3D imaging and stealth navigation instead of CT guidance for radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteomas: a series of 52 patients.

BACKGROUND: Osteoid osteomas are benign bone neoplasms that may cause severe pain and limit function. They are commonly treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) through a needle inserted into the nidus of the lesion under CT guidance, which is associated with exposure of young patients to relatively high dose of radiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the amount of radiation, effectiveness and safety of an alternative imaging approach, the 3D image-guided (O-arm) technology and the Stealth navigation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 52 electronic medical files of patients (mean age 24.7 years, range 8-59 years) who were treated with thermal ablation of benign osteoid osteomas guided by the navigated O-arm-assisted technique in our institution between 2015 and 2017. Data were extracted on the associated complications, the reduction in pain at 3 months and one year postoperatively, and the amount of radiation administered during the procedure. RESULTS: The level of pain on a visual analogue scale decreased from the preoperative average of 7.73 to 0 at the 3-month follow-up. The mean dose-length product was 544.7 mGycm2 compared to the reported radiation exposure of 1971-7946 mGycm2 of CT-guided radio ablations. The one intra-operative complication was a superficial burn in the subcutaneous lesion in a tibia that was treated locally with no major influence on recovery. CONCLUSIONS: RFA ablation guided by 3D O-arm stealth navigation is as effective as the traditional CT-guided technique with the advantage of lower radiation exposure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospective study number 0388-17-TLV at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center IRB, approved at 25.10.17.

Free fibula reconstruction of distal tibial defects after sarcoma surgery.

Distal tibial tumor ablation results in combined soft tissue and bone defect that involves the ankle joint. This area is unique and problematic because it combines low caliber limb size, relatively soft tissue deficiency, suboptimal bone and soft tissue healing ability, and the need to sustain increased mechanical loads. The management is difficult, controversial, and traditionally was treated by primary amputation. We present our experience with a limb sparing surgery using biological reconstruction.Between 2004 and 2007, 5 patients with malignant bone tumors of the distal tibia underwent tumor resection and reconstruction with free vascularized osteoseptocutaneous fibula flap. The average age was 33.2 years (range, 11-62 years). In all cases, a skin island was harvested and used for wound closure. Arthrodesis of the ankle joint was preformed in all patients. Double fixation system was used to provide stability and avoid flap rotation.All flaps survived. There were no major complications. One patient had partial loss of the skin paddle that was treated conservatively. Callous formation was documented after an average time of 4 months, partial weight bearing after an average time of 4 months, and full weight bearing after an average time of 11.5 months. All patients regained almost normal ambulation within a year.

The role of free tissue transfer in posterior neck reconstruction.

Reconstruction of the posterior neck is one of the rarer procedures performed by plastic surgeons; we used free flaps for the closure of defects in this area in six cases over the past 4 years. Six patients were located requiring posterior neck reconstruction between the years 2007 and 2013. Five of these patients required reconstruction due to oncologic resections, while one underwent serial removal of a giant congenital nevus. Five of these reconstructions involved the use of a free anterolateral thigh/vastus lateralis flap, and the sixth received a pre-expanded deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. Satisfactory dorsal neck reconstruction was achieved with the free flap approach: it produced excellent healing, contour and coverage of hardware. There was only one early minor complication, allowing early return to daily activities and continuation of planned oncologic treatment. Free flap reconstruction of the posterior neck area is a safe and relatively rapidly performed procedure that yields good results both functionally and aesthetically. In this article, we review the literature on the options available for reconstruction of the posterior neck, describe our surgical experience in such cases, and suggest an algorithm to guide in choosing the optimal approach for a given patient.

Clinical activity of mTOR inhibition in combination with cyclophosphamide in the treatment of recurrent unresectable chondrosarcomas.

