Emergence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive ST59 methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus with high cytolytic peptide expression in association with community-acquired pediatric osteomyelitis complicated by pulmonary embolism.

A 15-year-old boy, who had had a furuncle on his femur, developed femoral pyomyositis and osteomyelitis complicated by septic pulmonary embolism. Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive (PVL(+)) ST59 methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) was isolated from pus and blood. Chemotherapy was started with cefazolin, followed by combination therapy with meropenem/vancomycin with surgery. The MSSA (strain KS1) was positive for increased levels of cytolytic peptide (psmα and hld) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), and manifested IS1216V-mediated multidrug resistance (to erythromycin, clindamycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol), similar to a genome-analyzed reference strain (PM1) of ST59/SCCmecV(5C2&5) community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (Taiwan CA-MRSA), but unlike another reference strain (M013) of Taiwan CA-MRSA in terms of resistance. The data suggest that CA-MSSA KS1, characterized by PVL, increased levels of cytolytic peptide, SEB, and multidrug resistance, is a possible ancestral strain of Taiwan CA-MRSA and causes the unique association of osteomyelitis and septic pulmonary embolism, requiring complicated management.

New wearable walking-type continuous passive motion device for postsurgery walking rehabilitation.

While total knee arthroplasty is useful for treating osteoarthritis of the knee, the success of this treatment depends on effective rehabilitation. The goal of this study was to develop an assistive device for post-total knee arthroplasty patients for walking rehabilitation and for shortening the hospitalization period. We developed a brace electronic assist system termed the knee assistive instrument for walking rehabilitation (KAI-R) to illustrate the need for training during postoperative rehabilitation. Sixteen osteoarthritis patients (1 male and 15 females; average age 68.9 years) who underwent total knee arthroplasty were analyzed before operation and 2-4 weeks after operation, and 25 healthy individuals (14 males and 11 females; average age 26.2 years) formed the control group. Based on the pre- and postoperative data on peak knee flexion angle, foot height, and walking velocity, we developed the KAI-R, which consists of an assistive mechanism for the knee joint, a hip joint support system, and a foot pressure sensor system and is driven by a CPU board that generates the walking pattern. We then tested the walking gait in seven healthy volunteers with and without KAI-R assistance. KAI-R increased the peak flexion angle of the knee and foot height in all seven volunteers; their range of motion of the knee joint was increased. However, KAI-R also decreased the walking velocity of subjects, which was explained by reaction delay and slightly compromised physical balance, which was caused by wearing the KAI-R. KAI-R is useful for gait improvement. In future studies, KAI-R will be investigated in a clinical trial for its ability for walking rehabilitation in post-total knee arthroplasty patients.

Resorption of thoracic disc herniation. Report of 2 cases.

The authors describe 2 cases of thoracic disc herniation, resulting in acute myelopathy without bladder dysfunction or progressive muscular weakness; the herniated disc apparently resorbed without surgical intervention. Thoracic disc herniations are less frequent than cervical or lumbar disc herniations and are usually associated with severe neurological deficits. In these 2 cases, the herniated discs exhibited marked decreases in size, corresponding to a favorable clinical outcome within a few months after the initiation of conservative treatment with prostaglandin E(1) and/or steroids in conjunction with physical therapy. The authors conclude that thoracic herniated discs are capable of undergoing natural resorption and that conservative treatment could be indicated, even in the presence of moderate myelopathy, when the myelopathy is not accompanied by bladder dysfunction or progressive muscular weakness.

Hydroxyapatite-coated total knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a short-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of cementless hydroxyapatite-coated total knee prosthesis in rheumatoid patients. DESIGN: Analytical. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: University of Yamanashi Hospital, Japan, from October 1999 to September 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty total knee arthroplasties using HA-coated Scorpio Superflex CR and Delta 7000 series were performed in 17 rheumatoid patients. Pre and postoperative results were compared using JOA scores. RESULTS: Male: female ratio was 16:1, average age was 67 years and mean duration of follow-up was two years. JOA scores improved significantly (p<0.05) postoperatively from an average of 37 to 80. Varus and valgus angular deformities improved significantly and 90% of the knees had alignment between zero and 5 degrees of valgus angulation with an average tibiofemoral angle (FTA) of 172. The radiographic findings revealed no radiolucent lines at two years follow-up. Distal femur osteolysis was not observed. CONCLUSION: The clinical results were excellent at 2-year follow-up, which are in agreement with other reports using hydroxyapatite-coated knee prosthesis.

Pleural effusion caused by prostaglandin E1 preparation.

We encountered a case of bilateral pleural effusion associated with prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) preparation. A 75-year-old man underwent replacement surgery for an amputated hand. PGE(1) was administered at 120 micro g/d to maintain circulation after vascularization. From day 7 of administration, respiratory distress developed. On day 12, pleural effusion was observed bilaterally. By discontinuing PGE(1) and improving hypoalbuminemia, pleural effusion resolved rapidly. This is the first case report of PGE(1)-induced pleural effusion; like other drug-induced pleural effusions, discontinuing the drug resulted in rapid improvement. Although a rare complication, pleural effusion has to be suspected when a patient receiving PGE(1) experiences difficulty with breathing.