Vertebral compression fractures in multiple myeloma: redefining the priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Surgical Intervention for Spinal Lesions Due to Multiple Myeloma: A Case Report

Vertebral disease is a main source of morbidity (MM) in individuals with multiple myeloma. The effects of associated osteolytic lesions and vertebral fractures on severe pain, functional limits, spinal deformity, and cord compression are well recognized. Systemic therapy, radiation, cementoplasty (vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty), and radiofrequency ablation are now available therapeutic options for severe MM spinal pain. We here reported a case of a 45-year-old male who had complained of progressive symptoms of pathological spine fractures. He had been examined and investigated for the cause of lytic lesions and found to have multiple fractures in the spine. A computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple osteolytic lesions noted in the thoracolumbar spine, ribs (bilaterally), and pelvic bones. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a compression fracture of the T8 vertebral body with evidence of retro-bulging and a spinal canal narrowing. However, there was no evidence of spinal cord abnormal signal intensity. T2 weighted image (T2WI) keeping with edema is noted. A surgical intervention fixed the fracture and improved the quality of life. Vertebroplasty, a minimally invasive procedure, as a treatment option for vertebral lesions and pathologic fractures in the MM, showed good clinical improvement in the patient.

Epidemiological pattern of pediatric trauma in COVID-19 outbreak: Data from a tertiary trauma center in Iran

INTRODUCTION

In Iran, like most other countries, COVID-19 has had a deep impact on children's lives. Our hypothesis was that, a significant change in the number of pediatric injuries has happened in trauma centers. In the current study, we intend to identify the possible epidemiological shift in pediatric fracture patterns, by comparing the data from 'COVID-19 era' and the mean data from the past 2 years. To the best of our knowledge there are only few reports on epidemiology of pediatric fractures during the COVID-19 outbreak.

METHODS

Data are reported in two sections. In the descriptive section, epidemiological data regarding pediatric fractures referred to Taleghani tertiary trauma center, including demographics, distribution curves, etiologies and fracture types are presented during the 'COVID era', from 1 March 2020 to 15 April 2020. In the comparative section, the aforementioned data are compared with mean data from the past 2 years, the 'non-COVID era'.

RESULTS

Altogether 117 of the 288 trauma children (40.62%) had a fractured bone (145 fractures). Patients were mostly boys, with a mean age of 9.87 years (SD=5.27). The three most common fracture types in children included distal radius, mid-forearm and humeral supracondylar fractures. Compared to non-COVID era, the number of pediatric trauma admissions dropped from 589 to 288. No significant change happened in the mean age, male/female ratio and percentage of motor vehicle accidents. Proportion of proximal humeral, proximal forearm, carpal, and hand fractures declined. The number of open fractures significantly dropped (from 12 to 2).

CONCLUSIONS

In Iran, overall trend of pediatric trauma has been decreasing during the outbreak; but the lack of reduction in proportion of accidents may pose an alarm that an effective lock-down has not been imposed. This study has implications as to preparing appropriate resources particular to common "COVID era fractures".