Proximal femur versus acetabular extra-articular resection of the hip joint for primary malignant bone tumors: a retrospective comparative review of 33 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Extra-articular resection (EAR) of the hip joint is prone to significant complications and morbidity. Thus, this study evaluates the cumulative incidences and main reasons of reoperation following EAR of primary malignant bone tumors (PMBT) of the hip to determine whether the outcomes are different between EAR of the pelvis and that of the proximal femur. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients presented with a PMBT of the proximal femur or pelvis were included in this study. Among all PMBTs, 58% originated from the pelvis and 42% were from the proximal femur. Twenty patients had chondrosarcomas (61%), 10 had osteosarcomas (30%), and 3 had sarcomas of another histological subtype (9%). RESULTS: The mean follow-up was of 76 months (range: 24-220 months). The cumulative probabilities of revision for any reason were 52% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30-70%) 5 years after surgery. The 5-year cumulative probabilities of revision were 13% (95% CI 4-27%), 24% (95% CI 10-42%), and 34% (95% CI 14-56%) for mechanical, infectious, and tumoral reasons, respectively. The 5-year cumulative probabilities of revision for any reason were 78% (95% CI 37-94%) and 14% (95% CI 2-38%) for the pelvis and proximal femur, respectively (p = 0.004). Posterior column preservation was significantly associated with more mechanical complications even after adjusting for the resection site (p = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Half of patients undergoing EAR of the hip joint for PMBT of the proximal femur or acetabulum will require another operation. EAR of the pelvis is associated with significantly worse outcome than EAR of the proximal femur.

Burden of complications after giant cell tumor surgery. A single-center retrospective study of 192 cases.

BACKGROUND: Surgical complications are frequent with giant cell tumor of bone; recurrence is the best known and most widely studies; other causes of failure have been less well investigated. We therefore performed a retrospective study to identify and assess the main reasons for surgical revision. HYPOTHESIS: Recurrence is the main cause of surgical revision in giant cell tumor of bone, but other complications, such as mechanical issues or infection, are underestimated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study included 192 patients (included from 2000 to 2016) undergoing first giant cell tumor of bone surgery in a bone tumor reference center. Surgery consisted in curettage for 152 patients (79%) and resection for 40 (21%). The 3 main reconstruction techniques were filling (136 patients; 71%), prosthesis (18 patients; 9%), and fusion (14 patients: 7%). Filling used cement in 9 cases (7%) and bone graft in 127 (93%). Cumulative incidence functions were calculated. RESULTS: There were 171 revision procedures in 92 patients: 43 for mechanical reasons, 30 for infection, 86 for tumor recurrence, 12 for other causes. Cumulative incidence of revision at 10years was 36% (95% CI: 27-44) for recurrence, 26% (95% CI: 17-36) for mechanical causes, and 13% (95% CI: 9-19) for infection, for overall cumulative incidence of revision of 61% (95% CI: 50-69). DISCUSSION: Risk of all-cause surgical revision in giant cell tumor of bone was 61% at 10years, with recurrence accounting for only half of cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Sarcomas of the hand: A retrospective series of 26 cases.

BACKGROUND: Hand sarcomas frequently suffer from a delayed diagnosis, and the current guidelines for their management are often not followed. METHODS: The objectives of our study were to determine: (1) the rate of inadequate initial treatments; (2) the rates of mortality, recurrence, and complementary excision in a cohort of patients with a sarcoma of the hand who were treated at our reference center between 2000 and 2015. RESULTS: The series comprised 26 patients (mean age 40 years). Of the 20 patients not initially treated at a reference center, 17 had inadequate initial treatment. Of the six patients treated at our center, one had inadequate initial care. Significantly more patients had inadequate initial care outside a reference center (p=0.0045). The cumulative probabilities of recurrence or metastases at 5 years were 15% and 30%, respectively. Survival by cumulative incidence was 71% at 5 years and 56% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcomas of the hand are a deadly pathology. All diagnostic uncertainty warrants referral of the patient to a reference center. LEVEL OF PROOF: IV.

Stemmed acetabular cup as a salvage implant for revision total hip arthroplasty with Paprosky type IIIA and IIIB acetabular bone loss.

