Economic impact of periprosthetic hip fractures / Impacto económico de las fracturas periprotésicas de cadera

Introduction: Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery. Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have very serious consequences for the patient, and they also entail a very important economic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to provide the first detailed cost analysis of PPHF in a traumatology and orthopaedics service in a third level hospital in Spain. Methods: The study included all patients admitted between 2009 and 2019 with a diagnosis of “PPHF”. We assessed hospital stay cost, total cost of the operating theatre, cost of the implants used, analyses, consultations with other specialists, rehabilitation sessions, radiological tests, microbiology, blood transfusions and other surgical operations during the same admission. Results: 78 patients were included in the study, 49 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 78.74 years (R 45–92). 69 patients received surgical treatment, 75% had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 25% had revision surgery. The total cost was €1,139,650.17. The average cost was €14,610.90. Significantly higher costs were incurred for revision compared to ORIF treatments, admissions that lasted more than 30 days, and patients who required more than one operation during admission. The most costly factors were the hospital stay (46%), the cost of the surgery itself (35%), and the implants (24%). Conclusions: Revision arthroplasty versus ORIF treatment, admissions lasting more than 30 days, and patients requiring more than one operation on admission incurred significantly higher costs. The average cost, from a hospital perspective, generated by a PPHF was €14,610.90. The most costly factors were, in descending order, the hospital stay, the cost of the surgery itself, and the implants. It is necessary to establish protocols and updated therapeutic algorithms in the perioperative management of PPHF in order to reduce both morbidity rates and associated costs.(AU)

Introducción: La artroplastia de cadera es una de las operaciones con mejores resultados en cirugía ortopédica. Las fracturas periprotésicas de cadera (FPPC) tienen consecuencias muy graves para el paciente y además suponen un impacto económico muy importante para los sistemas sanitarios. El objetivo del estudio es realizar el primer análisis detallado de los costes de las FPPC en un Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología en un hospital universitario de tercer nivel en España. Métodos: El estudio incluyó a todos los pacientes ingresados entre 2009 y 2019 con el diagnóstico de «FPPC». Se evaluaron el coste de la estancia hospitalaria, el coste total del quirófano, el coste de los implantes utilizados, los análisis de sangre, las consultas con otros especialistas, las sesiones de rehabilitación, las pruebas radiológicas, la microbiología, las transfusiones de sangre y otras intervenciones quirúrgicas durante el mismo ingreso. Resultados: Se incluyó a un total de 78 pacientes, 49 mujeres y 29 hombres, con una edad media de 78,74 años (R 45-92); 69 pacientes recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico, el 75% se sometió a reducción abierta y fijación interna (RAFI) y el 25% a revisión protésica. El coste total fue de 1.139.650,17 €. El coste medio fue de 14.610,90 €. Los costes fueron significativamente más elevados en la revisión protésica que en la RAFI, en los ingresos que duraron más de 30 días y en los pacientes que requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica durante el ingreso. Los factores que más influyeron en el coste fueron la estancia hospitalaria (46%), el coste de la intervención quirúrgica (35%) y el de los implantes (24%). Conclusiones: La cirugía de revisión protésica frente a RAFI, los ingresos de más de 30 días y los pacientes que requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica durante el ingreso supusieron costes significativamente mayores. El coste medio, desde el punto de vista hospitalario, generado por una FPPC fue de 14.610,90 €.(AU)

[Artículo traducido] Impacto económico de las fracturas periprotésicas de cadera / Economic impact of periprosthetic hip fractures

