Do the risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip differ according to gender? A look from another perspective.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to examine if there were gender differences in risk factors in 4415 infants who were evaluated through a physical examination and hip ultrasonography (USG). METHODS: Physical examination of the hip and hip USG were performed on 4415 infants by the same paediatric orthopaedics specialist. Barlow and Ortolani tests were performed together with the evaluation for the limitation of abduction. Ultrasonographic hip examination was performed according to the Graf technique. The birth records of all the infants were examined, and anamneses (genetic disease, maternal age, delivery type, swaddling, multiple pregnancies, duration of gestation period, gravida, birthweight, breech presentation, oligohydramnios and family history) were obtained from the families. Any accompanying musculoskeletal (torticollis, pes equinovarus, congenital knee dislocation) abnormality was recorded. RESULTS: Pathological hip was determined in 149 (3.37%) of 4415 infants. In males, gestational week, family history, breech presentation, swaddling, congenital knee dislocation and limited abduction were observed to be significant for the presence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). In females, significant factors for the presence of DDH were determined to include birthweight, gestational week, breech presentation, multiple pregnancy, accompanying oligohydramnios, torticollis, pes equinovarus and limited abduction. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for DDH can differ according to gender.

Cystic tuberculosis osteomyelitis of the distal tibia in infancy.

One-third of tuberculosis cases affect the musculoskeletal system. Solitary bone tuberculosis is a rare condition in infancy, has non-specific findings, and can be misdiagnosed easily. Cystic form tuberculosis may mimic many other pathologic conditions. In our case report, we present tuberculosis osteomyelitis of the distal tibia in a baby aged ten months who visited our outpatient department with swelling and pain in their left ankle. Curettage and debridement was performed twice for the lesion. An under-knee splint was applied for 3 months and anti-tuberculosis treatment was given for 12 months. There was no relapse during a five-year follow-up period. There was no epiphysis injury and deformity. In this case report, we discuss that bone tuberculosis, as a rare condition, must be considered in lytic lesions of the distal tibia metaphysis in infancy.

A case report of osteoblastoma on the distal phalanx of the ring finger successfully treated with curettage and polymethylmethacrylate filling.

BACKGROUND: Osteoblastoma is an aggressive benign tumor whose presentation varies with location and size. This rare bone tumor is thus difficult to diagnose particularly when it occurs outside its most common location - the vertebral column and long bones. CASE: We report a case of osteoblastoma of the fourth distal phalanx of the left hand in an 18-year-old male, presented with pain and swelling and treated with curettage and polymethylmethacrylate filling followed by immobilization by a cast, which was opened 10 days later to start physical therapy. Patient was pain-free, recovered full function of his finger, and remained without pain at one month post-surgery. The finger was monitored closely for two years; sequential films showed a radiopaque interface and no evidence of local recurrence. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of osteoblastoma on the distal phalanx. The possibility of osteoblastoma should be considered in cases of pain and swelling of phalanx, and if diagnosed, curettage and polymethylmethacrylate filling may be the treatment of choice.

The reliability of ultrasonography in developmental dysplasia of the hip: How reliable is it in different hands?

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common skeletal dysplasia. Two principal methods used in early diagnosis of DDH are clinical examination and ultrasonographic investigation. Dogruel et al. found a low specificity of clinical examination in patients with DDH. Additionally, Kamath et al. stated that ultrasonography performed by a radiologist in routine clinical practice is more reliable than physical examination performed by the average clinician. In clinical practice, the application and assessment of hip ultrasonography are completed by a single person. This assessment determines the followup of the patient. Thus, hip ultrasonography performed on the same person by different individuals under the same conditions will yield a more accurate assessment of the reliability of ultrasonographic assessment of DDH. Although inter-observer reliability was high in many previous studies of ultrasound image evaluation, reliability rates vary among studies of the application of ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inter-examiner reliability of hip ultrasonography was analyzed among four investigators who separately evaluated 100 hips (50 infants). The obtained bone structure angles α, cartilage structure angles ß, and distribution of hip types were compared among the investigators. All infants were brought to the hospital for a healthy child followup examination, according to the country's health policy. Babies between 0 and 6 months were included in the study. Babies with any neuromuscular disorders, neural tube defects or any type of genetic anomalies were excluded from the study. The study was explained to the families of all infants and written informed consent was obtained. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the hip type determined by the investigators with respect to α and ß angles (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.002). The average alpha measurements of the first orthopedist, second orthopedist, first radiologist, and second radiologist were 67.38 ± 6.24, 65.60 ± 5.84, 65.44 ± 4.59, and 62.59 ± 4.50, respectively. The average beta measurements of the first orthopedist, second orthopedist, first radiologist, and second radiologist were 53.85 ± 8.86, 50.74 ± 7.80, 44.77 ± 6.30, and 44.39 ± 5.81, respectively. Agreement among the results obtained by the clinicians was investigated in dual comparisons. The relative agreement according to the alpha angle ranged from 3.6% to 44.5%, and the relative concordance according to the beta angle ranged from 0.9% to 45.3%. Agreement regarding hip typing was determined to range from 19.1% to 42.6%. CONCLUSION: Sonographic evaluation of the hip appears to vary depending on the investigator.

Effect of increase in birth weight in a newborn on hip ultrasonography.

Exposure to the pressure experienced by higher birth weight babies during the intrauterine period might cause hip dysplasia. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of birth weight in newborns on hip ultrasonography when the paternal and maternal risk factors are excluded. A total of 701 babies born at 38-42 gestational weeks were included in the study. Hip ultrasonography was performed within 7 days following birth using the Graf technique in the babies without risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip. Images obtained were controlled with respect to conformity to the Graf method and angular measurements were performed. According to the α and ß angle values obtained, type 1A and 1B hips were categorized as mature; type 2A hips were categorized as immature; and type 2C, D, 3A, 3B, and 4 hips were categorized as pathological hips. The results obtained were analyzed for the effect of birth weight on the angular values and hip typing. The birth weight of the babies was 338,488 ± 48,241 g (2030-6124 g). It was determined that the birth weight had no effect on the values of α and ß angles in the male babies (P=0.21, 0.76). It was determined that increasing birth weight decreased the α angle value (P=0.001) and caused no difference in the ß angle value (P=0.057) in the female babies. It was found that birth weight had no effect on hip typing in both female and male babies (P=0.060, 0.22). Increases in birth weights caused decreases in ultrasonographic α angles only in female babies.