The Clinical Utility of Repeating Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans Within 12 Months in the Management of Lumbosacral Degenerative Disc Disease.

PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard investigation for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease. However, there is controversy regarding the clinical value of repeating an MRI scan within 12 months when a patient presents with recurring or changing symptoms. This study measures rates of radiological change in a real-world cohort to guide clinicians when deciding to repeat a scan. METHODS: All patients over a 10-year window in one general hospital who underwent two lumbosacral MRI scans for degenerative disc disease within 12 months of each other were included in the study. All MRI reports were manually reviewed. The level of main vertebral pathology was recorded, along with the location of a disc prolapse. Time intervals between the two scans were calculated, and these were collated into 30-day intervals for analysis. The repeat scans were categorized into three groups: no change, radiological improvement, and radiological deterioration. Patients who had clinically significant deterioration in the form of cauda equina compression on MRI scans were recorded. FINDINGS: Four hundred and eighty-one patients were included for analysis. Three hundred and ninety (81%) showed no change in MRI findings, 18 (3.7%) had improvements in their repeat scans, and 73 (15.3%) demonstrated deterioration in their repeat scans. Of the 73 patients with radiological deterioration, three patients (0.62% of the total) required urgent surgical intervention for cauda equina syndrome (CES). CONCLUSIONS: Though there is no alternative to detailed clinical assessment in determining whether a repeat MRI scan is indicated, the findings demonstrate that repeating MRI within 12 months for patients with lumbosacral degenerative disc disease has a low chance of altering the management plan. Over the 10-year period, only three patients required an urgent change to their clinical management. We believe this data can help guide clinical decision-making when considering a repeat scan.

Mortality in hip fractures: Stratifying the risk of operative delay and quantifying the benefit of early mobilisation.

INTRODUCTION: Early mortality following hip fracture surgery remains a significant issue with a much studied, multifactorial aetiology. This study designed to test the variables affecting 30 day mortality in a socially deprived cohort against national models, and secondarily aimed to uncover and quantify new risk factors. METHODS: This was a single centre retrospective study based on National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) data for 3176 hip fracture patients from 1st May 2008 to December 31st 2017. Data was condensed into a single anonymised workbook and logistic regression used to analyse associations with 30 day mortality. Firstly, the 6 casemix variables used by the NHFD were modelled. Secondarily, a new optimised model based on our data was created. RESULTS: Gross mortality was 11.1% since May 2008 (344/3074). There were 1978 patients in our cohort with sufficient data to run the NHFD casemix model. Overall, this proved fair with a similar area under ROC curve to nationally (0.75 vs. 0.76), although the Odds Ratios (OR) of individual variables differed. The optimised casemix model suggested two powerful prognostic indicators for 30 day mortality, namely delay to theatre for clinical reasons (OR =3.98, p-value=0.02) and whether the patient was mobilised day one post op (OR=0.21, p-value=0.00). Delay to theatre for non clinical reasons conveyed only a marginal and statistically insignificant increase in risk (OR=1.15, p-value=0.77). CONCLUSION: This study has confirmed the NHFD casemix adjusted model is a fair barometer for units treating a socially deprived cohort. It also has shown a clear differentiation between risk conveyed by delay to theatre for clinical reasons and suggests delay for non-clinical reasons, although clearly not desired, may not have a significant effect on death rate. Finally, it both amplifies and prompts further investigation into the potential benefit of early mobilisation.

Clinical outcomes in an adult patient with mannose phosphate isomerase-congenital disorder of glycosylation who discontinued mannose therapy.

The mannose phosphate isomerase-congenital disorder of glycosylation (MPI-CDG) is caused by phosphomannose isomerase deficiency. Clinical features include hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, protein losing enteropathy, hepatomegaly and hepatic fibrosis, digestive symptoms and coagulation abnormalities. The condition is treated with mannose supplementation. Long-term outcomes in adults are not well described. We present a case of an adult female patient who discontinued mannose therapy in her adolescence. In adulthood she developed gastrointestinal problems, chronic anaemia and osteophytes in her knees.

Epsilon-aminocaproic acid versus tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis study.

INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery can be associated with significant blood loss. Among the problems associated with such blood loss is the need for transfusions of banked blood [1]. Transfusions not only have a financial consequence but also carry a small risk of disease transmission to the patient. Antifibrinolytics have been successfully used to reduce transfusion requirements in elective arthroplasty patients. The objective of this meta-analysis is to determine which of tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) is more effective for reducing peri-operative blood loss, and lessening the need for blood transfusion following knee arthroplasty surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL databases were searched for relevant articles published between January 1980 to January 2018 for the purpose of identifying studies comparing TXA and EACA for TKA surgery. A double-extraction technique was used, and included studies were assessed regarding their methodological quality prior to analysis. Outcomes analysed included blood loss, pre- and post-operative haemoglobin, number of patients requiring transfusion, number of units transfused, operative and tourniquet time, and complications associated with antifibrinolytics. RESULTS: Three studies contributed to the quantitative analysis of 1691 patients, with 743 patients included in the TXA group and 948 in the EACA group. Estimated blood loss was similar between the two groups [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.50, 0.04; Z = 1.69; P = 0.09]. There were no differences between the two groups regarding the percentage of patients requiring transfusion (95% CI 0.14, 4.13; Z = 0.31; P = 0.76). There was no difference in the pre- and post-operative haemoglobin difference between the two groups (95% CI -0.36, 0.24; Z = 0.38; P = 0.70). There was no difference in the average number of transfused units (95% CI -0.53, 0.25; Z = 0.71; P = 0.48). There was no difference in the operative (95% CI -0.35, 0.36; Z = 0.04; P = 0.97) or tourniquet time (95% CI -0.16, 0.34; Z = 0.72; P = 0.47). Similarly, there was no difference in the percentage of venous thromboembolism between the two groups (95% CI 0.17, 2.80; Z = 0.51; P = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not demonstrate TXA to be superior to EACA. In fact, both antifibrinolytic therapies demonstrated similar efficacy in terms of intra-operative blood loss, transfusion requirements and complication rates. Currently EACA has a lower cost, which makes it an appealing alternative to TXA for TKA surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Does achieving the 'Best Practice Tariff' criteria for fractured neck of femur patients improve one year outcomes?

INTRODUCTION: 'Best Practice Tariff' (BPT) criteria have been developed to improve peri-operative care for hip fracture patients. This paper aims to explore the impact of BPT criteria on 1-year outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anonymised data were acquired from the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) for patients presenting to Bradford Royal Infirmary with a fractured neck of femur during the period April 2011 to December 2015. Two study groups were defined: those that achieved the BPT uplift criteria, and those that did not. Three primary outcome measures were identified: one year survival, mobility status and residential status. Further analysis was performed to ascertain whether achieving any individual BPT criterion significantly affected 1-year outcomes. RESULTS: 1414 cases were included, 784 (55%) of whom met the BPT criteria. The 1-year survival rate of the BPT-achieved group was 67.7%, compared with 61.4% in the non-BPT group (relative risk reduction 10.3%, p = 0.014). Mobility status declined by at least one grade in 50.8% of the BPT-achieved group, compared with 60.8% of the non-BPT group (risk reduction 16.4%, p = 0.003). BPT achievement had no significant effect on residential status at one year. Multivariate analysis identified that post-operative Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) and falls assessment were significantly associated with reduced 1-year mortality. Similarly, both pre- and post-operative AMTS assessments resulted in greater potential to return to pre-morbid mobility level. When controlling for potential confounders (age, gender, ASA grade, pre-morbid mobility and residential status) logistic regression modelling showed that achieving the BPT criteria was associated with a 30% increase in the odds of survival at one year (p = 0.046). DISCUSSION: Achieving the BPT requirements has a significant impact on 1-year mortality and return to pre-morbid mobility level. The effect of AMTS and falls assessments on these outcomes may be due to their properties as surrogate markers for more thorough and considered peri-operative assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Few studies describe the effect of BPT criteria on 1-year outcomes; therefore the results presented here help to vindicate the investments made in the scheme. Furthermore, these results may help steer subsequent revisions to BPT requirements by encouraging greater focus on peri-operative assessment and interventions.

Quadriceps Tendon-Bone or Patellar Tendon-Bone Autografts When Reconstructing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantitatively assess the outcomes of studies, comparing the use of Bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and the quadriceps tendon-bone (QTB) autografts when reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched for relevant articles published between January 1980 and January 2015 for the purpose of identifying studies comparing BPTB and QTB autografts for ACL reconstruction. Included studies were assessed regarding their methodological quality before analysis. Outcomes analyzed were graft failure rates, objective and subjective stability assessments, as well as the presence and severity of donor site morbidity. MAIN RESULTS: Five studies contributed to the quantitative analysis of 806 patients with 452 patients included in the BPTB group and 354 patients in the QTB group. Graft failure rates were similar between the 2 groups [odds ratio (OR) = 0.61; confidence interval (CI) = 0.17-2.15; Z = 0.78, P = 0.44]. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups when testing anteroposterior stability using an arthrometer (standardized mean difference = 0.07; CI = -0.12-0.25; Z = 0.70, P = 0.48). At 1 year postoperatively, there was no difference in the percentage of patients with a positive pivot shift test between the 2 groups (OR = 1.0; CI = 0.85-1.18; Z = 0.01, P = 0.99). However, significantly less patients had graft site pain 1 year after surgery in the QTB group (OR = 0.10; CI = 0.02-0.43; Z = 3.12, P = 0.002). Similarly, fewer patients reported moderate to severe pain while kneeling, in the QTB group (OR = 0.16; CI = 0.07-0.37; Z = 4.26, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates comparable survival rates and joint stability when BPTB and QTB grafts are used. However, fewer adverse donor site symptoms are evident with QTB grafts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The use of history to identify anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the acute trauma setting: the 'LIMP index'.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the injury history features reported by patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and determine whether history may be used to identify patients requiring follow-up appointments from acute trauma services. METHODS: Multisite cross-sectional service evaluation using a survey questionnaire design conducted in the UK. The four injury history features investigated were 'leg giving way at the time of injury', 'inability to continue activity immediately following injury', 'marked effusion' and 'pop (heard or felt) at the time of injury'(LIMP). RESULTS: 194 patients with ACL injury were identified, of which 165 (85.5%) attended an acute trauma service. Data on delay was available for 163 (98.8%) of these patients of which 120 (73.6%) had a follow-up appointment arranged. Patients who had a follow-up appointment arranged waited significantly less time for a correct diagnosis (geometric mean 29 vs 198 days; p<0.001) and to see a specialist consultant (geometric mean 61 vs 328 days; p<0.001). Using a referral threshold of any two of the four LIMP injury history features investigated, 95.8% of patients would have had a follow-up appointment arranged. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the value of questioning patients on specific injury history features in identifying patients who may have suffered ACL injury. Using a threshold of two or more of the four LIMP history features investigated would have reduced the percentage of patients inappropriately discharged by 22.2%. Evidence presented suggests that this would significantly reduce the time to diagnosis and specialist consultation minimising the chance of secondary complications.

