Breach Of Cortex Research Articles

Comparative Outcome of Short Proximal Femoral Nail Versus Proximal Femoral Locking Compression Plate in the Management of Unstable Trochanteric Fractures

Introduction: Trochanteric fractures are mostly due to RTA and falls. Unstable trochanteric fractures include those with a reverse oblique fracture line, intertrochanteric comminution, big posteromedial fragment, subtrochanteric extension, a broken greater trochanter and lateral cortex breach. As per the AO Classification of intertrochanteric fractures, AO31-2.2, AO31-2.3, AO31-3.1, AO31-3.2 and AO31-3.3 fall under the category of unstable trochanteric fractures. Internal fixation is mandatory to provide early mobilization of patients with partial weight-bearing and prevent further compli&cations. Materials and Methods: 43 patients more than 18 years old with unstable trochanteric fractures, less than 3 weeks old trauma were included in the prospective study for 1 year period (1st June 2020 to 31st May 2021). 22 cases were treated with short Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN) and 21 cases were treated with Proximal Femoral Locking Compression Plate (PFLCP). Results: (P<0.05), mean duration of surgery, blood loss was less in the PFN group (67minutes; 80mL) than PFLCP group (99 minutes; 152 ml). Union and partial weight-bearing was seen earlier in PFN group (14.1weeks; 10.6weeks) than in PFLCP group (18.7 weeks; 15.8weeks) (P<0.05). Good-excellent outcome was seen in 100% cases in PFN group and 85.71% cases in PFLCP group. There were 3 cases of delayed union in PFLCP group and 1 in PFN group. 1 PFLCP case had malunion in varus deformity. Conclusion: Short PFN is the optimum implant in treatment of unstable trochanteric fractures as it is an intramedullary, load sharing device with short lever arm and hastens biological healing with early ambulation and minimal complications.

Comparison of the accuracy of intraoperative lateral fluoroscopy versus postoperative computed tomography in spinal fusions.

This study compared the accuracy of intraoperative lateral fluoroscopic images versus postoperative computed tomography (CT) 3D studies in the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal fusions. In a tertiary care hospital (study duration 6 months), we compared the use of lateral fluoroscopic images with the postoperative CT scans in 64 patients with thoracic or lumbar fractures undergoing spinal fusions. Out of the 64 patients, 61% were lumbar followed by 39% thoracic fractures. In the lumbar spine, the accuracy of screw placement utilizing lateral fluoroscopy versus postoperative CT 3D was 97.4%, while in thoracic spine, accuracy was reduced to 84.4%. Of the 64 patients, just 4 (6.2%) patients demonstrated lateral pedicle cortex penetration, 1 (1.5%) patient had a medial pedicle cortex breach, while none exhibited anterior vertebral body cortex penetration. This study documented the efficacy of lateral fluoroscopy in intraoperative thoracic and lumbar spinal fixation as confirmed by postoperative CT 3D studies. These findings support the continued use of fluoroscopy rather than CT intraoperatively to lower the risk of radiation exposure to both patients and surgeons.

Avoid the In-Out-In Posterosuperior Femoral Neck Screw: The Use of the Piriformis Fossa Radiographic Landmark.

The most common screw placement across the femoral neck is the inverted triangle. The posterosuperior screw has a high incidence of cortical breach, creating an in-out-in (IOI) screw. This study examined the use of the radiographic landmark of the piriformis fossa (PF) to prevent screws being placed IOI. The hypothesis was that posterior screws placed below the PF inferior margin would prevent femoral neck cortex breach. Five bilateral cadaveric specimens were used to place 10 screws along the femoral neck posterosuperior cortex. On the AP view, 5 screws were placed in a traditional manner, below the femoral neck superior cortex but above the inferior margin of the PF (APF screws), and 5 were placed below the inferior margin of the PF (BPF). All 10 screws were placed inside the posterior cortex on the lateral view. After screw placement, each hip was dissected, and the femoral necks were evaluated for signs of cortical breach. All screws placed below the PF inferior margin were contained within the femoral neck with no incidence of being IOI. All screws placed above the PF inferior margin breached the cortex to a varying degree. All screws were similar in relation to their distance from the posterior cortex on the lateral view, with the APF screws averaging 1.98 mm and the BPF screws averaging 1.82 mm (P value = 0.46). Placing the posterosuperior screw of the inverted triangle caudal to the PF inferior margin on the AP view seems to avoid cortical breach during percutaneous screw fixation of femoral neck fractures.

