Pathological fracture increases the risk of unsatisfactory functional results and avascular necrosis in children with proximal femur simple bone cysts.

INTRODUCTION: Proximal femur simple bone cysts (SBCs) are rare in children, but with a risk of pathological fractures and the associated poor outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the functional and radiographic outcomes of children with proximal femur SBCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 38 children with proximal femur SBCs treated surgically at our department, West China hospital, were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether pathological fractures presented before treatment. The non-fracture group received treatment of open curettage, cavity electrocauterization, bone grafting, and fixation (proximal femoral plate, intramedullary nail or Kirschner wire). The pathological fracture group received the same procedures of curettage, electrocauterization, grafting, and fixation. Autogenous iliac bone grafting was done in all cases, and the artificial bone was used as a supplementary based on the size of the cavity. Postoperatively, all patients underwent hip spica or similar orthosis immobilization for six weeks and received the same rehabilitation program after the removal of hip spica. Patients were evaluated by two independent observers, including the functional results based on the Ratliff's criteria, avascular necrosis, healing rate based on the Neer scoring system, coxa vara, and premature physeal arrest. We described the good outcome in Ratliff's criteria as "Satisfactory results", and fair and poor outcomes as "Unsatisfactory results." Grade 1 and grade 2 Neer results were termed as failures in treatment, and grades 3 and 4 were considered successes and healing. RESULTS: 38 patients with 38 hips (18 on the left side and 20 on the right side) were evaluated, including 9 females and 29 males, with a mean age of 9.0±2.6 years old (range, 5 to 14 years). There was no significant difference between these two groups in the baseline data of gender, age, side, grafting, staging, and fixation methods. The rate of unsatisfactory functional results in the pathological fractures group was 56.3% (9/16), significantly higher than that in patients without fracture (22.7%, 5/22. p= 0.047). There was also a significant difference in avascular necrosis of the femoral head between the pathological fractures group (7/16) and the group without fracture (2/22, p=0.021). Thirty cases presented with healing, including 13 in the fractures group and 17 in the non-fracture group (p=1.000), and eight cases were graded as failures (2 cases of grade 1 and 6 cases of grade 2). There were also no significant differences between these two groups in premature physeal arrest (2 in fracture group and 1 in non-fracture group, P=0.562), and Coxa vara (3 in the fracture group and 0 in non-fracture group, P=0.066). CONCLUSIONS: Pathological fracture significantly increases the risk of unsatisfactory functional results and avascular necrosis of the femoral head in patients with femoral neck SBCs. Prophylactic treatment and fixation of SBCs in weight bearing proximal femur region is better to manage without complications than managing with pathological fractures.

Denosumab in pediatric bone disorders and the role of RANKL blockade: a narrative review.

Background and Objective: Denosumab is a valuable and safe therapy for skeletal disorders in adults and has received regulatory approval to treat osteoporosis and bone metastases. However, denosumab is not licensed for pediatric use due to a lack of high-quality prospective research on children. This study aimed to describe and discuss the benefits and disadvantages of denosumab in treating bone diseases in children and to summarize the current understanding of the role of denosumab therapy in children. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using the literature retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Key Content and Findings: In children with type 6 osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), juvenile Paget disease (JPD), and secondary osteoporosis who show poor response to bisphosphonate, the use of denosumab has been reported to improve osteoporosis and increase bone mineral density (BMD). Moreover, for those with relapse, progressive and refractory aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC), fibrous dysplasia (FD), giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB), and central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) lesions, denosumab can improve pain symptoms, control disease progression, and reduce serious adverse events. Although there have been sporadic reports of adverse events such as hypocalcemia during medication and rebound hypercalcemia after discontinuation, early prevention, monitoring, and timely intervention can prevent children from experiencing severe adverse events. Conclusions: The published data indicate that denosumab has efficacy in alleviating disease in multiple refractory bone lesions in children.

