Chemokine CXCL9, a marker of inflammaging, is associated with changes of muscle strength and mortality in older men.

Our study examined associations of the CXC motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), a pro-inflammatory protein implicated in age-related inflammation, with musculoskeletal function in elderly men. We found in certain outcomes both cross-sectional and longitudinal significant associations of CXCL9 with poorer musculoskeletal function and increased mortality in older men. This requires further investigation. PURPOSE: We aim to determine the relationship of (CXCL9), a pro-inflammatory protein implicated in age-related inflammation, with both cross-sectional and longitudinal musculoskeletal outcomes and mortality in older men. METHODS: A random sample from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study cohort (N = 300) was chosen for study subjects that had attended the third and fourth clinic visits, and data was available for major musculoskeletal outcomes (6 m walking speed, chair stands), hip bone mineral density (BMD), major osteoporotic fracture, mortality, and serum inflammatory markers. Serum levels of CXCL9 were measured by ELISA, and the associations with musculoskeletal outcomes were assessed by linear regression and fractures and mortality with Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: The mean CXCL9 level of study participants (79.1 ± 5.3 years) was 196.9 ± 135.2 pg/ml. There were significant differences for 6 m walking speed, chair stands, physical activity scores, and history of falls in the past year across the quartiles of CXCL9. However, higher CXCL9 was only significantly associated with changes in chair stands (ß = - 1.098, p < 0.001) even after adjustment for multiple covariates. No significant associations were observed between CXCL9 and major osteoporotic fracture or hip BMD changes. The risk of mortality increased with increasing CXCL9 (hazard ratio quartile (Q)4 vs Q1 1.98, 95% confidence interval 1.25-3.14; p for trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Greater serum levels of CXCL9 were significantly associated with a decline in chair stands and increased mortality. Additional studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm our findings.

Direct anterior compared to posterior approach for hip hemiarthroplasty following femoral neck fractures.

The differences in complication rates between the direct anterior and posterior approaches for hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures are not yet fully understood. Dislocation, a severe complication associated with increased mortality and often requiring additional surgery, may occur less frequently with the direct anterior approach compared to the posterior approach. Careful consideration of patient demographics is essential when planning the surgical approach. Future research in this area should focus on robust randomized controlled trials involving elderly patients recovering from femoral neck fractures.

Clinical Outcomes and Management Strategies for Capitellum and Trochlea Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Capitellum and trochlea fractures, also referred to as coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus, are infrequent yet challenging intra-articular fractures of the elbow. There are a variety of surgical approaches and fixation methods with often variable outcomes. This systematic review investigates interventions, outcomes and complications of capitellum and trochlea fractures. Methods: A systematic review of studies published in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health literature (CINAHL) was conducted to assess the clinical outcomes of capitellum and trochlea fractures managed surgically. Data on patient demographics, surgical approach, implant usage, postoperative outcomes and complications were compiled. Results: Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 700 patients. Surgical interventions primarily utilized either the lateral (79%) or antero-lateral (15%) approaches with headless compression screws as the most common fixation method (68%). Clinical outcomes were measured using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) with a mean score of 89.9 (±2.6) and the DASH score with a mean of 16.9 (±7.3). Elbow range of motion showed a mean flexion of 126.3° (±19.4), extension of 5.71° (±11.8), pronation of 75.23° (±12.2), and supination of 76.6° (±9.8). The mean flexion-extension arc was 113.7° (±16.9), and the mean pronation-supination arc was 165.31° (±9.41). Complications occurred in 19.8% of cases, with re-interventions required in 8.3% of cases, mainly due to symptomatic implants and elbow stiffness requiring surgical release. Other complications included implant removal (10.4%), overall reported stiff elbows (6%), nerve palsies (2%), non-union (1.5%), and infection (1.2%). Conclusion: The treatment of capitellum and trochlea fractures yields satisfactory outcomes but has a considerable rate of complications and reoperations primarily due to symptomatic implants and elbow stiffness. There is noteworthy variability in the achieved range of motion, suggesting unpredictable outcomes. Deficits in functionality and range of motion are common after surgery, especially with more complex injury patterns.

