Bone formation of the coracoid bone graft after the Bristow procedure assessed using three-dimensional computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The Bristow procedure has been shown to be a reliable method to prevent recurrent anterior shoulder instability by compensating for glenoid bone loss and producing the sling effect. The degree of postoperative morphological change in the coracoid bone graft is speculated to influence glenohumeral joint stability; however, the details of these changes after the Bristow procedure remain unknown. This study was performed to quantify the postoperative change in the coracoid bone graft volume as assessed by three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). METHODS: The Bristow procedure was performed on 17 shoulders in 17 patients from August 2018 to January 2020. All patients were men, and their mean age at surgery was 17.9 years. The mean follow-up duration was 21.4 months. Within the first week after the operation (Time 0) and at the final follow-up, 3D-CT was used to determine the total coracoid bone graft volume. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) shoulder score, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, and the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI). RESULTS: The mean volume of the total coracoid bone graft was 1.26 ± 0.29 cm3 at Time 0 and 1.90 ± 0.36 cm3 at the final follow-up (p < 0.0001). The mean JOA score, UCLA score, and WOSI were significantly better at the final follow-up than preoperatively (p < 0.001). No postoperative infection, neurovascular injury, or recurrent instability of the glenohumeral joint occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In the Bristow procedure, the volume of the total coracoid bone graft as shown by 3D-CT was significantly greater at the final follow-up than at Time 0, and bone formation of the coracoid bone graft was found after the Bristow procedure.

Efficacy of bone marrow stimulation for arthroscopic knotless suture bridge rotator cuff repair: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of bone marrow stimulation (BMS) on the repair integrity of the rotator cuff insertion treated with arthroscopic knotless suture bridge (K-SB) rotator cuff repair. We hypothesized that BMS during K-SB repair can improve the healing of the rotator cuff insertion. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent arthroscopic K-SB repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears were randomly allocated to 2 treatment groups. Patients in the BMS group underwent K-SB repair augmented with BMS at the footprint. Patients in the control group underwent K-SB repair without BMS. Cuff integrity and retear patterns were evaluated by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The clinical outcomes included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, University of California at Los Angeles score, Constant-Murley score, and Simple Shoulder Test. RESULTS: Clinical and radiological evaluations were completed in 60 patients at 6 months postoperatively, in 58 patients at 1 year postoperatively, and in 50 patients at 2 years postoperatively. Both treatment groups showed significant improvements in the clinical outcome from baseline to the 2-year follow-up, but no significant differences were found between the 2 groups. At 6 months postoperatively, the retear rate at the tendon insertion was 0.0% (0 of 30) in the BMS group and 3.3% (1 of 30) in the control group (P = .313). The retear rate at the musculotendinous junction was 26.7% (8 of 30) in the BMS group and 13.3% (4 of 30) in the control group (P = .197). All retears in the BMS group occurred at the musculotendinous junction, and the tendon insertion was preserved. There was no significant difference in the overall retear rate or retear patterns between the 2 treatment groups during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were detected in the structural integrity or retear patterns regardless of the use of BMS. The efficacy of BMS for arthroscopic K-SB rotator cuff repair was not proven in this randomized controlled trial.

A case of extrapulmonary tuberculosis after use of baricitinib.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) can occur in patients treated with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. We present a case of rheumatoid arthritis complicated by extrapulmonary TB following baricitinib treatment. A 45-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at another hospital, and she subsequently started treatment with methotrexate (MTX) at 6.0 mg/week and prednisolone at 3.0 mg/day at our institute. The MTX dose was increased to 10 mg/week, and clinical remission was achieved; however, the disease activity flared up 6 months after the initial visit. Isoniazid (INH) prophylaxis was started following positive T-SPOT® screening for TB, and baricitinib (Olumiant®) was introduced 3 weeks later because of an insufficient response to MTX. INH prophylaxis was continued for 6 months. Ten months after starting INH treatment, a painless mass was observed on the left side of the patient's neck. Magnetic resonance imaging showed enlarged lymph nodes with calcification. A subsequent biopsy and pathologic examination led to a diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis, and the patient was started on anti-TB therapy. Ten months later, the patient was still in remission and doing well. Extrapulmonary TB can be difficult to diagnose because of inconsistent physical and laboratory findings. When treating patients with JAK inhibitors, physicians should be cognisant of the potential for extrapulmonary TB to develop.

Excessively High Repair Tension Decreases Microvascular Blood Flow Within the Rotator Cuff.

