Slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a spectrum of surgical care and changes over time.

PURPOSE: To survey the spectrum of surgical care in children with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). This information is valuable in counselling the patient about the future treatment course. METHODS: Data for this study were obtained from the Pediatric Hospital Information System (PHIS) between 2004 and 2015. For all patients with an ICD9 diagnosis of 732.2, gender, ethnicity, hospital, medical record number, date of birth/admission/discharge, type of admission, length of stay, disposition and treatment(s) rendered were collected. RESULTS: A total of 13 168 procedures were performed in 11 058 unique SCFE patients, or 1.2 procedures per patient. Primary procedures were those performed for the initial treatment of the SCFE and secondary procedures as reconstructive and salvage. The majority (11 693, 88.8%) were primary. There was significant variation in the ratio of primary and secondary procedures by institution. There was a decline in in situ fixation as the initial SCFE treatment with an increase in open reduction and internal fixation over the 12-year span. Similarly, there was a significant increase in the number of secondary procedures over time as well as complications and implant removal. There was no change over time in the diagnosis of avascular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The average number of surgical procedures in patients was in the range of 1 to 6 and varied widely by hospital. Each physician should know his/her own hospital's data for the percentage of subsequent procedures so as to counsel the patient and family properly. The increasing number of complications over time may reflect the increasing number of more complex procedures.

Congenital longitudinal deficiency of the tibia.

We performed a clinical and radiographic review of 15 patients (19 limbs) with longitudinal deficiency of the tibia treated between 1981 and 2001. Ten limbs with Kalamchi type I deficiencies were managed by through-knee amputation. Five type II deficiencies were treated by foot ablation and tibiofibular synostosis, either at the same time or staged, but prosthetic problems may arise from varus alignment and prominence of the proximal fibula. Patients with type III deficiencies (four cases) were treated by foot ablation. Prosthetic problems relating to proximal or distal tibiofibular instability may necessitate additional surgical intervention.

Profiles of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine in children and adolescents with lumbosacral spondylolisthesis.

The sagittal and frontal profiles of the entire spine are poorly studied in lumbosacral spondylolisthesis. It was the purpose of this study to further investigate these profiles. Standing posterior-anterior and lateral radiographs in 24 children with lumbosacral spondylolisthesis were reviewed (18 isthmic, 6 congenital). Cervical lordosis, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, sagittal vertebral axis, sacral inclination, slip magnitude, slip angle, and sagittal rotation were measured. Cobb magnitude, Risser sign, curve location, and direction were noted for those with scoliosis. Relationships between sagittal variables were explored (Pearson correlation). The average age of patients was 14.7 +/- 2.5 years, slip magnitude was 38 +/- 38%, slip angle was 5 +/- 31 degrees, sagittal rotation was -6 +/- 31 degrees, thoracic kyphosis was 29 +/- 16 degrees, cervical lordosis was -1 +/- 12 degrees, and lumbar lordosis was 62 +/- 22 degrees. Correlations were noted between thoracic kyphosis and sacral inclination, percent slip, slip angle, and sagittal rotation. Sacral inclination decreased as the slip increased. Scoliosis was present in 10 children, with an average curve of 19 +/- 6 degrees. Thoracic kyphosis was less in those with scoliosis (21 +/- 25 degrees versus 33 +/- 25 degrees, p = 0.033). In children with lumbosacral spondylolisthesis, the sacrum becomes more vertical as the slip worsens. As the sacrum becomes more vertical, the thoracic spine becomes more lordotic, which is likely an adaptive mechanism used by the body to maintain forward visual gaze.

Effect of femur position on the angular measurement of slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

SUMMARY: A femur model was used to simulate a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Wedges were inserted into a cut in the femoral neck to create SCFEs of 25, 50, and 75 degrees. The effects of femur position on the angular measurement of SCFE were studied by taking radiographs of the SCFE at preselected positions of rotation and abduction, which were ensured by a holding device. The views selected were the cross table lateral (CTL), Billing lateral, and frog lateral (FL) projections. FL views were obtained at 22.5, 45, and 67.5 degrees of abduction. The rotational positions were 20 degrees internal, neutral, and 15, 30, 45, and 60 degrees external. Slip angles were measured from these radiographs. The CTL and FL projections accurately portrayed any severity of an SCFE at all positions except for 45 and 60 degrees of external rotation. The Billing view falsely portrayed a severe SCFE at all positions of rotation. The most accurate representation of an SCFE is seen on either the CTL or FL view when the external rotation of the femur does not exceed 30 degrees.

