A proof-of-concept study of ultrasound-guided continuous parasacral ischial plane block for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Continuous peripheral nerve blocks are widely used for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in lower limb surgeries. The authors aimed to develop a novel continuous sacral plexus block procedure for analgesia during total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: The study comprised two stages. In Stage I, the authors built upon previous theories and technological innovations to develop a novel continuous sacral plexus block method, ultrasound-guided continuous parasacral ischial plane block (UGCPIPB) and subsequently conducted a proof-of-concept study to assess its effectiveness and feasibility. Stage II involved a historical control study to compare clinical outcomes between patients undergoing this new procedure and those receiving the conventional procedure. RESULTS: The study observed a 90% success rate in catheter placement. On postoperative day (POD) 1, POD2, and POD3, the median visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 3 (range, 1.5-3.5), 2.5 (1.6-3.2), and 2.7 (1.3-3.4), respectively. Furthermore, 96.3% of the catheters remained in place until POD3, as confirmed by ultrasound. The study revealed a significant increase in skin temperature and peak systolic velocity of the anterior tibial artery on the blocked side compared with those on the non-blocked side. Complications included catheter clogging in one patient and leakage at the insertion site in two patients. In Stage II, the novel technique was found to be more successful than conventional techniques, with a lower catheter displacement rate than the conventional procedure for continuous sciatic nerve block. CONCLUSION: UGCPIPB proved to be an effective procedure and safe for analgesia in total knee arthroplasty. CHINESE CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: ChiCTR2300068902.

Anatomical Proximity Between Sciatic Nerve and Ischial Spine and its Relationship to the Development of Deep Gluteal Pain Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Deep gluteal syndrome (DGS) is a medical diagnosis in which the pathoanatomy of the subgluteal space contributes to pain. The growing recognition that gluteal neuropathies can be associated with the presence of a bone-neural conflict with irritation or compression may allow us to shed some light on this pathology. This study aims to determine whether the location of the sciatic nerve (SN) in relation to the ischial spine (IS) contributes to the development of DGS. METHODS: The SN - IS relationship was analyzed based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 15 surgical patients (SPs), who underwent piriformis release, and in 30 control patients who underwent MRI of the pelvis for reasons unrelated to sciatica. The SN exit from the greater sciatic foramen was classified as either zone A (medial to the IS); zone B (on the IS); or zone C (lateral to the IS). RESULTS: The SN was significantly closer to the IS in SPs than in MRI controls (P = 0.014). When analyzing patients of similar age, SNs in SPs were significantly closer (P = 0.0061) to the IS, and located in zone B significantly more (P = 0.0216) as compared to MRI controls. Patients who underwent surgery for piriformis release showed a significant decrease in pain postoperatively (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study suggest that the relationship between the IS and SN may play a role in the development of DGS. This may also help establish which patients would benefit more from surgical intervention.

Tratamiento multidisciplinario de un sarcoma recurrente de la fosa isquiorrectal / A successful multidisciplinary approach to a recurrent ischiorectal fossa sarcoma

Los tumores de la fosa isquiorrectal son poco frecuentes, habitualmente descritos en reportes o series de casos. Estas lesiones son un reto terapéutico, requiriendo un estudio preoperatorio apropiado, además de discusión y manejo guiado por un comité multidisciplinario, que permiten lograr resultados óptimos tanto oncológicos como funcionales. Presentamos un caso de un hombre de 73 años con antecedentes de resección de un tumor glúteo izquierdo en otro centro 5 años antes. La biopsia fue compatible con un sarcoma epiteloideo (SE) de alto grado, con margen quirúrgico < 0,5 mm que requirió ampliación de los márgenes posteriormente. Además, se realizó radioterapia adyuvante. Al cuarto año de seguimiento el paciente desarrolla dolor e induración con retracción en relación a cicatriz quirúrgica, siendo objetivada una recidiva tumoral local. Luego de una discusión multidisciplinaria, se realizó una desfuncionalización con ileostomía en asa laparoscópica y resección tumoral con preservación del ano y del piso pélvico. El defecto fue cubierto por el equipo de cirugía plástica utilizando un colgajo perforante de la arteria glútea superior. La biopsia confirmó la recidiva tumoral y los márgenes quirúrgicos fueron negativos. El paciente es dado de alta a los 25 días postoperatorios por cuidados del colgajo, sin complicaciones. Al año de seguimiento el paciente no presenta recidiva tumoral, la ileostomía fue cerrada, y sus resultados funcionales en términos defecatorios y de la herida son buenos.