INTRODUCTION: Certain cases of repeated acetabular loosening with severe bone loss are hardly amenable to reconstruction using a Kerboull-type plate with allograft. This limitation is more likely when the severe bone loss occurs in older adults with significant comorbidities that may require a faster procedure. In these indications, a stemmed acetabular cup may be an alternative, although the outcomes have not been well defined, especially for a version where the peg is coated with porous material and additional screws can be added. This led us to conduct a retrospective study to determine: (1) whether a stemmed cup anchored in the iliac isthmus is a viable alternative in these situations, (2) the complication rate and (3) the revision rate for any reason. HYPOTHESIS: A stemmed cup anchored in the iliac isthmus is a viable alternative in cases of repeated revision with severe acetabular bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center study. Sixteen Integra™ cups were implanted in 14 patients (mean age 72.8±10.4 years, minimum-maximum: 58-95) who had aseptic acetabular loosening combined with severe acetabular bone loss graded as Paprosky IIIA in 7 hips and IIIB in 9 hips. The patients had undergone a mean of 2.7±1.8 (minimum-maximum: 1-6) procedures (i.e. primary and/or revision arthroplasty) before this cup was implanted. The cup's survivorship at the time of review and the complication rate were determined. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 48.8±23.4 months (minimum-maximum: 7-85), two patients had died and two were lost to follow-up. Six hips experienced one or more complications (37.5%): three infections (18.8%), two mechanical failures (12.5%) and one dislocation (6.7%). The cup had to be removed in three patients (18.8%). These complications required reoperation, thus the cumulative incidence of revision for any reason at 5 years was 31% (95% CI: 11-55%). CONCLUSION: Despite the high complication and revision rates, we believe the stemmed acetabular cup is a viable alternative in salvage reconstruction procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Retrospective case study.

Dual mobility constructs in revision total hip arthroplasty: survivorship analysis in recurrent dislocation versus other indications at three to twelve-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical, radiologic, and survival results of dual mobility (DM) sockets in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed for instability versus revision THAs performed for other reasons. METHODS: From a computerized database, we identified 84 revision THAs using a modern DM socket performed in 81 patients with a mean age of 71 years. Indication for revision was recurrent dislocation in 47 hips, and other reasons in the remaining 37 hips. A survivorship analysis according to the actuarial method was carried out on the entire series using revision for any cause, revision for dislocation, and radiological cup loosening revised or not, as the end points. RESULTS: Of the 81 patients, twelve died, six were lost to follow-up, eight had been revised, and 55 patients (58 hips) were unrevised and alive at a mean follow-up of 6.4 years. Dislocation occurred in four of the 47 (8.5%) hips for which indication for revision was dislocation versus one of the remaining 37 (2.7%) hips [odds ratio = 3.4 (0.4-31.3), p = 0.07]. According to our criteria, three acetabular components of which one was revised were considered as loosened. When using revision for dislocation as the end-point, the survival rate at seven years was 90.4 ± 5.3% (IC95%, 79.9-100) in the 47 hips for which the indication for revision was dislocation versus 100% in the remaining 37 hips (log-rank, p = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicated that DM sockets represent an interesting solution to prevent dislocation in revision THAs at mid-term follow-up.

Osteosarcoma after the age of fifty: A clinicopathological study.

INTRODUCTION: Osteosarcoma, a primary malignant bone tumor, has a well-recognised double peak of incidence in early adolescence and after 50 years. This study investigates the clinical features and prognostic factors of patients older than 50 years with osteosarcoma. MATERIEL AND METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2012, in one bone tumor reference center, 32 patients aged more than 50 years at the diagnosis (mean age: 62.4 years (50-85), sex ratio: 13 males, 19 females) diagnosed with osteosarcoma were included. Patients younger than 50 years at diagnosis or with a non-histologically proved osteosarcoma were excluded. For each patient, we registered medical history, tumor location, systemic and local extension, treatment, and survival. RESULTS: 62% were located in the extremities and 28% in the axial skeleton. 6 were secondary sarcomas. Mean delay between first symptoms and biopsy was 7.4 months (range from 0 to 28 months). Ten patients had a systemic osteosarcoma with one or more pulmonary metastases. Six patients were treated with palliative care (18.8%). Eighteen patients received neodajuvant chemotherapy, sixteen of them received postoperative chemotherapy. Twenty-five patients had surgery. Postoperative complications were reported in eight cases (25%). Overall survival for all 31 patients was 25% at 5 years and 6.2% at 10 years. Survival without metastases was 15.6% at 5 years and nil at 10 years. Median survival time for the 22 localised osteosarcoma patients was 4 years (0.9-12.6) versus 1.2 years (0.3-12.3) for the 10 systemic osteosarcoma patients (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Metastases at diagnosis, age, axial location are worse prognostic for survival.

