Surgical treatment scenario for osteoblastoma of the pelvis: Long-term follow-up results.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of different treatments for pelvic Osteoblastoma (OB). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 34 patients affected by primary pelvic OB from 3 oncologic referral centers. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 24 months were included. Local recurrence (LR) rate and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The primary treatment was radio-frequency ablation (RFA) in 4 patients (11.8%), curettage (ILC) in 21 (61.7%) and resection (EBR) in 9 (26.5%). Mean follow-up was 8.9 years (SD ± 6.6). Local recurrence free survival (LRFS) rate after primary surgery was 79.4% at 3 and 5 years. In details, LRFS rate at 3 and 5 years was 50.0% in RFA, 81.0% in ILC and 88.9% in EBR. Post-operative complications occurred in 6/34 patients (17.7%), in particular after EBR. CONCLUSIONS: RFA is the least invasive technique to treat OB but with high LR rate. Thus, it should be reserved to very small lesions. ILC is a suitable treatment for stage II OB. For stage III OB, EBR is the treatment of choice, despite an increased risk of complications. For selected stage III OB (relatively small, periacetabular area) ILC might be considered.

Bone metastasis from colon carcinoma in an 11-year-old boy: radiological features and brief review of the literature.

We report the case of an 11-year-old boy who came to our observation with localized pain in the left arm for nearly 5 months. No previous history of trauma was referred in an otherwise healthy patient. Radiographs, isotope bone-scan, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the lesion involving the left humerus are discussed. Histological diagnosis from biopsy of the humerus was metastasis from mucinous adenocarcinoma. The primary tumor site was identified in the sigmoid-descending colon, and at presentation, in addition to the left humerus, the disease had already developed in multiple skeletal sites. This report also considers literature concerning such a rare disease in children. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of childhood colorectal cancer diagnosed because of a bone metastasis.

Autograft, allograft and bone substitutes in reconstructive orthopedic surgery.

Reconstruction of bone defects is a challenge for all orthopedic surgeons worldwide; to overcome this problem there are different options: the use of autografts, allografts and bone substitutes (BSs) to enhance and accelerate bone repair. Autografts have excellent biological properties but are associated with morbidity of the donor site and are restricted in volume. Allografts are available in adequate quantity but concerns still remain about the risk of infections, moreover they do not have osteogenetic properties. Bone substitutes have different indications and are very attractive for orthopedic surgeons. The present paper briefly reviews the advantages and disadvantages of autografts, allografts and BSs for bone reconstruction.

Current concepts in the biopsy of musculoskeletal tumors.

In the management of bone and soft tissue tumors, accurate diagnosis, using a combination of clinical, radiographic, and histological data, is critical to optimize outcome. On occasion, diagnosis can be made by careful history, physical examination, and images alone. However, the ultimate diagnosis usually depends on histologic analysis by an experienced pathologist. Biopsy is a very important and complex surgery in the staging process. It must be done carefully, so as not to adversely affect the outcome. Technical considerations include proper location and orientation of the biopsy incision and meticulous hemostasis. It is necessary to obtain tissue for a histological diagnosis without spreading the tumor and so compromise the treatment. Furthermore, the surgeon does not open compartmental barriers, anatomic planes, joint space, and tissue area around neurovascular bundles. Nevertheless, avoid producing a hematoma. Biopsy should be carefully planned according to the site and definitive surgery and should be performed by an orthopedic surgeon with an experience in musculoskeletal oncology who will perform the definitive surgery. Improperly done, it can complicate patient care and sometimes even eliminate treatment options. Different biopsy techniques are suitable: fine-needle aspiration, core-needle biopsy, and incisional biopsy. The choice of biopsy depends on the size, the location of the lesion, and the experience of the pathologist.

Porous tantalum acetabular cups for reconstructions after peri-acetabular resections of primary bone tumours.

INTRODUCTION: Periacetabular reconstruction after resection of primary bone tumour is a very demanding procedure. They are frequently associated with scarce functional results and a high rate of complications. We report a series of patients with periacetabular resections for primary bone tumours and reconstruction with a porous tantalum (PT) acetabular cup (AC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 27 patients (median age 30 years) were included, being affected by primary bone tumours of the pelvis and treated with peri-acetabular resection and reconstruction with a PT AC. The diagnoses were 13 osteosarcomas, 7 chondrosarcomas and 7 Ewing sarcomas. Function was assessed with the Harris Hip Score and complications were classified according to Zeifang. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 70 months. 1 patient required removal of the PT AC because of implant associated infection 55 months after surgery. There was 1 hip dislocation and no case of aseptic loosening. At final follow-up, the median HHS was 81 points (range 48-92). CONCLUSIONS: The used PT AC had good medium-term survival rates and good functional results. This technique is a viable reconstructive option after resections of periacetabular primary bone sarcomas.

Surgical treatment of cavus foot in Charcot-Marie-tooth disease: a review of twenty-four cases: AAOS exhibit selection.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is the single most common diagnosis associated with cavus foot. The imbalance involving intrinsic and extrinsic muscles has been suggested as the main pathogenetic cause of cavus foot in this disease. The goal of surgical treatment is to correct the deformity to obtain a plantigrade foot. In the presence of a flexible deformity and the absence of degenerative arthritis, preserving as much as possible of the overall range of motion of the foot and ankle is advisable. Twenty-four cavus feet in twelve patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease were included in the study. Clinical evaluation was summarized with the Maryland Foot Score. Radiographic evaluation assessed calcaneal pitch, Meary angle, Hibb angle, and absence of degenerative joint changes. Only patients who had a flexible deformity, with varus of the heel reducible in the Coleman-Andreasi test, and did not have degenerative joint arthritis were included in this study. Surgical treatment consisted in plantar fasciotomy, midtarsal osteotomy, extensor hallucis longus tendon transfer to the first metatarsal (Jones procedure), and dorsiflexion osteotomy of the first metatarsal. Mean follow-up was six years (range, two to thirteen years). The mean Maryland Foot Score was 72 preoperatively and 86 postoperatively. The postoperative result was rated as excellent in twelve feet (50%), good in ten (42%), and fair in two (8%). Mean calcaneal pitch was 34° preoperatively and 24° at the time of the latest follow-up, the mean Hibb angle was 121° preoperatively and 136° postoperatively, and the mean Meary angle was 25° preoperatively and 2° postoperatively. Plantar fasciotomy, midtarsal osteotomy, the Jones procedure, and dorsiflexion osteotomy of the first metatarsal yielded adequate correction of flexible cavus feet in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in the absence of fixed hindfoot deformity. The fact that the improvement in the outcome score was only modest may be attributable to the lack of motor balance.