Persistence of Late Gadolinium Enhancement on Follow-Up CMR Imaging in Children with Acute Myocarditis.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the gold standard non-invasive test for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on CMR imaging signifies myocardial fibrosis or scar but information on long-term follow-up in pediatric patients is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the persistence of LGE in follow-up CMR imaging and highlight the need for serially following LGE after acute myocarditis in children. A retrospective review of the CMR images in pediatric patients less than 18 years of age at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital was performed from October 31, 2010, to December 31, 2017. The ages of the patients included in the study ranged from 10 to 17 years. Out of 34 subjects, 12 subjects had a follow-up CMR imaging after the initial CMR imaging. Cardiac enzymes and inflammatory markers were elevated in all patients on initial presentation with normalization seen for all patients on follow-up testing. Baseline CMR imaging demonstrated depressed function in 50% of patients (6/12) with recovery of biventricular function seen in all except for one patient. LGE was detected in 10 out of 12 patients on baseline CMR and persisted in all on follow--up CMR imaging. Two patients did not have LGE at baseline CMR and had no evidence of LGE at follow-up CMR. Despite resolution of acute myocardial inflammation, LGE persisted in all of our study subjects. There is neither an agreement on time interval to perform follow-up CMR, nor on duration of follow-up. We recommend large-scale prospective CMR study for long-term follow-up evaluation of children after acute myocarditis.

Acute spine care services during covid-19 pandemic and 'lockdown': case series and our perspective from a level 1 trauma centre.

STUDY DESIGN: Case Series. OBJECTIVE: Sudden 'lockdown' to contain spread of SarsCoV-2 infection had far-reaching consequences on the Spine Unit of our tertiary care hospital, situated in a hilly-region of Northern India. We intend to share our experience of providing care for acute spinal disorders from 23rd March, 2020, when nationwide lockdown and closure of elective services started in our country, to till 12th May, 2020, and to formulate few recommendations at the end. SETTING: Northern India. METHODS: Between 23rd March, 2020 and 12th May, 2020, data of all patients with spinal conditions presenting to Emergency Department for acute care services were collected prospectively. Existing protocols were modified in line with changing national and institute policies for functionality of the spine unit, challenges faced and steps taken were noted. RESULTS: All elective cases were postponed for an indefinite period at the starting of 'Lockdown'. A total of 24 patients were received in ED during study period and 14 (58%) were managed operatively. The majority (79%) were with traumatic spine injury, and fall from height was most common mechanism of injury in traumatic spine patients (84%). There was higher incidence of surgical site infections (14%) among operated patients, compared to our previous average. We had modified routine policies to tackle challenges faced and till date of writing this article, none of the members of spine team or patients treated by us tested positive for SARSCoV-2. CONCLUSION: To continue providing care for acute spinal conditions and maintaining academic activities of spine unit during 'lockdown' needs innovative policies in line with national protocols.

A prospective study on transfer of pronator teres to extensor carpi radialis brevis for forearm and wrist deformity in children with cerebral palsy.

We prospectively evaluated the clinical and functional outcomes of pronator teres to extensor carpi radialis brevis transfer in children with cerebral palsy. Patients were followed-up at 6 months postoperatively, and functionally assessed using the House classification, Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI). Fifteen children with a mean age of 8.1 years underwent tendon transfers. All patients were of Gschwind and Tonkin Grade 2 for pronation deformity; eight patients were of Zancolli's classification Group 1 and seven, Group 2 for wrist flexion deformity. The average gain in active supination was 67°, and wrist extension 15°. An increase of 7.0 in the UEFI score was recorded, although no significant improvement in MACS and House classification was observed. We conclude that the pronator teres to extensor carpi radialis brevis transfer improves upper limb function through effective correction of forearm pronation and wrist flexion deformities.Level of evidence: II.

A Rare Case of Ipsilateral "Floating Ileum" with Floating Hip and Floating Knee.

INTRODUCTION: Concomitant ipsilateral floating hip with floating knee is a very rare injury pattern. Its co-occurrence with ipsilateral complete separation of ileum from pelvic girdle, which can be termed as "floating ileum," is even rarer. These are extremely high energy injuries associated with significant systemic insult adding to the dilemma and complexity in management. There is no mention in the literature about this potentially life-threatening injury combination; hence, an attempt has been made to provide a pathway of the management of this rare but complex injury pattern. CASE REPORT: We are presenting a case of 17-year-old male with this menacing amalgamation of injuries along with the challenges associated in the management. The patient had ipsilateral complete disruption of sacroiliac joint along with transverse fracture of acetabulum due to which ileac bone was completely separated from rest of the pelvic bone and was displaced anteriorly, superiorly, and medially. The patient was also having ipsilateral shaft of femur fracture and distal third tibia fracture and acute respiratory distress syndrome as well to further complicate the scenario. CONCLUSION: Early damage control, followed by definitive fixation and aggressive rehabilitation, appears to be the safe and acceptable path to reach good clinical outcome.

