[Unusual complication of silicon synovitis in the rheumatoid wrist]

Silicone synovitis is an important clinical entity recognized in rheumatoid patients after arthroplasties with silicone implants. It is a foreign body reaction to particulate material (silicone elastomer) characterized clinically by the re-occurrence of pain, stiffness and swelling at the site of arthroplasty after initial relief of symptoms. Whereas silicone synovitis is a rare complication in metacarpophalangeal implants, it is an important one in the wrist implant. Long-term follow-up studies have revealed that the rates of fracture and subsidence are high and that the implants deteriorate with time necessitating operative revisions in up to 50% of cases. Indications should therefore be restricted to a painful wrist in the elderly, very low demand patient with insufficient bone stock to permit total wrist arthroplasty with a metal-on-plastic design. Severe preoperative deformity and the need for use of ambulatory aids may further limit the indication. The unusual case of direct perforation of silicone particles from the wrist into the tendon sheath of the M. flexor pollicis longus inducing a tumor-like synovitis and a secondary carpal tunnel syndrome is presented. The importance of silicone synovitis and the indication at present for implantation of a silicone wrist spacer in the rheumatoid patient are discussed.

Focal osteolysis in total hip replacement: CT findings

OBJECTIVE

To describe the CT findings of focal osteolysis following total hip replacement (THR).

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

CT imaging features of 30 THRs with focal osteolysis visualized on follow-up radiographs and undertaken revision surgery were reviewed. On CT scans, the shape and anatomic location of osteolytic lesions was recorded, as well as their size and number. The presence of cortical disruption or expansion, liner wear, metallosis, and heterotopic ossification was also noted. In each case, surgical and histologic findings were correlated with imaging features.

RESULTS

Focal osteolysis was common in the superior part of acetabular and femoral components. CT features of focal osteolysis were multiple, expansile, oval, or round radiolucencies, which were conglomerated into multilobular shape. The cortex adjacent to the osteolytic lesions revealed irregular thinning and discontinuity (29/30, 97%) accompanied by a few tiny fragments. Liner wear was common (27/30, 90%), and metallosis was frequent (8/30, 26.7%). Pathologic results were foreign body reaction in 20 patients, chronic inflammation in eight, and fibrosis in two.

CONCLUSION

CT appearances of focal osteolysis following THR are multilobulated lucent areas with expansile periosteal reaction and cortical abnormalities, mimicking infection or tumor. We consider that CT is useful for the prediction and assessment of the nature and extent of focal osteolysis.

Catheter-Related Focal FDG Activity on Whole Body PET Imaging

INTRODUCTION

Whole body FDG positron emission tomography (PET) scan is increasingly being used in the management of a variety of cancers and infections. Cancer patients and other very sick patients have central venous catheters, which could be associated with common complications like thrombosis and infections. We describe catheter-related focal FDG uptake on whole body FDG PET scans in 4 patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four patients underwent whole body FDG-PET scanning 60 minutes after intravenous injection of F18-FDG (2 for localization of site of infection, 1 for primary cancer site localization, and 1 for restaging of colon cancer). The whole body PET images were compared and correlated with the patients' history, radiology and laboratory tests.

RESULTS

Focal and intense FDG activity is seen in all 4 patients at the distal end of the intravenous catheter. The average SUV of this activity was 6.3 (n = 3). Catheter-related thrombosis was identified as the cause of FDG activity in 3 patients, whereas catheter-related infection was considered in one patient.

CONCLUSION

Focal and intense FDG activity, in relation to the distal end of a central venous catheter, has a benign etiology, usually seen with catheter-related venous thrombosis and can be seen with catheter related infection.

Evaluation of pectus bar position and osseous bone formation

PURPOSE

Minimally invasive repair has become a popular approach for pectus excavatum (PE). The bar is secured to the thoracic wall and left for approximately 2 years. The authors have noticed an intense bone formation (BF) around some of these bars at removal. A review of children undergoing bar removal was performed to better understand this BF in relation to bar placement.

METHODS

A retrospective review of children undergoing bar removal after PE repair since January 1998 was performed. Chart review included age at bar insertion and removal, bar insertion position (subcutaneous [SC] v submuscular [SM]), BF on Chest x-ray and at bar removal, operating time, and estimated blood loss (EBL).