Free fillet lower leg flap for coverage after hemipelvectomy or hip disarticulation.

INTRODUCTION: Tumor resection is the gold standard treatment for soft tissue and bone sarcomas. In the pelvis, this may require a hemipelvectomy that can compromise primary skin closure. Flaps are essential in this context; however the vascularization of potential pedicled flaps may have been removed during tumor excision. Using healthy tissue from the amputated limb as a free flap is an excellent coverage option. HYPOTHESIS: The free fillet flap from an amputated lower limb is a simple and reliable coverage technique after hemipelvectomy or hip disarticulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven patients were operated on at three specialty centers: six transpelvic amputations (external hemipelvectomy) and one hip disarticulation. In three cases, the flap consisted of the superficial posterior compartment of the calf area and in the three other cases, the lower leg compartments with the fibula and its intact periosteum. Complications were documented. RESULTS: Clear resection margins were achieved in all patients. The mean follow-up at the final visit was 13 months (range, 6.5 to 21 months). Six patients had complications but only one resulted in loss of the flap. Four patients were able to be fitted with a hip prosthesis. DISCUSSION: The free fillet flap from an amputated lower limb is a reliable coverage technique (86%) after hemipelvectomy or hip disarticulation. In the 16 cases previously reported in the literature, there were no wound-healing failures. Local flaps are often too fragile with insufficient muscular padding. This free flap is the preferred first-line technique as it spares other potential free flaps in case of failure without increasing the morbidity of a procedure that is already extensive. This coverage technique should be one the options considered after external hemipelvectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Pelvic reconstructions following peri-acetabular bone tumour resections using a cementless ice-cream cone prosthesis with dual mobility cup.

PURPOSE: Despite numerous reconstructive techniques and prosthetic devices, pelvic reconstructions following peri-acetabular malignant tumours resections are highly challenging. In the present study, we describe our experience with the Integra® (Lépine, Genay, France) ice-cream cone prosthesis in such indications. The objective was to assess the mid-term outcomes of this device. METHODS: Twenty-four patients' chart with peri-acetabular malignant tumours, who underwent types II or II + III peri-acetabular resections according to Enneking and Dunham with subsequent reconstruction using the Integra® prosthesis between February 2009 and February 2015, were reviewed. Seventeen cases were primary surgeries and seven cases were revisions (i.e., failures of previous reconstructions for pelvic tumours). All living patients with the prosthesis implanted were functionally assessed, using the musculoskeletal tumour society (MSTS) and Postel-Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) scores. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 49 ± 26 months (range, 8 to 94 months), 21 patients were alive (88%), including 15 patients continuously disease-free (63%). MSTS and PMA scores averaged 72 ± 13% (range, 43 to 87%) and 14.6 ± 2.6 (range, 9 to 18), respectively. Fourteen patients (58%) presented at least one complication during follow-up, including four cases of deep infection (17%), four cases of dislocation (17%), and two mechanical failures (8%). At 5 years, the implant survival rate was 75%. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to previous reconstructive techniques that we used in similar indications, functional and oncologic outcomes were improved with the Integra® implant. However, as commonly observed in pelvic bone tumour surgery, complication rates remain significant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV-Retrospective Cases Series.

Patients with Revision Modern Megaprostheses of the Distal Femur Have Improved Disease-Specific and Health-Related Outcomes Compared to Those with Primary Replacements.

We asked whether there would be any difference between primary and revision modern cemented fixed hinge megaprosthesis of the distal femur in function and activity-related outcomes following treatment of a bone tumor. An identical custom-made fixed hinge cemented megaprosthesis with a hydroxyapatite collar was used in all cases. The main outcomes were joint-specific function, disease-specific activity, and health-related quality of life. Implant survival was also evaluated. Patients in the revision group performed slightly better than patients in the primary group on disease-specific (Toronto Extremity Salvage Score, p = 0.033; Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, p = 0.072) and health-related outcomes (Short Form 36 [SF-36] physical component, p = 0.085; SF-36 mental component, p = 0.069) but not on joint-specific outcomes (Knee Society Score, p = 0.94). The cumulative probabilities of revision for any reason were 14.5% (7-25%) at 5 years with no statistically significant difference between primary and revision procedures (p = 0.77). In conclusion, patients undergoing a revision have similar joint-specific functional outcome but improved disease-specific and health-related outcomes. Implant survival are similar between groups.

