Are 2 Radiographic Views As Good as 3 Views to Diagnose Ankle Fractures in Children and Adolescents?

OBJECTIVES: Ankle radiographs are among the most commonly obtained trauma images in the pediatric population, with the standard 3 views (AP/mortise [M]/lateral [L]) routinely ordered in the emergency department. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of sets of 2 views (AP/L or M/L) with the standard 3 views. METHODS: One hundred twenty sets of ankle radiographs of skeletally immature patients obtained in the emergency department of a level 1 pediatric trauma center were used. These included sets with and without fractures. Sets of 3 and 2 views were reviewed by pairs of pediatric-trained orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, and emergency physicians. Each completed 3 randomized viewing sessions where all possible combinations for each set of radiographs were reviewed. Diagnoses for the 3 sets of views were compared for accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: Overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for all reviewers were as follows: AP/M/L 74%, 94%, and 90%, AP/L 71%, 90%, and 94%, as well as M/L 69%, 90%, and 91%. P values for accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of AP/L and M/L compared with 3 views were 0.34, 0.04, and 0.52, as well as 0.04, 0.004, and 1.00, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In skeletally immature patients, statistically significant differences in accuracy were obtained when comparing the standard 3 AP/M/L views with more limited M/L views, suggesting that this set of 2 views is not as accurate. Differences in sensitivity of limited views were also statistically significant. Conversely, differences in accuracy between the standard 3 views and AP/Lateral views were not statistically significant. While more limited AP/L views may be comparable in accuracy and specificity and lead to dramatically decreased radiation and costs, this can be at the expense of less diagnostic sensitivity and increased risk of misdiagnosing or missing certain fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Electronic Consultation Systems: Impact on Pediatric Orthopaedic Care.

BACKGROUND: The demand for pediatric orthopaedic surgery consultation has grown rapidly, leading to longer wait times for elective consultation in some regions. Some specialties are addressing this increased demand through electronic consultation services. We wanted to examine the impact of pediatric orthopaedic e-consultations in Canada's Eastern Ontario region. METHODS: We developed a cross-sectional study of all the cases directed to a pediatric orthopaedic surgery specialist using the Champlain Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation (BASE) eConsult service over a 2-year period and examined their impact on in-person referrals, time of e-consultation and primary care satisfaction as well as types of clinical questions that were asked. RESULTS: Electronic consultations avoided in-person appointments in 68% of the submitted cases. The median response by specialists received by the primary care providers (PCPs) was <20 hours. A total of 69% of consultations involve >1 type of clinical questions, most commonly about basic trauma/fracture care and management recommendations. Ninety-seven percent of the PCPs found the overall value for the care of the patients to be good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study demonstrates the effective and timely use of eConsult in pediatric orthopaedic surgery. It also shows a significant reduction in the number of in-person consultations required and demonstrates a high satisfaction rate by PCPs using the service. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In addition to the efficacy and time-sensitive care provided to the patients, the study shows that, professionally, 89% of PCPs found this service to be excellent or good. The broader implications of electronic consultation on overall quality of care, population health, and patient satisfaction requires further investigation.

Bilateral Discoid Medial Menisci: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Bilateral discoid medial menisci are exceptionally rare and of uncertain pathoetiology. We report on a case in an active adolescent woman who presented with bilateral medial knee joint line pain. Clinical evaluation and MRI identified atypical bilateral discoid medial menisci bilaterally. The patient underwent bilateral meniscal saucerization, with no pain at 4 months postoperation, and returned to competitive sport.

Treatment for Clubfoot: Stockinette Versus Webril Cast Padding in the Ponseti Method.

BACKGROUND: The Ponseti method of serial manipulation and casting revolutionized the treatment of one of the most common congenital orthopaedic conditions-clubfoot-resulting in less surgical morbidity and better functional results. Several studies have examined aspects of nonoperative treatment but none have explored the effect of different types of undercast padding. METHODS: The authors performed a randomized controlled trial comparing cotton Stockinette and Webril undercast padding using the Ponseti method. They included 56 patients under the age of 6 months who had an untreated idiopathic clubfoot. For treatment, the padding was randomized to double-layer Stockinette (29 patients) or standard 2- to 3-layer Webril (27 patients). The primary analysis consisted of a 2-sample t test comparing the mean number of casts required for correction in each group. Secondary outcomes included initial and final standardized clubfoot scores (Pirani and Dimeglio scores) and adverse events. RESULTS: Baseline demographics were not statistically different between groups, with respect to mean age, sex, and side being treated, nor were the baseline Dimeglio and Pirani scores. The primary outcome analysis revealed an equivalent number of casts (about 4) required before tenotomy. The secondary analysis on complications did not show any significant difference, with 10 events documented in the Webril group and 9 in the Stockinette group (P=1.00). At the end of the study, the mean Dimeglio (3.9±2.1 vs. 3.9±1.8, P=0.99) and Pirani (2.1±0.8 vs. 2.2±0.8, P=0.70) scores were not significantly different. Subjectively, parents and doctors indicated a substantially more positive experience for the Stockinette group. CONCLUSIONS: Webril and Stockinette paddings provide equivalent clubfoot deformity correction while applying a similar number of casts before tenotomy. Although minor skin complications were observed, these were not significantly different between groups.

