Multiple recurrences and late metastasis of adamantinoma in the tibia: a case report.

Adamantinoma is a rare, low-grade, malignant bone tumour. We report on a 46-year-old woman who had early multiple recurrences of adamantinoma of the right tibia and late metastasis to the lung and ribs 13 years after the first surgical treatment. She underwent multiple complete tumour excisions and eventually below-knee amputation and removal of the left lung and sixth to eighth ribs.

The role of radiation dose in a combined therapeutic protocol for the prevention of heterotopic ossification after total hip replacement.

PURPOSE: To present the results of a prospective study which aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiation dose in a combined protocol using postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and indomethacin for the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and are at high risk for HO development. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with a mean age of 63 years received either a single dose of 7 Gy or a fractionated dose of 10 Gy in 5 fractions of 2 Gy within the 3 postoperative days. Concurrently all patients received 75 mg of indomethacin for 15 days. Patients were analysed for radiographical evidence of HO development and clinically with the Merle d'Aubigné score at 1 year. RESULTS: At 12 months combined RT and indomethacin achieved excellent prophylaxis of HO. The overall radiographical incidence of HO was 7.04% (95% CI 2.33-15.67), while no patient with clinically significant HO (Brooker III-IV) was seen. There was no statistically significant difference between the two RT protocols. In a subgroup of 12 patients with bilateral THA the incidence of HO in the non-irradiated hips was statistically significantly higher compared with the irradiated hips. All patients had improved joint mobility and function during follow up compared with the preoperative period. No statistically significant differences regarding the Merle d'Aubigné score was documented between the 2 RT groups. No acute or late side effects related to RT were noted. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the efficacy of combined RT and indomethacin in preventing heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty. Fractionated total dose of 10 Gy seems to offer no further benefit compared to a single dose of 7.0 Gy.

Heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in congenital hip disease: comparison of two different prophylactic protocols.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate retrospectively the efficacy of combined postoperative radiotherapy and indomethacin compared to indomethacin alone for the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) in high-risk patients with congenital disease of hip (CDH) undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients received indomethacin alone (Group A), while 44 patients received the combined protocol (Group B). Patients >or=55 years were enrolled in Group B and those younger than 55 years in Group A. Patients were evaluated radiologically for the presence of HO 6 months after the operation. RESULTS: The incidence of HO in Group A was 34.5% (95% confidence interval 22.2-48.6%), while the respective incidence in Group B patients was 27.3% (95% CI 15.0- 42.8%). The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.5). No significant treatment-related side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study evaluating the impact of HO prophylaxis in an immiscible population of patients with secondary arthritis due to CDH undergoing THA. Further future randomised evidence is required in order to ascertain the observed trend towards improved efficacy of the combined protocol for HO development.

Effect of interlaminar epidural steroid injection in acute and subacute pain due to lumbar disk herniation: a randomized comparison of 2 different protocols.

In order to assess the efficacy of epidural steroid injections (ESI) in acute and subacute pain due to lumbar spine disk herniation, we conducted a randomized trial, comparing 2 different protocols. Fourty patients with radicular pain due to L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc herniation were assigned to receive either 3 consecutive ESI every 24 hours through a spinal catheter (group A) or 3 consecutive ESI every 10 days with an epidural needle (group B). All patients had improved Oswestry Disabilty Index (ODI) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain scores at 1 month of follow-up compared to baseline, while no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups. The scores for group B were statistically significant lower at 2 months of follow-up compared to those of group A. The improvement in the scores of group B was continuous since the mean scores at 2 months of follow up were lower compared to the respective scores at 1 month. Protocol B (3 consecutive ESI every 10 days) was found more effective in the treatment of subacute pain compared to Protocol A (3 consecutive ESI every 24 hours) with statistically significant differences in the ODI and VAS scores at 2 months of follow-up.