Ipsilateral Foot Drop and Erectile Dysfunction After the Use of a Traction Table in Intramedullary Femur Fixation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

This report presents a case of ipsilateral foot drop and erectile dysfunction following the use of a traction table during intramedullary femur fixation. The patient, a 39-year-old male, underwent surgery for a femur fracture using an intramedullary nail and was positioned on a traction table during the procedure. Post-operatively, he developed foot drop and erectile dysfunction. Neurological examination revealed peroneal nerve injury as the likely cause of the foot drop. The erectile dysfunction was attributed to pudendal nerve injury. Various treatment options were considered, including physical therapy for foot drop and phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction. In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing potential complications associated with traction table use in orthopedic procedures, particularly concerning neurological sequelae and sexual dysfunction.

Vertical root fracture diagnosis in teeth with metallic posts: Impact of metal artifact reduction and sharpening filters.

Purpose: This study examined the influence of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool, sharpening filters, and their combination on the diagnosis of vertical root fracture (VRF) in teeth with metallic posts using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Twenty single-rooted human premolars - 9 with VRF and 11 without - were individually placed in a human mandible. A metallic post composed of a cobalt-chromium alloy was inserted into the root canal of each tooth. CBCT scans were then acquired under the following parameters: 8 mA, a 5×5 cm field of view, a voxel size of 0.085 mm, 90 kVp, and with MAR either enabled or disabled. Five oral and maxillofacial radiologists independently evaluated the CBCT exams under each MAR mode and across 3 sharpening filter conditions: no filter, Sharpen 1×, and Sharpen 2×. The diagnostic performance was quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. These metrics were compared using 2-way analysis of variance with a significance level of α=5%. Intra- and inter-examiner agreement were assessed using the weighted kappa test. Results: Neither MAR nor the application of sharpening filters significantly impacted AUC or specificity (P>0.05). However, sensitivity increased when MAR was combined with Sharpen 1× and Sharpen 2× (P=0.015). The intra-examiner agreement ranged from fair to substantial (0.34-0.66), while the inter-examiner agreement ranged from fair to moderate (0.27-0.41). Conclusion: MAR in conjunction with sharpening filters improved VRF detection; therefore, their combined use is recommended in cases of suspected VRF.

Fully Automatic Deep Learning Model for Spine Refracture in Patients with OVCF: A Multi-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: The reaserch of artificial intelligence (AI) model for predicting spinal refracture is limited to bone mineral density, X-ray and some conventional laboratory indicators, which has its own limitations. Besides, it lacks specific indicators related to osteoporosis and imaging factors that can better reflect bone quality, such as computed tomography (CT). OBJECTIVE: To construct a novel predicting model based on bone turn-over markers and CT to identify patients who were more inclined to suffer spine refracture. METHODS: CT images and clinical information of 383 patients (training set = 240 cases of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF), validation set = 63, test set = 80) were retrospectively collected from January 2015 to October 2022 at three medical centers. The U-net model was adopted to automatically segment ROI. Three-dimensional (3D) cropping of all spine regions was used to achieve the final ROI regions including 3D_Full and 3D_RoiOnly. We used the Densenet 121-3D model to model the cropped region and simultaneously build a T-NIPT prediction model. Diagnostics of deep learning models were assessed by constructing ROC curves. We generated calibration curves to assess the calibration performance. Additionally, decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical utility of the predictive models. RESULTS: The performance of the test model is comparable to its performance on the training set (dice coefficients of 0.798, an mIOU of 0.755, an SA of 0.767, and an OS of 0.017). Univariable and multivariable analysis indicate that T_P1NT was an independent risk factor for refracture. The performance of predicting refractures in different ROI regions showed that 3D_Full model exhibits the highest calibration performance, with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit (HL) test statistic exceeding 0.05. The analysis of the training and test sets showed that the 3D_Full model, which integrates clinical and deep learning results, demonstrated superior performance with significant improvement (p-value < 0.05) compared to using clinical features independently or using only 3D_RoiOnly. CONCLUSION: T_P1NT was an independent risk factor of refracture. Our 3D-FULL model showed better performance in predicting high-risk population of spine refracture than other models and junior doctors do. This model can be applicable to real-world translation due to its automatic segmentation and detection.

