A Unique Presentation of Vertebral Body Osteochondroma of Sixth Cervical Spine Causing Myelopathic Symptoms: Management with En bloc Excision and Cervical Fusion.

Introduction: Vertebral body osteochondroma presenting with myelopathic symptoms is exceptionally rare entity of spinal osteochondroma which arises from the posterior surface of vertebral body and leading to spinal canal stenosis and cord compression. Early definitive diagnosis and subsequent successful treatment is necessary in such cases to prevent life threatening complications. Case Report: In this context, we report a case of a 20-years old female presented with mechanical neck pain, unsteady gait, giddiness with neurological deficit for the past 3 months. An MRI of the cervical spine revealed a mass growing from the posterior aspect of the C6 vertebral body and extending toward the vertebral canal, causing marked spinal cord compression. Conclusion: The following case report not only describes the rare presentations of vertebral body osteochondroma but also emphasizes on surgical management by en bloc resection of tumor and anterior cervical fusion, resulting in a favorable outcome without any recurrence.

Atlanto-occipital Assimilation with Basilar Invagination and Atlanto-occipital Dislocation Treated by Occipitocervical Fixation: A Rare Case Report.

Introduction: Atlanto-occipital assimilation is the most common osseous anomaly of the cervical-occipital junction. The incidence rate of occipitalization has been reported 1.42.5/1000 children. Most of the patients are asymptomatic initially. Clinical features usually appear after 3rd decade depending on the level and degree of spinal cord compression with surrounding vital structures such as vertebral artery involvement. Hence, early definitive diagnosis and subsequent successful treatment are necessary in such cases to prevent life-threatening complications. Case Report: A 16-year-old male presented with neck pain and progressive weakness of the bilateral lower limb since the past 2 months suffering from difficulty in walking, giddiness, and numbness of his fingertips. Hoffman's sign was positive. Plain cervical spine radiography (AP and lateral) is falsely suggestive of the absence of an atlas. MRI revealed the tip of the dens projecting 1314 mm above the Chamberlains line suggestive of basilar invagination. Occipito-cervical fixation was planned with an occipital plate, laminar, pedicle screw, and rods. Occipital plate fixed with screws (6,8 mm). C2 vertebra fixation with pedicle screw and laminar screws and C3 vertebra with a lateral mass screw under C-arm guidance. The patient mobilized with a walker from post-operative day 2 and then he ambulated unaided. Conclusion: Different types of atlanto-occipital assimilation have been reported. Treatment modality completely depends on neurological symptoms and instability.Although, different surgical options are available, occipito-cervical fixation with occipital plate, screws, and rod fixation is the most superior surgical technique for atlanto-occipital assimilation with atlanto-occipital instability.

Minimally Invasive Surgery to Remove a Broken and Retained Epidural Catheter Fragment.

Epidural anaesthesia (EA) has consistently been used for treatments affecting the pelvis, lower limbs, lower abdomen, and perineum; however, it is progressively employed as a single anaesthetic or supplement to general and spinal anaesthesia for a broader range of procedures. The retention of a broken epidural catheter piece is an uncommon but well-known complication. In this report, we present a 30-year-old male with avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip who was referred for total hip replacement (THR). An epidural catheter had been placed at the presumed L2-3 interspace to administer EA. The catheter had been set too deep and it broke on extraction with the Tuohy needle, leaving a fragment inside. The patient was then given general anaesthesia and the planned procedure of THR was done in the lateral position. The patient was then shifted to the prone position to remove the retained fragment of the epidural catheter by a minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS). Right-sided L2 laminotomy was done, as the epidural catheter was inserted from the right side, to retrieve the broken fragment without any added postoperative neurological complications. MISS may be attempted by experienced surgeons for the removal of a retained fragment of the epidural catheter from the spinal canal before adhesion as a safe option.

Assessment of Surgical Outcome in Three- and Four-Part Proximal Humerus Fracture Treated With Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System (PHILOS) Plate Versus Neer's Prosthesis in Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: With an incidence of 50% of humerus fractures, proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) can significantly impact one's quality of life. Moreover, management of highly comminuted or displaced PHFs poses a significant challenge amongst elderly population due to poor bone quality. Prosthetic replacement of humeral head or its stabilization using external plates is a commonly employed intervention for treating three- and four-part PHFs. Thus, these two methods were compared in this study to identify a preferable intervention. METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS®, Synthes, Switzerland) plating and Neer's hemiarthroplasty. The deltopectoral approach was deployed as the surgical method. Their surgical outcome was assessed from functional range of motion (ROM) and Constant-Murley scores at regular intervals of three, six, twelve, and twenty-four weeks. RESULTS: Twenty patients were divided into two groups who received PHILOS® plating and Neer's hemiarthroplasty, averaged 67.2 years and 72.8 years. The ROM pertaining to flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation for individuals with PHILOS® plating was 20%, 12.5%, 14.7%, 11.5%, and 18.5% higher than those who received Neer's hemiarthroplasty. Moreover, the Murley score was also 8.7 units higher for individuals with PHILOS® plating. CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis following PHILOS® plate osteosynthesis had a better overall outcome than hemiarthroplasty with Neer's prosthesis. Although hemiarthroplasty yielded a consistent functional outcome, PHILOS® plate osteosynthesis tends to restore a greater ROM. Thus, PHILOS® plating is recommended as the suitable method to manage three- and four-part PHF for people above fifty-five years of age.

Emphysematous Septic Arthritis of the Knee Caused by Citrobacter freundii: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

CASE: A 50-year-old diabetic woman presented with painful swelling of the right knee and proximal part of the calf. A radiograph revealed gas shadows in the suprapatellar pouch and soft tissues of the posteromedial aspect of the proximal part of the calf. An arthrotomy was performed to evacuate pus and debride the synovium. The collection in the calf was approached through a separate posteromedial incision. Citrobacter freundii was isolated on culture, and the patient was given antibiotics to which it was sensitive. CONCLUSION: The constellation of signs, symptoms, and radiographic features was characteristic of emphysematous septic arthritis. The patient recovered well following surgery and treatment with antibiotics. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of such arthritis caused by C. freundii.