Functional outcome after excision of heterotopic ossification about the knee in ICU patients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of improvement in the range of movement in the knee joint, sitting ability, and overall ambulation in patients with heterotopic ossification of the knee joint who underwent surgical excision of ectopic bone. Between 1999 and 2006, 14 patients (23 joints) with significant heterotopic ossification of the knee joint that required surgery were evaluated. We compared the range of movement in the knee joint, sitting ability, and overall ambulation in the preoperative and postoperative periods using the Fuller and Keenan classification systems. Range of movement increased in 82% of cases (19 knee joints). Sitting ability improved in 13 patients (93%). Postoperatively, ambulation in eight patients (57%) was remarkably superior. In conclusion, resection of heterotopic ossification may significantly improve the range of movement in the knee joint, sitting ability, and overall ambulation.

Use of (99m)Tc-sulesomab for the diagnosis of prosthesis infection after total joint arthroplasty.

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of antigranulocyte scintigraphy using the antibody fragment (99m)Tc-sulesomab (LeukoScan) for the diagnosis of prosthesis infection in patients with total hip or knee arthroplasty. The results from 19 patients with suspected total joint arthroplasty infection who had undergone a three-phase bone scan and a subsequent examination with (99m)Tc-sulesomab during a 1-year period were reviewed. Twelve patients were shown to have prosthesis infection on culture of aspirated synovial fluid or intra-operative samples. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy for (99m)Tc-sulesomab were 75%, 86%, 90%, 66% and 79%, respectively, compared with 54%, 83%, 88%, 45% and 63%, respectively, for the three-phase bone scan. This study showed that (99m)Tc-sulesomab had good diagnostic value for the detection of prosthesis infection. The combination of (99m)Tc-sulesomab with other laboratory or imaging examinations may improve diagnostic performance in prosthesis infection and should be investigated further.

Concomitant ipsilateral traumatic dislocation of the hip and knee following high-energy trauma: a case report.

Traumatic dislocation of the hip or knee can occur after high-energy trauma and is often associated with concomitant injuries and secondary complications. Concomitant traumatic dislocation of both hip and knee is rare. We describe a case of combined ipsilateral posterior hip dislocation with a posterior acetabular fracture and a complete open knee dislocation with disruption of the popliteal artery that resulted in amputation.

Intraarticular synovial lipoma of the knee located in the intercondylar notch, between ACL and PCL: a case report and review of the literature.

This report presents a 16 year old girl with persistent left knee pain caused by an intra-articular synovial lipoma (IASL) of the knee. Arthroscopy revealed a lipoma arising from the posterior aspect of the synovial membrane, extending in the femoral intercondylar notch, between the femoral attachments of anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of IASL. IASL is a rarely described situation. There are only a few references in the literature. One IASL found in an adolescent and one more located in the intercondylar notch have been described.

Three-dimensional computerized selection of hip prostheses in patients with congenital dislocated hips.

This study assessed the effectiveness of the combined use of computed tomography (CT) and computer-aided design (CAD) in the preoperative evaluation and implant selection in 20 patients (20 hips) with congenital dislocation of the hip who were scheduled to undergo total hip arthroplasty. Computerized selection of the femoral implant with optimum fit and fill was made after a three-dimensional reconstruction of the femoral canal using CT data and CAD. Implantation of all sizes of 5 noncemented and 2 cemented femoral implants was simulated using CATIA software (IBM, Kingstone, NY). When patients underwent surgery, 18 of 20 preselected prostheses agreed by type and size with the prostheses implanted. The remaining 2 preselected implants agreed by type only. In patients with dislocated and dysplastic hips, combined use of CT and CAD allows effective preoperative planning by providing the surgeon with vital information about the proximal femoral canal geometry and the possible femoral implant with optimum fit and fill to be used.

