Incidence of acetabular dysplasia in breech infants following initially normal ultrasound: the effect of variable diagnostic criteria.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the incidence of acetabular dysplasia at six months of age in patients with breech presentation and previously normal hip ultrasounds, reporting primary radiographic measurements to allow for comparison with other patient cohorts. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of breech infants with initially normal clinical examinations and hip ultrasounds was performed to determine the rate of subsequent acetabular dysplasia and to characterise the distribution of acetabular index (AI). At approximately six months of age, AI was measured bilaterally on anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs and reported using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 94 hips in 47 breech infants were eligible for analysis. All infants demonstrated normal ultrasound findings at a mean age of 6.9 ± 1.7 weeks and returned for follow-up at a mean age of 6.4 ± 0.5 months. On AP pelvic radiographs, mean right hip AI was 25.0°, with an interquartile range (IQR) (25th -75th percentile) of 23° to 27° and mean left hip AI was 25.5°, with an IQR of 22° to 28°. If one applies a single commonly used threshold value for defining dysplasia (AI ≥ 30°), 10/94 hips (10.6%) meet diagnostic criteria. Alternatively, strict adherence to previously established normative AI values stratified by gender and laterality results in 4/94 hips (4.3%) qualifying as significantly dysplastic. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of breech infants who, despite normal initial ultrasound findings, were diagnosed with dysplasia at six months supports observation of breech-born patients beyond six weeks. Reliance on different threshold values for diagnosing acetabular dysplasia can lead to discrepancies in incidence rates.

The multidrug efflux pump NorA is not required for salicylate-induced reduction in drug accumulation by Staphylococcus aureus.

Growth of Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of salicylate leads to reduced ciprofloxacin and ethidium accumulation and increased resistance to ethidium. Salicylate induced reduction in ciprofloxacin accumulation is energy-independent while salicylate induced alterations in ethidium accumulation and efflux is proton motive force-dependent. NorA is an intrinsic multidrug efflux pump that contributes to intrinsic levels of fluoroquinolone and ethidium resistance in S. aureus. The NorA inhibitor reserpine did not dramatically affect the ability of salicylate to induce increased ciprofloxacin and ethidium resistance. Inactivation of norA did not alter the ability of salicylate to induce increased ciprofloxacin and ethidium resistance levels and a reduction in ciprofloxacin accumulation. These data demonstrate that NorA is not absolutely required for the salicylate-inducible multidrug resistance mechanism of S. aureus.

Results of femoral varus osteotomy in children older than 9 years of age with Perthes disease.

We review the results of varus osteotomy in 17 patients older than 9 years of age with 18 hips affected by Perthes disease. Seventeen hips were judged as Catterall 3 or 4, and 14 hips had partial or complete loss of the lateral pillar. At an average follow-up of 10 years (4.2-17.8 years), 3 hips were rated Stulberg 1, 3 were Stulberg 2, 4 were Stulberg 3, and 8 were Stulberg 4 or 5. At follow-up, 7 hips were considered good or fair based on the use of Mose circles. Statistical analysis indicated better results in patients younger than 10 years of age compared with those older than 10 years of age. Varus osteotomy as a method of containment for Perthes disease provides improved results in children older than 9 years compared with natural history studies or studies of noncontainment methods. However, it seems likely that there is an upper age limit for effectiveness of containment treatment.

The effects of salicylate on bacteria.

Salicylate and related compounds, such as aspirin, have a variety of effects in eucaryotic systems and are well known for their medicinal properties. Salicylate also has numerous effects on bacteria, yet only a handful of individuals within the scientific community appreciate these findings. From a bacterial viewpoint, growth in the presence of salicylate can be both beneficial and detrimental. On one hand, growth of certain bacteria in the presence of salicylate can induce an intrinsic multiple antibiotic resistance phenotype. On the other hand, growth in the presence of salicylate can reduce the resistance to some antibiotics and affect virulence factor production in some bacteria. This review provides an overview of the effects salicylate has on various bacterial species.

Effects of salicylate and related compounds on fusidic acid MICs in Staphylococcus aureus.

