Retropatellar fat pad-derived stem cells from older osteoarthritic patients have lesser differentiation capacity and expression of stemness genes.

BACKGROUND AIMS: The use of retropatellar fat pad-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (RFMSCs) for cell-based therapy, particularly for cartilage repair, has been reported by several investigators in recent years. However, the effects of the donor's age and medical condition on the characteristics of RFMSCs have not been well established. The aim of this study was to determine whether age and medical condition can reduce the multipotential of stem cells isolated from the retropatellar fat pad. METHODS: The RFMSCs were isolated from patients with osteoarthritic knee cartilage (degenerative group; 40-60 years old) and compared with patients without degenerative knee disease (young group; <40 years old) in terms of their growth kinetics, immunophenotype, differentiation ability and stemness gene expression. RESULTS: Data showed that RFMSCs from both groups have similar growth kinetics and immunophenotype profile at passage 3. However, RFMSCs from the degenerative group showed lower adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation ability compared with RFMSCs derived from the young group. The stemness gene expression level of RFMSCs derived from the degenerative group was lower than that in the young group. RFMSCs from both groups met the minimum criteria of mesenchymal stromal cells and have the potential for cartilage regeneration. However, RFMSCs from the degenerative group showed lower regeneration capability. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that older age and osteoarthritic condition did affect the multipotential of stem cells derived from the retropatellar fat pad under the current prescribed condition. More studies will be conducted to clarify whether the age or medical condition contributed more to the loss of differentiation capacity and stemness gene expression of RFMSCs.

Metastatic Vascular Pleomorphic Leiomyosarcoma in a Previously Treated Cervical Carcinoma Patient: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Vascular leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignant tumour of the smooth muscle connective tissue. Patients are usually asymptomatic in the early stages and only present when the lesion causes compressive or obstructive effects or has metastasized. We report a case of vascular pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma in a 70-year-old lady with a background history of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. She presented with a three-month history of low back pain, which radiated to the anterior bilateral thigh. Initial radiological findings revealed metastatic lesions involving the spine and lungs. Two spinal biopsies done were inconclusive. Increasing severity of pain over the right thigh prompted further imaging, which revealed bilateral femoral lesions. The patient underwent surgery which involved excision of the tumour in the right proximal femur with skeletal reconstruction using megaprosthesis. Proximal femoral nail was performed for the left femur. Intra-operatively, tumour was noted at the anteromedial aspect of the proximal right thigh surrounding the superficial femoral vein. Histopathological report of the right thigh mass finally confirmed a diagnosis of vascular pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma. The patient presented four months later with bilateral pulmonary embolism with deep vein thrombosis in addition to progression of the disease.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Synthetic Ligament (Orthotape) Usage in Reconstructive Surgery of the Hand.

Purpose: Synthetic ligaments have been widely used in the knees for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and in the shoulder rotator cuff repair, but they have been rarely used in the hand. The only reported usage is in the Artelon space for carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. We describe our experience using the synthetic ligament or scaffold known as Orthotape (its predecessor was known as the Leeds-Keio ligament) in the hand and fingers. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients in whom polyester synthetic ligament (Orthotape) was used to reconstruct absent tendons involving both flexor and extensor compartments between 2011 and 2016. The reconstruction procedures were performed as elective surgeries. The tendons were absent due to either trauma or infection. We collected data on demographics, the injury mechanism, prior surgeries, the zone of tendon loss, the presence of skin flaps, and the number of strips of ligament inserted. Results: We inserted 18 strips of Orthotape in the hands of 9 patients. The follow-up period was 3-7 years, and the mean duration of Orthotape in the hand was 44.1 (range, 1-91) months. Four strips extruded, resulting in a 22.2% extrusion rate. Of the 9 patients, 5 retained the Orthotape within their hand for time periods ranging from 60 months (5 years) to 91 months (7.5 years). The extruded strips were in the superficial areas of the hand. Seven patients had traumatic injuries with varying severity and 2 had infections. Conclusions: The high extrusion rate of Orthotape discourages its use in the superficial areas of the hand, including flexor and extensor surfaces of the fingers and hand. We recommend its usage in regions with a thick skin cover such as underneath a flap or in deep areas such as the palm. Nevertheless, it remains as a possible option in cases of complex reconstruction with a limited availability of donor tendons. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.