Introduction: Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery. Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have very serious consequences for the patient, and they also entail a very important economic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to provide the first detailed cost analysis of PPHF in a traumatology and orthopaedics service in a third level hospital in Spain. Methods: The study included all patients admitted between 2009 and 2019 with a diagnosis of “PPHF”. We assessed hospital stay cost, total cost of the operating theatre, cost of the implants used, analyses, consultations with other specialists, rehabilitation sessions, radiological tests, microbiology, blood transfusions and other surgical operations during the same admission. Results: 78 patients were included in the study, 49 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 78.74 years (R 45–92). 69 patients received surgical treatment, 75% had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 25% had revision surgery. The total cost was €1,139,650.17. The average cost was €14,610.90. Significantly higher costs were incurred for revision compared to ORIF treatments, admissions that lasted more than 30 days, and patients who required more than one operation during admission. The most costly factors were the hospital stay (46%), the cost of the surgery itself (35%), and the implants (24%). Conclusions: Revision arthroplasty versus ORIF treatment, admissions lasting more than 30 days, and patients requiring more than one operation on admission incurred significantly higher costs. The average cost, from a hospital perspective, generated by a PPHF was €14,610.90. The most costly factors were, in descending order, the hospital stay, the cost of the surgery itself, and the implants. It is necessary to establish protocols and updated therapeutic algorithms in the perioperative management of PPHF in order to reduce both morbidity rates and associated costs.(AU)

Introducción: La artroplastia de cadera es una de las operaciones con mejores resultados en cirugía ortopédica. Las fracturas periprotésicas de cadera (FPPC) tienen consecuencias muy graves para el paciente y además suponen un impacto económico muy importante para los sistemas sanitarios. El objetivo del estudio es realizar el primer análisis detallado de los costes de las FPPC en un Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología en un hospital universitario de tercer nivel en España. Métodos: El estudio incluyó a todos los pacientes ingresados entre 2009 y 2019 con el diagnóstico de «FPPC». Se evaluaron el coste de la estancia hospitalaria, el coste total del quirófano, el coste de los implantes utilizados, los análisis de sangre, las consultas con otros especialistas, las sesiones de rehabilitación, las pruebas radiológicas, la microbiología, las transfusiones de sangre y otras intervenciones quirúrgicas durante el mismo ingreso. Resultados: Se incluyó a un total de 78 pacientes, 49 mujeres y 29 hombres, con una edad media de 78,74 años (R 45-92); 69 pacientes recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico, el 75% se sometió a reducción abierta y fijación interna (RAFI) y el 25% a revisión protésica. El coste total fue de 1.139.650,17 €. El coste medio fue de 14.610,90 €. Los costes fueron significativamente más elevados en la revisión protésica que en la RAFI, en los ingresos que duraron más de 30 días y en los pacientes que requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica durante el ingreso. Los factores que más influyeron en el coste fueron la estancia hospitalaria (46%), el coste de la intervención quirúrgica (35%) y el de los implantes (24%). Conclusiones: La cirugía de revisión protésica frente a RAFI, los ingresos de más de 30 días y los pacientes que requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica durante el ingreso supusieron costes significativamente mayores. El coste medio, desde el punto de vista hospitalario, generado por una FPPC fue de 14.610,90 €.(AU)

Economic impact of periprosthetic hip fractures. / [Artículo traducido] Impacto económico de las fracturas periprotésicas de cadera.

INTRODUCTION: Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery. Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have very serious consequences for the patient, and they also entail a very important economic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to provide the first detailed cost analysis of PPHF in a traumatology and orthopaedics service in a third level hospital in Spain. METHODS: The study included all patients admitted between 2009 and 2019 with a diagnosis of «PPHF¼. We assessed hospital stay cost, total cost of the operating theatre, cost of the implants used, analyses, consultations with other specialists, rehabilitation sessions, radiological tests, microbiology, blood transfusions and other surgical operations during the same admission. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were included in the study, 49 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 78.74 years (R 45-92). Sixty-nine patients received surgical treatment, 75% had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 25% had revision surgery. The total cost was €1 139 650.17. The average cost was €14 610.90. Significantly higher costs were incurred for revision compared to ORIF treatments, admissions that lasted more than 30 days, and patients who required more than one operation during admission. The most costly factors were the hospital stay (46%), the cost of the surgery itself (35%), and the implants (24%). CONCLUSIONS: Revision arthroplasty versus ORIF treatment, admissions lasting more than 30 days, and patients requiring more than one operation on admission incurred significantly higher costs. The average cost, from a hospital perspective, generated by a PPHF was €14 610.90. The most costly factors were, in descending order, the hospital stay, the cost of the surgery itself, and the implants. It is necessary to establish protocols and updated therapeutic algorithms in the perioperative management of PPHF in order to reduce both morbidity rates and associated costs.