Salicylate, acetyl-salicylate, benzoate and ibuprofen increased fusidic acid MICs for fusidic acid-resistant and -susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus representing six genetic lineages. The effects of these substances on fusidic acid resistance levels occurred in a strain-dependent manner. The weak acid acetate, and acetaminophen did not alter fusidic acid resistance levels, while the addition of saligenin, the alcohol of salicylate, reduced gradient plate MICs for all strains studied. These findings indicate that a benzoic acid structure is required for the induction of increased intrinsic fusidic acid resistance levels. When 2 mM salicylate was added to media used in population analyses, the number of cells able to survive on high concentrations of fusidic acid increased. This increase in cell survival was observed in two unrelated fusidic acid-resistant strains, with chromosomal (WBG8287) or plasmid (WBG1576) mediated resistance determinants and two unrelated susceptible strains. The salicylate-induced increase in fusidic acid resistance was phenotypic at low fusidic acid concentrations (relative to resistance phenotype) for WBG8287 and a fusidic acid-susceptible strain. On media containing salicylate and high fusidic acid concentrations, the mutation frequency to higher fusidic acid resistance levels was greater for WBG8287, compared with unsupplemented fusidic acid-containing media. These experiments provide evidence for a novel salicylate inducible fusidic acid resistance mechanism in S. aureus.

Growth in the presence of salicylate increases fluoroquinolone resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.

Salicylate and acetylsalicylate slightly increased fluoroquinolone resistance in ciprofloxacin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Salicylate allowed a greater number of cells from ciprofloxacin-susceptible and -resistant strains to survive on high fluoroquinolone concentrations. Salicylate also increased the frequency with which a susceptible strain mutated to become more resistant to ciprofloxacin.

Upper extremity and rib stress fractures in a child.

Stress fractures in children are rare compared with the incidence in adults. This report describes an 11-year-old girl with stress fractures of the acromion, clavicle, and first rib on the left and contralateral fractures of the first and second ribs. It was eventually discovered that these fractures were caused by a nervous tic consisting of repetitive, vigorous shrugging and translation of the shoulders.

Forearm and distal radius fractures in children.

Pediatric forearm and distal radius fractures are common injuries. Resultant deformities are usually a product of indirect trauma involving angular loading combined with rotational displacement. Fractures are classified by location, completeness, angular and rotational deformity, and fragment displacement. Successful outcomes are based on restoration of adequate pronation and supination and, to a lesser degree, acceptable cosmesis. When several important concepts are kept in mind, these goals are usually met with conservative treatment by reduction and immobilization. Greenstick fractures are reduced by rotating the forearm such that the palm is directed toward the fracture apex. Complete fractures are manipulated and reduced with traction and rotation; extremities are then immobilized in well-molded plaster casts until healing, which usually takes about 6 weeks. Radiographs should be obtained between 1 and 2 weeks after initial reduction to detect early angulation. In fractures in any level in children less than 9 years of age, complete displacement, 15 degrees of angulation, and 45 degrees of malrotation are acceptable. In children 9 years of age or older, 30 degrees of malrotation is acceptable, with 10 degrees of angulation for proximal fractures and 15 degrees for more distal fractures. Complete bayonet apposition is acceptable, especially for distal radius fractures, as long as angulation does not exceed 20 degrees and 2 years of growth remains. Operative intervention is used when the fracture is open and when acceptable alignment cannot be achieved or maintained. Single-bone intramedullary fixation has proven useful.

Acute correction and distraction osteogenesis for the malaligned and shortened lower extremity.

In limbs with combined shortening with angulation or malrotation, deformity may be quickly or slowly corrected before lengthening with external fixation. We examined a series of 35 patients with 40 limbs that underwent acute deformity correction and subsequent gradual lengthening. The average deformity corrected was 19 degrees, with subsequent average lengthening of 4.1 cm. Good radiographic callus formation was noted in 34 of the 40 segments studied. The magnitude of deformity correction had no effect on the quality of lengthened bone, incidence of complications, or the healing index. Skeletally mature segments had statistically significant decreased bone formation (p = 0.001), increased prevalence of callus complications (p = 0.001), and a higher healing index (p = 0.003). Based on this experience, it is our conclusion that immediate correction and lengthening is suitable in children and adolescents who have malaligned and shortened lower extremities. Because of poorer results in older patients, we believe that other techniques should be considered in adults.

