Paediatric spine injuries in the thoracic and lumbar spine-results of the German multicentre CHILDSPINE study.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric thoracolumbar spine injuries are rare, and meaningful epidemiological data are lacking. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological data for paediatric patients with thoracolumbar spinal trauma in Germany with a view to enhancing future decision-making in relation to the diagnostics and treatment of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective multicentre study includes patients up to 16 years of age who were suffering from thoracolumbar spine injuries who had been treated in six German spine centres between 01/2010 and 12/2016. The clinical database was analysed for patient-specific data, trauma mechanisms, level of injury, and any accompanying injuries. Diagnostic imaging and subsequent treatment were investigated. Patients were divided into three age groups for further evaluation: age group I (0-6 years), age group II (7-9 years) and age group III (10-16 years). RESULTS: A total of 153 children with 345 thoracolumbar spine injuries met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at the time of hospitalization due to the injury was 12.9 (± 3.1) years. Boys were likelier to be affected (1:1.3). In all age groups, falls and traffic accidents were the most common causes of thoracolumbar spine injuries. A total of 95 patients (62.1%) were treated conservatively, while 58 (37.9%) of the children underwent surgical treatment. Minimally invasive procedures were the most chosen procedures. Older children and adolescents were likelier to suffer from higher-grade injuries according to the AOSpine classification. The thoracolumbar junction (T11 to L2) was the most affected level along the thoracolumbar spine (n = 90). Neurological deficits were rarely seen in all age groups. Besides extremity injuries (n = 52, 30.2%), head injuries represented the most common accompanying injuries (n = 53, 30.8%). Regarding spinal injuries, most of the patients showed no evidence of complications during their hospital stay (96.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The thoracolumbar junction was more frequently affected in older children and adolescents. The majority of thoracolumbar spinal column injuries were treated conservatively. Nevertheless, 37.9% of hospitalized children had to be treated surgically, and there was an acceptable complication rate for the surgeries that were performed.

Pediatric cervical spine injuries-results of the German multicenter CHILDSPINE study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological data of pediatric patients suffering from cervical spinal trauma in Germany, in order to integrate these data in future decision-making processes concerning diagnosis and therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study includes all patients up to 16 years suffering from cervical spine injuries who were treated in six German spine centers between 01/2010 and 12/2016. The clinical databases were screened for specific trauma mechanism, level of injury as well as accompanying injuries. Diagnostic imaging and the chosen therapy were analyzed. Patients were divided into three age groups for further evaluation: age group I (0-6 years), age group II (7-9 years), age group III (10-16 years). RESULTS: A total of 214 children with 265 cervical spine injuries were included during the mentioned period. The mean age at the time of injury was 11.9 (± 3.9) years. In age group I, 24 (11.2%) patients were included, age group II consisted of 22 patients (10.3%), and 168 patients belonged to age group III (78.5%). Girls and boys were equally affected. In all age groups, falls and traffic accidents were the most common causes of cervical spine injuries. A total of 180 patients (84.1%) were treated conservatively, while 34 (15.9%) children underwent surgery. Distorsion/whiplash injury was the most common entity (n = 165; 68.2%). Children aged 0-9 years had significantly (p < 0.001) more frequent injuries of the upper cervical spine (C0-C2) compared to older age groups. Patients of age group III were more likely to suffer from injuries in subaxial localizations. Neurological deficits were rarely seen in all age groups. Head injuries did represent the most common accompanying injuries (39.8%, n = 92). CONCLUSIONS: The upper cervical spine was more frequently affected in young children. Older children more often suffered from subaxial pathologies. The majority of cervical spinal column injuries were treated conservatively. Nevertheless, 15% of the hospitalized children had to be treated surgically.

[X-ray diagnostics of fractures in childhood and adolescence-Consensus report of the scientific working group of the pediatric traumatology section of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU)]. / Röntgendiagnostik bei Frakturen im Kindes- und Jugendalter ­ Konsensusbericht des Wissenschaftlichen Arbeitskreises der Sektion Kindertraumatologie der DGU.