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients underwent bar removal during the study period (16 SC and 20 SM). Chest x-ray evaluation was possible in 27 patients (16 SM, 11 SC). No difference existed for length of time the bar was in place or age at insertion/removal between groups. EBL was higher in the SM (18.3 v 8.8 mL, not significant). BF was seen radiographically in 15 SM and 3 SC patients (P <.001). BF was encountered at removal in 19 SM patients and a single SC patient (P <.001). Operating time was statistically longer (P <.01) for the SM group (30.2 v 15.6 min).

CONCLUSIONS

Bar position during repair of PE is important. SM positioning virtually always results in BF with increased EBL and statistically longer operating time at removal. Careful placement of the bar in the SC position without violating the fascia should be used to avoid these undesirable effects.

Intrarenal foreign body presenting as a solid tumor

A 45-year-old man underwent radical nephrectomy for an asymptomatic solid renal mass radiographically interpreted as a tumor. The pathologic examination revealed an intrarenal sponge forgotten during nephrolithotomy performed 5 years previously. The sponge was surrounded by a thick fibrous capsule. This case suggests that foreign body should be included in the differential diagnosis of a suspected renal mass in patients with a history of previous surgery.

[First experiences with fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the evaluation of painful total knee and hip joint replacements]

AIM

The aim of the study was to describe first experiences using FDG-PET in the examination of painful arthroplasties.

METHOD

12 patients prior to revision of a total hip or knee joint replacement underwent PET. Histopathology, microbiological analysis and intraoperative diagnosis were compared to preoperative PET findings.

RESULTS

The analysis of intraoperative findings, of microbiological examinations and of histopathology showed that besides the well known determinants infection and early postoperative granulation tissue, polyethylene wear induced foreign-body reaction was a major cause for increased FDG consumption.

CONCLUSION

In vivo imaging of marked foreign-body tissue reaction induced by polyethylene wear is feasible by FDG-PET. This observation, however, leads to reduced specificity of PET imaging for the diagnosis of periprosthetic infection.

Iliopsoas impingement on the acetabular component: radiologic and computed tomography findings of a rare hip prosthesis complication in eight cases

OBJECTIVE

To describe the radiographic and computed tomography (CT) scan features of iliopsoas impingement on the acetabular component (IPI) in total hip arthroplasty.

METHOD

Eight cases of iliopsoas impingement were diagnosed and confirmed by surgical revision. The plain film radiograph findings and CT scan findings were compared with those of two control populations (8 patients with painless total hip prosthesis and 16 patients with other complications confirmed by surgical revision).

RESULTS

An oversized cup was found in four hips with IPI (50%) and in one hip with another complication (6%). Coronal inclination of the acetabular cup was normal in the IPI group and in the two control groups, with a similar mean cup size. All patients with IPI had an acetabular cup overhang of more than 12 mm. Conversely, in the two control groups, the overhang, present in three and two cases, respectively, was always less than 8 mm. Iliopsoas bursal effusion was present in four hips with IPI and three hips with other complications and was never present in normal prostheses.

CONCLUSION

More than a 12-mm overhang of the acetabular cup is a sensitive and specific parameter for diagnosing IPI.

[Polyethylene liner dislocation in Harris Galante acetabular components]

AIM

Dislocation and subsequent dissociation of the polyethylene liner as a result of failure of the acetabular locking mechanism is a potential source of failure in the Harris-Galante acetabular component. The purposes of this study are to present seven cases with a liner dislocation due to failure of the liner locking mechanism.

METHOD

Between March 1997 and December 2001, seven patients who had had a total hip arthroplasty presented with clinical and radiologic signs of liner dislocation and signs of polyethylene wear of the liner from a Harris Galante acetabular shell. In all cases the intraoperative findings showed evidence of failure of the liner locking mechanism and subsequent dislocation. The medical records, radiographs, operative notes and explanted retrieved components were reviewed.

RESULTS

The components had been in situ for an average of 5.3 years (range 1-9 years). Two components were first generation, five were second generation. The symptoms developed spontaneously in five patients, the other two patients described a minor trauma. Radiographs showed eccentric position of the head in all cases. All acetabular components showed an excellent stability intraoperatively, nevertheless we had to remove the well fixed acetabular shell due to complete destruction of the liner locking mechanism in two cases. Treatment consisted of revision of the shell in two patients and exchange of the liner in five patients. All retrieved liners showed severe deformation and/or fracture of the rim.

