Primary Exploration of Radial Nerve is Not Required for Radial Nerve Palsy while Treating Humerus Shaft Fractures with Unreamed Humerus Nails (UHN).

BACKGROUND: Today, humerus nails have become the surgical method of choice in the treatment of humerus shaft fractures. Whether or not the radial nerve should be intraoperatively examined by default in case of primary paresis is currently under discussion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical findings from 38 patients with humeral shaft fractures surgically treated with unreamed humerus nail (UHN) at the Department of Accident Surgery, University Clinics Bonn, Germany, between 2000 and 2003 were retrospectively assessed. Constant Score was applied for evaluation of functional results. RESULTS: In 40% of patients, primary radial nerve paresis was present. This was especially common after high energy trauma (e.g. traffic accident) and significantly increased in fractures of the middle third. In 93% of cases, spontaneous remission of motor and sensory loss was observed. No iatrogenic radial nerve impairment occurred. CONCLUSION: Due to the high rates of spontaneous remissions of radial nerve palsy after treatment with UHN in humerus shaft fractures, primar exploration of the radial nerve does not appear to be necessary.

Osteoblasts participate in the innate immunity of the bone by producing human beta defensin-3.

Gram-positive bacterial bone infections are an important cause of morbidity particularly in immunocompromised patients. Antimicrobial peptides (AP) are effectors of the innate immune system and directly kill microorganisms in the first hours after microbial infection. The aim of the present investigation was to study the expression and regulation of gram-positive specialized human beta-defensin-3 (HBD-3) in bone. Samples of healthy and osteomyelitic human bone were assessed for the expression of HBD-3. Using primary and immortalized osteoblasts (SAOS-2 cells), release and regulation of HBD-3 was evaluated after exposure to Staphylococcus aureus supernatant and/or corticosteroids using PCR, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and ELISA. To determine the role of toll-like-receptors-2 and -4 (TLR-2/-4), shRNA was used to downregulate TLRs. An osteomyelitis mouse model was created performed to investigate the release of murine beta-defensins using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Cultured osteoblasts and human bone produce HBD-3 under standard conditions. The release increases within hours of bacterial supernatant exposure in cultured osteoblasts. This observation was not made in chronically infected bone samples. The shRNA-technology revealed the necessity of TLR-2 and -4 in HBD-3 induction in osteoblasts. Blocking protein synthesis with cycloheximide showed that the rapid release of HBD-3 is not dependent on a translational de novo synthesis and is not affected by glucocorticoids. The murine osteomyelitis model confirmed the in vivo release uptake of mouse beta-defensins-4 (MBD-4) in bone. This report shows the bacterial induction of HBD-3 via TLR-2 and -4 in osteoblasts and suggests a central role of antimicrobial peptides in the prevention of bacterial bone infection. The rapid and effective induction of HBD-3 in osteoblasts incubated with conditioned media from bacteria is more likely a result of a rapid secretion of preformed HBD-3 by osteoblasts rather than a result of enhanced biosynthesis. The increased incidence of gram-positive bacterial bone infection in patients with regular intake of glucocorticoids does not seem to be caused by a deranged HBD-3 release in osteoblasts.

Postoperative aseptic osteonecrosis in a case of kyphoplasty.

Aseptic osteonecrosis appears to be an infrequent adverse event after kyphoplasty which has not previously been reported. In the following, we present the case of a 73-year-old female who sustained a compression fracture of the first lumbar vertebra (L1) in a motor vehicle accident. The fracture was treated by kyphoplasty using PMMA cement. Three weeks after hospital discharge the patient was presented with increasing back pain. In imaging, dislocation of the PMMA cement could be shown combined with a total collapse of the L1 vertebra. The resulting significant kyphosis was first reduced by dorsal transpedicular (Th12-L2) internal fixation and stabilized by an anterior cage after total removal of the cement plomb and some remaining bone of the L1 vertebra. Bacterial as well as histological examination of the cement and bone led to the diagnosis of aseptic osteonecrosis. Different underlying events could be discussed. We think it most likely that the osteoporotic bone was unable to interface sufficiently with the PMMA cement and, therefore, disintegrated under loading. Furthermore, the volume of injected cement could have significantly compromised the blood supply within the bone.

