Non-Fusion Versus Fusion Surgery in Pediatric Idiopathic Scoliosis: What Trade-Offs in Outcomes Are Acceptable for the Patient and Family?

BACKGROUND: Vertebral body tethering and other non-fusion techniques for the treatment of pediatric idiopathic scoliosis are increasing in popularity. There is limited physician consensus on this topic as the result of a paucity of published data regarding which patients most benefit from non-fusion strategies. Thus, much of the decision-making is left to patients and parents, who must select a treatment based on their goals and values and the information available from health-care providers, the internet, and social media. We sought to understand patient and family preferences regarding the attributes of fusion versus non-fusion surgery that drive these choices. METHODS: Patients and families were recruited from 7 pediatric spine centers and were asked to complete a survey-based choice experiment that had been jointly developed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate patient preferences. Choices between experimentally designed alternatives were analyzed to estimate the relative importance of outcomes and requirements associated with the choice options (attributes). The attributes included appearance, confidence in the planned correction, spinal motion, device failure, reoperation, and recovery period. The inclusion criteria were (1) an age of 10 to 21 years and (2) a diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in patients who were considering, or who had already undergone, treatment with fusion or non-fusion surgery. Preference weights were estimated from the expected changes in choice given changes in the attributes. RESULTS: A total of 344 respondents (124 patients, 92 parents, and 128 parent/patient dyads) completed the survey. One hundred and seventy-three patients were enrolled prior to surgery, and 171 were enrolled after surgery. Appearance and motion were found to be the most important drivers of choice. For the entire cohort, fusion was preferred over non-fusion. For patients who were considering surgery, the most important attributes were preservation of spinal motion and appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and families seeking treatment for idiopathic scoliosis value appearance and preservation of spinal motion and, to a lesser extent, reoperation rates when considering fusion versus non-fusion surgery.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infectious monoarthritis in a paediatric patient.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is uncommon in the USA, and when it is diagnosed, it is usually in adult patients with identifiable risk factors presenting with pulmonary manifestations of the disease. Paediatric tuberculosis is rare, and a minority of those cases can present with isolated extrapulmonary infection. When the musculoskeletal system is involved, there are often no constitutional symptoms, and it can resemble other infectious and inflammatory processes. Diagnosis is challenging, and delay leads to irreversible destructive osteoarticular changes. A prompt diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. This report presents a case of successfully diagnosed paediatric M. tuberculosis monoarthritis of the knee to highlight these challenges.

