Skeletal Muscle Measurements in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology: Essential Components to a Comprehensive Assessment.

Children with hematologic and oncologic health conditions are at risk of impaired skeletal muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular activation that may limit gross motor performance. A comprehensive assessment of neuromuscular function of these children is essential to identify the trajectory of changes in skeletal muscle and to prescribe therapeutic exercise and monitor its impact. Therefore, this review aims to (a) define fundamental properties of skeletal muscle; (b) highlight methods to quantify muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular activation; (c) describe mechanisms that contribute to muscle strength and gross motor performance in children; (d) recommend clinical assessment measures; and (e) illustrate comprehensive muscle assessment in children using examples of sickle cell disease and musculoskeletal sarcoma.

Quantifying muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular activation in adolescent and young adult survivors of musculoskeletal sarcoma: Identifying correlates and responses to functional strengthening.

BACKGROUND: Medical and surgical treatment for musculoskeletal sarcoma (MSS) place survivors at risk for impairments in muscle properties including muscle strength, muscle size, and neuromuscular activation. The purpose of this study was to explore muscle properties, gross motor performance, and quality of life (QoL) and the changes in response to a 6-week functional strengthening intervention (PT-STRONG) in MSS survivors of childhood cancer (CCS). METHODS: Eight lower extremity MSS CCS (13-23 years old) performed baseline testing and three completed PT-STRONG. Participants completed measurements of knee extension strength using handheld dynamometry, vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscle thickness using ultrasonography at rest, and neuromuscular activation using electromyography during strength testing and a step-up task. Participants also completed gross motor and QoL assessments. RESULTS: Compared with the non-surgical limb, MSS CCS had lower surgical limb knee extension strength, VL muscle thickness, and RF step-up muscle rate of activation (RoA). Compared with normative values, MSS CCS had decreased bilateral knee extension strength, gross motor performance, and physical QoL. Positive correlations among muscle strength, muscle thickness, and gross motor performance were identified. After PT-STRONG, MSS CCS had improvements in VL muscle thickness, VL and RF RoA duing step-up, gross motor performance, and physical QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Positive association between larger muscle thickness with greater knee extension strength, and higher knee extension strength with better gross motor performance indicate that comprehensive physical therapy assessment and interventions that identify and target impairments in muscle properties to guide clinical decision making should be considered for MSS CCS into survivorship.

Can low-grade chondrosarcoma in flat bones be treated with intralesional curettage and cryotherapy?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chondrosarcomas in flat bones are thought to be more aggressive in their behavior, and little is known about intralesional treatment outcomes of low-grade chondrosarcoma in these locations. We tried to find the differences between patients who had low-grade chondrosarcoma in their flat bones versus those with long bone involvement with regard to (1) disease outcome, (2) functional outcome, and (3) treatment complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients with primary low-grade chondrosarcoma who were treated with intralesional curettage and cryotherapy. The patients were divided by location of tumor, group I (flat bones, seven patients) and group II (long bones, 37 patients). RESULTS: The local recurrence rate was higher in group I with 5 years disease-free survival of 80.0% in group I and 97.0% in group II (p = 0.001). All recurrent cases were noted to have initially presented with soft tissue extension (Enneking stage IB). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score at the last follow-up was 21.7 in group I and 27.9 in group II (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional curettage and cryotherapy for low-grade chondrosarcoma appear to be a safe and reasonable surgical option for patients with lesions confined to bone (Enneking stage IA). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Radiolucent Implants for Fixation of Impending and Pathologic Fractures.

Radiolucent implants offer theoretical advantages of increased ability to evaluate the fracture site for healing and recurrence and potentially less effect on radiation treatment, avoiding scatter. Their clinical utility and outcomes have yet to be proven in a well-designed randomized trial or large cohort study, although studies based on other indications have shown relative safety and they are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of pathologic fractures. Further research is necessary to better understand when and how these implants should be implemented in practice. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(3):e115-e121.].

Early Experience in Pathologic Humerus Fracture Treated With the Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System Shows Limitations Related to Patient Selection.