Ischiorectal fossa tumors are rare lesions, mostly described in case reports or case series. These lesions represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Hence, an appropriate preoperative study and multidisciplinary discussion are essential to achieve good oncologic and functional results. We report a case of a 73-year-old male operated on five years before in another health center due to the diagnosis of a left gluteal tumor. The lesion was excised, and biopsies confirmed a high-grade epithelioid sarcoma with a close margin, requiring a subsequent wider excision of the surgical margins. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. After four years of follow-up, the patient developed mild pain with skin retraction around the former incision. A local recurrence was diagnosed by imaging. In a multidisciplinary team meeting, a decision to resect the lesion with preservation of the anus and the pelvic floor was taken. The patient underwent a laparoscopic defunctioning loop ileostomy and a resection of the recurrent tumor in the ischiorectal fossa with preservation of the anal sphincter. The defect was covered utilizing a superior gluteal artery perforator flap and a partial gluteus maximus muscle rotation. The tumor was completely excised with negative margins. The patient was discharged without complications after 25 days due to flap management. After one year of follow-up, the patient is recurrence-free, and the ileostomy was closed.

[A successful multidisciplinary approach to a recurrent ischiorectal fossa sarcoma]. / Tratamiento multidisciplinario de un sarcoma recurrente de la fosa isquiorrectal.

Ischiorectal fossa tumors are rare lesions, mostly described in case reports or case series. These lesions represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Hence, an appropriate preoperative study and multidisciplinary discussion are essential to achieve good oncologic and functional results. We report a case of a 73-year-old male operated on five years before in another health center due to the diagnosis of a left gluteal tumor. The lesion was excised, and biopsies confirmed a high-grade epithelioid sarcoma with a close margin, requiring a subsequent wider excision of the surgical margins. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. After four years of follow-up, the patient developed mild pain with skin retraction around the former incision. A local recurrence was diagnosed by imaging. In a multidisciplinary team meeting, a decision to resect the lesion with preservation of the anus and the pelvic floor was taken. The patient underwent a laparoscopic defunctioning loop ileostomy and a resection of the recurrent tumor in the ischiorectal fossa with preservation of the anal sphincter. The defect was covered utilizing a superior gluteal artery perforator flap and a partial gluteus maximus muscle rotation. The tumor was completely excised with negative margins. The patient was discharged without complications after 25 days due to flap management. After one year of follow-up, the patient is recurrence-free, and the ileostomy was closed.

Defining the canal for ischial and pubic screws in cup revision surgery.

PURPOSE: When revising acetabular cups, it is often necessary to provide additional stabilisation with screws. In extensive defect situations, the placement of screws caudally in the ischium and/or pubis is biomechanically advantageous. Especially after multiple revision operations, the surgeon is confronted with a reduced bone stock and unclear or altered anatomy. In addition, screw placement caudally is associated with greater risk. Therefore, the present study aims to identify and define safe zones for the placement of caudal acetabular screws. METHODS: Forty-three complete CT datasets were used for the evaluation. Sixty-three distinctive 3D points representing bone landmark of interests were defined. The coordinates of these points were then used to calculate all the parameters. For simplified visualisation and intra-operative reproducibility, an analogue clock was used, with 12 o'clock indicating cranial and 6 o'clock caudal. RESULTS: A consistent accumulation was found at around 4.5 ± 0.3 hours for the ischium and 7.9 ± 0.3 hours for the pubic bone. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomy of the ischium and pubis is sufficiently constant to allow the positioning of screws in a standardised way. The interindividual variation is low - regardless of gender - so that the values determined can be used to position screws safely in the ischium and pubis. The values determined can provide the surgeon with additional orientation intra-operatively when placing caudal acetabular screws.

Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome: a case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: The etiology of ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) syndrome, an unusual and uncommon form of hip pain, remains uncertain. Some patients demonstrate narrowing of the space between the ischial tuberosity and lesser trochanter from trauma or abnormal morphology of the quadratus femoris muscle. Combined clinical and imaging aid in the diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old female presented with a 3 years history of pain over the lower aspect of the right buttock, aggravated by movements of the right hip, and partially relieved with rest and medications. The right hip showed extreme restriction of abduction and external rotation. MRI of the right hip showed reduced ischiofemoral space and quadratus femoris space when compared to the left hip. The patient underwent endoscopic resection of the right lesser trochanter, with no recurrence of pain at 2 years. CONCLUSION: An unusual cause of hip pain, IFI syndrome, should be suspected when hip pain at extremes of movement is associated with signal abnormality of quadratus femoris muscle. Management is tailored to address the inciting factors that precipitated the IFI syndrome.

Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Innominate Bone Rotation in Female Patients with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

Background: Patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) are known to have abnormal pelvic morphologies; however, rotation of innominate bone features remains unclear. Thus, we investigated innominate bone rotation in patients with DDH by measuring the associated angles and distances using three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography. Methods: We defined four straight lines in pelvic 3D models: from the anterior superior iliac spine to the posterior superior iliac spine, from the anterior inferior iliac spine to the posterior inferior iliac spine, from the pubic tubercle to the ischial spine, and from the pubic tubercle to the ischial tuberosity. Similarly, we measured the angles formed by these lines using the vertical axis of the anterior pelvic plane on the horizontal plane and the horizontal axis on the sagittal plane. Additionally, we measured the distances between the femoral head centers and the acetabular centers in the coronal plane. Results: The difference in internal rotation angle between the superior and inferior parts of the iliac bone was significantly lower, by approximately 1.7°, in the DDH group than in the control group (p = 0.007); the difference between the inferior and superior parts of the ischiopubic bone was significantly higher, by approximately 1.5°, in the DDH group (p < 0.001). In the sagittal plane, the sum of the superior aspect of the iliac bone and the inferior aspect of the ischium was significantly lower in the DDH group (p = 0.001) than in the control group. The distances between the femoral heads and the acetabula were significantly greater in the DDH group than in the control group (p = 0.03, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Patients with DDH had a more internally rotated ilium and ischiopubic bone than normal individuals; however, it should be emphasized that internal rotation was reduced near the acetabulum, and the acetabulum was shifted laterally. Similarly, it was shown that patients with DDH had different rotations of the ilium and ischiopubic bone in the sagittal plane.

Clinical efficacy of arthroscopic treatment in ischial tuberosity cyst: A retrospective comparison study.

ABSTRACT: Ischial tuberosity cyst is a common disease, and the conventional incision procedure is associated with several disadvantages, leading to unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic treatment for ischial tuberosity cyst and compared it with conventional incision surgery.The clinical data of 57 patients with ischial tuberosity cyst from May 2016 to September 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 49 patients were included. Of these patients, 24 patients received arthroscopic procedure (N = 24) and 25 patients received conventional incision procedure (N = 25). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups. Visual analogue scale scores was used to evaluate pain at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after the surgery.All 49 patients were followed up for (11.3 ±â€Š3.3) months. All patients in the arthroscopy group achieved phase I healing while 3 patients in conventional incision group developed complications. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and hospital stay in the arthroscopy group were (54.7 ±â€Š7.7) minutes, (20.8 ±â€Š3.5) mL, (20.3 ±â€Š5.6) mL, and (2.8 ±â€Š0.6) days, and were significantly better than those of (71.8 ±â€Š8.8) minutes, (67.3 ±â€Š12.0) mL, (103.6 ±â€Š20.3) mL, and (7.8 ±â€Š2.9) days in the conventional incision group, respectively. In the arthroscopy group, the visual analogue scale scores at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after the surgery [(2.6 ±â€Š0.7), (0.5 ±â€Š0.6), (0.3 ±â€Š0.5) points] were significantly lower than those in the conventional incision group [(6.0 ±â€Š0.7), (3.0 ±â€Š1.0), and (1.1 ±â€Š1.0) points], and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). Finally, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative complications between the 2 groups (P > .05).In the treatment of ischial tuberosity cysts, arthroscopy has advantages of minimal invasion, less blood loss during perioperative period, milder postoperative pain, and rapid recovery when compared with conventional incision surgery.