The impact of electronic consultation on a Canadian tertiary care pediatric specialty referral system: A prospective single-center observational study.

BACKGROUND: Champlain BASE™ (Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation) is a web-based asynchronous electronic communication service that allows primary-care- practitioners (PCPs) to submit "elective" clinical questions to a specialist. For adults, PCPs have reported improved access and timeliness to specialist advice, averted face-to-face specialist referrals in up to 40% of cases and high provider satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the expansion of eConsult to a pediatric setting would result in similar measures of improved healthcare system process and high provider acceptance reported in adults. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Single Canadian tertiary-care academic pediatric hospital (June 2014-16) servicing 1.2 million people. PARTICIPANTS: 1. PCPs already using eConsult. 2.Volunteer pediatric specialists provided services in addition to their regular workload. 3.Pediatric patients (< 18 years-old) referred for none-acute care conditions. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Specialty service utilization and access, impact on PCP course-of-action and referral-patterns and survey-based provider satisfaction data were collected. RESULTS: 1064 eConsult requests from 367 PCPs were answered by 23 pediatric specialists representing 14 specialty-services. The top three specialties represented were: General Pediatrics 393 cases (36.9%), Orthopedics 162 (15.2%) and Psychiatry 123 (11.6%). Median specialist response time was 0.9 days (range <1 hour-27 days), most consults (63.2%) required <10minutes to complete and 21/21(100%) specialist survey-respondents reported minimal workload burden. For 515/1064(48.4%) referrals, PCPs received advice for a new or additional course of action; 391/1064(36.7%) referrals resulted in an averted face-to-face specialist visit. In 9 specialties with complete data, the median wait-time was significantly less (p<0.001) for an eConsult (1 day, 95%CI:0.9-1.2) compared with a face-to-face referral (132 days; 95%CI:127-136). The majority (>93.3%) of PCPs rated eConsult as very good/excellent value for both patients and themselves. All specialist survey-respondents indicated eConsult should be a continued service. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Similar to adults, eConsult improves PCP access and timeliness to elective pediatric specialist advice and influences their care decisions, while reporting high end-user satisfaction. Further study is warranted to assess impact on resource utilization and clinical outcomes.

Transtibial Ertl amputation for children and adolescents: a case series and literature review.

PURPOSE: Despite advances in limb reconstruction, there are still a number of young patients who require trans-tibial amputation. Amputation osteoplasty is a technique first described by Ertl to enhance rehabilitation after trans-tibial amputation. The purpose of the study reported here was to evaluate the results of the original Ertl procedure in skeletally immature patients and to assess whether use of this procedure would result in a diminished incidence of bony overgrowth. METHODS: The cases of four consecutive patients (five amputations) treated between January 2005 and June 2008 were reviewed. Clinical evaluation consisted of the completion of the prosthesis evaluation questionnaire (PEQ) and physical examination. Radiographic analysis was performed to evaluate bone-bridge healing, bone overgrowth, and the development of genu varum as measured by the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA). RESULTS: The best mean PEQ score in the question section was 91.8 (range 74-100) for 'well being' and the worst mean score was 66.6 (range 50-78) for 'residual limb health'. Examination of the residual limbs revealed no bursae, and all knees were stable with full range of movement. All bony bridges united at an average age of 1.7 (range 1-2) months. One case required stump revision for bony overgrowth, and one case developed asymptomatic mild genu varum. CONCLUSIONS: The original Ertl osteomyoplasty may serve as one of the options for treatment of trans-tibial amputation in older children. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results suggest that the Ertl osteomyoplasty is a feasible option in this challenging patient population.

Symptomatic bunionette deformity in adolescents: surgical treatment with metatarsal sliding osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Bunionette deformity is a painful osseous prominence on the lateral aspect of the head of the fifth metatarsal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of a fifth metatarsal sliding osteotomy for the treatment of this deformity in patients under 18 years of age. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 13 feet in 11 consecutive patients with bunionette deformity treated from January 2003 to January 2008 at 2 referral centers. Mean age was 14.8 years (95% confidence limit, SD 1.5 y); mean follow-up was 32.2 months (95% confidence limit, SD 11.7 mo); and clinical evaluation was made according to the modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the Coughlin score. The IV-V intermetatarsal angle ( IV-V IMA), the width of the forefoot (WF), lateral deviation angle (LDA), and fifth metatarsophalangeal angle (5 MPA) were also measured preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The average postoperative AOFAS score was 91 ± 4.1 points. Seven patients (8 feet) had an excellent outcome and 4 patients (5 feet) a good outcome according to the Coughlin scoring rate. The IV-V IMA averaged 12.29 degrees ± 1.5 degrees preoperatively, while postoperatively it was 6.18 degrees ± 1.4 degrees (P<0.0001). The LDA improved from 7.74 degrees ± 1.7 degrees preoperatively to 4.25 degrees ± 1 degree after surgery (P<0.0001). The WF decreased from 8.01 ± 1.3 mm to 7.05 ± 1.3 mm (P<0.0001). The mean 5 MPA decreased from 21.7 degrees ± 4.1 degrees preoperatively to 7.63 degrees ± 3.4 degrees at final follow-up (P<0.0001). One patient developed a superficial infection around a K-wire. CONCLUSIONS: Metatarsal sliding osteotomy is a safe and effective method for the correction of symptomatic bunionette in patients below 18 years of age. Further research is required to compare this approach with other treatment methods in this specific age group. STUDY DESIGN: Case series (Level of evidence, IV).

