Impact of osteosclerosis on cervical pedicle screw insertion using preoperative CT-based navigation.

PURPOSE: Preoperative computed tomography (CT)-based navigation is used for cervical pedicle screw (CPS) insertion to mitigate the risk of spinal cord and vertebral artery injury. In vertebrae with osteosclerosis due to degeneration or other factors, however, probing may not proceed easily, with difficulty creating the CPS insertion hole. This study investigated the impact of osteosclerosis on the accuracy of CPS insertion. METHODS: A total of 138 patients with CPS inserted at the C3-C7 level using preoperative CT navigation were retrospectively analyzed. Pre- and postoperative CT was employed to investigate screw position and Hounsfield unit (HU) values at the lateral mass to evaluate the degree of osteosclerosis in the CPS insertion pathway. RESULTS: Among 561 CPS insertions, the Grade 3 perforation rate was 1.8%, and the Grade 2 or higher perforation rate was 8.0%. When comparing insertions with and without CPS perforation, HU values were significantly higher in the perforation group (578 ± 191 vs. 318 ± 191, p < 0.01). The frequency of CPS insertion into the mid-cervical spine was also significantly greater in the perforation group (68.9% vs. 62.5%, p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a high HU value at the lateral mass (odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.11, p < 0.01) was a significant independent factor associated with CPS deviation. CONCLUSIONS: The screw perforation rate of Grade 2 or higher in CPS insertion using preoperative CT-based navigation was 8.0%. Since osteosclerosis was an independent factor related to CPS deviation, additional care may be required during insertion into affected vertebrae.

Excision of Prominent Bony Mass due to Skeletal Fluorosis: A Case Report.

CASE: A 72-year-old man presented for evaluation of bony prominences over extremities. Radiographic imaging demonstrated masses of varying sizes extending from the cortical surfaces without medullary continuity. The patient had a history of Freon inhalation abuse and was diagnosed with skeletal fluorosis due to elevated serum fluoride levels. He underwent an uncomplicated excision of a left fibular mass that was threatening skin breakdown. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported surgical case of skeletal fluorosis demonstrating continued enlargement of bony prominences throughout the body. Skeletal fluorosis not only causes diffuse mineralization but may also lead to protruding lesions throughout the body.

Pneumolabyrinth: a rare complication of stapes surgery.

Pneumolabyrinth is the entrapment of air within the inner ear and is a rare complication of stapes surgery. We report the case of a patient submitted to stapedectomy who, 4 weeks later, suddenly developed right hearing loss, ipsilateral tinnitus and vertigo. On the physical examination, the patient showed no signs of vestibular deficits. Audiometry was compatible with right profound mixed hearing loss and high-resolution CT of the temporal bone revealed the presence of pneumolabyrinth. During exploratory tympanotomy, the prosthesis was found dislodged; the communication between the middle and inner ear was closed with vein graft and a new prosthesis was placed. Following surgery, vestibular symptoms was abolished and the patient experienced great improvement of the hearing thresholds.

Painful neuropathy caused by compression of the inferior alveolar nerve by focal osteosclerotic lesion of the mandible: A case report.

Osteosclerotic lesions are a common finding on dental radiographs. They are considered developmental variants of a normal bone architecture and they usually do not need any treatment. The purpose of this article is to present a rare case of osteosclerotic lesion of the mandible causing trigeminal neuropathy by compression of the alveolar nerve. The pain started with dental hypersensitivity of the mandibular right first molar. Later on, signs of irreversible molar tooth pulpitis developed. Endodontic therapy and apicoectomy did not resolve the pain, which later intensified, and painful neuropathy localized to inferior alveolar nerve developed; therefore, surgical decompression was indicated. Treating a dental patient with neuralgic pain is always a challenge, especially if there is no obvious source or reason for this type of pain. A clear evaluation and treatment protocol are important to minimize the patient's morbidity and avoid unnecessary overtreatment.

Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis (OSCS): review of the literature and case report demonstrating challenges of spinal fusion after trauma.

Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis (OSCS) is a rare but well-described pathology characterized by abnormalities in bone deposition in the axial and cranial skeleton as well as other abnormalities and associated deficits. These skeletal abnormalities can lead to significant intra-operative challenges for the surgeon and influence outcomes for the patient. In this report, we present a case of a patient with OSCS who was involved in a traumatic motor vehicle crash and underwent posterior cervico-thoracic fusion for a T4 chance fracture. Bony abnormalities in the cervico-thoracic spine presented a significant operative challenge due to alterations in bony anatomy and bone architecture. This case serves as an example of the challenges that the spine surgeon faces when dealing with OSCS, and highlights the differences between OSCS and commoner skeletal hyperplasias such as osteopetrosis.

