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.

[Diagnosis and therapy of benign intraarticular tumors]. / Diagnostik und Therapie benigner intraartikulärer Tumoren.

Intraarticular benign tumors are rare lesions in many cases seen as incidental findings. One of the typical lesions is the diffuse or nodular form of pigmented villonodular synovitis, which needs a complete surgical removal. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is diagnostic in most of the cases because of the intracellular iron content which shows an at least in some parts dark T2-sequence. Adjuvant therapies as radiosynoviorthesis should be considered in diffuse or recurrent lesions. Synovial Chondromatosis represents a metaplastic disorder of the synovial membrane resulting in the production of loose cartilage bodies. Also in this dissease synovectomy or, in late cases, removal of the loose bodies only, is recommended. Synovial hemangiomas are hamartomas which may lead to pain or restriction of movement. In these cases total or partial resection is justified. Alternative treatment options such as laserablation may be possible. Lipoma arborescens represents a proliferative lipoid lesion of the subsynovial region leading to villonodular synovial proliferation. If clinically symptomatic, resection by arthroscopic or open synovectomy is recommented.

[Free Gracilis Flap for Anatomic Reconstruction after Limb-sparing Sarcoma Resection]. / Freie M. gracilis-Lappenplastik zur anatomischen Rekonstruktion nach gliedmaßen-erhaltender Weichteil-Sarkom Resektion.

INTRODUCTION: Limb-sparing surgery is considered as first choice in most patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. 5-year survival rates after limb soft tissue sarcoma resection have been promising in many specalised interdisciplinary centres. Quality of life as well as extremity function have thus become an integral aspect of the surgical management of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. OBJECTIVE: We herein report on our experience in the anatomic reconstruction of the extremities following limb-sparing soft tissue sarcoma resection using microvascular gracilis muscle flap and skin grafts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2012 and 2014 an anatomic reconstruction of the hand and foot using gracilis muscle flaps following limb-sparing sarcoma resection (leiomyosarcoma N=2, myxofibrosarcoma N=2, clear cell sarcoma N=1, myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma N=1, granular cell tumour N=1, pleomorphic sarcoma N=1) was performed in N=8 patients (4 females, 4 males), average age: 44 years (23-76 years), average follow-up time 444 days (98-820). RESULTS: In all patients successful defect coverage with unimpaired wound healing was achieved (adjunctive radiotherapy n=4). The tendon of the harvested gracilis muscle was used for anatomic reconstruction of consequently resected essential anatomic structures (extensor retinaculum n=1, flexor/extensor tendons n=4, extensor expansion n=2, tendon reinsertion n=1, proximal interphalangeal joint collateral ligament n=4, dorsal metatarsal ligament n=1). During follow-up neither local recurrence nor metastasis was observed. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of multidirectional stability as well as restoring biomechanics and kinetics of the hand and foot should be considered during defect coverage and dead space obliteration management after sarcoma resection of the extremities. For reasons of sound options in anatomic extremity reconstruction with minimal donor site morbidity, the gracilis muscle flap excels in the field of limb-sparing sarcoma resection.

[Resection margins in bone tumors: what is adequate?]. / Tumorresektion: Wie weit ist weit genug?

