Conversion of Fused Hip to Total Hip Arthroplasty: Long-Term Clinical and Radiological Outcomes

BackgroundDespite promising results at the mid-term followup, several aspects of conversion of the fused hip to total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes with a minimum 5-year followup in patients who underwent conversion of the fused hip to THA.MethodsFifty-seven patients (59 hips) were evaluated. The Harris Hip Score (HHS), range of motion (ROM), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess hip function and low back pain. Subjective satisfaction with surgery and the presence of the Trendelenburg sign was also evaluated. Radiological assessment was performed pre- and postoperatively to evaluate loosening and heterotopic ossification (HO).ResultsAfter a mean followup of 13.0 ± 6.2 years, HHS and VAS significantly improved from 46.0 ± 16.7 to 80.8 ± 18.8 and from 4.4 ± 1.5 to 2.1 ± 1.4 (both P < .001), respectively. Twenty-three patients (40.4%) had a positive Trendelenburg sign, and HOs were found in 29 cases (49.1%). An overall 29.8% complication rate was noted. Smoking habits and rheumatoid arthritis were predictive of Trendelenburg sign (P = .046 and P = .038, respectively). Implant survival rate as the end point was 98.7 ± 1.3% at 5 years, 92.4 ± 3.3% at 10 years, 82.1 ± 5.7% at 15 years, and 73.4 ± 8.0% at 20 and 25 years. A worse cumulative implant survival rate was noted in patients who underwent previous hip surgery, defined as any hip operation before fusion (P = .005).ConclusionConversion of the fused hip to hip arthroplasty provides high levels of hip functionality and satisfaction with surgery at long-term followup. An implant survival rate higher than 70% can be expected 25 years postoperatively.     

Contrast-enhanced versus conventional and color Doppler sonography for the detection of thrombosis of the portal and hepatic venous systems

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a prospective study to compare sonography, color Doppler sonography, and contrast-enhanced sonography for the detection and characterization of portal and hepatic vein thrombosis complicating hepatic malignancies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred sixteen patients with biopsy-proved hepatic tumors were studied at baseline and 3 months later with sonography, color Doppler sonography, and contrast-enhanced sonography. Thrombosis was defined as the presence of intraluminal echogenic material at sonography, absence of intraluminal color signals at color Doppler sonography, and presence of nonenhancing intraluminal area at contrast-enhanced sonography. Thrombi were considered malignant if they displayed continuity with tumor tissue at sonography, intrathrombus color signals at color Doppler sonography, and enhancing signals at contrast-enhanced sonography, both having arterial waveforms at Doppler spectral examination. Definitive diagnoses were obtained by sonographically guided biopsy except for thrombi displaying at conventional sonography unequivocal continuity with tumor tissue. RESULTS: Thrombosis was detected in 79 (25.0%) of 316 patients at baseline and in 83 (26.3%) of 316 patients after 3 months. Eighty-one (97.6%) of the 83 thrombi were malignant. Definitive diagnosis was performed by imaging in 60 (72.3%) of the 83 cases and by biopsy in 23 cases (27.7%). For thrombus detection, contrast-enhanced sonography displayed significantly higher sensitivity than color Doppler sonography (p = 0.004) and borderline superiority over sonography (p = 0.058). For thrombus characterization, contrast-enhanced sonography was significantly more sensitive than color Doppler sonography (p < 0.0005) and conventional sonography (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced sonography is superior to sonography and color Doppler sonography for the detection and characterization of portal and hepatic vein thrombosis complicating hepatic malignancies.     

Color-Doppler sonography in chronic venous insufficiency: what the radiologist should know