Factors predictive of immobilization complications in pediatric polytrauma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine in a cohort of children with polytrauma which variables are predictive of the development of complications related to immobilization. DESIGN: A retrospective study of children with polytrauma and at least one major musculoskeletal injury. A stepwise forward logistic regression analysis was used to determine variables predictive of complications related to immobilization. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-three children with polytrauma were studied; motor vehicle incidents accounted for 80 percent of the injuries. The average age was 8.0 +/- 4.1 years. There were 152 fractures in the ninety-three children. The average Modified Injury Severity Scale (MISS) was 24.5 +/- 13.6. There were thirty-five complications in twenty-two children, and four children died. RESULTS: Two variables were predictive of complications related to immobilization: age and MISS score. Complications related to immobilization were positively associated with being older than seven years of age (p = 0.027; odds ratio = 9.5; 95 percent confidence interval 1.4, 64.9) and having a MISS score greater than forty (p = 0.005; OR = 14.1; 95 percent confidence interval 2.2, 89.1). Timing of surgery showed a trend (p = 0.097) but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Complications of immobilization in children with polytrauma are associated with age greater than seven years and a MISS score greater than forty. Further study is needed to evaluate the effect of early fracture stabilization. Timing of osteosynthesis showed a trend but did not reach statistical significance in this study.

Clinical characteristics of children with atypical and idiopathic slipped capital femoral epiphysis: description of the age-weight test and implications for further diagnostic investigation.

SUMMARY: Slipped capital femoral epiphyses (SCFEs) can be idiopathic or atypical (associated with renal failure, radiation therapy, and endocrine disorders). The demographics of 433 children (285 idiopathic, 148 atypical) with 612 SCFEs were studied to define predictors of atypical SCFEs. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age and weight were predictors. For two patients of equal weight, those younger than 10 or older than 16 years of age were 4.2 times more likely to have an atypical SCFE; for two patients of equal age, those <50th percentile weight were 8.4 times more likely. The age-weight test was defined as negative when age younger than 16 years and weight > or = 50th percentile and positive when beyond these boundaries. The probability of a child with a negative test result having an idiopathic SCFE was 93%, and the probability of a child with a positive test result having an atypical SCFE was 52%. An evaluation of the child's age and weight is useful when considering the cause of an SCFE.

Mouse model for thoracic congenital scoliosis.

SUMMARY: This study sought to produce a dose-response curve for acute and chronic maternal carbon monoxide (CO) exposure versus vertebral anomalies in mouse offspring and to determine the critical day of exposure. In Part I, pregnant CD-1 mice were exposed to an acute dose of CO at 9 days of gestation. A positive dose-response relationship of acute maternal CO exposure and vertebral anomalies in the offspring was produced. In Part II, pregnant females were exposed to chronic CO for the first 11 days of gestation. Chronic exposure to CO did not produce significant vertebral anomalies. In Part III, pregnant females were exposed to an acute dose of 600 ppm of CO at gestation day 8, 9, or 10. Day 9 in this mouse breed is the critical day for maternal exposure to CO. The detected anomalies were predominately in the thoracic spine.

The sagittal profile of the cervical and lumbosacral spine in Scheuermann thoracic kyphosis.

The sagittal profiles of the cervical and lumbar spine have not been studied in Scheuermann kyphosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate these profiles. Standing lateral radiographs of the spine in 34 children with Scheuermann kyphosis were reviewed. Cervical lordosis, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, sagittal vertebral axis, and sacral inclination were measured. The relations between these variables were explored using the Pearson correlation. The average patient age was 15.5 +/- 1.8 years, thoracic kyphosis was 65 degrees +/- 12 degrees, lumbar lordosis 71 degrees +/- 13 degrees, and cervical lordosis 4 degrees +/- 15 degrees (Cobb angle), and 9 degrees +/- 14 degrees (posterior vertebral body angle [PVBA]). No correlations were noted between cervical lordosis and thoracic kyphosis. Correlations were noted between cervical lordosis and lumbar lordosis (r2 = 0.17, Cobb angle; r2 = 0.16, PVBA) and between cervical lordosis and the residual sagittal difference (thoracic kyphosis minus lumbar lordosis; r2 = 0.32, p = 0.001 [Cobb angle], and r2 = 0.19, p = 0.01 [PVBA]). In Scheuermann kyphosis, the flexible cervical and lumbar spine is linked by the intermediate rigid thoracic segment. As the residual sagittal difference becomes more kyphotic, lordosis of the cervical spine increases as the patient strives to maintain a forward visual gaze.

