[Intra-articular myxofibrosarcoma of the hip in a 10-year-old child]. / Myxofibrosarcome intra-articulaire de la hanche chez un enfant de 10 ans.

We report a case of intra-articular myxofibrosarcoma with acetabular involvement observed in a 10-Year-old boy. Myxofibrosarcoma is a frequent soft tIssue sarcoma usually observed in elderly subjects. It is extremely rare in children and has not been reported previously before the age of 22 Years. Myxofibrosarcoma is a specific type of soft tIssue tumor. Discussion continues concerning its relation with the myxoid variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The myxoid matrix harbors fibroblastic cells with a curvilinear vessel configuration. Prognosis is good after complete resection and careful surveillance. Local recurrence may occur generally with progression of the tumor stage and risk of later metastasis. This is the first report of an intra-articular localization. We discuss the therapeutic options.

[Subacute osteomyelitis of the acetabulum]. / Ostéomyélite subaiguë de l'acétabulum.

A 15-months-old girl presented an excentration of the hip associated with a defect image of the acetabulum. Arthrography revealed a communication between the hip joint and the acetabular defect. Bacteriological specimens of the articular fluid were negative. The radiographic images were compatible with subacute osteomyelitis. Relative immobilization using an Atlanta abduction devise was undertaken. No medical treatment was prescribed for this adolescent who had received antibiotics for polymicrobial urinary tract infections and for pharyngitis prior to detection of the orthopedic disorder. Outcome was satisfactory with progressive filling of the acetabular defect but also with development of a subluxating coxa valga which required varus osteotomy of the femur. This case appears to illustrate a particular form of subacute osteomyelitis which is not described in earlier classifications.

The posterior sacral foramina: an anatomical study.

The vascular and nervous structures and their relations with the spinal nerve roots were examined in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th posterior sacral foramina in relation to percutaneous needle insertion for neuromodulation. A foraminal branch provided by the lateral sacral artery to each foramen entered the inferior lateral quadrant of each foramen, adjacent to the nerve root medially. Facing the posterior sacral aperture and around the sacral nerves, there was no venous plexus. A venous plexus was sometimes present near the median line, and always around the proximal part of the spinal ganglion. The sacral nerve roots, especially the 3rd, had a long extradural course in the foramen, presenting a potential risk of nerve lesions during procedures involving needle insertion.

[Intramuscular myxoma. A case of myxoma of the spinal erector muscle]. / Myxome musculaire. Une observation de myxome des muscles érecteurs du rachis.

A case of intramuscular myxoma, extended in the lumbar erector spinae muscles, is reported. This soft tissue tumor is rare, about one hundred observations are indexed in the literature. The clinical findings are nonspecific, magnetic resonance imaging reveals few characteristics, and finally a histological examination is required, after surgical removal, to pinpoint the diagnosis. Recurrence is uncommon, but a systematic follow-up is necessary.

[Oculomotor paralysis and head trauma]. / Paralysies oculomotrices et traumatismes crâniens.

Few studies have dealt with post-trauma ocular motor palsy. We analyzed 31 personal cases and reviewed the literature, focusing on pathogenesis. We emphasize the importance of a complete radiological examination including magnetic resonance imaging when the CT-scan does not provide a satisfactory correlation between anatomic findings and clinical presentation. Systematic detection, early management and regular follow-up is mandatory.

Morphologic and histologic study of the ligamentum flavum in the thoraco-lumbar region.

The ligamentum flavum, of which there are only a few studies in the literature, has several features discussed in this work. On the macroscopic level, it has a metameric arrangement: it has two layers, superficial and deep, whose fibers are opposite, and it has close relations with the tendons of attachment of some spinal erector muscles. On the microscopic level, its structure is unique for a ligament, because of a predominance of elastic fibers, because of its intrinsic innervation at each level of the spine, and because this innervation grows poorer with increasing degeneration. The ligamentum flavum constitutes an active ligament, with an essential biomechanical role. Its injury is probably not without consequences, and therefore there are many technical problems about the surgical interlaminar approach.