Surgical Site Infection After Primary Spinal Fusion Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Analysis of Risk Factors From a Nationwide Insurance Database.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the incidence and factors associated with surgical site infection (SSI) in pediatric patients undergoing spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Infection is a morbid complication after spinal fusion. The incidence of SSI after pediatric spinal fusion is likely underestimated; the use of a national database allows for a comprehensive assessment of this rare outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PearlDiver Database was used to identify AIS patients who underwent primary instrumented spinal fusion between 2010 and 2019 and relevant patient records were queried to identify infections within 7, 30, and 90 postoperative days. Patients with nonidiopathic scoliosis were excluded. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors associated with postoperative infection. RESULTS: Out of 9801 patients who underwent primary fusion for AIS, 44 patients (0.4%) developed an infection within 7 postoperative days. The 30 days and 90 days incidences were 1.9% and 2.7%, respectively. Within 90 days, 154 (57.7%) of the patients with infection had undergone reoperation, of whom 72 underwent multiple reoperations. Obesity and male sex ( P < 0.05) were significantly associated with postoperative infection. The length of fusion was not a significant factor in the development of SSI ( P > 0.05). Eleven patients underwent an operation requiring hardware removal within 90 days. There were no significant factors associated with those undergoing hardware removal compared with those undergoing surgical debridement. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified a 2.7% 90 days incidence of SSI after posterior spinal fusion for AIS, with 57.7% of all infections requiring a return to the operating room. Preoperative patient-related characteristics associated with increased risk of postoperative SSI were male sex and obesity. The current study can be used to provide preoperative counseling regarding the risk of this postoperative complication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Venous Thromboembolic Events are Exceedingly Rare in Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of health care record database and determination of population statistics. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the incidence of clinically significant venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to identify risk factors for VTE. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: VTE is a serious complication that can cause disability and even death following surgery. Incidence of VTE following AIS surgery has not been well studied; the use of a national database allows the assessment of rare, yet important complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PearlDiver Database was used to identify AIS patients who underwent primary instrumented spinal fusion between 2010 and 2020. Patient records were cross-referenced for documented VTEs within 30 and 90 postoperative days. Patients with nonidiopathic scoliosis were excluded. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors for correlation with VTE events. RESULTS: Thirty-eight of 11,775 (0.323%) patients undergoing surgery for AIS developed a VTE complication within 90 postoperative days. Hypercoagulability [odds ratio (OR)=13.50, P <0.0001], spinal fusion involving 13+ vertebral levels (OR=2.61, P <0.0001), obesity (OR=1.30, P <0.005), and older (15-18 y) compared with younger adolescence (10-14 y) (OR=2.12, P <0.0001) were associated with VTE. Seven of 38 (18.4%) patients with a diagnosed thrombophilia experienced VTE. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of clinically significant VTEs in pediatric patients following spinal fusion surgery for AIS is low with an incidence of 0.323%. Postoperative chemoprophylaxis in the general pediatric population is not indicated. Patients with obesity, those undergoing spinal fusion of 13 or more vertebrae, and adolescents 15-18 years old were found to have higher but still small risk of VTE following surgery. Further prospective studies are needed to validate the risk profile of patients with hypercoagulability and establish clinical guidelines for use of postoperative chemoprophylaxis in this cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Best Practice Guidelines for Surgical Site Infection in High-risk Pediatric Spine Surgery: Definition, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Prior "best practice guidelines" (BPG) have identified strategies to reduce the risk of acute deep surgical site infection (SSI), but there still exists large variability in practice. Further, there is still no consensus on which patients are "high risk" for SSI and how SSI should be diagnosed or treated in pediatric spine surgery. We sought to develop an updated, consensus-based BPG informed by available literature and expert opinion on defining high-SSI risk in pediatric spine surgery and on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of SSI in this high-risk population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a systematic review of the literature, an expert panel of 21 pediatric spine surgeons was selected from the Harms Study Group based on extensive experience in the field of pediatric spine surgery. Using the Delphi process and iterative survey rounds, the expert panel was surveyed for current practices, presented with the systematic review, given the opportunity to voice opinions through a live discussion session and asked to vote regarding preferences privately. Two survey rounds were conducted electronically, after which a live conference was held to present and discuss results. A final electronic survey was then conducted for final voting. Agreement ≥70% was considered consensus. Items near consensus were revised if feasible to achieve consensus in subsequent surveys. RESULTS: Consensus was reached for 17 items for defining high-SSI risk, 17 items for preventing, 6 for diagnosing, and 9 for treating SSI in this high-risk population. After final voting, all 21 experts agreed to the publication and implementation of these items in their practice. CONCLUSIONS: We present a set of updated consensus-based BPGs for defining high-risk and preventing, diagnosing, and treating SSI in high-risk pediatric spine surgery. We believe that this BPG can limit variability in practice and decrease the incidence of SSI in pediatric spine surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable.

Time to Completion of Pediatric PROMIS Computerized Adaptive Testing Measures and the SRS-22r in an Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Population.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures are useful tools to quantify patients' pre-treatment and post-treatment symptoms. Historically used "legacy measures", such as the Scoliosis Research Society-22 revised questionnaire (SRS-22r), are often disease-specific and can be time-intensive. Recently developed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) computerized adaptive testing (CAT) measures may reduce administrative burdens and permit more efficient outcome collection within clinic workflows. In an era of medicine where payments are becoming tied to outcomes, we sought to assess the time to completion (TTC) of 8 pediatric PROMIS CAT measures and the SRS-22r in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients presenting to a large, urban tertiary referral hospital were prospectively enrolled into the study. Subjects were first-time survey respondents in various phases and types of treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In total, 200 patients ranging from 10 to 17 years old completed 8 Pediatric PROMIS CATs and the SRS-22r. PROMIS CATs administered include Physical Activity, Mobility, Anxiety, Depressive symptoms, Peer Relationships, Physical Stress Experiences, Pain Behavior and Pain Interference. TTC was calculated using start and stop timestamps in the REDCap software. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) TTC for each PROMIS CAT was 1.1 (±0.9) minutes with physical activity, mobility, anxiety, depressive symptoms, peer relationships, physical stress experiences, pain behavior, and pain interference taking 1.2, 1.4, 1.0, 0.9, 1.2, 1.0, 1.0, and 1.2 minutes on average to complete, respectively. Mean TTC for the SRS-22r was 5.2 (±3.0) minutes. CONCLUSIONS: In this pediatric orthopaedic cohort, completion of 8 PROMIS CATs demonstrated minimal test-taker burden and time required for completion. These findings support rapid and easily integrable PROMIS CATs in clinical practice to aid in increased delivery of efficient, patient-centered care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, cross-sectional study.