BACKGROUND: In multimodal therapy concepts for bone sarcomas, tumor resection is a deciding factor. Modern imaging techniques have made preoperative resection planning much easier and precisely allow tumor boundaries to be defined. OBJECTIVES: There is recent data clearly showing that compartmental resections have no significant advantages compared to wide resections in terms of local recurrence or overall survival. But it remains unclear, how "wide" a "wide resection" should be done. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review of the last 15 years, discussion of review articles and multidisciplinary expert opinions as published in major multinational studies. RESULTS: Intralesional resection (R1) is feasible in highly differentiated (G1) chondrosarcoma (atypical cartilaginous tumor) of the extremity. In both osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, R0 resection is mandatory. If these fails, there is evidence that in selected cases of osteosarcoma, adjuvant radiotherapy is justified if a second resection is not possible. Expecting contaminated (R1) margins in patients with Ewing's sarcoma (e.g., in critical locations such as the pelvis), radiotherapy only is better than hoping for the "cure" of insufficient resections margins with a combination of both methods. With regard to the necessary safety distances for a R0 resection, recommendations from the literature are heterogeneous. In addition to the distance measurement, the quality of the anatomic resection margins (e.g., fascia) is of great importance. A distinct recommendation of at least x millimeters or centimeters cannot be given based on the currently available data. CONCLUSION: The aim of the resection of a bone sarcoma should be a wide margin with the exception of chondrosarcoma (G1). Ultraradical resections which sacrifice vital structures in order to extend an already wide (R0) resection margin showed no significant benefits. In patients with osteosarcoma, adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered if resection or re-resection is not in sound tissue (R1). Patients with Ewing's sarcoma should not undergo resection if a contaminated margin is expected. In patients with chondrosarcoma, the available data as for example from pelvic tumors are contradictory and do not allow a clear recommendation.

[Surveillance in patients with bone sarcomas. When, how, and for how long?]. / Nachsorge von Patienten mit Knochensarkomen. Wann, wie und wie lange?

BACKGROUND: The overall survival in patients with typical bone sarcomas such as Ewing-sarcoma, osteosarcoma, or chondrosarcoma exceeds 60% in localized disease after 5 years. Local or systemic recurrence detected by surveillance may not only improve or solve the local problem but also significantly improves the prognosis of the patient. Thus, surveillance seems to be justified. OBJECTIVES: As a consequence, the questions of how and how long surveillance should be performed must be answered. METHODS: A literature review of the last 15 years, discussion of review articles, and multidisciplinary expert opinions as published in major multinational studies. RESULTS: The decision which surveillance scheme outside of clinical studies might be appropriate largely depends on the prognostic benefit of early detection of local or systemic recurrence. The detection rate of local recurrence by the patient himself is high in extremities. A systematic technical examination for the detection of pulmonary metastases is controversial because the chance of cure in systemic progression is generally unfavorable. Whether the earlier detection of both types of recurrence due to reduced examination intervals and/or the use of a CT or MRI is significantly advantageous, remains unproven. The duration of surveillance is even less clear. Both local and systemic recurrences may be seen more than 10 years after treatment of the primary tumor. CONCLUSION: Surveillance makes sense in any case, since the detection of a local recurrence is possible already with methods easy to apply. Whether and to what extent local imaging is used is left to the individual case. Under the current conditions in Germany, local (e.g., MRI) imaging at least every 6 months during the first 2-3 years, then possibly on an annual basis is recommended. There is no evidence-based support for the decision whether and when an X-ray of the chest is indicated and whether and when a CT scan should be performed. Striking is the lack of prospective studies on surveillance concerning both patient- and economically relevant aspects of tumor therapy.

[Systemic therapy and hyperthermia for locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma]. / Systemische Therapie und Hyperthermie beim lokal fortgeschrittenen Weichteilsarkom.

Patients with high-risk soft tissue sarcomas (FNCLCC grades 2-3, > 5 cm and deep lying) are at a high risk of local recurrence or distant metastases despite optimal surgical tumor resection. Therefore, multimodal treatment should be considered for this difficult to treat patient group. Besides surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, hyperthermia has become a valid, complementary treatment option within multimodal treatment concepts. Hyperthermia in this context means the selective heating of the tumor region to temperatures of 40-43 °C for 60 min by microwave radiation in addition to simultaneous chemotherapy or radiation therapy. A randomized phase III study demonstrated that the addition of hyperthermia to neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved tumor response and was associated with a minimal risk of early disease progression as compared to chemotherapy alone. The addition of hyperthermia to a multimodal treatment regimen for high-risk soft tissue sarcoma consisting of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, either in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting after incomplete or marginal tumor resection, significantly improved local progression-free and disease-free survival. Based on these results and due to the generally good tolerability of hyperthermia, this treatment method in combination with chemotherapy should be considered as a standard treatment option within multimodal treatment approaches for locally advanced high-risk soft tissue sarcoma.

