Chance Fracture Pattern Presenting in Proximal Junctional Failure.

INTRODUCTION: We present a case series of proximal junctional failure due to a Chance-type fracture. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who developed proximal junctional kyphosis because of Chance-type proximal junctional failure after spinal fusion for adult spinal deformity. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were identified (4M:11F). The average age was 61.4 years (range, 39 to 77). The mean time to fracture identification was 25.4 days (range, 3 to 65). The average number of levels instrumented was 6.7 (range, 2 to 17). No patients had antecedent trauma before fracture onset. In 67% of cases with a lumbar upper instrumented vertebra (UIV), there was overcorrection of lumbar lordosis (LL) and/or lower LL. The five cases with a lower thoracic UIV had undergone notable correction of preoperative thoracolumbar junction kyphosis. 14 of 15 patients were treated with extension of fusion. Pedicle screws at the fracture level were salvaged by changing to an anatomic trajectory. CONCLUSION: Continued pain at 6 to 12 weeks with radiographs showing an increased proximal junctional angle and cephalocaudal pedicle widening at the UIV should raise suspicion for this unique fracture pattern. A CT scan is recommended. Low bone density, LL and/or lower LL overcorrection, and selection of lower thoracic UIV in the setting of notable thoracolumbar junction correction may contribute to fracture risk.

Intramedullary Nail and Plate Combination Technique for Peri-Implant Both-Bone Forearm Fractures.

A 35-year-old female patient with cerebellar ataxia presented with a right periprosthetic both-bone forearm fracture after a ground-level fall. Her surgical history was significant for multiple both-bone forearm fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Subsequent treatment with a combination of intramedullary nailing and plate fixation for each bone provided successful fracture union while allowing immediate return to weight-bearing and range of motion. This case report demonstrates that intramedullary nailing and plate fixation of both-bone forearm fractures provides complete protection of the radius and ulna in recurrent, peri-implant both-bone forearm fractures. This technique is a valuable treatment option in the setting of a patient at risk for recurrent injury of the forearm.

Supratherapeutic Antibiotic Levels and Acute Kidney Injury from Absorption of Topical Antibiotics: A Case Report.

CASE: A 96-year-old woman with no baseline renal dysfunction presented with a distal femoral shaft fracture after a ground-level fall. Treatment was with a retrograde intramedullary nail and included placement of topical antibiotics. Postoperatively, she developed acute kidney injury and was found to have supratherapeutic antibiotic levels. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates the risk of clinically relevant systemic absorption along with associated downstream end organ damage with the use of topical antibiotics in certain circumstances. We present this case as an illustration of a rare hazard associated with topical antibiotic use.

An extensive case of Bowen's disease in an HIV-positive male.

Bowen's disease is a form of squamous cell carcinoma in situ often associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV has been hypothesized to cause in situ carcinoma via multiple mechanisms including cell immortalization and cell cycle disruption. Coinfection with HIV is associated with greater risk of malignancy. We describe a case of HPV-associated Bowen's disease in a 44-year-old African American male with sexually acquired HIV (CD4 < 20) who presented with an extensive skin lesion encompassing his penis, scrotum, and left inguinal canal.