Intraoperative assessment of the dorso-ulnar fragment stability with stress fluoroscopy: An observational study.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of intraoperative stress radiographs in evaluating the stability and fixation adequacy of the dorso-ulnar fragment (DUF) after volar plate application. Sixty-four patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation due to comminuted distal radius fracture accompanied by DUF between May 2020 and February 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Two groups were compared, with and without stress radiographs used in addition to routine fluoroscopic imaging during the surgical treatment of distal radius fractures. DUF sizes and fracture classifications were made according to preoperative computed tomography. Displacement of the DUF, dorsal cortex screw penetration, and the number of screws inserted into the DUF were evaluated on immediate postoperative CT scans and direct radiographs. DUF displacement at the patients' last follow-up was significantly higher in the control group (1.62 mm) than in the additional stress fluoroscopy applied group (0.53 mm). It was observed that the amount of displacement increased as the dorso-volar size of the DUF decreased. No significant difference was observed in dorsal cortex screw penetrations between the 2 groups. In the additional stress fluoroscopy applied group, stabilization rates with at least 1 screw over volar-locking plate for DUF were significantly higher (P < .001). Compared to the stress fluoroscopy group, the change in ulnar variance (P < .001) and volar tilt (P < .001) was significantly higher in the control group in the last follow-up radiography. No significant difference was observed between the implant removal rates of both groups. Evaluation of the stability of the DUF with stress radiographs after fixation is an effective method to reveal the need for additional fixation. Dorsal stress radiographs allow dynamic evaluation of fixation strength.

The Relationship Between Echocardiographic Calcification Score and Grade of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background and objective It has been suggested that knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is associated with the development of calcification and an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, while the contribution of KOA grade is not clearly known enough. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the grade of KOA, the echocardiographic calcification score (echo-CCS), and CV risk assessment. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 204 patients diagnosed with KOA and classified according to the Kellgren-Lawrence staging criteria. Echo-CCS was obtained according to the presence of calcification in the aortic valve, aortic root, mitral ring, papillary muscle and ventricular septum. Framingham risk score (FRS) was used for CV risk assessment. Results Calcification was detected in 79.4% of patients. The median FRS, echo-CCS, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels increased as the KOA grade increased (p<0.05). A one-grade increase in KOA increased the odds of echo-CCS 1-2 group by 5.15 fold (vs. no calcification group) (OR=5.15, p=0.003), while it increased the odds of echo-CCS ≥3 group by 4.61 fold (vs. echo-CCS 1-2 group) (OR=4.61, p=0.003). Median echo-CSS and hs-CRP were higher in the high CV risk group than in the moderate and low CV risk groups. Conclusion The majority of patients with KOA had intracardiac calcification. An increased KOA grade was associated with higher echo-CSS and FRS. These findings indicate that patients with higher grades of KOA may be predisposed to developing subclinical atherosclerosis.

The Role of Preoperative Embolization in the Management of Aneurysmal Bone Cyst: A Comparative Analysis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of preoperative embolization in the management of aneurysmal bone cysts. Methods: In this study, the data of a total of 19 patients, 11 females and 8 males, with a mean age of 19.6 (range 5-46 years), who were operated on in our hospital with the diagnosis of ABC between January 2015 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. In the specified date range, there were 10 patients with a diagnosis of ABC who were operated on within 48 h after preoperative embolization. For statistical comparison, 9 patients who were operated on without embolization in the same date range were included as the control group. Results: The mean age of the study group was 16.7 (between 5 and 27 years), while the mean age of the control group was 22.6 (between 16 and 46 years). In the embolization group (group I), the mean intraoperative blood loss was 550 mL (100-1200 mL), the mean intraoperative blood transfusion was 270 mL (0-900 mL), and the mean surgical time was 85 min. In the non-embolization group (group II), the mean intraoperative blood loss was 1250 mL (600-2200 mL), the mean intraoperative blood transfusion was 450 mL (450-1800 mL), and the mean surgical time was 90 min. In comparison, a statistically significant difference was found between the embolization group and the non-embolization group in terms of blood loss and blood transfusion requirement (p = 0.011 and p = 0.017, respectively). The mean surgery time was slightly shorter in the embolized group, and there was no significant difference in surgical time between the two groups (p = 0.821). Conclusion: Evidence suggests that preoperative embolization of an aneurysmal bone cyst, performed 0-48 h before surgery, can result in a reduction in intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative blood transfusion volume.

