[Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee joint]. / Pigmentierte villonoduläre Synovitis des Kniegelenks.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare proliferative disorder of the synovial membrane most frequently found in the knee. The etiopathology of the disease is still not understood. Present terminology differentiates between a localized (LPVNS) and a diffuse (DPVNS) form. Currently, MRI is the diagnostic imaging technique of choice. The localized form (LPVNS) can be cured definitely in almost all cases by partial arthroscopic synovectomy, whereas the treatment of the diffuse form (DPVNS) is discussed controversially concerning an arthroscopic or total synovectomy by open arthrotomy. We report a case rarely found in the literature of a patient suffering from a diffuse form of PVNS localized in the right knee joint. In this case PVNS acted as a locally aggressive and destructive lesion of immense extent invading femoral, tibial and fibular bone and the whole extending muscular system. We performed a radical synovectomy by open arthrotomy. By implanting a tumor prosthesis we prevented progression of the disease. Apart from adequate diagnosis, we recommend complete and aggressive resection of the affected tissue by performing an open arthrotomy.

[Efficiency of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on distraction osteogenesis in case of delayed callotasis -- clinical results]. / Wirksamkeit von niederenergetischem, gepulstem Ultraschall im Fall des drohenden Regeneratversagens bei der Kallusdistraktion -- klinische Behandlungsergebnisse.

AIM: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound has been proven to accelerate fracture healing both clinically and experimentally. In this study the influence of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound during distraction-osteogenesis in case of delayed callotasis was investigated. METHOD: 20 patients could be included in this study. 16 patients initially were treated because of fractures of the lower leg, 2 because of fractures of the femur with resulting shortening of the afflicted limb. One patient suffered from chronic osteitis at the thigh and one from chronic osteitis at the upper arm without previous trauma. Because of delayed callotasis an adjunctive ultrasound treatment device was transcutaneously applied (frequency 1.5 MHz, signal burst width 200 microseconds, signal repetition frequency 1.0 kHz, intensity 30 mW/cm (2)) with the transducer placed at the distraction zone for 20 minutes daily. In all cases in-home treatment was performed. Evaluation was done by radiographic and sonographic controls of the distraction zone during examination of all patients at the outpatients' department every 3-4 weeks. RESULTS: Progress of callotasis was achieved in 15 out of 20 patients. Patients who were smokers during ultrasound therapy showed lower healing rates than those who never smoked. 2 patients suffering from osteitis of the tibia and missing callotasis had to be amputated. 3 other patients needed additional operative treatment including cancellous bone grafts because of missing new bone formation. Negative effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound during therapy could not be detected. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ultrasound treatment can accelerate bone maturation and formation in distraction osteogenesis, sometimes even in states of poor callotasis. It may provide a method of great promise in cases where delayed bone formation during distraction osteogenesis occurs.

[Why do osteosyntheses fail? The problem with biomechanics and biology]. / Warum versagen Osteosynthesen? Das Kreuz mit der Biomechanik und der Biologie.

Avoidance of complications in the course of fracture treatment is of essential importance not only for patients but increasingly from an economic point of view. In the past 15 years emphasis has been placed on the development and fine-tuning of minimally invasive reduction techniques with suitable implants. The main objectives were avoidance of surgical site infection and uneventful fracture healing. This facilitated the solving of long-standing problems but created new sources of error. Minimally invasive, dynamic forms of osteosynthesis were found to fail with extensive open reduction or neglect of biomechanics. Additionally, it appeared that some traditional techniques and basic rules of operative fracture treatment fell into oblivion. The majority of complications are determined already preoperatively by the choice of treatment or implant. After exact analysis of the biomechanics and biological etiology, nonunion is dealt with by an imperative increase in mechanical stability. Additional procedures, i.e., bone graft or debridement, are incorporated into the therapeutic regime. Increasing mechanical stability should be attempted with a minimum of added trauma to avoid local biological impairment. Further improvement of outcome depends on innovative and adapted teaching concepts. Training exclusively with one implant, even under the guidance of the producing company, is insufficient to grasp the various fundamentals of operative fracture treatment indispensable for a successful day-to-day routine.

[Sigmoid colon perforation with local peritonitis caused by indirect trauma--case report and review of the literature]. / Sigmaperforation mit lokaler Peritonitis durch indirektes Trauma--Fallbericht und Literaturübersicht.

Injuries to the sigmoid occur either as acute or protracted events. In the first case, enteral contents discharge into the abdominal cavity and a generalized, fecal, life-threatening peritonitis with a bad prognosis develops. In the protracted form, the rupture is covered by peritoneum and adherent organs before perforation. The ensuing abscess formation may lead to perforation into contiguous visceral organs or the cutis. Frequently an intestinal or cutaneous fistula results. The trigger for a sigmoid perforation can be a spontaneous rupture in an already vulnerable intestine. Common precursory diseases are diverticulitis, colitis, carcinomas, and necroses. Also, elevated intestinal pressure invoked by increased bearing down or coproliths may cause disruption. Diagnostic procedures such as rectoscopy and rectal contrast instillation are frequent idiopathic causes of traumatic injuries to the sigmoid. Perforating injuries of the abdominal cavity by stabbing, gunshot, or impalement may affect the sigmoid and open its lumen. Foreign bodies often lead to traumatic injuries of the rectosigmoid junction. In contrast, indirect trauma as a cause of sigmoid perforation, which is described in the following case, is very rare. A 62-year-old woman,who had a cholecystectomy and adhesive strangulation of intestine in her history, was admitted to our clinic after falling down stairs and landing on her bottom. She suffered a sigmoid rupture and peritonitis. Laparotomy and suturing of the sigmoid defect were performed.

[Serious complication after subcutaneous injection of heparin for prophylaxis of thromboembolism. Case report]. / Fatale Komplikation nach subkutaner Heparininjektion zur postoperativen Thrombembolieprophylaxe.

Subcutaneous application of low-dose heparin before and after surgery is a routine procedure to avoid thromboembolic complications. Advances in development of anticoagulants, reduction of intervals between applications, modern injection tools,and training of the personnel have already reduced the incidence of severe complications. However, the case presented shows impressively that a life-threatening complication is still possible and has to be kept in mind in perioperative thrombosis prophylaxis. After postoperative subcutaneous injection of low-dose-heparin in the right lower abdominal wall, a 76-year-old female patient suffered from an extensive,hemodynamically active hematoma located in the M.rectus abdominis as a sequela of perforating the A. epigastrica superficialis. Consequently hypovolemic shock led to cardiopulmonary circulatory arrest. After immediate resuscitation, surgical hemostasis was performed and the hematoma was removed. Post-interventional stabilization of circulation and wound healing were trouble free.