Economic impact of periprosthetic hip fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery. Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have very serious consequences for the patient, and they also entail a very important economic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to provide the first detailed cost analysis of PPHF in a traumatology and orthopaedics service in a third level hospital in Spain. METHODS: The study included all patients admitted between 2009 and 2019 with a diagnosis of "PPHF". We assessed hospital stay cost, total cost of the operating theatre, cost of the implants used, analyses, consultations with other specialists, rehabilitation sessions, radiological tests, microbiology, blood transfusions and other surgical operations during the same admission. RESULTS: 78 patients were included in the study, 49 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 78.74 years (R 45-92). 69 patients received surgical treatment, 75% had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 25% had revision surgery. The total cost was €1,139,650.17. The average cost was €14,610.90. Significantly higher costs were incurred for revision compared to ORIF treatments, admissions that lasted more than 30 days, and patients who required more than one operation during admission. The most costly factors were the hospital stay (46%), the cost of the surgery itself (35%), and the implants (24%). CONCLUSIONS: Revision arthroplasty versus ORIF treatment, admissions lasting more than 30 days, and patients requiring more than one operation on admission incurred significantly higher costs. The average cost, from a hospital perspective, generated by a PPHF was €14,610.90. The most costly factors were, in descending order, the hospital stay, the cost of the surgery itself, and the implants. It is necessary to establish protocols and updated therapeutic algorithms in the perioperative management of PPHF in order to reduce both morbidity rates and associated costs.

[Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the influence of confinement by COVID-19 in fracture patients entered in a traumatology service at a third level hospital]. / Análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de la influencia del confinamiento por COVID-19 en los pacientes con fractura ingresados en un servicio de traumatología en un hospital de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the confinement of approximately one third of the world population, causing a drastic change in the activities of daily life with many repercussions at the health, economic and social levels. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present work is to present the epidemiological variations in the production of fractures in the period of mandatory confinement in our reference population. METHODS: Analytical retrospective comparative study of two groups of patients: Group A: patients admitted before the state of alarm that forced confinement in the period from January 13 to March 13 compared to Group B: patients admitted in the two months of confinement, until the de-escalation period began, March 13-May 13. Epidemiological variables including age, personal history, type of fracture, mechanism of injury, outpatient rate, and hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients were included. 112 in the pre-confinement period and 78 in the confinement (30% decrease). The mean age (p = 0.007) and falls at home (p < 0.001) were higher in the confinement group. The postoperative (p = 0.006) and overall (p < 0.001) hospital stay were significantly less in the confinement group. No differences were found in the anatomical location of the lesion, sex, comorbidities, mechanism of injury, outpatient rate, or death. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our study, the period of forced confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a drastic decrease in the total number of fractures admitted to the traumatology service of a third level hospital. On the other hand, osteoporotic hip fractures have not varied in their incidence and a decrease in the average postoperative and overall stay has been observed.

Additional Pressure to a Threatened Species: High Persistent Organic Pollutant Concentrations in the Tropical Estuarine Batoid Gymnura altavela.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in Gymnura altavela liver samples from one of the most impacted estuarine environments in the Atlantic Ocean (Guanabara Bay, Brazil). PCBs were the predominant compounds (91.2%) averaging 6773 ± 4659 ng.g-1 lipid weight (lw). DDT, Mirex, HCH and HCB concentrations were 633 ± 715, 6.2 ± 9.3, 3.4 ± 1.4 and 0.5 ± 0.5 ng.g-1 lw, respectively. Recent DDT input in the estuary was minimum, as verified by the p,p'-DDE/∑DDT ratio (0.67). The prevalence of industrial compounds was highlighted by the ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratio (0.08). A negative correlation detected between disc width and PCBs, Mirex and HCH concentrations may be a consequence of maternal offloading. High POP concentrations in G. altavela liver samples from Guanabara Bay suggests that PCBs, in particular, may pressure the conservation of this threatened with extinction tropical estuarine batoid species.