For decades projection radiography has been the standard in the diagnostics of fractures and injuries, including patients in childhood and adolescent; however, each examination with X­rays should also be based on an individual assessment of the benefits and risks. The pediatric traumatology section of the DGU has developed a consensus paper on various aspects of imaging for diagnostics and assessment of progression, on setting options for intraoperative imaging, on X­ray imaging of the opposite side, on polytrauma and computed tomography (CT), on postoperative radiological checks and the use of sonography after an accident.

[U-shaped fractures of the sacrum-what is the correct treatment? : A presentation of three cases]. / U-Frakturen des Os sacrum ­ Wie therapiert man richtig? : Eine Präsentation dreier Fälle.

BACKGROUND: Sacral U­shaped fractures are rare but severe injuries. Due to the resulting spinopelvic dissociation they are highly unstable. Reduction and stabilization are usually required and decompression may be necessary due to frequent concomitant neurological injuries. In the literature there is no consensus with respect to the selection of the surgical approach. CASE PRESENTATIONS: After a road traffic accident an 18-year-old woman suffered a U-fracture of the sacrum type II according to Roy-Camille and was treated with bilateral double sacroiliac screw osteosynthesis and sacral laminectomy. A 76-year-old man with a U­fracture type I according to Roy-Camille after falling down the stairs was treated by lumbopelvic fixation. A 24-year-old man with U­fracture type II according to Roy Camille after a road accident was treated with triangular vertebropelvic stabilization and sacral laminectomy. For all patients the outcome was good. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment is necessary, with minimally invasive techniques offering advantages over open surgery. A distinction must be made between lumbopelvic fixation and posterior pelvic ring fixation. Multiple aspects must be taken into consideration of the indications when selecting the surgical technique.

[Diagnostics and treatment of cervical spine trauma in pediatric patients : Recommendations from the Pediatric Spinal Trauma Group]. / Diagnostik und Therapie von Verletzungen der Halswirbelsäule im Kindesalter : Empfehlungen der AG Wirbelsäulentrauma im Kindesalter.

BACKGROUND: Severe cervical spine injuries in children under the age of 17 years are rare. Recommendations or even guidelines for the diagnostics and treatment of such injuries in children are currently not available. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to formulate recommendations for diagnostics and treatment of injuries of the cervical spine in pediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: First, a search of primary and secondary literature on the topic complex of diagnostics and treatment of cervical spine injuries in children was carried out. An appropriate internal literature database was defined and maintained. Second, within the framework of 9 meetings from April 2017 to December 2019 the members of the Pediatric Spinal Trauma Group of the Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma (DGOU) systematically formulated recommendations for the diagnostics and treatment of injuries of the cervical spine in pediatric patients by a consensus process. RESULTS: Recommendation for the diagnostics and treatment for injuries of the cervical spine could be formulated for three age groups (age group I: 0-6 years; age group II: 7-9 years; age group III: 10-16 years). The diagnostic and therapeutic principles known from adult patients suffering from injuries to the cervical spine cannot be easily transferred to pediatric patients. CONCLUSION: Injuries to the pediatric spine are rare and should be treated in specialized spine centers. Pediatric patients with a stable cardiopulmonary status should undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if a spinal trauma is suspected. Classification systems and therapeutic recommendations for injuries to the cervical spine known from adult patients could also be used for adolescent patients. This is not possible for children under the age of 10 years. Only few classification systems exist for this age group. Basic principles of the treatment of spinal trauma in children is the restoration of spinal stability and correct anatomical relationships as well as the protection of all neural structures.

[Diagnostics and treatment of thoracic and lumbar spine trauma in pediatric patients : Recommendations from the Pediatric Spinal Trauma Group]. / Diagnostik und Therapie von Verletzungen der Brust- und Lendenwirbelsäule im Kindesalter : Empfehlungen der AG Wirbelsäulentrauma im Kindesalter.

