Radiographic and pathological stages of the changes at the bone-cement interface: an in-vivo experimental study

Introduction  Chemical and physical effects of cementation cause radiographic and histological changes at bone-cement interface. These changes can be of interest in the assessment of the residual lesions and subsequent recurrences after local resection and cementation of local aggressive tumours. Aim  The aim of the study was to evaluate the evolution and determine the stages of the changes that occur at the bone-cement interface after cementation of cavitary lesions. Material and methods  We operated on 16 hind legs of 8 sheep (Ovies Aries) under general anaesthesia (Xylasin HCl, Ketamin HCl and Forane). A bone cavity of 12 cm³ was produced by curettage of the distal femoral condyle and was filled with cement. Control radiographs were taken at 2 days; 3, 6 and 12 weeks, and again at 6 months. One sheep each time was killed after second day and sixth month and two sheep each time after the third, sixth and 12th week and the specimens underwent pathological examination. Results  After the first 3 weeks, a reactive fibrous membrane was detected on pathological examinations. This membrane consisted of granulation tissue, necrotic bone and bone marrow, which were replaced gradually by fibrous tissue. The radiographic revelation of this fibrous membrane was a radiolucent zone of 0.5–1.5 mm at 3 weeks. A Sclerotic rim appeared around this radiolucent zone at 6 weeks. With new bone formation the fibrous membrane disappeared at 3 months. This was seen on radiographs as the replacement of the radiolucent zone by a sclerotic ring of 0.5–2 mm. This sclerotic ring disappeared at 6 months, when a diffuse sclerosis and cortical bone thickening was detected on radiographs. Discussion  According to our findings we suggest to consider the pathological processes at the bone-cement interface in 3 phases: (1) Reactive phase (first 3 weeks); (2) Resorption phase (3–6 weeks), and (3) Formation phase (6 weeks to 6 months). We have distinguished five different radiographic stages: Stage 1—Early stage with no apparent zone (first 3 weeks); Stage 2—Radiolucent zone (3–6 weeks); Stage 3—Radiolucent zone with a sclerotic rime (6 weeks to 3 months); Stage 4—sclerotic ring (after 3 months) and Stage 5—Diffuse cortical thickening (after 6 months). Determining the phases of tissue reaction after cementation and its radiographic revelation will ease the diagnosis of residual lesions and subsequent recurrences after local resection and cementation of local aggressive tumors.     

Transarticular versus extraarticular ankle pin fixation: a biomechanical study

BACKGROUND: Transarticular pin fixation for ankle stabilization has drawbacks, including ankle joint arthrosis. An extraarticular technique could help avoid these problems. We compared stiffness under minimal dorsiflexion loading with transarticular versus extraarticular fixation. METHODS: Cadaveric specimens from ten lower extremity matched pairs were randomized to receive transarticular or extraarticular fixation. For transarticular fixation, axial pins were passed retrograde through the plantar heel, calcaneus, subtalar joint, talar body, and ankle joint. For extraarticular fixation, the first pin was inserted antegrade from the anterior distal tibia to the posterolateral aspect of the calcaneus tuberosity. The second pin was inserted percutaneously antegrade from the distal medial tibial metaphysis to the dorsal navicular, passing anterior to the ankle and dorsal to the talonavicular joint. Each specimen was subjected to 1000 cycles at 5 mm/s to 100 N. After testing, the extraarticular specimens were dissected to establish the distance of the pin from the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in stiffness between the transarticular and the extraarticular group (mean+/-standard error of the mean) (17.93 N/mm+/-1.0 N/mm and 18.61 N/mm+/-1.07 N/mm, respectively). The lateral pin was 4.2+/-1.4 mm (range, 2.5 to 6.0 mm) from the FHL. CONCLUSIONS: Fixation stiffness with extraarticular crossed antegrade pins was not different from that of transarticular fixation and did not disrupt the ankle or the plantar skin. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Extraarticular ankle fixation may help avoid the complications found with the joint, cartilage, and plantar skin disruption associated with transarticular fixation.     

