Unusual Osteoblastoma of the First Metatarsal Bone Treated by Total Resection and Fibular Autograft: A Case Report.

CASE: A 25-year-old man presented with progressive pain and swelling of the left foot for 4 years. The images showed a contrast-enhanced mixed lesion (osteolytic and blastic) of the first metatarsal bone with surrounding soft-tissue edema. The differential diagnoses favored chronic osteomyelitis or neoplasia, most likely benign. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of osteoblastoma as immature bone trabeculae rimmed by osteoblasts appeared. Then, the patient was successfully treated with wide surgical excision of the first metatarsal bone and reconstruction using a nonvascularized fibular autograft. After 3 years of follow-up, the graft was well incorporated and no recurrence was encountered. CONCLUSION: Osteoblastoma is rare in metatarsals; only 12 cases have been reported. It may have similar clinical and radiological picture to osteomyelitis. Wide surgical excision followed by fibular autograft reconstruction is an effective treatment option.

Subperiosteal resection of mid-clavicle in Sprengel's deformity correction.

We report the results of fifteen cases of Sprengel's deformity treated surgically by initial subperiosteal resection of the middle third of the clavicle in conjunction with surgical release of all attachments of the scapula to the spine, excision of any omovertebral bone and resection of prominent supraspinous process of scapula. The patients included ten female and three male patients (age range at the time of operation, 3.3-10 years; mean: 6.11 years). The deformity involved the left shoulder in eight patients, the right shoulder in three and two were bilateral. All patients were followed for an average of 5.9 years (range 4-11 years). Preoperatively, the arc of total abduction (glenohumeral and scapulothoracic) ranged from 80 to 140°, and the average was 110°. The shoulders were level, and the range of motion was dramatically improved with an average range of abduction of 166.5° (range 140-180°). The age of the patients and the presence of an omovertebral bone did not influence the results. All patients and their parents expressed satisfaction with the operative results. We feel that our procedure is a simple one, which helps to improve the degree of correction, avoid neurovascular complications and has the advantage of complete regeneration of the clavicle. The technique provides an easy, safe method of repositioning the scapula at its normal level.

Non-vascularized fibular graft reconstruction after resection of giant aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC).

The aim of this study was to present the results of non-vascularized fibular graft for reconstruction of bone defects after en block resection of giant aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the extremities. Between 1998 and 2006, three patients, aged 6, 8 and 23 years, with giant aneurysmal bone cysts were treated. The cysts were located in the humerus, proximal femur and metatarsal. All patients were given en bloc resection of the cyst followed by non-vascularized fibular bone graft, with the graft length ranging from 6 to 18 cm. All patients needed supplementary fixation with a single Kirschner wire or plate and screws. At the final follow-up, bony union was achieved in each case, and there was no recurrence, limitation of range of motion or disability. In addition, complete regeneration of the fibula at the donor site was seen in the two children. We propose a criterion for giant ABC, when the transverse diameter of the cyst is up to three times or more of the transverse diameter of the nearby bone, it is then called a giant ABC. Non-vascularized fibular graft is an optimal and valuable method for the reconstruction of bone defects after resection of giant ABC in the extremities.