Pregnancy and Lactation-Associated Osteoporosis Successfully Treated with Romosozumab: A Case Report.

Pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) is a rare type of premenopausal osteoporosis that occurs mainly in the third trimester or immediately after delivery; one of its most common symptoms is back pain caused by a vertebral fracture. The pathogenesis of PLO is unclear, and there is no accepted consensus regarding the treatment of PLO. Although treatments with drugs such as bisphosphonate, strontium ranelate, denosumab, and teriparatide were reported, there is no report of a patient with PLO treated with romosozumab. We present the first case of a patient with PLO treated with romosozumab following 4-month teriparatide treatment. A 34-year-old primiparous and breastfeeding Japanese woman experienced severe low back pain 1 month postdelivery. She was diagnosed with PLO on the basis of low bone marrow density (BMD) and multiple vertebral fractures with no identified cause of secondary osteoporosis. She was treated with teriparatide injection for 4 months, but the treatment was discontinued because of the patient feeling severe nausea after every teriparatide injection and the appearance of new vertebral fractures. Thereafter, we used romosozumab for 12 months. After the romosozumab treatment, her BMD was increased from the baseline by 23.6% at L1-L4, 6.2% at the femoral neck, and 11.2% at the total hip. Treating PLO with 12-month romosozumab after 4 months of teriparatide injection remarkably increased the BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip without subsequent fracture. Romosozumab has potential as a therapeutic option to improve the BMD and reduce the subsequent fracture risk of patients with PLO.

Biological reconstruction of the proximal femur after treatment of benign lesions: comparison of functional and oncological outcomes for children and adults.

PURPOSE: Describe and compare the functional and oncological outcomes and complications between paediatric and adult patients after intra-lesional treatment of benign tumours of the proximal femur, stabilised with an autologous non-vascularised fibular strut graft (NVFSG). METHODS: Retrospective review including 54 patients with a benign histopathological diagnosis treated between 1987 and 2018. The mean age at operation was 17 years (range, 3 to 37 years) with a median follow-up of 39.5 months (IQR 46.7 months). Patients were grouped according to their age at diagnosis (< 16 years versus ≥ 16 years). Data collection included weight-bearing status, Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) score, local recurrence, revision surgery and complications. Local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and revision-free survival (RFS) were calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS: The median MSTS score for all patients was 98.3% (IQR 6.7%) without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.146) between both groups. The median time to full weight-bearing was 12 weeks (IQR 0 weeks). Local recurrence occurred in five (9%) patients. LRFS for all patients was 96% at 2 years and 88% at 5 years. Although local recurrence was more frequent in the paediatric group, LRFS did not significantly differ (p = 0.155, 95% CI 223.9 to 312.3) between both groups. Reoperation rate was 13% and was indicated for local recurrence, post-operative fracture, graft resorption and avascular necrosis. RFS for all patients was 90% at 2 years and 85% at 5 years. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.760, 95% CI 214.1 to 304.6) regarding RFS between both groups. CONCLUSION: The use of an autogenous NVFSG after intra-lesional curettage of benign proximal femoral lesions allows for a biological, structural stabilisation without additional osteosynthesis, hastening weight-bearing and avoiding metalwork-related complications with minimal post-operative morbidity and complications and excellent functional and oncological outcome for both children and adults.

Extra-articular resection of shoulder joint for bone sarcomas: Oncologic and limb-salvage outcomes of 32 cases compared with shoulder disarticulation and forequarter amputation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the overall survival (OS), surgical complications, survival of reconstruction, and functional outcome of patients who underwent extra-articular resection of the shoulder joint for primary bone sarcomas. The OS and local recurrence rates in patients who underwent an amputation were also evaluated for comparison. METHODS: Thirty-two patients treated between 1988 and 2017 were studied. The tumours were located in the humerus in 22 (69%) and scapula in 10 patients (31%). The resection types were Malawer type IV in 6 (19%), type V in 21 (66%), and type VI in 5 patients (15%). Reconstruction was performed with endoprosthesis in 23 patients (72%) while excision arthroplasty with the suspension of the humerus to the clavicle was performed in 9 patients (28%). Surgical margins were wide in 16, marginal in 8, intralesional in 3, and not available in 5 patients. During the study period, 40 patients underwent a forequarter amputation and 11 patients underwent a shoulder disarticulation. RESULTS: The 5-year OS for patients who underwent extra-articular resection of the shoulder joint was 42% which was not statistically different compared with that of patients who underwent amputation (5-year OS = 30%; P = .091). The 5-year survival of the reconstruction was 94%, similar for endoprosthesis and excision arthroplasty. Local recurrence and complications developed in 6 (19%) and 10 patients (31%), respectively. Failures of the reconstruction requiring revision surgery occurred in two patients (6%). Limb salvage was achieved in 30 patients (94%). The median Musculoskeletal Tumour Society functional score was 61% (interquartile range, 57%-70%) and was similar in the endoprosthesis and excision arthroplasty group. CONCLUSIONS: Extra-articular resection of the shoulder joint for bone sarcomas is an effective limb-salvage method. However, local recurrence remains a principal concern.

