Paediatric ankle cartilage lesions: Proceedings of the International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle

BACKGROUND

The evidence supporting best practice guidelines in the field of cartilage repair of the ankle are based on both low quality and low levels of evidence. Therefore, an international consensus group of experts was convened to collaboratively advance toward consensus opinions based on the best available evidence on key topics within cartilage repair of the ankle. The purpose of this article is to report the consensus statements on "Pediatric Ankle Cartilage Lesions" developed at the 2019 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle.

METHODS

Forty-three international experts in cartilage repair of the ankle representing 20 countries convened to participate in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Questions and statements were drafted within four working groups focusing on specific topics within cartilage repair of the ankle, after which a comprehensive literature review was performed and the available evidence for each statement was graded. Discussion and debate occurred in cases where statements were not agreed upon in unanimous fashion within the working groups. A final vote was then held, and the strength of consensus was characterised as follows: consensus: 51-74%; strong consensus: 75-99%; unanimous: 100%.

RESULTS

A total of 12 statements on paediatric ankle cartilage lesions reached consensus during the 2019 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. Five achieved unanimous support, and seven reached strong consensus (>75% agreement). All statements reached at least 84% agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

This international consensus derived from leaders in the field will assist clinicians with the management of paediatric ankle cartilage lesions.

Customized treatment of recurrent gynaecological cancer--the need for intraoperative radiation therapy

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the experience with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) at the present institution and to evaluate its contribution to the management of patients with recurrent gynecological cancer. Materials and

METHODS

Retrospectively this study reviewed data of patients with a gynecological malignancy considered for treatment with IORT at Freiburg University Medical Center between 2005 and 2012. For this purpose, an analysis of medical records, radiation oncology records, operation reports, and follow-up data was conducted.

RESULTS

During the period of this study, 31 women with gynecological cancer underwent tumor resection in combination with IORT. The median age of the patients at the time of IORT was 62 years (range 38-85). Most patients had undergone surgery at the time of initial diagnosis (87%). More than one-third of the patients received prior radiation therapy. In addition to that, 52% of the patients had already received chemotherapy. The majority of patients suffered from the first relapse of their disease. The local recurrence was predominantly located at the pelvic side wall (32%) or in intra-abdominal lymph nodes (32%). In 12 patients the authors did not apply the planned IORT. Intraoperative complications were rare and IORT was tolerated without severe side-effects. Follow-up was 14 months (range 1-65), progression free survival (PFS) was five months (range 3-31).

CONCLUSIONS

In carefully selected patients, IORT and cytoreductive surgery contributed to local control and disease palliation. The authors therefore consider IORT an important aspect of modern cancer treatment.

[Pneumomediastinum related to the second stage of labour - a report on 2 cases]

We report on 2 primigravidae developing pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema associated with the second stage of labor. Both of the newborns had a comparatively high birth-weight (3,855 g and 4,245 g, respectively). In the first case, the patient felt a sudden chest pain during expulsion followed by dyspnea and swelling of the face. The birth was terminated by vacuum extraction. In the second case, a mild shoulder dystocia occurred, which could be resolved by McRoberts maneuver. The patient exhibited a swollen face and shortness of breath on the first postpartum day. Physical examination revealed crackly skin over the lower face, both sides of the neck and the front of the chest. In both cases, CT scan of the chest revealed pneumomediastinum and a subcutaneous emphysema of the upper thorax, however without showing a pneumothorax. The first patient underwent bronchoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy; there were no abnormalities detected. The pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema gradually diminished spontaneously in both cases. Appropriate pain management and empirical antibiotics were applied. Pneumomediastinum during labor and birth, typically with subcutaneous emphysema in the face and neck, is a rare condition, but there are reported cases in the literature. Based on the limited available evidence, it seems to have a benign, self-limiting course. A conservative management appears -appropriate and sufficient.

Quantitative measurement of radial head fracture location

BACKGROUND

The most common location of a displaced fracture of part of the radial head is often described as the anterior lateral aspect of the radial head with the forearm in neutral position, based on observation rather than precise measurements. The purpose of our study was to measure the exact location of fractures involving part of the radial head using quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured the fracture lines with respect to the biceps tuberosity in 24 patients with a displaced articular fracture of part of the radial head (Mason type 2). Two observers preformed each measurement twice. Reliability was measured using the concordance correlation coefficient according to Lin.

RESULTS

The average start of the fracture was 97° (standard deviation [SD]) 48.3°; range 31°-254°) clockwise from the biceps tuberosity, the average end of the fracture was 241.6° (SD, 61.0; range 19°-330°), and the average fracture subtends was 170° (SD, 32.8°; range 99°-252°). The fracture was through the anterolateral quadrant of the radial head in 22 of the 24 patients and through the posteromedial quadrant in 2 patients.

CONCLUSION

This quantitative analysis of CT scans of displaced articular fractures of part of the radial head (Mason type 2) confirms that the most common location is the anterolateral quadrant with the forearm in neutral rotation. Given the important role of the radial head in elbow stability, more accurate characterization of incomplete radial head fractures may improve our understanding of treatment and outcome of these fractures.

Incidence of patients with lower extremity injuries presenting to US emergency departments by anatomic region, disease category, and age

BACKGROUND

The incidence of patients with lower extremity injuries presenting to emergency departments in the United States with respect to specific anatomic regions and disease categories is unknown. Such information might be used for injury prevention, resource allocation, and training priorities.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We determined the anatomic regions, disease categories, and circumstances that account for the highest incidence of leg problems among patients presenting to emergency departments in the United States.

METHODS

We used the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to obtain a probability sample of all lower extremity injuries treated at emergency departments during 2009. A total of 119,815 patients who presented to emergency departments with lower extremity injuries in 2009 were entered in the NEISS database. Patient and injury characteristics were analyzed. Incidence rates for various regions, disease categories, injuries, and age groups were calculated using US census data.

RESULTS

We identified 112 unique combinations of disease categories and anatomic regions. Strains and sprains accounted for 36% of all lower extremity injuries. The injury with the greatest incidence was an ankle sprain (206 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval, 181-230). Younger patients were more likely to have ankle sprains, foot contusions/abrasions, and foot strains/sprains. Older patients were more likely to have lower trunk fractures and lower trunk contusions/abrasions. The most common incidence for injury was at home (45%).

CONCLUSIONS

Given relatively low-acuity leg problems such as strains and sprains account for a substantial number of emergency department visits pertaining to leg problems, use of telephone triage, scheduled same or next-day urgent care appointments, and other alternatives to the traditional emergency room might result in better use of emergency healthcare resources.

Elbow fracture-dislocation with triceps avulsion: report of 2 cases

We report 2 cases of elbow fracture dislocation with triceps avulsion. Despite immobilizing the elbow in neutral for 2 to 4 weeks to protect the triceps repair, good elbow motion was obtained.