Metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma to bone

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Distinguishing sarcomatoid carcinoma from primary sarcoma is clinically important. We sought to characterize metastatic sarcomatoid bone disease and its management.

METHODS

We analyzed the characteristics of all cases of sarcomatoid carcinoma to bone at a single institution from 2001 to 2021, excluding patients with nonosseous metastases. Survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

We identified 15 cases of metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma to bone. In seven cases the primary cancer was unknown at presentation. Renal cell carcinoma was suspected or confirmed in nine cases. Nine patients presented with pathologic fracture and two with concomitant visceral metastases. All patients underwent image-guided core needle or open biopsy. Ten required surgery for discrete osseous metastases; in four cases definitive surgery was delayed (median delay, 19 days) due to inability to rule out sarcoma with frozen section. No patients required reoperation or had construct failure. Thirteen died of disease; median survival was 17.5 months (interquartile range, 6.2-25.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma is a clinically challenging entity. Multidisciplinary input and communication are key to identifying the primary carcinoma, locating osseous metastases, and defining an operative fixation that will survive the remainder of the patient's life.

The Role of Denosumab in the Treatment of Primary Tumors of Bone

Many hand surgeons treat benign bone tumors without referral to orthopedic oncologists. However, there have been considerable advances in medical therapy for some of these tumors, with which hand surgeons may not be as familiar. This review focuses on the mechanism and uses of denosumab in the treatment of benign tumors of bone. Although the hand surgeon may not be directly prescribing this therapy, they are often the only physician treating the patient for these conditions. As such, awareness regarding the use of this therapy in reducing pain, decreasing tumor volume, and treatment of potential lung metastases is critical to those taking on these cases without the support of an orthopedic oncologist. This article aims to familiarize hand surgeons with denosumab to help promote knowledge of this therapeutic option and the potential role of this medication in the treatment of primary bone tumors in the hand.

Tumors of the Hand and the Wrist

Most tumors of the hand and the wrist are benign; however, malignant conditions can mimic benign tumors and must be worked up accordingly. Advanced imaging should be followed by biopsy before definitive treatment of tumors of unknown diagnosis. The most common soft-tissue masses in the hand and the wrist are ganglion cysts, whereas the most common bone tumors are enchondromas.

Nerve Tumors of the Upper Extremity

Nerve sheath tumors of the upper extremity are among the common neoplastic pathologies encountered by hand surgeons. A majority of these tumors are benign schwannomas or neurofibromas and may be associated with neurofibromatosis. Clinical signs of malignant transformation include new onset of pain and rapid growth. Imaging characteristics, such as standardized uptake value greater than 4.0 on PET scan, may aid in the diagnosis of a malignant tumor. Surgical excision, often with intrafascicular dissection with nerve preservation, is recommended treatment of benign lesions. Wide surgical excision is recommended for malignant lesions.

Sarcoma of the Lower Limb: Reconstructive Surgeon's Perspective

Management of sarcomas in the lower extremities have evolved from amputations to limb-preserving surgeries with evidence to support that they have equal overall survival, albeit with better functional outcome. The challenge of reconstruction lies in providing a durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing limb. However, limb-preserving intention should not delay interventions that provide a survival benefit such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The advent of radiotherapy and chemotherapy also has implications on wound healing and should be considered during the reconstructive process. This article reviews the methodical approach, reconstructive strategies, and considerations for the reconstructive surgeon with respect to the lower extremity after sarcoma excision.

Use of the S3 Corridor for Iliosacral Fixation in a Dysmorphic Sacrum: A Case Report

CASE

The S1 and S2 corridors are the typical osseous pathways for iliosacral screw fixation of posterior pelvic ring fractures. In dysmorphic sacra, the S1 screw trajectory is often different from that in normal sacra. We present a case of iliosacral screw placement in the third sacral segment for fixation of a complex lateral compression type-3 pelvic fracture in a patient with a dysmorphic sacrum.

CONCLUSION

In patients with dysmorphic sacra and unstable posterior pelvic ring fractures or dislocations, the S3 corridor may be a feasible osseous fixation pathway that can be used in a manner equivalent to the S2 corridor in a normal sacrum.

