Fracture risk after intralesional curettage of atypical cartilaginous tumors.

INTRODUCTION: The need for curettage of atypical cartilaginous tumors (ACT) is under debate. Curretage results in defects that weaken the bone potentially leading to fractures. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively determine postoperative fracture risk after curettage of chondroid tumors, including patient-specific characteristics that could influence fracture risk. METHODS: A total of 297 adult patients who underwent curettage of an ACT followed by phenolisation and augmentation were retrospectively evaluated. Explanatory variables were, sex, age, tumor size, location, augmentation type, and plate fixation. The presence of a postoperative fracture was radiologically diagnosed. Included patients had at least 90 days of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 183 females (62%) were included and 114 males (38%), with an overall median follow-up of 3.2 years (IQR 1.6-5.2). Mean diameter of the lesions was 4.5 (SD 2.8) cm. Patients received augmentation with allograft bone (n = 259, 87%), PMMA (n = 11, 3.7%), or did not receive augmentation (n = 27, 9.1%). Overall fracture risk was 6%. Male sex (p = 0.021) and lesion size larger than 3.8 cm (p < 0.010) were risk factors for postoperative fracture. INTERPRETATION: Curettage of ACT results in an overall fracture risk of 6%, which is increased for males with larger lesions.

Surgical Outcome and Oncological Survival of Osteofibrous Dysplasia-Like and Classic Adamantinomas: An International Multicenter Study of 318 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Osteofibrous dysplasia-like adamantinoma (OFD-AD) and classic adamantinoma (AD) are rare, neoplastic diseases with only limited data supporting current treatment protocols. We believe that our retrospective multicenter cohort study is the largest analysis of patients with adamantinoma to date. The primary purpose of this study was to describe the disease characteristics and evaluate the oncological outcomes. The secondary purpose was to identify risk factors for local recurrence after surgical treatment and propose treatment guidelines. METHODS: Three hundred and eighteen confirmed cases of OFD-AD and AD for which primary treatment was carried out between 1985 and 2015 were submitted by 22 tertiary bone tumor centers. Proposed clinical risk factors for local recurrence such as size, type, and margins were analyzed using univariable and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 318 cases, 128 were OFD-AD and 190 were AD. The mean age at diagnosis was 17 years (median, 14.5 years) for OFD-AD and 32 years (median, 28 years) for AD; 53% of the patients were female. The mean tumor size in the OFD-AD and AD groups combined was 7.8 cm, measured histologically. Sixteen percent of the patients sustained a pathological fracture prior to treatment. Local recurrence was recorded in 22% of the OFD-AD cases and 24% of the AD cases. None of the recurrences in the OFD-AD group progressed to AD. Metastatic disease was found in 18% of the AD cases and fatal disease, in 11% of the AD cases. No metastatic or fatal disease was reported in the OFD-AD group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that uncontaminated resection margins (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.164, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.092 to 0.290, p < 0.001), pathological fracture (HR = 1.968, 95% CI = 1.076 to 3.600, p = 0.028), and sex (female versus male: HR = 0.535, 95% CI = 0.300 to 0.952, p = 0.033) impacted the risk of local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: OFD-AD and AD are parts of a disease spectrum but should be regarded as different entities. Our results support reclassification of OFD-AD into the intermediate locally aggressive category, based on the local recurrence rate of 22% and absence of metastases. In our study, metastatic disease was restricted to the AD group (an 18% rate). We advocate wide resection with uncontaminated margins including bone and involved periosteum for both OFD-AD and AD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Surgical Treatment of Localized-Type Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumors of Large Joints: A Study Based on a Multicenter-Pooled Database of 31 International Sarcoma Centers.