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a pathologic condition caused by valvular incompetence, with or without associated venous outflow obstruction, which may affect both the superficial and the deep venous system, causing venous hypertension and stasis. The most common form of CVI is primary varicose veins due to the insufficiency of the saphenous system. Color-Doppler sonography (CDS) is actually the main diagnostic technique of imaging for CVI. In this article, we describe the anatomy, the technique, and the information necessary to the radiologist to perform CDS in chronic venous insufficiency. The knowledge of the venous anatomy is the cornerstone for an adequate sonographic examination. The venous network in the lower extremities is divided into three systems: superficial, deep, and perforating veins. Deep veins are "comitantes" to the corresponding arteries and run under the muscular fascia. Superficial veins course into the subcutaneous fat, superficially to the deep muscular fascia; the main superficial veins are the greater and lesser saphenous and their tributaries. Connection between the saphenous veins are defined as communicating veins. Superficial and deep veins are connected by perforating veins, with flow directed, under normal circumstances, from the superficial to the deep system. The main perforating are the Hunter in the mid thigh, the Dodd in the lower thigh, the Boyd in the upper calf, and the Cockett's in the middle and lower calf. Sonographic examination must be performed in the upright and supine position. Compression sonography and color and PW Doppler are systematically employed to assess the absence of deep venous thrombosis. Femoro-popliteal veins are evaluated with color and PW Doppler for valvular insufficiency with reflux by performing Valsalva maneuver and calf compression. The sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal junctions are examined to identify type of junction, continence, accessory saphenous, and incompetent collaterals. Perforating veins are usually identified at the medial aspect of the thigh and at the medial, lateral, and posterior aspects of the leg. Outward flow (lasting more than 500 ms) in the perforating veins should be considered a sign of their incompetence. Several surgical and interventional procedures are now available for the treatment of the CVI, as follows: vein ligation and stripping, stab avulsion, endoluminal occlusion of the saphenous trunks, subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery, and valvuloplasty.     

Progression of vascular calcification increases QT interval in haemodialysis patients.

Sir, Vascular calcifications are now recognized as an important determinantof cardiovascular mortality in patients on dialysis [1], andare independent predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortalityin chronic kidney disease (CKD) [2]. Few data are currentlyavailable comparing vascular calcifications and their attendantfunctional cardiovascular consequences between CKD     

Counterregulatory hormone and symptom responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in the postprandial state in humans

Plasma counterregulatory hormones and symptoms were measured during hypoglycemia in the postprandial and in the fasting state in humans to establish differences in physiological responses. We studied 8 nondiabetic subjects and 10 subjects with type 1 diabetes on two different occasions during clamped insulin-induced hypoglycemia (2.4 mmol/l) in the sitting position. On one occasion, subjects ate a standard mixed meal, and on the other they remained fasting. In response to postprandial as compared with fasting hypoglycemia, nondiabetic subjects exhibited lower total symptom scores (6.6 +/- 0.4 vs. 11.5 +/- 0.8, P = 0.001), which was due to less hunger (1.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 4.2 +/- 0.2), lower suppression of plasma C-peptide (0.23 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.08 +/- 0.07 nmol/l, P = 0.032), and greater responses of plasma glucagon (248 +/- 29 vs. 163 +/- 25 ng x l(-1) x min(-1), P = 0.018), plasma adrenaline (4.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.4 nmol x l(-1) x min(-1), P = 0.037), norepinephrine (3.8 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.2 +/- 0.2 nmol x l(-1) x min(-1), P = 0.037), and pancreatic polypeptide (217 +/- 12 vs. 159 +/- 22 pmol x l(-1) x min(-1), P = 0.08). Except for plasma C-peptide, responses in diabetic subjects were similarly affected. Notably, in diabetic subjects responses of glucagon, which were absent in the fasting state, nearly normalized after a meal. In conclusion, in the postprandial compared with the fasting hypoglycemic state, total symptoms are less, but counterregulatory hormones are greater and responses of glucagon nearly normalize in type 1 diabetic subjects.     

Hemodynamic changes in the peripheral circulation after repeat low density lipoprotein apheresis in familial hypercholesterolemia

Repeat low density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis and blood flow determinations in the forearm and leg were performed in 10 patients (age range, 13-49 years; four male, six female) with familial hypercholesterolemia (eight homozygous, two heterozygous). To perform LDL apheresis, plasma was first separated by a polysulphone hollow fiber filter; then, LDL was selectively removed from plasma by dextran sulphate cellulose beads packed in columns. Blood flows in the forearm and leg were determined at rest and during a reactive hyperemia test (peak flow). This test was performed noninvasively by a strain-gauge plethysmograph with semicontinuous registration of arterial blood flow variables before the first apheresis and 3 weeks after the last of six procedures for apheresis. Resting arterial blood flows in the forearm and leg were slightly increased after repeat LDL apheresis (p less than 0.05). Peak blood flow in the leg significantly increased (+34%, p less than 0.01). No change in peak blood flow in the forearm was observed. Systolic blood pressures were slightly but significantly reduced (p less than 0.05); forearm peripheral resistances were also reduced (p less than 0.05). Flow response was not related to LDL receptor status. Blood and plasma viscosities were determined before and 7 days after the last apheresis. Blood viscosity was significantly reduced after LDL apheresis at shear rates of 11.25-450 sec-1. Plasma viscosity did not change.     