Mucocele of the paranasal sinuses as a cause of acquired orbital hypertelorism: the second case

BACKGROUND: Orbital hypertelorism is defined as a lateralization of the total orbit. This condition is associated almost always with congenital abnormalities. An acquired total displacement of the orbit is almost impossible once the bony pillars of the craniofacial complex are established. The aim of this article was to discuss a case of a young man with paranasal sinus mucocele, who developed OHT. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 20-year-old man was admitted to us with orbital hypertelorism in 1993. The patient's examination revealed marked orbital hypertelorism, and no other abnormal finding was noted, and he had no congenital defect at birth. Hypertelorism was corrected by surgery, and we find that this condition was acquired secondary to paranasal sinus mucocele. CONCLUSION: This is the second case of an acquired OHT secondary to paranasal sinus mucocele and the first in which the condition was corrected by surgery in late years of life. We found excellent correction of orbital hypertelorism 13 years after surgery. The authors discuss the possible link between mucocele and possible mechanism for the development of orbital hypertelorism and emphasize the need for early surgery and long-term follow-up.     

Quality of life after extratemporal epilepsy surgery: a prospective clinical study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to assess quality of life (QOL) and impact of seizure status on QOL in patients with extratemporal epilepsy after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients who had been operated due to extratemporal epilepsy were included in this study. Quality of Life Inventory in Epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10) questionnaire was completed by all patients before 6 months and 2 years after surgery. Results obtained from short- and long-term follow-up were compared to baseline. Furthermore, patients who were seizure-free since surgery and those who had seizure were also compared in terms of outcome in QOL after surgery. RESULTS: All patients showed significantly improved QOL in both short- and long-term follow-ups compared to preoperative status regardless of seizure status (p<0.001). Seizure-free patients showed better QOL than those of patients who continued to have seizure during postoperative period. Furthermore, improved QOL was correlated with seizure status and shorter duration of epilepsy (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that improved QOL is related to postoperative seizure status. However, future clinical studies including larger population of patients with extratemporal epilepsy are required to elucidate the role of other factors.     

Erectile dysfunction may predict coronary artery disease: relationship between coronary artery calcium scoring and erectile dysfunction severity

Objectives The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) in terms of coronary artery calcium (CAC) levels assessed by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to find out if ED severity may predict coronary heart disease risk. Patients and method Sixty men with a mean age of 55.7 (41–77) years with ED and 23 men with a mean age of 53.2 (39–76) years without ED, who admitted to our clinic between January 2005 and December 2005, were included in the study. All patients answered the standard International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) forms, and were classified into four groups as mild, moderate, severe ED and no ED. CAC levels were assessed by MDCT protocol. CAC levels and IIEF scores were analyzed within each group. Results Pearson correlation test demonstrated significant negative correlation between IIEF score and CAC score (r = −497; P < 0.0001). CAC scores increased significantly with regard to IIEF scores decrease: IIEF 1–10 (n = 18), mean CAC: 557.7; IIEF 11–16 (n = 13), mean CAC: 541.3; IIEF 17–25 (n = 29), mean CAC: 84.6; and IIEF ≥ 26 [n = 23 (Control group)], mean CAC: 10.1. The difference between the mean CAC scores of these four groups was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). When we took the cut-off value for IIEF score 26 we observed significantly higher CAC scores at the group of IIEF < 26 (mean 325.5 vs 10.1; P < 0.0001). Conclusion We observed positive correlation with ED severity and CAC levels. Therefore, we think that detection and quantification of preclinical coronary artery disease by CAC scoring with a non-invasive method might have a great potential for early cardiac preventive measures.     

Polygonal triple (Kotz) osteotomy (over 10 years experience)

We evaluated the results of polygonal triple (Kotz) osteotomy for the treatment of acetabular dysplasia over 10 years. This study included 31 hips of 27 patients who had the Kotz osteotomy for acetabular dysplasia. The mean age was 21.5 years. We performed the original Kotz osteotomy for the first 22 hips (group I), while the modified Kotz osteotomy through an intra-pelvic approach without damage to the abductor muscle was applied for the last 9 hips (group II). Patients were evaluated by clinically and radiologically. The average follow-up was 106 months in group I, and 18 months in group II. The Trendelenburg gait was unchanged for four patients in group I and for one patient in group II. The Harris Hip Score improved in all patients postoperatively. Radiographic assesment showed improvement in both groups in terms of the angle of CE, VCE, and Sharp postoperatively(P<0.05). The complication rate per hip was 0.29. The original Kotz osteotomy achieves adequate coverage for the treatment of acetabular dysplasia, and patients are generally satisfied by this procedure. Nonetheless, the modified Kotz osteotomy provides recovery of the abductor muscle strength in the early postoperative period and subsequently decreases the rate of the Trendelenburg gait compared to the original Kotz osteotomy.

