Halter Traction for the Treatment of Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation.

BACKGROUND: Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) comprises a spectrum of abnormal rotational relationships between C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and long-term clinical outcomes of halter traction in treating patients diagnosed with primary AARF. METHODS: We included patients <18 years of age who presented with new-onset painful torticollis, neck pain, and sternocleidomastoid muscle spasm, had an AARF diagnosis confirmed by use of 3-dimensional dynamic computed tomography, received in-hospital cervical halter traction under our treatment protocol, and were followed for ≥12 months. Radiographic and long-term clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients (31 male and 12 female; average age of 7.9 years) satisfied the inclusion criteria. There were 5 acute, 6 subacute, and 32 chronic cases. The mean duration of initial symptoms prior to treatment was 12.1 weeks. Thirty-seven (86.0%) of the patients experienced previous minor trauma, and 6 (14.0%) had a recent history of upper-respiratory infection (Grisel syndrome). The mean duration of in-hospital traction was 17.6 days. The mean follow-up period was 8.5 years. Forty-two (97.7%) of the patients achieved normal cervical alignment after treatment. One patient (2.3%) had recurrence and received a second course of halter traction, with cervical alignment restored without any surgical intervention. No neurological deficits were noted during or after the treatment. No major complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Normal anatomy and restoration of cervical alignment can be achieved by cervical halter traction in most cases of AARF. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Early full weight-bearing in patients with isolated displaced lateral malleolar fracture after rigid internal fixation with locking plates.

BACKGROUND: The timing of post-operative full weight-bearing in patients of isolated displaced lateral malleolar fractures remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of early full weight-bearing after rigid internal fixation of such fractures with locking plates. METHODS: From 2012 to 2018, 46 patients who had closed isolated displaced lateral malleolar fractures were included in the study. All fractures were managed with open reduction and internal fixation with locking plates. The patients were allowed to walk bearing their full weight 2 weeks after the operation. The follow-up period was 41.5 months on average (range: 12-70 months). The patients were available to evaluate union conditions, functional results, and complications. RESULTS: The fractures united smoothly with an average union time of 10.5 weeks (range: 8-16). At the final follow-up, the average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score Ankle-Hindfoot Score was 91 (range: 85-98). No complications were observed. CONCLUSION: For patients with isolated displaced lateral malleolar fractures, full weight-bearing is safe and effective, without an increase in the rate of complications, 2 weeks after open reduction and rigid fixation with locking plates.

Low rates of all-cause revision in displaced subcapital femoral neck fractures treated with hip hemiarthroplasty - a retrospective review of 4516 patients from a single institute.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fracture (FNF) is among the commonest fractures affecting the geriatric population. Hemiarthroplasty (HA) is a standard treatment procedure and has been performed by hip surgeons for decades. Recently, primary total hip replacement has proved advantageous for the treatment of such fractures. The aim of this study is to retrospectively review all causes of failure of all patients who underwent HA in our institute and reevaluated whether HA remains a favourable choice of treatment for patients with displaced FNFs. METHODS: A total of 4516 patients underwent HA at our centre from 1998 to 2017. The HA implants included unipolar and bipolar prostheses. Patients diagnosed with displaced FNF, underwent primary HA initially, required second revision procedures, and followed up for a minimum of 36 months were included in this study. Data were collected and comprehensively analysed. RESULTS: In 4516 cases, 99 patients underwent second surgeries. The revision rate was 2.19%. Reasons for failure were acetabular wear (n = 30, 30.3%), femoral stem subsidence (n = 24, 24.2%), periprosthetic fracture (n = 22, 22.2%), infection (n = 16, 16.2%), and recurrent dislocation (n = 7, 7.1%). The mean follow-up period was 78.1 months. The interval between failed HA and revision surgery was 22.8 months. CONCLUSION: HA has a low revision rate and remains a favourable choice of treatment for patients with displaced FNFs. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective Cohort Study, Therapeutic Study.

Efficacy of Lyophilised Platelet-Rich Plasma Powder on Healing Rate in Patients With Deep Second Degree Burn Injury: A Prospective Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a kind of plasma that is rich in platelets after processing. It includes various growth factors and cytokines, which speed up the process of wound healing and hemostasis. The PRP solution used in this study is diluted from lyophilized PRP powder, which decreased the possibility of contamination, facilitated the storage, and prolonged the storage life. From in vitro fibroblast proliferation testing, the numbers of PRP supplement were performed for 1, 4, and 7 times by continuous replacement of culture medium each day. Four times of lyophilized PRP supplement was selected for clinical study due to sufficient promotion of fibroblast proliferation. Next, 27 patients of deep second-degree burn wound were included in this study. Patients were assigned to two groups: PRP group (n = 15) and control group (n = 12). A concentration of 1.0 × 10 platelets/cm (wound area) according to wound size was sprayed on the wound evenly. Function was mainly assessed by the percentage of wound closure and bacteria picking out rate in 2 and 3 weeks. The wound closure at 3 weeks showed a significant difference in PRP group (P < 0.05). The healing rate of PRP group reached nearly 80% and made a breakthrough of 90% in 3 weeks, showing a significant difference compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Lyophilized PRP can be considered as an effective treatment to increase healing rate in patients with deep second-degree burn injury.

ANCA-negative idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis developed into ANCA-positive rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis after 12 years follow up / Fibrosis pulmonar idiopática ANCA negativa desarrollada en la glomerulonefritis de evolución rápida en ANCA positiva después de 12 años de seguimiento

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Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Negative Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Manifesting as a Scalp Hematoma After an Acute Head Injury-a Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma, typically associated with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) expression. In some cases, lack of ALK translocation correlated with a more unfavorable prognosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a case of ALK(-) ALCL that manifested as a progressive, enlarged, swollen mass on the scalp after an acute head injury in an 84-year-old man. Neither palpable lymph nodes nor any B symptoms were noted on admission. Brain computed tomography showed a hematoma in the right posterior occipital region of the scalp as the only remarkable finding. Débridement and biopsy were performed. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of the specimen revealed an ALK(-) ALCL of the scalp. The lymphoma was resistant to bendamustine-containing chemotherapies, ultimately leading to the patient's death within 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the importance of recognizing the possibility of an ALCL manifesting as a focal inflammatory swelling mass on the scalp.