Time-dependent surgical instrument contamination begins earlier in the uncovered table than in the covered table.

PURPOSE: Time-dependent surgical instrument contamination and the effect of covering during arthroplasty have not been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate time-dependent contamination of surgical instruments and the effect of covering on contamination as well as to perform bacterial typing of contaminated samples. The hypothesis was that covering the surgical instruments would decrease contamination rates. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty were randomized and divided into two groups: surgical instruments covered with a sterile towel or surgical instruments left uncovered. K-wires were used to extract microbiological samples. The K-wires were placed in a liquid culture medium at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. After 24-h incubation period, samples from liquid cultures were cultured on blood agar using swabs. Samples with growth after 48 h were considered contaminated. Microscopic, staining, and biochemical properties were used for bacterial typing. RESULTS: Bacterial growth started after 30 and 60 min in the uncovered and covered groups, respectively. An increase in the number of K-wires contaminated with time was detected. At least 10,000 CFU/mL bacterial load was observed in the culture samples. Contamination was more significant in the uncovered group. A statistically significant difference in contamination was found between the uncovered and covered groups at 30-, 60-, 90-, and 120 min (p = 0.035, p = 0.012, p = 0.024, and p = 0.037, respectively). The most common bacteria on the contaminated instruments were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (60.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (22.9%), and Streptococcus agalactia (16.7%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The risk of contamination increases with time. However, it may decrease if surgical instruments are covered. In the clinical practice, empiric antibiotic regimens based on the type of identified microorganisms in this study may be developed for postoperative periprosthetic joint infection prophylaxis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, Level II.

Effect of Electromagnetic Wave on Bone Healing in Fixed and Unfixed Conditions.

Mobile phones have come into daily life and are now one of the most frequently used devices for communication. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible effect of electromagnetic wave (EMW) with and without fixation material on bone healing.Forty male rats were exposed to fracture on tibia bone and were randomly divided into 4 groups as E(+)K(+), E(+)K(-), E(-)K(+), and E(-)K(-) where E(+) means EMW exposure and K(+) means Kirschner wire fixation. At the end of study tibia samples were taken from all the groups for the quantitative evaluation of regeneration.Significant difference was found between Group E(+)K(+) and E(-)K(+) in terms of both new bone and capillary volume.Electromagnetic wave may be harmful for bone healing with fixation whereas it has no same effect on bone regeneration without fixation.

Readability and quality levels of websites that contain written information about anterior cruciate ligament injury: A survey of Turkish websites.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the contents and readability levels of informative texts about anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on Turkish websites. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, online searches were performed using the Google, Yandex, and Yahoo search engines on 16, 17, and 18 November 2020, respectively. In these three search engines, 'anterior cruciate ligament', 'anterior cruciate ligament surgery', 'ACL', and 'ACL surgery' were entered in Turkish. The first 10 pages from each search on the websites were collected. The websites were divided into 3 groups according to their sources. Group 1 was classified as websites prepared by private hospitals or medical centers; group 2, as individual websites of orthopedics and traumatology physicians; and group 3, as non-profit websites providing general health information that does not fall into these two groups. The websites were analyzed based on both the website interface and a specific content scoring guide by two reviewers. The Flesch Kincaid (FK) grade level and the Flesch reading ease (FRE) score were used to determine the readability of information on the websites. RESULTS: Eighty-five unique websites were evaluated. The mean quality score of all the websites was 10.4 ± 4.5 with a maximum score of 25 (range=3-21). No significant difference in quality score was found between the groups. The mean FK grade score of all the websites was 11.2 ± 1.7 (range=7.9-15.3). The mean FRE score of all the websites was 46.8 ± 7.7 (range=24.1-63.7). No statistically significant differences in FK grade and FRE score were found between the groups. Although 59 websites (69%) had a third-party seal indicating the certification of one of the organizations established to provide a standard of health information on the Internet, only 21 websites (25%) were updated in the year before the search. CONCLUSION: The readability level of the informative texts about the ACL on the Turkish websites was above the educational level in Turkey. In addition, the quality score of the Turkish websites related to ACL was low. The content of the informative texts should be organized while taking into account the patients' literacy level.

Neglected intrauterine bilateral congenital knee dislocation.