Mid-term clinical results of primary total knee arthroplasty using metal block augmentation and stem extension in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pharmacotherapy, surgeons still encounter severely damaged knees. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the mid-term clinical results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with metal block augmentation and stem extension. METHODS: A total of 26 knees in 21 patients who underwent primary TKA with metal block augmentation and stem extension were retrospectively reviewed. All patients with a mean age of 63 years had RA for a mean duration of 15 years. Functional and radiographic results as well as complications were evaluated at the mean follow-up period of 6 years after TKA. Eight knees were lost follow-up after the two-year evaluation. RESULTS: Tibial bone defects with average depth of 19 mm were preoperatively recognized in all 26 knees. The postoperative joint line was reconstructed on average 11 mm above the fibular head using average thickness of 11 mm tibial inserts and 9 mm metal blocks with stem extension. Significant improvements (p < 0.05 for all comparisons) were observed postoperatively in maximum extension angle from -10° to -1°, range of motion from 101 ° to 115 °, and Knee Society Score (knee score/function score) from 35/18 to 90/64. Non-progressive radiolucent lines beneath the metal block and osteosclerotic changes around the medullary stem were found in 16 knees (62%) and 14 knees (54%), respectively. There was two failures (8%): fragile supracondylar femur fractures and knee instability. No knees showed any radiographic implant loosening, dislocation, polyethylene insert breakage, peroneal palsy, or infection. CONCLUSIONS: Primary TKA with metal block augmentation and stem extension could effectively restore function in RA patients with advanced forms of knee joint destruction, and be reliable and durable for a mean postoperative period of 6 years. Further study is needed to determine the long-term results of TKA using metal block augmentation and stem extension.

Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) of the mandible in SAPHO syndrome: a novel approach with anti-TNF therapy. Systematic review.

Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible is now considered a local manifestation of SAPHO syndrome. This rare condition is thought to be of auto-inflammatory origin. The myriad of treatments shown in the literature, are basically empirical and reflect its unknown origin. We present a clinical case of refractory DSO treated with an anti-TNF drug (etanercept) with complete clinical remission. We advise against radical surgery and an interdisciplinary approach is recommended. A systematic literature review was also conducted.

Maxillomandibular osteomyelitis associated with osteopetrosis.

Osteopetrosis is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by abnormal bone remodeling and increased bone density primarily due to defective osteoclast resorption. The diagnosis is based on a history of numerous fractures and radiological findings indicative of osteosclerosis, usually sufficient for a definitive diagnosis. We present a quite rare case of osteopetrosis complicated by recurrent episodes of maxillomandibular osteomyelitis associated with cutaneous fistulization and purulent nasal discharge. We used intravenous antibiotic therapy and necrotic bone debridement that prevented the appearance of acute infections over a 3-year follow-up, but the complete healing of the case was not achieved.

New treatment option for sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré.

Sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré continues to be a puzzling entity, with a nonspecific clinical description and course, an obscure pathogenesis, and no consensus on a predictable and helpful method of treatment. The proposed treatment options according to the literature are observation, analgesics and NSAIDs, and bone curettage. Here we present a 15-year-old girl treated by resection of a 12 cm-long lesion after failed conservative treatment, followed by bone transport using a circular external fixator. This treatment method has not been described previously for this condition. The duration of bone transport was 3 months, and the total duration of the frame treatment was 12 months. After hardware removal, and at 2.5-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and achieved good functional results. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of bone resection and transport for the treatment of this condition, even though it is well described for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis and other conditions necessitating bone resection. On the basis of this case we suggest that resection and bone transport using a circular external fixator for the treatment of sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré might be an effective and safe method. Of course, being a rare entity, large cohorts are difficult to obtain, and more data and longer follow-up are required to form a convincing recommendation. Level IV evidence.

Socket sclerosis: a rare complication obstructing orthodontic tooth movement.

Socket sclerosis is usually asymptomatic and does not require any treatment. The only potential complication arises during orthodontic treatment, wherein a sclerosed socket of the premolars may be an obstacle in closing spaces by movement of teeth through the extraction space. This article demonstrates the problems encountered during the orthodontic treatment of a 20-year-old woman with socket sclerosis and the treatment strategy employed to overcome the same.

Sclerotic vertebral metastases: pain palliation using percutaneous image-guided cryoablation.

Cryoablative therapies have been proposed to palliate pain from soft-tissue or osteolytic bone tumors. A case of a patient with painful thoracic and sacral spine sclerotic metastases successfully treated by image-guided percutaneous cryoablation with the aid of insulation techniques and thermosensors is reported in this case report.

[Use of mesenchymal stem cells for reparative processes activation in bone jaw tissue in experimental conditions].

In experiment on 12 Chinchilla rabbits dynamics of reparative regeneration was studied at the terms 2 and 4 months. Bone defect in mandible corner was closed by osteoplastic material Gapkol which was covered from inside by allogenic or autologic stem cells received from rabbit adipose tissue. The results of the ray tracing methods of study were verified by SEM and histological methods.

Phenotypic manifestations and management of hyperostosis cranialis interna, a hereditary bone dysplasia affecting the calvaria and the skull base.

Hyperostosis cranialis interna is a hereditary bone disorder that is characterized by endosteal hyperostosis and osteosclerosis of the calvaria and the skull base (OMIM 144755). The progressive bone overgrowth causes entrapment and dysfunction of cranial nerves I, II, V, VII, and VIII, its first symptoms often presenting during the second decade. This study analyzes the clinical course of 13 affected individuals of three related families (32 individuals). The disorder appears to have an autosomal-dominant transmission pattern. Facial and vestibulocochlear nerve dysfunction are most frequently reported. Surgical decompression of the accessible impaired cranial nerves is advised in the early symptomatic period or even in the presymptomatic period in high-risk individuals.

Foreign body reaction to artelon spacer: case report.

Anecdotal reports of painful synovitis after implantation of the Artelon spacer (Small Bone Innovations, Inc., Morrisville, PA) have emerged. The manufacturer claims that this type of reaction is related to the method of fixation and/or to suture material. This report illustrates one case in which a patient exhibited sustained painful synovitis after implantation of the Artelon spacer in the scaphotrapezio-trapezoidal joint, which clinically resolved on removal of the implant. Furthermore, pathology specimens of the soft tissue, synovium, and bone demonstrated an exuberant granulomatous foreign body giant cell reaction to the implant material. Patients should be made aware of the potential of the Artelon spacer to cause a foreign body reaction that may necessitate reoperation for removal of the implant.

Osteoid osteoma distal to a hip arthroplasty.

The authors report a case of osteoid osteoma distal to a hip prosthesis in a 56-year-old patient. This rare association was difficult to diagnose; at first, the pain seemed to be of mechanical origin, suggesting a delayed painful reaction to the prosthesis. The results of bone scan as well as the CT scan ones helped orient the diagnosis. Excision biopsy, using bone trephining, completed by an iliac bone auto-graft resulted in a cure with no residual instability of the prosthesis above the tumor. Bone scan with radio-isotopes to localize the lesion was particularly helpful in this instance to secure the final diagnosis.

Combined treatment protocol for temporomandibular joint ankylosis: an observation on a clinical problem.

Various techniques have been defined for the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. However, in some cases, they are unsuccessful, resulting in continuing pain and limitation in interincisal distance after surgery. This report describes the case of a 32-year-old woman who has been experiencing temporomandibular joint ankylosis for a period of 8 years. Several surgical procedures failed. A treatment approach combining auricular cartilage interposition arthroplasty with postsurgical functional treatment using a spring activator is presented. Using this approach, pain settled and maximal interincisal distance was raised from 22 to 35 mm after 4 months and remained stable for further 10 months.

Percutaneous screw fixation without bone graft for cystic-type scaphoid fractures.

BACKGROUND: The most controversial problem in treating scaphoid fractures is whether bone grafts are necessary for cystic-type fractures. METHODS: We treated 105 scaphoid fractures using Herbert screws (1988-1997), AO 3.0 mm cannulated screws (1998-2002), and Acutrak screws (2003-2006). The patients ranged in age from 14 years to 67 years (average, 26 years). Our classifications were based on the radiographic findings: linear type (51 cases); cystic type (24 cases); and sclerotic or displaced type (30 cases). Linear and cystic types did not have any displacement more than 2 mm. If the fracture line had a sclerotic zone thicker than 1 mm, it was classified as sclerotic or displaced. The length of time before surgery did not affect the classification. Osteosynthesis was performed--without bone graft in all linear cases, with a bone graft in 7 and without a bone graft in 17 cases in cystic type, and with all bone graft in sclerotic or displaced type. RESULTS: Bone union was achieved in all cases in linear type. There were one failure (AO) in 7 cases with bone graft and 3 failures (1 Herbert and 2 AO) in 17 cases without bone graft in cystic type. All 10 cases achieved bone union without bone graft in cystic type using Acutrak screw. There were two failure cases (2 AO) in sclerotic or displaced type. CONCLUSIONS: Screw fixation without bone graft using Acutrak screws was a reliable strategy for the treatment of cystic-type scaphoid fractures.