Osteosarcoma in Asian Populations Over the Age of 40 Years: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients with osteosarcoma (OSA) are no longer uncommon; however, many questions remain regarding this population. We investigated the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of OSA in an Asian population over the age of 40 years. METHODS: This was a multi-national, multi-institutional study by the Eastern Asian Musculoskeletal Oncology Group (EAMOG). RESULTS: A total of 232 patients were enrolled (116 males and 116 females), with a median age of 50 years at diagnosis; 25 (10.8 %) patients exhibited initial metastasis. Median follow-up was 52 months for survivors. We observed 102 osteolytic and mixed radiographic findings for 173 lesions. Histological subtypes other than osteoblastic type were frequent. Radiation-associated OSA was seen in seven patients, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 16.7 %. No Paget's OSA was observed. High-grade spinopelvic OSA was seen in 29 (12.5 %) patients. The 5-year OS was 59.4 % in patients without initial metastasis and 45.2 % in patients with spinopelvic OSA. While surgery and initial metastasis were common prognostic factors for OS, chemotherapy was not. Histologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was poor in 61 of 83 patients. CONCLUSION: This study revealed distinct clinicopathological features of OSA patients over 40 years of age compared with younger patients, such as the high incidence of axial tumors, common osteolytic and mixed radiographic findings, the high frequency of unusual histologic subtypes, and poor prognosis. Contrary to Western elderly patients with OSA, there was no Paget's OSA in this study, which may result in a lower incidence of secondary OSA. Prognostic factor analyses demonstrated chemotherapy did not influence OS.

The efficacy of epiduroscopic neural decompression with Ho:YAG laser ablation in lumbar spinal stenosis.

Although epiduroscopy is one of the popular interventions for the management of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), only a part of these patients show improvement in pain and functional level. Consequently, the authors thought that holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser can be a reasonable alternative as an adjunct of epiduroscopic procedure, but has not been thoroughly determined yet which influence is resulted by it. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficacy of epiduroscopic neural decompression (END) and END with Ho:YAG laser (ELND) in patients with LSS. Forty-seven patients with LSS were enrolled, all of whom underwent END or ELND and were followed up for 2 years or more. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Procedure-related complications, especially including laser-related complications, were also evaluated. The only laser-related complication that occurred was transient mild motor paralysis in one case (3.1 %). In the END group, clinical score is exhibiting V-shaped upward trend that ended after procedure with the almost similar score obtained with preoperative status. However, in the ELND group, it is exhibiting relatively consistent improvement after procedure. There was a statistically significant improvement in the VAS and RMDQ score after 6 months after ELND procedure compared with END procedure (p = 0.01, 0.03, respectively). ELND could produce significant improvement of low back pain (LBP) at the last follow-up time (p = 0.01), but radiating pain of leg could not be improved significantly (p = 0.09). In conclusion, the current study suggests that performing Ho:YAG laser ablation concurrently with END could produce more decreased intensity of pain and prolonged effect of pain relief compared with END in LSS patients. LSS patients with LBP would be an ideal candidate for ELND, but radiating pain of LSS might not be managed effectively with ELND.

Clinical and radiological outcomes following microscopic decompression utilizing tubular retractor or conventional microscopic decompression in lumbar spinal stenosis with a minimum of 10-year follow-up.