The role of human beta-defensin-2 in bone.

Osteomyelitis often causes functional impairment due to tissue destruction. This report demonstrates a novel previously unappreciated role of osteoblasts. Samples of osteomyelitic bone and bacterially challenged osteoblasts produce increased amounts of antimicrobial peptides in order to combat bacterial bone infection. An osteomyelitis mouse model confirmed the osseous induction of the murine homologue of human beta-defensin-2, suggesting a central role in the prevention of bacterial bone infection. Antimicrobial peptides are effectors of the innate defence system and play a key role in host protection at cellular surfaces. Some of them are produced constitutively, whereas others are induced during infection. Human beta-defensins represent a major subclass of antimicrobial peptides and act as a first line of defence through their broad spectrum of potent antimicrobial activity. The aim of the present in-vitro and in-vivo investigations was to study the expression and regulation of human beta-defensin-2 in the case of bacterial bone infection and to analyse the effects of immunosuppressive drugs on bone-derived antimicrobial peptide expression. Samples of healthy human bone, osteomyelitic bone and cultured osteoblasts (hFOB cells) were assessed for the expression of human beta-defensin-2. Regulation of human beta-defensin-2 was studied in hFOB cells after exposure to bacterial supernatants, proinflammatory cytokines and immunosuppressive drugs (glucocorticoids and methotrexate) and was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An osteomyelitis mouse model was performed to demonstrate the regulation of the murine homologue of human beta-defensin-2, named murine beta-defensin-3, by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Healthy human bone and cultured osteoblasts are able to produce human beta-defensin-2 under standard conditions. Samples of infected bone produce higher levels of endogenous antibiotics, such as human beta-defensin-2, when compared with samples of healthy bone. A clear induction of human beta-defensin-2 was observed after exposure of cultured osteoblasts to gram-positive bacteria or proinflammatory cytokines. Additional treatment with glucocorticoids or methotrexate prevented bacteria-mediated antimicrobial peptide induction in cultured osteoblasts. The osteomyelitis mouse model demonstrated transcriptional upregulation of the murine homologue of human beta-defensin-2, namely murine beta-defensin-3, in bone after intraosseous contamination of the tibia. Human and murine bone have the ability to produce broad-spectrum endogenous antibiotics when challenged by micro-organisms in vitro and in vivo. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as glucocorticoids or methotrexate, may increase the susceptibility to bone infection by decreasing antimicrobial peptide expression levels in case of microbial challenge. The induction of human beta-defensin-2 following bacterial contact suggests a central role of antimicrobial peptides in the prevention of bacterial bone infection.

[Proximal femur fractures: results and complications after osteosynthesis with PFN and TGN]. / Versorgung pertrochantärer Femurfrakturen: Vergleichende Analyse mit PFN vs. TGN.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of surgery for pertrochanteric fractures of the femur is to regain preoperative mobility as quickly as possible. The aim of this study was to investigate whether clinical or radiological differences could be found between proximal femoral nails (PFN) and trochanteric gamma nails (TGN), with particular attention given to technical differences in implantation and early complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 114 patients with PFN or TGN. Their average age was 78.9 years. Clinical and radiological examinations were evaluated over a 24-month period. RESULTS: The implantation time for PFN was 20 min less than for TGN in patients with 31A1 (AO) fractures, and 78.5% of all operations were complication-free. Problems occurred in 10 cases (seven PFN, three TGN) during nail insertion and were, in the case of TGN, all caused by fragment dislocation. Postoperative dislocation of the implant was observed in 12 cases [eight PFN (7%), four TGN (3.5%)]. Cut-out occurred in four cases with PFN implants, one of which was attributed to z-effect, and in two cases with TGN. Secondary varus deviation without cut-out occurred in one case with TGN and two cases with PFN. No significant differences in complication rates could be found between the two implants (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PFN are better suited to 31A1 fractures because of their higher rotational stability from the use of dual screws. A short femur and high antecurvation can cause insertion problems in PFN because of the nail design. It is advisable to choose the type of implant during preoperative planning after considering fracture type and patient anatomy.