Acetabular reconstruction with an ice-cream cone prosthesis following resection of pelvic tumors: Does computer navigation improve surgical outcome?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acetabular reconstruction with a coned-stem prosthesis has been one of the reliable procedures following pelvic tumor resections but is associated with a risk of complications and postoperative morbidity. We investigated whether navigated reconstruction could decrease the complication rate and optimize outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 33 patients who underwent acetabular resection and reconstruction with ice-cream cone prostheses; outcomes were compared between the navigated and nonnavigated groups. RESULTS: A clear margin was obtained in 91% and 82% of the navigated and nonnavigated groups, respectively. The local recurrence (LR) rate was 12%, and all LRs occurred in the nonnavigated group. The rate of major complications requiring surgical intervention was significantly lower in the navigated group (9%) than in the nonnavigated group (50%; P = .024). Two implant failures occurred in the nonnavigated group. Functional outcomes were significantly correlated with the occurrence of major complications (P = .010) and the use of navigation (P = .043); superior functional scores were observed in the navigated group (Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, 73% vs 55%; Toronto Extremity Salvage Score, 73% vs 56%). CONCLUSION: Ice-cream cone prosthesis is an acceptable reconstruction modality following periacetabular tumor resections, and computer navigation are useful to facilitate proper resection margins and implant position.

Talipes Equinus Deformity Caused by Fibrous Gastrocnemius Muscle Contracture After Direct Contusion in Football Players: Report of Two Cases.

Two main causes of gastrocnemius contracture have been considered: 1) congenital deformities in pediatric patients, such as limb-length discrepancy, cerebral palsy, flatfoot, and clubfoot; and 2) secondary conditions such as immobilization for trauma or a nonfunctional limb. Talipes equinus deformity caused by fibrous gastrocnemius contracture after a direct muscle contusion is extremely rare. We describe 2 cases of talipes equinus deformity caused by fibrous gastrocnemius muscle contracture after a direct contusion in football players. Both of the players had a talipes equinus deformity with a severe restriction of ankle dorsiflexion, and a cord-like structure was observed at the proximal part of the lateral gastrocnemius head. Both patients' histological examinations revealed fibrous tendon-like tissue within the structure. After discission of the cord-like structures, the restriction of ankle dorsiflexion was completely resolved, and the patients were able to fully return to playing football without any discomfort in their calves.

Missed causative tumors in diagnosing tumor-induced osteomalacia with (18)F-FDG PET/CT: a potential pitfall of standard-field imaging.

OBJECTIVE: We describe herein two tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) cases for whom the causative lesions, located in their popliteal fossa, that were not identified in the standard field of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT), which usually images only the head, trunk, and proximal parts of the extremities. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 47 years old Japanese man with multiple pathological fractures due to osteomalacia, accompanied by muscle weakness, hypophosphatemia, and an elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was referred to our hospital. A (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan was performed, but no (18)F-FDG uptake was detected in the standard field of imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a small subcutaneous tumor (1.9×1.2×0.6cm) of the left posteriomedial knee, displaying uniform enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted fat-suppression imaging. The tumor was resected widely and diagnosed as phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor, mixed connective tissue variant (PMTMCT). The other patient was a 31 years old Japanese woman with multiple pathological fractures, hypophosphatemia and elevated of ALP and was referred to our hospital on suspicion of TIO. Although the causative lesion was not identified in the standard field of (18)F-FDG PET/CT, (18)F-FDG uptake (SUVmax 2.9) was detected on the right knee in the additional whole-body (18)F-FDG PET/CT. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a soft-tissue tumor (6.4×4.1×2.9cm) in the right posterior knee. Following biopsy, the tumor was marginally resected, and was pathologically diagnosed as PMTMCT. CONCLUSION: Once patients are suspected to have TIO, a whole-body nuclear imaging study such as (18)F-FDG PET/CT should be performed, in order not to miss the hidden causative tumor, especially occurring in the distal extremities.