[Proximal tibial reconstruction with gastrocnemius flap]. / Proximaler Tibiaersatz mit Transfer des M. Gastrocnemius.

OBJECTIVE: Technique for limb-salvage surgery of tumors of the proximal tibia. Endoprosthetic replacement of the tibia with a modular tumor endoprosthesis and reconstruction of the extensor mechanism with a gastrocnemius flap. INDICATIONS: Primary tumors and recurrences of semimalignant tumors of the proximal tibia. Diagnosis by biopsy and, depending on the entity, neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Tumor infiltration of nerves or vessels, massive soft tissue infiltration, pathologic fracture, superinfection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The tumor is resected en bloc with wide margins including the biopsy scar, the knee joint is resected intra-extra articular, politeal structures are exposed (anatomical border to the tumor is the popliteus muscle), osteotomy of the tibia 3-5 cm distal of the tumor. After removing the tumor, reconstruction with a modular tumor endoprosthesis is performed. The medial gastrocnemius muscle is detached and mobilized, rotated anteriorly and connected to the patella tendon. Closure of the muscle and skin. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Suction drainage for 48 h, extension brace for 2 weeks, followed by partial weight-bearing for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Despite technical developments over the years, a complication rate > 10% remains. Secondary amputation due to local recurrence is reported in about 10% of cases and due to infection in 6-12%. Transient or permanent palsy of the peroneal nerve is observed in 5% of cases. A quarter of all patients have full (< 20° extension lag) active extension, the mean extension lag is about 30°. The probability of a revision (including implant related) is 60-70% after 10 years. Based on the clinical results, the technical demanding resection of the proximal tibia is a recommendable procedure.

[Proximal and total femur replacement]. / Der proximale und komplette Femurersatz.

OBJECTIVE: Reconstruction of segmental bone defects of the proximal femur following wide tumor resection or revision arthroplasty. INDICATIONS: Aggressive benign or primary malignant bone tumors of the proximal femur; destructive metastases; massive segmental bone defects of the proximal femur; periprosthetic fractures. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Local infection; very short life expectancy (< 3 months); massive deficiency of acetabular bone stock. OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE: Anterolateral approach. Exposure and detachment of the iliopsoas and gluteus medius muscle from the proximal femur with a sufficient safety margin to the bone; distal transsection of the vastus lateralis/intermedius and rectus femoris muscle according to the extraosseous tumor extension; distal femur osteotomy al least 3 cm beyond the farthest point of tumor extension; in case of total femur replacement, additional lateral arthrotomy of the knee with resection of the ligaments and menisci; reaming of the medullary canal after securing the shaft with a Verbrugge clamp; trial assembly and reduction followed by the definitive implantation of the prosthesis with adjustment of the femoral neck anteversion in 5° increments; soft tissue reconstruction and fixation to an attachment tube covering the prosthesis; in case of total femur replacement, the preparation of the tibia is followed by the coupling of the tibial and femoral components. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Infection prophylaxis, 20 kg partial weight bearing, continuous passive motion. RESULTS: A total of 20  patients with proximal femur replacement and 2 patients with total femur replacement implanted between June 2007 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Three patients had primary malignant bone tumors, while 19 patients underwent resection for metastatic disease. The mean age at surgery was 62.0 ± 18.1 years (18-82 years). Fifteen patients with a mean follow-up of 20.3 ± 17.2 months (4-51 months) were studied. Among the 22 cases, periprosthetic infection occurred in 3 patients (13.6%), dislocation in 2 patients (9.1%). Evaluation of the functional outcome in 15 patients using the MSTS score by Enneking revealed 3 very good (20%), 4 good (26.7%), 6 fair (40%), and 2 poor (13.3%) results.