Bilateral congenital knee dislocation is a rare deformity which may present with other musculoskeletal abnormalities. In the early period, conservative treatment options have a high chance of success. However, in later stages, surgical treatment is indicated in neglected or unresponsive cases to manipulation in the early period. Herein, we present a rare case of bilateral congenital knee dislocation which was diagnosed after birth. Retrospective examination revealed that it occurred in the antenatal period and neglected.

Tranexamic acid has positive effect in early period of tendon healing by stimulating the tumor necrosis factor-alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression levels.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) application in tendon healing by using its immunohistochemical effects on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) expression; and to identify if TNF-α, MMP-3, and TGF-ß can be used to monitor and evaluate tendon healing or not in tenotomized rat Achilles tendons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve male Wistar-Albino rats (age 6-7-month-old; weighing 300-350 g) were used in this retrospective study conducted between November 2016 and May 2017. The rats were divided into two groups with similar weights. The right legs of the rats were determined as the study group (TXA), and the left legs as the control serum physiologic (SP) group. Under anesthesia, bilateral Achilles tenotomy was performed and surgically repaired. 1 mL of TXA was applied locally for the right side and 1 mL of SP was locally applied for the left side. Half of the rats were sacrificed at the third week (right leg-TXA3, left leg-SP3) and the other half at sixth week (right leg-TXA6, left leg-SP6) and tendon samples were taken from the extremities. Immunohistochemical findings of TNF-α, MMP-3, and TGF-ß were evaluated on the basis of the frequency and intensity of staining. RESULTS: In TNF-α and MMP-3 and TXA groups, there was a significant difference in staining compared to SP groups (p<0.05). Regarding TNF-α expression, the total index score in the TXA6 subgroup was higher than the TXA3, SP6, and SP3 subgroups (8, 7, 3, and 4, respectively). Overall scores of TNF-α showed that TXA groups had significantly higher scores when compared to SP groups (p<0.05). In addition, total MMP-3 expression scores were significantly higher in TXA groups than in SP groups, respectively; TXA3: 14, TXA6: 11, SP3: 10, and SP6: 9 (p<0.05). However, the degree of staining with TNF-α was found to be significantly lower than MMP-3 (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical reactivity was not observed with TGF-ß. CONCLUSION: Tranexamic acid has positive effect in early period of tendon healing by stimulating the TNF-α and MMP-3 expression levels. TNF-α and MMP-3 can be used to monitor and evaluate tendon healing.

Neuroprotective Effects of Lacosamide in Experimental Peripheral Nerve Injury in Rats : A Prospective Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of lacosamide after experimental peripheral nerve injury in rats. METHODS: A total of 28 male wistar albino rats weighing 300-350 g were divided into four groups. In group I, the sciatic nerve exposed and the surgical wound was closed without injury; in group II, peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) was performed after dissection of the nerve; in group III, PNI was performed after dissection and lacosamide was administered, and in group IV, PNI was performed after dissection and physiological saline solution was administered. At 7 days after the injury all animals were sacrificed after walking track analysis. A 5 mL blood sample was drawn for biochemical analysis, and sciatic nerve tissues were removed for histopathological examination. RESULTS: There is low tissue damage in lacosamide treated group and antioxidant anzymes and malondialdehyde levels were higher than non-treated and placebo treated group. However there was no improvement on clinical assessment. CONCLUSION: The biochemical and histological analyses revealed that lacosamide has neuroprotective effect in PNI in rats. This neuroprotective capacity depends on its scavenger role for free oxygen radicals by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity.