Surgically treated calcaneal joint fractures: what does postoperative computed tomography give us? / Fracturas intraarticulares de calcáneo tratadas quirúrgicamente: ¿qué nos aporta la tomografía computarizada postoperatoria?

INTRODUCTION: There is currently great controversy about the ideal treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures. The objective of this study is to determine the usefulness of postoperative computed tomography (CT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of patients operated on in the period 2007 to 2015 in our center. Epidemiological variables, specific fracture data, surgical intervention as well as results and complications were collected. The radiological evaluation was performed using simple radiology (Böhler angle) and coronal CT (congruence of posterior subtalar joint). For the functional results we use the AOFAS hindfoot scale and the EVA scale for the level of pain. RESULTS: We included 46 fractures in 43 patients (three bilateral). Thirty-five were male and eight female, with an average age of 42 years (18-79) and an average follow-up of 57.39 months (33-129). Preoperative CT was performed in all cases, of which 11 were Sanders ii, 23 type iii and 12 type iv. Postoperative CT was only performed in 17 cases. The subsequent subtalar reduction measured by CT was satisfactory (articular step < 2 mm) in 12 cases. The average presurgical Böhler angle was 6.45 ± 10.21 ([-22]-25) and the post-surgical angle of 20.46 ± 7.09 (4-38). Subtalar osteoarthritis developed in 19 cases (symptomatic in 12) and calcaneo-cuboid osteoarthritis in six cases (only one symptomatic). The AOFAS was 74.28 ± 18.98 (27-100) and the EVA was 4.14 ± 2.98 (2-9). A CT scan with a step of less than 2 mm was statistically significant, with a higher result on the AOFAS scale (77.17 average points) as well as lower EVA on average (2.83) (p = 0.002). Regarding the Böhler, it was statistically significant the relationship of an angle > 20° post-surgical with higher AOFAS (80.82) and lower VAS (3.18) (p = 0.001). The literature search obtained a total of 117 articles that met the search criteria, of which only 29 requested postoperative CT. CONCLUSIONS: The indication of postoperative CT in patients operated by intraarticular calcaneal fracture is the best technique to corroborate the correct reduction of the subtalar joint surface, although it is not universally accepted, according to the literature.

[Calcaneal fractures: controversies and consensus]. / Fracturas de calcáneo: controversias y consensos.

Calcaneal fractures are the most common tarsal fractures and their treatment is still debated today. We intend in this update to highlight the points of controversy and clarify the consensus, especially in the treatment of intra-articular fractures, as well as to describe the management of major complications.

Las fracturas de calcáneo son las más frecuentes del tarso y su tratamiento sigue siendo hoy en día objeto de debate. Pretendemos en esta actualización destacar los puntos de controversia, así como clarificar los consensos, especialmente en el tratamiento de las fracturas intraarticulares, así como describir el manejo de las principales complicaciones.

Experience using the «Shetty test¼ for initial foot and ankle fracture screening in the Emergency Department. / Experiencia con la aplicación del test de Shetty para el despistaje inicial de fracturas del pie y tobillo en el área de Urgencias.

OBJECTIVE: The indiscriminate practice of radiographs for foot and ankle injuries is not justified and numerous studies have corroborated the usefulness of clinical screening tests such as the Ottawa Ankle Rules. The aim of our study is to clinically validate the so-called Shetty Test in our area. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional observational study by applying the Shetty test to patients seen in the Emergency Department. RESULTS: We enrolled 100 patients with an average age of 39.25 (16-86). The Shetty test was positive on 14 occasions. Subsequent radiography revealed a fracture in 10 cases: 4 were false positives. The test was negative in the remaining 86 patients and radiography confirmed the absence of fracture (with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95.56%, positive predictive value of 71.40%, and negative predictive value of 100%). CONCLUSIONS: The Shetty test is a valid clinical screening tool to decide whether simple radiography is indicated for foot and ankle injuries. It is a simple, quick and reproducible test.