Does vitamin E-blended polyethylene reduce wear in primary total hip arthroplasty: a blinded randomised clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Some data indicate that first-generation highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) can oxidise in vivo and is associated with reduced mechanical properties. To overcome these limitations, a natural anti-oxidant vitamin E has been added to HXLPE to preserve the mechanical properties and decrease oxidative degradation whilst conserving high wear resistance. We hypothesised that after a minimal three years of follow-up the use of vitamin E-blended HXLPE would result in lower radiographic wear when compared with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). METHODS: One hundred patients were randomised to receive hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a monoblock cementless acetabular component made either of UHMWPE or vitamin E-blended HXLPE. All other parameters were identical in both groups. Complete follow-up was available for 74 of these patients. Femoral head penetration was measured using a validated computer-assisted method. RESULTS: The median creep measured 0.111 mm (range, -0.576 - +0.444 mm) in the vitamin E-blended group versus 0.170 mm (range, -0.861 - +0.884 mm) in the UHMWPE group (difference of medians, 0.059; p = 0.046). The median steady state penetration rate was -0.008 mm/year (range, -0.88 - +0.64 mm/year) in the vitamin E-blended group versus 0.133 mm/year (range, -0.84 - +0.85 mm/year) in the UHMWPE group (difference of medians 0.141, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that femoral head penetration was lower when using vitamin E-blended HXLPE when compared with UHMWPE, with a steady-state penetration rate far below the osteolysis threshold. Longer-term follow-up is needed to warrant whether wear reduction will generate less occurrence of osteolysis and aseptic loosening.

Peri-prosthetic fractures around tumor endoprostheses: a retrospective analysis of eighteen cases.

PURPOSE: Tumour hip and knee endoprostheses have become the mainstay for reconstruction of patients with bone tumours. Fixation into host bone has improved over time. However, some patients present with a peri-prosthetic fracture over follow-up. The objective of this study was to analyse the mode of presentation and survival of implant after a peri-prosthetic fracture around a tumour endoprosthesis. METHODS: Eighteen peri-prosthetic fractures (17 patients) were included. All patients were treated at a tertiary care center. There were 11 (65%) women; the median age at the time of fracture was 38 years old. All implants were cemented and all knee endoprostheses were fixed-hinge. Twelve (67%) fractures occurred after femoral resection and six (33%) fractures after proximal tibial resection. RESULTS: There were three femoral neck fractures (UCS C), three femoral shaft type C fractures, two femoral shaft type B1, one tibial shaft type B2, three tibial shaft type C, three ankle fractures (UCS C) and three patella fractures (UCS F). Two fractures were treated conservatively and 16 were operated on. Only one patient had the implant revised. There were eight (44%) failures over follow-up; none of the conservative treatment failed. The cumulative probability of failure for any reason was 27% (8-52) and 55% (22-79) at five and ten years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Peri-prosthetic fractures around massive endoprostheses are different from that of standard implants. There are more type C fractures; internal fixation is an attractive option at the time of presentation but the risk of revision over follow-up is high and patients should be informed accordingly.

Neither pre-operative education or a minimally invasive procedure have any influence on the recovery time after total hip replacement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pre-operative education versus no education and mini-invasive surgery versus standard surgery to reach complete independence. METHODS: We conducted a four-arm randomized controlled trial of 209 patients. The primary outcome criterion was the time to reach complete functional independence. Secondary outcomes included the operative time, the estimated total blood loss, the pain level, the dose of morphine, and the time to discharge. RESULTS: There was no significant effect of either education (HR: 1.1; P = 0.77) or mini-invasive surgery (HR: 1.0; 95 %; P = 0.96) on the time to reach complete independence. The mini-invasive surgery group significantly reduced the total estimated blood loss (P = 0.0035) and decreased the dose of morphine necessary for titration in the recovery (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Neither pre-operative education nor mini-invasive surgery reduces the time to reach complete functional independence. Mini-invasive surgery significantly reduces blood loss and the need for morphine consumption.

Pharmacokinetic variability of clindamycin and influence of rifampicin on clindamycin concentration in patients with bone and joint infections.