Impending and complete pathologic fractures often necessitate surgical fixation. Traditional orthopedic implants are commonly used, achieving clinically acceptable outcomes, but their metallic composition can impair radiographic evaluation and affect radiation treatments. Recognition of these concerns led to the development of radiolucent implants such as the minimally invasive Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System (PBSS; IlluminOss Medical Inc), featuring a light cured polymer contained within an inflatable balloon catheter. Two participating hospitals in one health care system reviewed cases using the PBSS implant. Twenty-five patients with 29 impending or pathologic fractures in the proximal radius or humerus from metastatic carcinoma, myeloma, lymphoma, and melanoma were identified. Clinical charts and imaging were reviewed to determine the status of the implant at final follow-up as well as complications. For analysis, a chi-square test was used for nominal variables and a t test was used for continuous variables. Eleven of the 25 patients were alive with disease at the time of analysis. Eight of 29 (27.5%) implants failed. Five of 25 (20%) patients required repeat surgery due to complications, including 3 revision open reduction and internal fixations, 1 open reduction and internal fixation for a periprosthetic fracture, and 1 screw removal. Five of the 9 cases (56%) (P=.03) with lesions in the distal humeral shaft had breakage of the implant by final follow-up, compared with 3 of 20 cases (15%) (P=.03) elsewhere in the humerus; no failures were seen in the radius. One of 4 patients (25%) also had failure in the surgical neck, although this did not reach significance. Five patients were noted to have progression of disease on follow-up radiographs, with 4 failures in patients with progression. The PBSS implants potentially allow improved surveillance of fracture healing and tumor recurrence along with decreased scattering of radiation during treatment. Unfortunately, there may be a higher rate of mechanical failures, particularly for lesions involving the distal humerus. This may be due to decreased cross-sectional area of the implant in this region as compared with the metaphyseal and proximal regions. Caution should be exercised when treating distal humeral pathologic fractures with large lytic lesions where the underlying disease process is not well controlled. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(3):154-159.].

Denosumab Treatment for Giant Cell Tumor of the Spine Including the Sacrum.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a subanalysis of an international, multicenter, open-label study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of denosumab in a subset of patients with giant cell tumors of bone (GCTB) of the spine including the sacrum from an international, open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00680992). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Standard GCTB treatment is surgical removal, either by curettage or resection, combined with intraoperative adjuvant therapy; however, some sites may not be amenable to resection (e.g., skull, spine). METHODS: Adults or skeletally mature adolescents with pathologically confirmed GCTB of the spine including the sacrum, and radiologically measurable evidence of active disease, were included. Patients received denosumab (120 mg subcutaneously) once every 4 weeks during the treatment phase, with loading doses on days 8 and 15 of the first cycle. Patients had surgically unsalvageable GCTB (Cohort 1), had planned surgery expected to result in severe morbidity (Cohort 2), or were enrolled from a previous GCTB study (Cohort 3). RESULTS: Overall, 132 patients were included in the safety analysis (103 in Cohort 1, 24 in Cohort 2, and five in Cohort 3); 131 patients were included in the efficacy analysis. Kaplan-Meier estimated probabilities of disease progression or recurrence were 3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0-6.2) at year 1 and 7.4% (95% CI, 2.1-12.7) at years 3 and 5 in Cohort 1, and not estimable in Cohorts 2 and 3. Of 23 patients (Cohort 2) with surgery planned at baseline, 10 (43%) had on-study surgery; of these, one patient had reported disease progression or recurrence after the on-study surgery. Clinical benefit was reported in 83% of patients overall (all cohorts). CONCLUSION: Results from the analysis suggest that denosumab is potentially effective treatment for patients with GCTB of the spine including the sacrum. The adverse event profile was consistent with the full study population.Level of Evidence: 2.

Metastatic prostate carcinoma: A rare presentation initially misdiagnosed as a rib fracture.

Metastatic prostate carcinoma mainly occurs in bone as an osteoblastic lesion or lesions in the pelvis, spine, or chest wall. We present a unique case of a singular metastatic osteolytic lesion in the rib initially misdiagnosed as a fracture in a 61-year-old male. A single rib fracture in a patient with no history of trauma should raise suspicion for metastatic disease. We would encourage prostate cancer to be included in the differential diagnosis for an osteolytic lesion in a male over the age of 40. We review the current literature on this rare presentation of bone metastasis as well as the pathogenesis of metastatic prostate carcinoma as it relates to a solitary metastatic osteolytic lesion.

Alterations in Muscle Architecture: A Review of the Relevance to Individuals After Limb Salvage Surgery for Bone Sarcoma.

Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma are the most common primary bone malignancies affecting children and adolescents. Optimal treatment requires a combination of chemotherapy and/or radiation along with surgical removal when feasible. Advances in multiple aspects of surgical management have allowed limb salvage surgery (LSS) to supplant amputation as the most common procedure for these tumors. However, individuals may experience significant impairment after LSS, including deficits in range of motion and strength that limit function and impact participation in work, school, and the community, ultimately affecting quality of life. Muscle force and speed of contraction are important contributors to normal function during activities such as gait, stairs, and other functional tasks. Muscle architecture is the primary contributor to muscle function and adapts to various stimuli, including periods of immobilization-protected weightbearing after surgery. The impacts of LSS on muscle architecture and how adaptations may impact deficits within the rehabilitation period and into long-term survivorship is not well-studied. The purpose of this paper is to [1] provide relevant background on bone sarcomas and LSS, [2] highlight the importance of muscle architecture, its measurement, and alterations as seen in other relevant populations and [3] discuss the clinical relevance of muscle architectural changes and the impact on muscle dysfunction in this population. Understanding the changes that occur in muscle architecture and its impact on long-term impairments in bone sarcoma survivors is important in developing new rehabilitation treatments that optimize functional outcomes.

Denosumab in patients with giant-cell tumour of bone: a multicentre, open-label, phase 2 study.

BACKGROUND: Giant-cell tumour of bone (GCTB) is a rare, locally aggressive osteoclastogenic stromal tumour of the bone. This phase 2 study aimed to assess the safety and activity of denosumab in patients with surgically salvageable or unsalvageable GCTB. METHODS: In this multicentre, open-label, phase 2 study done at 30 sites in 12 countries we enrolled adults and skeletally mature adolescents (aged ≥12 years) weighing at least 45 kg with histologically confirmed and radiographically measurable GCTB, Karnofsky performance status 50% or higher (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 0, 1, or 2), and measurable active disease within 1 year of study enrolment. Patients had surgically unsalvageable GCTB (cohort 1), had surgically salvageable GCTB with planned surgery expected to result in severe morbidity (cohort 2), or were enrolled from a previous study of denosumab for GCTB (cohort 3). Patients received 120 mg subcutaneous denosumab once every 4 weeks during the treatment phase, with loading doses (120 mg subcutaneously) administered on study days 8 and 15 to patients in cohorts 1 and 2 (patients in cohort 3 did not receive loading doses). The primary endpoint was safety in terms of the type, frequency, and severity of adverse events; secondary endpoints included time to disease progression from cohort 1 and the proportion of patients without surgery at month 6 for cohort 2. The safety analysis set included all enrolled patients who received at least one dose of denosumab. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00680992, and has been completed. FINDINGS: Between Sept 9, 2008, and Feb 25, 2016, 532 patients were enrolled: 267 in cohort 1, 253 in cohort 2, and 12 in cohort 3. At data cutoff on Feb 24, 2017, median follow-up was 58·1 months (IQR 34·0-74·4) in the overall patient population, and 65·8 months (40·9-82·4) in cohort 1, 53·4 months (28·2-64·1) in cohort 2, and 76·4 months (61·2-76·5) in cohort 3. During the treatment phase, the most common grade 3 or worse adverse events were hypophosphataemia (24 [5%] of 526 patients), osteonecrosis of the jaw (17 [3%], pain in extremity (12 [2%]), and anaemia (11 [2%]). Serious adverse events were reported in 138 (26%) of 526 patients; the most common were osteonecrosis of the jaw (17 [3%]), anaemia (6 [1%]), bone giant cell tumour (6 [1%]), and back pain (5 [1%]). 28 (5%) patients had positively adjudicated osteonecrosis of the jaw, four (1%) had atypical femur fracture, and four (1%) had hypercalcaemia occurring 30 days after denosumab discontinuation. There were four cases (1%) of sarcomatous transformation, consistent with historical data. Ten (2%) treatment-emergent deaths occurred (two of which were considered treatment-related; bone sarcoma in cohort 2 and sarcoma in cohort 1). Median time to progression or recurrence for patients in cohort 1 during the first treatment phase was not reached (28 [11%] of 262 patients had progression or recurrence). 227 (92%; 95% CI 87-95) of 248 patients who received at least one dose of denosumab in cohort 2 had no surgery in the first 6 months of the study. INTERPRETATION: The types and frequencies of adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of denosumab, which showed long-term disease control for patients with GCTB with unresectable and resectable tumours. Our results suggest that the overall risk to benefit ratio for denosumab treatment in patients with GCTB remains favourable. FUNDING: Amgen.