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Résumé Nous avons évalué le résultat de l’ostéotomie de Kotz dans le traitement des dysplasies acétabulaires sur une période de 10 ans. Cette étude a inclus 31 hanches chez 27 patients. L’age moyen était de 21.5 ans. Nous avons réalisé la technique originale de Kotz pour 22 patients (groupe 1) et la technique de Kotz modifiée chez 9 patients (groupe 2). Les patients ont été évalués sur le plan clinique et radiologique. Le suivi moyen a été de 106 mois pour le groupe 1 et de 18 mois pour le groupe 2. Une boiterie de type Trendelenbourg a persisté chez 4 patients du groupe 1 et 1 patient du groupe 2. Le score de Harris post opératoire a été amélioré chez tous les patients. L’amélioration radiographique a été constatée dans les deux groupes sur l’angle CE et VCE et l’angle de Sharp (P<0.05). Le taux de complication a été de 0.29. La technique originale de Kotz donne de bons résultats quant à la couverture de la hanche, cependant la technique de Kotz modifiée permet de récupérer plus rapidement une force importante des muscles abducteurs en post opératoire et ce fait diminue le pourcentage de patients présentant une boiterie de type Trendelenbourg.

     

Does high‐dose carmustine increase overall survival in supratentorial high‐grade malignant glioma? An EBMT retrospective study

Radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide have demonstrated improved survival for glioblastoma. However, prognosis remains poor. High-doses chemotherapy with carmustine is another way to improve response and survival by increasing the dose delivered. Myelotoxicity imposes autologous stem cell rescue. European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation experience of this treatment in patients with high-grade glioma was reported here. A retrospective analysis of 217 patients from European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation database was realized. Ninety-six patients underwent complete surgical resection while the 121 others had partial resection or only biopsy and were evaluable for an antitumor effect. Patients received 800 mg/m2 of carmustine intravenously at least 1 month after neurosurgery. Forty-eight to 72 hr after chemotherapy, 108 patients received autologous hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow harvest and 109 patients autologous hematopoietic stem cells from peripheral blood. Radiotherapy was started approximately 40 days after transplantation. Ten deaths were related to the treatment. Of the 121 patients evaluable for tumor response, 64 (53%) presented an objective response. This protocol appear feasible, but with toxicity-related mortality of 4.5%. Median overall survival was 20 months and median time to treatment failure was 7 months. Overall survival and time to treatment were correlated with age, quality of resection and histological subtypes. In glioblastoma multiforme, age and surgery quality appeared to be prognostic factors. Compared with Stupp et al.'s recent study, this study did not favor high-dose carmustine for patients with glioblastoma multiforme with complete surgical resection.     

A ptotic kidney with multiple arteries,one from a common renal artery stem

Anomalies of major retroperitoneal vascular structures have been showed up in many reports so far. Here, a group of vascular anomalies of retroperitoneum were reported, all of which were encountered during the staging surgery of a 65-year-old woman with endometrium carcinoma. There was no vascular injury during the surgery associated with these vascular abnormalities. Since they are met quite frequently, it is important for surgeons dealing with retroperitoneum to be aware of the possible anomalies of vascular and renal structures in this region.     

Hidden female urinary incontinence in urology and obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics in Turkey: what are the determinants of bothersome urinary incontinence and help-seeking behavior?

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of female urinary incontinence (UI) and risk factors of bothersomeness and help-seeking behavior of hidden female UI in urology and obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics. This multicentric and cross-sectional study was conducted as a part of the Turkish Overactive Bladder Study. Female patients (n = 5,565) who were referred with complaints other than UI and overactive bladder symptoms were surveyed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF) with supplementation of five more questions. The crude prevalence of UI was found to be 35.7%. The prevalence of frequent and severe incontinence was 8.2 and 6.8%, respectively. The mean age of incontinent patients was significantly higher (p < 0.001). The prevalence of stress, urge, and mixed UI was 39.8, 24.8, and 28.9%, respectively. More than half (53%) of incontinent patients were not bothered by UI, and only 12% of incontinent patients had previously sought medical help for their problem. Frequency, severity, and type of UI were independent factors for predicting bothersome UI, while only bothersomeness increased help-seeking behavior. The ICIQ-SF score of 8 has been found to be the best cutoff value to delineate the bothersome UI. Although the crude prevalence of female UI was found to be high, bothersome UI was not so common. The majority of incontinent female patients did not seek medical help. Frequency, severity, and mixed type of UI were found to be the determinants of bothersome UI for which the ICIQ-SF cutoff score of 8 was obtained.