Impact of Safety Device Features Upon Motor Vehicle Collision Facial Fracture Traumas: A Five-Year Retrospective Study in the Appalachian Tri-State Area.

Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) represent a significant public health concern, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality globally. Despite advancements in vehicle safety technology, the impact of safety measures on facial fractures in MVCs remains poorly understood, especially in regions with diverse road conditions like the Appalachian tri-state area. This retrospective study analyzed data from two regional level II trauma centers in Appalachia, focusing on MVC-related facial fractures and safety device usage from January 2017 to December 2021. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were employed to assess associations between safety devices and injury outcomes. The study comprised 85 participants, categorized into groups based on safety device usage. Results indicated no significant differences in demographic characteristics, injury severity, surgical intervention rates, or specific facial fractures among groups. These findings challenge some previous research suggesting the protective effects of safety devices on facial fractures in MVCs, underscoring the complex nature of injury prevention in this context. While limitations such as retrospective data collection and sample size constrain generalizability, this study contributes valuable insights for informing injury prevention strategies and trauma care practices in Appalachia and beyond.

Examining the role of ChatGPT in the management of distal radius fractures: insights into its accuracy and consistency.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of distal radius fractures remains a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), especially ChatGPT, affords significant potential in improving healthcare and research. This study aims to assess the accuracy and consistency of ChatGPT's knowledge in managing distal radius fractures, with a focus on its capability to provide information for patients and assist in the decision-making processes of orthopaedic clinicians. METHODS: We presented ChatGPT with seven questions on distal radius fracture management over two sessions, resulting in 14 responses. These questions covered a range of topics, including patient inquiries and orthopaedic clinical decision-making. We requested references for each response and involved two orthopaedic registrars and two senior orthopaedic surgeons to evaluate response accuracy and consistency. RESULTS: All 14 responses contained a mix of both correct and incorrect information. Among the 47 cited references, 13% were accurate, 28% appeared to be fabricated, 57% were incorrect, and 2% were correct but deemed inappropriate. Consistency was observed in 71% of the responses. CONCLUSION: ChatGPT demonstrates significant limitations in accuracy and consistency when providing information on distal radius fractures. In its current format, it offers limited utility for patient education and clinical decision-making.

Risk of limb amputation and bone fractures with sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: a Network Meta-analysis and Meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have gained immense attention for a variety of indications. Limb amputations (LA) and fractures were reported in clinical trials. This network meta-analysis and meta-regression were carried out to quantify the risks of these events. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Randomized clinical trials evaluating SGLT2is and reporting patients developing LA/fracture were included. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were the effect estimates. Sub-group analyses and meta-regression analysis were carried out. RESULTS: Ninety articles were included (LA: 36 studies; 96522 participants and fracture: 66 studies; 102,862 participants). An increased risk of LA (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.3) was observed. Amongst SGLT2is, canagliflozin was associated with increased risk of LA (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.4) while dapagliflozin with fracture (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1, 1.2). Sub-group analysis revealed increased risk of LA with an OR of 1.3 amongst those in the age group of > 40 to < 65, body-mass index of >30 kg/m2, HbA1c category of > 7%, duration of diabetes of >10 years, type 2 diabetes, and an OR of 1.2 for SGLT2is administration of >6 months. CONCLUSIONS: SGLT2is were observed with an increased risk of LA. High risk categories were identified for which precautions should be recommended in the standard treatment guidelines. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/5fwyk).

