Rare Case of Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation of Foot.

Introduction: Nora's lesion or bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) is a rare, benign lesion of small bones of hands and feet in adults. It composed of differing amounts of cartilage, bone, and spindle cells and an unusual form of calcified cartilage so-called "blue bone". Case Report: A 23-year-old male presented with swelling at the lateral side of the fifth toe of his right foot, which was separated from the adjacent toe. Radiographs showed a mass arising from the proximal phalanx of the little toe, with no medullary and cortical continuity. Excisional biopsy of the mass was performed, and a histologic diagnosis of BPOP of bone (Nora's lesion) was made. Conclusion: This case presented with a cartilaginous cap around tumor which is suggestive for benign nature of this tumor with some histological variation from bizarre variant along with no recurrence which is unlikely seen in BPOP.

Metastasis to left scapula with unknown primary: Approach to pathological diagnosis.

Bony metastasis is a frequent occurrence in malignancy. However, the clinical presentation and pathological findings may sometimes be more in favor of a primary bone lesion. In such cases, immunochemistry has a very important role to play in reaching a final diagnosis. We present the case of a 35 year male patient who was investigated for a lytic lesion in the left scapula and was finally diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma with the help of immunostaining.

Emergence of coryneforms in osteomyelitis and orthopaedic surgical site infections.

BACKGROUND: Coryneform species other than Corynebacterium diphtheriae are coming up as important pathogens with the potential to cause serious and life-threatening infections not only in immunocompromised but in immunocompetent individuals as well. The exact infectious potential of these bacteria and their rational antimicrobial treatment is a challenging but essential task. METHOD: The study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology and the Department of Orthopaedics, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh between August 2007 and May 2009. Pus samples were collected from patients of osteomyelitis and other bone infections including orthopaedic surgical site infections. The Corynebacterium species isolated in the study was identified using standard microbiological techniques and antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done by Kirby bauer disc diffusion method. RESULTS: A total of 312 Corynebacterium species were isolated. The majority of the coryneforms were isolated from the immunocompetent patients 270 (86.54%). C. jeikium was the most common coryneform isolated. Nearly half of the patients 153 (49.04%) had acute infection caused by Corynebacterium species after orthopaedic surgery, a quarter 66 (21.15%) had chronic infection and 72 (23.08%) patients had device-related infection. Coryneforms exhibited maximum resistance to aminoglycosides (58.65%) and P-lactams (penicillin group- 57.55%. C.jeikium was found to be the most resistant amongst all the Corynebacterium species. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the fact that the coryneforms are no longer just opportunistic pathogens but they are also becoming important pathogens among immunocompetent individuals as well. The emergence of drug resistance amongst these isolates is of most concern. More studies should be done on identification and on antimicrobial susceptibility of these organisms for the proper treatment of patients with such infections.

Delayed fixation of displaced type II and III pediatric femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: Time from injury to fixation of femoral neck fractures has been postulated as a vital determinant for rate of complications; however, no prospective study is available in the English literature. Delay, unfortunately, is inevitable in developing countries. The aim of the present study is to retrospectively review the outcome after delayed fixation of displaced type II and III femoral neck fractures in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a standard assessment chart, we retrospectively reviewed medical records of all pediatric patients having femoral neck fractures presenting to our institution from June 1999 to May 2006. Inclusion criteria were children between 5 and 15 years of age sustaining displaced Delbet type II and III femoral neck fractures having a complete follow-up of at least 2 years. Patients with known metabolic disease, poliomyelitis or cerebral palsy, were excluded from the study. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 patients having 22 fractures (13 type II and 9 type III) were studied. Surgery could be performed after a mean delay of 11.22 days (ranging from 2 to 21 days). Closed reduction was achieved in 14 cases and 8 cases required open reduction through anterolateral approach. RESULT: Osteonecrosis was noted in eight patients (36.37%) who included two of nine patients (22.22%) operated in the first week, three of eight patients (37.51%) operated in the second week, and three of five patients (60%) operated in the third week of injury. Nonunion was seen in four (18.18%) cases, and two of them were associated with failure of implants. One was treated by valgus osteotomy and the other by Meyer's procedure. Fractures united in both children but the latter developed avascular necrosis. Functional results, as assessed using Ratliff's criteria, were good in 14 (63.63%), fair in 2 (9%), and poor in 6 (27.27%) patients. CONCLUSION: Delay in fixation, type of fracture, and ability to achieve and maintain reduction are factors primarily responsible for the outcome. We also found that delay after the first week further adversely affects the outcome.

Free fibular strut graft in neglected femoral neck fractures in adult.

BACKGROUND: Neglected femoral neck fracture in adults still poses a formidable challenge. Existing treatment options varies from osteotomy (with or without graft) to osteosynthesis using various implants and grafting techniques (muscle pedicle, vascularized, and nonvascularized fibula). The aim of this study was to assess outcome of nonvascularized fibular strut graft and cancellous screw fixation in neglected femoral neck fractures in the younger age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 32 patients of neglected femoral neck fracture, in the age group of 22-45 years (mean 37.8 years), operated between May 1994 to December 2001, were retrospectively reviewed. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 28 patients having three years minimum follow-up (mean 4.6 years) were included. Delay between injury and operation varied from four weeks to 42 weeks (mean 16.4 weeks). Closed reduction was achieved in 17 patients; open reduction through Watson-Jones anterolateral approach was performed in the remaining 15 patients in whom closed reduction failed. The fracture was transfixed with three parallel guide wires. Appropriate sized cannulated lag screw (7 mm) was then inserted in two of the wires. Selection of the third guide wire for fibula depended on the space available in both anteroposterior and lateral view. RESULTS: Satisfactory bony union was obtained in 25 patients, of whom in four cases, the union occurred in 10-20 degrees (mean 15 degrees ) of varus. Nonunion occurred in three patients (9.37%), and aseptic necrosis occurred in another six patients (18.75%). Of the 25 patients where union was achieved, five patients showed excellent results; 14 good and six had poor functional result, as evaluated using modified Anglen criteria. CONCLUSION: Nonvascularized fibular strut graft along with cancellous screws provides a dependable and technically less-demanding alternative procedure for neglected femoral neck fractures in young adults. Fibula being cortical provides mechanical strength besides stimulating the union and getting incorporated as biological graft.