Atypical Fracture of the Scapular Spine: A Case Report.

Atypical fractures are gaining attention as a severe potential side effect of long-term treatment with bone-modifying agents (e.g., bisphosphonate and denosumab) for osteoporosis. Most atypical fractures occur in weight-bearing bones; the femur is the most frequent site. Atypical fractures occurring in non-weight-bearing bones are extremely rare. We describe an atypical fracture of the scapular spine in a 92-year-old Japanese woman with osteoporosis who had been treated with minodronate for ~7 years. Although the dislocation of the fracture site remained after conservative treatment, there was no obstacle to her daily life.

Rib stress fracture in a female athlete caused by bouncing the barbell in bench press exercise: A case report.

Rib stress fractures can occur in sports involving repetitive trunk muscle contractions. Few documented cases show rib fractures from repetitive upper-limb training. This report presents a case of a rib stress fracture from micro blunt trauma during bench press exercises. The patient was a 24-year-old elite female sprinter with a history of left navicular stress fracture and secondary amenorrhea treatment a year prior. She modified her bench press technique to involve bouncing the barbell on her rib cage. Within weeks, she experienced anterior chest pain, exacerbated by sneezing. Computed tomography revealed a fifth rib fracture with callus formation. After refraining from bench presses for 4 weeks, her chest pain subsided, allowing her to resume upper-limb training. When athletes performing bench press exercises experience chest pain, rib fractures should be considered, even without acute trauma. Additionally, research on the safety of the bouncing bench pressing technique is required.

Walking ability after resection of soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh and the sciatic nerve.

Walking ability may be fairly well maintained after sciatic nerve resection combined with wide resection of soft tissue sarcoma, therefore, surgeons should not hesitate to perform sciatic nerve resection to achieve an adequate surgical margin.

Case report: Atypical lipomatous tumor of the thigh in a four-year-old girl.

Atypical lipomatous tumors (ALTs) are locally aggressive adipocytic malignancies that frequently occur in middle-aged adults. We report the rare case of an ALT of the thigh that occurred in a 4-year-old girl. Since the tumor was initially diagnosed as a lipoblastoma by incisional biopsy, marginal resection was performed. Histopathological findings of the surgical specimen revealed the proliferation of mature and variously sized adipocytes, as well as ectopic ossification; these features differ from the typical findings of lipoblastoma. Immunohistochemical findings showed nuclear positivity for a murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and negativity for pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1). Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed abnormal amplification of the MDM2 gene. The patient was thus finally diagnosed as having an ALT. No signs of local recurrence or metastasis were noted 1 year postoperatively. This case is instructive in the differential diagnosis of primary adipocytic tumors. Lipoblastomas are the most common adipocytic tumors in children, but if a tumor is located in the deep tissue or imaging findings are not typical, the possibility of ALT should be considered and immunohistochemistry for MDM2 and CDK4 should be added.

Foot Tapping Test as a Simple Quantitative Index of Motor Function for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective review of data from patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbosacral radiculopathy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the foot tapping test (FTT) in evaluating lower limb motor function in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy pre- and post-surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbosacral radiculopathy is becoming increasingly common in aging populations. Despite standard treatments, paralysis often leads to incomplete postoperative recovery, necessitating early detection and interventions. METHODS: We enrolled individuals who underwent surgery for lumbosacral radiculopathy at our facility between 2009 and 2020. Patients with a history of lumbar surgeries, dialysis, rheumatoid arthritis, and transitional vertebrae were excluded. The FTT score was measured by having the sole of the foot tap as many times as possible for 10 s while keeping the heel in contact with the floor. The L4, L5, and S1 groups were assigned using the scores on the side of the radiculopathy, and the control group was assigned using the scores on the intact side. Data were analyzed using Dunnett's test for group comparisons and paired t-tests for pre-post-surgery comparisons. RESULTS: Of the 522 eligible patients, 80 (159 nerve roots, one patient with hemi-prosthetic leg) were analyzed. The preoperative FTT scores in the L4 and L5 groups were significantly lower than those in the control group, indicating functional impairment. One year post-surgery, all groups showed improvements in FTT scores, with the L5 group exhibiting significant improvements compared to the control; this was supported by the results of sensitivity analyses considering the effects of paralysis and pain. CONCLUSION: The FTT is a valuable tool for the early detection of lower limb motor dysfunction in lumbosacral radiculopathy, particularly for L5 nerve root impairment, where it aids in timely surgical intervention and may improve postoperative outcomes and quality of life.