Reamed intramedullary nailing of diaphyseal multifragmentary femur fractures (AO/OTA 32-C) without fluoroscopy guidance: prospective analysis of methods and short-term outcomes in a low-resource setting.

PURPOSE: To describe the methods and outcomes of reamed intramedullary nailing (IMN) of diaphyseal multifragmentary femur (AO/OTA C2 and C3) fractures (DMFFs) in a low-resource setting without fluoroscopy and fracture table. METHODS: The prospective study involved 35 DMFFs among 318 femur fractures treated ≤ 3 weeks post-injury with SIGN nails. The fractures were fixed without fluoroscopy, fracture table and power reaming. Closed, mini-open or open reduction was done. Anatomical length and alignment were ensured using a surgical support triangle during retrograde nailing, and by an assistant during antegrade nailing. Follow-ups were done at 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months. RESULTS: DMFFs constituted 11.0% of the 318 fractures. Twenty-four (68.6%) were males. The mean age was 39.0 years (range 17-75 years). About 94.3% were injured in road traffic accidents. Fracture reduction was closed in 18, mini-open in 8 and full-open in 9. The operative times were significantly shorter for closed than open reduction (p = 0.001). Five fractures received a supplemental fixation with plate or lag screws. By the 12th post-operative week, 97.1% demonstrated continuing radiographic healing, 94.1% tolerated painless weight-bearing and 91.2% could squat & smile. There was no infection or noticeable rotational malunion. Five fractures healed with a limb-length discrepancy of < 2 cm. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the feasibility of reamed IMN of DMFFs without fluoroscopy. The outcomes were satisfactory. Although the small sample size and short follow-up period are limitations, the study could serve as a basis for future larger studies in low-resource settings.

Routine 6-weeks outpatient visit in patients treated surgically for upper extremity fractures: Is it truly necessary?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the usefulness of the routinely planned six-week outpatient visit and x-ray in patients treated surgically for the most common upper extremity fractures including clavicle, proximal humerus, humeral shaft, olecranon, radial shaft and distal radius. METHOD: This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients treated surgically for the most common upper extremity fractures between 2019 and 2022 in a level 1 trauma center. The first outcome of interest was the incidence of abnormalities found on the x-ray made at the 6-week outpatient visit. Abnormalities were defined as all differences between the intra-operative (or direct postoperative) and 6-week x-ray. In case an abnormality was detected, the hospital records were screened to determine its clinical consequence. The clinical consequences were categorized into requiring either additional diagnostics, additional interventions, change of standard postoperative immobilization, weightbearing or allowed range of motion (ROM). The second outcome of interest was the incidence of deviations from the local standard post operative treatment and follow-up protocol based on the 6-week outpatient visit as a whole. Deviations were also categorized into either requiring additional diagnostics, additional interventions, change of standard postoperative immobilization, weightbearing or allowed range of motion. RESULTS: A total of 267 patients were included. Abnormalities on x-ray at 6 weeks postoperatively were found in only 10 (3.7%) patients of which only 4 (1.5%) had clinical implications (in three patients extra imaging was required and in one patient it was necessary to deviate from standard weightbearing/ROM limitation regime). The clinical/radiological findings during the 6-week outpatient visit led to a deviation from standard in only 8 (3.0%) patients. Notably, the majority of these patients experienced symptoms suggestive for complications. CONCLUSION: The routine 6-week outpatient visit and x-ray, after surgery for common upper extremity fractures, rarely has clinical consequences. It should be questioned whether these routine visits are necessary and whether a more selective approach should be considered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV; Case Series; Prognosis Study.

Clinical and radiographic results of internal fixation of quadrilateral plate fractures of acetabulum.