BACKGROUND: Repair tension and microvascular blood flow within the rotator cuff has a critical impact on tendon healing after rotator cuff repair. However, the relationship between repair tension and microvascular blood flow within the rotator cuff remains unclear. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to determine how much tension adversely affects microvascular blood flow within the rotator cuff. The hypothesis was that as the repair tension increases, the microvascular blood flow within the rotator cuff decreases. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Repair tension and microvascular blood flow within the rotator cuff of 30 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears were simultaneously measured using a digital tension meter and a contact-type laser Doppler flowmeter, respectively. Microvascular blood flow was measured under 4 levels of tension (0, 10, 20, and 30 N) at 5 points on the rotator cuff. The obtained values were statistically analyzed by a linear mixed-effects model to clarify the effect of tension on microvascular blood flow within the rotator cuff. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in microvascular blood flow (mL/min/100 g) within the rotator cuff between 0 N (mean, 3.51; 95% CI, 3.0-4.0) and 10 N (mean, 3.74; 95% CI, 3.2-4.3) of tension (P = .716). However, there were statistically significant differences in microvascular blood flow within the rotator cuff between 0 and 20 N of tension (mean, 2.84; 95% CI, 2.3-3.4) (P = .002) and between 0 and 30 N of tension (mean, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.9-3.0) (P < .001). CONCLUSION/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings indicate that tension of ≥10 N during rotator cuff repair significantly decreases the microvascular blood flow within the rotator cuff. These data will contribute to determining the optimal repair tension during rotator cuff repair.

Alteration of coracoacromial ligament thickness at the acromial undersurface in patients with rotator cuff tears.

Background: Some researchers have stated that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for assessing the coracoacromial ligament (CAL) at the acromial undersurface. However, few studies have investigated the reliability and clinical significance of MRI findings for the CAL at the acromial undersurface. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface and rotator cuff tear size. Methods: The CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface was evaluated in 182 patients with rotator cuff tears (mean age: 64.9 ± 8.4 years) using a 3.0-Tesla MRI system. The association between CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface and rotator cuff tear size determined by the DeOrio and Cofield classification (partial; small: <1 cm; medium: 1-3 cm; and large or massive: >3 cm) was analyzed statistically. The intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities for MRI measurements of CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface were determined by calculation of intraclass correlation coefficients and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: The mean CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface was 2.7 ± 1.4 mm (range: 0-6.5 mm). Increasing rotator cuff tear size was significantly associated with decreasing CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface (P = .004). The intraobserver and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficients for CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface were almost perfect (0.98 and 0.91, respectively). Conclusion: The present study clarified that (1) MRI was a reliable tool for evaluation of CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface and (2) increasing rotator cuff tear size was significantly associated with decreasing CAL thickness at the acromial undersurface. These findings may assist toward understanding the progressive pathology in rotator cuff disease.

Are there differences in arthroscopic and histological features between traumatic and degenerative rotator cuff tears in elderly patients? A prospective dual-center analysis.

BACKGROUND: Discriminating traumatic rotator cuff tears (RCTs) from degenerative RCTs is sometimes difficult in elderly patients because the prevalence of asymptomatic RCTs increases with age. Little intraoperative information is available on the characteristics of traumatic and degenerative RCTs in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the arthroscopic findings and histological changes of the coracoacromial ligament (CAL) between traumatic and degenerative RCTs in elderly patients. METHODS: Forty-two shoulders of 42 patients aged ≥ 65 years underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Nineteen patients had traumatic full-thickness RCTs (Group T), and 23 had degenerative full-thickness RCTs (Group D). The quality of the rotator cuff tissue and the condition of the long head of the biceps were examined. The grade of CAL was evaluated both arthroscopically and histologically. The stiffness of the musculotendinous unit was calculated by measuring the force and displacement using a tensiometer. The arthroscopic and histological findings of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Although the mean tendon displacement was comparable, the stiffness was different between Group T and Group D (0.56 ± 0.31 and 1.09 ± 0.67 N/mm, respectively; p < 0.001). Both arthroscopic and histological analysis of the CAL showed that the degenerative changes in the CAL were milder in Group T than in Group D (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was a moderate positive correlation between the arthroscopic findings of CAL degeneration and the histopathological changes in this ligament (r = 0.47, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic RCTs were characterized by preserved elasticity of the musculotendinous unit and milder CAL degeneration compared with degenerative RCTs even in elderly patients.

