Ex vivo analysis of cortical microarchitecture of the distal clavicle: implications for surgical management of fractures.

BACKGROUND: Cortical thickness and porosity are two main determinants of cortical bone strength. Thus, mapping variations in these parameters across the full width of the distal end of the clavicle may be helpful for better understanding the basis of distal clavicle fractures and for selecting optimal surgical treatment. METHODS: Distal ends of 11 clavicles (6 men, 5 women; age: 81.9 ± 15.1 years) were scanned by micro-computed tomography at 10-µm resolution. We first analyzed cortical thickness and porosity of each 500-µm-wide area across the superior surface of distal clavicle at the level of conoid tubercle in an antero-posterior direction. This level was chosen for detailed evaluation because previous studies have demonstrated its superior microarchitecture relative to the rest of the distal clavicle. Subsequently, we divided the full width of distal clavicle to three subregions (anterior, middle, and posterior) and analyzed cortical porosity, pore diameter, pore separation, and cortical thickness. RESULTS: We found the largest number of low-thickness and high-porosity areas in the anterior subregion. Cortical porosity, pore diameter, pore separation, and cortical thickness varied significantly among the three subregions (p < 0.001 p = 0.016, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Cortex of the anterior subregion was more porous than that of the middle subregion (p < 0.001) and more porous and thinner than that of the posterior subregion (p < 0.001, p = 0.030, respectively). Interaction of site and sex revealed higher porosity of the anterior subregion in women (p < 0.001). The anterior subregion had larger pores than the middle subregion (p = 0.019), whereas the middle subregion had greater pore separation compared with the anterior (p = 0.002) and posterior subregions (p = 0.006). In general, compared with men, women had thinner (p < 0.001) and more porous cortex (p = 0.03) with larger cortical pores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Due to high cortical porosity and low thickness, the anterior conoid subregion exhibits poor bone microarchitecture, particularly in women, which may be considered in clinical practice. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and musculoskeletal system: A narrative literature review.

Musculoskeletal alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are less common than liver-related complications. However, they can significantly impact the quality of life and overall prognosis of patients with HCC. The main obstacle in the clinical assessment of HCC-induced musculoskeletal alterations is related to effective and timely diagnosis because these complications are often asymptomatic and unapparent during routine clinical evaluations. This narrative literature review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the contemporary literature related to the changes in the musculoskeletal system in patients with HCC, focusing on its clinical implications and underlying etiopathogenetic mechanisms. Osteolytic bone metastases are the most common skeletal alterations associated with HCC, which could be associated with an increased risk of low-trauma bone fracture. Moreover, previous studies reported that osteopenia, sarcopenia, and myosteatosis are associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with HCC. Even though low bone mineral density and sarcopenia are consistently reported as reliable predictors of pretransplantation and post-transplantation mortality in HCC patients, these complications are frequently overlooked in the clinical management of patients with HCC. Taken together, contemporary literature suggests that a multidisciplinary approach is essential for early recognition and clinical management of HCC-associated musculoskeletal alterations to improve patient prognosis. Further research into the mechanisms and treatment options for musculoskeletal complications is warranted to enhance our understanding and clinical management of this aspect of HCC.

Radiological evaluation of Hyperostosis frontalis interna: is it of clinical importance?

Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) presents irregular thickening of the frontal bone. Even though HFI is frequently seen during routine radiological imaging, it usually remains unrecorded owing to a common belief that it just represents an incidental finding or anatomical variant. Recent studies implied that HFI may be clinically relevant. Etiology of HFI is still debated, while presumptions are mainly based on altered sex steroids impact on skull bone growth. Some authors implied that frontal bone might be particularly affected by this condition due to specificity of its underlying dura. In this paper we present a 27-years old female patient with a treatment resistant headache. Head CT showed massive, irregular bony mass, with lobulated contours arising from the right frontal bone, but did not cross the fronto-parietal suture, spearing the superior sagittal sinus and skull midline. After surgery, histopathological analysis of the frontal bone sample in our patient showed thickening pattern similar to those described in micro-CT studies of HFI. Furthermore, in an attempt to test speculation of the possible role of estrogen in pathogenesis of HFI, we investigated the expression of α-estrogen receptors on dura of the frontal region. These analyses confirmed nuclear expression of estrogen on frontal region dural tissue, supporting previous speculation of the development mechanisms of HFI and contributing to a better understanding of this common condition of the frontal bone. Additionally, the presence of HFI may result in severe symptomatology, which could be misinterpreted and related to other disorders if HFI is not radiologicaly recognized and reported.

Trepanation in archaic human remains - characteristic features and diagnostic difficulties.

Three trepanned skulls originated from a medieval archeological site at St. Pantelejmon Church, located in Serbia, all showing characteristic depressions and perforations of the vault of the skull from trepanning. Trepanation refers to the process of creating a defect in the skull by drilling, cutting or scraping and is one of the oldest known surgical procedures. Anthropological assessment of possible cases of trepanation in archaic material is complicated by a differential diagnosis that includes both congenital/developmental lesions such as parietal fenestrae, and acquired conditions such as trauma, infection and malignancy.

Skeletal manifestations of hydatid disease in Serbia: demographic distribution, site involvement, radiological findings, and complications.

Although Serbia is recognized as an endemic country for echinococcosis, no information about precise incidence in humans has been available. The aim of this study was to investigate the skeletal manifestations of hydatid disease in Serbia. This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical database of Institute for Pathology (Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade), a reference institution for bone pathology in Serbia. We reported a total of 41 patients with bone cystic echinococcosis (CE) during the study period. The mean age of 41 patients was 40.9±18.8 years. In 39% of patients, the fracture line was the only visible radiological sign, followed by cyst and tumefaction. The spine was the most commonly involved skeletal site (55.8%), followed by the femur (18.6%), pelvis (13.9%), humerus (7.0%), rib (2.3%), and tibia (2.3%). Pain was the symptom in 41.5% of patients, while some patients demonstrated complications such as paraplegia (22.0%), pathologic fracture (48.8%), and scoliosis (9.8%). The pathological fracture most frequently affected the spine (75.0%) followed by the femur (20.0%) and tibia (5.0%). However, 19.5% of patients didn't develop any complication or symptom. In this study, we showed that bone CE is not uncommon in Serbian population. As reported in the literature, therapy of bone CE is controversial and its results are poor. In order to improve the therapy outcome, early diagnosis, before symptoms and complications occur, can be contributive.