The effect of pentoxifylline on Achilles tendon healing in tenotomized rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the potential effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on tendon healing and to compare the histopathological and biomechanical findings of the healed tendon among the groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 36 male New Zealand albino rabbits (age, 3 months; weighing, 2.5±0.5 kg). Rabbits were randomized into two groups of 18 rabbits each. Partial Achilles tenotomy was performed 1.5 cm proximally from the calcaneal insertion of the tendon in both lower extremities of each rabbit and all groups were repaired primarily. After the operation, saline was injected intramuscularly to the control group and PTX was injected into the PTX group daily. Nine rabbits from each group were euthanized at weeks four and six postoperatively for histopathological (n=4) and biomechanical (n=5) testing. The histopathological findings were evaluated using the staging method of Curtis and Delee. Biomechanical effects were assessed by tensile testing. RESULTS: In the biomechanical evaluation results, the maximum displacement and maximum breaking force in the PTX group at fourth week were significantly higher than the control group. In the sixth week, the maximum breaking force in the control group was significantly higher than the PTX group. In the histopathological examination, collagen fiber alignment was more regular and vascularization was more frequent in the PTX group at both fourth and sixth weeks and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline increased healing and strength in rabbit Achilles tendon by stimulating collagen synthesis, increasing vascularity and reducing inflammation, particularly in the early period both histopathologically and biomechanically. According to our study, PTX may be favorable for the treatment of human Achilles tendon injuries and tendinopathies.

Local application of tranexamic acid affects tendon healing negatively in the late period.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the potential adverse effects of tranexamic acid (TA) on tendon healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve male Wistar-Albino rats (weighing 300 g to 350 g) were used in the study. Rats were divided into two groups. Right legs of the rats were determined as the TA group and left legs as the serum physiologic (SP) group. Bilateral Achilles tenotomy was performed and surgically repaired. For the right side, 1 mL of TA and for the left side, 1 mL of SP were applied. Half of the rats were sacrificed at the third week and the other half at the sixth week and tendon samples were collected from the extremities. Histological analyses were performed according to the tendon scoring system (Bonar classification). RESULTS: Tenocyte cell morphology was better in the third week in TA group than in SP group. In terms of colloidal organization, SP groups gave superior results in all weeks. An analysis of total tendon healing scores revealed that the results of the third week TA groups were superior to the results of the sixth week TA groups. Tenocyte morphology and total tendon healing scores of rats in the sixth week TA group were statistically significantly lower compared to the third week TA group (tenocyte morphology p=0.009, total score p=0.041). CONCLUSION: In this study, we detected that locally administered TA has an adverse effect on tendon healing in late period. However, further immunohistochemical and biomechanical studies are needed to support these results.

The effect of metabolic syndrome on recurrence in patients who had undergone surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate whether or not metabolic syndrome (MS) affects recurrence in patients who had undergone surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 86 hands of 78 patients (19 males, 59 females; mean age 52.0±8.2 years; range 36 to 78 years) who underwent CTS surgery. Patients were examined clinically and demographically for the presence of MS. Patients were also evaluated using a visual analog scale and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. Diagnoses of recurrence were established using electromyography in patients with clinical CTS and Tinel and/or Phalen test positivity. The effect of MS on recurrent CTS was examined statistically by independent t-test. RESULTS: At the end of a mean follow-up period of 36.2±19.2 months (range 12 to 60 months), recurrence was identified in 31 (36%) of the 86 hands. Of these 31 hands, MS was present in 23 (74.2%). In the 55 hands (64%) without recurrence, MS was present in 10 (18.2%). According to these differences, the effect of MS on recurrent CTS was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that MS affected recurrence in patients who had undergone CTS surgery.

Advantages of Pressurized-Spray Cryosurgery in Giant Cell Tumors of the Bone.

BACKGROUND: Giant Cell Tumor is considered a benign, local and aggressive tumor. Although considered a benign bone tumor, it is still the subject of discussion and research because of the associated local bone destruction, as well as high rates of recurrence and distant metastases. Options are being developed for both surgical techniques and adjuvant therapies. AIMS: The present study evaluated the administration of cryotherapy via a pressurized-spray technique in giant cell tumors of the bone. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study included 40 patients who were treated with extensive curettage and cryotherapy at various locations during the period from February 2006 to December 2013. Informed consent forms were obtained from the participants and ethics committee approval was taken from the local ethics committee of Ondokuz Mayis University. The pressurized-spray technique was performed using liquid nitrogen. The patients were evaluated with respect to age, gender, radiological appearance, treatment modality, duration of follow-up, skin problems and recurrence. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were female; 19 were male. The average age of the patients was 33 years (range: 16-72 years), and the average duration of follow-up was 43 months (range: 12-80 months). The average time from the onset of the complaints to the diagnosis was 6 months (range: 2-12 months). Based on the Campanacci classification: 9 patients were Grade I; 25 patients were Grade II; six patients were Grade III. The lesion was located in the femur in 14 patients, in the tibia in 11 patients, in the radius in 5 patients, in the pelvis in 4 patients, in the fibula in 3 patients, in the metatarsal in 2 patients and in the phalanges of the hand in one patient. One patient had postoperative early fracture. None of the patients had skin problems and infection. Three (7.5%) of the patients had recurrence. CONCLUSION: It was found that cryotherapy was highly effective in the lesions, especially those located in the femur and tibia and remained insufficient in the lesions expanded outside the cortex. Wound healing problems, infection and fracture risk are lower with this technique.

