[Migration of Kirschner wire from the right sternoclavicular joint into the main pulmonary artery. A case report]

The use of Kirschner wires (K-wires) for bone and joint fixation carries the risk of migration of the wire from the fixation site over time. However, review of the literatures disclosed rather few reports on this issue. We describe such a case in order to emphasize the potential complication and serious hazard that migration of such metallic devices can result in, especially when the fixation site is close to the thoracic cavity.

[Neurovascular syndrome of the arm caused by acquired luxation of the sternoclavicular articulation]

The Authors report on a case of neurovascular syndrome of the upper extremity caused by acquired luxation of the sternoclavicular articulation. The patient was treated by simple scalenotomy with a favourable long-term result.

Bacterial arthritis

In this review of the 1990 septic arthritis literature, we revisit synovial fluid leukocytosis, examine the utility of synovial fluid glucose and protein measurements, and look at the levels of two cytokines, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, in infected joint fluids. We see the many faces of gonococcal arthritis and the ravages of septic arthritis when the host has rheumatoid arthritis. Should we recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for the rheumatoid patient with a prosthetic joint who is undergoing a procedure that leads to transient bacteremia? What are some of the salient features of septic arthritis when it involves the sternoclavicular or sacroiliac joints? We also look at some unusual microorganisms, eg, group C Streptococcus, Streptococcus viridans, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas cepacia, Pseudomonas maltophilia, and Neisseria sicca. In patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, we encounter reports of septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and spinal epidural abscess caused by opportunistic microorganisms. Two unusual sites of infection include the C1-2 lateral facet joint and subacromial bursa without involvement of the glenohumeral joint. Finally, we examine how to drain a septic knee: the orthopedic point of view.

Sternoclavicular pustulotic osteitis (SAPHO). 20-year interval between skin and bone lesions

In 2 cases of palmoplantar pustulosis, a 20-year interval was observed between the skin lesion and the bone involvement. In one case, the bone lesion came first. In the other a skin lesion was seen for 3 weeks without subsequent relapse. The 2 cases underline the multifaceted presentation of the condition for which we have coined the name synovitis acne pustulosis hyperostosis osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome.

Salmonella virchow: abscess former amongst the contemporary invasive Salmonellae?

Abscess formation associated with salmonella infections has long been recognized--but without implicating a particular serotype. The pathogenicity, invasiveness and increasingly frequent isolation of Salmonella virchow in the UK is well established. It's propensity to abscess formation is, however, less well recognised. We report 5 patients with abscesses due to S. virchow. This represents a disproportionate number of abscesses in relation to the salmonella isolations in North East Scotland during the 5-year period under scrutiny. We suggest that this organism should be considered as aetiologically relevant even where there is no history of preceding gastrointestinal infection.

Sternoclavicular septic arthritis due to haemophilus influenzae

We have reported a case of septic sternoclavicular arthritis illustrating a rare complication of infection with a relatively common pathogen, Haemophilus influenze. Early identification of the infecting organism and appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential to prevent further morbidity from the complications of this unusual pyoarthritis.

[Sternoclavicular staphylococcal arthritis in non-immunodepressed patients. Study of 4 cases]

We report four patients (3 males and one female) suffering a sternoclavicular staphylococcal arthritis in whom risk factors such as parenteral drug addiction, alcoholism, diabetes, or immunosuppression were not observed. The etiopathogenesis, clinical picture, and diagnosis of this uncommon septic arthritis in reviewed.

A modification of the supraclavicular approach to the central circulation

Traditional anterior or posterior triangle approaches to the central circulation may be at times unsuccessful in the patient whose anatomy makes cannulation difficult. We used a supraclavicular approach to cannulation of the central circulation in 100 patients for intraoperative monitoring or insertion of renal dialysis catheters. We have had only two failures, both in patients for dialysis catheter placement, and no complications. Review of the literature reveals a similar history of success with variations of this approach. The supraclavicular approach is an easy cannulation technique for the inexperienced physician and a useful alternative to traditional approaches for the experienced physician.

Friedrich's disease

Three patients are reported with Friedrich's disease, a rare deformity of the sternoclavicular joint. This clinical entity is a symptomatic expression of osteonecrotic changes of the medial inferior border of the clavicle, with a still unknown pathogenesis. In our own experience and according to that of others, conservative treatment for this rare condition may be advisable.

[Syphilitic arthro-osteitis]

We report a black female with past history of sexual promiscuity who developed arthroosteitis of clavicula and sternoclavicular joint and cranial osteitis during secondary syphilis. Spirochaeta were identified in the material from osteoarticular biopsy. The patient was treated with benzathine penicillin, 2,400,000 U weekly for three weeks. There was a complete clinical recovery. We emphasize the uncommon occurrence of osteoarticular involvement in secondary syphilis and the exceptional character, according to the literature, of the finding of spirochaeta in the biopsy material. We discuss the differential diagnosis and we review the literature on secondary syphilis. We suggest that syphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any acute arthritis or osteitis, particularly when the involved joint is the sternoclavicular and the patient is sexually promiscuous.