Treatment of Stage I-III Hip Joint Tuberculosis With Open Surgical Debridement and Hip Spica in Children: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of surgical debridement combined with postoperative hip spica immobilization in the treatment of hip joint tuberculosis in children. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 87 children with stage I to III hip joint tuberculosis treated surgically at our hospital from January 2010 to January 2016. All patients considering hip tuberculosis routinely received a 4-week conservative treatment first, including rest, protected weight-bearing, and 4-drugs antitubercular chemotherapy. Surgical debridement was indicated when there was no relief after this conservative protocol. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the duration of hip spica immobilization after operation: group A (hip spica for 4 wk, 39 patients) and group B (hip spica for 6 wk, 48 patients). All patients were recommended partial weight-bearing for 7 days and then followed the same hip joint exercises program when spica was removed. Postoperative radiographs, hip dislocation or subluxation, and modified Harris hip score (MHHS) were assessed. All patients were followed up at least 5 years. RESULTS: There were 87 patients enrolled in our study, including 34 females and 53 males, with a mean age of 7.2±2.8 years old (range: 2 to 14 y). No significant difference was observed between these 2 groups in baseline data. In group A, the mean MHHS improved from 52.1±14.7 before surgery to 87.8±8.3 at the final follow-up ( P <0.000). In group B, there was also a significant difference between the preoperative MHHS (52.7±9.4) and the final MHHS (88.6±6.5) ( P <0.000). Although there was no significant difference between these 2 groups in the final MHHS ( P =0.593), there were also no significant differences between these 2 groups in wound healing delay (3 in group A and 6 in group B, P =0.705) and pathologic subluxation (3 in group A and 1 in group B, P =0.467). The only difference between group A (79.2±8.5) and group B (75.5±7.5) was the early functional outcome assessed by using MHHS after 1 month of hip joint exercises ( P =0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical debridement combined with antitubercular chemotherapy is an effective treatment for stage I to III hip tuberculosis in children when there is no improvement after conservative treatment. Prolonged hip spica immobilization may not reduce the risk of hip subluxation after open surgical debridement but could lead to a delay in early functional recovery. Time of spica immobilization should be individualized and based on the surgeon's evaluation and the patient's condition.

Comparison of laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure and laparoscopic intracorporeal suture in pediatric hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic inguinal repair use is rapidly growing because it is a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) technique. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of one MIS over others. We compared laparoscopic intracorporeal suture (LIS) and laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) to determine which technique is superior. METHODS: Between February 2017 and December 2019, 260 children who underwent LPEC and 214 children who underwent LIS were enrolled. Operative time, recovery score, and patient cosmetic satisfaction were compared. A total of 108 propensity score-matched pairs were analyzed using paired t-test for continuous measurements and McNemar test for categorical variables. RESULTS: The mean surgery time was lower in the LPEC group for both unilateral (15.76 ± 5.35 vs. 19 ± 5.71 min; p = 0.04) and bilateral (21.56 ± 5.7 vs. 26.38 ± 6.94 min; p = 0.01) surgeries. The LPEC group required shorter time for complete recovery (p = 0.017). The mean rating for scar visibility was higher in the LIS group (p = 0.02); however, both groups had high levels of cosmetic satisfaction (p = 0.125). CONCLUSION: LPEC for hernia repair is safe and efficient in children and reduced operative time, hastened recovery, and provided excellent cosmetic results.

Effect of lentivirus-mediated integrin αVß3-shRNA on tumor growth of mice with lung cancer xenografts.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of lentivirus-mediated integrin αVß3-shRNA on tumor growth of mice with lung cancer xenograft. METHODS: Lung cancer tissue, paracancer tissue and normal tissue were collected and integrin αVß3 expression was detected; BALB/c nude mice were selected, divided into integrin αVß3 knockdown group (KD group) and negative control group (NC group), and inoculated with cells stably infected by integrin αVß3-shRNA lentivirus and cells stably infected by negative control-shRNA lentivirus, respectively, the growth of tumor tissue was continuously observed, and the number of apoptosis cells as well as the expression of angiogenesis, apoptosis and invasion genes in tumor tissue were detected. RESULTS: mRNA content and protein content of integrin αVß3 in lung cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in paracancer tissue and normal tissue; increasing trend of tumor tissue volume of KD group was weaker than that of NC group, and tumor volume at various points in time of KD group was lower than that of NC group; mRNA contents and protein contents of VEGF, FGF, EGF, Bcl-2, MMP-9, MMP-12 and MMP-13 in tumor tissue of KD group were lower than those of NC group, and apoptosis index as well as mRNA content and protein content of Bax were higher than those of NC group. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of integrin αVß3 increases in lung cancer tissue, and lentivirus-mediated integrin αVß3-shRNA can inhibit tumor growth of mice with lung cancer xenografts.