Influence of scapular neck length on the extent of impingement-free adduction after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, a short scapular neck length (SNL) decreases postoperative impingement-free adduction, and impingement between the neck of the scapula and the humeral polyethylene cup may cause scapular notching. However, no reports have evaluated the influence of SNL on impingement-free adduction. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the influence of SNL on impingement-free adduction and to examine the effect of glenoid component lateralization and inferiorization on impingement-free adduction. METHODS: By use of 3-dimensional templating software, a virtual reverse total shoulder arthroplasty model was created in 15 patients who had no osteoarthritic change or any other bony deformity. We measured SNLs separately before implant placement (preoperative SNL) and after implant placement (postoperative SNL). The implant used was the Comprehensive Reverse Shoulder System (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN, USA), and baseplate bony lateralization of 0, 5, and 10 mm, with inferior eccentricity of 0.5 or 4.5 mm, was tested for impingement-free adduction. Correlations between the preoperative and postoperative SNLs and impingement-free adduction were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative SNL was 8.2 ± 1.9 mm (range, 5.0-11.7 mm), and the mean postoperative SNL was 6.0 ± 2.0 mm (range, 2.1-9.8 mm). There was a moderate correlation between the preoperative SNL and impingement-free adduction (r = 0.628, P = .12) and a strong correlation between the postoperative SNL and impingement-free adduction (r = 0.771, P = .001). Use of the model with 10 mm of bony lateralization and 4.5 mm of inferior eccentricity provided the best results in terms of impingement-free adduction. CONCLUSION: There were correlations between both the preoperative and postoperative SNLs and impingement-free adduction. Although the lateralized and inferiorized center of rotation may increase the risk of loosening of the glenoid component, this offset significantly increased impingement-free adduction.

Where and what damage occurs at the acromial undersurface in patients with rotator cuff tears?

BACKGROUND: The gross pathology of the acromial undersurface in shoulders with rotator cuff tears with subacromial impingement is not completely understood. Many researchers have focused on damage to the anterior one-third area of the acromial undersurface, but few have studied the middle and posterior one-third areas. The purpose of this study was to clarify where and what damage occurs at the acromial undersurface in patients with rotator cuff tears. METHODS: We performed arthroscopic shoulder (n = 182, all with rotator cuff tears; mean age, 64.9 ± 8.4 years) and cadaveric shoulder (n = 23, 14 intact cuffs and 9 rotator cuff tears; mean age, 74.8 years) evaluations to observe the extent and degree of damage to the acromial undersurface. We statistically analyzed the association between the severity of the damage to the acromial undersurface (assessed using the Copeland-Levy classification as A0, normal; A1, minor scuffing; A2, major damage; or A3, visualization of bare bone area) and rotator cuff tear size (assessed using the classification of DeOrio and Cofield as partial; small, <1 cm; medium, 1-3 cm; or large or massive, >3 cm). RESULTS: The anterior, middle, and posterior one-thirds of the acromial undersurface were somewhat damaged (class A1-A3) in 92.6%, 90.1%, and 78.6% of shoulders with rotator cuff tears, respectively, according to arthroscopic evaluation. Increasing cuff tear size was significantly associated with worsening degree of damage to the acromial undersurface (P < .001). In the 9 cadaveric shoulders with rotator cuff tears, class A1-A3 damage was identified in the anterior one-third area in 100%, in the middle one-third area in 88.9%, and in the posterior one-third area in 33.3%. In the 14 cadaveric shoulders with a normal rotator cuff, class A1-A3 damage was identified in the anterior one-third area in 35.7%, in the middle one-third area in 14.3%, and in the posterior one-third area in 0.71%. CONCLUSION: Damage to the acromial undersurface in patients with rotator cuff tears occurred at the middle, posterior, and anterior one-third areas, and the degree of damage was related to cuff tear size. Surgeons should evaluate the entire acromial undersurface to check for subacromial impingement damage at the middle and posterior one-third areas as well as the anterior one-third area of the acromial undersurface; this might aid in the treatment of patients with rotator cuff disease or subacromial impingement syndrome.

