Preoperative Arterial Embolization for Heterotopic Ossification of the Hip.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of preoperative arterial embolization for neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO) of the hip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study reviewed outcomes in 16 consecutive patients who had surgical resection of NHO of the hip: 8 of whom underwent preoperative arterial embolization and 8 of whom did not. Both patient cohorts had similar baseline characteristics. A mean of 2.62 ± 1.9 arteries per patient, including the gluteal, lateral circumflex femoral, and deep circumflex iliac branches, were embolized using an n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA)-ethiodized oil mixture. Data from both cohorts regarding intraoperative blood loss, volume of blood transfused, complications, and duration of hospitalization were compared. RESULTS: A mean of 2.6 ± 1.9 arteries were embolized with NBCA-ethiodized oil, mainly the gluteal arteries, lateral circumflex femoral artery, and deep circumflex iliac artery. In the embolization group, mean intraoperative blood loss was 875 mL ± 320, mean number of units of blood used was 0.5 ± 0.7, and mean number of days of hospitalization was 6.4 days ± 1.6. In the control group, mean intraoperative blood loss was 1,350 mL ± 120, mean number of units of blood used was 2 ± 1.1, and average number of days of hospitalization was 11.5 days ± 1.4. The embolization group had a mean reduction in blood loss of 40.7% (P = 0.035), reduction in units of blood administered of 75% (P = 0.021), and reduction in days of hospitalization of 44.7% (P = 0.014). No procedural complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative arterial embolization is effective and safe in reducing intraoperative blood loss, number of hospitalization days, and need for blood transfusions in surgical resection of NHO of the hip.

Diagnosis and treatment of infraspinatus tendon-bursa ossification in a Eurasian Dog.

A 4-year-old male Eurasian Dog presented at our veterinary clinic with a history of perpetual forelimb lameness in both thoracic limbs. In the clinical exploration, direct pressure over the infraspinatus tendon of insertion caused pain in both thoracic forelimbs and a firm band-like structure was palpable. No improvement was observed after treatment with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and an intralesional injection of a long-acting glucocorticoid. Radiographic examination, ultrasonographic exploration and computed tomography were performed, identifying ossified structures lateral to the proximal humerus and an irregular roughened periosteum at the insertion and tendon of the infraspinatus muscle on both sides. There were more distinct alterations on the right thoracic limb. The imaging results led to a diagnosis of an infraspinatus tendon-bursa ossification accompanied by a chronic tendinopathy/tendovaginitis, accentuated on the right side. The dog was subjected to physiotherapy and autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) was injected into the insertion of the infraspinatus muscle of both thoracic limbs. After 5 months of physiotherapy and two injections of ACP with an interval of one week in both forelimbs, the dog showed no signs of lameness. This case report describes the diagnosis and management of infraspinatus tendon-bursa ossification in a Eurasian Dog. To the authors' knowledge, this condition has previously not been described in this breed of dog.

Influence of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on heterotopic ossification: an experimental study in Wistar rats

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a metaplastic biological process in which there is newly formed bone in soft tissues, resulting in joint mobility deficit and pain. Different treatment modalities have been tried to prevent HO development, but there is no consensus on a therapeutic approach. Since electrical stimulation is a widely used resource in physiotherapy practice to stimulate joint mobility, with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, its usefulness for HO treatment was investigated. We aimed to identify the influence of electrical stimulation on induced HO in Wistar rats. Thirty-six male rats (350-390 g) were used, and all animals were anesthetized for blood sampling before HO induction, to quantify the serum alkaline phosphatase. HO induction was performed by bone marrow implantation in both quadriceps of the animals, which were then divided into 3 groups: control (CG), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) group (TG), and functional electrical stimulation (FES) group (FG) with 12 rats each. All animals were anesthetized and electrically stimulated twice per week, for 35 days from induction day. After this period, another blood sample was collected and quadriceps muscles were bilaterally removed for histological and calcium analysis and the rats were killed. Calcium levels in muscles showed significantly lower results when comparing TG and FG (P<0.001) and between TG and CG (P<0.001). Qualitative histological analyses confirmed 100% HO in FG and CG, while in TG the HO was detected in 54.5% of the animals. The effects of the muscle contractions caused by FES increased HO, while anti-inflammatory effects of TENS reduced HO.