Satisfactory short- and mid-term results have been observed following microscopic decompression with tubular retractor (MDT) and conventional microscopic decompression (CMD) in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). It is not yet clear which surgical procedure is the optimal treatment for LSS, especially in long-term follow-up period. To the best of our knowledge, there is no comparative study analyzing the clinical-radiological outcomes of MDT and CMD over a 10-year follow-up periods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare clinical and radiological outcomes of MDT and CMD over a 10-year follow-up period in patients with LSS. Of total 121 patients, 102 patients (53 MDT and 49 CMD) were followed for at least 10 years following MDT and CMD for LSS. We retrospectively reviewed surgical results and clinical outcomes based on the visual analogue scale, McNab's criteria, and the Oswestry Disability Index, and radiological analysis results with the parameters, including the change of disk height and intervertebral distance, obtained preoperatively and 3- and 6-month, and 1-, 6-, and 10-year postoperatively. There was no significant difference in patient demographics between the two groups. Five patients (two in MDT, three in CMD) required re-operation for re-stenotic change of the affected segment. The number of patients requiring re-operation was not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in a long-term follow-up period after a 3-month follow-up (p > 0.05). However, in the acute postoperative phase of <3-month postoperatively, MDT appears to result in less postoperative pain and better clinical outcomes compared with the CMD. In conclusion, despite relatively small sample size with retrospective design, our study suggested that MDT appears to result in less postoperative pain and better clinical outcomes in the acute postoperative period of <3 months, but both MDT and CMD were no significant differences in clinical and radiological outcomes after that time.

Clinical outcome of autologous bone marrow aspirates concentrate (BMAC) injection in degenerative arthritis of the knee.

PURPOSE: As a treatment method of degenerative arthritis of knee, this study evaluated the clinical efficacy of the intra-articular injection of autologous bone marrow aspirates concentrate (BMAC) with adipose tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2011 and May 2012, 41 patients (75 knees) who were diagnosed as a degenerative knee arthritis and underwent the BMAC injection with adipose tissue were included in this study. Mean age was 60.7 years old (ranged 53-80). Kellgren-Lawrence grade was used for assessing radiologic degree of osteoarthritis; there were each 12, 24, 33, and 6 cases of grade I, II, III, and IV. At preoperative and postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months, pain score using visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional scales were used for evaluation. RESULTS: After the procedure, mean VAS score was decreased from 7.0 preoperatively to 4.1, 3.5, and 3.3 postoperatively 3, 6, and 12 months. And functional scores were also improved; International Knee Documentation Committee score (from 37.7 preoperatively to 59.3, 66.3, 69.3 postoperatively), SF-36 health score (from 31.5 to 43.5, 45.6, 47.7), knee and osteoarthritis outcome score (from 43.1 to 64.9, 68.5, 70.6), Lysholm Knee Questionnaire (from 37.3 to 65.4, 68.6, 71.0) were all increased after the procedure. When classified according to K-L grade, the improvement of VAS score in grade IV group was 8.2 preoperatively to 5.5, 5.3, and 5.7 postoperatively, which was significantly poorer than those of grade I-III groups. In the knee functional scales, similar pattern was checked. CONCLUSIONS: BMAC injection significantly improved both knee pain and functions in the patients with degenerative arthritis of knee. Also, the injection would be more effective in early to moderate phases.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections as an effective treatment for early osteoarthritis.

The aims of this study were to analyze the range of cartilage damage and patellofemoral joint (PFJ) degeneration in degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) and determine the duration for the positive effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. This study included 65 patients suffering from OA that were treated with intra-articular PRP injection. The patients were prospectively evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the procedure using a visual analogue scale (VAS) score and an International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Clinical improvement in the average VAS score from 7.4 before the procedure to 4.2 at 6 months post-procedure had been reported, but the symptoms tended to deteriorate to 5.0 1 year after injection. The IKDC score also showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). Patients reported relapsed pain 8.8 months after the procedure. Developing degeneration according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grade reduced the clinical effects of PRP (P < 0.05) and also accelerated the time for feeling relapsed pain (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between patient age and the PRP potential in the VAS score (slope = 0.1667) and IKDC score (slope = 1.3333). The presence of PFJ degeneration is expected to produce a worse outcome (P < 0.05). While intra-articular PRP injection can be used for the treatment of early OA, increasing age, and developing degeneration result in a decreased potential for PRP injection therapy.

Is platelet-rich plasma able to enhance the results of arthroscopic microfracture in early osteoarthritis and cartilage lesion over 40 years of age?

