Pelvic support osteotomy by Ilizarov’s concept: Is it a valuable option in managing neglected hip problems in adolescents and young adults?

For evaluating pelvic support osteotomy as a salvage procedure in managing neglected hip problems in adolescents and young adults, PSO was performed for 20 hips in 20 patients (5 men and 15 women). The mean age was 21.5 years. The etiology was neglected developmental dysplasia of the hip in 9 patients, post-septic hip sequelae in 9 patients, and paralytic dislocation due to poliomyelitis in 2 patients. All patients were treated by two osteotomies: a proximal femoral osteotomy to support the pelvis and correct the flexion and rotational deformities of the hip and a distal varization and lengthening osteotomy. Final clinical evaluation was done 6 months after frame removal. The mean external fixation time was 6.4. Lengthening and mechanical axis parallelism was achieved in all patients. At the final follow-up and according to a predesigned scoring system, there were 7(35%) excellent results, 6(30%) good results, 7(35%) fair results, and no poor results. Hip reconstruction by Ilizarov’s concept can be technically demanding and involving lengthy period wearing the frame but found to be a valuable salvage procedure for numerous neglected hip problems particularly in young patients.     

Buruli ulcer disease: prospects for a vaccine

Buruli ulcer disease (BUD), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, is a neglected bacterial infection of the poor in remote rural areas, mostly affecting children. BUD is a mutilating disease leading to severe disability; it is the third most common mycobacterial infection in immunocompetent people after tuberculosis and leprosy. It is most endemic in West Africa, but cases have been reported from more than 30 countries. Treatment with antibiotics is possible, long-lasting and requires injections; there are cases of treatment failures, and the disease is prone to resistance. A vaccine against M. ulcerans would protect persons at risk in highly endemic areas, and could be used as a therapeutic vaccine to shorten the duration of treatment and prevent relapses. There is considerable evidence supporting the notion that generation of a vaccine is feasible. This article reviews the present state of the art with special emphasis on the immunology of the infection and the prospects for development of a vaccine.     

Augmented osteosynthesis with tensor fascia latae muscle pedicle bone grafting in neglected femoral neck fracture

Background:

Neglected intracapsular femoral neck fracture in young patients may fail to unite because of the excessive shearing strain at the fracture site and it is a surgical challenge to any orthopedic surgeon. The problem is compounded by resorption of the femoral neck and avascular necrosis (AVN) of femoral head. There is no satisfactory solution available in the management of femoral neck fracture as far as the union of the fracture and AVN of femoral head are concerned. Muscle pedicle bone grafting has been advocated to provide additional blood supply to the femoral head. We report a retrospective analysis of 48 cases of neglected femoral neck fracture treated by internal fixation and tensor fascia latae based muscle pedicle bone grafting.

Materials and Methods:

48 patients with femoral neck fractures with age varied from 20 to 53 years (average age 32.9 years) with male to female ratio of 2:1 were enrolled. All fractures were more than 3 weeks old with mean delay being 86 days (22–150 days). Open reduction and internal fixation along with tensor fascia latae muscle pedicle bone grafting was done in all cases. It was supplemented by multiple drilling and cortico-cancellous bone grafting. Fracture fixation was done with three parallel 6.5-mm AO cannulated cancellous lag screws and the graft fixed with a 4-mm cancellous screw to provide a secure fixation. During the followup period of 2-6.8 years (average 4.4 years) the results were assessed clinically by modified Harris hip scoring system and radiologically by the evidence of signs of fracture union.

Results:

Union was achieved in 41/48 (85.41%) cases which were followed for an average period of 4.4 years (2–6.8 years) with good functional results and ability to squat and sit cross-legged. Results were assessed according to modified Harris Hip Scoring system and found to be excellent in 19, good in 22, fair in 5, and poor in 2 patients. Complications were nonunion, (n=3) avascular necrosis (n=2), and coxa vara deformity (n=2).

Conclusion:

Internal fixation with muscle pedicle bone grafting is a suitable option to secure union in neglected femoral neck fractures in physiologically active patients with late presentation.     

