Heterotopic Ossification Following Arthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a frequent complication following hip surgery. Using data from the Hip Fracture Evaluation with Alternatives of Total Hip Arthroplasty versus Hemiarthroplasty (HEALTH) trial, we aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of HO following total hip arthroplasty (THA) for femoral neck fracture in patients ≥50 years of age, (2) identify whether HO is associated with an increased risk of revision surgery within 24 months after the fracture, and (3) determine the impact of HO on functional outcomes. METHODS: We performed a multivariable Cox regression analysis using revision surgery as the dependent variable and HO as the independent variable. We compared Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores between participants with and those without HO at 24 months. RESULTS: Of 1,441 participants in the study, 287 (19.9%) developed HO within 24 months. HO was not associated with subsequent revision surgery. Grade-III HO was associated with statistically significant and clinically relevant deterioration in the total WOMAC score, which was mainly related to the function component of the score, compared with grade I or II. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of grade-III HO on the functional outcomes and quality of life after THA for hip fracture is clinically important, and HO prophylaxis for selected high-risk patients may be appropriate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Heterotopic Ossification of the Xiphoid After Chest Compressions.

This report describes the case of a 56-year-old woman with a 6-year history of severe epigastric pain after chest compressions for cardiac arrest. A comprehensive gastrointestinal workup was negative. However, an abdominal computed tomographic scan demonstrated an elongated xiphoid process. After a xiphoid trigger point injection, she experienced pain relief lasting 4 days, and thus her symptoms were attributed to xiphoidalgia secondary to heterotopic ossification after trauma. She underwent open resection of the xiphoid process. Heterotopic ossification of the xiphoid process is rare. This report documents a case of heterotopic ossification secondary to trauma from chest compressions.

[Neurogenic paraosteopathy of the elbow: results of surgical arthrolysis (a retrospective study of 37 cases)]. / La para-ostéopathie neurogène du coude: résultat de l'arthrolyse chirurgicale (étude rétrospective de 37 cas).

Neurogenic paraosteoarthropathies are ectopic ossifications which develop near the joints. They are a process of neo-ectopic osteogenesis occurring after central or peripheral neurological lesions, in some types of comas (oxygen carbon intoxication, prolonged sedation) and following peripheral traumas including burns. They inolve almost exclusively the large proximal joints of the limbs. Elbow is the second area of involvment. The purpose of our study was to analyze the results of surgical arthrolysis in 37 patients with elbow stiffness due to neurogenic osteoarthropathy of the elbow. We conducted a retrospective study of 35 patients and 37 elbows over a 25-year period. Preoperative assessment included clinical and radiological examination. Since 2003 the patients had undergone systematic elbow arthroscopy. The gold standard surgical treatment was arthrolysis. All patients underwent functional rehabilitation protocol. Outcomes were analyzed after a mean 5-year follow-up period (6 months - 10 years). Neurogenic paraosteoarthropathy was caused by head injury with coma in 58.8% of cases. Preoperative assessment showed bending stiffness in the majority of cases (88%), severe or very severe in 64.7% of cases. Intraoperatively functional elbow range of motion from -30° to 130° was obtained in 61.7% of cases and in 41% of cases in the long term. Ulnar nerve liberation was satisfactory in 92% of cases. No postoperative instability of the elbow was reported. Two patients with definitive neurological lesions had osteoma recurrence. The results were equivalent regardless surgical delay. Surgical arthrolysis is an effective treatment for neurogenic osteomas of the elbow.

Eagle syndrome revisited: cerebrovascular complications.

Cervical pain caused by the elongation of the styloid process (Eagle syndrome) is well known to otolaryngologists but is rarely considered by vascular surgeons. We report two patients with cerebrovascular symptoms of Eagle syndrome treated in our medical center in the past year. Case 1: an 80-year-old man with acromegaly presented with dizziness and syncope with neck rotation. The patient was noted to have bilateral elongated styloid processes impinging on the internal carotid arteries. After staged resections of the styloid processes through cervical approaches, the symptoms resolved completely. Case 2: a 57-year-old man presented with acute-onset left-sided neck pain radiating to his head immediately after a vigorous neck massage. Hospital course was complicated by a 15-minute transient ischemic attack resulting in aphasia. Angiography revealed bilateral dissections of his internal carotid arteries, with a dissecting aneurysm on the right. Both injuries were immediately adjacent to the bilateral elongated styloid processes. Despite immediate anticoagulation therapy, he experienced aphasia and right hemiparesis associated with an occlusion of his left carotid artery. He underwent emergent catheter thrombectomy and carotid stent placement, with near-complete resolution of his symptoms. Elongated styloid processes characteristic of Eagle syndrome can result in both temporary impingement and permanent injury to the extracranial carotid arteries. Although rare, Eagle syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with cerebrovascular symptoms, especially those induced by positional change.