Most studies suggested that arthroscopic microfracture is effective method at only less than 40 years of age. Thus, the authors thought that "how can this indication regarding age be extended?," and tried to find a way to use this technique effectively over 40 years of age. The aim of this study was the first to report the results regarding the PRP as an adjunct for arthroscopic microfracture in the early osteoarthritic (OA) knee with cartilage lesion over 40 years of age. 49 patients who underwent arthroscopic microfracture for cartilage lesion sized less than 4 cm(2) with early OA, aged 40-50 years, were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group with only arthroscopic microfracture (25 patients) and a study group with arthroscopic microfracture and PRP (24 patients). The patients were prospectively evaluated with VAS, IKDC score at preoperative and postoperative 1, 6, 12, and 24 months. And we perform second arthroscopies in 10 patients of each group to identify the extent of cartilage restoration at 4-6 months postoperatively. There were significant improvements in clinical results between preoperative evaluation and postoperative 2 years in both groups (p = 0.017). In the postoperative 2 years, clinical results showed significantly better in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.012). In post-arthroscopic finding, hardness and elasticity degree was better in the study group. The PRP injection with arthroscopic microfracture would be improved the results in early osteoarthritic knee with cartilage lesion in 40-50 years old, and the indication of this technique could be extended to 50 years.

A reconstruction with extracorporeal irradiated autograft in osteosarcoma around the knee.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An extracorporeal irradiated (ECI) autograft was first reported in Israel in 1968 for the treatment of primary malignant bone tumor. However, subsequent reports covered mostly short-term follow up results, and the reported results of reconstruction vary from study to study. We analyze the long-term follow up results of reconstruction using an extracorporeal irradiated (ECI) autograft in osteosarcoma around the knee. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 23 osteosarcoma patients who underwent reconstruction with ECI between December 1995 and April 2005. The 15 males and 8 females had a mean age of 21 years (range: 7-74) and a mean follow-up of 127 months(range: 57-170). Tumors were located in the distal femur in 14 cases, and the proximal tibia in 9 cases. Pathological types were conventional in 22 cases, and parosteal in 1 case. Resection methods were osteoarticular in 18 cases and total joint in 5 cases. Eighteen cases were reconstructed with the ECI autograft and five with ECI autograft-prosthesis composite (APC). The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was used for functional evaluation. The overall survival rate, local recurrence, complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall survival rate was 82.6%, and the disease-free survival rate was 69.5%. We found 20 complications, including 6 nonunions, 5 deep infections, 4 joint instabilities, 2 fractures, 1 limb-length discrepancy (LLD), 1 epiphyseal collapse, and 1 vessel occlusion. The average MSTS functional score was 62.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction with an extracorporeal irradiated is not recommended for osteosarcoma around the knee.

Differential presentations, clinical courses, and survivals of osteosarcomas of the proximal humerus over other extremity locations.

BACKGROUND: Although there are controversies about the prognosis of proximal humeral osteosarcoma, our previous study showed poor survival in those patients. In the present study, we undertook to determine why this site is associated with a poor outcome and to identify the clinicopathologic variables involved. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 36 proximal humeral and 341 other extremity American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage II osteosarcomas. We examined the clinicopathologic differences between these osteosarcomas. The prognostic significances of factors identified for a proximal humoral location were evaluated by survival analysis of all 377 patients. RESULTS: Patients with a proximal humeral osteosarcoma had the following characteristics: a higher incidence of pathologic fracture (P\0.01), an osteolytic pattern on plain radiographs (P\0.01), an unusual pathological subtype (P = 0.01), poor histologic response (P\0.01), and an increased tumor-volume ratio (TVR) (P\0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that a large tumor volume (P\0.01), an increase in tumor volume (P\0.01), and a poor histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy (P\0.01) independently predicted shorter metastasis-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The association between proximal humeral osteosarcoma and poor survival could be the result of unresponsiveness to chemotherapy, which was expressed by a tumor volume increase in our patients.

