Peri-implant Atypical Fractures Associated with Bisphosphonates: Should this Clinical Entity be Included in the Definition of Atypical Femoral Fracture? Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, growing evidence of the association between bisphosphonate use and incidence of atypical femoral fractures has emerged. Cases of peri-implant fractures associated with bisphosphonate use suggest the emergence of a new clinical entity because they are not currently covered by the definition of atypical femoral fracture. CASE REPORT: We present here two rare clinical cases treated in our hospital. Two women (68 and 76 years old) with peri-implant (cephalomedullary nail) fractures and history of prolonged bisphosphonate use (11 and 14 years). Both fractures occurred after minor trauma and showed an atypical fracture pattern. One of the patients underwent revision osteosynthesis and had a 12 months follow-up. The second patient was submitted to orthopedic treatment and had a 6months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although reports of periprosthetic fractures and peri-implant(plate and screws) have been published, references to peri-implant cephalomedullary nail fractures were not found in the literature. Here, we question if these fracture types should be included in the current definition of atypical femoral fracture, or form a new clinical entity.

An unusual case of diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of the shoulder: A multidisciplinary approach with arthroscopic synovectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare proliferative disorder of the synovial membrane. This condition is usually monoarticular, can be locally destructive, and involves muscles, tendons, bursae, bones, and skin. The most commonly affected joints are the knee and hip, followed by the ankle and shoulder. Patients often present with pain, swelling, and joint effusion; however, the duration of symptoms varies. Total synovectomy is the preferred treatment for PVNS. Subtotal synovectomy is a factor of recurrence, and in diffuse PVNS, total excision is very difficult to achieve. Radiotherapy may have an adjunctive role, particularly in incomplete resection or as a treatment of salvation in recurrent cases. This treatment modality has low toxicity levels and enables satisfactory joint function. This is a case report of a rare case of diffuse PVNS of the shoulder that was treated with partial arthroscopic synovectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. A 74-year-old male patient presented with gradual onset pain, hemarthrosis, and functional impairment of the right shoulder without previous trauma history. Magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder demonstrated a diffuse synovial thickening that was compatible with PVNS and rotator cuff destruction. The lesion was partially excised by arthroscopy. The patient underwent adjuvant radiation therapy with a total dose of 40 Gy/20 fractions/4 weeks. At the final follow-up, i.e., 1 month after treatment, the patient had increased shoulder mobility and no pain, with a mild change in cutaneous pigmentation. Radiation therapy is safe and effective in treating and preventing recurrence of diffuse PVNS, particularly after incomplete synovectomy.