Construct Validity of Pediatric PROMIS Computerized Adaptive Testing Measures in Children With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: The use of patient-reported outcome measures, especially Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures, has increased in recent years. Given this growth, it is imperative to ensure that the measures being used are validated for the intended population(s)/disease(s). Our objective was to assess the construct validity of 8 PROMIS computer adaptive testing (CAT) measures among children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 200 children (aged 10 to 17 y) with AIS, who completed 8 PROMIS CATs (Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Mobility, Pain Behavior, Pain Interference, Peer Relationships, Physical Activity, Physical Stress Experiences) and the Scoliosis Research Society-22r questionnaire (SRS-22r) electronically. Treatment categories were observation, bracing, indicated for surgery, or postoperative from posterior spinal fusion. Construct validity was evaluated using known group analysis and convergent and discriminant validity analyses. Analysis of variance was used to identify differences in PROMIS T -scores by treatment category (known groups). The Spearman rank correlation coefficient ( rs ) was calculated between corresponding PROMIS and SRS-22r domains (convergent) and between unrelated PROMIS domains (discriminant). Floor/ceiling effects were calculated. RESULTS: Among treatment categories, significant differences were found in PROMIS Mobility, Pain Behavior, Pain Interference, and Physical Stress Experiences and in all SRS-22r domains ( P <0.05) except Mental Health ( P =0.15). SRS-22r Pain was strongly correlated with PROMIS Pain Interference ( rs =-0.72) and Pain Behavior ( rs =-0.71) and moderately correlated with Physical Stress Experiences ( rs =-0.57). SRS-22r Mental Health was strongly correlated with PROMIS Depressive Symptoms ( rs =-0.72) and moderately correlated with Anxiety ( rs =-0.62). SRS-22r Function was moderately correlated with PROMIS Mobility ( rs =0.64) and weakly correlated with Physical Activity ( rs =0.34). SRS-22r Self-Image was weakly correlated with PROMIS Peer Relationships ( rs =0.33). All unrelated PROMIS CATs were weakly correlated (| rs |<0.40). PROMIS Anxiety, Mobility, Pain Behavior, and Pain Interference and SRS-22r Function, Pain, and Satisfaction displayed ceiling effects. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence supports the construct validity of 6 PROMIS CATs in evaluating AIS patients. Ceiling effects should be considered when using specific PROMIS CATs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic.

Spinal Deformities in the Adolescent Athlete.

Idiopathic scoliosis will be noted in 2% to 3% of typically developing athletes. Sports physicals are an opportunity to screen for spinal deformity and to promote healthy involvement in activities. Bracing is effective at limiting further progression if a curve progresses beyond 20°. If spinal fusion is performed, most surgeons allow return to noncontact and contact sports by 6 to 12 months. There are many other conditions associated with scoliosis that require a more nuanced approach and assessment of the entire patient. Patients with Down syndrome should be examined for myelopathy before participation and a lateral radiograph obtained if concerned for instability.

Evidence Behind Upper Instrumented Vertebra Selection in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic and Critical Analysis Review.

¼: Level selection is often a dilemma in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery. The goals of selection of the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) are to achieve the most optimal proximal balance of the shoulders, minimize any caudal problems due to proximal imbalance, and promote optimal sagittal balance. ¼: Several authors have proposed guidelines for selection of fusion levels in AIS. These guidelines are mostly expert opinions of distinguished surgeons in the field; they are not derived from clinical trials but rather from clinical acumen and many years of experience. ¼: We have systematically reviewed and critically analyzed the literature regarding UIV level selection in AIS surgery. ¼: The guidelines outlined by experienced surgeons seem to be supported by mixed or low-level evidence. Moreover, variation in studies may be due to lower levels of evidence and/or data that were insufficiently controlled for bias, confounding factors, and chance.

Prolonged Postoperative Intubation After Spinal Fusion in Cerebral Palsy: Are There Modifiable Risk Factors and Associated Consequences?