Tibiotalocalcaneal fusion with a cemented coated retrograde nail as a salvage procedure for infected ORIF of the ankle. / Artrodesis tibiotalocalcánea con clavo retrógrado cementado con antibiótico en rescate de osteosíntesis infectada de tobillo.

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is an effective salvage procedure in cases of combined ankle and subtalar osteoarthritis as well as severe multiplanar deformities and severe joint destruction of the hindfoot. Special mention should be made of this procedure in cases of bone loss, especially from the talus, secondary to failed previous surgeries or bone infection, often being the only way to achieve a stable and painless foot and ankle. We present a case of ankle fracture in a patient with associated morbidity and multiple complications following osteosynthesis, in which tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with cemented with antibiotic coated retrograde nail has achieved a satisfactory final result.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in peripheral nerve surgery: Technical description and experience in a centre.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring has experienced a spectacular development in the past 20 years, particularly in the fields of neurosurgery and spine surgery. it has become a useful, almost indispensable, tool in preventing nerve damage during surgery. The aim of this article is to describe the intraoperative technique and analyze its results in the field of peripheral nerve surgery. OBJECTIVE: To describe the usefulness of a technique in peripheral nerve surgery, the technique used and the experience in a centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 30 cases of peripheral nerve surgery performed in this centre from 2009 to 2013, using the intraoperative monitoring technique. RESULTS: Of the total of 13 peripheral nerve tumors recorded, there were 11 excellent results and 2 good results, one temporary hypoesthesia and one with almost complete sensory, except for motor, recovery. Traumatic injury was recorded in 17 cases, of which 6 required performing a graft, and the remaining 11 cases only neurolysis was performed, with complete motor and sensory recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is a useful tool in the secondary surgery of peripheral nerve injury and the intraneural tumor pathology.

[Treatment algorithm proposed for hallux rigidus]. / Propuesta de algoritmo terapéutico para hallux rigidus.

Hallux rigidus is the most frequent arthrosis of the foot and ankle and the second most important condition involving the first metatarsophalangeal joint after hallux valgus. If left untreated, it may cause important alterations in gait, mobility and activities of daily living. The purpose of this review article is to describe a complete treatment algorithm for all grades of this condition, after a thorough bibliographic review.

[Results of arthrodiastasis in postraumatic ankle osteoarthritis in a young population: prospective comparative study]. / Resultados de la artrodiastasis en la artropatía postraumática de tobillo en población joven: estudio prospectivo comparativo.

INTRODUCTION: The most common cause of osteoarthritis of the ankle is post-traumatic, and although tibiotalar arthrodesis remains the surgical gold standard, a number of techniques have been described to preserve joint mobility, such as joint distraction arthroplasty or arthrodiastasis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcome and changes in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain after the application of the distraction arthroplasty for post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective comparative study of a group of 10 young patients with post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis treated by synovectomy and arthrodiastasis, compared to a control group of 10 patients treated by isolated synovectomy. Results were calculated using the AOFAS scale and the VAS for pain before and after treatment. RESULTS: As regards the pain measured by VAS, no difference was observed between the two groups before surgery (P=.99), but there was a difference at 3 months (P<.001), 6 months (P=.005), and 12 months (P=.006). No differences were observed in the AOFAS scale between the two groups before surgery (P=.99), or at 3 months (P<.99), but there was a difference at 6 months (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ankle arthrodiastasis is effective in reducing pain in post-traumatic ankle arthropathy, and is superior to isolated synovectomy.

[Our experience with orthopedic damage control in high-energy tibial pylon fractures]. / Nuestra experiencia en la aplicación del control de daños ortopédico en fracturas de pilón tibial por alta energía.

High-energy tibial pylon fractures represent some of the most severe injuries of the ankle joint and currently represent a challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. These are usually polytraumatized patients and before admitting them into the traumatology unit, spinal cord, pelvic or thoracoabdominal injuries should be ruled out. Due to the special anatomy of the area, its thin skin cover and subcutaneous location, soft tissues are usually severely affected and this is key when choosing the time for a surgical intervention. Although the definitive treatment of these injuries is controversial, the so called two-stage treatment seems to predominate in order to minimize soft tissue iatrogenic injuries applying the concept of orthopedic damage control of the limb. We present the preliminary results of 10 patients operated with this method at our center.