A new era in the management of spinal metastasis.

Despite the recent advances in cancer treatment, the incidence of patients with spinal metastases continues to grow along with the total number of cancer patients. Spinal metastases can significantly impair activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL), compared with other types of bone metastases, as they are characterized with severe pain and paralysis caused by skeletal-related events. Reduced ADL can also lead to treatment limitations as certain anticancer agents and radiation therapy are not compatible treatments; thus, leading to a shorter life expectancy. Consequently, maintaining ADLs in patients with spinal metastases is paramount, and spine surgeons have an integral role to play in this regard. However, neurosurgeon, orthopedic and spinal surgeons in Japan do not have a proactive treatment approach to spinal metastases, which may prevent them from providing appropriate treatment when needed (clinical inertia). To overcome such endemic inertia, it is essential for 1) spine surgeons to understand and be more actively involved with patients with musculoskeletal disorders (cancer locomo) and cancer patients; 2) the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach (coordination and meetings not only with the attending oncologist but also with spine surgeons, radiologists, rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals) to preemptive treatment such as medication, radiotherapy, and surgical treatment; and 3) the integration of the latest findings associated with minimally invasive spinal treatments that have expanded the indications for treatment of spinal metastases and improved treatment outcomes. This heralds a new era in the management of spinal metastases.

Radiological and pathological characteristics of synovial hemangioma of the knee.

Synovial hemangioma, a rare benign tumor that occurs most frequently in the knee in children and young adults, has four histological subtypes: Venous, arteriovenous, cavernous and capillary hemangiomas. Since the clinical presentation and radiological findings of synovial hemangioma are non-specific, there is frequently a long period between the onset and the diagnosis. The cases of nine patients, pathologically diagnosed with synovial hemangioma and surgically treated, were retrospectively analyzed. All nine patients had persistent knee pain. In addition, three patients also had a swollen knee with intra-articular hemorrhage. Plain radiography revealed intra-articular phleboliths in two patients. In seven patients, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed low signal intensity with small signal voids. On T2-weighted imaging, all patients showed high signal intensity containing small signal voids. All patients underwent surgical excision; there was no postoperative recurrence after the final operation, and the knee pain had disappeared at the final follow-up. From the pathological findings, the diagnoses were venous hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma and capillary hemangioma (three patients each).

Accuracy of MRI scans in predicting intra-articular joint involvement in high-grade sarcomas around the knee.

Aims: Intra-articular (IA) tumours around the knee are treated with extra-articular (EA) resection, which is associated with poor functional outcomes. We aim to evaluate the accuracy of MRI in predicting IA involvement around the knee. Methods: We identified 63 cases of high-grade sarcomas in or around the distal femur that underwent an EA resection from a prospectively maintained database (January 1996 to April 2020). Suspicion of IA disease was noted in 52 cases, six had IA pathological fracture, two had an effusion, two had prior surgical intervention (curettage/IA intervention), and one had an osseous metastasis in the proximal tibia. To ascertain validity, two musculoskeletal radiologists (R1, R2) reviewed the preoperative imaging (MRI) of 63 consecutive cases on two occasions six weeks apart. The radiological criteria for IA disease comprised evidence of tumour extension within the suprapatellar pouch, intercondylar notch, extension along medial/lateral retinaculum, and presence of IA fracture. The radiological predictions were then confirmed with the final histopathology of the resected specimens. Results: The resection histology revealed 23 cases (36.5%) showing IA disease involvement compared with 40 cases without (62%). The intraobserver variability of R1 was 0.85 (p < 0.001) compared to R2 with κ = 0.21 (p = 0.007). The interobserver variability was κ = 0.264 (p = 0.003). Knee effusion was found to be the most sensitive indicator of IA involvement, with a sensitivity of 91.3% but specificity of only 35%. However, when combined with a pathological fracture, this rose to 97.5% and 100% when disease was visible in Hoffa's fat pad. Conclusion: MRI imaging can sometimes overestimate IA joint involvement and needs to be correlated with clinical signs. In the light of our findings, we would recommend EA resections when imaging shows effusion combined with either disease in Hoffa's fat pad or retinaculum, or pathological fractures.