PURPOSE: Clindamycin, a lincosamide antibiotic with a good penetration into bone, is widely used for treating bone and joint infections by Gram-positive pathogens. To be active against Staphylococcus spp, its concentration at the infection site, C, must be higher than 2× the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The aims of the work were to study the determinants of plasma clindamycin trough concentration, C min, especially the effect of co-treatment with rifampicin, and the consequences on clinical outcome. METHODS: An observational study was performed, involving patients hospitalized for a bone and joint infection who received clindamycin as part of their antibiotic treatment. Target C min was 1.7 mg/L, to reach the desired bone concentration/MIC >2, assuming a 30% diffusion into bone and MIC = 2.5 mg/L. RESULTS: Sixty one patients (mean age: 56.8 years, 57.4% male) were included between 2007 and 2011. 72.1% underwent a surgery on a foreign material, and 91.1% were infected by at least a Gram-positive micro-organism. Median C min value was 1.39 mg/L, with 58% of the values below the threshold value of 1.7 mg/L. Median C min was significantly lower for patients taking rifampicin (0.46 vs 1.52 mg/L, p = 0.034). No patient with rifampicin co-administration reached the target concentration (maximal C min: 0.85 mg/L). After a median follow-up of 17 months (1.5-38 months), 4 patients relapsed, 2 died and 47 (88.7% of the patients with known outcome) were cured, independently of association with rifampicin. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the high inter-variability of plasma clindamycin concentration and confirms that co-treatment with rifampicin significantly decreases clindamycin trough concentrations.

[Pelvic reconstructions after bone tumor resection]. / Reconstructions du bassin après résection tumorale chez l'adulte.

The three more frequent primitive malignant bone tumour which concerned the iliac bone are chondrosarcoma, following Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma. Wide resection remains the most important part of the treatment associated with chemotherapy for osteosarcoma and the Ewing sarcoma. Iliac wing resections and obdurate ring don't required reconstruction. However, acetabular resections and iliac wing resection with disruption of the pelvic ring required reconstruction to provide acceptable functional result. Acetabular reconstruction remains high technical demanding challenge. After isolated acetabular resection or associated to obdurate ring, our usual method of reconstruction is homolateral proximal femoral autograft and total hip prosthesis but it is possible to also used : saddle prosthesis, Mac Minn prosthesis with auto or allograft, modular prosthesis or custom made prosthesis, massive allograft with or without prosthesis and femoro-ilac arthrodesis. After resection of the iliac wing plus acetabulum, reconstruction can be performed by femoro-obturatrice and femora-sacral arthrodesis, homolateral proximal femoral autograft and prosthesis, femoral medialisation, massive allograft and massive allograft. Carcinological results are lesser than resection for distal limb tumor, local recurrence rate range 17 to 45%. Functional results after Iliac wing and obdurate ring are good. However, acetabular reconstruction provide uncertain functional results. The lesser results arrive after hemipelvic or acetabular and iliac wing resection-reconstruction, especially when gluteus muscles were also resected. The most favourable results arrive after isolated acetabular or acetabular plus obturateur ring resection-reconstruction.

Limited arthrodesis of the wrist for treatment of giant cell tumor of the distal radius.

PURPOSE: To present the functional results of a technique of radiocarpal arthrodesis and reconstruction with a structural nonvascularized autologous bone graft after en bloc resection of giant cell tumors of the distal radius. METHODS: A total of 13 patients with a mean age of 37 years with aggressive giant cell tumor (Campanacci grade III) of distal radius were managed with en bloc resection and reconstruction with a structural nonvascularized bone graft. The primary outcome measure was the disability evaluated by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society rating score of limb salvage. Secondary outcomes included survival of the reconstruction measured from the date of the operation to revision procedure for any reason (mechanical, infectious, or oncologic). Other outcomes included active wrist motion and ability to resume work. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 6 years (range, 2-14 y). The median arc of motion at the midcarpal joint was 40°, median wrist flexion was 20°, and median extension was 10°. The median Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score based on the analysis of factors pertinent to the patient as a whole (pain, functional activities, and emotional acceptance) and specific to the upper limb (positioning of the hand, manual dexterity, and lifting ability) was 86%. Five patients underwent a second surgical procedure. The cumulative probability of reoperation for mechanical reason was 31% at similar follow-up times at 2, 5, and 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: This technique provided a stable wrist and partially restored wrist motion with limited pain. However, further surgical procedures may be necessary to reach this goal. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Real frequency of ordinary and atypical sub-trochanteric and diaphyseal fractures in France based on X-rays and medical file analysis.