Pelvis and extremity osteosarcoma with similar tumor volume have an equivalent survival.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The poor prognosis of pelvic osteosarcoma is well recognized, but the cause of this prognosis has not been well defined. METHODS: We analyzed the clinicopathologic characteristics of pelvic osteosarcoma, and their prognostic significances in a cohort of 41 patients, treated either surgically by ablation or non-surgically. In a separate case-controlled study, the 20 surgically treated osteosarcoma patients were matched with 38 patients with extremity osteosarcoma by tumor volume and age. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rates of the surgically and the non-surgically treated pelvic osteosarcoma were 55.8 +/- 13.0% and 4.8 +/- 4.7%, respectively (P < 0.01). Non-surgically managed pelvic osteosarcoma group were found to have a larger tumor volume (P = 0.02), bladder displacement and sacroiliac joint involvement (P < 0.01). The 5-year metastasis free survival rates in the surgically treated pelvic and extremity osteosarcoma were no different (41.4 +/- 12.8% vs. 48.6 +/- 8.4%), and histologic responses to chemotherapy were similar in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in survival or histologic response was found between the surgically treated pelvic and the extremity osteosarcoma with suitable tumor volume. Outcome of pelvis osteosarcoma corresponds to the poor survival of extremity osteosarcoma of high initial tumor burden.

Location and classification of popliteus tendon's origin: cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: In posterolateral insufficiency, many investigators have proposed a lateral tunnel for PT reconstruction. Although they were usually located at the anterior and proximal to the lateral femoral epicondyle, there are still controversies regarding the exact location of PT tunnel. The aim of the present study was to describe our novel findings of femoral attachment of popliteus tendon (PT) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and to present an adequate femoral tunnel site, based on the cadaver dissection. METHODS: Nine embalmed cadavers (18 knees), which were fully extended, were dissected to determine a precise anatomic description of the PT attachment compared to the femoral epicondyle and the LCL. The anatomic variations and attachment of the LCL and PT around the epicondyle were described. RESULTS: The LCL (mean length: 53 mm, mean width 9 mm) was attached uniformly at the lateral epicondyle of the femur, which was slightly inferior and posterior to the top of the lateral epicondyle, but the PT (mean length: 36 mm, mean width: 8 mm) had the multiform attachments around the epicondyle and our dissection identified three different locations of the PT's attachment; postero-inferior attachment (13 knees), just inferior attachment (2 knees), and double attachment by bifurcate bundles (3 knees). These results demonstrate that the attachment for the PT is mostly located at the postero-inferior site of the epicondyle in the fully extended position and can be seen only when the knee is fully extended because the attachment of the PT shifts anteriorly with regard to the LCL in higher flexion angles. CONCLUSION: If the original site of the PT's attachment cannot be seen, the recommendation of the femoral tunnel for the PT reconstruction should be located at the postero-inferior site as compared with the LCL attachment in the fully extended position.

A feasibility study using cadaver: Efficacy and safety of the novel automatic urinary catheterization device.

Intermittent catheterization is an effective bladder management strategy for patients with incomplete bladder emptying. For self-catheterization, sufficient hand function in both hands is necessary. We have developed a novel automatic urinary catheterization device to induce self-IC for patients with bladder dysfunction and upper extremity disability. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of this novel automatic catheterization device.This study was performed using 4 fresh cadavers. First, 400 mL of normal saline was filled into the cadaver bladder. Then, the catheter was inserted using the newly developed device. The catheter insertion was performed 3 times for each cadaver, with the penis positioned at 45°, 90°, and 135°, respectively. A transrectal ultrasonography was performed during the catheterization. We evaluated whether the catheter was successfully inserted into the bladder at each position of penis and whether the urethrovesical junction was injured when inserting the catheter. We also measured the volume of normal saline evacuated from the bladder after successful catheterization.With the penis positioned at 45° and 90°, catheter insertion was successful without any damage to the urethrovesical junction. However, when the penis was at 135°, the catheter could not be inserted into the bladder. When the automatic catheter insertion was successful, the bladder was successfully emptied. On average, 81.56 ±â€Š3.26% of normal saline was discharged from the bladder and 11.13 ±â€Š2.09% was remained.The newly developed automatic urinary catheterization device could insert the catheter effectively and safely. This device would be a useful tool for the urinary catheterization of bladder dysfunction patients with upper extremity disability.