CONCLUSION

Harris Galante modular acetabular components have been used widely for primary and revision arthroplasty. The survival of this implant has been well documented in the literature. Failure of the liner locking mechanism and following dislocation or fracture of the polyethylene liner is a potential cause of failure which may possibly occur more often than the literature to date has documented. We report seven cases of liner dislocation, in which two acetabular components had to be removed completely due to destruction of the liner locking mechanism. In the other five cases exchange of the liner was possible thanks to well timed revision. We believe that, as the liner wears and becomes loose due to an inefficient locking mechanism, the load increases on the polyethylene rim until it deforms or fractures. As a consequence of the prosthetic design at that stage nothing can prevent the liner from rotating out of the shell.

Progressive visual loss due to a muslinoma--report of a case and review of the literature

Intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms are frequently treated either by microsurgical clipping of the aneurysm neck, by endovascular coiling of the aneurysm sac or by balloon occlusion of the parent vessel. For some broad-based aneurysms that may not be suitable for any of these options, microsurgical wrapping of the aneurysm wall with muslin or gauze rarely is applied. We report the case of a patient who suffered from a minor stroke because of arterio-arterial embolism from an intracranial ICA aneurysm. The aneurysm was treated by wrapping muslin material. After 12 months, he experienced progressive visual loss. Cranial magnetic resonance testing magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) revealed a granulomatous inflammation surrounding the site of the aneurysm and affecting optochiasmatic structures. A muslin-induced optic neuropathy is a rare but serious complication of a chronic inflammatory reaction in response to muslin or gauze used in intracranial aneurysm wrapping. If the foreign body inflammatory reaction to muslin or gauze leads to a mass formation, the term muslinoma or gauzoma is applied. Various treatment strategies include surgery, steroids and cyclophosphamide, but recovery of the vision is not predictable. As a consequence, muslin or cotton gauze should only be applied with great caution in neurovascular surgery.

Laparoscopic removal of a chronically retained gauze

This case report presents a 49-year-old man with a history of referred right thoracic pain due to a gauze pad, left in the abdomen 22 years earlier following a surgical intervention for gastric perforation. This subphrenic encapsulated aseptic granuloma surrounding a gauze has been removed laparoscopically. The gauze had decomposed into a semi-liquid material consisting of hundreds of small particles and could not be removed in one piece; a basket was used. As one does not know whether the gauze and its surrounding tissue has infected or become malignant, it might be better to remove it as a whole with its capsule.

The histology of "reactive lines" in well-fixed components

The histologic findings from 2 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) in 1 patient who died 5 years after surgery are reported. Cement was placed under the tibial and femoral metal backs but not around the stems. All components were securely fixed. "Reactive lines," present around the tips of the stems on radiography, were seen to contain thin, soft connective tissue without debris or macrophages. The histologic features of a reactive line are described.

Metal-backed patellar component failure in total knee arthroplasty presenting as a giant calf mass

Failure of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) caused by wear of the polyethylene-bearing surface of a metal-backed tibial platform or a metal-backed patellar component is a recognized complication. We present a case of a 78-year-old woman with a cystic mass in the left calf caused by metal wear debris from the failure of a Miller-Galante I TKA. The patient received a left TKA to treat advanced osteoarthritis in July 1990 and was lost to follow-up immediately after the operation. In December 1998, she presented at our clinic 2 days before admission, when an originally silent mass over the calf turned intolerably painful. A series of examinations revealed a calf mass caused by wear debris of total knee prosthesis and subsequent inflammation of the knee joint. Curettage of the cyst and simultaneous revision TKA were successful in relieving her symptoms.

Evaluation of a dissolvable ureteral drainage stent in a Swine model

PURPOSE

Ureteral stents are commonly placed after routine ureteroscopic procedures to prevent acute ureteral obstruction. However, stents can cause significant symptoms, may require a secondary procedure for removal and may possibly be forgotten. Toward this end a temporary ureteral drainage stent capable of dissolving spontaneously was developed to obviate the problems associated with more commonly used stents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated 3 stents of various compositions in a swine model. These stents were composed of dense dissolving material with and without radiopaque filling (dense filled and dense unfilled, respectively) and soft material with radiopaque filling (soft filled). Standard soft hydrogel coated plastic stents served as controls. Three female swine were placed into 4 groups each, including group 1-dense unfilled versus standard stents with harvest at day 7, group 2-dense unfilled versus standard stents with harvest at day 3, group 3-dense filled versus dense unfilled stents with harvest at day 2 or 3 and group 4-soft filled versus dense unfilled stents with harvest at day 2 or 3. Stents were placed bilaterally. The radiopaque quality of stent fragments on plain x-ray of the kidneys, ureters and bladder, and excretory urography, stent condition and histological changes of the urinary tract were compared among the groups.