Volumetric Evaluation of Dead Space in Ischial Pressure Injuries Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a preoperative evaluation procedure by measuring the volume of dead space using MRI in patients with ischial pressure injuries. METHODS: Patients with spinal cord injury and ischial pressure injuries who underwent treatment between August 2016 and November 2019 were included in the study. Preoperative MRI scan was conducted on all patients. The volume estimation and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction were performed based on MRI data using a 3D Slicer. Based on the resulting volume, a muscle flap that could fit the dead space was selected. Surgery was performed with the selected muscle flap, and a fasciocutaneous flap was added, if necessary. RESULTS: A total of eight patients with ischial pressure injuries were included in the study. The mean patient age was 59.0 ± 11.0 years. The mean body mass index was 26.62 ± 3.89 kg/m2. The mean volume of dead space was 104.75 ± 81.05 cm3. The gracilis muscle was the most selected muscle flap and was used in four patients. In five of eight cases, a fasciocutaneous flap was used as well. The mean follow-up period was 16 months, and by that point, none of the patients evinced complications that required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on volumetric evaluation of dead space in ischial pressure injuries. The authors believe that the 3D reconstruction process would enable adequate dead space obliteration in ischial pressure injuries. The authors propose that preoperative MRI scans in patients with ischial pressure injury should become an essential part of the process.

Incidental finding of hereditary multiple osteochondroma causing ischiofemoral impingement.

Ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) has been described in the medical literature as a cause of hip pain. IFI occurs due to an abnormal contact or reduced space between the lesser trochanter and the lateral border of the ischium and is an often unrecognised cause of pain and snapping in the hip. Association of multiple exostoses and a skeletal dysplasia characterised by an abnormal modelling of bone metaphysis and osseous deformities is highly characteristic of this disease. Consequently, multiple exostoses may narrow the ischiofemoral space and cause impingement and pain, even in the absence of malignant transformation. Surgical excision of exostosis of the lesser trochanter is a safe and effective method of treatment for patients with IFI. We present a case of left hip pain with incidental finding of hereditary multiple osteochondroma causing IFI and discuss the predisposing factors and review of literature.

The ischiofemoral space of the hip is influenced by the frontal knee alignment.

