Cellular Fibroma of Tendon Sheath With Novel TNC-USP6 Gene Fusion Clinically Mimicking Arthritis in a 7-Year-Old Boy.

Cellular fibroma of tendon sheath (CFTS) is a rare, benign myofibroblastic neoplasm of tenosynovial soft tissues closely resembling nodular fasciitis (NF), but is histomorphologically distinct from classic fibroma of tendon sheath (FTS). We report a case of a pediatric patient with thumb swelling clinically concerning for arthritis with a biopsy demonstrating myofibroblastic proliferation with features consistent with NF/CFTS, and molecular studies confirming the presence of a USP6 gene fusion (TNC-USP6). This case highlights a unique clinical presentation of CFTS in a pediatric patient mimicking an inflammatory or reactive/non-neoplastic musculoskeletal disorder and the increasingly crucial role of molecular testing to differentiate a reactive myofibroblastic process from a neoplasm. Moreover, this report identifies TNC as a new fusion partner to USP6 fusion partner adding to our growing understanding of the USP6-rearranged family of tumors.

Preoperative Chronic Opioid Therapy Negatively Impacts Long-term Outcomes Following Cervical Fusion Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to define the impact of preoperative chronic opioid therapy (COT) on outcomes following cervical spine fusions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Opioid therapy is a commonly practiced method to control acute postoperative pain. However, concerns exist relating to use of prescription opioids, including inherent risk of abuse, tolerance, and inferior outcomes following major surgery. METHODS: A commercial dataset was queried from 2007 to 2015 for patients undergoing primary cervical spine arthrodesis [ICD-9 codes 81.01-81.03]. Primary outcome measures were 1-year and 2-year reoperation rates, emergency department (ED) visits, adverse events, and prolonged postoperative opioid use. Secondary outcomes included short-term outcomes including 90-day complications (cardiac, renal, neurologic, infectious, etc.). COT was defined as a history of opioid prescription filling within 3 months before surgery and was the primary exposure variable of interest. Generalized linear models investigated the association of preoperative COT on primary/secondary endpoints following risk-adjustment. RESULTS: Overall, 20,730 patients (51.3% female; 85.9% >50 years) underwent primary cervical spine arthrodesis. Of these, 10,539 (n = 50.8%) met criteria for COT. Postoperatively, 75.3% and 29.8% remained on opioids at 3 months and 1 year. Multivariable models identified an association between COT and an increased risk of 90-day ED visit [odds ratio (OR): 1.25; P < 0.001] and wound complications (OR: 1.24; P = 0.036). At 1 year, COT was strongly associated with reoperations (OR: 1.17; P = 0.043), ED visits (OR: 1.31; P < 0.001), and adverse events including wound complications (OR: 1.32; P < 0.001), infections (OR: 1.34; P = 0.042), constipation (OR: 1.11; P = 0.032), neurological complications (OR: 1.44; P = 0.01), acute renal failure (OR: 1.24; P = 0.004), and venous thromboembolism (OR: 1.20; P = 0.008). At 2 years, COT remained a significant risk factor for additional long-term negative outcomes such as reoperations, including adjacent segment disc disease (OR: 1.21; P = 0.005), ED visits (OR: 1.32; P < 0.001), and other adverse events. Preoperative COT was associated with prolonged postoperative narcotic use at 3 months (OR: 1.30; P < 0.001), 1 year (OR: 5.17; P < 0.001), and at 2 years (OR: 5.75; P < 0.001) after cervical arthrodesis. CONCLUSION: Preoperative COT is a modifiable risk factor that is strongly associated with prolonged postoperative opioid use. In addition, COT was associated with inferior short-term and long-term outcomes after cervical spine fusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.