Bias in published randomized trials that compare collagenase injection with percutaneous needle fasciotomy in the treatment of Dupuytren disease: a systematic review.

Purpose: Controversy exists regarding the comparative efficacy of collagenase injection and percutaneous needle fasciotomy in the treatment of Dupuytren contracture. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have compared the two treatment methods have reported results mostly implying similar treatment efficacy, durability, and complications. We aimed to review these RCTs regarding methodical quality and risk of bias. Methods: We searched PubMed and Cochrane Library databases up to May 2023. All RCTs comparing collagenase injection with needle fasciotomy were included. Eligible articles were reviewed by two researchers, of whom one was blinded to each article's title, authors, year of publication, journal, and source of the studies. To assess methodical quality, we used the modified Jadad scale yielding a score of 0 (lowest quality) to 5 (highest quality). We assessed risk of bias with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2). Results: Five studies were eligible, comprising 204 patients treated with collagenase injection and 209 patients treated with needle fasciotomy. The modified Jadad score ranged from 1 to 2 points in the five studies, and the overall risk of bias was high in all studies. Pretrial protocols could be retrieved for only two studies, revealing important discrepancies with the published articles. Conclusion: The published RCTs that have compared collagenase injection with needle fasciotomy in the treatment of Dupuytren contracture demonstrate a high risk of bias.

Assessment of a novel computer software in diagnosing radiocarpal osteoarthritis on plain radiographs of patients with previous distal radius fracture.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) has primarily been diagnosed with plain radiographs assessed visually by examiners with regard to joint space width and presence of subchondral sclerosis, cysts and osteophytes. The increasing use of artificial intelligence has seen software developed to examine plain radiographs for diagnosing OA, based on observed OA-associated subchondral bone microarchitecture changes. A software for computerized texture analysis has been developed to identify knee OA. The aim of this study was to assess the software's ability to identify radiocarpal OA. Design: Presence of radiocarpal OA on 63 wrist radiographs of patients with a previous distal radius fracture was assessed independently by two surgeons experienced in assessing radiographs, and classified according to Kellgren-Lawrence (38 OA, 25 no OA). First, the computer software, not previously trained to identify wrist OA, assessed presence of radiocarpal OA on the 63 radiographs. In a second step, 144 labeled wrist radiographs with and without radiocarpal OA was used to train the computer software. Presence of OA on the original 63 radiographs were then reassessed by the software. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to determine the software's ability to discriminate between cases with and without OA. Results: Before training, sensitivity was 76% (95% CI 59-88), specificity 25% (10-47), and AUC 0.50 (0.35-0.65). After training, sensitivity was 46% (29-63), specificity 70% (47-87), and AUC 0.58 (0.43-0.73). Conclusion: The software for computerized texture analysis of subchondral bone developed to identify knee OA could not detect OA of the radiocarpal joint.

Acute common iliac arterial occlusion caused by ruptured primary cardiac hydrated cyst -A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid cyst of the heart provides very rarely because of contractions of the heart natural resistance to the presence of viable cysts. Patients with cardiac hydatid cyst may remain asymptomatic for many years or have minor nonspecific complaints, but it is associated with an increased risk of lethal complications if left undiagnosed and untreated. Post rupture cardiac hydatid there is disseminated echinococcosis in the body. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a healthy 20-year old male, while he was working as a farmer who presented with sudden onset acute right lower limb ischemia caused by ruptured of primary hydatid cyst of the heart which managed as a surgical emergency. DISCUSSION: Patients with a cardiac hydatid cyst usually have symptoms after its rupture. Hydatid cyst rupture into left-sided chambers may cause systemic emboli, like in our case which presented with emboli of right common iliac artery and later on the patient had cerebral hydatid. Cardiac hydatid cyst can have two extremes, either remain asymptomatic over long periods or be discovered after serious and even fatal complications. CONCLUSION: Acute limb ischemia should be considered as an extremely a rare cause of rupture cardiac hydatid in an endemic area of echinococcosis also, this case confirms the need for the evaluation of the patient well after ruptured cardiac hydatid for other sites of emboli like brain hydrated as in our patient.

Association Between Distal Radial Fracture Malunion and Patient-Reported Activity Limitations: A Long-Term Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of distal radial fracture malunion on activity limitations is unknown. Between 2001 and 2002, we conducted a prospective cohort study of all patients with distal radial fracture treated with casting or percutaneous fixation in northeast Scania in Sweden. In that original study, the patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire at baseline and at 2 years. We performed a long-term follow-up study of patients who were 18 to 65 years of age at the time of the fracture to investigate the association between fracture malunion and activity limitations. METHODS: In this long-term follow-up, patients who had participated in the original study completed the DASH questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and for satisfaction (scored, 0 [best] to 100) and underwent radiographic and physical examinations at 12 to 14 years after the fracture. We defined malunion as dorsal angulation of ≥10°, ulnar variance of ≥3 mm, and/or radial inclination of ≤15°. We also assessed the presence of radiocarpal osteoarthritis and ulnar styloid nonunion. The primary outcome was the change in DASH score from baseline. Secondary outcomes were DASH, pain, and satisfaction scores, wrist range of motion, and grip strength at the time of the follow-up. RESULTS: Of 85 eligible patients, 63 (74%) responded to the questionnaires and underwent examinations. Malunion was found in 25 patients, osteoarthritis was found in 38 patients, and styloid nonunion was found in 9 patients. Compared with patients without malunion, those with malunion had significantly worse DASH scores from baseline to 12 to 14 years (p = 0.002); the adjusted mean difference was 11 points (95% confidence interval [CI], 4 to 17 points). Similarly, follow-up scores were significantly worse among patients with malunion; the adjusted mean difference was 14 points (95% CI, 7 to 22 points; p < 0.001) for DASH scores, 10 points (95% CI, 0 to 20 points; p = 0.049) for VAS pain scores, and 26 points (95% CI, 11 to 41 points; p = 0.001) for VAS satisfaction scores. No differences were found in range of motion or grip strength. Osteoarthritis (mostly mild) and styloid nonunion had no significant association (p > 0.05) with DASH scores, VAS pain or satisfaction scores, or grip strength. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who sustain a distal radial fracture at the age of 18 to 65 years and develop malunion are more likely to have worse long-term outcomes including activity limitations and pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.