Customised proximal femoral nail in treatment of intertrochanteric fracture with ipsilateral femoral shaft malunion: A case report.

Peritrochanteric fractures are the most common fragility fractures for which patient are admitted in hospital and often require surgical interventions. With increasing life expectancy and early age of presentation, revision surgeries are increasing due to re-trauma, implant failure, infections etc. Here we present the case of a 65 years female, with inter trochanteric fracture femur right side with ipsilateral malunited proximal femur fracture, which was managed with customised proximal femoral nail. This case exemplifies the need for novel techniques and implants in our armamentarium to deal with such unusual fractures in elderly population.

Risk of bony violation with standard triple screw configurations for fixation of femoral neck fractures: A preliminary computed tomography based analysis.

PURPOSE: The reduction and fixation of femoral neck fractures is mainly an indirect one with intraoperative fluoroscopy being trusted for the safe containment of screws within the bony limits of the femoral neck. Radiologically undetected bony perforations may have an impact on the fracture stability and radiological outcomes that have not been studied previously. The purpose of this computed tomography (CT) based study is to analyze the safety of containment of triple screw configurations using standard 6.5 mm diameter screws for fixation of femoral neck fractures in the Indian population using a software-based analysis. METHODS: Data from consecutive CT scans with intact proximal femur performed over a six month period were retrospectively analyzed using iPlan® BrainLab AG, Feldkirchen, Germany. The safe containment of virtual screw trajectories placed in inverted triangular and non-inverted triangular configurations for a 6.5 mm diameter screw was analyzed in intact femoral necks. RESULTS: A total of 72 cases were considered for the final assessment. For 6.5 mm screws, the proportion for safe containment (without bony violation) of triple screw inverted triangular configuration was 75% with additional safety corridor to 1 mm around the screw trajectories and 31.94% for non-inverted triangular configuration. All male cases and 28% of female cases allowed safe placement of three 6.5 mm screw trajectories in an inverted triangular pattern with a safety margin of 1 mm around the screw. Replacement of one of the two superior 6.5 mm diameter screw trajectories with a 4.5 mm diameter trajectory resulted in 100% safe containment in female cases. CONCLUSION: Inverted triangular configuration is a relatively safer configuration compared to the non-inverted triangular configuration. Standard triple 6.5 mm screws for fixation of femoral neck fractures carry a risk of bony violation, especially in females. A preoperative radiographic assessment to screen the cases with narrow vertical and anteroposterior extents of the femoral neck can help in reducing the risk of fluoroscopically undetected violation of the bony margins. Replacement of one of the two superior screws with a 4.5 mm diameter screw can be helpful in such cases.

Role of intravenous zoledronic acid in management of giant cell tumor of bone- A prospective, randomized, clinical, radiological and electron microscopic analysis.

BACKGROUND: The primary treatment of Giant cell tumor of bone is surgical management. Bisphosphonates are antiresorptive drugs which inhibit osteoclast mediated bone resorption and shown to have inhibitory effect on various tumors. The present study aims to establish clinical, ultrastructural and radiological response of intravenous zoledronic acid on giant cell tumor of bone. METHODOLOGY: Design - Prospective randomized controlled study. A group of 30 patients of GCT bone were randomized into two equal groups. Patients in control group did not receive any adjuvant therapy before surgery. Patients in bisphosphonate group received three doses of intravenous zoledronic acid at four weeks interval prior to definitive surgery. The evaluation was done based on size of swelling, VAS score, plain radiograph, MRI and histopathological and Transmission electron microscopic examination findings. RESULTS: Significant reduction in VAS score (from mean 5.33 to 1.8), increased mineralization particularly at periphery of lesion in plain radiograph, statistically significant increase in mean apoptotic index, P value < 0.0001 (mean 41.46 in bisphosphonate group and 6.06 in control group) was noted in bisphosphonate group. No significant change in tumor volume is noted in MRI. No significant side effects were noted. DISCUSSION: One distinctive feature of pathogenesis of GCT bone is osteoclastogenesis which causes extensive bone destruction. Use of intravenous Zoledronic acid counteracts this bone destruction. Further, possible antiangiogenic effect of intravenous bisphosphonates inhibits tumor growth and provides symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSION: IV Zoledronic acid alleviates pain, produce sclerosis and induce apoptosis hence decrease the rate of tumor progression and decrease the rate of local bone destruction, hence they are useful adjuvant to surgery in GCT.

Combination drug chemotherapy and massive skeletal allograft in the management of hydatid disease of femur.

Hydatid disease of long bone is a rare presentation. Chemotherapy and surgery constitute the standard treatment of choice. Non-union of a pathological fracture of femur particularly due to hydatid disease has been known to be resistant to treatment. These resistant cases require combination drug chemotherapy and excision of the lesion. Reconstruction of a large skeletal defect following resection of the lesion poses a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeons. We discuss the staged treatment of hydatid disease of shaft of femur with resection and cement spacer application followed by reconstruction using massive skeletal allograft under cover of combination drug chemotherapy.