PURPOSE: The ischiofemoral distance (IFD), defined as the distance between the ischial tuberosity and the lesser trochanter of the femur, is gaining recognition as an extra-articular cause of hip pain. It is unknown whether the IFD is influenced by the frontal knee alignment. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of realignment surgery around the knee on the IFD. It was hypothesized that valgisation osteotomy around the knee is associated with reduction of the IFD. METHODS: A consecutive series of 154 patients undergoing frontal realignment procedures around the knee in 2017 were included in this study. Long-leg standing radiographs were obtained before surgery and postoperatively. The IFD was measured between the ischium and the lesser trochanter at three different levels (proximal, middle and distal margins of the lesser trochanter parallel to the horizontal orientation of the pelvis) on standardized long-leg radiographs with the patient in upright standing position. The knee alignment was determined by measuring the hip knee ankle angle, mechanical lateral distal femur angle and the medial mechanical proximal tibia angle. Linear regression was performed to determine the influence of the change of frontal knee alignment on the IFD. RESULTS: Linear regression showed a direct influence of the overall change in frontal knee alignment on the IFD of the hip, regardless of the site of the osteotomy (ß-0.4, confidence-interval - 0.5 to - 0.3, p < 0.001). Valgisation osteotomy around the knee induced a significant reduction of the ipsilateral IFD (p < 0.001), while varisation osteotomy induced a significant increase (p < 0.001). The amount of ISD change was 0.4 mm per corresponding degree of change in frontal knee alignment. CONCLUSION: These findings are relevant to both the hip and knee surgeons when planning an osteotomy or arthroplasty procedure. Correction of a malalignment of the knee may resolve an ischiofemoral conflict in the hip. The concept deserves inclusion in the diagnostic workup of both the hip and knee joints. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia treatment through a mini-invasive technique. Our results at mid-term in 131 cases. / Osteotomía periacetabular en el tratamiento de displasia de cadera mediante técnica mini-invasiva. Nuestros resultados a medio plazo en 131 casos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an accepted and worldwide technique recognized for residual dysplasia treatment and even in unstable hips with limited acetabular coverage. The aim of this study is to analyse the functional, radiological and complication results in patients treated with mini-invasive PAO. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in which we analysed 131 cases undergoing mini-invasive PAO at our centre. The degree of joint degeneration was evaluated with Tönnis scale, Wiberg angle, acetabular index (AI), anterior coverage angle (AC), joint space, complications and functional outcome with the Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS) were analysed preoperatively and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: The average age was 32.3±9.5 (SD) years, 102 (77.9%) were female and 29 (22.1%) were male. 7.7±2.8 (SD) years follow up. The radiological parameters improved between the pre-surgical phase and the end of follow-up, Wiberg angle+18.5° (18.3° versus 36.8°, 95% CI 17.3 to 19.7), AC angle+13.5° (26.2° versus 39.7°, 95%CI 11.6 to 15.4) and the AI -11.1° (19.5° versus 8.4°; 95%CI -12.1 to -10,1). In addition, the functional results, with the NAHS scale, improved+31.3 points (60.7 pre-surgical versus 92 at the end of follow-up, 95% CI 28.7 to 33.8). The most common complication was transient lateral femoral cutaneous nerve hypoaesthesia in 10 cases (7%). CONCLUSION: The mini-invasive PAO approach is a reproducible technique, it allows restoration of acetabular coverage and provides an improvement in functional scales as confirmed by our series.