被忽视的热带病正在受到关注

该文介绍了被忽视热带病的起缘与定义、全球分布、防治现状以及面临的机遇和挑战.被忽视热带病近年来得到了来自世界卫生组织及非政府组织等各方面的关注.其中,世界卫生组织专门构建_r被忽视热带病防治处,成立了WHO被忽视热带病专家委员会;多方合作组织在美国建立了被忽视热带病网络组织;科学公共图书馆出版了杂志.美国布什总统成立了防治被忽视热带病的总统基金,WHO总干事及时作出回应,对此高度赞赏.     

Neglected anterior dislocation of shoulder with large Hillsach's lesion & deficient glenoid: Treated by autogenous bone graft & modified Latarjet procedure

Neglected anterior dislocation of shoulder is rare in spite of the fact that the anterior dislocation of the shoulder is seen in around 90% of the acute cases. Most of the series of neglected dislocation describe posterior dislocation to be far more common.^1,2 We hereby report a case of the neglected anterior shoulder dislocation in a 15 year old boy who had a history of epilepsy. There was a large Hill Sachs lesion in humeral head which was impacted in glenoid inferiorly and glenoid was eburnated at that margin. The humeral head was reconstructed with a tricortical iliac graft. Glenoid was reconstructed by transfer of coracoids process of scapula to antero-inferior glenoid (modified Latarjet procedure). This case is unique because management of humeral head defect with bone graft is not mentioned in anterior dislocation.     

Neglected patellar tendon ruptures—a simple modified reconstruction using hamstrings tendon graft

Purpose

We hereby describe a cost effective and simple anatomical reconstruction without requirement for allograft or implants for neglected chronic patellar tendon injuries. This has been validated in seven patients with an average follow up of greater than three years resulting in good outcome.

Methods

Seven patients (six males, one female) of mean age 41.8 years (range up to 57 years) presented with neglected patellar tendon injury. The time since injury ranged between three months and three years (average nine months). Active extension was not possible in three patients, and four patients had an extensor lag between 40° and 80° (average 62.5°). Four patients had quadriceps strength of grade 2/5 and three patients had grade 3/5. All patients had severe functional limitation with an average IKDC score of 46.8 (range 39–57). They all underwent patellar tendon reconstruction using hamstrings tendon autograft.

Results

Postoperatively with a mean follow up of 40.7 months (range 31–52 months), all patients had a stable knee with mean flexion of 125° (range 120°–130°) and without any extension lag. Quadriceps power was regained in five cases to 5/5 and in two cases to 4/5. With an improvement in the IKDC score to 86.8 (range 80–92), excellent outcome was noted in five patients and good outcome in two patients. The average postoperative Lysholm score was 92.4 (range 89–95) and the average Kujala score was 94.5 (range 92–97).

Conclusion

Patellar tendon reconstruction using hamstrings autograft for neglected patellar tendon injuries provides good stability and excellent outcome. Compared to previous techniques described, our technique is unique in being cost effective and a simple anatomical reconstruction without the requirement for allograft or implants.     

Neglected post burns contracture of hand in children: Analysis of contributory socio-cultural factors and the impact of neglect on outcome

Background

No study has ever evaluated the causes and effect of neglect on the outcome of post burns contractures of hand in children.

Methods

66 hands in 61 children (mean age 12.22 years) with a mean neglect of 11.6 years (range 5–17 years) were assessed for the causes of neglect and the outcome of surgery. Average follow up was 6.6 years. The results were assessed in two groups of 5–10 years neglect as group I and >10 years neglect as group II.

Results

In a total number of 134 contracted rays in 66 hands, the surgical procedures included local Z/V-Y flap (51 rays), cross finger flap (48 rays), full thickness graft (35 rays). Additional external fixator with a distracter was used in 3 patients treated at a delay of 14, 16 and 17 years.50 (81.96%) patients belonged to rural and slum areas. The reasons for delayed treatment included poverty – 33 patients, lack of awareness of surgical treatment – 16 patients; and indifference of parents – 12 patients. 44 (72.13%) children were illiterates. With treatment the average DASH score improved from 65.10 to 36.90 (p < .000) and from 68.14 to 45.93 (p < .000) in group I and II respectively. The results were significantly superior in group I (p < .000).

Conclusion

The main factors for neglect in treatment of post burns contracture include poverty, lack of awareness and illiteracy. All the patients showed significant improvement in function after the surgery. Contractures with higher neglect had significantly inferior outcome.     

