Pubo-femoral distance in selective ultrasound screening of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) incidence is already debated due to different types of screening techniques. Despite of that, timely treatment of this pathology is necessary to reduce complications on the hip joint. METHODS: A retrospective study has been performed on the incidence of DDH in Marche region (Italy) in 2017. Epidemiological data have been collected and evaluated. 302 ultrasound images stored in the hospital archives were selected to measure pubo-femoral distance (PFD) and bony rim percentage (BRP). PFD and BRP values were compared with α and ß angles measured by Graf method. RESULTS: DDH incidence was 12%. Girls were more affected than males (ratio 3:1). Right side was more involved, 20% of patient had familiarity with DDH, 7% were breech babies and 15% suffered from other congenital orthopedic diseases. PFD in pathological hips was 3.21 mm (0.60-7 mm) and 2.47 mm (0.80-5.30 mm) in normal hips (P<0.005). Dispersion of PFD with respect to α and ß angles showed that PFD grows with increasing ß angle values and decreasing α angles. BRP in pathological hips was 47.29%, while in normal hips was 49.53% (<3 months). BRP was 49.71% in normal hips and 45.83% in pathological ones (>3 months). BRP measurement did not match the expected results, requiring more studies before its adoption in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Our study evidenced the DDH incidence in Marche region and helped to validate a new screening technique consisting in measuring of PFD. For a full BRP validation, future studies will still be required.

Posterior spinal fusion in patients with spinal muscular atrophy: a surgical technique to allow intrathecally inject nusinersen.

BACKGROUND: Nusinersen, the recently approved medical therapy in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), has revolutionized the natural history of this disease. Until now, surgical treatment of scoliosis in SMA patients was an exclusion criterion for drug therapy. In fact, the bone graft positioned posteriorly during surgery, in order to obtain a solid fusion, prevented the lumbar puncture necessary for the intrathecal administration of the drug. The aim is to describe a surgical technique that allows for safe and easy intrathecal administration of nusinersen. METHODS: We present a single-center, single-surgeon case series descriptive study. From 2019 to 2021 seven consecutive patients affected by genetically confirmed SMA suitable for treatment with nusinersen and suffered from neuromuscular scoliosis needing posterior spinal fusion surgery were included in the present study. During posterior spinal fusion surgery a L3-L4 or L2-L3 laminectomy was performed to provide safer access to intrathecal injection. The drainage scar was used as a skin landmark so as to facilitate future procedures. RESULTS: The median of operative time was 250 min (range: 200-370 min). The median correction rate was 57% (range: 43.5-68). The median of intraoperative blood loss was 650 mL (range 320-940 mL). The median value of the correction loss at the last follow-up was 10% (range: 4.5-15%). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical procedure allowed all patients to receive nusinersen therapy without complications. The procedure described is simple and effective in providing safe intrathecal access to make these patients suitable for undertaking or continuing the protocol of treatment with nusinersen.

A Peculiar Case of Open Complex Elbow Injury with Critical Bone Loss, Triceps Reinsertion, and Scar Tissue might Provide for Elbow Stability?

BACKGROUND: Complex elbow injuries (CEIs) are severe and rare lesions, difficult to treat correctly due to the different patterns of clinical presentations. Standard methods cannot often be applied. The main goals of the treatment are performing a stable osteosynthesis of all fractures, obtaining a concentric and stable reduction of the elbow by repairing the soft tissue constraint lesions, and allowing early motion. Since the introduction of virtual reality (VR) approaches in clinical practice, three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) and 3D printing have revolutionised orthopaedic surgeries, thus helping to understand the anatomy and the pathology of complex cases. CASE DESCRIPTION: We discussed a case of CEI, characterised by an extended soft tissue (IIIB Gustilo classification) and neurovascular lesions associated with bone loss in a young female patient. Olecranon fracture was type IIIB according to Mayo classification. We outlined the steps of a pluri-tissue reconstructive approach and stressed the importance of 3D printing in the preoperative planning for such cases. Finally, peculiar final functional patient outcomes were reported. CONCLUSION: In this case, we found out that triceps reinsertion and scar process may provide for the joint stability in a low-demanding patient. 3D printing and VR approaches in clinical practice can be useful in the management of CEIs associated with an important bone and soft tissue loss. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Facco G, Politano R, Marchesini A, et al. A Peculiar Case of Open Complex Elbow Injury with Critical Bone Loss, Triceps Reinsertion, and Scar Tissue might Provide for Elbow Stability? Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2021;16(1):53-59.

Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification: case series and systematic review of the literature.

Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification (PIDC) is an uncommon disease with an unclear etiology. The clinical picture may suggest a severe spinal disease, thus involving an extensive differential diagnosis. The aim of this study was to find a diagnostic and treatment approach for PIDC on the basis of the literature. The Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Systematic Review databases were searched for relevant studies, whose reference lists were checked manually for additional articles. For each study, year of publication, study design, demographics, onset type, history of trauma, clinical and neurological signs and symptoms, imaging studies performed, blood test results, treatment strategies, and outcomes were recorded. The charts of eight patients with symptomatic PIDC treated at our institution from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed. Of 1522 articles identified by the search, 51 level IV studies involving 91 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most patients were treated conservatively and achieved complete recovery. Of the 13 patients who were treated surgically, one had a persistent myelopathy at the final follow-up. All the patients of our case series were treated conservatively and achieved complete symptom resolution at the final follow-up. PIDC is predominantly a benign and self-limiting condition. Surgery should be considered only in case of failure of conservative treatment in the presence of severe neurological impairment and myelopathy. Level of Evidence: IV (case series and systematic review of level IV studies).