Two cases of atypical femoral fracture in cancer patients administered with bone-modifying agents

Objective: We report two cases of atypical femoral fracture (AFF) in patients with cancer.Patients: Two patients, a 53-year-old woman with breast cancer and a 77-year-old man with prostate cancer, could not walk after being injured in a fall. They used bone-modifying agents (BMA) for the prevention of bone metastasis for three and four years, respectively.Results: Intramedullary nails were placed to fix the femoral fractures in each patient. Neither of them had pathological metastatic femoral fractures based on fracture site specimens; however, severe suppression of bone turnover at the fracture site was suspected. Both patients could ambulate with a T-cane and were free of hip pain after surgery. Radiographs showed no callus formation at the fracture site.Conclusion: Based on the two cases of AFF in patients with cancer related to BMA use, we should consider that the incidence of AFF may be associated with long-term BMA use.     

Long-term functional outcomes after an external femoral derotation osteotomy in individuals with cerebral palsy

BackgroundIt is unknown how a femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO) during childhood affects functional outcomes in adulthood among individuals with bilateral cerebral palsy (CP).Research questionsHow do long-term functional outcomes after an FDO compare to matched individuals who did not have an FDO? How do outcomes change over time?MethodsWe queried the gait laboratory database for individuals who underwent an external FDO in childhood and were currently ≥25 years old. Participants returned for a long-term analysis (gait, physical examination, functional tests, imaging, questionnaires). The matched non-FDO group included only individuals in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-II, yielding three groups (non-FDO I-II, FDO I-II, FDO III-IV).ResultsSixty-one adults (11 non-FDO, 34 FDO I-II, 16 FDO III-IV) returned 13–25 years after baseline (non-FDO) or surgery (FDO). The non-FDO and FDO I-II groups were matched at baseline on most variables, except the FDO group had weaker hip abductors. At long-term, groups were similar on gait variables (median long-term hip rotation [primary outcome], non-FDO: −4°, FDO I-II: −4°, FDO III-IV: −5°), hip abduction test, fear of falling, and most pain measures despite anteversion being 29° greater in the non-FDO group. The FDO I-II group reported more falls than the non-FDO group. All groups improved on hip rotation, foot progression, and hip abductor strength. Speed and step length decreased/tended to decrease for all three groups. Hip abduction moment and gait deviation index did not change. Improvements in the FDO groups were maintained from short- to long-term.SignificanceThese results challenge the notion that an FDO is necessary to correct mean stance hip rotation for higher functioning individuals since nearly identical results were achieved by adulthood in the non-FDO I-II group. However, an FDO provides improvement earlier and maintenance from short- to long-term. This should factor into the shared decision-making process.     

Robustness of a Combined Modified Dixon and PROPELLER Sequence with Two Interleaved Echoes in Clinical Head and Neck MRI

Purpose:The combination of modified Dixon (mDixon) and periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction sequence with two interleaved echoes, which promotes uniform fat-suppression and motion insensitivity, has recently become available for commercial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. To compare the robustness of this combination sequence with that of standard Cartesian mDixon sequence for fat-suppressed T₂-weighted imaging in clinical head and neck MRI.Methods:Fifty patients with head and neck tumors were involved this study. All patients underwent MRI using both the combination and standard sequences. Two radiologists independently scored motion artifacts and water–fat separation error using a 4-point scale (1, unacceptable; 4, excellent). Furthermore, comprehensive comparative evaluation was performed using a 5-point scale (1, substantially inferior; 5, substantially superior). Data were statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Results:In the motion artifact assessment, ratings of 3 or 4 points were assigned to 45% (observer-1, 58.0%; observer-2, 32.0%) and 97% (100%; 94.0%) of images for the standard and combination sequences, respectively (P < 0.001). For the water–fat separation error assessment, ratings of 3 or 4 points were assigned to 100% (100%; 100%) and 85% (84.0%; 86.0%) of images, respectively (P < 0.001). In the comprehensive evaluation, of the 100 cases (observer-1, 50; observer-2, 50), 96 were rated at four or five points. In cases with slight or no motion artifacts and water–fat separation errors, the combination sequence was superior to the standard sequence in term of noise and sharpness, and equal in terms of contrast.Conclusion:Although water–fat separation errors increased significantly in the combination sequence, most of these were acceptable. The significantly decreased motion artifacts in the combination sequence significantly improved image quality overall.     

Brachytherapy of the head and neck: An University of California Los Angeles guide to morbidity reduction

The head and neck (H&N) region is among the most intricate and functional part of our anatomy. Major functional nerves and blood vessels with importance that affect the entire body emanate from the base of skull. Brachytherapy plays an important role as a single modality therapy in early cancer of the lip and oral cavity and a supplemental role in the pharynx or in advanced or recurrent disease. Morbidity in the H&N is intensely personal and disabling. Its avoidance is critical in determining the success or failure of a treatment program, and it is essential to preservation of quality of life. This article summarizes the current literature regarding morbidity related to H&N brachytherapy to aid patients and physicians to achieve optimal outcomes.     

Effect of photodynamic therapy on expression of HRAS,NRAS and caspase 3 genes at mRNA levels,apoptosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on expression of CASP3, NRAS and HRAS genes at mRNA levels, and apoptosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell line.Materials and methodsIn order to complete the present in vitro study, HNSCC cell line (NCBI C196 HN5) purchased from Pasteur Institute. Cells were divided into four groups; Group 1: photodynamic treatment (laser + methylene blue (MB) as photosensitizer), group 2: MB, group 3: laser (with 660 nm wavelength), and group 4: control (without any treatment). To determine the optimal concentration of MB, in a pilot study, toxicity of MB in different concentration was assessed using MTT assay. Cells in group 1, 2 and 3 was treated at optimal concentration of MB (1.6 μg/mL). Gene expression at mRNA levels was assessed after 24 h incubation, using real-time (qRT)-PCR. The expression of BAX and BCL2 genes at the mRNA levels was analyzed to evaluate apoptosis. 2^−ΔΔCt values of BCL2, BAX, CASP3, NRAS, and HRAS in groups was analyzed using ANOVA. Tukey’s HSD and Games Howell test was used to compare between two groups.ResultsOver-expression of BAX (p < 0.001), CASP3 (p < 0.001) and down-regulation of BCL2 (p = 0.004), HRAS (p = 0.023) and NRAS (p = 0.045) were noted in group 1 (PDT), compared with the control group. Treatment by laser alone induce down-regulation of CASP3 (p < 0.05), BAX (p < 0.05), BCL2 (p > 0.05), HRAS (p > 0.05) and NRAS (p > 0.05).ConclusionPDT caused down-regulation of NRAS, HRAS and BCL2 and over-expression of CASP3 and BAX genes at mRNA levels in HNSCC cell line. The present study raises the possibility that the role of MB on BCL2 down-regulation and BAX and CASP3 over-expression was higher than laser alone while it seems that laser alone was more effective than MB in HRAS and NRAS down-regulation.     

Strain response of an instrumented intramedullary nail to three-point bending

Objectives:?An experimental biomechanical evaluation of an instrumented intramedullary nail (TriGen® META Nail, Smith&Nephew®) was undertaken. The objectives were two-fold. The first was to identify the most sensitive strain gauge positions and orientations on the nail, and the second was to demonstrate that the nail was capable of detecting changes in stiffness of the nail–bone composite. The function of the instrumented nail is to quantify fracture healing objectively and directly, and so to predict delayed repair or non-union 2 months before current methods.

Methods:?Eight flat pockets were machined onto the surface of the nail and three strain gauges attached in each pocket. The instrumented nail was inserted into fourth generation biomechanical grade Sawbones® tibiae with three different fracture configurations as well as into a non-fractured bone. The nail–bone composite was loaded in three-point bending at five positions to determine the strain changes in each of the eight strain gauge pockets located along the length of the nail. To simulate callus in the simplest way and to increase the stiffness of the nail–bone composite, loops of duct tape in multiples of four were applied over the fracture locus. A three-point loading jig was used to obtain the change in strain with increasing stiffness. Relative displacement of the bone ends was quantified using radiostereometric analysis.

Results:?There was no single position of greatest strain sensitivity for all fracture types. The greatest change in strain occurred when the strain gauge pocket and fracture line were closest. Applying the loading moment directly over the strain gauge pocket also maximised its sensitivity. The duct tape callus simulation showed that the instrumented nail was able to detect a change in stiffness of less than 4.1 Nm/°.

Conclusions:?It has been shown that the instrumented nail can detect physiologically relevant changes in stiffness, and so to provide a useful function as an objective monitor of fracture repair.     

Preoperative rotational assessment of the distal femur with CT may cause femoral component malrotation in TKA

BackgroundBefore total knee arthroplasty (TKA), rotational assessment of the distal femur can be performed using either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). Until now, there has been no study comparing the two modalities regarding rotational assessment of the distal femur in the same patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the preoperative CT and MRI images of 110 knees in 110 patients who underwent TKA. In the axial planes of CT and MRI scan, the posterior condylar axis (PCA), anatomical transepicondylar axis (aTEA), and perpendicular line to anteroposterior axis (pAPA) were identified; the angles between these studied lines were calculated. During TKA, the angles measured on the preoperative CT and MRI were compared with the measurements obtained in the intraoperative field.ResultsThe mean aTEA-PCA angle was 6.2 ± 1.9° with CT and 5.1 ± 1.8° with MRI. The mean pAPA-PCA angle was 4.7 ± 2.1° with CT and 3.5 ± 2.0° with MRI. The mean aTEA-PCA (1.1 ± 1.3°, p = 0.001) and pAPA-PCA (1.2 ± 1.2°, p = 0.012) angles significantly differed between CT and MRI. Intra-operatively, the mean aTEA-PCA angle was 4.7 ± 1.1° and the mean pAPA-PCA angle was 3.2 ± 0.9°. Reliability analysis between the preoperative CT/MRI and the intraoperative measurements gave kappa values of 0.72 for aTEA-PCA and 0.66 for pAPA-PCA with CT, and 0.82 for aTEA-PCA and 0.84 for pAPA-PCA with MRI.ConclusionsPreoperative rotational assessment of the distal femur with CT may cause higher external rotation of femoral component in TKA.     

3D打印技术在快速治疗老年股骨转子间骨折医患沟通中的应用

目的　探讨3D打印技术在快速治疗老年股骨转子间骨折医患沟通中的应用效果。 方法　选取2018年7月~2019年4月本院老年髋部中心30例老年股骨转子间骨折拟行PFNA内固定手术治疗的患者。经签署知情同意书,利用随机数表将患者分成实验组和对照组,每组15例。实验组采用3D打印模型进行术前沟通,对照组采用常规术前沟通方法,分别进行术前医患沟通调查问卷信息采集,记录手术时机（入院到手术的间隔天数）、手术时间、出血量等,并进行统计分析。 结果　术前应用3D打印模型进行医患沟通,患者对病情、手术方案、护理等方面的理解有明显优势,患者满意度较高;实验组从入院到手术间隔时间明显较短,为（2.92±1.16）d,对照组（4.36±2.10）d,P<0.05。 结论　3D打印技术在快速治疗老年股骨转子间骨折医患沟通方面有显著效果,缩短术前间隔时间,提高患者满意度。     

儿童肱骨髁上骨折相关的神经损伤研究进展

肱骨髁上骨折常见于7岁以下儿童,约占儿童肢体骨折的30%和肘部骨折的50%~70%;根据受伤机制的不同可分为伸直型和屈曲型,其中伸直型约占96%~98%、屈曲型约占2%~4%,是最常见的儿童骨折之一[1,2]。Gartland分型是目前应用最广泛的肱骨髁上骨折分型系统:Ⅰ型骨折无移位常采取保守治疗,Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型骨折因创伤严重致治疗棘手。由于儿童肱骨远端特殊的解剖生理特点,尺神经、正中神经及桡神经均容易损伤,文献报道肱骨髁上骨折导致的神经损伤发生率高达10%~20%[1-3],医源性神经损伤也高达3%~6%[2-4],给临床带来严重挑战。本文就儿童肱骨髁上骨折伴神经损伤的研究进展作一综述。     

猪股骨头支持带动脉入头分支的解剖学研究

目的　探索猪股骨头支持带动脉入头分支的数量、分布规律及外径大小并阐述其意义。 方法　解剖39例带有髋周血管的猪股骨头离体标本,分离支持带动脉,采用30%硫酸钡悬浮液显微灌注,观察支持带动脉入头分支的走形、数量、分布及外径。以时钟点位记录支持带动脉入头的分布规律,显微标尺测量支持带动脉入头分支的外径,并对各组支持带动脉入头最粗支的位置进行测量统计。 结果　猪股骨头共有（6.10±1.32）支动脉入头,主要分为后上、后下及前方3组,每组支持带动脉最粗支入头的时钟点位分别为（11：22~01：29）、（06：36~08：15）、（02：01~03：59）;直径分别为（0.37±0.11）、（0.52±0.11）、（0.35±0.09）mm。 结论　猪股骨头入头动脉的数量及位置相对恒定,入头动脉最粗支平均直径为（0.52±0.11）mm,来自后下组支持带动脉,为猪股骨头重要的血供来源。