"Common effort 2002". Apoyo sanitario: desarrollo y lecciones aprendidas

Los autores presentan el aspecto sanitario del ejercicio "Common Effort 2002". En dicho ejercicio se ha demostrado la capacidad del Cuartel General del Cuerpo de Reacción Rápida Europeo para actuar como Cuartel General de Alta Disponibilidad de la OTAN. El apoyo sanitario en Common Effort 2002 ha jugado un importante papel que permite efectuar una serie de reflexiones sobre el aspecto sanitario en este tipo de ejercicios multinacionales (AU)

Provocative discography in patients after limited lumbar discectomy: A controlled, randomized study of pain response in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study of patients with low back pain and those without after laminotomy and discectomy. OBJECTIVES: To determine, using a strict experimental design, the relative pain intensity response to provocative discography in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects after lumbar discectomy for intervertebral disc herniation. BACKGROUND: Provocative discography frequently is used to evaluate persistent or recurrent low back pain syndromes in patients who have undergone posterior discectomy. The validity of interpreting painful injections during this procedure has not been critically assessed. The prevalence of significantly painful disc injections in a group with good outcomes after surgery is not known. Knowing the rates of significantly painful injections in asymptomatic patients after lumbar discectomy may clarify the meaning of painful injections in symptomatic patients. METHODS: From a cohort of 240 patients who had undergone single-level limited discectomy for sciatica, 20 asymptomatic volunteers were recruited for experimental three-level lumbar discography. Inclusion criteria required nearly perfect scores on standardized back pain rating instruments, no other spinal pathology, and normal psychometric screening. A control group of 27 symptomatic patients, after single-level discectomy with intractable low back pain syndrome, and without other spinal pathology, underwent discography. Seven patients in the control group had normal psychometric tests. Experienced raters who were blinded to control versus experimental status of the subjects scored the magnetic resonance imaging, discogram, psychometric tests, and discography videotapes of the subjects' pain behavior. RESULTS: There were 8 of 20 (40%) positive injections of discs that had previous surgery in the asymptomatic group and 17 of 27 (63%) positive injections in the symptomatic group. Specifically with regard to the symptomatic group, there were 3 of 7 (43%) positive injections (all concordant) in patients with normal psychometric scores, as compared with 14 of 20 (70%) positive injections (12 concordant) in patients with abnormal psychometric scores. Injections of discs that had previous surgery resulted in a mean pain score of 2.1 of 5 in the asymptomatic group, 2.1 in the symptomatic group with normal psychometric scores, and 3.4 in the symptomatic group with abnormal psychometric scores. Of the discs not treated with surgery, 2 were positive in the asymptomatic group (10%), 3 in 2 symptomatic subjects with normal psychological testing (29), and 18 in 13 symptomatic subjects with abnormal psychometric testing (76%). CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of asymptomatic patients with normal psychometric testing who previously have undergone lumbar discectomy will have significant pain on injection of their discs that had previous surgery (40%). This is not significantly different from the experience of symptomatic patients with normal psychometric testing undergoing discography on discs that had previous surgery. Patients with abnormal psychological profiles have significantly higher rates of positive disc injections than either asymptomatic volunteers or symptomatic subjects with normal psychological screening.

Disseminated Langerhans' cell histiocytosis and massive protein-losing enteropathy

Symptomatic involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as a prominent symptom in Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is uncommon, occurring in less than 1 to 5 percent of all cases, even when the disease is in its disseminated form. Up to now, there have been reports of 18 cases of LCH with GI manifestations, including our 2 cases, with diarrhea (77.7 percent), protein-losing enteropathy (33.3 percent) and bloody stool being the most frequent findings. The authors present two patients with severe diarrhea and refractory hypoalbuminemia, and with the protein-losing enteropathy documented by Cr51-labeled albumin studies. A review of the literature indicated that the presence of GI symptoms is often associated with systemic disease as well as with poor prognosis, mainly under 2 years of age. Radioisotopes are useful for documenting protein loss in several diseases with high specificity and sensitivity, and their utilization in the cases reviewed here permitted diagnoses in 6 children, as well as improved therapeutic management

Disseminated Langerhans' cell histiocytosis and massive protein-losing enteropathy.