BACKGROUND: Localized-type tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a rare, neoplastic disease with only limited data supporting treatment protocols. We describe treatment protocols and evaluate their oncological outcome, complications, and functional results in a large multicenter cohort of patients. A secondary study aim was to identify factors associated with local recurrence after surgical treatment. METHODS: Patients with histologically proven localized TGCT of a large joint were included if they had been treated between 1990 and 2017 in 1 of 31 tertiary sarcoma centers. Of 941 patients with localized TGCT, 62% were female. The median age at initial treatment was 39 years, and the median duration of follow-up was 34 months. Sixty-seven percent of the tumors affected the knee, and the primary treatment at the tertiary center was 1-stage open resection in 73% of the patients. Proposed factors for predicting a first local recurrence after treatment in the tertiary center were tested in a univariate analysis, and those that demonstrated significance were subsequently included in a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The localized TGCT recurred in 12% of all cases, with local-recurrence-free rates at 3, 5, and 10 years of 88%, 83%, and 79%, respectively. The strongest factor for predicting recurrent disease was a prior recurrence (p < 0.001). Surgical treatment decreased pain and swelling in 71% and 85% of the patients, respectively, and such treatment was associated with complications in 4% of the patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the patients who had not undergone therapy previously yielded positive associations between local recurrence and a tumor size of ≥5 cm versus <5 cm (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32 to 4.74; p = 0.005). Arthroscopy (versus open surgery) was significantly associated with tumor recurrence in the univariate analysis (p = 0.04) but not in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.056). CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with recurrence after resection of localized-type TGCT were larger tumor size and initial treatment with arthroscopy. Relatively low complication rates and good functional outcomes warrant an open approach with complete resection when possible to reduce recurrence rates in high-risk patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Multiflora and Gram-Negative Microorganisms Predominate in Infections Affecting Pelvic Endoprostheses Following Tumor Resection.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic infections after pelvic reconstruction are common, with reported rates ranging from 11% to 53%. Management of these infections is troublesome, as they commonly necessitate multiple surgical interventions and implant removal. The epidemiology and outcomes of these infections are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the causative microorganisms and the clinical outcome of treatment in a series of patients with pelvic endoprostheses affected by infection following tumor resection. METHODS: In this retrospective, multicenter cohort study, we identified all patients who developed an infection after endoprosthetic reconstruction in periacetabular tumor resection, between 2003 and 2017. The microorganisms that were isolated during the first debridement were recorded, as were the number of reoperations for ongoing infection, the antimicrobial treatment strategy, and the outcome of treatment. RESULTS: In a series of 70 patients who underwent pelvic endoprosthetic reconstruction, 18 (26%) developed an infection. The type of pelvic resection according to the Enneking-Dunham classification was type P2-3 in 14 (78%) of these patients and type P2 in 4 (22%). Median follow-up was 66 months. Fourteen (78%) of the 18 patients with infection had a polymicrobial infection. Enterobacteriaceae were identified on culture for 12 (67%). Of a total 42 times that a microorganism was isolated, the identified pathogen was gram-negative in 26 instances (62%). Microorganisms associated with intestinal flora were identified 32 times (76%). At the time of latest follow-up, 9 (50%) of the patients had the original implant in situ. Of these, 2 had a fistula and another 2 were receiving suppressive antibiotic therapy. In the remaining 9 (50%) of the patients, the original implant had been removed. At the time of final follow-up, 3 of these had a second implant in situ. The remaining 6 patients had undergone no secondary reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Infections that affect pelvic endoprostheses are predominantly polymicrobial and caused by gram-negative microorganisms, and may be associated with intestinal flora. This differs fundamentally from mono-bacterial gram-positive causes of conventional periprosthetic joint infections and may indicate a different pathogenesis. Our results suggest that prophylaxis and empiric treatment may need to be re-evaluated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The vascularised fibular graft for limb salvage after bone tumour surgery: a multicentre study.