INTRODUCTION: Quadrilateral plate (QLP) is a relatively thin bony structure located below the pelvic brim proximal to the hip joint, so management of its fractures is challenging. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the functional and radiological outcomes of internal fixation of quadrilateral plate acetabular fractures; comparison of two methods of fracture fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective multicentric study including 30 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of QLP fractures through modified Stoppa approach. Patients were divided into two groups according to the method of fixation (anatomical QLP plate vs suprapectineal and infrapectineal plates). Post-operative quality of reduction was evaluated using Matta score. Radiographical assessment according Matta's grading criteria and clinical outcome assessment using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) were repeated at follow-up and at one year to assess displacement. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 34.9 ± 12.1 years. After one year follow-up, clinically mean HHS was 88. ± 5.74. Radiologically post-operative reduction quality was anatomical in 21 (70%) patients, satisfactory in eight (26.7%) patients and unsatisfactory in one (3.3%) patient. Matta's grading at the last follow-up was excellent in 21 (70%) patients, good in six (20%), fair in two (6.7%) patients and poor in one (3.3%) patient. No significant difference was recorded between the two groups in terms of radiographical and clinical results and rate of complications. CONCLUSION: Accurate reduction of quadrilateral plate fracture with secure fixation through modified Stoppa approach provides good and reproducible outcomes with few complications regardless the type of the implant.

Mandibular fracture in medication-associated osteonecrosis following infliximab therapy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Medication-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is characterized by the presence of exposed bone or an intraoral or extraoral fistula in the maxillofacial region in patients with a history of treatment with anti-resorptive and anti-angiogenic drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies, and without a history of radiotherapy or metastatic diseases in the area. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to report a case of a pathological mandibular fracture in an area of MRONJ in a patient diagnosed with Crohn's disease treated with infliximab. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old male patient, an active smoker for 35 years, diagnosed with Crohn's disease, undergoing intravenous administration of infliximab 300 mg for 1 year and 3 months, with no previous history of anti-angiogenic or anti-resorptive medication, presenting with an extraoral fistula in the submandibular region for 4 months, with painful symptoms, diagnosed as MRONJ. He was initially treated conservatively, using antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), antibiotic therapy, and the PENTO protocol. However, the patient evolved with a pathological fracture in the mandibular parasymphysis, requiring surgical reconstruction. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Pathological fracture of the mandible is a complication of MRONJ that compromises the patient's quality of life. The management of patients with MRONJ is complex and challenging.

Prevalence and risk factors for atypical femoral fracture among Lebanese patients with hip and shaft fractures.

This retrospective study investigates the prevalence of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) among patients admitted with hip and shaft fractures at a tertiary referral center in Beirut, Lebanon. We analyzed electronic medical records and radiology studies of patients aged above 40 admitted with hip and shaft fractures between January 2006 and December 2019. Fractures were confirmed by ICD9 or ICD10 codes. All cases were reviewed by radiologists, and AFFs were identified according to the 2013 revised ASBMR criteria. We identified 1366 hip and shaft fracture patients, of which 14 female patients had 19 AFFs. This represents a prevalence of 1.0% among all hip and shaft fractures patients and 1.7% among all female hip and shaft fracture patients. Bilateral AFFs were found in 5 of the 14 patients. Patients with AFF tended to be younger, with a mean age of 74.3 (±8.6) yr compared to 78.0 (±10.6) for patients with non-AFF fractures. A total of 36% of AFF patients had a prior history of non-traumatic fracture at first admission. A high percentage of patients with AFFs reported intake of proton pump inhibitors (42.9%) and glucocorticoids (21.4%). Bisphosphonate exposure was noted in 64.3% of AFF patients. None of the AFF patients were active smokers or consumed alcohol regularly. BMD assessments were available for 7 AFF patients, indicating osteoporosis in 4 and osteopenia in 3 cases. Hip axis length measurements showed no significant difference between AFF patients (N = 7) and sex and age-matched controls (N = 21). The study underlines the prevalence and characteristics of AFFs in Lebanon, which is consistent with the numbers reported in the literature (0.32%-5%). A larger prospective study that includes hospitals across the nation is needed to gain a more comprehensive view of the prevalence of AFFs in the Lebanese population.