Limb salvage surgery has a higher complication rate than amputation but is still beneficial for patients younger than 10 years old with osteosarcoma of an extremity.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Limb preserving surgery for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma younger than 10 years old is challenging and some authors have advocated amputation to reduce the risk of complications. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and surgical complications of patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity aged <10 years old who were treated with limb salvage and amputation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of patients aged <10 years old who were treated for primary osteosarcoma of bone between 2000 and 2018. RESULTS: We analyzed 82 consecutive patients (32 males, 50 females; median age 8, range 3-9 yrs). Limb-salvage surgery (LSS; n = 65, 79%) and amputation (n = 17, 21%) were performed. Fourteen patients had metastasis at surgery. In patients without metastasis at surgery, the metastasis-free and overall survival rates at 5 years following LSS vs. amputation were 75% vs. 58% (p = 0.162) and 71% vs. 55% (p = 0.516), respectively. The 2-year and 5-year OS rates of the LSS and amputation groups of patients with metastasis at surgery were 88% versus 83% and 50% versus 0%, respectively (p = 0.180). The overall complication rates were 46% post-LSS with 31% requiring re-operation versus 12% post-amputation, with 6% requiring re-operation (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of patients with localized osteosarcoma aged <10 years undergoing LSS is similar to those treated with amputation, but LSS is associated with a higher risk of complications and subsequent re-operation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The adequacy of resection margin for non-infiltrative soft-tissue sarcomas.

OBJECTIVES: There remains no consensus on what constitutes an adequate margin of resection for non-infiltrative soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs). We aimed to investigate the role of resection margins in millimetres for non-infiltrative STSs. METHODS: 502 patients who underwent surgical resection for a localized, non-infiltrative, high-grade STSs were studied. The prognostic significance of margin width was analysed and compared with the conventional R- and R+1-classification of surgical margins. RESULTS: The overall local recurrence (LR) rate was 13%; 9% and 27% with negative and positive margins, respectively (p < 0.001). In patients with negative margins, the LR rates were greater than 10% in patients with margins ≤5.0 mm but reduced to less than 4% with margins >5.0 mm. When classified by the R- (or R+1)-classification, the 5-year cumulative LR incidence was 8%, 23% (16%), and 31% for R0, R1, and R2, respectively, which did not stratify the LR risk with negative margins. On the other hand, an accurate risk stratification was possible by metric distance; the 5-year cumulative incidence of LR was 29%, 10%, and 1% with 0 mm, 0.1-5.0 mm, and >5.0 mm, respectively (p < 0.001). This classification also stratified the LR risk in patients with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: While a negative margin is essential to optimize local control in patients with non-infiltrative STSs, surgical margin width greater than 5 mm minimises the risk of local failure regardless of the use of adjuvant radiotherapy.

Periprosthetic Fracture Resembling Atypical Femoral Fracture After Fixation With Retrograde Intramedullary Nail in Elderly Women: A Report of Two Cases.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The number of individuals diagnosed with and requiring medical treatment for osteoporosis continues to increase due to global population aging and the high awareness of osteoporosis. Bone-modifying agents (BMAs) including bisphosphonate and denosumab are widely used for osteoporosis, and atypical femoral fracture (AFF) is also gaining attention as a severe potential side effect of long-term BMA treatment. The definition of AFF excludes periprosthetic femoral fracture; here, we describe two cases of a periprosthetic femoral fracture that resembled AFF. CASE REPORT: The fractures occurred at the proximal tip of the retrograde femoral nail after an internal fixation for a distal femoral shaft fracture in elderly Japanese women. Each woman had been treated with bisphosphonate therapy for >2 years and had continued the bisphosphonate after undergoing surgery for a distal femoral shaft fracture. Each patient had noticed thigh pain before falling down, and plain radiographs showed a short oblique or transverse fracture with medial spike and localized periosteal reaction of the lateral cortex in each case. The fractures were re-fixed with an antegrade intramedullary nail, and bone union was achieved at >1 year after the second operation. Although these two cases were classified as periprosthetic fractures, they fulfilled the characteristics of AFF. CONCLUSION: Physicians should conduct a thorough interview of patients with a history of BMA treatment in order to correctly diagnose periprosthetic fractures that resemble AFFs, and they should be aware that symptomatic fractures can be prevented by prophylactic fixation. The discontinuance of BMA therapy and the introduction of another drug such as teriparatide may lead to faster healing of surgically treated AFFs.