[Malalignment of the tibia--comparative investigation of three stabilization procedures by clinical analysis and radiological measuring techniques]. / Vergleichende Untersuchung von drei Stabilisationsverfahren bei Unterschenkelschaftfraktur durch klinische Analyse und radiologische Messtechniken.

INTRODUCTION: Malalignment after osteosynthetic stabilization of lower leg fractures is still a common problem for trauma surgeons. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of torsional and varus- or valgus-malalignment of the lower leg subsequent to osteosynthetic stabilization techniques such as reamed nailing, unreamed nailing and tibial plating. METHODS: 70 patients with 73 fractures of the lower leg were included in the study. The fractures were treated consecutively in 37 cases with an unreamed nail (UTN), in 21 cases with a reamed nail and 15 cases were stabilized with a plate. During clinical follow-up after 5.7 years each patient was analyzed for malalignment of the lower leg with a CT-Scan and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis. RESULTS: Multi-level CT-scans revealed a significant rotational malalignment in 16.4 % of patients. Interestingly, all misaligned cases were treated with a nail (9.6 % UTN, 6.8 % reamed nail). Varus- or valgus-malalignment was detected in 5.4 % of cases all of whom had been treated with an intramedullary nail. CONCLUSIONS: Malalignment is still a common problem after osteosynthetic stabilization of lower leg fractures, whereby the majority of these cases can be expected after intramedullary nailing. Rotational malalignment can be detected by CT-Scans, whereas DXA analysis is a reliable procedure to diagnose varus- or valgus-malalignment after osteosynthetic stabilization of lower leg fractures.

Expression and regulation of human beta-defensin-2 in osteoarthritic cartilage.

Defensins are antibiotic peptides that are involved in host defence at epithelial and mesenchymal surfaces. Previous studies have shown the induction of human beta-defensin-3 (HBD-3) in osteoarthritic joints, suggesting that these molecules have functions in addition to their ability to kill microbes. The aim of this study was to investigate the production of a further human beta-defensin, named HBD-2, in osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine its regulation by inflammatory cytokines. Healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage was assessed for HBD-2 expression by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA. C28/I2 chondrocytes, primary chondrocytes, and cartilage explants were cultured for in vitro studies. After 24 h of stimulation with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1) or IL-6, real-time RT-PCR and ELISA experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of these cytokines on the production of HBD-2. In contrast to healthy cartilage, HBD-2 expression was identified in most of the OA samples examined (eight of ten). Cytokines that are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of OA, namely TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6, were transcriptional inducers of HBD-2 in cultured chondrocytes and cartilage explants in vitro, as measured by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. These results illustrate the induction of HBD-2 in osteoarthritic cartilage and suggest that it is a further factor in the pathogenesis of OA. However, further studies are required to elucidate the role played by HBD-2 in osteoarthritic cartilage.

[Injury pattern caused by aggressive inline skating]. / Das Verletzungsrisiko beim Aggressive Inlineskating.

In order to evaluate the special injury pattern of aggressive inline skating, a field study was conducted in a local, non-commercial skate park equipped with all the typical features like ramps, halfpipes, gully areas. 66 unselected aggressive inline skaters were randomly enrolled and interviewed concerning their skating habits and their skating injury history. Average age was 15 (10 to 41) years, skating was performed since 2.1 (0.1 to 6) years, as aggressive skating since 1.3 (0.1 to 4) years. Medical treatment in a doctor's practice or in a hospital had been necessary in 66 cases, averaging 1.4 times per skater and year, averaging one injury per 586 hours of aggressive skating. The injury pattern reflected the regions typically injured in fitness skating, too, with a higher percentage of injuries concerning knee, tibia and ankle region. The use of protective devices varied from 41 % (wrist guards) to 94 % (knee pads), with an average of 69 %. Only 32 % of skaters wore all protective devices. As the personal thrill is an important motivation for aggressive skating, safer skating campaigns are quite unlikely to decrease the risk of injury in aggressive skaters.

Efficacy and safety of abacavir plus lamivudine versus didanosine plus stavudine when combined with a protease inhibitor, a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or both in HIV-1 positive antiretroviral-naive persons.