Predictors of safety margin for coracoid transfer: a cadaveric morphometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the bone length available for coracoid transfer without coracoclavicular ligament injury and the distance from the coracoid tip to the attachments of the coracoacromial ligament or pectoralis minor. We hypothesized that cadaver height and the soft tissue attachments on the coracoid process were predictive factors for sufficient bone length for coracoid transfer. METHODS: This study included 28 shoulders from Japanese cadavers: 19 male and 9 female. The distance from the coracoid tip to the distal attachment of the coracoclavicular ligament and the anterior and posterior margins of the coracoacromial ligament or pectoralis minor on the coracoid process were measured. RESULTS: The mean available length for coracoid transfer was 24.8 ± 3.4 mm. There was a significant difference in length between male and female subjects, being 26.0 ± 2.9 mm and 22.2 ± 3.0 mm, respectively (p = 0.004). High positive correlations were found between the length of the coracoid transfer and cadaver's height (r = 0.48, p = 0.009) and the distance from the coracoid tip to the anterior coracoacromial ligament attachment (r = 0.63, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve area under the curve for cadaver height was 0.72 while that for distance from coracoid tip to anterior coracoacromial ligament was 0.88 when predicted for a sufficient length for coracoid transfer > 25 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings will aid surgeons in preoperative planning and performing of osteotomy of the coracoid safely by predicting the available length of coracoid bone graft.

Anatomical study of the position and orientation of the coracoclavicular ligaments: Differences in bone tunnel position by gender.

BACKGROUND: Reconstructing both coracoclavicular ligaments following acromioclavicular dislocation has recently been reported to restore the function of the acromioclavicular joint better than traditional procedures. Knowing the appropriate position and orientation of the bone tunnels and the potential risks of neurovascular injuries leads to safe reconstruction. We aimed to answer the following questions: what is the difference in the accurate clavicular bone tunnel positions (BTPs) during coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction between sex, and what are the potential risks for neurovascular injuries? HYPOTHESIS: The BTPs differ by sex at the site of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We introduced two Kirschner wires into 25 cadaver shoulders (17 male, 8 female), one through the insertion center of the trapezoid ligament and one through the conoid ligament, and measured the distance from the respective Kirschner wire insertion points to the bony landmarks of the clavicle and the oblique angle of each Kirschner wire. The shortest distance from the insertion point of each Kirschner wire to the suprascapular nerve and artery was also measured. RESULTS: While the distance from the acromioclavicular joint to the respective Kirschner wire insertion points tended to be longer in males, the ratio of these insertion points to total clavicle length was constant. Other measurements for respective Kirschner wire insertions to the bony landmarks and neurovascular structures were comparable, as were abduction and retroversion angles. The distance from the suprascapular nerve to the insertion point of the conoid ligament at the coracoid process was 13.8±4.0mm, while the distance from the suprascapular artery was 7.1±3.3mm. DISCUSSION: Appropriate position and orientation of the bone tunnels, and the ratio of the BTPs to the total clavicular length, aid surgeons in performing the reconstruction. The conoid ligament insertion on the coracoid was just proximal to the suprascapular artery, so surgeons should be careful with conoid insertion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, cadaver study.

Neurectomy for Bilateral Morton's Neuroma A Case Report of a Male Patient.

Morton's neuroma is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged women, and many articles have addressed the surgical treatment of this condition. Previous reports have described bilateral neuroma excision in women but not in men. We report a rare case of bilateral neuromas in a male patient treated with simultaneous neurectomy.

Duplication of chromosome segment 12q13-15 in a lipomatous tumor with minimal nuclear atypia: A case report.

Ordinary lipoma is cytogenetically characterized by structural rearrangements, particularly translocations, of 12q13-15. By contrast, atypical lipomatous tumors exhibit supernumerary ring or giant marker chromosomes that are composed mainly of amplified material from the 12q13-15 chromosome segment. The present study describes the cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic findings from a lipomatous tumor with minimal nuclear atypia that was identified in a 49-year-old female patient. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right shoulder revealed a 13-cm fatty mass in the subcutaneous layer that possessed only pencil-line septa. Contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted images demonstrated faint enhancement. A marginal excision was performed. Histologically, the tumor was composed of lobules that consisted of mature adipocytes separated by thin fibrous septa. There was minimal nuclear atypia in certain cells, and a small number of binucleated cells were also observed within the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells did not reveal the expression of murine double-minute 2 (MDM2). Cytogenetic analysis revealed a complex karyotype with several numerical and structural alterations, including 12q rearrangements. Spectral karyotyping demonstrated a duplication of chromosome segment 12q13-15. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed no MDM2 gene amplification. The present case indicates that duplication of 12q may be associated with minimal nuclear atypia in a subset of lipomatous tumors.