Predictive Variables for Sonographically Guided Corticosteroid Injection in Mild-to-Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive variables after sonographically guided corticosteroid injection in carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was carried out on 25 wrists of 20 consecutive patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, confirmed by the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine criteria, which includes clinical history, symptoms, and evidence of slowing of distal median nerve conduction. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were asked to the patients before and 4 weeks after the procedure. On a basis of VAS difference before and after the procedure, we divided the patients into two groups: more than 50% of VAS improving (good response group) and less than 50% of VAS improving (poor response group). Also, nerve conduction studies and ultrasound evaluations were performed prior to sonographically guided corticosteroid injection and at 4 weeks after the procedure. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of median nerve at maximal swelling point around wrist was measured by manual tracing using ultrasonography. With assessments mentioned above, we tried to assess predictive variables for prognosis after sonographically guided corticosteroid injection in carpal tunnel syndrome. RESULTS: The CSA of median nerve at wrist measured before the procedure was significantly larger in good response group than in poor response group. Furthermore, the CSA of median nerve at wrist, symptom severity scale of BCTQ, motor/sensory latency and sensory amplitude were correlated with VAS improving. CONCLUSION: The CSA of median nerve at wrist is the strongest predictive value for sonographically guided corticosteroid injection in mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

A preliminary study on surgical navigation for epiduroscopic laser neural decompression.

Epiduroscopic laser neural decompression is an emerging therapeutic modality to treat lumbar spine pathologies including chronic low back pain, spinal stenosis, and disk herniation via catheter insertion followed by laser ablation of the lesion. Despite the efficacy of epiduroscopic laser neural decompression, excessive radiation doses due to fluoroscopy during epiduroscopic laser neural decompression have limited its widespread application. To address the issue, we propose a surgical navigation system to assist in epiduroscopic laser neural decompression procedures using radiation-free image guidance. An electromagnetic tracking system was used as the basic modality to track the internal location of the surgical instrument with respect to the patient body. Patient-to-image registration was carried out using the point-based registration method to determine the transformation between the coordinate system of the patient and that of the medical images. We applied the proposed system in epiduroscopic laser neural decompression procedures to assess its effectiveness, and the outcomes confirmed its clinical feasibility. To the best of our knowledge, this is a report on the first surgical navigation applied for epiduroscopic laser neural decompression procedure.

Comparison of lumbar discectomy alone and lumbar discectomy with direct repair of pars defect for patients with disc herniation and spondylolysis at the nearby lumbar segment.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: It is unknown whether direct repair (DR) of pars defect after lumbar discectomy (LD) for patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and spondylolysis leads to better outcomes than LD alone. PURPOSE: The aim was to compare two surgical methods, LD alone and LD with DR, for LDH patients with spondylolysis at a nearby lumbar segment. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective comparative study. PATIENT SAMPLE: This study enrolled 89 patients who were diagnosed with LDH and spondylolysis at the same or adjacent lumbar segment and were followed up for at least 1 year. OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was pain intensity of the lower back and lower extremities as measured with visual analog scale. Secondary outcomes included clinical outcomes as assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index and the 12-item short form health survey, radiologic outcomes as assessed with the gap distance and the union rate at the pars defect, surgical outcomes, and complications. METHODS: Enrolled patients were classified into two groups: LD alone (Group A, 48 patients) and LD with DR (Group B, 41 patients). RESULTS: Pain intensity of the lower back and lower extremities and clinical outcomes were significantly improved 1 year after surgery compared with preoperative scores. However, the scores in the group receiving LD alone steadily worsened during follow-up, whereas the scores in the group receiving LD with DR did not deteriorate over time. The difference in the gap distance of the pars defect between baseline and 1 year after surgery was significantly different between the groups. The fusion rate of the pars defect was 59% (24/41). With the exception of surgical time, which was longer in Group B, surgical outcomes and complications did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: At the 1-year follow-up, DR after LD was associated with better outcomes for LDH with spondylolysis than LD alone.