OBJECTIVE: Chondrosarcomas (CS) represent a heterogeneous group of rare sarcomas, poorly responsive to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. When local therapies in recurrent or metastatic disease are exhausted, chemotherapy plays a marginal role. Different molecular pathways have been shown to be activated in CS. In this retrospective study, we summarize our experience in treating a cohort of patients with recurrent unresectable CS with a combination of sirolimus (SIR) and cyclophosphamide (CTX). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten consecutive patients with unresectable CS were offered off-label treatment with SIR and CTX between 2007 and 2012. Tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), adverse events, and other relevant clinical data were analyzed. RESULTS: The median patients' age was 49 (range 28-68). Median disease-free interval since the primary diagnosis was 22.5 months. Median time from the disease recurrence to initiation of SIR and CTX treatment was 21.7 months due to additional local surgical treatments, excision of metastases, or slow asymptomatic progression. One (10 %) objective response was observed, and six (60 %) patients had stabilization of disease for at least 6 months. Three patients had progressive disease. Median PFS was 13.4 months (range 3-30.3). No significant adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although advanced CS remains an incurable disease, our experience suggests that a combination of SIR and CTX is well tolerated and may have meaningful clinical activity with disease control rate of 70 %. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Biological reconstruction of bone defects: the role of the free fibula flap.

This review describes the kinds of skeletal bone defects in bones which develop through enchondral ossification. It focuses on the biological reconstruction of those defects according to the two main subtypes, intercalary and osteoarticular. We list the causes of bone defects and outline the different types and configurations that result from them. We then review the currently available reconstructive options according to the patient's age and describe the theoretical options as well. Finally, the history, surgical anatomy and clinical use of the free fibula flap will be reviewed. From our own clinical experience and review of the literature, we conclude that biological reconstruction is, in many ways, superior to alloplastic materials, especially in children, adolescents and young adults.

Expandable endoprosthesis for limb-sparing surgery in children: long-term results.

PURPOSE: Most children today with bone sarcomas undergo limb-sparing surgery. When treating children younger than 12 years of age, the result is significant limb length discrepancy (LLD). One of the solutions is the use of an expandable endoprosthesis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 38 skeletally immature patients with bone sarcoma of the lower limb in whom different types of expandable endoprostheses were used from January 1988 to December 2005 were included. All patients were under the age of 14 years. There were 26 osteosarcoma and 12 Ewing's sarcomas. The data collected included the tumor characteristics, the surgical and other treatment modalities, complications and their treatment, and the final LLD and functional results. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of the patients survived and had a mean follow-up of 113 months. All survivors reached skeletal maturity at the time of last follow-up. Seventy-one percent of the survivors had satisfactory function and 29% had a poor result. There were three secondary amputations due to local recurrence. Complications were documented in 58% of patients; the most common was infection that was diagnosed 56 times (primary 16% and secondary 84%). A significant correlation was found between function and final LLD (greater than 5 cm = inferior function), the number of complications, and the number of surgical procedures performed other than prosthesis elongation. The younger the patient was at definitive surgery, the shorter the time it took for the prosthesis to fail. CONCLUSION: In order to improve results, the number of operations must be reduced. This can be achieved by the use of novel non-invasive expandable endoprostheses or biological reconstruction.

Surgical management of metastatic bone disease.

Metastatic bone disease is a major contributor to the deterioration of the quality of life of patients with cancer; it causes pain, impending and actual pathological fractures, and loss of function and may also be associated with considerable metabolic alterations. Operative treatment may be required for an impending or existing fracture and intractable pain. The goals of surgery are to provide local tumor control and allow immediate weight-bearing and function. Radiation therapy is often indicated postoperatively. Detailed preoperative evaluation is required to assess the local extent of bone destruction and soft-tissue involvement, involvement of other skeletal sites, and the overall medical and oncological status.

Lack of ErbB-2 oncogene product overexpression in soft tissue sarcomas.

The c-erbB-2 gene and its products (also designated HER-2 and c-neu) encode for a 185-kd transmembrane glycoprotein with intracellular tyrosine kinase activity. c-erbB-2 belongs to the epidermal growth factor receptor family, of which there are four known members, and has molecular homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor. It seems that this family is critical in control of growth, differentiation, and mobility of many normal and transformed epithelial cell types. We have looked for overexpression of c-erbB-2 gene product in paraffin-embedded material from 230 cases of soft tissue sarcoma, in order to establish a possible new prognostic marker and a potentially new treatment option. In all the cases, irrespective of the sarcoma histological type, the immunostaining for erbB-2 was negative. Applications of erbB-2 for prognostication as well as the option of receptor targeting by trastuzumab monoclonal antibodies were aborted.