Horner's syndrome after posterior spinal fusion in a child: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of a complication after posterior spinal fusion. OBJECTIVES: To present the clinical findings of a Horner's syndrome after posterior spinal fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A 14-year-old girl underwent posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: Clinical examination and pharmacologic pupillary testing were used to diagnose Horner's syndrome. RESULTS: After surgery, the patient developed a left-sided Horner's syndrome. The Horner's syndrome had resolved 6 months after surgery except for slight ptosis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported case of Horner's syndrome occurring after posterior spinal fusion without the use of epidural analgesia.

The induction of congenital spinal deformities in mice by maternal carbon monoxide exposure.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been shown to be teratogenic in mice. High altitude hypoxia has also been shown to induce congenital vertebral anomalies in mice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal hypoxia owing to CO exposure and the production of congenital spinal deformities in the offspring. Sixty DBA-1J mice were bred using polygamous timed breeding methods. Pregnant females were exposed to 200, 400, or 600 ppm CO using a custom-designed gas blender system. Seven-hour exposures were performed on day 8.5, 9.5, or 10.5 of the 21-day gestation cycle. The neonates were euthanized at birth; the specimens were fixed, eviscerated, and radiographed. Congenital spinal deformities were observed (wedge, hemi, fused, and missing vertebrae; fused ribs) and were located in all regions of the spine. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of spinal deformities between all groups, with no defects in the controls and a 77% incidence at 600 ppm (p < 0.0001). There was no apparent correlation between the time of exposure and defect location. The most sensitive time of gestation was 9.5 days. We identified an animal model of congenital spinal deformities that compares favorably with the evidence of human congenital spinal deformities in cases of maternal exposure to CO and other gas and chemical fumes.

Automated parallel DNA sequencing on multiple channel microchips.

We report automated DNA sequencing in 16-channel microchips. A microchip prefilled with sieving matrix is aligned on a heating plate affixed to a movable platform. Samples are loaded into sample reservoirs by using an eight-tip pipetting device, and the chip is docked with an array of electrodes in the focal plane of a four-color scanning detection system. Under computer control, high voltage is applied to the appropriate reservoirs in a programmed sequence that injects and separates the DNA samples. An integrated four-color confocal fluorescent detector automatically scans all 16 channels. The system routinely yields more than 450 bases in 15 min in all 16 channels. In the best case using an automated base-calling program, 543 bases have been called at an accuracy of >99%. Separations, including automated chip loading and sample injection, normally are completed in less than 18 min. The advantages of DNA sequencing on capillary electrophoresis chips include uniform signal intensity and tolerance of high DNA template concentration. To understand the fundamentals of these unique features we developed a theoretical treatment of cross-channel chip injection that we call the differential concentration effect. We present experimental evidence consistent with the predictions of the theory.

Scoring of pediatric orthopaedic polytrauma: correlations of different injury scoring systems and prognosis for hospital course.

Trauma scoring systems were compared among themselves and to recovery variables in a cohort of 91 pediatric polytrauma patients with orthopaedic injuries. They included the Trauma Score (TS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), Modified Abbreviated Injury Severity Scale (MISS), Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS), and TRISS-b survival statistic. Significant correlations between scoring systems and hospital course parameters existed. TRISS-b had the strongest correlation for days in the intensive care unit and total complications (r2 = 0.59, 0.58). PTS correlated poorly with recovery variables when compared to other scoring systems. The TS correlated most strongly with ventilatory days and complications of immobilization (r2 = 0.77, 0.58). The TS should be used early in the assessment of the pediatric polytrauma patient, along with the TRISS-b statistic. If they predict prolonged intensive care unit and ventilatory days and hospital complications, operative fracture management should be strongly considered.

Hip arthroscopy using a limited anterior exposure: an alternative approach for arthroscopic access.