BACKGROUND: Spinal injuries in pediatric patients are overall very rare. Current reference studies including large patient numbers that enable the formulation of evidence-based recommendations on diagnostics and treatment of these injuries do not exist. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to formulate recommendations on the diagnostics and treatment for injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine in pediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Firstly, a search for primary and secondary literature on the topic of diagnostics and treatment of spinal injuries in children was carried out. From this, a literature database was established and maintained. Secondly, within the framework of 9 meetings in the time period from April 2017 to December 2019 the members of the Pediatric Spinal Trauma Group of the Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma (DGOU) documented recommendations on diagnostics and treatment of injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine in pediatric patients by a consensus process. RESULTS: Recommendations on the diagnostics and treatment of injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine could be given for 3 age groups (age group I: 0-6 years; age group II: 7-9 years; age group III: 10-16 years). Diagnostic and therapeutic principles known from adult patients suffering from injuries to the thoracic or lumbar spine cannot easily be transferred to pediatric patients. CONCLUSION: Spinal injuries in childhood are rare and should be treated in specialized spine centers. Pediatric patients with a stable cardiopulmonary status should undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if a spinal trauma is suspected. The basic principles of the treatment of spinal trauma in children is the restoration of spinal stability and correct anatomical parameters as well as the protection of all neural structures. The potential for correction and regeneration of the individual spinal sections depending on the age of the patient must be considered for deciding between operative vs. conservative treatment. Whenever operative treatment is needed, it should be performed by minimally invasive techniques as a sole instrumentation without spondylodesis. An early removal of the screw-rod-system should be performed.

[Pediatric spine trauma-Results of a German national multicenter study including 367 patients]. / Wirbelsäulenverletzungen im Kindesalter ­ Ergebnisse einer nationalen Multizenterstudie mit 367 Patienten.

BACKGROUND: In general, pediatric spinal injuries are rare. No reliable data on the epidemiology of spinal injuries in pediatric patients in Germany are available. Especially in pediatric patients, for whom the medical history, clinical examination and the performance of imaging diagnostics are difficult to obtain, all available information on a spinal injury must be taken into account. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological data for pediatric patients with spinal trauma in Germany in order to enhance future decision-making for the diagnostics and treatment of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the framework of a national multicenter study, data were retrospectively obtained from 6 German spine centers for 7 years between January 2010 and December 2016. In addition to the demographic data, the clinical databases were screened for specific trauma mechanisms, level of injury as well as accompanying injuries. Furthermore, diagnostic imaging and the treatment selected were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 367 children (female: male = 1:1.2) with a total of 610 spinal injuries were included in this study. The mean age was 12 years (±3.5 years). The most frequent trauma mechanisms were falls from <3 m and traffic accidents. The imaging diagnostics were only rarely carried out with the child under anesthesia. Younger children (0-9 years old) suffered more injuries to the cervical spine, whereas injuries to the thoracic and lumbar spine were more frequently found in older children (>10 years old). The children frequently showed accompanying injuries to the head and the extremities. Accompanying spinal injuries mostly occurred in adjacent regions and only rarely in other regions. Around 75% of the children were treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: The results were different from the knowledge obtained from adult patients with spinal trauma and describe the special circumstances for pediatric patients with spinal trauma. Despite certain limitations these facts may help to enhance future decision-making for the diagnostics and treatment of these patients.

[Pale and pulseless hand after luxation of the left elbow in a 9­year-old boy]. / Blasse und pulslose Hand nach Luxation des linken Ellenbogens bei einem 9­jährigen Jungen.

BACKGROUND: Luxation of the elbow occurs around the age of 7 years instead of a supracondylar humeral fracture. The most common complication is a fracture of the medial epicondyle of the ulna in the sense of a bony avulsion of the ligament. There are only few case reports regarding collateral injuries of the brachial artery. All authors have described this complication as being very rare. CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE SEARCH: This article reports the case of a 10-year-old boy, who suffered a dorsal luxation of the left elbow. After reduction the left hand was noticeably pale and cold. The diagnostics showed a complete rupture of the brachial artery, associated with a dislocated fracture of the medial epicondyle of the ulna. In addition to the case report, the available literature concerning traumatic rupture of the brachial artery in pediatric elbow dislocation was evaluated. RESULTS: Because of the results of the clinical examination and the Doppler examination with a lack of blood flow in the brachial artery of the left arm, computed tomography angiography was directly performed. The result was a complete interruption of the brachial artery at the level of the left elbow. The brachial artery rupture was treated using a local vein graft from the brachial vein. The fracture of the medial epicondyle of the ulna was treated by open reduction and an osteosynthesis with Kirschner (k) wires was performed. DISCUSSION: The clinical suspicion of an injury of the brachial artery justifies a rapid diagnostic investigation by CT angiography and an open vascular intervention as the only possibility to recreate a sufficient blood flow.