A simple demonstration of hindfoot flexibility in the cavovarus foot.

A simple prone examination for demonstrating both hindfoot flexibility and the "tripod" effect in the cavovarus foot has been implemented. This clinical evaluation can be performed without the use of any special equipment. Prone positioning also allows easy demonstration of deformity to family members.

Nighttime bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with the Charleston Bending Brace: long-term follow-up.

We report long-term experience with the Charleston Bending Brace for treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This brace holds the patient in maximal side-bending correction and is worn at nighttime only. Patients included in this prospective multicenter study met all of the following criteria: skeletal immaturity (Risser 0, 1, or 2), curvature >25 degrees before bracing, no prior treatment, and >1-year follow-up since completion of bracing (skeletal maturity or progression to surgery). All curves were monitored and reported. There were 149 structural curves in 98 patients. Sixty-five (66%) patients showed improvement or <5 degrees change in curvature. Seventeen (17%) patients progressed to the point of requiring surgery for their scoliosis. Based on these long-term results and improvement of the natural history of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, continued use of the Charleston Bending Brace is justified.

Pearls and pitfalls of deformity correction and limb lengthening via monolateral external fixation.

In conclusion, monolateral external fixation can be effectively utilized in the management of limb length discrepancy and angular deformity. This manuscript outlines the pertinent theory, application and problems important in these cases. When faced with specific congenital conditions the surgeon is encouraged to reference relevant literature that is more focused than the current paper.

Severe growth retardation following limb lengthening: a case report.

The first limb lengthening was reported by Codivilla in 1905. Common complications reported with this procedure include pain tract infections, angulation deformities, joint contractures, and residual limb length discrepancies. Growth arrest or severe growth retardation in the lengthened bones has rarely been reported. We report a case of a skeletally immature patient with right sided hemihypertrophy who underwent lengthening of the left lower extremity by the method of DeBastiani using Orthofix external fixators. Postoperatively he developed severe growth retardation in the lengthened limb, as evidenced by the Mosely straight line graph, and recurrence of his limb length discrepancy. The reason for this growth retardation remains unknown; however, we hypothesize that premature closure at one or more of the physes occurred because of increased tension across the growth plates. The practice of over-lengthening a congenitally short limb prior to physeal closure should be questioned because resumption of growth after lengthening may be unpredictable.

Familial congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle: case report and literature review.

Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle (CPC) is a rare condition of unresolved etiology and pathogenesis. Familial occurrence of this anomaly has been documented but the pattern of genetic transmission remains obscure. Two cases involving a father and daughter are presented here with a review of the literature. These cases add support to the genetic basis for CPC.

Dynamic axial external fixation in the surgical treatment of tibia vara.

Osteotomy is the well-established treatment of Blount's disease (tibia vara), although the types of fixation used vary considerably. The use of dynamic axial external fixation to stabilize osteotomies for tibia vara until solid union occurs without the use of supplemental casting has not been reported by other authors. From 1985 until the present, we have used osteotomy with dynamic axial external fixation as treatment of 31 tibiae in 23 patients. All osteotomies healed and there was no postoperative loss of correction. There was an average correction of 20 degrees between the pre- and postoperative mechanical axis. Advantages of dynamic axial external fixation include ease of application, adjustability, early weight bearing, the ability to lengthen the extremity, and no second operation for removal of hardware. Based on our results, we believe that dynamic axial external fixation is an excellent form of osteotomy stabilization in the surgical treatment of tibia vara.

Unilateral external fixation for corrective osteotomies in patients with hypophosphatemic rickets.

Extremity deformities in patients with hypophosphatemic rickets (HPR) are often complex and multiplanar. Described methods for correcting these deformities are imprecise and require interruption of the medical management of the condition. Corrective osteotomies were performed on 29 bones in nine children with HPR. Use of the Orthofix external fixator enabled precise correction of the deformities without interruption of medical management.