The treatment of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in a 9 year-old boy with long standing symptoms.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is an uncommonly reported entity in children and it continues to be underdiagnosed. Compared with adult, childhood reflex sympathetic dystrophy is of unknown etiology and has a better prognosis. The most common therapy in children is progressive mobilization supported by antiphlogistic, analgesic drugs, psychological and physical therapy. We report an interesting case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the left knee joint of a nine years old child with symptoms insisting more than four years and recalcitrant to the above treatments. The use of intravenous regional anaesthesia with lidocaine 0.5% and methylprednisolone was successful. No other reports seem to exist on the use of lidocaine 0.5% and methylprednisolone for the therapy of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in children. The treatment is simple, safe and well tolerated by children. Psychological factors should not be underestimated. Early diagnosis and aggressive therapy are important factors for the full recovery of the patients.

[The effect of volume status of the right-left shunt in a patient with a patent foramen ovale]. / Einfluss des Volumenstatus auf den Rechts-links-Shunt bei einem Patienten mit funktionell offenem Foramen ovale.

This is a description of the anaesthetic management of a patient with a flow patent foramen ovale undergoing intramedullary nailing of the femur. In order to detect the flow patent foramen ovale, we used transoesophageal echocardiography. During the ventilation maneuver with positive airway pressure of 20 cmH2O, a right-to-left interatrial shunt was observed. After the administration of 500 ml hydroxy-starch solution (6%) intravenously, detection of the right-to-left shunt flow was no longer possible. This case report shows that the volume status in a patient with a patent foramen ovale could influence the right to left interatrial shunt during general anaesthesia.

Wear of retrieved ceramic THA components--four matched pairs retrieved after 5-13 years in service.

Retrieval analyses of alumina-alumina THA components are conducted in order to investigate in vivo wear of implants and provide guidance to material and design improvements. The contribution of the present study consists of the examination, by digital recording of spherical profiles and scanning electron microscopy, of four matched pairs of ceramic THA implants retrieved after 5, 11, 13, and 13 years in service because of mechanical loosening. Maximum wear depth values on measured surfaces ranged between 10-325 microm for heads and 25-784 microm for cups, while grossly worn areas varied between 240 and 1510 mm(2) for heads and 250 and 1570 mm(2) for cups. The greatest wear characteristics were demonstrated by the pair that served for 5 years, that is, on the cup that was found in a 65 degrees inclination. Quantitative topographical study of the results provided concrete evidence of a cascade of detrimental wear events of changing geometry, intensity, and progression associated with gradual cup tilting. Microscopy findings support previously recognized wear mechanisms.

Longstanding nonunions of scaphoid fractures with bone loss: successful reconstruction with vascularized bone grafts.

Vascularized bone graft from the dorsum of distal radius was used to treat 22 nonunions of scaphoid fractures, with a mean delay of 4 years from the initial injury. Four of the eight patients with associated scapho-styloid arthritis also underwent a closing wedge osteotomy of the distal radius. Follow-up time ranged from 14 to 74 months. Union was accomplished in 6 to 12 weeks and wrist range of motion and grip strength improved postoperatively in all patients. Complete absence of pain was noted in 16 patients and the other six, all of whom had arthritic wrist changes or carpal collapse, only experienced pain with strenuous activities. The simple graft dissection, the avoidance of anastomoses and the lack of donor site morbidity are additional advantages to this surgical technique, which is successful even in cases with an avascular proximal pole.

Complications in limb-lengthening procedures: a review of 49 cases.

The purpose of this study was to examine the nature and number of complications relative to magnitude of limb lengthening. Results and complications of 50 limb-lengthening procedures were analyzed. There were 49 patients. Mean age was 21 years (range, 7-48 years). Lengthening was performed in 24 femora, 18 tibiae, 4 humerii, 3 radii, and 1 ulna. Average length gained was 5 cm (range, 3-15 cm) at average follow-up of 48 months (range, 12-76 months). Desired length was accomplished in all but 1 patient. The 69 complications varied in severity, but only 5 of these significantly impaired end results. The most serious complications occurred in patients with >30% bone lengthening. Patients with <15% lengthening had a significantly decreased complication rate. The healing index was lower in children. We conclude that incidence and severity of complications after limb-lengthening procedures are significantly influenced by relative lengthening of bone.