[Differences in the outcome of seriously injured children depending on treatment level]. / Unterschiede im Outcome schwerverletzter Kinder in Abhängigkeit von der Versorgungsstufe.

INTRODUCTION: Many publications, mainly from other countries, suggest that the treatment of seriously injured children might be better in specialised paediatric trauma centres than in general trauma centres. Data from Germany are not available yet, but those from abroad were used for the recommendations made by the German Association for Trauma Surgery (DGU) on the topic of paediatric trauma in the "White Paper on Trauma Care". The goal of this study was to analyse whether the outcome of severely injured children is dependent on treatment level and on the availability of a paediatric surgeon based on the given data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the "TraumaRegister DGU" between 2002 and 2012 were used. Children aged 1-15 years treated during the period 2002-2012 were included. Severity had to reach a minimum Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 9 and the treatment had to involve a stay at an Intensive Care Unit. Patients with an ISS ≥9 who died were also included to take into consideration children with particularly severe injuries. RESULTS: Hospitals without a paediatric surgeon transferred the patients significantly more frequently (p < 0.001). Mean hospital stay was shorter in centres with a paediatric surgeon, with slightly longer median stays at an Intensive Care Unit. Hospitals without a paediatric surgeon performed slightly more frequent surgical interventions on injured children (barely significant at p = 0.045). The death rate and the calculated Revised Injury Severity Classification (RISC) II prognosis were the same with or without the presence of a paediatric surgeon. No difference was found in the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) between the group with and the group without involvement of a paediatric surgeon. DISCUSSION: Overall, the medical care of seriously injured and polytraumatised children in Germany is good at all levels of treatment whether a paediatric surgeon is involved or not.

Classification and Outcome of Fracture-Dislocation of the Cuneiform Bones.

Fractures and dislocations of the cuneiform bones are rare injuries to the midtarsal foot. The injury severity is often unclear, and the prognostic factors are unknown. The purpose of the present study was to characterize our insights of the diagnostics, therapy, and fracture patterns. We questioned whether the number of involved cuneiform bones and the type of injury would affect the clinical outcome. With this information, we aimed to develop a classification system for injuries of the cuneonavicular joint. Five patients who had sustained complex fracture-dislocation of the cuneiform bones were prospectively registered, underwent surgery, and were followed. We reviewed the published data and found 47 reports that included 55 patients to improve the informative value of our study. The injury mechanisms and therapy were evaluated, and the postoperative limitations and pain were assessed. The clinical outcome was correlated with the number of involved cuneiforms and the fracture/dislocation pattern. Direct trauma was associated with isolated fracture, and indirect injury was associated with isolated dislocations. Occasionally, these injuries were overlooked on conventional radiographs, and closed reduction frequently failed. The number of cuneiform bones involved and the type of injury were shown to affect the clinical outcome. We devised an easily applicable classification system for injuries to the cuneiform bones using this information. All cases were classified as isolated fractures (1), isolated dislocations (2), or fracture-dislocations (3) involving 1 (A), 2 (B), or 3 (C) cuneiform bones. The classification system we propose will facilitate a better understanding of the fracture patterns at the cuneonavicular joint line and is a good prognostic tool that requires validation in clinical settings.

Reproducibility study of four-dimensional flow MRI of arterial and portal venous liver hemodynamics: influence of spatio-temporal resolution.