The role of surgical margin quality in myxofibrosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of margin quality as a barrier against infiltration of soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) has been unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of margin quantity and quality on local control for myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). METHODS: 278 patients with a localised MFS and UPS were studied. Margin quality was categorized into five types; type 1, pseudocapsule/reactive zone; type 2, fat/fibrofatty tissue; type 3, muscle; type 4, fascia; type 5, periosteum. RESULTS: The 5-year cumulative LR incidence was 22% and 13% in patients with positive and 0.1-9.9 mm margins, respectively, but decreased to 3% with ≥10.0 mm margins (p = 0.009); the cumulative LR incidence was significantly lower in patients with ≥10.0 mm margins than those with positive margins (p = 0.033) but was not significantly different in those with 0.1-9.9 mm margins (p = 0.183). In patients with 0.1-9.9 mm margins, the cumulative LR incidence was affected by margin quality; type 4 and 5 provided an LR risk less than 5% (p < 0.001), which was similar to those with margins ≥10.0 mm. Combining these two factors together, the LR risk in patients with positive or 0.1-9.9 mm margins without fascia/periosteum was approximately 11 × higher than patients with 0.1-9.9 mm margins with fascia/periosteum or margins ≥10.0 mm (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A resection margin of 0.1-9.9 mm with fascia or periosteum provided a similar LR risk profile to ≥10 mm margins with any margin quality, which provided the lowest LR risk. The quality of fascial or periosteal tissue margins may be equivalent to a margin quantity of 10 mm as a barrier to LR.

Delay in diagnosis of primary osteosarcoma of bone in children: Have we improved in the last 15 years and what is the impact of delay on diagnosis?

AIMS: Examine: (1) If length of symptoms (LS) of children with osteosarcoma has improved in the last 15 years (2) Is delay in diagnosis related to the presence of metastases at presentation? (3) The impact of delay in diagnosis on prognosis. METHODS: 250 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma of bone treated at a national bone tumor treatment center between 2004 and 2018 were studied retrospectively. Three groups comprising those diagnosed over a five-year period (Group 1: 2004-2008, Group 2: 2009-2013; Group 3: 2014-2018) were studied. RESULTS: There were 126 males and 124 females with a mean age 12.2 years. The median LS for all patients was eight weeks. The median LS for Group 3 was significantly shorter than that for other groups. Development of metastasis during follow-up period was significantly less in Group 3 compared to the other groups. Overall survival gradually improved over the whole study period. There was no difference in the proportion presenting with metastases at diagnosis between the three groups. The survival rates in patients with LS shorter than 4 weeks was better than those with LS longer than 4 weeks, irrespective of the study time period. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an improvement in the LS in patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma over the last 15 years. The development of metastasis during follow-up has reduced and the overall survival in the last 15 years has improved. LS longer than 4 weeks is associated with a poorer prognosis.

Navigation-assisted pelvic resections and reconstructions for periacetabular chondrosarcomas.

OBJECTIVES: Survival in patients with chondrosarcomas has not improved over 40 years. Although emerging evidence has documented the efficacy of navigation-assisted surgery, the prognostic significance in chondrosarcomas remains unknown. We aimed to assess the clinical benefit of navigation-assisted surgery for pelvic chondrosarcomas involving the peri-acetabulum. METHODS: We studied 50 patients who underwent limb-sparing surgery for periacetabular chondrosarcomas performed with navigation (n = 13) without it (n = 37) at a referral musculoskeletal oncology centre between 2000 and 2015. RESULTS: The intralesional resection rates in the navigated and non-navigated groups were 8% (n = 1) and 19% (n = 7), respectively; all bone resection margins were clear in the navigated group. The 5-year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was 23% and 56% in the navigated and non-navigated groups, respectively (p = 0.035). There were no intra-operative complications related to use of navigation. There was a trend toward better functional outcomes in the navigated group (mean MSTS score, 67%) than the non-navigated group (mean MSTS score, 60%; p = 0.412). At a mean follow-up of 63 months, the 5-year disease-specific survival was 76% and 53% in the navigated and non-navigated group, respectively (p = 0.085), whilst the 5-year progression-free survival was 62% and 28% in the navigated and non-navigated group, respectively (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed improved local control and progression-free survival with the use of computer navigation in patients with limb-salvage surgery for periacetabular chondrosarcomas, although the advancement in other treatment modalities is required for improvement of disease-specific survival.