The Results of Hook Plate Fixation in Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation and Distal Clavicle Fractures.

Background: Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation and distal clavicle fractures are common shoulder injuries. Different methods of fixation are used to treat such injuries, each has its advantages and disadvantages. In this study, we tested fixation using the hook plate. We think that it is technically simple, reliable and more effective in certain surgical situations. However, it is not gaining adequate popularity due to the potential complications of the plate placement including subacromial osteolysis, impingement, rotator cuff injury and others. A second surgery for plate removal is classically indicated to cope with such complications. Objective: The aim of this study included evaluating the clinical and radiological healing after hook plate fixation in ACJ dislocation and distal clavicle fractures and assessing the incidence and clinical significance of subacromial osteolysis. Methods: It is a prospective observational study with a total of 96 cases including 64 ACJ dislocations and 32 distal clavicle fractures. Constant-Murley score was used for clinical evaluation. The patients were evaluated regularly with a minimum follow up of 12 months after plate removal. Results: At the end of the study we found that the results of the hook plate fixation for both groups were good clinically and radiologically. The clinical result score was found to be initially higher among the patients of the ACJ dislocation mainly due to the earlier plate removal in these patients. However, the final score was found to be comparable in both groups. The incidence of the subacromial osteolysis was found to be higher among the patients with clavicle fractures as the plate was retained for a longer time. However we found that subacromial osteolysis did not imply any increased rate of symptoms over the patients who did not show this complication on the X-ray. Conclusion: Based on these observations, we recommend the hook plate fixation to be added to the armamentarium of the orthopaedic surgeon treating such injuries as it is simple to implement, durable and capable of dealing with difficult situations. The main disadvantage of this method is the need for a second surgery for plate removal.

Low-dose glucocorticoid increase the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with low bone mass: a retrospective cohort study.

Long-term glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment is associated with osteoporosis and fractures. We investigated whether low-dose GC treatment also increased the risk of osteoporotic fractures, and the results showed that even low-dose GC treatment increased the risk of osteoporotic fractures, especially spine fractures. PURPOSE: The effect of low-dose glucocorticoid (GC) therapy on the fracture risk in postmenopausal women with low bone mass was investigated. METHODS: 119,790 66-year-old postmenopausal women with low bone mass based on bone mineral density (BMD) results were included. GC group consisted of patients who had been prescribed oral GCs within 6 months of BMD testing. In GC group, GCs dosage was calculated by a defined daily dose (DDD), and divided into five groups according to GC usage (Group 1[G1]; < 11.25 DDDs, G2; ≥ 11.25, < 22.5 DDDs, G3; ≥ 22.5, < 45 DDDs, G4; ≥ 45, < 90 DDDs, G5; ≥ 90 DDDs). The risk of major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) and non-MOF was analyzed and compared with that of the control group during the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The risk of total fracture was higher in G3-G5 than in the control group (G3, hazard ratio (HR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.46; G4, 1.37 [1.13-1.66]; G5 1.45 [1.08-1.94]). The risk of MOF was higher in all groups except G2 than in the control group (G1, 1.23 [1.05-1.45]; G3, 1.37 [1.11-1.68]; G4, 1.41 [1.09-1.83]; G5, 1.66 [1.14-2.42]). The risk of spine fracture was significantly higher in all GC groups except G2 than in the control group. The risk of non-MOF was higher only in G4 than in the control group (G4, 1.48 [1.13-1.94]). CONCLUSION: Low-dose GC therapy can increase the risk of osteoporotic fractures, particularly spine fractures, in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.