Cytogenetic Single-Institution Analysis: 101 Consecutive Cases of Soft-Tissue Tumors of the Extremities.

We summarize the results and clinical usefulness of cytogenetic analysis that is routinely performed for musculoskeletal tumors. We performed cytogenetic analysis and traditional histologic evaluation on 101 (51 malignant/ 50 benign) consecutive tumors that were surgically excised. The successful culture rate for cytogenetic analysis was 86% (87/101). Fifty-four percent (25/46) of clearly malignant tumors that were successfully cultured demonstrated significant clonal abnormalities. Fifty-one percent (21/41) of benign tumors that were cultured had significant cytogenetic clonal aberrations. Increased cellular ploidy (> 50 chromosomes/cell) was demonstrated in 14/46 malignant and 1/41 benign tumors that were successfully cultured. Hyperploidy was highly correlated with malignancy (p < 0.001); the only "benign" tumor was a multiply recurrent and giant cell, demonstrating histologic changes consistent with early sarcomatous transformation. As expected, cytogenetic abnormalities frequently occurred in malignant tumors. Surprisingly, almost half of the benign tumors had significant clonal cytogenetic aberrations. Consistent findings of extra chromosomes 5 and 7 in samples of pigmented villonodular synovitis strongly favored a neoplastic origin for this condition. Although the presence or absence of cytogenetic aberrations cannot be used to determine malignant potential, increased cellular ploidy is highly indicative of malignancy. Modern molecular genetics have become more popular, but cytogenetic analysis can be useful for classifying the malignant potential of recurrent and difficult to diagnose tumors of the musculoskeletal system.

Assessment of denosumab treatment effects and imaging response in patients with giant cell tumor of bone.

BACKGROUND: Denosumab has been shown to reduce tumor size and progression, reform mineralized bone, and increase intralesional bone density in patients with giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB); however, radiologic assessment of tumors in bone is challenging. The study objective was to assess tumor response to denosumab using three different imaging parameters in a prespecified analysis in patients with GCTB from two phase 2 studies. METHODS: The studies enrolled adults and adolescents (skeletally mature and at least 12 years of age) with radiographically measurable GCTB that were given denosumab 120 mg every 4 weeks, with additional doses on days 8 and 15 of cycle 1. The proportion of patients with an objective tumor response was assessed using either Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer response criteria (positron emission tomography [PET] scan criteria), or inverse Choi density/size (ICDS) criteria. Target lesions were measured by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (both studies), PET (study 2 only), or plain film radiograph (study 2 only). RESULTS: Most patients (71.6%) had an objective tumor response by at least one response criteria. Per RECIST, 25.1% of patients had a response; per PET scan criteria, 96.2% had a response; per ICDS, 76.1% had a response. 68.5% had an objective tumor response ≥ 24 weeks. Using any criteria, crude incidence of response ranged from 56% (vertebrae/skull) to 91% (lung/soft tissue), and 98.2% had tumor control ≥ 24 weeks. Reduced PET avidity appeared to be an early sign of response to denosumab treatment. CONCLUSION: Modified PET scan criteria and ICDS criteria indicate that most patients show responses and higher benefit rates than modified RECIST, and therefore may be useful for early assessment of response to denosumab. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Clinical Trials Registry NCT00396279 (retrospectively registered November 6, 2006) and NCT00680992 (retrospectively registered May 20, 2008).

Plantar Fibromatosis: Pathophysiology, Surgical and Nonsurgical Therapies: An Evidence-Based Review.

Plantar fibromatosis (morbus Ledderhose), an extra-abdominal desmoid tumor of the plantar foot, is a rare benign hyperproliferative disorder of the plantar fascia with an unknown etiology. The main clinical characteristics include slow growing nodules on the medial and central bands of the plantar fascia, which may become painful and negatively affect ambulation. Most established conservative therapies today target symptomatic relief. As symptoms progress, therapies such as injections, shockwave ablation, radiation, and/or surgery may be required. This review aims to provide insight into the pathophysiology of this condition in addition to detailing current and investigational therapies for this disorder. Many therapies have been proven in similar conditions, which could lead to promising treatment options for plantar fibromatosis. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level V: Expert opinion.

Glomus Tumor of the Sciatic Nerve: An Extraspinal Cause of Sciatica.