Intra-articular median nerve incarceration after spontaneous reduction of a pediatric elbow dislocation: case report and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: Intra-articular incarceration of the median nerve after closed reduction of an elbow dislocation is a rare and potentially devastating complication. We report the case of a 4-year-old boy who had an entrapment of the median nerve after spontaneous reduction of a posterior dislocation. All the cases previously reported in the literature are reviewed. The diagnostic algorithm and treatment options are discussed. This is the only case in the literature in which spontaneous reduction of the dislocation occurred before medical evaluation. This scenario can occur in children as young as 4 years of age. Although incarceration of the median nerve after an elbow dislocation is an uncommon complication, it must be recognized early and explored to prevent permanent disability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Biomechanical analysis of lateral pin placements for pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures.

AIM: Several clinical studies have shown that lateral pinning alone is of equal stability to crossed pins in the treatment of supracondylar fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the stability of parallel and varied divergent lateral pin configurations to provide an easily reproducible technique for optimal pin placement. METHODS: Twelve third-generation synthetic composite humeri were osteotomized at the level of the coronoid and olecranon fossae to simulate a humeral supracondylar fracture. Each fracture was reduced and fixed using two 1.6 mm (0.062 inches) Kirschner wires (1 fixed, 1 varied) in 4 different positions (from parallel to divergent with respect to fixed wire), and sequentially tested in extension, varus, and valgus as well as internal and external rotations using an MTS 858 Minibionix materials testing load frame (MTS Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN). A 2-way analysis of variance was carried out to compare construct stiffness in all 5 modes of testing according to both pin position and testing sequence. A level of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The best torsional, valgus, and extension resistances were found with position 4, which was the most divergent configuration. For both internal and external rotations, position 4 showed statistically higher stiffness as compared with all other configurations (P<0.05). In resistance to extension, both positions 3 and 4 were stiffer than either position 1 or 2 (P<0.05). For resistance in varus testing, position 3 showed statistically greater stiffness than all other pin positions (P<0.05). Although there was no statistical difference between all the 4 positions in valgus testing, position 4 showed greater resistance when compared with other positions. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral pin placed parallel to the metaphyseal flare of the lateral humeral cortex, in combination with a second diverging pin crossing the fracture site at the medial edge of the coronoid fossa (position 4), provided the optimum fixation for supracondylar fractures of the humerus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Using these readily available landmarks, the treating surgeon can reproducibly provide appropriate pinning treatment for most of these fractures.

What proportion of patients need extensive surgery after failure of the Ponseti technique for clubfoot?

UNLABELLED: In 1948, Professor Ignacio Ponseti began a nonoperative management form of treatment for severe talipes equinovarus. This method of manipulative treatment became attractive because long-term outcomes demonstrated the majority of feet were pain-free, plantigrade, and functioning at a high level of activity without evidence of degenerative arthrosis. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 51 children (31 boys and 20 girls; 72 feet) with idiopathic clubfeet deformity treated with the Ponseti method from January 5, 2002, to January 5, 2007. The median age at treatment was 2 weeks (95% confidence limit, 1-2 weeks); there was no difference in age at presentation between boys and girls. The minimum followup was 4 months (mean, 19.8 months; range, 4-48 months). A total of 288 casts were applied (mean, 5.5; standard deviation, 0.92). Successful treatment was defined as a plantigrade foot with a normal hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot on clinical examination. Correction was achieved and maintained in 90% (65 of 72) of the feet; 10% (seven of 72) of the treated feet did not improve and needed subsequent surgery. There was no difference in the proportion of children who had tenotomy or previous treatment among those who presented with residual deformity or recurrence or had surgery. However, patients who tolerated bracing had lower recurrence rates and underwent less surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Management of scoliosis and syringomyelia in children.

Scoliosis is often a characteristic of an underlying syrinx. Surgical treatment, in particular instrumentation, of scoliosis in a child with an unrecognized syrinx may be associated with an increased risk of neurologic complications. The effect of syrinx treatment on scoliosis is yet to be clearly determined. Since 1976, nine children with scoliosis and a syrinx have been treated at a major pediatric referral center. Follow-up averaged 4 years 9 months. The average increase in curve size was 12 degrees (range 2 degrees -43 degrees ). The syrinx was treated operatively in five children. One child, who underwent foramen magnum decompression, required surgical stabilization of the spine. No neurologic complications were encountered. A compilation of reported cases in the literature was performed and analyzed. This analysis of 98 cases revealed that treatment of the syrinx resulted in no further progression of the scoliosis in 35 of 80 (48%) cases in which the curve history was reported. Surgical stabilization of the curve was required in 27 (31%) cases without neurologic complications.