PURPOSE: To evaluate influence of variation in spatio-temporal resolution and scan-rescan reproducibility on three-dimensional (3D) visualization and quantification of arterial and portal venous (PV) liver hemodynamics at four-dimensional (4D) flow MRI. METHODS: Scan-rescan reproducibility of 3D hemodynamic analysis of the liver was evaluated in 10 healthy volunteers using 4D flow MRI at 3T with three different spatio-temporal resolutions (2.4 × 2.0 × 2.4 mm(3), 61.2 ms; 2.5 × 2.0 × 2.4 mm(3), 81.6 ms; 2.6 × 2.5 × 2.6 mm(3), 80 ms) and thus different total scan times. Qualitative flow analysis used 3D streamlines and time-resolved particle traces. Quantitative evaluation was based on maximum and mean velocities, flow volume, and vessel lumen area in the hepatic arterial and PV systems. RESULTS: 4D flow MRI showed good interobserver variability for assessment of arterial and PV liver hemodynamics. 3D flow visualization revealed limitations for the left intrahepatic PV branch. Lower spatio-temporal resolution resulted in underestimation of arterial velocities (mean 15%, P < 0.05). For the PV system, hemodynamic analyses showed significant differences in the velocities for intrahepatic portal vein vessels (P < 0.05). Scan-rescan reproducibility was good except for flow volumes in the arterial system. CONCLUSION: 4D flow MRI for assessment of liver hemodynamics can be performed with low interobserver variability and good reproducibility. Higher spatio-temporal resolution is necessary for complete assessment of the hepatic blood flow required for clinical applications.

[Injuries of the knee extensor complex in children]. / Verletzungen des Kniestreckapparates im Wachstumsalter.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the knee extensor complex are relatively rare injuries in children. We distinguish between a pure tendon rupture and ruptures with bony avulsions. A mid-substance tear in children is a relatively rare injury, whereas bony avulsions due to skeletal immaturity are seen more often. Sole bony fractures of the patella also only account for a low number of paediatric related fractures. Sleeve fractures are characterized by an avulsion of cartilage and, usually, bone pulled off from the distal patella pole. Avulsion fractures of the tibia tubercle are found in the group of sportive adolescents. TREATMENT: Especially dislocated fractures should be conveyed to surgical therapy to avoid excessive bone callus. Timely diagnostics and an efficient and consistent treatment are recommended. Deformities and dislocated avulsions will regularly not remodel spontaneously during further growth. Therefore, it is mandatory to reconstruct the articular surface and the knee extensor complex to avoid future complications such as osteoarthritis or elongation of the knee extensors.

[Treatment of proximal humeral fractures in childhood and adolescence : Consensus report of the pediatric traumatology section of the German Society for Trauma Surgery]. / Die Behandlung der proximalen Humerusfraktur im Kindes- und im Jugendalter : Konsensusbericht der Sektion Kindertraumatologie der DGU.

BACKGROUND: Proximal humeral fractures are a relatively common injury in childhood and adolescence, accounting for 0.45-2% of all fractures [2, 18]. Treatment is usually conservative but is still the subject of a scientific debate [9, 12]. In addition to the S1-LL, there are different recommendations for the diagnostics and treatment of these fractures in the literature. METHODOLOGY: As part of the 10th scientific meeting of the SKT of the DGU, the existing recommendations and the relevant or current literature were critically discussed by a panel of experts and a consensus was formulated. An algorithm for the diagnostics, therapy and treatment was integrated into this. RESULTS: The measurement of axial deviation and tilt is not interobserver and intraobserver reliable [3]. The age limit for when complete correction is possible was set at an age of 10 years, as the correction potential changes around this age. For diagnostic purposes, well-centered X­ray images in 2 planes (true AP and Y­images without thoracic parts) is defined as the standard. At the age of less than 10 years, any malposition can be treated conservatively with Gilchrist bandaging for 2-3 weeks. Surgery can only be indicated in individual cases, e.g., in the event of severe pain or the need for rapid weight bearing. An ad latus displacement of more than half the shaft width should not be tolerated over the age of 10 years. Due to the variance in the measurement results, it is not possible to recommend surgical treatment depending on the extent of the ad axim dislocation. As a guideline, the greater the dislocation and the closer the child is to growth joint closure, the more likely surgical treatment is indicated. The development should be taken into account. The gold standard is retrograde, radial and unilateral ESIN osteosynthesis using two intramedullary nails. Osteosynthesis does not require immobilization. A follow-up X­ray is planned for unstable fractures without osteosynthesis after 1 week, otherwise optional for documentation of consolidation after 4-6 weeks, e.g., if sports clearance is to be granted and before metal removal (12 weeks). CONCLUSION: Recommendations for surgical indications based on the extent of tilt are not reproducible and seem difficult in view of the current literature [3, 9, 12]. A pragmatic approach is recommended. The prognosis of the fracture appears to be so good, taking the algorithm into account, that restitutio ad integrum can be expected in most cases.