Symptomatic involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as a prominent symptom in Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is uncommon, occurring in less than 1 to 5% of all cases, even when the disease is in its disseminated form. Up to now, there have been reports of 18 cases of LCH with GI manifestations, including our 2 cases, with diarrhea (77.7%), protein-losing enteropathy (33.3%) and bloody stool being the most frequent findings. The authors present two patients with severe diarrhea and refractory hypoalbuminemia, and with the protein-losing enteropathy documented by Cr51-labeled albumin studies. A review of the literature indicated that the presence of GI symptoms is often associated with systemic disease as well as with poor prognosis, mainly under 2 years of age. Radioisotopes are useful for documenting protein loss in several diseases with high specificity and sensitivity, and their utilization in the cases reviewed here permitted diagnoses in 6 children, as well as improved therapeutic management.

False-positive findings on lumbar discography. Reliability of subjective concordance assessment during provocative disc injection.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental disc injections in subjects with no history of low back symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To determine in an experimental model the reliability of patients' subjective interpretation of pain concordancy during provocative disc injection. BACKGROUND: Discography in the evaluation of low back pain relies on a patient's subjective assessment of pain magnitude and quality during disc injection. Reproduction of significant pain on disc injection, which is similar to patients' usual pain, is believed to prove that the disc injected is the source of the patient's low back pain. In the current study, this hypothesis was tested in a controlled setting on patients with known nonspinal pain in a common referral area of discogenic pain. METHODS: Patients with no history of low back pain were recruited to participate in a study of discography. Patients scheduled to undergo posterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting for nonthoracolumbar procedures were evaluated with lumbar radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and psychometric testing. Two to 4 months after bone graft harvesting, patients underwent lumbar discography by strict blinded protocol. Patients were asked to compare the sensations elicited at discography to their usual back/buttock pain since bone graft harvesting. Pain was rated as 0-5 on a pain thermometer and concordancy was rated as none, dissimilar, similar, or exact. RESULTS: Eight subjects completed the study, and 24 discs were injected. Of the 14 disc injections causing some pain response, 5 were believed to be "different" (nonconcordant) pains (35.7%); 7 were "similar" (50.0%), and 2 were "exact" pain reproductions (14.3%). The presence of anular disruption predicted concordant pain reproduction (P < 0.05). Of 10 discs with anular tears, injection of 5 elicited pain that was similar to or an exact reproduction of pain at the iliac crest bone graft harvest sites. By the usual criteria for positive discography, 4 of the 8 patients (50%) would have been classified as positive. In these patients, the pain on a single disc injection was very painful, and the pain quality was noted to be exact or similar to the usual discomfort. All subjects had a negative control disc. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrate that patients with no history of low back pain who had undergone posterior iliac bone graft harvesting for nonlumbar procedures often experienced a concordant painful sensation on lumbar discography with their usual gluteal area pain. Thus, the ability of a patient to separate spinal from nonspinal sources of pain on discography is questioned, and a response of concordant pain on discography may be less meaningful than often assumed.

Toxocariasis simulating hepatic recurrence in a patient with Wilms' tumor.

We report the case of a 3-year-old girl with stage I Wilms' tumor of favorable histology. During the course of chemotherapy 5 months post-diagnosis, an abdominal ultrasonogram revealed hypoechoic areas consistent with hepatic tumor recurrence. A liver biopsy performed to rule out recurrence of the malignancy was suggestive of toxocariasis and the diagnosis was confirmed by serologic testing. Although the patient had few classic signs of visceral larva migrans, her eosinophilia and family social history should have suggested this possibility. This case demonstrates that hepatic toxocariasis should be considered in evaluating hepatic hypoechoic lesions in a child, even when features typical of the disease are absent.