Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures: Primary or delayed after failed treatment?

BACKGROUND: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has recently become an option for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) or as a salvage procedure after failure of another treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare primary RTSA with delayed RTSA in the treatment of displaced PHFs. STUDY DESIGN & METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with PHFs who were treated between May 2013 and December 2021 with primary or delayed RTSA after failure of conservative treatment or osteosynthesis. Clinical data were withdrawn from our local computerized database. Complications, active range of motion, as well as the functional outcome were recorded at the end of the follow-up period. Differences between clinical outcomes were analyzed using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 70 individuals were included in this study (41 primary RTSA and 29 delayed RTSA). The mean of follow-up time was of 112 and 60 months, respectively. There were no differences between groups regarding fracture type according Neer Classification, ASA score or the presence of complications. Q-DASH and Oxford Shoulder scores were significantly better when patients underwent a primary RTSA (49.8 vs 31.4, p = 0.006 and 37.2 vs 27.5, p = 0.004 respectively). In addition, primary RTSA achieved more degrees of flexion and abduction than delayed RTSA (96.8 vs 72.9, p < 0.001 and 94.1 vs 69.3, p < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: Primary RTSA for PHFs achieved better functional outcomes and a wider range of motion when compared with delayed RTSA. However, primary and delayed RTSA have similar complication and reintervention rates. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 3.

[Diagnostic difficulty for an acute hydrocephalus]. / Difficulté diagnostique devant une hydrocéphalie aiguë

Tuberculosis disease, in its extra pulmonary form, remains a difficult diagnosis because of its atypical symptoms and evolution. We have observed a case of acute tuberculosis neuromeningitis, without being able to make a definite diagnosis prior to the patient's death because of the negativity of the initial bacteriological samples. We started the most probable appropriate treatment but in vain. This case allows us to challenge diagnostic methods and resulting treatments in emergency cases where tuberculosis is suspected. Moreover, it seems essential to do everything possible to find the bacterium when confronted with a patient with risk factors and clinical and radiological symptoms compatible with tubercular disease, before the disease becomes acute.

Survey of Italian neurological output in the three years 1989-1991.

On the wave of the furore over the haphazard approach to academic promotion in Italy and the role of published work in it, our analysis clears the role of the neurological publications in the three years 1989-1991. The data analysis, carried out by consulting on-line data bank and comparing the Italian production with that one of two sampled countries (France and Germany), shows that in the field of clinical neuroscience, this criticism is not in order.