Pathological dislocation of the hip due to coxotuberculosis in children: a 29-case report.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of various surgery methods in children suffering pathological dislocation of the hip joint due to coxotuberculosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2006 to January 2011, 29 children with coxotuberculosis hip dislocation were treated with open reduction (4 children) and acetabular reconstruction (25 children). According to degree of dislocation and age, acetabular reconstructions included Salter osteotomy (nine children), Pemberton operation (six children), Dega operation (seven children), the hip shelf arthroplasty (two children), and Chiari operation (one child). During acetabular reconstruction, 16 children underwent upper femoral rotational shortening osteotomies simultaneously, 6 children underwent the femoral head and neck reconstruction simultaneously, and 3 children were underwent corrective osteotomy. After operation, children were immobilized with plaster external fixation for 1-3 months and treated with routine anti-infective therapy for 3 days. During follow-up study (12-18 months), the hip stability was examined via X-ray. The recovery was evaluated via acetabular index (AI) and Harris hip score. RESULTS: Postoperative X-ray films of 29 children showed concentric reduction of all hips. Total 25 children healed I incision surgery, while 4 children with skin antrum of incision were further treated leading to 1-3 months delay of healing. Total 24 children were followed up for 2-5 years. X-ray examination revealed no redislocation after 2 years postoperative. The postoperative AI was normal (15°-20°) in 22 children and increased to 25°- 30° in 2 children. After 2 years postoperative, 8 children had normal function of hip joint, 13 children had mild limitation of flexion and rotation, and 3 children had fibrous ankylosis. The average of Harris hip score was 83 (ranged, 62-90). CONCLUSION: In our study, pathological hip dislocations of children attributed to coxotuberculosis were treated via open reduction and acetabular reconstruction and the outcomes were both excellent. Individual characteristic should be taken into consideration during treatment, and proper surgery approach should be adopted according to pathological changes of the hip.

[Acetabular reconstruction surgery in treatment of pathological dislocation of hip joint in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of the acetabular reconstruction surgery in children pathological dislocation of the hip joint. METHODS: Between January 2006 and January 2011, 59 patients (59 hips) with pathological dislocation were treated by open reduction combined with acetabular reconstruction surgery. There were 22 boys and 37 girls, aged from 1 to 15 years (mean, 4.9 years). There were 9 cases of hip subluxation and 50 cases of hip joint dislocation, which were caused by suppurative arthritis of the hip (33 cases) and tuberculosis of the hip (26 cases). The diseases duration ranged from 1 month to 10 years. At preoperation Harris hip score was 43-78 (mean, 61); 14 cases had normal acetabular index (AI), 32 cases had slightly increased AI, and 13 cases had significantly increased AI. The concomitant diseases included acetabular destruction in 28 cases; avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 25 cases, femoral head partial defect in 12 cases, femoral head complete defect in 6 cases, and femoral head and neck defects in 3 cases; 25 cases had increased anteversion angle; and 9 cases had varus deformity. RESULTS: Immediately postoperative X-ray films showed center reduction in all the hips. Healing of incision by first intention was achieved in 55 cases, and delayed healing in 4 cases. Fifty-three children were followed up 2 to 5 years (mean, 3 years). No re-dislocation of the hip occurred during follow-up. Thirty-eight cases had normal AI, 15 cases had slightly increased AI. The anteversion angle was 15-25 degrees (mean, 20 degrees); the neck shaft angle was 110-140 degrees (mean, 125 degrees); and the anatomical relation between the head and neck returned to normal. After 2 years, 18 cases had normal function of the hip joint; 30 cases had mild limitation of flexion and rotation; and 5 cases had fibrous ankylosis. The Harris hip score was 62-95 (mean, 87). CONCLUSION: Pathological dislocation caused by neonatal acute suppurative arthritis of the hip and the hip joint tuberculosis is often associated with severe bone destruction and deformity of the acetabular and femoral head and neck. Treatment should strictly follow the principle of individual. Proper acetabular reconstruction should be selected according to pathological changes of the hip; if combined with the femoral head and neck reconstruction processing, the satisfactory results can be obtained.

[Diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic granuloma of long bones in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the operative procedure and the effectiveness of eosinophilic granuloma (EG) of long bones in children. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2009, 14 patients with EG of long bones were treated. There were 9 boys and 5 girls, aged from 1 to 13 years (mean, 6.5 years). The locations were femur in 5 cases, humerus in 4 cases, tibia in 2 cases, fibula in 1 case, and femur complicated with tibia in 2 cases. The disease duration was 7 days to 10 months (median, 2 months). X-ray films showed that osteolytic destruction had clear boundary, which did not involve the epiphyseal plate. Of 14 cases, 12 cases of tumor were treated by curettage, autologous iliac bone or combined artificial bone graft repair, and 2 cases were treated by resection, autologous iliac reconstruction, plate and screw fixation. Five cases complicated with pathological fracture underwent reduction and fixation. RESULTS: All cases were diagnosed pathologically as having EG. All incisions healed by first intention. A total of 12 patients were followed up 1 to 4 years (mean, 2 years). The X-ray films showed tumor focus and pathological fracture healed within 3 to 4 months (mean, 3.5 months). Tibial lesion was found in 1 case of femoral tumor after 8 months, and was cured after reoperation. No recurrence occurred in other 11 cases. According to comprehensive assessing standard of X-ray film and joint function, the results of all cases were excellent. CONCLUSION: EG of long bones in children is more common in the femur and humerus. Tumor curettage and autologous iliac bone graft repair is an effective method, and postoperative prognosis is good. There may be multiple lesions, so long-term follow-up is needed.

[Diagnosis and treatment of unilateral gluteal muscle contracture].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of unilateral gluteal muscle contracture. METHODS: Between January 1990 and September 2009, 41 patients with unilateral gluteal muscle contracture were treated and the clinical data were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 24 were male and 17 were female with an age range from 6 to 29 years (mean, 12 years). Thirty-nine patients had a definite history of repeat intragluteal injection. The locations were the left side in 9 cases and the right side in 32 cases. The main clinical manifestations included lameness and abnormal gait. The medical examination showed pelvic oblique and relative inequality of lower limbs with a mean difference of 2.1 cm (range, 1.2-3.8 cm) in the distance form navel to malleolus medials. The X-ray films of pelvis showed outpouching trochanter of femur and pelvic oblique. The CT scans showed no abnormal finding except pelvic oblique and gluteal muscle contracture. The arc longitudinal incision was made into the posterolateral area nearby the greater trochanter and then lysis of the gluteal muscles was performed, followed by the skin traction of both legs and rehabilitation exercise. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention. Forty-one patients were followed up 1-20 years (mean, 5 years), and the signs of gluteal muscle contracture disappeared. After 1 year of operation, 34 patients had equal leg length, 5 patients had mild pelvic oblique, and 2 patients had obvious pelvic oblique. According to LIU Guohui et al. evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 33 cases, good in 6 cases, and poor in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 95.12% at 1 year after operation. CONCLUSION: Unilateral gluteal muscle contracture leads to pelvic oblique and inequality of lower limbs, and it can be cured with the surgical release of the gluteal muscle contracture by the arc longitudinal incision into the posterolateral area nearby the greater trochanter, combined with postoperative skin traction and rehabilitation exercises.

[Operative treatment of Gartland type III humeral supracondylar fractures in children with minimally invasive incision and percutaneous pinning].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the operative procedure and the therapeutic effects of minimally invasive incision and percutaneous pinning in operative treatment of Gartland type III humeral supracondylar fracture in children. METHODS: From September 2002 to July 2009, 189 patients with Gartland type III humeral supracondylar fracture were treated with minimally invasive incision and percutaneous pinning. There were 137 males and 52 females, aged from 1 to 13 years (6.2 years on average). Injury was caused by sports in 173 cases, by traffic accident in 9 cases, by falling from height in 5 cases, and by earthquake in 2 cases. All fractures were closed fractures, complicating others fracture in 11 cases, radial nerve injury in 36 cases, median nerve injury in 5 cases, ulnar nerve injury in 2 cases, and brachial artery injury in 2 cases. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1 hour to 10 days. Neurovascular repair was performed at the same period. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention, no related complications occurred. A total of 143 patients were followed up 5 months to 5 years (12 months on average). X-ray films showed fracture healed within 2-4 months (2.5 months on average). Cubitus varus occurred in 6 cases, but the functions of elbow flexion and extension were good; 2 cases were given distal humeral wedge osteotomy and 4 cases continued keeping the functional training. According to the Flynn et al criteria, the results were excellent in 121 cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 7 cases; the excellent and good rate was 95.1%. Only a small incision scar was found, the function returned to normal in the cases complicated by nerve and blood vessel injury. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive incision and percutaneous pinning for operative treatment of Gartland type III humeral supracondylar fracture in children is a safe and effective surgical procedure, which has minimal trauma, short surgery time, quick recovery, simple operation, and can be effective in reducing the complications.