Influence of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on heterotopic ossification: an experimental study in Wistar rats.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a metaplastic biological process in which there is newly formed bone in soft tissues, resulting in joint mobility deficit and pain. Different treatment modalities have been tried to prevent HO development, but there is no consensus on a therapeutic approach. Since electrical stimulation is a widely used resource in physiotherapy practice to stimulate joint mobility, with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, its usefulness for HO treatment was investigated. We aimed to identify the influence of electrical stimulation on induced HO in Wistar rats. Thirty-six male rats (350-390 g) were used, and all animals were anesthetized for blood sampling before HO induction, to quantify the serum alkaline phosphatase. HO induction was performed by bone marrow implantation in both quadriceps of the animals, which were then divided into 3 groups: control (CG), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) group (TG), and functional electrical stimulation (FES) group (FG) with 12 rats each. All animals were anesthetized and electrically stimulated twice per week, for 35 days from induction day. After this period, another blood sample was collected and quadriceps muscles were bilaterally removed for histological and calcium analysis and the rats were killed. Calcium levels in muscles showed significantly lower results when comparing TG and FG (P<0.001) and between TG and CG (P<0.001). Qualitative histological analyses confirmed 100% HO in FG and CG, while in TG the HO was detected in 54.5% of the animals. The effects of the muscle contractions caused by FES increased HO, while anti-inflammatory effects of TENS reduced HO.

Medical rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injury during 40 years of academic physiatric practice.

There are many different paths that lead to an academic physiatric career and a lifelong interest in spinal cord injury (SCI) medicine. It is unfortunate that after decades of cellular-based research in multiple laboratories, there are still no interventions available that can reverse the neurologic loss that follows SCI. In contrast, medical rehabilitation research during the last 40 yrs has led to remarkable improvements in the lives of persons with SCI as evident in their increased life expectancy, shorter hospitalizations, fewer rehospitalizations, and more effective treatments for male sexual dysfunction and fertility, as well as spasticity, heterotrophic ossification, and neuropathic pain. Application of modern technology has improved the mobility of persons with SCI with better designed wheelchairs, decreased their dependency on others, facilitated their access to information, made communication and community integration easier, and so on. Although deaths related to urinary tract complications are now rare, better methods of managing the neurogenic bladder are still needed. Furthermore, better management methods are also needed for the neurogenic bowel, SCI pain, and osteoporosis of the paralyzed limbs. Even with proper prophylaxis, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are still common, and clinicians have paid too little attention to reducing the risk for persons with SCI of developing obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. These challenges need to be met by medical rehabilitation research, by advocating for insurance policies that support the healthcare needs of persons with SCI, and by developing comprehensive disability policies, all with the support and leadership of academic physiatrists.

Acquired plate-like osteoma cutis.

Plate-like osteoma cutis is a rare disorder that has been historically classified as a congenital syndrome. It has a possible relationship to a mutation in the gene (GNAS1) that encodes the α-subunit of the stimulatory G protein, which regulates adenyl cyclase activity. We report a case of extensive plaque-like masses on the scalp and face with no abnormalities in calcium or phosphate metabolism and no preceding inflammatory cutaneous conditions. With less than ten reported cases, to our knowledge, this is one the few cases of acquired plate-like osteoma cutis described in the literature.

Persistent synchondrosis of a primary sacral ossification center in an adult with low back pain.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Persistence of a primary sacral ossification center resulting in synchondrosis in adulthood is rare and can confound diagnostic decision making during patient management. PURPOSE: To present a synchondrosis between the sacral ala and sacral body in a healthy 23-year-old US Marine who had low back pain. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Case report. OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-report measures included a numerical pain scale and Roland Morris Disability questionnaire; physiological measures included plain film radiography, computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and physical examination procedures; and functional measures included the patient's ability to run and sit without pain and to maintain US Marine Corps fitness standards. METHODS: The initial management of his low back pain included a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, chiropractic manipulation of the sacroiliac joints and adjacent tissues, and therapeutic exercise. When the patient's condition did not improve as quickly as anticipated, plain X-ray films were ordered; this revealed a vertical cleft in the sacrum at the site of the patient's pain. Further imaging showed the anomalous cleft to be a synchondrosis between the costal element and the centrum of the sacrum. Manual manipulation, physical training, and ergonomic advice were continued. RESULTS: Pain severity decreased from 7 to 0, and the Roland Morris score decreased from 14 to 1. He could sit for prolonged periods of time and exercise to Marine Corps standards. CONCLUSIONS: It is unlikely that the synchondrosis was the structure responsible for generating the patient's low back pain. However, such an anomaly is clinically relevant because it may mimic a fracture.

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.