Intraosseous hydatid cyst

Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus or echinococcal tænia, preferentially localized in the lung (20 to 30%) and in the liver (60 to 70%). Intraosseous localization is extremely rare. Imaging features takes a very important place for the diagnosis and therapeutic management such as ultrasound, CT and MRI. MRI shows a large, well-limited and multiloculated cystic mass in cotyloid cavity, with daughter vesicles in hypo-intensity T1-weighted, hyperintensity T2-weighted with low diffusion coefficient and no contrast enhancement after injection of gadolinium. This mass causes a breach of cortex and extension to the adjacent soft tissue.

Intraosseous hydatid cyst

Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus or echinococcal tænia, preferentially localized in the lung (20 to 30%) and in the liver (60 to 70%). Intraosseous localization is extremely rare. She did not complain on any difficulties swallowing or breathing. She has a background of mild Asthma for which she uses inhalers but otherwise is generally well in herself. She is a non-smoker and is fully vaccinated. Imaging features takes a very important place for the diagnosis and therapeutic management such as ultrasound, CT and MRI. MRI shows a large, well-limited and multiloculated cystic mass in cotyloid cavity, with daughter vesicles in hypo-intensity T1-weighted, hyperintensity T2-weighted with low diffusion coefficient and no contrast enhancement after injection of gadolinium. This mass causes a breach of cortex and extension to the adjacent soft tissue.

Design, application, and evaluation of a novel method for determining optimal trajectory of thoracic pedicle screws

BackgroundThis is an experimental study performed on 15 adult cadavers. In this cadaveric study, we designed and evaluated a novel methodology for determining the optimal trajectory for the placement of thoracic pedicle screws. The accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement is critical to the spinal surgery. The concept, implement method, and significance of the optimal thoracic pedicle trajectory have not been reported.MethodsThe experimental study was performed on 15 adult cadavers. The Mimics software was used to design optimal trajectory through the pedicle central axis. Using three-dimensional (3D) printing, a navigation module with a locating facet and a stabilizing facet was developed. The thoracic pedicle screws were inserted with the help of the navigation module. The three-dimensional coordinates for the entry and the exit points of the screws were compared between the planned trajectories and the postoperative trajectories. The differences in coordinates were analyzed to evaluate the precision of the screw placement.ResultsThe trajectories through the pedicle central axis showed an excellent symmetry between the single segments and for all thoracic vertebrae. Out of a total of 358 screws that were inserted, 15 (4.2%) screws breached the pedicle cortex with a breach distance of <2 mm. The qualifying rate was 98.6% (353/358) for the entry point precision of ≥3.2 mm, and 98.9% (354/358) for the exit point precision of ≥6.4 mm. In comparison to the designed qualified rate of 100% (358/358), the χ2 was 3.22 and 2.26, respectively (P>0.05).ConclusionsThe optimal trajectory was obtained through the pedicle central axis, which significantly reduced the risk of cortex breach. A high degree of precision was obtained for the entry and the exit points of the screws when the postoperative trajectory was compared with the designed trajectory.

One year follow-up of a case series using the iBalance medial opening wedge HTO system and an accelerated rehabilitation program