Effects of cilostazol on fracture healing: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this experimental study was to examine the clinical, radiological and histological effects of cilostazol on fracture healing. METHODS: A total of 60 Wistar albino male rats were divided into 2 groups: the study group (cilostazol) and the control group. Under general anesthesia, using a blunt-ended guillotine, standard closed shaft fractures were formed on the 3-point principle in the left femurs. Starting on the same day after the fracture was formed until sacrifice, the study group animals were administered with cilostazol (50 mg/kg/day, oral tablet). An equal number of rats from both control and study groups were sacrificed on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after fracture formation, and the bone union tissue was examined clinically, radiologically and histologically. RESULTS: The use of cilostazol was not determined to have any significant effect clinically or radiologically on fracture healing (p>0.05). According to the histological findings, at the end of the first week, the amount of union in the cilostazol group was observed to be significantly greater (p<0.05). At the end of the third week, no significant difference was determined between the control and study groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In the long term, cilostazol did not show any positive effect on fracture healing clinically, radiologically or histologically.

The effect of teicoplanin on fracture healing: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effect of teicoplanin on fracture healing stereologically and histopatologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty male Wistar albino rats were separated into two as the study (teicoplanin) and control groups. After intramedullary fixation of the right tibia of all the rats with 0.5 mm Kirschner wire under general anesthesia, standard closed shaft fractures were created using fracture formation apparatus. Teicoplanin (10 mg/kg) and saline were administered intraperitoneally to the study and control groups, respectively. Control radiographs were taken at the end of the procedure and the rats were sacrificed after 28 days. New bone and connective tissue volumes were calculated on obtained tissue samples using unbiased stereological and histopathological techniques. RESULTS: It was observed that teicoplanin increased the formation of bone, vascularization, and connective tissue. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in respect of bone and vascular total volume (p<0.05). Although an increase was observed in connective tissue total volume, no statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In addition to its antibacterial effect, teicoplanin may increase new bone formation; thus, it may be used safely in the treatment of bone defects accompanied with infection.

Surgical versus conservative treatment following acute rupture of the Achilles tendon: is there a pedobarographic difference?

INTRODUCTION: Controversy remains regarding the optimal treatment method and postoperative rehabilitation of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. In this study, pedobarographic assessments of surgical and conservative treatments were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective assessment was made of 16 patients (eight surgical, eight conservative) and eight healthy controls using a plantar pressure measurement system. Biomechanical gait parameters were obtained using the Footscan dynamic gait analysis system. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for the evaluation of data. RESULTS: Nineteen males and five females were assessed, with an average age of 42.0±11.9 years. Follow-up was completed in 16 patients. No statistically significant difference was determined between the two treatment groups with regard to the gait analysis, but a difference was observed with the control group (P<0.001). All patients were able to resume their prior activities after 6 months and regained normal ranges of motion, with a high rate of satisfaction. Most of the patients (75%) were able to return to their pre-injury level of activities. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory results were obtained through conservative treatment of acute ruptures of the Achilles tendon. No significant differences or complications were observed in the group managed conservatively versus the group treated surgically. Further studies including 3D gait analyses and tendon biomechanical research are required to further investigate this issue.

[Brucella melitensis is an agent in pediatric arthritis: Case series]. / Brucella melitensis es un agente de la artritis pediatrica: Serie de casos.

