Utility of Weight-Bearing MRI in the Lumbar Spine: A Novel Indication.

For decades MRI has been utilized for diagnosing spine pathology. However, like many imaging modalities utilized today, a conventional MRI is a static study. The spine is a complex, dynamic structure whose loading characteristics change with the position of the spine and the type and direction of force applied. This gives rise to dynamic pathologies that are often masked if attempted to be imaged using conventional MRIs. This is where a weight-bearing MRI (WBMRI) shines. We report the case of a 66-year-old female in whom an L3-L4 synovial facet cyst was diagnosed on a WBMRI.

Polyarticular Haemophilus Influenza Septic Arthritis in an HIV Patient.

Haemophilus influenzae is an opportunistic gram-negative bacterium most commonly found in the upper respiratory tract of humans. With the advent of vaccines, most infections caused by these bacteria have been suppressed. However, in the immunocompromised host, an invasive infection may occur, particularly within the musculoskeletal system. In this paper, we present the case of a 55-year-old male with septic shock secondary to polyarticular Haemophilus influenza infection. The patient was successfully treated with surgical irrigation and debridement, and antibiotics. Haemophilus infections should be part of the differential in patients with musculoskeletal pain and immunocompromise to avoid potential delays in surgical management.

C2 Solitary Bone Plasmacytoma Curettage and Vertebral Augmentation in an 83-Year-Old Female: Case Report and Review of Surgical Treatment Approaches in the Spine.

Surgically, solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) is typically treated with cement augmentation and occipital-cervical stabilization (OCS). In the orthopedic spine literature, various surgical treatment options have been described for SBP, but only a few studies exist describing SBP of the CCJ with treatment involving cement augmentation alone. We report the case of an 83-year-old female found to have C2 SBP that was successfully treated with curettage and cement augmentation alone.

Molecular, phenotypic aspects and therapeutic horizons of rare genetic bone disorders.

A rare disease afflicts less than 200,000 individuals, according to the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) of the United States. Over 6,000 rare disorders affect approximately 1 in 10 Americans. Rare genetic bone disorders remain the major causes of disability in US patients. These rare bone disorders also represent a therapeutic challenge for clinicians, due to lack of understanding of underlying mechanisms. This systematic review explored current literature on therapeutic directions for the following rare genetic bone disorders: fibrous dysplasia, Gorham-Stout syndrome, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, melorheostosis, multiple hereditary exostosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, craniometaphyseal dysplasia, achondroplasia, and hypophosphatasia. The disease mechanisms of Gorham-Stout disease, melorheostosis, and multiple hereditary exostosis are not fully elucidated. Inhibitors of the ACVR1/ALK2 pathway may serve as possible therapeutic intervention for FOP. The use of bisphosphonates and IL-6 inhibitors has been explored to be useful in the treatment of fibrous dysplasia, but more research is warranted. Cell therapy, bisphosphonate polytherapy, and human growth hormone may avert the pathology in osteogenesis imperfecta, but further studies are needed. There are still no current effective treatments for these bone disorders; however, significant promising advances in therapeutic modalities were developed that will limit patient suffering and treat their skeletal disabilities.