Glomus tumors are small, benign tumors that arise from glomus bodies, structures found normally within the dermis that assist in temperature regulation via their vasoconstrictive response to sympathetic stimuli. Glomus tumors are found typically in the hand and are classically a cause of focal pain and temperature sensitivity. They often present as a small blue lesion seen under the nail bed of a finger or a toe and cause point tenderness. Glomus tumors of peripheral nerves are exceedingly rare and can lead to disability akin to compressive neuropathy when present. This case report explores the unusual presentation of a rare and large glomus tumor of the sciatic nerve. The patient presented with symptoms such as those mentioned above and was assumed to have sciatica emanating from spinal and neuroforaminal stenosis. Although she repeatedly and appropriately sought medical attention for her condition, she was improperly diagnosed and ultimately experienced a significant deterioration of her function, eventually undergoing an unnecessary surgical procedure. On referral to the authors' institution, the patient was evaluated and found to have a glomus tumor involving the sciatic nerve. This is the largest glomus tumor of a peripheral nerve that has been reported to date. Although the patient's presentation was insidious and her diagnosis was uncommon, this underscores the importance of developing a differential diagnosis based primarily on a thorough physical examination and, only then, correlating imaging to clinical findings. Additionally, given the atypical presentation and intractable course of this patient's condition, the examiner must consider neoplastic entities and space-occupying lesions as part of the differential diagnosis. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(1):e151-e153.].

Long-term Results of Intercalary Endoprosthetic Short Segment Fixation Following Extended Diaphysectomy.

Intercalary endoprosthetic reconstruction following diaphyseal resection of osseous tumors offers functional advantages through preservation of native joints adjacent to the resected defect. Use of such implants is restricted by the amount of bone available for stem fixation adjacent to the defect. This study aimed to determine whether short osseous segment fixation with acceptable outcomes and complication rate can be reliably achieved with a customized intercalary endoprosthesis following extended diaphysectomy. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed on 6 patients receiving customized anchor plugs for short segment fixation with a double compressive osseointegration intercalary implant to reconstruct segmental defects. Five of the implants were augmented with cement to support fixation in metaphyseal bone. Patient age at surgery ranged from 12 to 86 years. At mean follow-up of 39 months, mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score was 26.3, with 5 of 6 patients achieving scores of 27 or greater. Stable fixation was achieved in all patients, with the shortest segment of bone 3.7 cm in length. Three mechanical implant failures requiring revision surgery occurred. No patient required revision of the entire implant, secondary adjacent joint replacement, or secondary amputation. No patient exhibited aseptic loosening, and no case was complicated by infection. Excellent functional outcomes were seen with follow-up out to 9 years. This suggests that cement-augmented double compressive osseointegration intercalary endoprosthetic reconstruction can extend the benefits of intercalary replacement to many patients who otherwise might require adjacent joint or physeal sacrifice. However, patients should be counseled on the high risk of implant failure with subsequent need for revision surgery. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(6):e964-e970.].

Unplanned Resection of Sarcoma.

Unplanned resection is a common problem in the management of sarcoma. Because sarcomas are so rare, they may be misdiagnosed initially as more common benign lesions. When the treating surgeon is unaware of or does not adhere to proper surgical principles of orthopaedic oncology, an intralesional procedure may be performed without the requisite preoperative imaging, staging, or wide resection margins for optimal management of sarcoma. Studies show that oncologic outcomes after unplanned resections are mixed; however, surgical outcomes drastically deteriorate. Failure to adhere to oncologic principles accounts for increased morbidity and amputation rates with re-resection. No diagnostic modality has been proven to accurately predict residual disease in the resection bed following unplanned resection. Thus, repeat surgery with or without adjuvant treatment is usually offered to these patients, thereby adding considerable cost and morbidity. Medical malpractice litigation associated with unplanned sarcoma resection is common, with delayed diagnosis and unnecessary amputation most often cited in cases decided in favor of the plaintiff.

Near-complete Humerus Reconstruction in the Pediatric Patient with Vascularized Free Fibula Transfer.

Vascularized free fibula transfer remains the gold standard for reconstruction of large segmental diaphyseal defects of the upper extremity. In the pediatric patient, before skeletal maturity, free fibula transfer with the fibular head provides an active physis for growth and an articular interface for glenohumeral joint reconstruction. Clinical and cadaveric studies have demonstrated that the vascular supply to the fibular head originates, in most cases, from the anterior tibial system. However, anatomical variation exists, and we report a case in which a vascularized fibula autograft including the physis was transferred on the peroneal artery in a 5-year-old patient with Ewing's sarcoma. At 15-month follow-up, the patient has functional range of motion of the shoulder.