The influence of adjuvants on local recurrence rate in giant cell tumour of the bone.

INTRODUCTION: Intralesional surgery of giant cell tumour of the bone (GCT) may result in a high rate of local recurrence. The introduction of local adjuvants, such as cementation, cryosurgery or phenolization, has proved to be successful in the reduction of recurrence rates. This study presents the results of a single institution in surgery of GCT with an evolution in treatment strategies. MATERIAL & METHODS: Forty primary and 25 recurrent surgical procedures in 46 patients with GCT of the bone with a median follow-up of 72 months were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age was 32.6 years (range 13.6-57.9 years). Forty-seven curettages and 18 resections were performed. For the curettages, a large bone window was cut followed by high speed burring and bone grafting or cementation. In 34 of 47 curettages and 7 of 18 resections, phenol was additionally applied. RESULTS: Two patients showed pulmonary metastasis, one died due to metastatic disease. In total, a third of the patients developed local recurrence (32.3%). This was evenly spread among primary and recurrent diesease (32.5% vs. 32%). Seven of 13 curettages without adjuvant recurred (53.9%), compared to 11 of 34 curettages with adjuvant phenol (32.4%). Three of 18 resections developed a recurrence (16.7%). No complications in respect to the use of phenol were seen. DISCUSSION: Phenolization is a safe local adjuvant therapy for GCT. Although the recurrence rate was lower with the use of phenol, this drop was not significant. The comparable high recurrence rate in our study, even if phenol was used, might be due to the fact that curettage was our favoured treatment, even in cases with an extensive juxta-articular tumour. We recommend adjuvant phenolization in the treatment of GCT of the bone after thorough curettage in applicable cases, including where cementation is used for defect filling.

Classical surgical resection of osteoid osteoma of the cervical spine.

Osteoid osteoma is a benign primary skeletal neoplasm occurring mainly in the cortex of long bones, but also in the spine. It occurs most often in young adult males and causes pain in the affected area. It presents as a nidus surrounded by reactive osteosclerosis or less often as a cancellous lesion with only a slight osteosclerosis. Osteoid osteoma may occur in basically any bone of the body, but the strategy of treatment has to be considered carefully, especially when it occurs in the spine. We report about a 38 year old female diagnosed with an osteoid osteoma located in the posterior element of the 5th cervical vertebra. She presented with persisting neck pain over one and a half years. An MRI and CT scan was performed. Due to the vicinity seen in the MRI imaging to neural structures and the slim rest of cortex in this area we decided to use the classical surgical excision through a minimal invasive approach to resect the lesion. Histological examination revealed the typical structures for osteoid osteoma. The patient was immediately free of symptoms and still is nine months after treatment. Surgical excision of an osteoid osteoma is still a good alternative to percutaneous radiofrequency ablation when treating osteoid osteoma located in close vicinity to neural structures.

[The problem of fractures of ceramic heads. What should be done?]. / Problemfall Keramikbruch. Was ist zu tun?

Fractures of ceramic heads in total hip arthroplasty are also seen in modern implants. They are more likely in S-heads with reduced ceramic thickness between the tip of the taper and the surface. Failures of ceramic inlays have been seen especially in sandwich type inlays or in cup designs with reduced range of motion causing impingement of the neck. The precise positioning of the cup is therefore of major importance. In cases of fractured ceramic implants, CoCr-heads or PE-inlays are commonly used. The use of stainless steel heads in revision surgery due to ceramic fractures is obsolete.

[Prognosis-adapted surgical management of bone metastases]. / Prognoseadaptierte operative Behandlung von Knochenmetastasen.