BACKGROUND: Instrumented spinal fusion is performed to correct severe spinal deformity that commonly complicates cerebral palsy (CP). Prolonged intubation (PI) is a common perioperative complication, though little is known about the risk factors and consequences of this phenomenon. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors associated with PI after spine surgery for CP; (2) the perioperative and postoperative complications associated with PI; and (3) any long-term impacts of PI with respect to health-related quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control analysis of prospectively collected, multicenter data was performed on patients with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) 4 or 5 CP who underwent instrumented spinal fusion. Patients extubated on postoperative day (POD) 0 were in the early extubation (EE) cohort and those extubated on POD 3 or later were in the PI cohort. Comparisons were made between PI and EE groups with respect to several preoperative and intraoperative variables to identify risk factors for PI. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of this outcome. The postoperative hospital course, rate of complications, and health-related quality of life at 2 years were also compared. RESULTS: This study included 217 patients (52% male individuals; mean age, 14.0±2.8 y) who underwent spinal fusion for CP. In this cohort, 52 patients (24%) had EE and 58 patients (27%) had PI. There were several independent predictors of PI including history of pneumonia [odds ratio (OR), 6.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6-24.3; P=0.01], estimated blood loss of >3000 mL (OR, 16.5; 95% CI, 2.0-134; P=0.01), weight of <37 kg (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 1.5-27.1), and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) Communication and Social Interaction score of <15 (OR, 10.8; 95% CI, 1.1-107.3; P=0.04). In addition, PI was associated with a higher rate of perioperative and postoperative respiratory (P<0.001), cardiovascular (P=0.014), gastrointestinal (P<0.001), and surgical site (0.027) complications, in addition to prolonged hospitalization (P<0.001) and intensive care unit stay (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should seek to optimize nutritional status and pulmonary function, and minimize blood loss in patients with CP to decrease the risk of PI after spinal fusion. Efforts should be made to extubate patients on POD 0 to decrease the risk of complications associated with PI.

The variability in the management of acute surgical site infections: an opportunity for the development of a best practice guideline.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have reported on the risks and preventative measures associated with acute surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Few studies have evaluated treatment and results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the need for development of best practice guidelines based on the management of an acute SSI across 9 different centers. METHODS: A prospectively collected, multicenter database of patients undergoing surgical correction of AIS was reviewed for all acute SSI. Infection characteristics, treatment methods, and outcomes were summarized. RESULTS: Twenty-three (0.6%) from a total of 3926 AIS patients were treated for an acute SSI, all of which resolved. Twenty patients had documentation of the infection treatment (10 deep infections, 10 superficial). All ten patients with deep infections underwent operative incision and drainage. Six patients ultimately found to have a superficial infection underwent I&D and another 3 had dressing changes in the office. In the deep group, one patient had instrumentation exchanged and seven patients had bone graft removed. All 16 patients who underwent operative I&D had cultures obtained with 11 positive cultures. All deep infection patients were started on IV antibiotics for 2 days to 6 weeks prior to conversion to oral antibiotics. Five of six operative superficial infections were begun on IV antibiotics with conversion to oral antibiotics. Total antibiotic administration ranged from 5 days to 7 months in the deep infection group and 1 to 6 weeks in the superficial group. CONCLUSIONS: While deep infections are consistently treated with I&D, there is significant variability in the surgical and medical management of acute SSI. Considering the universal resolution of the infection, there is opportunity for the development of BPG to minimize treatment morbidity and cost, while optimizing outcomes for this major complication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic-IV.

Patient-reported Outcomes Following Surgical Intervention for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to perform a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis of patient-reported outcome measures after spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Radiographic correction of scoliosis is extensively reported in the literature but there is a need to study the impact of spinal fusion on patient-reported outcome measures. Prior reviews lacked homogeneity in outcome measures, did not perform quantitative meta-analysis of pooled effect size, or interpret the results in light of minimally clinically important difference thresholds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of medical databases identified all studies that prospectively reported Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 questionnaire data after spinal fusion for AIS. We screened 2314 studies for eligibility. Studies were included that reported preoperative and postoperative data at 24- or >60-month follow-up. Studies were excluded that failed to report means and SDs which were needed to calculate Cohen d effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals in estimating the magnitude and precision of the effect. RESULTS: A total of 7 studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion in quantitative meta-analysis of effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Patients report large improvements in total score, self-image, and satisfaction; and moderate improvements in pain, function and mental health at 2 and 5 years after spinal fusion for AIS. All domains showed statistically significant improvement at all times except function at >60 months. All domains surpassed the minimally clinically important difference at all times except mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate evidence suggests that spinal fusion improves quality of life for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis in medium and long-term follow-up. Our results may help inform patient expectations regarding surgery. OCEMB LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I-systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