PURPOSE: Atypical sub-trochanteric and femoral shaft fractures have been reported in patients treated with bisphosphonates. Their incidence has been determined from registered data analysis using international codes. Therefore, the aim of our study was to estimate the real frequency of typical and atypical sub-trochanteric or diaphyseal fractures, based on radiological and clinical data compared to registered data. METHODS: In the registers of three large French University Hospitals, patients identified with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision diagnosis codes for sub-trochanteric or diaphyseal fracture were selected. Frequencies of ordinary and atypical fractures were calculated after both registered data, radiological and clinical files analysis. RESULTS: Among the 4592 patients hospitalized for a femoral fracture over 5 years, 574 were identified to have had a sub-trochanteric or femoral shaft fracture. 47.7% of the sub-trochanteric and femoral shaft fractures were misclassified, predominantly in the sub-trochanteric fractures subset. 12 patients had an atypical fracture (4% of the sub-trochanteric and femoral shaft fractures) and 11 fractures presented radiological features of atypical fractures, whereas clinical files analysis revealed they were pathological or traumatic fractures. CONCLUSION: Atypical fractures frequency is very low. Because of their low frequency and the unreliability of registered databases, the risk of atypical fractures is very difficult to estimate retrospectively. A prospective study is needed to clarify the risk factors associated with these fractures.

Durable clinical activity of single-agent bevacizumab in a nonagenarian patient with metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a rare malignancy usually considered resistant to conventional chemotherapy, but recent data suggest that the multikinase inhibitors sunitinib and cediranib could be active in this setting. A 90-year-old lady with alveolar soft part sarcoma of the leg and lung metastases was started on sunitinib 37.5 mg daily. The treatment was poorly tolerated with grade 3 hypertension and grade 3 thrombocytopenia, which persisted after dose reduction to 25 mg daily. The patient was subsequently started on bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks, resulting in a marked improvement in pain and a partial response on lung metastases for 16 months and ongoing. Agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor-signalling pathway seem to exert clinically relevant and prolonged activity against alveolar soft part sarcoma and deserve further evaluation in the treatment of this rare soft tissue sarcoma.

Patient-oriented functional results of total femoral endoprosthetic reconstruction following oncologic resection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Functional outcomes following oncologic total femoral endoprosthetic reconstruction (TFR) are lacking. We compared patient-oriented functional results of TFRs to proximal femur and distal femur reconstructions (PFR and DFR). We also compared function and complications with regard to knee and hip componentry. METHODS: Fifty-four TFR patients were identified from three institutional prospective databases. Forty-one had fixed- and 13 had rotating-hinge knees, 37 hemiarthroplasty and 17 total hip arthroplasty componentry. Toronto Extremity Salvage Scores (TESS) for n = 27 were compared between groups and to cohorts of PFR (n = 31) and DFR (n = 85) patients using the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Follow-up averaged 4 years. Mechanical complications included five hip dislocations and one femoral malrotation. Four dislocations were in fixed-hinge implants, all in those lacking abductor reattachment. TESS averaged 69.3 ± 17.8, statistically decreased from DFR (P = 0.002) and PFR patients (P = 0.036). No significant differences were detected between patients in the fixed-hinge (n = 18) and rotating-hinge (n = 9) groups (P = 0.944), or total hip (n = 8) and hemiarthroplasty (n = 19) groups (P = 0.633). CONCLUSIONS: TFR is reserved for extreme cases of limb salvage, portending a poor prognosis overall. Function reflects additive impairments from PFR and DFR. TFR outcomes differ little with rotating- or fixed-hinge, total hip or hemiarthroplasty implants.

FDG PET/CT findings in a case of myositis ossificans circumscripta of the forearm.

Myositis ossificans circumscripta (MOC) is a rare benign neoplasm located in soft tissues that, most of the time, appears after a local trauma. The positive diagnosis of MOC may be challenging on CT or MRI findings. We report on an atypical case of a spontaneous nontraumatic MOC in a 54-year-old man, located in the longus supinatus muscle diagnosed with MRI and F-18 FDG PET/CT findings. Rarely described F-18 FDG PET/CT features in MOC are presented. Pattern of avid FDG focus on PET/CT, that may wrongly suggest osteosarcoma, is presented.