PURPOSE: The combination of abacavir + lamivudine (ABC+3TC) versus didanosine + stavudine (ddI+d4T), each combined with other classes of antiretrovirals (ARVs) in ARV-naive patients, was compared for the combined endpoint of time to plasma HIV RNA >50 copies/mL (at or after the 8-month visit) or death (primary endpoint) in a nested substudy of an ongoing multicenter randomized trial. METHOD: The substudy enrolled 182 patients; mean HIV RNA and CD4+ cell counts at baseline were 5.1 log10 copies/mL and 212 cells/mm3, respectively. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 28 months, rates of primary endpoint were 57.2 and 67.8 per 100 person-years for the ABC+3TC and ddI+d4T groups (hazard ratio [HR]=0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-1.14, p=.23). CONCLUSION: There was a trend for treatments containing ABC+3TC to be better than treatments containing ddI+d4T with respect to HIV RNA decreases, CD4+ cell count increases, and tolerability.

[Treatment of rare talus dislocation fractures. An analysis of 23 injuries]. / Die Behandlung der seltenen Talusluxationsfrakturen. Analyse von 23 Verletzungen.

METHODS: Between 1980 and 1996 we treated 23 patients for dislocated fractures of the talus. The injury was caused by a car accident in 61% and a high fall in 22%. Five patients had open wounds (22%), two developed compartment syndrome of the foot (9%) at an early stage, and 11 patients had multiple injuries. We used the classifications of Hawkins and Marti/Weber. All fractures were surgically treated by fixation with screw osteosynthesis, percutaneous wire transfixation, and/or external fixation. Fifteen patients with dislocated fractures of the talus underwent clinical and radiological follow-up examinations using the Kiel score. RESULTS: Four patients had excellent and three good results. In five patients with moderate, two with adequate, and one with poor results, we found additional injuries to the ipsilateral foot or leg in 50%. Of those patients, 73% developed peritalar arthrosis and 39% talar necrosis. Due to bony defects, anatomical reconstruction was unsatisfactory in 48%. CONCLUSIONS: Even immediate anatomical reduction and sufficient stabilization cannot always decrease the rate of talar necrosis and peritalar arthrosis.

[Treatment of intra-articular calcaneus fractures with a para-articular external fixator]]. / Die Behandlung intraartikulärer Fersenbeinfrakturen mit einem gelenkübergreifenden Fixateur externe.

Operative treatment of the calcaneus is still in discussion. For a better management of soft tissue problems an optimized fixator frame for primary treatment of calcaneus fractures was developed in the Dept. of trauma surgery University of Kiel. A one-plane bilateral construction with one insertion point in the tibia and two in the tuberosity of calcaneus is used. It allows efficient reduction by ligamentotaxis, stable fixation and active motion in ankle joint. We treated 40 patients with 45 calcaneus fractures. In 25 cases the fixator was definite and later plate or screw fixation was performed 20 times. 35 patients with 40 fractures were examined by means of the "Kiel score for calcaneus fractures". Patients who were treated definite reached better longterm-results on average than patients who underwent a secondary open osteosynthesis. Concrete guidelines for the therapy of intraarticular calcaneus fractures are presented.

[Internal knee injuries in children]. / Kniebinnenschäden bei Kindern.

Although children are injured everyday through accidents, road traffic, leisure or sports activities, internal lesions of the knee joint due to the trauma are rare. Diagnose and therapy follow rather empirical than analytical patterns. A retrospective, controlled study evaluates and recommends ways of treatment. Traumatic internal lesions of the knee where analysed in 76 children up to age 16. The pattern of injury changed with increasing age, the trauma remaining the same. Most common where injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Main cause where sports activities. Operative treatment seems to be the appropriate treatment. Osseous avulsions of the cruciates and collateral ligaments showed good results after transosseous refixation with a suture. Suturing of intraligamentous ACL-ruptures as well as patellar ligaments plasty showed unsatisfactory results. Secondary lesions due to instability of the knee where also observed in children. Children cannot self estimate the severity of the injury so subjective statements are insecure. Trauma, surgery, pain and immobilisation cause a marked malfunction of the sensor-motor system which is effectively treated by physiotherapy.