The Lumbosacral Takeoff Angle Can Be Used to Predict the Postoperative Lumbar Cobb Angle Following Selective Thoracic Fusion in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Selective fusion of double curves in patients with scoliosis is considered to spare fusion levels. In 2011, we studied the lumbosacral takeoff angle, defined as the angle between the center-sacral vertical line and a line through the centra of S1, L5, and L4. The lumbosacral takeoff angle was shown to moderately correlate with the lumbar Cobb angle, and a predictive equation was developed to predict the lumbar Cobb angle after selective fusions. The purposes of the present study were to validate that equation in a separate cohort and to assess differences in outcomes following selective and nonselective fusion. METHODS: Patients with Lenke 1B, 1C, 3B, or 3C curve patterns undergoing fusion (both selective and nonselective) with pedicle screw constructs and a minimum of 2 years of follow-up were included. Selective fusion was defined as a lowest level of fixation cephalad to or at the apex of the lumbar curve. To validate the previously derived equation, we used this data set and analysis of variance to check for differences between the actual and calculated postoperative lumbar Cobb angles. Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and t tests were used to explore relationships and differences between the selective and nonselective fusion groups. RESULTS: The mean calculated postoperative lumbar Cobb angle (and standard deviation) (22.35° ± 3.82°) was not significantly different from the actual postoperative lumbar Cobb angle (21.08° ± 7.75°), with an average model error of -1.268° (95% confidence interval, -2.649° to 0.112°). The preoperative lumbar Cobb angle was larger in patients with deformities that were chosen for nonselective fusion (50.2° versus 38.9°; p < 0.001). Performing selective fusion resulted in a 3.5° correction of the lumbosacral takeoff angle (p < 0.001), whereas nonselective fusion resulted in a 9.3° correction (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The lumbosacral takeoff angle can be used to predict the residual lumbar Cobb angle and may be used by surgeons to aid in the decision between selective and nonselective fusion. The change in the lumbosacral takeoff angle following selective fusion is small. Improvement in the lumbosacral takeoff angle and coronal balance is greater in association with nonselective fusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A three-dimensional analysis of scoliosis progression in non-idiopathic scoliosis: is it similar to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) characteristics of spine deformity in patients with non-idiopathic scoliosis compared with those observed in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients with non-idiopathic scoliosis. Twenty-eight patients with neural axis (NA) abnormalities (Chiari 1, syrinx) and 20 patients with connective tissue disorder (CTD) (Marfan's, Beal's, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, mixed) were identified. The 3D parameters of the coronal, sagittal, and axial plane were compared with 284 AIS patients with a similar range of coronal deformity. RESULTS: The average coronal curve was similar between all three groups (AIS 48 ± 15°, CTD 43 ± 22°, and NA 49 ± 18°; p = 0.4). The NA patients had significantly greater 3D thoracic kyphosis (20 ± 18° vs 10 ± 15°, p = 0.001) and less thoracic apical vertebral rotation (- 5 ± 18° vs - 12 ± 10°, p = 0.003) when compared with AIS. The CTD group's 3D thoracic kyphosis (p = 0.7) and apical vertebral rotation (p = 0.09) did not significantly differ from AIS. Significant negative correlations were found in all three groups between thoracic kyphosis and coronal curve magnitude (AIS r = - 0.49, CTD r = - 0.772, NA r = -0.677, all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Scoliotic patients with NA abnormalities have a more kyphotic, less-rotated 3D profile than patients with AIS, while scoliosis patients with CTD have 3D features similar to AIS. Irrespective of the underlying diagnosis, however, greater scoliotic curves were associated with a greater loss of intersegmental kyphosis, suggesting a similar biomechanical pathophysiology for curve progression.

Epiphyseal presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of bone in two pediatric patients--one with primary lymphoma of bone.