Vascularised fibular grafts (VFGs ) are a valuable surgical technique in limb salvage after resection of a tumour. The primary objective of this multicentre study was to assess the risk factors for failure and complications for using a VFG after resection of a tumour. The study involved 74 consecutive patients (45 men and 29 women with mean age of 23 years (1 to 64) from four tertiary centres for orthopaedic oncology who underwent reconstruction using a VFG after resection of a tumour between 1996 and 2011. There were 52 primary and 22 secondary reconstructions. The mean follow-up was 77 months (10 to 195). In all, 69 patients (93%) had successful limb salvage; all of these united and 65 (88%) showed hypertrophy of the graft. The mean time to union differed between those involving the upper (28 weeks; 12 to 96) and lower limbs (44 weeks; 12 to 250). Fracture occurred in 11 (15%), and nonunion in 14 (19%) patients. In 35 patients (47%) at least one complication arose, with a greater proportion in lower limb reconstructions, non-bridging osteosynthesis, and in children. These complications resulted in revision surgery in 26 patients (35%). VFG is a successful and durable technique for reconstruction of a defect in bone after resection of a tumour, but is accompanied by a significant risk of complications, that often require revision surgery. Union was not markedly influenced by the need for chemo- or radiotherapy, but should not be expected during chemotherapy. Therefore, restricted weight-bearing within this period is advocated.

Hemicortical resection and inlay allograft reconstruction for primary bone tumors: a retrospective evaluation in the Netherlands and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Selected primary tumors of the long bones can be adequately treated with hemicortical resection, allowing for optimal function without compromising the oncological outcome. Allografts can be used to reconstruct the defect. As there is a lack of studies of larger populations with sufficient follow-up, little is known about the outcomes of these procedures. METHODS: In this nationwide retrospective study, all patients treated with hemicortical resection and allograft reconstruction for a primary bone tumor from 1989 to 2012 were evaluated for (1) mechanical complications and infection, (2) oncological outcome, and (3) failure or allograft survival. The minimum duration of follow-up was twenty-four months. RESULTS: The study included 111 patients with a median age of twenty-eight years (range, seven to seventy-three years). The predominant diagnoses were adamantinoma (n = 37; 33%) and parosteal osteosarcoma (n = 18; 16%). At the time of review, 104 patients (94%) were alive (median duration of follow-up, 6.7 years). Seven patients (6%) died, after a median of twenty-six months. Thirty-seven patients (33%) had non-oncological complications, with host bone fracture being the most common (n = 20, 18%); all healed uneventfully. Other complications included nonunion (n = 8; 7%), infection (n = 8; 7%), and allograft fracture (n = 3; 3%). Of ninety-seven patients with a malignant tumor, fifteen (15%) had residual or recurrent tumor and six (6%) had metastasis. The risk of complications and fractures increased with the extent of cortical resection. CONCLUSIONS: Survival of hemicortical allografts is excellent. Host bone fracture is the predominant complication; however, none of these fractures necessitated allograft removal in our series. The extent of resection is the most important risk factor for complications. Hemicortical resection is not recommended for high-grade lesions; however, it may be superior to segmental resection for treatment of carefully selected tumors, provided that it is possible to obtain adequate margins. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Nonbacterial osteitis of the clavicle: longitudinal imaging series from initial diagnosis to clinical improvement.

Nonbacterial osteitis is a rare autoinflammatory disease. Often it is mistaken for a tumor or osteomyelitis. We present a case of a twelve-year-old girl referred to our hospital because of a lesion of the right clavicle. The differential diagnoses were sarcoma, osteitis, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. After biopsy the diagnosis nonbacterial osteitis (NBO) was established. Treatment of choice is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This case report gives a complete follow-up of the disease, showing the pitfalls of the diagnosis.