Change to Either a Nonandrogenic or Androgenic Progestin‐Containing Oral Contraceptive Preparation is Associated with Improved Sexual Function in Women with Oral Contraceptive‐Associated Sexual Dysfunction

IntroductionIt is a commonly held belief that combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills containing an androgenic progestin may be less likely to impair sexual function than COCs containing an anti‐androgenic progestin.AimThe study aims to compare the effects of a COC containing a progestin with an anti‐androgenic profile (estradiol valerate [E₂V]/dienogest [DNG]) to that of one with an androgenic progestin (ethinyl estradiol [EE]/levonorgestrel [LNG]) on sexual function in women with COC‐associated sexual dysfunction.MethodsIn this multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, noninferiority study, women with COC‐associated female sexual dysfunction (FSD) were randomized to E₂V/DNG or EE/LNG for six cycles. The primary outcome was the change in the sum of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) desire and arousal component scores between baseline and cycle 6. Secondary outcome measures included changes to the FSFI domains, the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS‐R), Vaginal Health Assessment, the Atrophy Symptom Questionnaire, and the Psychological General Well Being Index over six treatment cycles.Main Outcome MeasureThe main outcome is the change in the sum of FSFI desire and arousal component scores between baseline and cycle 6.ResultsOf 276 women screened, 213 received treatment and 191 completed the study. The mean increase in the sum of FSFI desire and arousal component scores was 5.90 (standard deviation [SD] 5.45) for E₂V/DNG and 5.79 (SD 6.17) for EE/LNG (change from baseline P < 0.0001, both groups). Both treatments showed equal efficacy and were associated with improvements in all domains of the FSFI, with no between‐group differences. Both COCs reduced the distress associated with FSD, as indicated by reduced FSDS‐R scores.ConclusionIn women with COC‐associated FSD, switching to either E₂V/DNG or EE/LNG was associated with equivalent improvements in symptoms, challenging the perception that COCs containing anti‐androgenic progestins have a detrimental effect on sexual function relative to those containing androgenic progestins. Davis SR, Bitzer J, Giraldi A, Palacios S, Parke S, Serrani M, Mellinger U, and Nappi RE. Change to either a nonandrogenic or androgenic progestin‐containing oral contraceptive preparation is associated with improved sexual function in women with oral contraceptive‐associated sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med 2013;10:3069–3079.     

Prognosis of patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis

The treatment of cirrhotic patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial and largely dependent on general conditions of the patients and compensation of the underlying cirrhosis. We retrospectively reviewed clinical, imaging and surgical records of 24 consecutive cirrhotic patients (17 males, 7 females; age range 52–88 years) with hemoperitoneum from spontaneous rupture of HCC observed from June 2004 to January 2010 at our Institution. When indicated, patients were referred to surgery or trans-arterial embolization (TAE). Advanced decompensated patients were conservatively treated and clinically followed up. Spontaneous rupture of HCC was assessed by aspiration of bloody ascites at paracentesis in all cases. The presence of large blood-clots over HCC and liver surface at US and/or CT was considered a specific sign of ruptured HCC in 14 cases. In two out of four patients who underwent TAE active bleeding from tumor surface could be demonstrated. In 2 cases, the active hemorrhage from the HCC surface could be assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Four out of 24 patients underwent surgery. Three out of four of these patients died within 2 weeks, 8 months, and 20 months after operation, respectively. The remaining patient is still alive at 52 months follow-up. Four patients underwent TAE and died at 1, 2, 6 and 10 months after treatment, because of recurrent peritoneal bleeding and/or liver failure. Sixteen patients with ruptured HCC in the advanced Child C cirrhosis were treated conservatively with blood derivative transfusion and with procoagulant drugs. All patients, but one died within 2–18 days. One patient survived the acute hemorrhage from ruptured HCC and died of liver failure after 3 months. We concluded that spontaneous rupture of HCC is usually a fatal event in patients with poor liver function, even after successful TAE. In compensated patients, timely surgical treatment can result in long term and even tumor-free survival of the patient.