Long-term results of radiation prophylaxis for heterotopic ossification in the temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term efficacy and toxicity of radiation therapy (RT) for postoperative prophylaxis of recurrent heterotopic ossification (HO) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients (18 joints) with bony ankylosis of the TMJ from HO were referred to undergo RT after arthrotomy with osseous recontouring, gap arthroplasty, or costochondral grafting. Treatment consisted of 10 Gy in 5 daily fractions to a field encompassing the TMJ with an adequate margin. RT was initiated 1 to 3 days postoperatively. Response to therapy was assessed by routine x-ray films obtained preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at follow-up by use of the Turlington-Durr grading system. Treatment efficacy was defined as freedom from HO re-formation requiring further surgical intervention. Efficacy and toxicity data were obtained from review of the medical records and were augmented by telephone interview of patients when possible (6 patients, all with follow-up >16 years). Efficacy rates by patient were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median follow-up after RT was 16.4 years (range, 2.5-19.2 years). Symptomatic re-formation of HO requiring further surgery occurred in 5 patients (7 joints). Treatment efficacy rates were 71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 44-99) at 5 years and 48% (95% CI, 15-80) at 10 years. Of the 6 patients contacted regarding late toxicity, 2 had clinical xerostomia (grade 1, CTCAE v3.0) attributable to RT; no other late RT-related toxicities were noted. None of the 12 patients had malignancy attributable to RT. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative RT prevented re-formation of TMJ HO in 50% of treated patients long term. Late toxicities from RT were mild and infrequent.

[Fracture analysis of a ceramic liner. Is in hip endoprosthesis replacement of ceramic on ceramic components with only one of the corresponding partners justified?]. / Bruchanalyse eines Keramik-Inlays. Ist bei einem Hüftendoprothesenwechsel mit der Gleitpaarung Keramik-Keramik der Wechsel nur eines korrespondierenden Partners sinnvoll?

The good biomechanical and tribological properties, together with the excellent biocompatibility, of ceramic-on-ceramic components, make them a preferential choice for total hip replacement surgery, at least in Europe. We report on a man admitted as an outpatient with painless grating in the hip one year after replacement of a ceramic femoral head, but not of the ceramic inlay. Clinical and radiological findings were indicative of a broken liner. This was confirmed during revision surgery, during which it was replaced by a polyethylene inlay; although the ceramic head appeared intact, it was replaced by a metal head. Inspection of the surface of the broken liner in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed signs of material failure. We recommend careful inspection of ceramic-on-ceramic articulating components during total hip revision surgery and if there is any uncertainty, replacement of both so as to avoid premature failure.

Accuracy of high-resolution computed tomography in cochlear implantation.

Multichannel cochlear implants are a proven method for the auditory rehabilitation of individuals who have severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. These devices typically require insertion into the scala tympani of the cochlea to provide auditory stimulations. A patent scala provides the best chance for an adequate insertion of the electrode array. Preoperative high-resolution computed tomography imaging has traditionally been used to determine the patency of the scala tympani. Its ability to accurately predict the patency of the cochlea has been questioned in several retrospective studies. A prospective study was undertaken in 28 consecutive individuals undergoing cochlear implant surgery to compare the findings on high-resolution computed tomography with the surgical findings in an attempt to determine high-resolution computed tomography's accuracy. Cochlear obstruction caused by ossification was accurately predicted in six of six individuals but overestimated in the round window region in three individuals. High-resolution computed tomography accurately predicted patent cochleas in 19 individuals. No false-negative results were encountered. In this study sensitivity of high-resolution computed tomography was 100%, and specificity was 86%. High-resolution computed tomography appears to be more helpful than previously reported for determining cochlear patency.

Ectopic bone formation in children and adolescents with head injuries: its management.

During an 11-year prospective study at Kennedy Memorial Hospital for Children (Brighton, MA), ectopic bone formation occurred in 22 of 145 children and adolescents admitted in coma following head injury. Subsequent deformities and limitation of motion were an impediment to rehabilitation in 15 of these patients, who recovered from the coma. Several bone excision procedures, either alone or in conjunction with other physical and/or pharmacological modes of treatment, were followed by recurrence of ectopic bone until salicylates were used. The latter eliminated or minimized recurrence of ectopic bone. The study suggests a useful role for salicylates not only in preventing recurrence, but also in minimizing the occurrence of ectopic bone formation in these patients.