SUMMARY: Hip arthroscopy is a technically difficult procedure to perform. A limited anterior approach to the joint has made hip arthroscopy technically less difficult in our hands and has enabled us to treat a wide range of hip pathology. Five hip arthroscopies were performed using a modified 4-cm Smith-Petersen anterior approach to the hip exposing the joint capsule as manual traction is applied. The arthroscope is then easily introduced making visualization of the hip joint possible. The 5 hip arthroscopies resulted in either removal of loose bodies or debridement of an osteochondral fragment, synovitis, or cartilaginous debris. There were no complications postoperatively. We believe that hip arthroscopy through a limited anterior approach provides an easy and safe alternative method for arthroscopic access to the hip joint. Importantly, there is a decreased risk of neurovascular trauma and iatrogenic damage to the articular cartilage and acetabular labrum when introducing instruments into the hip joint.

The predictive value of computed tomography in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

The use of computed tomography (CT) to confirm femoral head position after closed reduction and spica cast immobilization in the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) has become a common practice. We retrospectively reviewed postreduction CT scans of 38 children younger than 24 months of age with unilateral DDH to determine whether they could predict acetabular remodeling potential. The measurements analyzed from the postreduction CT scans were the acetabular index, axial acetabular index, anterior and posterior acetabular angles, acetabular anteversion, and axial reduction index; the standard acetabular index was measured from the plain radiographs. The average age at reduction was 11 months and at follow-up was 61 months. No angle measured on the postreduction CT scan was found to be predictive of acetabular remodeling.

Nuchal cord changes in children with os odontoideum: evidence for associated trauma.

We describe nuchal cord changes in four children with os odontoideum who had cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery. In these four children, nuchal cord changes consistent with previous trauma were seen. The presence of the nuchal cord changes supports the concept of trauma as an etiologic factor in these four cases. This study supports trauma as an associated factor in patients with os odontoideum.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis associated with radiation therapy.

We reviewed 32 children with 41 radiation-therapy associated slipped capital femoral epiphyses (RTASCFE). Ten were from the authors' institutions and 22 from the literature. Gender distribution was equal. The age at diagnosis of the malignancy was 4.3 +/- 3.1 years; the amount of radiation was 4,240 +/- 1,445 rads. Children with RTASCFE presented younger (10.4 +/- 3.2 years) than a routine SCFE. The average symptom duration was 5 +/- 6 months. Children with RTASCFE are usually thin (median weight, 10th percentile) in contrast to children with typical SCFE, who are usually obese (<95th percentile). The majority (82%) of the slips were mild, compared to routine SCFEs (approximately 50%); 28% were bilateral. There was a positive linear relationship between the age at presentation of the SCFE and the age at diagnosis of the malignancy; there was a negative linear relationship between the age at presentation of the SCFE and the amount of radiation therapy.

Pubic symphysis repair strength in simulated bladder exstrophy using a sheep model.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanical strength of various pubic symphysis suture material in a simulated animal model of neonatal bladder exstrophy. METHODS: Neonatal lamb pelves, which are the approximate size of neonatal human pelves, were used. Twenty-four neonatal lamb pelves were divided into four equal groups. A midline symphysotomy was made through the cartilaginous pubic symphysis in three groups and repaired using two figure-of-eight sutures (size 0) placed through the cartilaginous pubis using polypropylene, braided polyester, or polyglactin. The fourth group served as the control. The pelves were then tested to ultimate load in pure tension at a strain rate of 0.25 mm/s until failure. RESULTS: There was a highly significant difference between the intact specimens and the repaired specimens (P = 0.0008). For the repaired specimens, there was a significant difference in the ultimate load normalized by pubic height between those repaired with polypropylene and polyglactin (P = 0.025), but not for those repaired with polypropylene and braided polyester (P = 0.11) or braided polyester and polyglactin (P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Braided resorbable sutures are recommended for pubic symphysis repair, because they have a lower tendency to cut out of the cartilage.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis occurs during the adolescent growth spurt and is most frequent in obese children. Up to 40 percent of cases are bilateral. Recent classification methods emphasize epiphyseal stability rather than symptom duration. Most cases of slipped capital femoral epiphyses are stable and have a good prognosis if diagnosed early. Unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis has a much poorer prognosis because of the high risk of avascular necrosis. Early radiographic clues are the metaphyseal blanch sign and Klein's line. Once diagnosed, treatment should begin immediately. The most widely accepted treatment for a stable slipped capital femoral epiphysis is in situ fixation with a single central screw. The treatment for an unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis is much more controversial. Corrective osteotomy is usually reserved for treatment of severe deformities after the patient has stopped growing.