[CT of the talus: the importance of 2- and 3-dimensional reconstructions]. / CT des Talus: Bedeutung zwei- und dreidimensionaler Rekonstruktionen.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical value of sagittal 2D- and 3D-reformations of the talus with and without electronic disarticulation compared to axial slices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 23 patients with suspected traumatic lesions of the talus underwent 26 diagnostic CT examinations. Axial slices, sagittal reformations, and 3D-reformations without and with electronic disarticulation were performed. The sagittal 2D- and both types of 3D-reformations were compared to the axial slices with regard to their diagnostic information. RESULTS: Axial slices showed involvement of articular facets in 25 cases. Sagittal and 3D-reformations after electronic disarticulation depicted 23 fractures (23/25), 3D-reformations without electronic disarticulation showed none (0/23). Subluxation of the talocalcaneal joint was only visualised on axial slices three times. One complete luxation of this joint was shown on axial slices, sagittal and 3D-reformations without disarticulation. It was not visualised on 3D-reformations after disarticulation. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis must be made based on the axial slices, supported by sagittal reconstructions. 3D-reformations after electronic disarticulation provide a graphic, detailed and readily recognised image of the anatomy of transchondral fractures, and are very helpful in preoperative planning.

[CT morphology of fractured thoraco-lumbar vertebrae after transpedicular spongiosaplasty and use of internal fixator]. / CT-Morphologie frakturierter thorakolumbaler Wirbelkörper nach transpedikulärer Spongiosaplastik und Fixateur-interne-Anlage.

PURPOSE: An analysis of the CT morphology of fractured thoraco-lumbar vertebrae after treatment with internal fixation and transpedicular spongiosaplasty (SP). MATERIAL AND METHOD: 30 patients were examined following trauma and surgery after about 12 and 30 months by means of CT. The following were evaluated: width of the spinal canal; height of the vertebra and intervertebral space; degree of kyphosis; position, size and appearance of the SP and of the vertebral body. RESULTS: The width of the spinal canal was reconstituted in 91%; in 83% the anterior vertebral margin and in 35% the intervertebral space was reduced. A kyphosis of 8.9 degree was found on the followup examination. The SP showed a reduction in size (18/30) or could no longer be defined (6/30). Hypodense areas (28/30) with cavitation (12/30) were found in the vertebral body and the SP could be identified by a sclerotic margin (22/30). CONCLUSION: Treatment by this form of therapy was successful, reaction of the vertebral body against the spongiosaplasty could be identified.

[Analysis of 55 post-traumatic pseudarthroses after tibial fracture]. / Analyse von 55 posttraumatischen Pseudarthrosen nach Unterschenkelfraktur.

In a retrospective analysis of 1,300 lower leg fractures, treated by operative stabilization in the years from 1980 to 1992, we examined disturbances of bone healing. In 55 patients (4.2%) faults in indication and completion of internal or external stabilization, infections with consecutive instability (43.6%), and bone defects (63.6%) led to prevention of bone healing. Conservation of blood supply and medial cortical support should be ensured.

[Distal rupture of the biceps tendon--a magnetic resonance tomography follow-up]. / Distale Bizepssehnenruptur--Eine magnetresonanztomographische Verlaufsbeobachtung.

A case of a 43 year old man with a rupture of the distal biceps tendon is presented. The clinical features, pre- and postoperative MR imaging, and treatment of this lesion are discussed.

[Patterns of injuries: a guideline for evaluation of multiple injuries?]. / Verletzungsmuster--Leitlinie bei der Beurteilung des Mehrfachverletzten?

By means of 468 patients with polytrauma the pattern of injuries were analysed. Separated into body regions the combinations of injuries to skeleton/thorax and skeleton/thorax/abdomen were found most often. A high lethality was evaluated for the combination of skeletal and abdominal injuries. 362 patients of the examined collective survived, 106 patients died. Among the deceased patients with head-injuries intracranial bleeding could be seen much more than in the group of survivors. Patients who died had also more ruptures of liver and other gastrointestinal injuries. Concerning the skeletal patterns of injuries they surprisingly had more fractures of shoulder, forearm and lower leg than the survivor-group. The statistic demonstrates clearly that in pattern of head or abdominal injuries the single diagnosis determines the rate of lethality. This correlation could not be seen in skeletal injuries. The pattern of injuries cannot be used as a guideline for the assessment of therapy of the severe trauma patient.