The analysis of treatment of aggressive fibromatosis using oral methotrexate chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive fibromatosis is a rare but invasive tumor infiltrating widely between fascia and muscle fibers. It has a high tendency to be locally recurrent despite complete resection. Effectiveness of adjuvant treatment for aggressive fibromatosis including radiotherapy, pharmacological agents, hormonal treatments, and chemotherapy have been previously reported. The purpose of this article was to collect and analyze all information regarding the effectiveness and side effects of oral methotrexate in aggressive fibromatosis. METHODS: From 2005 to 2011, eleven patients with aggressive fibromatosis treated with oral methotrexate at our institution were analyzed in this study. Oral methotrexate was administered once per week at 10 mg per week. Authors collected information about effectiveness concerning cases of local recurrence and metastasis. RESULTS: Eleven patients had remission, two patients had local recurrence. Fatal complications or toxicity were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Oral methotrexate given at this dose and schedule was considered as a useful treatment in primary inoperable fibromatosis and recurrent fibromatosis.

Tumor treated by endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine the clinical usefulness and efficacy of endoscopic curettage on benign bone tumor. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (20 men and 12 women) with benign bone tumor were included in the study. The patients were aged between five and 76 years; the mean follow-up period was 27.05 months (range, 9.6 to 39.9 months). The primary sites include simple bone cyst (9 cases), fibrous dysplasia (6 cases), enchondroma (5 cases), non-ossifying fibroma (4 cases), bone infarct (3 cases), aneurysmal bone cyst (1 case), chondroblastoma (1 case), osteoblastoma (1 case), intraosseous lipoma (1 case), and Brodie abscess (1 case). A plain radiography was performed to assess the radiological recovery. Radiological outcomes, including local recurrence and bone union, were evaluated as excellent, good, poor, and recurred. RESULTS: In our series, there were 27 cases (84.4%) of good or better outcomes, six cases (18.8%) of complications (4 local recurrence, 1 wound infection, and 1 pathologic fracture). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that endoscopic curettage and bone graft had a lower rate of recurrence and a higher cure rate in cases of benign bone tumor. It can, therefore, be concluded that endoscopic curettage and bone graft might be good treatment modalities for benign bone tumors.

Biologic fixation through bridge plating for comminuted shaft fracture of the clavicle: technical aspects and prospective clinical experience with a minimum of 12-month follow-up.

For comminuted shaft fracture of clavicle, the operative goal, aside from sound bone healing without complications of direct reduction, is maintenance of the original length in order to maintain the normal biomechanics of adjacent joint. Our bridge plating technique utilizing distraction through a lumbar spreader was expected to be effective for restoring clavicular length with soft tissue preservation. However, there are two disadvantages. First, there is more exposure to radiation compared to conventional plating; and second, it is difficult to control the rotational alignment. Despite these disadvantages, our technique has important benefits, in particular, the ability to preserve clavicular length without soft tissue injury around the fracture site.