Are preoperative complete blood count parameters in peripheral nerve sheath tumors useful diagnostic tools?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of complete blood count (CBC) parameters in patients with peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 181 patients (83 males, 98 females; median age: 44 years; range, 15 to 83 years) who underwent surgical treatment for PNSTs in our tertiary oncology center between January 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Eighty-two patients were diagnosed with a neurofibroma, 79 with a schwannoma, and 20 with a malignant PNST (MPNST). The patient group was evaluated as malignant (n=20) and benign (n=161). Age- and sex-matched patients admitted to our outpatient clinic of orthopedic and traumatology with non-specific symptoms other than tumor, infection, fracture, and rheumatological or hematological diseases were included as the control group (n=165). Data including age, sex, definitive histopathological diagnosis, and pre-treatment CBC values were obtained from the hospital records. Pre-treatment CBC values such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were calculated for both malignant and benign groups and control groups. Diagnostic values of NLR, PLR, and LMR between PNST groups were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Neurofibroma, schwannoma, and MNPST groups had significantly higher median NLR, compared to the control group (p<0.001), while the median LMR was significantly lower in these groups (p<0.05). However, the median PLR was higher only in the MPNST group, compared to the control group (p<0.001). Post-hoc analyses revealed that median NLR, PLR, and LMR ratios were similar in PNST groups, compared to the control group. In addition, the median NLR, PLR, and LMR ratios were similar between malignant and benign patient groups. The highest area under the curve (AUC) was found for NLR (AUC=0.756) and LMR (AUC=0.716) in the MPNST group. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that NLR, PLR, and LMR may have an added value in the early diagnosis of PNSTs and are valuable for differentiating patients from healthy individuals, although their value in differential diagnosis is still unclear.

Talus localized osteochondromas: Treatment management and mid-term outcomes - Case series.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to define the demographic and clinical findings of patients with talus localized osteochondroma, to present treatment management and mid-term results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 10 patients (4 males, 6 females; mean age 31.9+19.5 years; range, 11 to 70 years) with osteochondroma of the talus who were admitted to our center between January 2008 and December 2015. Clinical findings, treatment methods, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. All patients were followed-up for at least two years. RESULTS: The most frequent localization was anterior of the talus (70%, n=7). The mean tumor size was 2.4±1.4 cm (range, 1-5 cm). When the relationship between tumor diameter and age was analyzed, no statistically significant correlation was detected (p=0.973). Besides, no statistically significant difference was found between the genders in terms of tumor diameters (p=0.584). The most common symptoms were pain, swelling, and restricted movements. The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 48.1±27.7 months (range, 24-114 months). All patients underwent complete surgical excision. None of the patients developed recurrence or complication related to the treatment of osteochondroma. CONCLUSION: Talus localized osteochondromas are often symptomatic and more common in adults. Also, they are more common in females. The ideal treatment approach is resection of the tumor. When rigorous surgical excision is performed, recurrence rates are low with satisfactory outcomes.

Place of orthopedic surgery in gout.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the indications, surgical results, and complications related to tophaceous gout surgery in the orthopedics and traumatology clinic of our hospital. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgery for topical gout in our orthopedics and traumatology clinic between January 2008 and December 2017 was carried out. Their history, physical examination, and radiological and laboratory tests were examined. Surgical indications, surgical results, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Total 18 lesions in 15 patients with gout tophi were operated (60% males). The most common lesion was in the elbow (6; 33%). All patients underwent total excision, and the mean mass size was 4.0 cm. Only one patient had a delayed wound healing. All other patients had no complications. CONCLUSION: The results of surgical procedures which were performed to confirm the diagnosis, to reduce mechanical problems due to tophaceous and to alleviate pain were excellent, and complication risk was acceptable. Comorbidities and sepsis were the predictors of surgical complications.