Objectives:To investigate the clinical outcome and postoperative alignment changes changes to following computer navigated medial opening wedge HTO using the iBalance HTO systemMethods:We performed a prospective observational series at a single centre of 20 consecutive patients undergoing computer navigated high tibial osteotomy by a single surgeon. The surgical device used to maintain the osteotomy was the Arthrex iBalance® HTO system. We compared preoperative and postoperative ROM, WOMAC, Lysholm, IKDC, alignment and the inferred tibial slope. We also measured the tibiofemoral angle on long leg weight bearing plain radiographs at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year and calculated any change from the initial correction measured at 2 weeks to asses any loss of correction over 1-year time frame. We also correlated clinical outcome with loss of correction.Results:Regarding intraoperative results, the mean navigated correction to HKA was 5.4°±1.3°. No significant change was found to the knee sagittal angle posteroperatively (pre op mean 0.1°±4.4°, post op mean 0.81°±5.1°; p> 0.05). No significant change was found to the post operative ROM (pre op mean 125.4°±41.5°, post op mean 123.9°±34.4°; p> 0.05). The IKDC, Lysholm and WOMAC scores showed a significant difference, between 6 week to 3 months and 3 months to 6 months follow-up. After this time point scores did not show and statistical significant difference. The IKDC, Lysholm and WOMAC scores all demonstrate a general improvement over 12 months. One patient had to be removed from the study, as he had a lateral cortex breach at three months, and was converted to a TKR. There was a significant loss of correction between 2 weeks and 6 weeks, and again a significant loss of correction between 6 weeks and 3 months. However, the average loss of correction was measured radiographically to be 1.6°±1.7°, between 2 week and 12 month postoperative follow-up. Though this may be statistically significant, it is not clinically significant when compared to PROMs. We divided the loss of correction into greater than 1.5° and less than 1.5° and compared them to measured PROMs at all time points. We found no significant correlation between increased loss of correction and poorer PROM scores.Conclusion:Computer assisted iBalance medial opening wedge HTO with accelerated rehabilitation program does radiographically show loss of correction over 12 months. However it is not clinically significant when compared to PROMs. ROM and inferred tibial slope is preserved.

Paediatric vascular access

### Key points Obtaining reliable vascular access in small children is frequently made challenging by anatomical factors—in particular, small, mobile veins and an excess of subcutaneous fat which make visualization and palpation of veins difficult. Paediatric patients are often less co-operative, and the potential for psychological trauma, especially with repeated procedures in the conscious patient, further complicates matters. Short-term vascular access is frequently required in hospitalized children for the delivery of i.v. fluids, medication, and blood product administration. Longer-term vascular access devices are required for repeated medication delivery (e.g. enzyme replacement therapy in inherited metabolic diseases), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, and extracorporeal procedures such as plasmapheresis and haemodialysis. In addition, vascular access devices may be needed for repeated blood sampling and invasive haemodynamic monitoring. The choice of vascular access device depends upon the condition and preference of the patient or parent/guardian, the likely duration and frequency of treatment, and the properties of the infusate. Infusates with vesicant properties (drugs with the potential to cause blistering with tissue injury, e.g. calcium solutions and amphotericin B), hypertonic solutions, and those with pH 9 will necessitate central venous access. Vasopressors and inotropes are preferentially administered centrally as they require reliable access and extravasation may cause tissue necrosis. It is important to try to predict future needs for vascular access as poor prospective management …

Fixation with C-2 laminar screws in occipitocervical or C1-2 constructs in children 5 years of age or younger: a series of 18 patients.

OBJECT.: There are rare indications for upper cervical spine fusion in young children. Compared with nonrigid constructs, rigid instrumentation with screw fixation increases the fusion rate and reduces the need for halo fixation. Instrumentation may be technically challenging in younger children. A number of screw placement techniques have been described. Use of C-2 translaminar screws has been shown to be anatomically feasible, even in the youngest of children. However, there are few data detailing the clinical outcome. In this study, the authors describe the clinical and radiographic follow-up of 18 children 5 years of age or younger who had at least one C-2 translaminar screw as part of an occipitocervical or C1-2 fusion construct. A retrospective review of all children treated with instrumented occipitocervical or C1-2 fusion between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2013, at Riley Children's Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital was performed. All children 5 years of age or younger with incorporation of at least one C-2 translaminar screw were identified. Eighteen children were studied (7 boys and 11 girls). The mean age at surgery was 38.1 months (range 10-68 months). Indications for surgery included traumatic instability (6), os odontoideum (3), destructive processes (2), and congenital instability (7). A total of 24 C-2 translaminar screws were placed; 23 (95.8%) of 24 were satisfactorily placed (completely contained within the cortical walls). There was one medial cortex breach without neurological impingement. There were no complications with screw placement. Three patients required wound revisions. Two patients died as a result of their original condition (trauma, malignant tumor). The mean follow-up duration for the surviving patients was 17.5 months (range 3-60 months). Eleven (91.7%) of the 12 patients followed for 6 months or longer showed radiographic stability or completed fusion. Use of C-2 translaminar screws provides an effective anchor for internal fixation of the upper cervical spine. In this study of children 5 years of age or younger, the authors found a high rate of radiographic fusion with a low rate of complications.