Development and validation of a predictive model for vertebral fracture risk in osteoporosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) risk by integrating demographic, bone mineral density (BMD), CT imaging, and deep learning radiomics features from CT images. METHODS: A total of 169 osteoporosis-diagnosed patients from three hospitals were randomly split into OVFs (n = 77) and Non-OVFs (n = 92) groups for training (n = 135) and test (n = 34). Demographic data, BMD, and CT imaging details were collected. Deep transfer learning (DTL) using ResNet-50 and radiomics features were fused, with the best model chosen via logistic regression. Cox proportional hazards models identified clinical factors. Three models were constructed: clinical, radiomics-DTL, and fusion (clinical-radiomics-DTL). Performance was assessed using AUC, C-index, Kaplan-Meier, and calibration curves. The best model was depicted as a nomogram, and clinical utility was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: BMD, CT values of paravertebral muscles (PVM), and paravertebral muscles' cross-sectional area (CSA) significantly differed between OVFs and Non-OVFs groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between training and test cohort. Multivariate Cox models identified BMD, CT values of PVM, and CSAPS reduction as independent OVFs risk factors (P < 0.05). The fusion model exhibited the highest predictive performance (C-index: 0.839 in training, 0.795 in test). DCA confirmed the nomogram's utility in OVFs risk prediction. CONCLUSION: This study presents a robust predictive model for OVFs risk, integrating BMD, CT data, and radiomics-DTL features, offering high sensitivity and specificity. The model's visualizations can inform OVFs prevention and treatment strategies.

The effects of high-dose radiation therapy on bone: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: This scoping review presents the preclinical and clinical data on the effects of high-dose radiation therapy (RT) on bone structure and function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive PubMed search was performed for the relevant questions. The data were then synthesized into a comprehensive summary of the available relevant in-vitro, preclinical and clinical literature. RESULTS: In-vitro studies of high-dose RT on cell cultures show considerable damage in the viability and functional capacity of the primary cells of the bones; the osteoclasts, the osteoblasts, and the osteocytes. In-vivo animal models show that high-dose RT induces significant morphological changes to the bone, inhibits the ability of bone to repair damage, and increases the fragility of the bone. Clinical data show that there is an increasing risk over time of damage to the bone, such as fractures, after high-dose RT. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there may be a limit to the safe dose for single-fraction RT, and the long-term consequences of high-dose RT for the patients must be considered.

Traumatic pelvic ring fracture during pregnancy: a systematic review.

Purpose: This systematic review aims to investigate the management and outcomes of pelvic ring fractures (PRFs) during pregnancy, emphasizing maternal and fetal mortality rates, mechanisms of injury, and treatment modalities. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of databases from 2000 to 2023, identifying 33 relevant studies. Data extraction included demographics, fracture types, treatment methods, and outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the JBI criteria. Results: Maternal mortality stood at 9.1%, with fetal mortality at 42.4%. Maternal factors impacting mortality included head trauma and hemodynamic instability. Fetal mortality correlated with mechanisms like motor vehicle accidents and maternal vital signs. Surgical and conservative treatments were applied, with a majority of pelvic surgeries performed before delivery. External fixators proved effective in fracture stabilization. Conclusion: Pelvic ring fractures during pregnancy present significant risks to maternal and fetal health. Early stabilization and vigilant monitoring of maternal vital signs are crucial. Vaginal bleeding/discharge serves as a critical fetal risk indicator. The choice between surgical and conservative treatment minimally influenced outcomes. Multidisciplinary collaboration and tailored interventions are essential in managing these complex cases.

Skeletal abnormalities, pediatric-onset severe osteoporosis, and multiple fragility fractures in a patient with a novel CTNNB1 de novo variant.

We report a case of a patient with a de novo germline heterozygous truncating variant of CTNNB1 gene (c.2172del, p.Tyr724Ter) causing neurodevelopmental disorder with spastic diplegia and visual defects syndrome (NEDSDV) associated with a new clinical feature - severe pediatric-onset osteoporosis and multiple fractures. A functional effect of the identified variant was demonstrated using adipose-tissue derived primary mesenchymal stem cells, where we detected the alteration of CTNNB1mRNA and ß-catenin protein levels using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis.