The Infectious Tale of Aerococcal Aortic Endocarditis: Cardiac Pacing in Acute Aortic Insufficiency With Complete Heart Block as a Bridge to Aortic Valve Replacement.

Here, we describe a rare case of Aerococcus endocarditis causing aortic insufficiency and paravalvular abscess presenting as complete heart block and shock. A 76-year-old man with diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency department with fever and dyspnea. His temperature was 102.4°F, heart rate 59 beats per minute, blood pressure 105/44 mmHg, and oxygen saturation was 98% on 6L oxygen. Examination revealed bounding carotid pulses, a 2/6 early blowing diastolic murmur at the left lower sternal border, and diminished lung sounds at the bases. Laboratory data showed leukocytosis of 19.65 k/µL, blood urea nitrogen 72 mg/dL, creatinine 2.92 mg/dL, lactic acid 3.1 mmol/L, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide 15,342 pg/mL, high-sensitivity troponin 136 ng/L, aspartate aminotransferase 129 U/L, and alanine aminotransferase of 115 U/L. An electrocardiogram showed complete heart block, and a transvenous pacemaker was placed. A transesophageal echocardiogram revealed an aortic root abscess and severe aortic insufficiency secondary to Aerococcus urinae. Ventricular pacing was used to decrease aortic insufficiency and optimize computed tomography with gating to view the coronary arteries due to wall motion abnormalities seen on the transthoracic echocardiogram. His aortic valve was replaced, and a pacemaker was planned. Aortic valve Aerococcus endocarditis is rare and can lead to complete heart block and aortic insufficiency. Cardiac pacing improves hemodynamics by increasing heart rate and decreasing left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.

The Ischial Spine in Developmental Hip Dysplasia: Unraveling the Role of Acetabular Retroversion in Periacetabular Osteotomy.

PURPOSE: Radiological diagnosis of acetabular retroversion (AR) is based on the presence of the crossover sign (COS), the posterior wall sign (PWS), and the prominence of the ischial spine sign (PRISS). The primary purpose of the study is to analyze the clinical significance of the PRISS in a sample of dysplastic hips requiring periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and evaluate retroversion in symptomatic hip dysplasia. METHODS: In a previous paper, we reported the classic coxometric measurements of 178 patients with symptomatic hip dysplasia undergoing PAO where retroversion was noted in 42% of the cases and was not found to be a major factor in the appearance of symptoms. In the current study, we have added the retroversion signs PRISS and PWS to our analysis. Among the retroverted dysplastic hips, we studied the association of the PRISS with the hips requiring PAO. We also defined the ischial spine index (ISI) and studied its relationship to the coxometric measurements and AR. RESULTS: In hips with AR, the operated hips were significantly associated with the PRISS compared to the nonoperated ones (χ 2 = 4.847). Additionally, the ISI was able to classify acetabular version (anteverted, neutral, and retroverted acetabula). A direct correlation between the ISI and the retroversion index (RI) was found, and the highest degree of retroversion was found when the 3 signs of acetabular retroversion were concomitantly present (RI = 33.6%). CONCLUSION: The PRISS, a radiographic sign reflecting AR, was found to be significantly associated with dysplastic hips requiring PAO where AR was previously not considered a factor in the manifestation of symptoms and subsequent requirement for surgery. Moreover, the PRISS can also serve as an adequate radiographic sign for estimating acetabular version on pelvic radiographs.

Sacral Anatomical Orientation in the Lebanese Population.

INTRODUCTION: PI is currently used as the gold standard measurement in spinopelvic anatomy. There is a need for a reliable method to calculate sacral anatomic orientation (SAO) independent of posture and to establish its association with PI, which was previously established in a single study (Peleg et al., 2007). Therefore, the aim of our study is the application and verification of this association on a Lebanese sample. METHODS: Methods for measuring SAO and PI on living individuals are described. The study was carried out on 200 adult individuals using CT 3D images (volume-rendering method). Reliability (intratester and intertester) was evaluated using the intraclass correlation test. A regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the association between the two measurements. RESULTS: There were 103 females (51%) and 97 males (49%) with a mean age of 58.68 ± 19.6 years (min = 20; max = 93). The mean SAO and PI in our population were found to be 52.65° (SD = 8.16°) and 59.08° (SD = 12.53°), respectively. SAO and PI measurements were highly correlated (Pearson correlation test; r = -0.296, P < 0.0001 for our general population). PI can be predicted via SAO, i.e., SAO = (-0.193 × PI) + 64.057. CONCLUSIONS: SAO may be an important tool, alongside PI, in defining the sagittal shape of the spine and useful for understanding its association with spinal diseases as they are not affected by postural changes.

Isolated Congenital Absence of Lumbosacral Facet Joint.

A congenital absence of the lumbar facet joint is a rare reported condition. This is the case of a 32-year-old male patient presenting with severe low back pain radiating to his right lower limb. Physical examination revealed no motor deficits, but right lower limb numbness was reported over dorsum aspect of the right foot. No other sensory or motor disturbances were reported or found on exam. Imaging studies, consisting of a spine MRI and spine CT scan with 3D reconstruction, revealed the absence of the right L5-S1 zygapophyseal joint. The patient was treated conservatively with resolution of his symptoms on one-month follow-up.

Long-term Evolution of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis Treated by in Situ Fixation: A 26 Years Follow-up of 11 Hips.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SFCE) may lead to femoro acetabular impingement and long-term function impairment, depending on initial displacement and treatment. There are several therapeutic options which include in situ fixation (ISF). The objective of this study was to evaluate long-term functional and radiographic outcomes of patients with SFCE treated with ISF. We conducted a single-center, retrospective study evaluating the clinical and radiographic outcomes of SCFE in situ fixation with a mean follow-up of 26 years (10-47). Analysis of preoperative and last follow up radiographs was performed. The functional status of the hip was evaluated according to the Oxford hip score-12 and the radiographic osteoarthritis stage was rated according to Tönnis classification. Signs of femoro acetabular impingement were sought. Ten patients (11 hips) were included. The average initial slip was 33.5° (10-62). At final follow up, the average Oxford hip score was 19.3 (12-37), it was good for groups who had a small initial slip (16.7) or moderate (17) and fair for the severe group (27). Average Tönnis grade was 1.3 (0-3). The average alpha angle was 65.3° (50-80°). Femoro acetabular impingement was likely in 100% of patients with severe slip, in 50% of patients with moderate slip and in 33% of patients with a slight slip. In situ fixation generated poor functional results, substantial hip osteoarthritis and potential femoro acetabular impingement in moderate to severe SCFE's. However, in cases with minor displacement, functional and radiographic results are satisfactory. The cut off seems to be around 30° slip angle, above which other treatment options should be considered.

Literature review and clinical presentation of bilateral acetabular fractures secondary to seizure attacks.

Central acetabular fracture dislocation is usually caused by high-energy external trauma. However, 26 cases that occurred as a result of a seizure attack appeared in the literature from 1970 to 2007, with the seizure attacks themselves caused by many different factors. In this setting, the central acetabular fracture not caused by direct trauma might initially remain unnoticed leading to a delayed diagnosis. In some cases, this may lead to death as a result of massive blood loss. We here present a case of bilateral central acetabular fracture dislocation as a result of a seizure attack.

Arthroscopic excision of intra-articular hip osteoid osteoma: a report of 2 cases.

Intra-articular osteoid osteoma is uncommon accounting for approximately 12% of all osteoid osteomas. It presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges since several traumatic or degenerative pathologies of the joint can be simulated with delay in the diagnosis. We report the clinical, radiographic, and histopathological findings in 2 cases of intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the femoral neck and of the acetabulum. Technical aspects of arthroscopic excision and results of surgery are discussed. Arthroscopy allowed complete excision of the osteoid osteomas, with a short postoperative rehabilitation and excellent functional results.

False aneurysm of the external iliac artery caused by aseptic loosening and migration of a cemented cup.

A 79 year old woman with bilateral hip replacements presented with severe left thigh swelling, and life threatening hypovolemic shock. After adequate resuscitation, an angio CT scan of her pelvis showed a false aneurysm of the external iliac artery in proximity to a loose pegged cemented cup. A pelvic X-ray 6 years prior to presentation had revealed a medialized high riding pegged cemented cup with a loose cemented stem. Vascular reconstruction followed by revision of the left THA was necessary.