Inferior Suture Anchor Placement During Arthroscopic Bankart Repair

Background: During arthroscopic Bankart repair, inferior anchor placement is critical to a successful outcome. Low anterior anchors may be placed with a standard straight guide via midglenoid portal, with a straight guide with trans-subscapularis placement, or with curved guide systems. Purpose/Hypothesis: To evaluate glenoid suture anchor trajectory, position, and biomechanical performance as a function of portal location and insertion technique. It is hypothesized that a trans-subscapularis portal or curved guide will improve anchor position, decrease risk of opposite cortex breach, and confer improved biomechanical properties. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Thirty cadaveric shoulders were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: straight guide, midglenoid portal (MG); straight guide, trans-subscapularis portal (TS); and curved guide, midglenoid portal (CG). Three BioRaptor PK 2.3-mm anchors were inserted arthroscopically, with an anchor placed at 3, 5, and 7 o’clock. Specimens were dissected with any anchor perforation of the opposite cortex noted. An “en face” image was used to evaluate actual anchor position on a clockface scale. Each suture anchor underwent cyclic loading (10-60 N, 250 cycles), followed by a load-to-failure test (12.5 mm/s). Fisher exact test and mixed effects regression modeling were used to compare outcomes among groups. Results: Anchor placement deviated from the desired position by 9.9° ± 11.4° in MG specimens, 11.1° ± 13.8° in TS, and 13.1° ± 14.5° in CG. After dissection, opposite cortex perforation at 5 o’clock occurred in 50% of MG anchors, 0% of TS, and 40% of CG. Of the 90 anchors tested, 17 (19%) failed during cyclic loading, with a similar failure rate across groups (P = .816). The maximum load was significantly higher for the 3-o’clock anchors when compared with the 5-o’clock anchors, regardless of portal or guide (P = .021). For the 5-o’clock position, there were significantly fewer “out” anchors in the TS group versus the CG or MG group (P = .038). There was no statistically significant difference in maximum load among groups at 5 o’clock. Conclusion: Accuracy in suture anchor placement during arthroscopic Bankart repair can vary depending on both portal used and desired position of anchor. The results of the current study indicate that there was no difference in ultimate load to failure among anchors inserted via a midglenoid straight guide, midglenoid curved guide, or percutaneous trans-subscapularis approach. However, midglenoid portal anchors drilled with a straight or curved guide and placed at the 5-o’clock position had significant increased risk of opposite cortex perforation compared with trans-subscapularis percutaneous insertion, with no apparent biomechanical detriment. Clinical Relevance: The findings from this study will facilitate improved understanding of risks and benefits of several techniques for arthroscopic shoulder instability treatment with regard to suture anchor fixation.

Clinical evaluation of the polymethylmethacrylate-augmented thoracic and lumbar pedicle screw fixation guided by the three-dimensional navigation for the osteoporosis patients

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) navigation-guided polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-augmented thoracic and lumbar pedicle screw fixation for the osteoporotic patients. 27 consecutive osteoporosis patients with a variety of spinal disorders who underwent 3D navigation-guided PMMA-augmented pedicle screw fixation were evaluated clinically and radiologically in the perioperative and 1-year follow-up period. The improvement of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores was analyzed. PMMA leakage and other complications were inspected intraoperatively and postoperatively. Screw loosening and bone fusion were evaluated radiographically during follow-up. 8 patients had thoracic and lumbar fractures; 18 patients had degenerative spinal disorders; one patient had revision surgery. One patient died of postoperative pneumonia. Each of the other 26 patients was followed up regularly at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months postoperatively. The mean therapeutic improvement rate is 39.6% evaluated by JOA scores. 2 patients (7.4%) had leakage into the spinal canal in front of the posterior longitudinal ligament and two patients (7.4%) had leakage into the prevertebral soft tissue inspected by the postoperative CT scans. No pedicle cortex breach and cement leakage surrounding pedicle cortex were observed. None of patients complained of dyspnoea and showed evidence of pulmonary embolism. Bone fusions were found in 20 patients (bony fusion rate 76.9%) at the 12-month follow-up and no screw loosening occurs. The results show favorable outcome using 3D navigation-guided PMMA-augmented thoracic and lumbar pedicle screw fixation for the osteoporosis patients both clinically and radiologically.