Surgery in metastatic disease to the bone is the most common procedure in orthopaedic oncology. To assess an adequate therapeutic approach we analysed 513 surgeries performed on 453 patients between 1980 and 2005 and reviewed the literature.The most significant factor is the histology of the primary tumour. A biopsy is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis in an unknown primary tumour, especially in cases of solitary lesions. Pulmonary carcinoma has an unfavourable prognosis compared to breast and renal cell carcinoma patients. Radical resection in isolated metastatic disease in renal cell carcinoma reduces the risk of local recurrence and even may result in a long progression-free survival. In breast cancer osseous and visceral dissemination is the most decisive factor for prognosis. An interdisciplinary approach is mandatory in every patient.

Aggressive scapular chondroblastoma with secondary metastasis--a case report and review of literature.

Chondroblastoma is a benign bone tumor, accounting for approximately one percent of all benign bone tumors. It mostly occurs in typical locations such as long bones. Malignant transformation including metastasis has been described in only a few cases. Therefore, we report a unique case of chondroblastoma with tumor manifestation in the 7th decade of life, location of the tumor in the scapula and occurrence of metastasis in the soft tissue of the mandible branch. Due to aggravation of the clinical course, a scapula en bloc resection was performed. The differential diagnosis is discussed and the current literature concerning malignant transformation of chondroblastoma is reviewed.

The influence of the implant size on the outcome of unconstrained total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The influence of implant size on the results in unconstrained total knee arthroplasty has never been investigated before. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 133 patients with unconstrained total knee arthroplasty were examined (HSS Score, Knee Society Score) with consideration of the different sizes of femoral and tibial components and the thicknesses of the tibial inlays. The medium follow up was 41.2 months (8 months to 74 months). RESULTS: Although the different component sizes gained different results, the differences were not significant. The combination of two component sizes did not lead to a significant change of the results. The results of the Knee Society Score seemed to become worse with thinner polyethylene tibial inlays although these differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, implant size had no significant influence on the outcome of total knee arthroplasty. The combination of two implant sizes showed no disadvantage.

[Macerated human hip bone preparation as a substitute for fresh frozen preparations for testing the primary stability and frictional torques of cementless hip cups]. / Mazerierte Hüftpfannenpräparate als Ersatz für fresh-frozen-Präparate zur Testung von Primärstabilität und Einschraubverhalten zementfreier Hüftpfannen.

AIM: The aim of the study was to validate macerated human acetabuli as replacement for fresh frozen preparations for testing primary stability and the screwing in moments of cementless threaded hip cups. METHOD: Three fresh frozen human pelvis were tested. One half of each pelvis was macerated whereas the other half was preserved as fresh frozen preparation. In the side of every pelvis the moments of screwing-in, the micromotions, the maximum expressing force and the maximum pull-out torque were determined. RESULTS: The screwing in moments, the maximum expressing forces and the maximum pull-out torques did not change. The micromotions were reduced to half. CONCLUSION: Considering the reduction of the micromotions, macerated human acetabuli are valid replacements for fresh frozen preparations for testing the primary stability and the screwing-in behaviour of screwed pans.

Role of MRI for the diagnosis and prognosis of multiple myeloma.

For the correct staging of patients with multiple myeloma sensitive detection is mandatory in order to estimate prognosis and to decide for adequate therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is superior to radiography for both, focal and diffuse involvement. Five different infiltration patterns can be differentiated: (1) normal appearance of bone marrow despite minor microscopic plasma cell infiltration, (2) focal involvement, (3) homogeneous diffuse infiltration, (4) combined diffuse and focal infiltration, (5) "salt-and-pepper"-pattern with inhomogeneous bone marrow with interposition of fat islands. For the fast and complete assessment of all patterns a combination of a T1-weighted spin echo sequence and a fat suppression technique should be employed. The focal involvement is clearly demonstrated as areas of high signal intensity on, e.g. STIR images. Diffuse involvement is best detected on unenhanced T1-weighted SE sequences and it manifests as homogeneous signal reduction. It can be quantified objectively by calculation of the percentage of signal intensity increase after contrast material injection. With parallel imaging and special coil devices, such as total imaging matrix (Siemens systems, Avanto) a "screening" of the whole red bone marrow as for myeloma infiltration is possible within a reasonable time. Patients without bone marrow infiltration have a significantly longer survival than patients with bone marrow infiltration in MRI at the time of diagnosis. However, even in stage I disease (Durie and Salmon) and negative X-ray films bone marrow infiltration in MRI may be detected in 29-50% of patients. Those patients typically show an earlier disease progression. Recently, MRI has been implemented in the clinical staging of patients with multiple myeloma. MRI may also monitor response to therapy. Signs of good response in cases with focal involvement are: reduction of signal intensity on T2-weighted spin echo images, lack or rim-like enhancement after contrast material injection or even a normalisation of bone marrow signal. In case of diffuse involvement a partly patchy reconversion to fatty marrow can be seen.