Do minimally displaced, closed tibial fractures in children need monitoring for compartment syndrome?

INTRODUCTION: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) may be seen following tibial fractures in adults. Although the risk of this complication is thought to be lower in children (especially in those under the age of 12 years) it is routine practice in many units to admit all children with this injury for observation. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether all children under the age of 12 presenting with fractures of the tibia merited admission and to provide recommendations on how to manage these patients based on our experience with this injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the clinical and radiographic progress of consecutive patients presenting to our institution with tibial fractures over a 5-year period. RESULTS: A total of 159 tibial fractures were seen in the study period. The mean age of patients treated was 5.8 years. 81% of the injuries occurred in the diaphyseal region and 60% involved the tibia only. A total of 9% of injuries were open and overall 66% of fractures were managed non-operatively. No cases of ACS were seen. DISCUSSION: Based on our experience we provide a treatment algorithm detailing how children in the under 12 age group presenting with tibial fractures may be managed. Patients with minimally displaced fractures involving the tibia only, whose pain is adequately controlled and who can safely mobilise with suitable parental supervision may be safely discharged from the emergency department in a back slab with early follow up. Although no children under the age of 12 in the present study developed ACS following a fracture of the tibia, certain features such as a history of a high energy injury, displaced fractures or co-existing fibular fractures should raise suspicion that this complication may ensue. In these cases admission and observation may be warranted.

Mobile-bearing, congruent patellofemoral prosthesis: short-term results.

PURPOSE: To report the short-term outcome of the low contact stress (LCS) patellofemoral prosthesis in 51 knees. METHODS: 12 men and 37 women aged 23 to 79 (mean, 53.4) years underwent 51 consecutive LCS patellofemoral replacements. All patients had symptomatic isolated arthritis in the patellofemoral joint with well-preserved tibiofemoral compartments. All knees were evaluated pre- and post-operatively. The new Oxford scoring system was used. Anteroposterior, lateral, and skyline weight-bearing radiographs were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 4.2 years; no patient was lost to follow-up. The mean new Oxford Knee score was 13.9 preoperatively and improved by 13.7 at 3 months (p<0.001) and by further 7.1 at 12 months (p<0.001). Any change after 12 months was not significant (p=0.73). 18 of the knees developed patellar maltracking and resulted in subluxation and lateral tilt of the patella with severe polyethylene wear. 10 (20%) of the knees were revised; 8 with patellar maltracking were revised to total knee arthroplasty (n=3) or patellofemoral arthroplasty with a different implant (n=5), whereas 2 with disease progression were revised to total knee arthroplasty. The estimated survival rate of the prosthesis was 73% at 4.5 years and 48% at 5.5 years. CONCLUSION: The revision rate for the LCS patellofemoral prosthesis was high (20%).

Osteochondral avulsion fracture of the femoral origin of the anterior cruciate ligament in an 11-year-old child.

Although tibial end avulsions of the anterior cruciate ligament are relatively common in clinical practice, avulsions of the femoral end of this ligament are by comparison rare. We present the case of an 11-year-old boy with a bony avulsion injury, which was presumed to have arisen from the tibial insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament but turned out instead to be an osteochondral avulsion fracture of the femoral origin. This unexpected finding that was not detected during preoperative workup resulted in the first attempt at surgical fixation being aborted. The need for a second planned definitive fixation procedure emphasises the importance of combining a thorough history and examination in association with appropriate imaging in the patient workup. The patient's definitive operative treatment and outcome are described. Although rare, surgeons (and emergency room doctors) treating such patients should include femoral end avulsion injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament in the differential diagnosis of a child presenting with an acute haemarthrosis of the knee. Furthermore, once diagnosed, early onward referral to an experienced knee surgeon is advocated.

Arthroscopic treatment of an impinging mobile bearing in a unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

We report a case of impingement between the mobile bearing of a unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and the edge of the tibial eminence. The diagnosis was confirmed and the impingement successfully treated arthroscopically.