We report two children with lymphoma of bone centered in the distal femoral epiphysis who presented with knee pain. Radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were performed on both patients prior to biopsy. Following biopsy, both patients had fluorodeoxyglucose ((18) F-FDG) positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) and whole-body technetium-99m (Tc-99m) scintigraphy performed for staging. One patient met the criteria for primary lymphoma of bone. One patient did not meet the criteria for primary lymphoma of bone because of PET uptake in a popliteal, external iliac and possibly lower abdominal node. Both patients responded well to chemotherapy and are disease free more than 7 years after diagnosis. While an epiphyseal presentation of lymphoma of bone is rare, the efficacy of treatment and the compromised outcome associated with diffuse spread of the disease make early recognition by clinicians important. We present these two cases to increase awareness of the disease and to have clinicians consider it in the differential diagnosis of adolescent epiphyseal lesions.

Thirty-day readmission following total hip and knee arthroplasty - a preliminary single institution predictive model.

We sought to identify demographic or care process variables associated with increased 30-day readmission within the total hip and knee arthroplasty patient population. Using this information, we generated a model to predict 30-day readmission risk following total hip and knee arthroplasty procedures. Longer index length of stay, discharge disposition to a nursing facility, blood transfusion, general anesthesia, anemia, anticoagulation status prior to index admission, and Charlson Comorbidity Index greater than 2 were identified as independent risk factors for readmission. Care process factors during the hospital stay appear to have a large predictive value for 30-day readmission. Specific comorbidities and patient demographic factors showed less significance. The predictive nomogram constructed for primary total joint readmission had a bootstrap-corrected concordance statistic of 0.76.

Indication for surgical treatment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - a critical appraisal and counter-point.

In a recent letter to the editor (Patient Saf. Surg. 2013, 7:17), Weiss and Moramarco made the claim that surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis is not supported based on the available literature citing no medical indication and high complication rates as compared to non-operative management. In this letter we show that there is a role for surgical treatment as the only predictable option to obtain correction of a curve and that the risk of complications with newer instrumentation does not approach 50% as cited by Weiss and Moramarco. We share the opinion with Weiss and Moramarco that a decision for surgery is not one to be made lightly, and should include options of purely observation, bracing, as well as surgery depending on the potential progression profile and conversations with the child and parents.

Mapping of cartilage depth in the knee and elbow for use in osteochondral autograft procedures.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow is a problematic condition that affects a fair number of young athletes. One treatment option is the use of osteochondral autografts, which are commonly taken from donor sites on the less weightbearing surfaces of the knee. PURPOSE: To use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the cartilage depths of sites in the knee and elbow that are commonly used as donor and recipient sites to optimize depth matching for osteochondral autograft procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: All knee and elbow MRI scans acquired from 3-T machines in patients aged 16 to 25 years within a single hospital system were reviewed. Studies were excluded if there had been previous surgery on the joint or if there were significant chondral defects in the areas to be measured. All cartilage depth measurements were independently performed by 3 different physicians to the nearest 0.01 mm. At the elbow, 6 locations on the capitellum and 2 on the trochlea were chosen. At the knee, 4 locations along the anterior-lateral femoral condyle, 5 surrounding the intercondylar notch, and 1 on both the medial- and lateral-posterior femoral condyles were chosen. RESULTS: There were 111 knee MRI (74 male, 37 female) and 94 elbow MRI (85 male, 9 female) scans that met all inclusion criteria. The average cartilage depths from each investigator were then averaged to provide an overall mean depth at each location. All average cartilage depths within the knee were thicker than those in the elbow, where the averaged mean thickness of all the 8 measured sites was 1.27 mm (range, 0.78-1.63 mm). Within the knee, the thinnest areas of cartilage, and therefore closest matches, were discovered at the posterior pole of the medial femoral condyle (mean ± SD, 1.95 ± 0.46 mm) and at the distal-most anterior-lateral femoral condyle (1.85 ± 0.46 mm). The average variance between the mean cartilage depths measured by each investigator for each location was 0.12 mm in the elbow and 0.22 mm in the knee. CONCLUSION: Average cartilage depths in the knee were thicker than those in the elbow at all sites measured. The thinnest areas in the knee were the posterior aspect of the medial femoral condyle and the distal-most aspect of the anterior-lateral femoral condyle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides the surgeon with meaningful data on average cartilage depths at common donor sites in the knee and recipient sites in the elbow.

Extranodal rosai-dorfman disease presenting as incidental bone tumor: a case report.

We report a case of primary extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease presenting as a painless lesion in the left ilium of a 71-year-old African-American man.