: Each patient experienced an at least mild pain before surgical treatment. The mean pre-operative MSTS and AOFAS scores were 22.8 and 70.7, respectively. The mean tumor size was 17.7 mm. Each patient received a resection with wide margins. Two cases (15.4%) had local recurrences. None had major complications at their latest follow-up. After the surgery, the mean post-operative MSTS and AOFAS scores increased to 28.3 and 92.2, respectively. Conclusion: Resection with wide margins for foot and ankle GCTTS is effective in restoring the patients' lower limb functionality and is associated with reasonable local recurrence rates.