Evaluation of the Acromioclavicular Joint Morphology for Minimizing Subacromial Erosion after Surgical Fixation of the Joint Using a Clavicular Hook Plate

BACKGROUND: Subacromial erosion remains a major concern after surgical fixation of acromioclavicular (AC) joint using a clavicular hook plate. To minimize postoperative subacromial erosion, we investigated the structural relationship between distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint by considering the surgical fixation of the joint using the hook plate technique. METHODS: Computed tomography scans of 101 AC joints without any inherent pathology were analyzed. The angle between the distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint (AC angle), depth of the acromion, differences in height between distal clavicle and acromion (AC height difference), and thickness of distal clavicle and acromion at the AC joint were measured. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each anatomical parameter, and all results were compared between gender groups. RESULTS: The mean AC angle was 17.1°(range, −8.0° to 39.0°), and the mean AC height difference was 3.5 mm (range, −0.7 to 8.7 mm). Both factors showed very high variability (coefficients of variation=62.6% and 46.6%, respectively). The mean AC angle was significantly higher in the female gender than in the male gender (19.8° vs. 13.8°, p=0.048). The mean acromion thickness and distal clavicular thickness were both significantly thinner in the female group than in the male group (p < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we believe our results might be helpful in minimizing postoperative subacromial erosion when performing surgical fixation of the AC joint using the hook plate, and be valuable in improving future design of the hook plate.

Surgical Outcome of Tuberculous Myelitis, Arachnoiditis and Spondylitis after Brain Meningitis: A Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of a surgically treated tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis patient with incomplete paraplegia. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis is a rare disease with a high rate of neurologic deficit. This condition is treated using antituberculous medication and high-dose steroid therapy, but surgical treatment has rarely been reported and the outcomes vary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 29-year-old female had tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis. The patient was treated with antituberculous medication and high-dose steroid therapy, but the treatment failed and the patient could not walk because of incomplete paraplegia. The surgical treatment was performed twice; we decompressed by total laminectomy and debrided the infected arachnoid membrane. Four months after surgery, we performed anterior interbody fusion due to the development of spondylitis with kyphosis. RESULTS: Three years after the first operation, the patient's neurologic state improved and she could walk 90 m without assistance. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we report a very rare case of surgically treated tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis and provide a treatment option for this condition to spine surgeons.

Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty Using the ABG I Hydroxyapatite-coated Prosthesis: Minimum 10 Year Follow-up / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with an ABG I hip prosthesis after a minimum ten-year follow up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1996 to March 2001, 121 hips in 104 patients, whi were followed up for a minimum of ten-years, were enrolled in this study. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean Harris hip score at the last follow-up was 84 points. A radiolucent line around the cup, osteolysis, and cup loosening were observed in 5 hips(4.1%), 53 hips(43.8%), and 5 hips(4.1%), respectively. In the femoral side, osteolysis and stem loosening were observed in 11 hips(9.1%) and 2 hips(1.7%), respectively. The mean linear wear rate of the polyethylene liner was 0.23 mm/yr. Forty four revisions(36.3%) were performed. The outcomes were similar regardless of the cause of primary THA. The survival rate with the end point of revision due to cup loosening was 56.3%, and revision due to stem loosening was 98.1% after a 16 year follow-up. CONCLUSION: High polyethylene wear and the disappointing survival rate of the ABGI cup were observed after a minimum ten year follow-up. Therefore, close observation of patients who have received an ABG I prosthesis is necessary.