Scapular Osteosarcoma Treated by Scapulectomy with or Without Scapular Allograft: A Retrospective Case Series.

Background: Osteosarcoma of the scapula is extremely rare. Hence, there is no consensus regarding its optimal management. In this study, we report the demographics, characteristic features, and outcomes of scapulectomy with or without scapular allograft reconstruction in a series of patients with primary scapular osteosarcoma. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with primary scapular osteosarcoma who were treated by scapulectomy with or without scapular allograft reconstruction (five and seven patients, respectively) were included. The allograft was fixed in place using a dacron tape without a plate or screw. The function of the shoulder was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score for the upper extremity and Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Results: The study population included seven (58.3%) males and five (41.7%) females with a mean age of 30 ± 8.2 years. The histologic type of the tumor was osteoblastic in the majority of patients (n = 8, 66.7%). At an average follow-up of 6.5 ± 2.3 years, only one local recurrence (8.3%) occurred in our patients that coincided with lung metastasis. The mean MSTS score was 78.7 ± 3.8% and 66.2 ± 4% in patients with and without scapular allograft, respectively (P = 0.006). The mean TESS was 78.6 ± 5.6 and 68.4 ± 2.4 in patients with and without scapular allograft, respectively (P = 0.005). The overall 5-year survival of the patients was 85.7%. Conclusion: Osteosarcoma of scapula more frequently occurs in the fourth decade of life, mainly presented with a sclerotic radiologic appearance. Patients with scapular allograft impaction after scapulectomy have better functional outcomes compared to those without boney reconstruction.

Non-spinal Hydatid Disease of Bone: A Series of Nine Cases.

Background: Extra-spinal osseous hydatid disease is reported in a small number of case series. In the present study, we report our experience with extra-spinal hydatid disease of the bone in a series of nine patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, the patients who were diagnosed with an extra-spinal osseous hydatid disease were included. All patients were treated surgically. Preoperative anthelmintic drugs were employed for the cysts that were diagnosed before the operation. Postoperative chemotherapy was performed for all patients. Results: The study population included nine patients, including seven males and two females, with a mean age of 45.2±7.9 years and an average follow-up of 4.1±2.7 years. Non-specific pain was the most common symptom at presentation. Pelvic bones were the most frequent site of involvement. Serologic tests were false negative in seven patients. The disease was diagnosed preoperatively in five patients, and all of them were located in flat bones. The cysts were treated by radical excision in four patients, extended curettage in four patients, and amputation in one patient. The recurrence of the lesion was recorded in two patients who were treated by intralesional curettage. One case of suppuration was the only postoperative complication of this series. Conclusion: Osseous hydatid disease is a serious disease with challenging diagnosis, difficult treatment, and significant morbidity. Preoperative diagnosis is generally easier in flat bones. Radical resection is the optimal treatment of this disease, while non-radical resection is associated with a higher risk of recurrence.

Extended curettage versus en bloc resection for the treatment of grade 3 giant cell tumour of the knee with pathologic fracture: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: For the treatment of giant cell tumour of the bone (GCTB) around the knee, preserving the native joint confers advantages over scarifying it. But, there is a controversy about the efficacy of intralesional curettage versus en bloc resection for treatment of such lesions. In this study, we compared local recurrence, functional outcomes, and complications of extended curettage and en bloc resection in these lesions. METHODS: Patients with grade 3 GCTB of the distal femur or proximal tibia who were presented with a pathologic fracture and treated with either en bloc resection (n = 22) or extended curettage (n = 20) were included. The mean follow-up of the patients was 6.4 ± 1.9 years in the resection group and 5.5 ± 2.4 years in the extended curettage group. The primary outcome was a local recurrence. Secondary outcomes were limb function evaluated by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and rate of complications. RESULTS: Local recurrence was seen in four (20%) patients of the curettage group and three (13.7%) patients of the resection group (P = 0.69). The mean MSTS score was 24 ± 1.9 in the resection group and 26.5 ± 1.3 in the curettage group (P < 0.001). The number of complications was not significantly different between the two study groups (P = 0.49). However, the number of complications that required revision surgery was significantly more in the resection group (P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: In grade 3 GCTB around the knee with pathologic fracture, extended curettage results in comparable oncologic outcomes to en bloc resection, while providing better function and a lower rate of revision.