Proximal humeral fractures in children - controversies in decision making.

BACKGROUND: Proximal humeral fractures in children are rare and usually treated non-operatively, especially in children younger than ten. The decision between operative and non-operative treatment is mostly based on age and fracture angulation. In the current literature, diverging recommendations regarding fracture angulation that is still tolerable for non-operative treatment can be found. Besides, there is no consensus on how fracture angulation should be determined. This study aimed to determine whether leading experts in pediatric trauma surgery in Germany showed agreement concerning the measurement of fracture angulation, deciding between operative and non-operative treatment, and choosing a treatment modality. METHODS: Twenty radiographs showing a proximal humeral fracture and the patient's age were assessed twice by twenty-two senior members of the "Section of Pediatric Traumatology of the German Association for Trauma Surgery". Experts determined the fracture angulation and chose between several operative and non-operative treatment modalities. The mean of individual standard deviations was calculated to estimate the accuracy of single measurements for fracture angulation. Besides Intra-Class Correlation and Fleiss' Kappa coefficients were determined. RESULTS: For fracture angulation, experts showed moderate (ICC = 0.60) interobserver and excellent (ICC = 0.90) intraobserver agreement. For the treatment decision, there was fair (Kappa = 0.38) interobserver and substantial (Kappa = 0.77) intraobserver agreement. Finally, experts preferred ESIN over K-wires for operative and a Gilchrist over a Cuff/Collar for non-operative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Firstly, there is a need for consensus among experts on how fracture angulation in PHFs in children should be reliably determined. Our data indicate that choosing one method everybody agrees to use could be more helpful than using the most sophisticated. However, the overall importance of fracture angulation should also be critically discussed. Finally, experts should agree on treatment algorithms that could translate into guidelines to standardize the care and perform reliable outcome studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Computer-assisted navigation for the intraoperative assessment of lower limb alignment in high tibial osteotomy can avoid outliers compared with the conventional technique.

PURPOSE: Longterm outcomes after valgization high tibial osteotomy (HTO) to treat varus osteoarthritis seem to depend mainly on correction precision. Intraoperative assessment of leg alignment based on radiological visualization of the mechanical axis is difficult and its precision is limited. A promising approach to improving precision is to make use of navigation systems. The case-control study reported here involved the evaluation of patients whose varus osteoarthritis had been treated by open-wedge high tibial ostoetomy, and an analysis of the effect of computer-guided navigation on postoperative leg alignment. METHODS: Forty patients with medial varus osteoarthritis managed by open-wedge high tibial osteotomy using a surgical navigation system were included in the present study (Group 1). They were compared with a retrospective control group (Group 2) of 40 patients with respect to postoperative leg alignment, correlation of planned and definitive correction, and postoperative deviation from the Fujisawa point. RESULTS: The mean values for planned and definitive correction showed no significant differences for identical demographic data. As a percentage of the width of the tibial plateau the postoperative weight-bearing radiographs showed a mechanical line that intersected with the knee base line at the desired value of 62% (Fujisawa point) in 58.8% (SD ± 6.1) in Group 1 and in 58.6% (SD ± 8.1) in Group 2. Despite similar mean values a significantly higher number of corrections were outside the reference area (n = 7) in the non-navigated group, whereby all corrections were within the desired range in the navigated group. There were no significant differences in operation time. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the use of a navigation system can not increase the precision of the open-wedge HTO procedure in patients with varus osteoarthritis but it can eliminate the outliers of a well defined range. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-control study, Retrospective comparative study, Level III.