Cementless hip arthroplasty in the treatment of patients with femoral head necrosis.

Treatment of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head focuses on pain relief and improved function of the hip. Total hip arthroplasty remains an effective tool for the treatment of patients with end-stage osteonecrosis with collapse of the femoral head, although there is a greater risk for failure. The aim of the current study was to assess the long-term survival of cementless total hip arthroplasties in 28 patients (36 hips) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (Steinberg Stage V and Stage VI) with an average followup of 11.2 years (range, 10-15 years). There were 19 women and nine men with an average age of 51.4 years (range, 28-65 years). A threaded titanium cup CST (Conical Screwed Titanium) was used in all patients and different cementless femoral components were used depending on the optimal fit in the femoral canal as assessed during preoperative templating. No serious complications were encountered postoperatively. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the Merle d'Aubigné and Postel scale. After cementless total hip arthroplasty, the average pain score improved 3.6 points, walking ability improved 1.6 points, and range of motion improved 1 point. Two patients had thigh pain. Radiographic evaluation on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the proximal femur was excellent in 10 hips postoperatively. No heterotropic ossification was observed, although proximal femoral atrophy was seen in 15 hips. Clinical and radiologic findings did not correlate. There were two revisions of the acetabular implants in one patient with bilateral idiopathic osteonecroses and total hip replacement. Overall, survival of the prostheses was 93.4% at the average followup of 11.2 years.

Posterior traumatic dislocation of a Thompson prosthesis: report of a case.

A case of posterior traumatic dislocation of a Thompson prosthesis with fracture of the posterior wall of the acetabulum is presented. Nine years after the reduction and fixation of the posterior acetabular wall and 10 years after the initial neck fracture, the patient was free of pain, and the hip range of motion was within normal limits. To the best of our knowledge, no such case has ever been described in the English literature.

Clinical criteria and treatment of segmental versus upper extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The effectiveness of a multimodal treatment protocol in the long-term management of upper extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), as well as of isolated finger involvement, was analyzed. In the present series, 62 patients diagnosed with RSD were treated and followed for a mean of 22.2 +/- 1.5 months. The findings in the present study indicate that: 1) RSD occurs predominantly in females (female:male, 3:1); 2) regional dystrophy is twice as common as segmental dystrophy; 3) segmental dystrophy is most often associated with minor traumatic dystrophy, whereas regional dystrophy is more evenly distributed among the various clinical types; 4) patients with regional dystrophy score their pain significantly higher; and 5) segmental and regional dystrophy respond with equal satisfaction to the multimodal treatment regimen. In conclusion, the weight of the available evidence strongly suggests that RSD is a complex multifaceted disease entity which responds well when managed with a multimodal treatment program aimed at the various interacting components of the disorder. Furthermore, the finding that segmental dystrophy did not behave differently from the treatment protocol compared to extensive upper extremity RSD, suggests that the anatomic location of the syndrome may not significantly alter the course of the disease during treatment.

Blood salvage after total hip and total knee arthroplasty.

We performed a prospective study to determine the effect of postoperative collection and reinfusion of unwashed, filtered, salvaged blood alone and in combination with preoperative predeposited blood on the transfusion requirements of 375 patients treated with a total hip or total knee replacement. 208 patients were managed with postoperative blood salvage with use of the CBC ConstaVac autotransfusion system and closed suction drainage. Another 50 patients predeposited 1-4 units of autologous blood, before the operation, in addition to postoperative blood salvage. The remaining 117 patients were used as controls and were transfused with homologous blood from the blood bank. Postoperative reinfusion of salvaged blood decreased the need for homologous transfusion after hip and knee arthroplasty (mean 2.7 units) compared to controls (mean 4.2 units). The combination of postoperative reinfusion of salvaged blood and predeposited autologous blood was associated with the lowest requirements for homologous blood transfusions (mean 1.7 units).