Sternoclavicular joint infection in hemodialysis patients

Infection of the sternoclavicular joint due to Staphylococcus aureus occurred in 2 hemodialysis patients. Good results were achieved in both cases by applying appropriate antibiotic therapy. Sternoclavicular joint sepsis is rare. However, it is often associated with underlying conditions, and hemodialysis must be recalled as one of the possible predisposing factors.

A unified approach to symptomatic juxtasternal arthritis and enthesitis

Symptomatic arthritic and enthesopathic conditions of the sternum and its articulations have not been studied well as a group, despite previous reports of individual diseases and radiographic abnormalities that affect these structures. The lack of a unified clinical approach has been partly due to the absence of a name for the clinical condition, which we propose to call juxtasternal arthro-osteitis. Although juxtasternal arthro-osteitis may be caused by septic arthritis, this study was based on 24 adult patients with noninfectious juxtasternal arthro-osteitis, collected retrospectively from records of patients who had sternal tomography and from rheumatology clinic populations. Twelve of the patients had an underlying systemic arthropathy that met standard diagnostic criteria; three patients had an unclassifiable systemic arthropathy; and nine patients had the idiopathic localized disease, which has been termed sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis. Radiographic findings in the various diseases followed definite trends, but were not sufficiently distinct to provide the sole basis for diagnosis. Initial failure to correlate dermatologic, rheumatologic, radiographic, and laboratory findings led to prolonged delays in diagnosis in many cases. When juxtasternal arthro-osteitis is encountered, a thorough evaluation should be made for systemic disease. Idiopathic sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis can be diagnosed only after systemic arthropathy or enthesopathy has been excluded.

Osteoradionecrosis of the head and neck: a case of a clavicular-tracheal fistula secondary to osteoradionecrosis of the sternoclavicular joint

Radiation therapy is an integral part of treatment for head and neck cancer, but its use is not without complications. We describe the first reported sternoclavicular-tracheal fistula resulting from osteoradionecrosis (ORN) at the medial clavicle. This ORN resulted from definitive radiation therapy for a primary pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma. The diagnosis of ORN was made by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The physiologic damage of ORN is based on a compromised blood supply and altered metabolism of bone formation secondary to effects of ionizing radiation. Treatment requires meticulous hygiene, antibiotics, and debridement as conservative therapy. Radical surgery and reconstruction may be indicated in refractory cases. A thorough preirradiation assessment of patients is mandatory to decrease the incidence of radiation-induced ORN.

Histologic analysis of costochondral and sternoclavicular grafts in the TMJ of the juvenile monkey

Variability in growth response of the mandible after replacement of the mandibular condyle with the costochondral junction of a rib (CCJ) is common. Other donor graft sites that are more similar to the mandibular condyle might be more suitable for mandibular condylar replacement. Previous studies have shown the histomorphologic and developmental similarities between the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The purpose of this study was to evaluate histologically short-term adaptations within the TMJ after replacement of the mandibular condyle with the autogenous sternal head of the clavicle, and to compare these adaptations with autogenous CCJ and mandibular condyle (surgical control) transplants. Bilateral vertical ramus osteotomies were performed in 12 juvenile Macaca mulatta with the left condyle being immediately replaced and the right condyle removed and replaced with either the sternal head of the clavicle or costochondral junction of a rib. All grafts were stabilized with maxillomandibular fixation for five weeks. Two animals in each group were killed at five, 11, and 17 weeks postsurgery and prepared for histologic analysis. The results indicate that: 1) incorporation of all grafts into the recipient site occurred and all animals had good mandibular function and occlusion throughout the follow-up period; 2) the clavicular and mandibular condylar grafts were incorporated sooner than the CCJ grafts; 3) clavicular graft changes resembled those of the condylar grafts histologically while the costal grafts remained inert and unchanged; and 4) a new condylar process with cartilage similar to that of a normal mandibular condyle regenerated in the costal graft animals from cells presumably contributed by the periosteum of the mandibular ramus and TMJ capsule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fine needle aspiration in the treatment of ganglion cysts

Twenty-eight ganglion cysts in 21 patients were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) in the Cytopathology Service of The George Washington University Medical Center from January 1979 to December 1984. Twenty-four of these were aspirated by a pathologist. One patient had two ganglions. Seven of the 21 patients had recurrences and six were reaspirated. In five of those patients the cysts never attained their original size or interfered with function. Follow-up ranged from three to 71 months. Based upon our experience, we believe that FNA is a simple, fast, effective, nontraumatic, inexpensive method of treating ganglion cysts.

Bone and joint infection in a renal unit

Between 1980 and 1984 nine adult patients in the renal unit of Guy's Hospital developed bone and joint infection. The commonest site of infection was the spine. In this series two patients died, a mortality of 22%. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of bone and joint infection in patients with renal failure and renal transplants.