Brucellosis is a significant health problem and is endemic in some regions. Osteoarticular involvement is seen most frequently in brucellosis (20-60%). In regions where brucellosis is endemic, it should be considered in the etiology of arthritis. We report the 12 cases, were 11 males with a mean age of 12 years (range, 2-17 years). Involvement was determined in the hip in 9 cases, the sacroiliac joint in 2 and the knee in 1. All the cases had arthralgia, fever was determined in 8 cases and leukocytosis in one case. Surgical treatment was applied to one case because of septic arthritis. Serious complications of the infection may be encountered and particularly in musculoskeletal system involvement, it should be kept in mind that complications can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment.

La brucelosis es un importante problema de salud y, en algunas regiones, es endémica. En ella, es muy frecuente observar un compromiso osteoarticular (20%-60%). En regiones donde es endémica, al analizar la etiología de la artritis, hay que pensar en esta entidad. En este artículo, se informan los casos de 12pacientes; 11 de ellos eran varones, y la media de edad fue de 12 años (intervalo: de 2 a 17 años). Se determinó el compromiso de la cadera en 9 pacientes; de la articulación sacroilíaca, en 2; y de la rodilla, en 1. Todos los pacientes tenían artralgia; 8 pacientes tuvieron fiebre; y 1 paciente, leucocitosis. A un paciente se lo sometió a un tratamiento quirúrgico debido a artritis séptica. La infección puede derivar en complicaciones graves, especialmente en el compromiso del aparato locomotor. Debe tenerse en cuenta que, mediante el diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos, es posible prevenir las complicaciones

Evaluation of childhood brucellosis in the central Black Sea region.

Brucellosis is a systemic infectious disease that leads to various clinical pictures and is still a significant health problem in Turkey. In this study, 52 pediatric patients diagnosed with brucellosis between January 2008 and December 2013 were examined. Clinical and laboratory findings, response to treatment, prognosis and complications were evaluated. Diagnosis of brucellosis was made based on a clinical picture compatible with the disease, together with standard tube agglutination test (SAT) positivity (1/160 or higer titer) or isolation of Brucella spp. in a sterile body fluid culture. The cases comprised 10 females and 42 males. In 75% of cases, there was a history of consumption of unpasteurized milk or dairy products. The most commonly seen symptoms and findings were fever (75%), arthralgia (54%), fatigue (19%), splenomegaly (44%), hepatomegaly (42%) and arthritis (19%). Atypical presentations were seen in one case of epidydymo-orchitis and three cases of bleeding of the nose and gums. In the laboratory examinations, anemia was determined in 56% of cases, leukopenia in 40% and thrombocytopenia in 27%. In blood cultures taken from 41 patients, Brucella spp. were isolated in 23 (56.1%). All patients recovered, and sequelae were seen only in a patient with osteoarthritis. In conclusion, although brucellosis leads to many different clinical pictures, a very good response to treatment can be obtained. If effective treatment cannot be implemented in time, the disease may become chronic, and complications and relapses may be encountered. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is of great importance.

[Is non-vascularized autografting in the proximal scaphoid nonunions ineffective?]. / Proksimal skafoid kaynamamalarinda non-vaskülarize otogreftleme etkisiz midir?

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the results of proximal scaphoid non-union treated with non-vascularized bone grafting and screw fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients who were treated surgically for proximal scaphoid non-union with a minimum of one-year follow-up in our clinic were evaluated. Wrist movements were measured by standard goniometry and muscle strength by hand dynamometry. Non-union was classified radiologically according to the Schernberg classification, while functional assessment was performed based on the Herbert-Fisher Grading System and the Mayo Clinic Modified Wrist Scoring System. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 14 months (range, 12 to 40 months). Full union was observed in eight of 13 patients (61.5%). The mean time to union was 16 (range, 12 to 40) weeks. There was no loss of function of more than 10% compared to the healthy hand in the cases with full union. Postoperative mean grip strength was 37.3±3.0 kg. The rates of excellent and good results were 61.5%, moderate and poor results were 38.5% according to the Herbert-Fisher classification and the mean Mayo score was 80±13. CONCLUSION: We obtained no satisfactory results in patients treated with non-vascularized bone grafting and screw fixation for proximal scaphoid non-unions. We suggest that grafting should be carried out in selected cases due to the adverse effects of open techniques and bone grafting on vascularity of scaphoid bone.