Exercise Resistance Band induced injuries during Covid 19 Pandemic Lockdown Training.

The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic forces athletes to perform their workout at home with alternative training methods. Exercise resistance bands, often used for this purpose, can cause damage when they recoil or tear. Potentially resulting injuries include bruises, head injuries, lacerations, facial fractures and eye injuries. The following article presents two case reports including accident mechanism, injuries, diagnostic evaluation and treatment.The first patient presented with an open depressed skull fracture caused by a recoiling exercise resistance band, while the second patient sustained a complex ocular trauma caused by a tearing exercise resistance band when performing supported chin-ups.

Is cross-sectional imaging necessary for fractures of the distal lower leg in children and adolescents: results of a nationwide survey.

PURPOSE: In childhood and adolescence, cross-sectional imaging, most commonly computed tomography (CT), is often performed for advanced diagnosis of joint injuries of the distal lower leg and upper ankle. Due to radiation exposure, the need for CT remains controversial, as these injuries follow stereotypies and usually have a similar course. Alternatively, the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also discussed. Since radiation sensitivity at this young age is much higher than in adults, an effort must be to minimize radiation exposure according to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principles. The aim of this survey is to evaluate the current procedure in Germany in the diagnosis of pediatric injuries of the distal lower leg and upper ankle. METHODS: For data collection, a survey entitled "CT in fractures of the ankle joint in childhood and adolescence: subject of the survey are injuries between 8 and 15 years of age" of the Section of Pediatric Traumatology in the German Association of Trauma Surgery was sent to all members via the distribution list of the German Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology and the distribution list of the German Society of Pediatric Surgery in a period from September 20, 2022-December 21, 2022. The survey included a total of 21 questions. Target groups were trauma and pediatric surgeons and orthopedic surgeons working in the hospital and in practice. RESULTS: A total of 525 participants took part in the survey: ultrasound diagnostics are used by almost 25% and the Ottawa Ankle Rules by over 50% always or in most cases. A conventional x-ray is always or most often used by over 90%. CT imaging is rarely used by 88.57%, mainly for surgical planning or analysis of fracture progression. 69.9% report that their radiology department uses a pediatric protocol for CT exams; 25.71% do not know if this is the case. MRI imaging is also used infrequently by 89.33%, mostly to identify associated injuries. Overall, CT imaging is chosen by 55.62% and MRI imaging by 35.24% as the sectional imaging modality for suspected fractures; 95.05% consider sectional imaging useful for a triplane fracture, 59.24% for a two-plane fracture, 41.71% for a Salter-Harris type III/IV injury, and 8% for a Salter-Harris type I/II injury. CONCLUSION: The survey showed that the conventional X-ray is still the gold standard. Interestingly, more than half of the respondents regularly use the Ottawa Ankle Rules, and diagnostics using ultrasound are also used by almost a quarter. Awareness of radiation protection in children exists, although a quarter of all participants do not know the extent to which their radiology department has a specific pediatric protocol for CT imaging. Cross-sectional imaging is performed on a regular basis. Regarding the actual extent of imaging, there is a clear divergence between theory and practice.