Normal Ischiofemoral Distance and Its Associated Factors: Computed Tomography-Based Study.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study are (1) to measure the ischiofemoral distance (IFD) in nondiseased hips and (2) to reveal patient demographic and anatomical factors associated with IFD. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we identified patients who had unilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head on computed tomography (CT) scan from November 2005 to July 2018 and assessed the unaffected contralateral hips of the patients. Among the contralateral hips, we excluded hips with hip pain, incomplete or poor-quality CT image, incomplete medical record, degenerative arthritis of the hip, or previous hip surgery. IFD was measured on the axial CT image, and correlated demographic factors (age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index) and anatomical parameters (neck-shaft angle of the femur and femoral anteversion) with IFD were evaluated. RESULTS: Five hundred seventeen patients (517 hips) were evaluated. There were 302 men and 215 women, and their mean age was 51.7 years (range 15-83 years). The mean IFD was 33.2 (±9.2) mm in men and 24.3 (±8.9) mm in women (P < .001). Interobserver and intraobserver reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients) were 0.99 (95% confidence interval 0.98-1.0) and 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.97-0.99), respectively. The mean neck-shaft angle was 129.31° ± 5.04° in males and 129.93° ± 6.29° in females. The mean femoral anteversion was 9.72° ± 7.95° in males and 12.61° ± 8.91° in females. IFD was positively correlated with height (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.464, P < .001) and weight (0.286, P < .001), whereas it was negatively correlated with age (-0.198, P < .001), neck-shaft angle (-0.123, P = .005), and femoral anteversion (-0.346, P < .001). There was no correlation between body mass index and IFD (P = .522). In multivariate regression analysis, IFD was positively associated with height (ß = .632), and negatively associated with neck-shaft angle of the femur and femoral anteversion (ß = -0.155 and -0.328. respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic hips, the mean IFD was 33.2 ± 9.2 mm in males and 24.3 ± 8.9 mm in females. The IFD was positively correlated with height and negatively with neck-shaft angle of the femur and femoral anteversion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Feasibility of Gold Fiducial Markers as a Surrogate for Gross Tumor Volume Position in Image-Guided Radiation Therapy of Rectal Cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of fiducial markers as a surrogate for gross tumor volume (GTV) position in image-guided radiation therapy of rectal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed 35 fiducials in 19 patients with rectal cancer who received short-course radiation therapy or long-course chemoradiation therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were performed before and after the first week of radiation therapy, and daily pre- and postirradiation cone beam computed tomography scans were acquired in the first week of radiation therapy. Between the 2 magnetic resonance imaging examinations, the fiducial displacement relative to the center of gravity of the GTV (COGGTV) and the COGGTV displacement relative to bony anatomy were determined. Using the cone beam computed tomography scans, inter- and intrafraction fiducial displacement relative to bony anatomy were determined. RESULTS: The systematic error of the fiducial displacement relative to the COGGTV was 2.8, 2.4, and 4.2 mm in the left-right, anterior-posterior (AP), and craniocaudal (CC) directions, respectively. Large interfraction systematic errors of up to 8.0 mm and random errors up to 4.7 mm were found for COGGTV and fiducial displacements relative to bony anatomy, mostly in the AP and CC directions. For tumors located in the mid and upper rectum, these errors were up to 9.4 mm (systematic) and 5.6 mm (random) compared with 4.9 mm and 2.9 mm for tumors in the lower rectum. Systematic and random errors of the intrafraction fiducial displacement relative to bony anatomy were ≤2.1 mm in all directions. CONCLUSIONS: Large interfraction errors of the COGGTV and the fiducials relative to bony anatomy were found. Therefore, despite the observed fiducial displacement relative to the COGGTV, the use of fiducials as a surrogate for GTV position reduces the required margins in the AP and CC directions for a GTV boost using image-guided radiation therapy of rectal cancer. This reduction in margin may be larger in patients with tumors located in the mid and upper rectum compared with the lower rectum.

Avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity treated with the suture bridge technique: a case report.

BACKGROUND: In cases of avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity in which the bone fragments are substantially displaced, nonunion may cause pain in the ischial area. Various surgical procedures have been reported, but achieving sufficient fixation strength is difficult. CASE PRESENTATION: We treated a 12-year-old male track-and-field athlete with avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity by suture anchor fixation using the suture bridge technique. The boy felt pain in the left gluteal area while running. Radiography showed a left avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity with approximately 20-mm displacement. Union was not achieved by conservative non-weight-bearing therapy, and muscle weakness persisted; therefore, surgery was performed. A subgluteal approach was taken via a longitudinal incision in the buttocks, and the avulsed fragment was fixed with five biodegradable suture anchors using the suture bridge technique. CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity can be treated conservatively, patients with excessive displacement require surgical treatment. The suture bridge technique provided secure fixation and enabled an early return to sports activities.

