Surgical treatment for symptomatic non-ossifying fibromas of the lower extremity with calcium sulfate grafts in skeletally immature patients.

BACKGROUND: Non-ossifying fibromas (NOFs) are common benign bone lesions found in children and adolescents. They usually involve metaphysis of long bones, tend to gradually disappear with age and usually do not require surgery, while they are not associated with pathological fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome and efficacy of a single-stage procedure, comprising curettage of the lesion and calcium sulfate pellet (CaSP) grafting, in skeletally immature patients with large, symptomatic NOF of the lower extremity, and the possible limitations of the procedure. METHODS: Nine skeletally immature patients with symptomatic NOF of the lower extremity were treated between 2013 and 2016. Details of age, history of presentation, location and size (in mm) of the lesion, histology and follow-up details were recorded. Lesions were classified in Ritschl radio-morphological stages. CaSP integration was assessed by Irwing's classification. The average size of lesions was 54.6 mm in length (range 31-95). All lesions were symptomatic. The average bone expansion in relation to the bone diameter was 67.4% in the transversal plane (range 31-100) and 77.8% in the sagittal plane (range 55-100). Mean patient age at time of treatment was 9.8 years (range 7-14); mean follow-up was 2 years (range 2-4). All the patients were symptomatic, and 8 out of 9 (89%) NOFs were Ritschl type B. All the patients were treated surgically with a single-step approach, as described. RESULTS: On average, 86 mL of CaSPs was used per case (range 10-250). None of the patients required internal fixation. At last follow-up visit, CaSPs were fully incorporated in all the patients according to Irwing's classification (Stage 3). No serous drainage from wounds was recorded in any of the patients. No cases of pathological fracture, bone deformity, growth arrest or growth disturbance or infection were observed. At last follow-up visit, all the patients had resumed full sport and daily life activities. CONCLUSIONS: CaSPs offer a safe, cheap, convenient alternative to the autograft as an implant substitute that helps regeneration of bone in the defects produced by curettage of large, symptomatic NOFs. Chemical cauterization of bone walls does not interfere with CaSP integration into bone tissue.

Fibroelastic pseudotumor elastofibroma dorsi detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT scan and by postherapy radioiodine SPECT/CT. / Seudotumor fibroelástico elastofibroma dorsi detectado por 18F-FDG PET/TC y por 131I SPECT/TC posterapia.

Radioiodine uptake in the thyroid tissue, metastasis of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and in other tissues, depends on the expression of sodium-iodide symporter (NIS). Vascular permeability, effusions, inflammation, and other mechanisms may also play a role in the accumulation of radioactive iodine. A 63-year-old woman underwent radioiodine therapy, as well as a post-therapy whole-body scan, as she was suspected of having lung metastasis from thyroid carcinoma. The scan not only showed uptake at the lung metastasis but also a faint diffuse bilateral uptake in the posterior thorax. On SPECT/CT this uptake was located in a known Elastofibroma Dorsi (ED) previously diagnosed by contrast CT and viewed in a FDG PET/CT. The radioiodine uptake in ED, especially if typical, is not a diagnostic problem in SPECT/CT study, but can be misleading in a study limited to a few planar images, particularly if the uptake occurs asymmetrically, or ED is located in a unsuspected area.

Double papillary fibroelastoma: beautiful, innocent flowers in the left heart.

Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare, benign tumor, and multiple papillary fibroelastomas are even more uncommon. In an asymptomatic patient scheduled for carotid endarterectomy, transthoracic echocardiography discovered a fibroelastoma on the mitral valve. Then, transesophageal echocardiography showed another fibroelastoma on the aortic valve. Because he also needed a right coronary artery bypass, the patient underwent surgical excision of both masses. Fibroelastomas are not always as innocent as they seem, and surgical excision is necessary because of their potential for systemic or coronary embolization. Transoesophageal echocardiography may improve the diagnosis of multiple papillary fibroelastomas.

Case report: Spontaneous isolated mesenteric fibromatosis presenting as megaduodenum.

A case of spontaneous isolated mesenteric fibromatosis presenting as megaduodenum is reported. The lesion was small, only 2 cm in its greatest diameter. However, because of its location near the ligament of Treitz and because of its characteristic infiltrative growth pattern, the tumour involved the distal duodenum and resulted in acute angulation and obstruction early in its course. We successfully resected the mass and the patient is in fair physical condition 6 months after operation.

Diffuse intra-abdominal fibromatosis in association with bilateral ovarian fibromatosis and oedema.

A case of bilateral ovarian enlargement secondary to massive ovarian oedema with underlying intra-abdominal and pelvic fibromatosis is presented. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy led to rapid progression of the intra-abdominal and pelvic fibromatosis, which was previously unsuspected. The case highlights the importance of recognizing massive oedema of the ovary as a distinct entity as it is a benign condition affecting young females and can be confused with ovarian neoplasm. In this case, the major morbidity was from the underlying diffuse intra-abdominal fibromatosis. Conservative management with prolonged bowel rest, total parenteral nutrition, and intravenous steroid and Tamoxifen successfully led to complete resolution of bowel obstruction from diffuse fibromatosis.