World NTD Day 2022 and a new Kigali Declaration to galvanise commitment to end neglected tropical diseases

The World Health Organization’s first roadmap and the London Declaration on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have allowed an unprecedented expansion of interv...     

The Epidemiology of Trachoma in the Five Northern Districts of Sierra Leone

Purpose: In 2008, a trachoma prevalence survey was conducted in the five northern districts of Sierra Leone to determine if and where specific components of the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face washing, Environmental change) should be initiated.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey at district level was implemented using two-stage random cluster sampling: probability proportionate sampling was used to select villages in the first stage and compact segment sampling of households in the second stage. Both eyes of 16,780 individuals were examined using the World Health Organization simplified trachoma grading system. Data were also collected on village- and household-level behavior and environmental factors related to trachoma.

Results: Prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years was highest in Kambia at 3.52% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.28–4.75%), while the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in persons over 15 years of age was highest in Port Loko at 0.27% (95% CI: 0.03–0.50%). Across all districts, the percentage of households reporting washing children’s faces less than once per day was very low, while latrine coverage and accessible and safe water sources were not highly prevalent.

Conclusions: In all districts but Koinadugu, TT prevalence was greater than the WHO elimination threshold, indicating the need for 1,016 TT surgeries to prevent blindness. District TF prevalence rates did not warrant mass antibiotic distribution. Although not required given the low prevalence of TF, we recommend the construction of 35,941 household latrines and provision of water sources within a 30-minute walk roundtrip for 17,551 households to bring Sierra Leone closer to reaching Millennium Development Goal 7.     

Delayed unrelated presentation of a lumbar burst fracture consequent to a remote episode of a single convulsive seizure: A diagnostic challenge

Non-traumatic vertebral fractures occurring as a sole consequence of the violent muscle forces generated during the first episode of a GTCS(generalized tonic clonic seizure) in a previously healthy non-epileptic individual are very rare. Being clinically asymptomatic they are easily overseen at the time of initial presentation due to their rarity of occurrence and the presence of potentially distracting factors in the post-ictal phase. We present a 52-year-old healthy non-epileptic male who presented with unrelenting back pain and neurodeficit secondary to a four-month-old unstable burst fracture of the first lumbar vertebra sustained during an isolated single episode of a witnessed GTCS. A detailed inquiry revealed no history of a significant traumatic event either during the convulsive episode or thereafter. A meticulous history taking, a thorough clinical and neurological examination combined with a comprehensive radiological evaluation established the unusual etiology of the fracture and the presence of a thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity with compression of conus medullaris. A detailed neurological, and laboratory work-up, confirmed no attributable organic or metabolic cause for the seizure. His BMD(Bone Mineral Density) was normal. Patient was managed with posterior instrumented deformity correction by a posterior column shortening osteotomy, neural decompression and fusion of D12-L1 facets. Patient had complete neurological recovery with good clinical and functional outcomes at 28-months follow-up. A few cases of seizure-induced non-traumatic spinal fractures have been published in literature. A majority of these fractures occurred in individuals with either seizure-provoking risk factors (epileptics with recurrent seizures, brain tumors, drug overdose/withdrawal, metabolic disorders, or electrolyte imbalance) or in those with an increased susceptibility to fracture due to decreased BMD. This case demonstrates the rare occurrence of a non-traumatic vertebral fracture during the first episode of a GTCS in an otherwise healthy non-epileptic individual with normal BMD and no seizure-provoking risk factors. This is the first case report of a delayed unrelated presentation of a non-traumatic lumbar vertebral fracture with complications (spinal deformity and neurodeficit) consequent to a remote episode of a single convulsive seizure. It emphasizes the need for a high index of clinical suspicion,a meticulous history taking, thorough musculoskeletal and neurological examination in any individual presenting with a seemingly benign back pain following a remote isolated episode of seizure, even in the absence of overt trauma. A detailed radiological evaluation guided by a meticulous history taking and detailed clinical examination is essential to rule out a fracture unless proven otherwise. It also shows that a single convulsive seizure can result in a potentially unstable fracture that when neglected, can result in devastating complications like spinal deformity and neurodeficit.Level of evidenceLevel IV.