Acute Onset of Vancomycin Anaphylaxis With Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in an Orthopedic Patient Despite Prior Repeated Exposure.

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that exhibits bactericidal activity against gram-positive cocci. It is commonly recommended for surgical prophylaxis in cases of suspected bacterial resistance or penicillin allergy. There are 2 main types of hypersensitivity reactions associated with vancomycin. Red man syndrome is an anaphylactoid reaction caused by direct release of histamine. The second is an anaphylactic reaction, which is an immunoglobulin E-mediated response. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman with a history of metastatic giant cell tumor of the right proximal tibia. She had undergone multiple surgeries for this and other nonorthopedic conditions. The patient received vancomycin for the majority of these procedures and extended courses of vancomycin on 2 separate occasions. In the present case, the patient was taken to the operating room for a prosthetic infection, and vancomycin was given after cultures were taken. The patient immediately developed signs consistent with anaphylaxis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. This was treated acutely with hemodynamic resuscitation, replacement of blood components, steroids, and repeated boluses of epinephrine. She recovered and was taken back to the operating room during that same admission without incident. The patient has since been treated with systemic daptomycin and a tobramycin cement spacer without further incident.

Implant Fracture after Long-Stemmed Cemented Hemiarthroplasty for Oncologic Indications.

Although a long-stemmed cemented hemiarthroplasty is frequently recommended for oncologic lesions of proximal femur, we have observed an alarming number of spontaneous stem fractures. The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify the associated risk factors for stem fractures in a study cohort of 60 (61 prostheses) during 1983-2007. At a mean follow-up of 41 months, 4/61 (6.6%) stems had fractured after a mean of 36 (12-92) months after surgery. All failed implants were Osteonics Omnifit (4/27; 14.8%) and multivariate analysis did not show any correlation with other studied variables. While the failures were successfully salvaged by conversion to a modular proximal femoral replacement, any implant failure in this population is devastating. Spontaneous onset of thigh pain in patients with long stems, particularly if associated with other risk factors, should raise suspicion of a fatigue fracture of the stem.

Surgical advances in bone and soft tissue sarcoma: 50 years of progress.

As the American Society of Clinical Oncology celebrates its 50th anniversary, physicians can appreciate the significant advances made in the treatment of patients with sarcoma. Historically, these rare tumors have garnered great interest in the medical profession, due to their ability to reach extraordinary size, resulting in substantial deformities and disabilities. Fortunately, advances in surgical management, which have occurred concurrently with advances in imaging, diagnostic techniques, and both local and systemic adjuvant treatments, offer patients diagnosed with sarcoma significant hope for successful treatment and the expectation of a meaningful quality of life.

Results of cement versus bone graft reconstruction after intralesional curettage of bone tumors in the skeletally immature patient.

BACKGROUND: Resection of periphyseal tumors in children presents several unique challenges and complications. Injury to the adjacent physis during resection and adjuvant application has been associated with adverse growth-related outcomes including angular deformities and physeal arrest. The appropriate method of reconstructing bone defects after resection is also controversial. To date there is scant literature on the use of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement as a method of reconstruction in children, and few long-term studies exist on the incidence of growth-related complications after reconstruction. The objective of this study is to evaluate the mechanical, oncological, and developmental outcomes of PMMA use in children. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiographs of 36 skeletally immature patients who underwent intralesional resections of locally aggressive bone tumors. These patients were divided into 17 patients who received reconstruction with PMMA cement, and 19 patients who were reconstructed with bone graft. Follow-up clinical and radiographic evaluations performed after skeletal maturity were reviewed to assess the structural durability, local tumor recurrence rates, reoperation rates, and the incidence of postoperative complications such as deformity, adjacent joint arthrosis, growth arrest, pain, and functional limitation. RESULTS: The average patient age at the time of surgery was 11.79 years (range, 6 to 15 y). The average length of patient follow-up was 5.3 years (range, 2 to 11.5 y). There were no statistically significant differences observed in the rates of reoperation, local tumor recurrence, growth-related complications, adjacent joint arthrosis, or postoperative pain between the 2 groups. There were no postoperative fractures in the cement group, compared to 3 fractures in the bone graft group, although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: PMMA cement as a structural augment after resection may be used in the pediatric population for improving the mechanical stability of bone. Cement use is associated with complication rates of arthrosis, local recurrence, and growth complications comparable to those observed with bone grafting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Retrospective comparison study.