Distribution and evaluation of bone and soft tissue tumors in the middle Black Sea Region.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of bone and soft tissue tumors operated on at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between January 1987 and January 2012. METHODS: This descriptive study retrospectively evaluated 1,925 patients hospitalized with a preliminary diagnosis of tumor. Patients were analyzed for age, gender, tumor incidence and localization. Three hundred and forty-nine patients found to have non-tumor causes. The 94 patients discharged at their own request or deceased during follow-up were not included in the tumor group. RESULTS: Of the 1,482 (76.9%) patients diagnosed with tumor, 687 (46.4%) were bone tumors, 586 (39.5%) soft tissue tumors and 209 (14.1%) metastatic tumors. The most common benign bone tumor was osteochondroma (118; 25%), followed by enchondroma (68; 14.4%) and giant cell tumor (59; 12.5%), and the most common malignant bone tumor was osteosarcoma (58; 27%), followed by chondrosarcoma (36; 16.7%) and Ewing's sarcoma (33; 15.3%). The most common benign soft tissue tumor was cystic hygroma (96; 22%), followed by lipoma (75; 17.2%) and hemangioma (52; 11.9%), and the most common malignant soft tissue tumors were pleomorphic cell tumor (29; 19.3%) and liposarcoma (29; 19.3%), followed by pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma (21; 14%). Seventy (33.5%) of the metastatic tumors were of pulmonary origin, 36 (17.2%) were of breast origin and the primary site of the tumor was not clearly determined in 58 (27.8%) patients. CONCLUSION: The distribution of bone and soft tissue tumors appear to have certain characteristics but can show regional differences. We believe that the establishment of a larger series through the collection of these types of studies from centers in which bone and soft tissue tumor surgery is performed will provide important information on the epidemiological features of bone and soft tissue tumors.

Pilomatrixoma localized in the arm and forearm.

Pilomatrixoma is a rare benign skin tumor arising from hair follicle stem cells which is also known as calcifying epithelioma of Malharbe. It occurs with a rate of 0.1% among skin tumors. The definite diagnosis is made histopathologically. In treatment, it is recommended that the lesion be excised surgically. In this study, we wished to present two patients who presented with swelling and underwent excisional biopsy as a result of magnetic resonance imaging and whose pathological result was reported to be pilomatrixoma in accompaniment with the literature.

Distribution of pediatric bone and soft tissue tumors in the central Black Sea region.

This study aimed to evaluate pediatric cases treated surgically for an initial diagnosis of bone and soft tissue tumor between January 1987 and January 2012. This retrospective study evaluated 328 patients with pathologically confirmed tumor from a total of 374 patients hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of tumor. The cases were analyzed with respect to frequency, age, gender, and localization. One hundred and eighty (54.8%) males and 148 (45.2%) females, with a mean age of 13 years (range: 1-18 years), were included in the study. The tumors were determined as 258 (78.6%) bone tumors and 70 (21.4%) soft tissue tumors. The most common benign bone tumor was observed to be osteochondroma (n=61, 30.7%), and the most common malignant bone tumor was osteosarcoma (n=31, 52.6%). The most common benign soft tissue tumor was hemangioma, which is a vascular tumor (n=28, 43.8%), and the most common malignant soft tissue tumor was rhabdomyosarcoma (n=5, 83.3%). It is thought that similar studies will serve to form larger series and facilitate inter-regional comparisons by collecting data from centers that surgically treat bone and soft tissue tumors, thereby benefitting both pediatric and public health.

Evaluation of primary bone lymphoma and the importance of positron emission tomography.

Primary lymphoma of the bone is an extremely rare tumor in the form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma or Hodgkin lymphoma. The majority of primary bone lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphoma, of which the most common subtype is diffuse large cell lymphoma. Patients can present with pain, swelling or pathologic fracture. Definitive diagnosis is made after biopsy examination. Treatment consists of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. We report 3 male patients who presented with pain and swelling. Involvement was in the distal femur, proximal fibula and iliac crest in all patients. Patients were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in biopsy examination and underwent chemotherapy. The patient with distal femoral involvement underwent distal femoral resection prosthesis. Another patient with involvement of the fibular head experienced foot drop and delayed wound healing. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed complete response to the treatment. Patients are in remission and continue schooling.