Intercalary allograft reconstructions following resection of primary bone tumors: a nationwide multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Favorable reports on the use of massive allografts to reconstruct intercalary defects underline their place in limb-salvage surgery. However, little is known about optimal indications as reports on failure and complication rates in larger populations remain scarce. We evaluated the incidence of and risk factors for failure and complications, time to full weight-bearing, and optimal fixation methods for intercalary allografts after tumor resection. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in all four centers of orthopaedic oncology in the Netherlands. All consecutive patients reconstructed with intercalary (whole-circumference) allografts after tumor resection in the long bones during 1989 to 2009 were evaluated. The minimum follow-up was twenty-four months. Eighty-seven patients with a median age of seventeen years (range, 1.5 to 77.5 years) matched inclusion criteria. The most common diagnoses were osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, adamantinoma, and chondrosarcoma. The median follow-up period was eighty-four months (range, twenty-five to 262 months). Ninety percent of tumors were localized in the femur or the tibia. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of our patients experienced a graft-related failure. The major complications were nonunion (40%), fracture (29%), and infection (14%). Complications occurred in 76% of patients and reoperations were necessary in 70% of patients. The median time to the latest complication was thirty-two months (range, zero to 200 months). The median time to full weight-bearing was nine months (range, one to eighty months). Fifteen grafts failed, twelve of which failed in the first four years. None of the thirty-four tibial reconstructions failed. Reconstruction site, patient age, allograft length, nail-only fixation, and non-bridging osteosynthesis were the most important risk factors for complications. Adjuvant chemotherapy and irradiation had no effects on complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: We report high complication rates and considerable failure rates for the use of intercalary allografts; complications primarily occurred in the first years after surgery, but some occurred much later after surgery. To reduce the number of failures, we recommend reconsidering the use of allografts for reconstructions of defects that are ≥15 cm, especially in older patients, and applying bridging osteosynthesis with use of plate fixation.

Different susceptibility of osteosarcoma cell lines and primary cells to treatment with oncolytic adenovirus and doxorubicin or cisplatin.

Despite improvements in treatment regimens for osteosarcoma (OS) patients, survival rate has not increased over the last two decades. New treatment modalities are therefore warranted. Preclinical results with conditionally replicative adenoviruses (CRAds) to treat OS are promising. One type of CRAd that was effective against OS cells is Ad5-Delta24RGD. In other types of cancer, CRAds have been shown to interact synergistically with chemotherapeutic agents. Chemotherapy for OS often includes doxorubicin and cisplatin. Therefore, we explored combination treatment of OS cell lines and primary OS cell cultures with Ad5-Delta24RGD and doxorubicin or cisplatin. On OS cell lines, combination treatment was additive to synergistic. Surprisingly, however, on seven of eight primary OS samples no such combination effects were observed. In contrast, in many cases chemotherapy even inhibited CRAd-mediated cell killing. The inhibitory effect of doxorubicin on Ad5-Delta24RGD in primary OS cells appeared to correlate with slow cell growth rate; reduced viral replication and absence of chemotherapy-induced G2 cell cycle arrest. Our results point to the possibility that, at least for OS, virotherapy and chemotherapy should best not be performed simultaneously. In general, our work underscores the importance of testing new genetic anticancer agents and treatment regimens on primary cancer specimens.

Long-term results of ankle fractures with a posterior malleolar fragment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate 1) long-term results of ankle fractures with a posterior malleolar fragment, and 2) the need for fixation of fragments smaller than 25%. Forty-five patients with ankle fractures and a posterior malleolar fragment were evaluated. Mean follow-up was 13 years (range, 2-24). The size and fixation of the fragment were registered. Outcome was assessed using an Ankle Fracture Scoring System (maximum: 150 points), a 10-point Numeric Scale for Pain (1 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain) and an OsteoArthritis Score (0 = no osteoarthritis, 3 = severe osteoarthritis). The mean Ankle Fracture Scoring System, Numeric Scale for Pain and Osteoarthritis-score were 124, 2.5, and 1.2, respectively. The mean size of fixated fragments was significantly larger than that of nonfixated fragments (30% versus 16%). Those patients in which the posterior malleolar fragment was fixated did not have a statistically significant better outcome than those patients in which the fragments were not fixated (Ankle Fracture Scoring System: 119 versus 126, Numeric Scale for Pain: 2.6 versus 2.4, Osteoarthritis-score: 1.0 versus 1.2). There was no significant correlation between outcome and size of unfixated fragments. Fracture-dislocation was seen more often in combination with larger fragments (24% versus 15%) and resulted in statistically significant worse long-term outcome than nondislocated fractures, except for pain (Ankle Fracture Scoring System: 115 versus 134, Osteoarthritis-score: 1.7 versus 0.8). In conclusion, patients showed good results after 13 years follow-up and there was no evidence for the need for fixation of fragments smaller than 25%.