Size of ischial fibro-ostosis is associated with heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The hypothesis of the present study was that degenerative fibro-ostosis (FO) of the ischial hamstring tendon insertion is a risk factor for heterotopic ossification (HO) following THA. METHODS: We followed 103 consecutive patients (43 males, 60 females, mean age 61 years) who underwent unilateral cementless THA for primary hip osteoarthritis and investigated the incidence of HO within the first 12 months after surgery. On pre-operative radiographs, a standardized evaluation for FO of the ischial hamstring tendon insertion concerning horizontal, vertical, and square dimensions was performed. HO was classified according to Brooker on radiographs at 12 months post-operatively. RESULTS: At follow-up, 56 patients (54%) had no radiographic evidence of HO, 23 (22%) were classified as Brooker I, 17 (17%) as II, 6 (6%) as III, and 1 (1%) as IV, respectively. Patients with post-operative HO had significantly greater vertical (3.0 mm vs. 2.3 mm, p = 0.001) and horizontal (47.9 mm vs. 39.1 mm, p = 0.025) dimensions of FO than patients without HO. Patients with FO and a vertical dimension of ≥ 2.5 mm were more likely to develop HO (55.6%) than patients with a vertical FO dimension of less than 2.5 mm (34.7%, OR = 2.35 p = 0.047). A weak correlation between the vertical and horizontal size of FO and the severity of HO was observed. CONCLUSION: Radiographic evidence of asymptomatic FO is a potential risk factor for the development of HO following THA and may be used as a simple diagnostic tool to pre-operatively identify patients at risk for post-operative HO. This association has not been previously described and further research to confirm the present findings and to justify additional prophylactic treatment in these patients is warranted.

Reliability of 2D and 3D ultrasound for infant hip dysplasia in the hands of novice users.

PURPOSE: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) diagnosis by two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) can have poor inter-rater reliability. 3D ultrasound (3DUS) may be more reliably performed, particularly by novice users. We compared intra- and inter-rater reliability between expert and novice operators performing 2DUS and 3DUS for DDH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infants with suspected DDH were assessed with 2DUS and 3DUS. Novice operators had 1.5 h of training and Experts had 5-15 years' experience. Images included two 2DUS static and two 3DUS sweep images per operator. Image quality was assessed by 5-point system (yes/no: full femoral head; full acetabular roof; horizontal iliac wing; os ischium; absent motion/artifact). 2DUS indices (alpha angle, coverage) were measured centrally by a blinded reader with 2 years DDH US experience. 3DUS was post-processed by semi-automated custom software generating acetabular surface models, indices and estimated probability of DDH. Gold-standard diagnosis of each hip as normal, borderline or dysplastic was based on radiologist review of expert 2DUS. RESULTS: Thirty infants, mean age 10.8 weeks were enrolled. Quality scores were 2.7±1.2 Novice versus 4.9±0.3 Expert for 2DUS (p = 0.04), and 4.2±1.0 Novice versus 4.9±0.3 Expert for 3DUS (p = 0.99). Inter-rater reliability was poor for 2DUS (ICC=0.10 for alpha angle, 0.04 for acetabular coverage) and moderate to high for 3DUS (ICC=0.73-0.83 for alpha angle, 0.55 for acetabular coverage). Intra-rater reliability and diagnostic accuracy was higher for 3DUS than 2DUS. CONCLUSION: Novice operators can perform 3DUS for DDH with reliability and accuracy approaching expert sonographers. Novices perform 2DUS with poor reliability and accuracy. KEY POINTS: • Novice/expert inter-rater reliability improved from poor with 2DUS to moderate/high with 3DUS. • Novice operators using 3DUS correctly classified 57/58 (98%) of infant hips. • DDH can be reliably assessed by novice operators using 3DUS.

Ischial Tuberosity Avulsion Fracture in a Young Female Ballet Dancer.

A 14-year-old female ballet dancer sustained an injury during a routine ballet movement that was diagnosed as an ischial tuberosity avulsion fracture. This diagnosis was complicated by extensive soft tissue injury to the hamstrings, adductors, and external rotator musculature. Although uncommon, the potential for this injury should be uniformly considered in adolescent dancers due to the unique stresses in ballet training and the added risk of growth spurts during this stage of development. Prevention targeting individual deficiencies in flexibility and strength is essential to avoid similar devastating injuries. In most cases that are diagnosed early, avulsions heal with conservative treatment. Early imaging and correct diagnosis can serve to guide clinical management and prevent unnecessary surgery in the young dancer.