[Results of arthrodesis of the upper ankle joint]. / Ergebnisse nach Arthrodese des oberen Sprunggelenks.

AIM: This study presents the results of arthrodesis of the ankle in non-inflammatory osteoarthritic conditions. METHOD: 34 open arthrodeses (33 patients) were followed for 5.5 +/- 3.2 years after surgery. At follow-up clinical results were evaluated by the Kitaoka and Gruen scores and standing X-rays were analysed for the talo-calcaneal angle and the grade of arthrosis. RESULTS: Patients expressed high and very high satisfaction in 84 % of the cases; good results were higher with the Gruen score (79 %) than with the Kitaoka score (50 %). The patients did not complain pain but had some limitation in walking distance; gait was compensated in 44 % of the patients. A significant increase of arthrosis in adjacent joints could not be observed. A pseudoarthosis was observed in four cases and minor, conservatively treated complications arose in seven cases. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, on the basis of these results, arthrodesis of the ankle still has a place in therapy due to the high patient satisfaction.

Medium to long-term results with the cementless threaded Acetabular Munich II type cup.

Compared to pressfit cups, little information exists about the results of screwed cups in hip arthroplasty. 51 cementless or hybrid (cemented stem) primary total hip replacements with a cementless corundium blasted titaniumn alloy threaded Aesculap Munich II type cup were examined with a mean follow up of 7.9 years. 23 of the patients were male and 28 patients were female. From these cups 22 were implanted on the right side and 29 on the left. The results were compared to 53 patients (28 male, 25 female, 29 right side, 24 left side) with the threaded Aesculap Munich I type cup, that has a smooth surface and a direct contact of bone with the polyethylene inlay. The mean follow up ws 10.2 years. The early and medium to long-term clinical and radiographic results show an encouraging improvement of the Merle d'Aubigné Score of the type II cup compared to the type I cup. Two of the Aesculap type Munich II cups had to be revised; four showed radiologic signs of loosening. In conclusion, the threaded Aesculap cup type Munich II seems to be a decisive advance in the development of threaded acetabular hip cups. The intermediate results exceed those from smooth-surface screwed rings and compare favourably with those from cemented cups and with those from cementless press-fit metal-backed cups.

Malignant transformation of a benign enchondroma of the hand to secondary chondrosarcoma with isolated pulmonary metastasis.

Malignant transformation of solitary enchondromas of the hand to secondary chondrosarcomas is extremely rare. We report a case of a recurrent chondromatous tumor of the hand that initially presented with the typical histology of a cellular enchondroma of the small tubular bones but with clinical and radiological signs of malignancy. After development of a single pulmonary metastasis of a chondromyxoid tumor a malignant transformation of the primary enchondroma of the hand must be assumed.

Stewart-Treves syndrome as a rare complication of a hereditary lymphedema.

Lymphangiosarcoma (LAS) may occur as a rare complication of primary lymphedema. A case of LAS in hereditary lymphedema of the lower extremity in a 36-year old female is reported. Despite of chemotherapy, local hyperthermia and later amputation of the extremity the patient died of progressive disease due to pulmonary metastasis. In respect to this case, the different therapeutic concepts, as reported in the literature, and their results are presented and discussed.