Bilateral Tibial Adamantinomas Simulating Stress Fractures on Scintigraphy

A 35-year-old woman presented with continued tenderness in the left leg for more than 2 months. The patient was sent to the nuclear medicine department for evaluation. Three phase blood flow imaging followed by a whole body bone scan were performed. Scintigraphy revealed metabolically active lesions in both tibiae. The lesion was larger in size on left side. Scintigraphy per se raised suspicion of bilateral tibial stress fracture. Slightly increased uptake of tracer in the medial condyle of the right femur was because of old trauma. Evaluation of the whole body bone scan showed another lesion in the left pubic bone. Correlation of the CT scan findings of both tibiae (diaphyseal involvement, areas of lucency, breach of cortex, soft tissue component extending into medullary region) with the whole body bone scan raised the suspicion of adamantinoma, which ultimately proved to be multifocal adamantinomas. Differential diagnosis includes fibrous dysplasia, eosinophilic granuloma, polyostotic osteomyelitis, and skeletal metastatic lesions. (Lädermann et al, Orthopedics. 2008;31:282; Daffner et al, Am J Roentgenol. 1982;139:943–948; Desai et al, J Surg Oncol. 2006;93:429–433; Papagelopoulos et al, Orthopedics. 2007;30:211–215; Siblerstein et al, Diagnostic Patterns in Nuclear Medicine. Reston, VA: Society of Nuclear Medicine; 1998:199–210). This is a rare case of multifocal adamantinomas. This case emphasizes that nuclear medicine physicians should not block their minds to a single entity, and always keep options open. Whenever feasible and possible, the whole body should be scanned. Careful review of the whole set of data and correlation with other imaging modalities helps most of the time to reach a proper diagnosis. Adamantinoma should be included in the gamut/differential diagnosis of tibial stress fractures.

Pedicle screw insertion angle and pullout strength: comparison of 2 proposed strategies

Minimally invasive pedicle screws inserted vertically (that is, dorsoventrally) through the pedicle, as opposed to the more common coaxial technique, offer potential advantages by minimizing soft-tissue stripping during screw placement. The screws are designed for insertion through a medial starting point with vertical trajectory through the pedicle and into the vertebral body. As such, no lateral dissection beyond the insertion point is necessary. However, the effects of this insertion technique on the screw biomechanical performance over a short- and long-term are unknown. The authors investigated the pullout strength and stiffness of these screws, with or without fatigue cycling, compared with comparably sized, traditional screws placed by coaxial technique. Twenty-one lumbar vertebrae (L-3, L-4, and L-5) were tested. Each pedicle of each vertebra was instrumented with either a traditional, coaxial pedicle screw (Group A), placed through a standard starting point, or a vertically oriented, alternative-design screw (Group B), with a medial starting point and vertical trajectory. The specimens were divided into 2 groups for testing. One group was tested for direct pullout (10 specimens) while the other was subject to pullout after tangential (toggle) cyclic loading (11 specimens). The screws were cycled in displacement control (± 5 mm producing ~ 4-Nm moment) at a rate of 3 Hz for 5000 cycles. Pullout tests were performed at a rate of 1 mm/minute. Two-way ANOVA showed that Group B screws with a medial starting point (2541 ± 1090 N for cycled vs 2135 ± 1323 N for noncycled) had significantly higher pullout loads than Group A screws with a standard entry point (1585 ± 766 N for cycled vs 1417 ± 812 N noncycled) (p = 0.001). There was no significant effect of cycling or screw insertion type on pullout stiffness. Tangential stiffness of the Group B screws was significantly less than that of the Group A screws (p = 0.001). The stiffness of both screws in the toe region was significantly affected by cycling (p = 0.001). The use of Group B screws inserted through a medial starting point showed greater pullout load than a Group A screw inserted through a standard starting point. The greater pullout strength in Group B screws may be due to screw thread design and increased cortical bone purchase at the medial starting point. Nevertheless, anatomical considerations of the medial starting point, that is, pedicle or lateral vertebral body cortex breach, may limit its application. The medial starting point of the Group B screw was frequently in the facet at the L-3 and L-4 pedicle entry points, which may have clinical importance.