RESULTS

Successful cystoscopic placement of all stents was achieved. The standard stent was present at autopsy in all animals in group 1, although the dense unfilled stent was absent in group 1 at day 7. In group 2 the standard stent was in position but the dense unfilled stent was fragmented in 2 of the 3 animals and absent in 1. In groups 3 and 4 (dense filled versus dense unfilled and soft filled versus dense unfilled, respectively) all stents were fragmented in similar fashion on harvest day 2 or 3. Standard stents and filled stent fragments were evident on imaging, although dense unfilled stents were not discernible. Histological testing revealed inflammatory changes associated with all stents with no significant difference among stent types.

CONCLUSIONS

These temporary drainage stents appeared to dissolve in benign fashion, as evidenced by the appearance of the collecting system on excretory urography and by histological changes. In addition, inflammatory changes throughout the urinary tract were similar for each stent evaluated. Further analysis is warranted in human subjects to assess the exact time of stent retention, potential adverse symptoms, stent fragment passage and safety.

Endovascularly treated cerebral aneurysm using Guglielmi detachable coils acting as a nidus for brain abscess formation secondary to Salmonella bacteremia: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Intracranial infections related to the various foreign materials used to secure intracranial aneurysms are extremely rare. The lack of neoendothelium formation across the necks of aneurysms, which is particularly prone to occur when the sac is incompletely packed by Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC), results in the absence of isolation of the coils from the circulation. Colonization of GDCs, which act as a foreign-body nidus after hematogenous spread from infections with bacteremia, may result in localized intracranial infection.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 55-year-old woman developed meningitis and a brain abscess surrounding a giant aneurysm that was treated endovascularly with GDC 3 1/2 years earlier. Four weeks before she sought care, she experienced an infective illness with proven Salmonella bacteremia. Salmonella group D was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid.

INTERVENTION

The patient was treated successfully with long-term cephalosporin therapy. Follow-up imaging studies revealed regression of the abscess.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that the GDC acted as a colonized foreign body, resulting in the surrounding abscess formation after infection with Salmonella bacteremia. Alternatively, the reaction of the surrounding tissue to the GDC was the predisposing factor and acted as the nidus for the abscess formation.

Cutaneous foreign bodies: elusive presentation. Case report and review of the literature

Injuries by foreign bodies are a common problem in children, and sewing needles are not uncommonly found foreign bodies. Cutaneous foreign bodies are also occasionally seen, and these patients are referred to dermatologists because of skin findings resulting from body reactions. In this report we present an unusual case of a foreign body presenting as a linear skin eruption.

Effects of intrabronchial foreign body retention

Unrecognized bronchial foreign bodies (Fbs) cause irreversible changes in the airways. However, the exact course of these changes is not well-known. We developed an animal model of bronchial obstruction to radiologically and histopathologically assess the development of postobstructive pulmonary changes. A piece of peanut was placed in the airways of 21 rabbits through a 2.5-mm rigid bronchoscope. Animals were divided into three groups (groups I-III) that were sacrificed on day 3,10, and 30 after Fb placement, respectively. Prior to sacrifice, since there were no differences between the groups prior to Fb placement, computerized tomography (CT) of the lung was taken, and the lungs were harvested for histologic analysis under light microscope. In group I, leukocyte infiltration around the bronchial wall (P = 0.0003) and edema (P = 0.0384) around the alveolar septa were the predominant histological findings. The CT scan was normal. In group II and group III, increased amounts of mononuclear cells and macrophage infiltration around the bronchial wall were observed (P = 0.0008, P = 0.0409, respectively). There were no differences in presence of granuloma formation, emphysema, atelectasis, or thickness of alveolar septa among the three groups. The CT scan of group II showed consolidations plus minimal bronchial dilatation in the involved lung of the rabbits (P not significant). Bronchial cartilage destruction was seen in 4 out of 7 rabbits in group III (P = 0.0071). We conclude that 30-day retention of intrabronchial peanut caused bronchial cartilage destruction and fibrosis that were attributed as bronchiectatic changes in the airways of the lung parenchyma. Therefore, any case with suspected foreign body aspiration should be treated immediately to prevent possible irreversible changes of the lungs.