[Repair of Mason type-II radial head or neck fractures in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effects of open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wire for Mason type-II radial head or neck fracture in children. METHODS: From September 2007 to June 2009, 17 cases of Mason type-II radial head or neck fracture were treated, including 11 males and 6 females with an average age of 8.5 years (4-11 years). The locations were left side in 5 cases and right side in 12 cases. All fractures were caused by falling and classified as Mason type-II fracture. Two cases complicated by radial nerve deep branch injury. The time from injury to operation was 4 hours to 5 days. All cases received open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wire. They were evaluated by anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and functionally by Broberg criteria. RESULTS: Wound healed primarily in all patients. According to Métaizeau criteria, the results were excellent in 15 patients and good in 2 patients, who achieved anatomical reduction. Seventeen patients were followed up for a mean time of 14 months (6-25 months). Function returned to normal in 2 cases complicated by radial nerve deep branch injury after 6 months of operation. No complications of infection and nerve injury occurred. The X-ray films showed that bony healing was achieved in all cases; the healing time was 2.0-3.5 months (mean 3 months). According to Broberg criteria, the outcome was excellent in 11 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, the excellent and good rate was 88.2%. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wire has good effect, satisfactory functional recovery and less complication in the treatment of Mason type-II fracture of radial head or neck in children.

[Experimental study of canine tracheal allotransplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the factors relevant to stenosis of tracheal graft and to find feasible methods to solve this problem. METHODS: Sixteen mongrel dogs were divided into groups A and B randomly and equally. Five-ring-length tracheal segments were allotransplanted. All grafts and anastomotic sites were covered with omental pedicles. In group A, no immunosuppressant was given and in group B, the recipients were treated with cyclosporine. The animals were sacrificed 4 weeks after operation, and their postmortem specimens were examined grossly and histologically. All allografts were assessed by percent patency. Epithelial regeneration and morphology of the cartilage were semiquantitatively evaluated. RESULTS: Structural integrity of the allografts were maintained better in group B than in group A. Tracheal stenosis was found to be more serious in group A. The scores of epithelial regeneration and cartilage morphology were higher in group B than in group A, and in each group positive correlation was found between the percent patency and the score of epithelial regeneration or cartilage morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Immunosuppressive drugs are necessary to maintain the structure of allografts. Tracheal stenosis is correlated closely with epithelial regeneration and morphological maintenance of the cartilage.

[The effect of radio-frequency ablation in the treatment of the VX2 tumor in rabbit lung].

BACKGROUND: To observe the CT appearance and pathological changes of VX2 tumor in rabbit lung after radio-frequency ablation. METHODS: After VX2 tumor tissue suspension was injected into the lungs, the transplanted lung cancer models were established in 36 New Zealand white rabbits. Twenty-eight rabbits were treated with radio-frequency ablation, and another 8 rabbits without any treatment as control. The CT appearances and pathological changes were observed in different time intervals after the treatment in 14 rabbits out of experimental group. The survival periods of the rabbits were recorded in the rest 14 rabbits of experimental group and the control group respectively. RESULTS: Coagulative necrosis and cell apoptosis appeared in the tumor tissues after the ablation, and inflammatory cells were found in the lung tissues around the areas of ablation. Wadding shadows appeared in CT images after the treatment and disappeared with the inflammation vanished, but the tumor shadows ceased to increase. In the experimental group, tumor tissues were almost necrosed in the target areas of 21 rabbits, however, peripheral residual nests of histologically viable tumor were found in the target areas of the other 7 rabbits. The survival periods of rabbits in the experimental group and the control group were 38 days±3.4 days days and 26 days±2.8 days respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Radio-frequency ablation may be an effective method in the treatment of lung cancer.