The efficacy of percutaneous long-segmental posterior fixation of unstable thoracolumbar fracture with partial neurologic deficit.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with unstable thoracolumbar fracture (UTLF) who were treated by percutaneous long-segmental posterior fixation (PLSPF) by two vertebrae cranial to the fracture with two vertebrae caudal. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: To the best of our knowledge, PLSPF for stabilization of UTLF has not been reported. METHODS: The study involved retrospective analysis and investigation from the results of 27 patients who had undergone PLSPF for stabilization of a UTLF with partial neurologic deficit, over a follow-up period of two years. Kyphotic angle (KA), anterior vertebral height percentage (AVHP) and cross-sectional ratio of the displaced fragment within the spinal canal were evaluated with simple radiographs and axial computed tomography scans preoperatively and two years postoperatively. The clinical outcome for pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and Denis' scale, and the degree of neurologic deficit was measured by modified Frankel classification. RESULTS: Five patients had minor complications. The KA, AVHP, and cross-sectional ratio of the displaced fragment improved significantly after surgery (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.003, respectively). Neurologic recovery of one or more for the Frankel grade was seen in 19 patients with an average improvement of 1.7. The VAS and Denis' score improved significantly at a two year follow-up (p=0.02, p=0.012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The technique of PLSPF is useful for the treatment of UTLF with partial neurologic deficit, and produces decreased morbidity and fewer complications.

Occipitocervical reconstruction through direct lateral and posterior approach for the treatment of primary osteosarcoma in the atlas: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report a new surgical technique of the primary cervical osteosarcoma in the atlas. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Primary osteosarcoma of the atlas is extremely rare. This is the first report that describes a surgical treatment of the primary osteosarcoma in the atlas. Resection of an osteosarcoma in the atlas is very difficult because of the complex and important anatomic structures that surround it, and secure reconstruction of the atlas is difficult as well. METHODS: A 48-year-old man was referred to our institute with a 10-month history of a palpable painful mass on the right posterior neck. His neck mass was diagnosed as chondroblastic osteosarcoma by open bone biopsy. The plain radiograph of the lateral cervical spine revealed the osteoblastic lesion of the vertebra and an extraosseous mass formation from the C1 to C3 vertebrae. Computed tomography of the cervical spine revealed approximately a 7 × 3 × 7 cm-sized extraosseous calcified mass that originated from the right lateral mass of the atlas. The magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine did not show any spinal cord compression. RESULTS: The patient underwent excision of this tumor using the direct lateral approach and reconstruction of the lateral mass of the atlas. On gross examination of the mass, there was a reactive thin membrane ("pseudomembrane") between soft tissue and tumor. At 3 months after surgery, the computed tomographic scan showed the solid fusion state of the occipitocervical joint. He rarely complained of any problems except for mild limitation of neck motion. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of complete excision of an osteosarcoma of the C1 lateral mass in our patient via a direct lateral and posterior approach to secure additional fixation of occipitocervical joint. We describe our technique for reconstructing the lateral mass of the atlas. This reconstruction technique will also be applicable to other resection surgeries involving the occipitocervical junction.

Long-term survivals of stage IIb osteosarcoma: a 20-year experience in a single institution.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with stage IIB osteosarcoma at a single institution for 20 years and to compare the results according to the chemotherapy protocols. METHODS: From Jan 1988 to Nov 2008, 167 patients with osteosarcoma were treated at our hospital and among them, 117 patients (67 males and 50 females) with stage IIB osteosarcoma were evaluable. Their mean age was 22.6 years (range, 8 months to 71 years). Seventy-eight cases underwent the modified T10 (M-T10) protocol (group 1), 23 cases underwent the T20 protocol (group 2) and 16 cases underwent the T12 protocol (group 3). The DFS and OS were calculated and compared according to the chemotherapy protocols. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 78.9 months, 63 patients were continuously disease-free (63/117), 6 patients were alive after having metastatic lesions, 7 patients died of other cause and 41 patients died of their disease. The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 60.2% and 44.8%, respectively and the 5- and 10-year DFS rates were 53.5% and 41.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference of the OS and DFS between the chemotherapy protocols (p = 0.692, p = 0.113). CONCLUSIONS: At present, we achieved success rates close to the internationally accepted DFS and OS. We were able to achieve the higher survival rates using the M-T10 protocol over the 20 years. However, there was no significant difference of results between the chemotherapy protocols. We think the M-T10 protocol will achieve more favorable results in the near future.