Delayed cholangitis resulting from a retained T-tube fragment encased within a stone: a rare complication

Inserting a T-tube after choledochotomy for the removal of bile duct stones remains a time-honored practice. Biliary drainage after bile duct exploration has some advantages. It minimizes bile leakage, provides access for cholangiography, and removes occasional retained stones. The use of T-tubes also has been associated with significant complications. Biliary sepsis, bile duct trauma during removal, bile leakage leading to peritonitis, retention of a fragment, stricture formation after removal have been reported. We report an unusual case of cholangitis caused by a T-tube fragment within a large stone, occurring 11 years after bile duct exploration. A 39-year-old woman underwent common bile duct exploration with insertion of a T-tube. Cholangiography was normal, but as the T-tube was removed, its horizontal limb was missing. The patient failed to present for endoscopic removal a few weeks after surgery Five years later, she presented with recurrent biliary pains and a mild episode of cholangitis. This last episode was associated with severe pain and jaundice. After initial conservative treatment, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed, and endoscopic removal of the fragment and stone material was successful. Despite the declining numbers of bile duct explorations in the laparoscopic era and the tendency to use transcystic drainage or primary closure of a choledochotomy, the T-tube will continue to be a useful tool in biliary surgery, subject to consideration of the indications and the available alternatives. The reported case highlights the importance of careful tube preparation to prevent partial separation at removal, and early removal of a missing fragment to avoid potential serious complications.

[An unusual tracheobronchial aspiration in a patient with total laryngectomy]

Laryngectomized patients use a variety of tools for tracheostomy cleaning, some of which may vary greatly depending on their sociocultural status. The use of inappropriate tools may lead to complications. A seventy-eight-year-old male patient who had a history of total laryngectomy 12 years ago presented with difficulty in breathing and sputum production. Tracheoscopy showed two nails and chest x-rays showed one nail that had been aspirated during stromal care. The three ordinary nails were removed under general anesthesia. This case illustrates the need for detailed and consistent education of laryngectomy patients on proper stomal cleaning and on the associated complications that may arise from the use of inappropriate tools.

Bone reaction induced by femoral stem of titanium alloy endoprosthesis for malignant bone tumors at the distal femur

We demonstrated radiological evaluations after limb salvage surgery with an uncemented titanium endoprosthesis possessing a rotating hinge-type knee joint for 7 patients with malignant bone tumors at the distal femur. Although radiographically, cortical hypertrophy and new bone formation at the junction between implant and cortex appeared in all cases, there was a small quantity of subsidence of the implant in all cases. Loosening of the stem was found in 2 patients at 4 and 9 years after surgery. However, after revision surgery, the function restored as before. The latest average functional score according to the system of the International Society of Limb Salvage was good, being 73%.

Aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus as a complication of overfilling root canal material into the sinus: report of two cases

Aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus is a relatively rare disease in nonimmunocompromised patients. In recent years a number of cases of aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus have been reported in association with overextension of root canals fillings with certain root canal cements. It has been suggested that zinc oxide-based root canal cements might promote the infection with the Aspergillus species. In particular Aspergillus fumigatus has been found to be associated with the maxillary sinus infection. Radiographically the unique appearance of a dense opacity foreign body reaction in the maxillary sinus was considered a characteristic finding in maxillary sinus aspergillosis. Because this association of overfilling of root canal cements and aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus is not too well known we report two cases of young healthy female patients with the characteristic findings, both radiographically and clinically. In both patients the first maxillary molar was involved. Patients were symptomless and the diagnosis was made accidently. However at surgical inspection both patients revealed aspergillomas, including the overextended root canal cement. The surgical procedure is described as are the microscopic findings in both cases showing the characteristic branching hyphae and conidophores typical of Aspergillus. Overextension into the maxillary sinus with root canal cements has to be avoided; material has to be removed from the sinus because otherwise aspergillosis infection may ensue.