Management of juvenile and aneurysmal bone cysts: a systematic literature review with meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Numerous approaches to the management of juvenile and aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are described in the specialist literature together with discussion of the associated healing and recurrence rates. Since there is currently no evidence-based treatment standard for these conditions, the aim of this systematic literature review with meta-analysis was to examine the different management approaches, evaluate the corresponding clinical outcomes and, as appropriate, to formulate a valid treatment recommendation. METHODS: A systematic search on OVID Medline® based on a pre-existing search strategy returned 1333 publications. Having defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and analysis of the relevant full texts, 167 publications were included in the descriptive analysis and 163 in the meta-analysis. For this purpose, different subgroups were created, based on the type of cyst and the therapeutic procedure. Those subgroups were then analysed in relation to their healing rates, the number of recurrences and complication rates. RESULTS: For aneurysmal bone cysts, both surgical removal and Doxycycline injection lead to excellent outcomes (98% healing) and low recurrence rates (6% and 11% resp.). Curettage (91% healing), including its combination with autologous cancellous bone graft (96% healing), showed very good healing rates but higher recurrence rates (22% and 15%, resp.), which were however improved by preoperative selective arterial embolization. A critical view must be taken of radiotherapy (90% healing) and the injection of alcohol (92% healing) because of their high complication rates (0.43/cyst and 0.42/cyst, resp.). In the management of juvenile bone cysts, surgical interventions like curettage and cancellous bone graft (87% healing) are far superior to non-surgical approaches (51% healing), furthermore, the application of autologous cancellous bone graft reduced the recurrence rate (3% recurrence) compared to curettage alone (20% recurrence). In subgroup analysis, treatment by ESIN was found to produce excellent outcomes (100% healing), though the patient collectives were small. CONCLUSION: Surgical procedures to treat aneurysmal bone cysts appear to be the method of choice whereby Doxycycline injection may be an alternative. A surgical approach should be preferred in the treatment of juvenile bone cysts.

[Successful laparoscopic robot-assisted surgical treatment of bilateral ureterosciatic hernias (Lindbom's hernia) and pelvic kidney]. / Erfolgreiche laparoskopische roboterassistierte operative Therapie bei beidseitigen ureteroischialen Hernien (Lindbom's Hernie) und Beckenniere.

Ureterosciaic hernia is a rarely described pathology that represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the treating physician. In this case report, we present a patient with symptomatic bilateral ureteroschial hernias and a pelvic kidney on the left. The definitive surgical treatment of the hernias was performed in the robotic-assisted laparoscopic technique.This is the second case describing bilateral intestinal sciatic hernia, in combination with its diagnosis and robotic surgical repair.In this paper we present the fourth known case of a robotic approach to the surgical treatment of ureterosciaic hernia with detailed presentation of diagnostic and therapeutic measures, as well as postoperative results and literature research on this rare pathology.

Greenstick fractures of the proximal metaphyseal tibia: a retrospective multicenter study on the outcome after non-surgical or surgical treatment and the occurrence of posttraumatic tibia valga.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the occurrence of (progressive) posttraumatic valgus deformity after proximal metaphyseal greenstick fractures of the tibia in young children, and whether non-surgical or surgical treatment influences the outcome. METHODS: A retrospective multi-center study was conducted including surveys and X-rays of patients < 12 years of age with a fracture of the proximal tibia. In patients with greenstick fractures, the medial proximal tibia angle (MPTA; defined as the angle of the tibial axis and the joint-line of the knee) was measured at trauma, short-term follow-up (st-FU), and long-term FU (lt-FU) as defined for the 2 groups of non-surgically and surgically treated patients. RESULTS: Of a total of 322 fractures, 91 were greenstick fractures. Of these, 74 were treated non-surgically and 17 were treated surgically. The mean MPTA at trauma of non-surgically treated patients was 91.14°, and of surgically treated patients was 95.59° (p = 0.020). The MPTA in non-surgically treated patients significantly increased from the timepoint of trauma to st-FU (92,0°; p = 0.030), and lt-FU (92,66°, p = 0.016). In surgically treated patients, the MTPA improved after trauma to st-FU (94.00°; p = 0.290), and increased again to lt-FU (96.41°; p = 0.618). CONCLUSION: Progressive valgus deformity after greenstick fractures of the proximal tibia occurred in both non-surgically and surgically treated patients. In non-surgically treated patients, this was of statistical, but not clinical significance. In surgically treated patients, progressive valgus was observed after metal removal for an unknown reason. Therefore, surgery for proximal greenstick fractures of the tibia in this age group has only limited effect and may be indicated only in selected cases. Further studies are needed to explain the responsible mechanisms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective analysis.