Long-term results of multiple-stage treatment for posttraumatic osteomyelitis of the tibia.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis of the tibia requires meticulous debridement and adequate soft tissue coverage. At our institution, we perform a staged procedure consisting of surgical debridement followed by muscle coverage. If necessary, implantation of a cancellous iliac bone graft was always performed as a three-stage treatment. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 47 patients treated for posttraumatic osteomyelitis of the tibia between 1987 and 1998. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients originally had a Gustilo grade III fracture, 21 patients had a Gustilo grade I or II or closed fracture, the Gustilo grade was not known for 2 patients, and 2 patients had no fracture. Using the Cierny-Mader classification, most patients had a localized osteomyelitis. To cover the debrided area, 20 pedicled muscle transfers and 28 microvascular free flaps were used; one patient had two localizations of osteomyelitis (both proximal and distal) and received two muscle flaps. Flap failure was 8% and was successfully treated by additional flap coverage in two cases; one was closed by a split skin graft and one was closed by secundum. Twenty-six patients received a cancellous bone graft. During an average follow-up of 94 months, 9% had a recurrence of osteomyelitis for which additional surgical interventions were necessary. Finally, all the infections were eventually cured. CONCLUSION: Our staged surgery proved to be an excellent method of treating osteomyelitis after open or closed fractures of the tibia.

Operative treatment of mid-shaft clavicular non-union.

Between 1974 and 1999, we treated operatively 28 patients with a symptomatic mid-shaft clavicular non-union using AO osteosynthesis, including bone grafting. Nine patients had a wave-plate osteosynthesis and 19 a standard AO/ASIF osteosynthesis. The mean follow-up was 10 (2-25) years. All but one non-union showed full bony consolidation. Pre-operatively, brachialgia was present in 12 patients. Of these patients, six were treated using standard osteosynthesis technique and six by wave-plate osteosynthesis. Post-operatively, patients treated by wave-plate osteosynthesis had no brachialgia and also had a higher Constant score than those patients treated using standard AO/ASIF techniques.

Vascular malformations of the lower limb with osseous involvement.

Vascular malformations are rare congenital lesions which often have associated skeletal changes. Over a period of ten years, 90 patients at our clinic had a vascular anomaly of the lower limb, examined by either CT or MRI. Of these, 18 (20%) had bony involvement. A questionnaire was sent to these patients (8 men, 10 women) to evaluate their age of presentation, initial symptoms and current complaints. Radiological imaging revealed 15 low- and three high-flow lesions. The mean age at presentation to a physician was six years of age. Pain was the most common complaint. Disparity in leg length of 2 cm or more was observed in ten patients. Of the 16 patients with muscle infiltration, 13 had four or more muscles involved. Treatment by resection alone would require radical surgery.

Inversion trauma of the ankle.

By means of a questionnaire, an inventory was made of the residual complaints and possible handicaps 9 months post-injury in 1012 patients who had been treated for distortion or lateral ankle ligament injury. The response rate was 81% and responses were equally distributed among the various grades of distortion. Residual complaints were reported by 30% of the patients. The injuries were classified into three grades. For all grades, the nature and frequency of the residual complaints were the same. Explanations for the study results or guidelines for treatment cannot be derived from this study.