Surgical Excision as the First Therapeutic Choice in Single-muscle Hemangiomas: a Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Conservative management is generally the primary treatment for intramuscular hemangimas. However, many patients will require surgery later in their life, after suffering a long period of pain. We aimed to evaluate the oncologic and functional outcomes of surgery as the initial treatment of single-muscle hemangiomas. METHODS: Medical profiles of 17 patients with hemangiomas of vastus medialis for whom surgery was selected as the initial treatment were reviewed. The indication for surgery was a bothersome pain. Postoperative muscle strength was assessed with manual muscle testing (range 0-5). The postoperative pain was measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain (range 0-10). Lyshölm-Tegner knee scoring scale was used for the evaluation of knee function. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 25.9±8.6 years. Surgery was performed as wide resection in 13 cases and as marginal resection in 4 cases. At a mean follow-up of 55.76±30 months, two local recurrences (11.8%) were observed. At the last evaluation session, muscle strength grade was 5/5 in 13 patients and 4/5 in four patients. Postoperative pain was noticed in four patients (VAS=1). Knee function was excellent in 13 patients and good in four patients. Both of the local recurrences occurred in marginally resected lesions. Three out of four cases with reduced muscle strength, postoperative pain, and reduced function were also treated with marginal resection. CONCLUSION: If a wide surgical margin is achievable without compromising the limb function, surgical resection could be considered as the primary choice of treatment for single-muscle hemangiomas.

Tailored treatment of aneurysmal bone cyst of the scapula: en bloc resection for the body and extended curettage for the neck and acromion.

BACKGROUND: The acromion and neck of the scapula are essential components of shoulder function, but the body section is less critical. We treated aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) of the neck and acromion with extended curettage and ABCs of the body with en bloc resection. This article reports on local recurrence and the functional outcomes of this approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with primary ABCs of the scapula were included in this retrospective study. We treated 10 patients with extended curettage and bone grafting and 5 patients with en bloc resection. In 2 cases, both the body and neck were involved. We treated these patients with a combination of curettage and resection. We used the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score for functional assessment of outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 20.5 ± 7.4 years. One local recurrence occurred in patients who underwent extended curettage and bone grafting (1 of 12 cases, 8.3%). No recurrence was observed in patients who underwent en bloc resection alone. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 27.9 ± 1 in patients who underwent curettage alone and 24.86 ± 0.7 in patients who underwent en bloc resection alone or in combination with curettage (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Despite the higher risk of local recurrence after curettage, this method can be selected for the treatment of ABCs of the acromion and neck of the scapula to minimize shoulder disability. For the body of the scapula, en bloc resection is a more reasonable treatment, despite a higher rate of functional impairment.

Long-term outcome of posterior spinal fusion for the correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of idiopathic scoliosis, and surgery is considered as one of the therapeutic options. However, it is associated with a variety of irreversible complications, in spite of the benefits it provides. Here, we evaluated the long-term outcome of posterior spinal fusion (PSF) of AIS to shed more light on the consequences of this surgery. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 42 AIS patients who underwent PSF surgery were radiographically and clinically inspected for the potential post-operative complications. Radiographic assessments included the device failure, union status, and vertebral tilt below the site of fusion. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: The mean age of the surgery was 14.4 ± 5.1 years. The mean follow-up of the patients was 5.6 ± 3.2 years. Complete union was observed in all patients, and no device failure was noticed. Pre- and post-operative vertebral tilt below the site of fusion were 11.12° ± 7.92° and 6.21° ± 5.73°, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean post-operative ODI was 16.7 ± 9.8. The mean post-operative VAS was 2.1 ± 0.7. ODI value was positively correlated with follow-up periods (p = 0.04, r = 0.471). New degenerative disc disease (DDD) was observed in 6 out of 37 (16%) patients. CONCLUSION: In spite of the efficacy and safety of PSF surgery of AIS, it might result in irreversible complications such as DDD. Moreover, the amount of post-operative disability might increase over the time and should be discussed with the patients.