Pelvic Fixation in Adult and Pediatric Spine Surgery: Historical Perspective, Indications, and Techniques: AAOS Exhibit Selection

Achieving solid osseous fusion across the lumbosacral junction has historically been, and continues to be, a challenge in spine surgery. Robust pelvic fixation plays an integral role in achieving this goal. The goals of this review are to describe the history of and indications for spinopelvic fixation, examine conventional spinopelvic fixation techniques, and review the newer S2-alar-iliac technique and its outcomes in adult and pediatric patients with spinal deformity. Since the introduction of Harrington rods in the 1960s, spinal instrumentation has evolved substantially. Indications for spinopelvic fixation as a means to achieve lumbosacral arthrodesis include a long arthrodesis (five or more vertebral levels) or use of three-column osteotomies in the lower thoracic or lumbar spine, surgical treatment of high-grade spondylolisthesis, and correction of lumbar deformity and pelvic obliquity. A variety of techniques have been described over the years, including Galveston iliac rods, Jackson intrasacral rods, the Kostuik transiliac bar, iliac screws, and S2-alar-iliac screws. Modern iliac screws and S2-alar-iliac screws are associated with relatively low rates of pseudarthrosis. S2-alar-iliac screws have the advantages of less implant prominence and inline placement with proximal spinal anchors. Collectively, these techniques provide powerful methods for obtaining control of the pelvis in facilitating lumbosacral arthrodesis.

rhBMP use in cervical spine surgery: associated factors and in-hospital complications

BACKGROUND

Widespread use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) in cervical spine surgery has continued despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 2008 notification regarding its adverse effects. Our study goals were to analyze how patient, surgical, and institutional factors influenced rhBMP use in cervical spinal fusion surgery and to examine the cervical-spine-specific in-hospital complications associated with rhBMP use.

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify 1,064,372 patients eighteen years or older who had undergone cervical spinal fusion surgery from 2003 through 2010. Of these patients, 84,726 (7.96%) received rhBMP. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze patient, surgical, and institutional factors associated with rhBMP use, and the relationship between rhBMP use and the development of in-hospital complications.

RESULTS

On multivariate analysis, patient age and sex, insurance type, surgical approach, use of autograft bone, and hospital teaching status, size, and region were significant predictors of rhBMP use. Use of rhBMP was a significant predictor of complications on univariate analysis and on multivariate analysis adjusted for patient age and sex, Charlson comorbidity score, insurance status, surgical approach, autograft bone use, and hospital teaching status, size, and region. Use of rhBMP was significantly associated with the development of dysphagia (prevalence, 2.0%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.53), dysphonia (prevalence, 0.28%; adjusted OR, 1.48), hematoma/seroma formation (prevalence, 0.7%; adjusted OR, 1.24), and neurological complications (prevalence, 0.84%; adjusted OR, 2.0). These complications were most commonly found after anterior cervical fusion surgery. Wound infections and neurological complications were most commonly found after posterior cervical fusion surgery. Dysphagia was most commonly found after circumferential fusion surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Indications for rhBMP use for cervical spinal fusion are multifactorial. Its use is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of cervical-spine-specific complications.

Role of fracture and repair type on pain and opioid use after hip fracture in the elderly

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pain after hip fracture repair is related to worse functional outcomes and higher fracture care costs than that for patients with no or less pain. However, to our knowledge, few studies have examined the roles of hip fracture type or surgical procedure as factors influencing postoperative pain or opioid analgesic requirements. Our goal was to determine whether the type of hip fracture or hip fracture repair affects postoperative pain or opioid analgesic requirements in the elderly patient.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 231 patients ≥65 years old admitted to a hip fracture center for surgical repair. Fracture patterns were classified into femoral neck (FN) versus intertrochanteric (IT), stable versus unstable, and type of surgical repair. Demographic and intraoperative variables, postoperative pain scores, and opioid analgesic use data were collected and analyzed according to the type of hip fracture and type of surgical repair.

RESULTS

There were no differences in postoperative pain when comparing FN versus IT fractures, stable versus unstable fractures, or type of surgical repair. Patients with FN fractures had higher analgesic requirements on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. There was no difference in postoperative analgesic requirements among patients with stable versus unstable fractures or type of surgical repair. Otherwise, there were no differences in postoperative pain or opioid analgesic use based on the surgical repair or fracture type. Overall, patients with hip fracture experienced low levels of pain.

Septic elbow in the setting of neuropathic joint as the initial presentation of a cervical syrinx

Neuropathic arthropathy, or Charcot's joint, is a degenerative disorder resulting from abnormal sensory innervation that is associated with diabetes mellitus, tabes dorsalis, and syringomyelia. Patients may present with a painless instability of the affected joint, although a range of symptoms are seen. This article presents a case of a patient who presented with a swollen elbow, consistent with septic arthritis, and bilateral lower extremity weakness. Joint fluid cultures were positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Extensive joint destruction on radiographic imaging and a thorough neurologic examination revealing generalized weakness and upper motor neuron signs prompted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine which revealed a cervical syrinx. Our patient was diagnosed with syringomyelia-associated neuropathic arthropathy that initially presented as a septic joint. In the setting of septic arthritis, substantial joint destruction (particularly in a patient with neurologic deficits) should prompt additional investigation, including MRI of the spine, for neurologic causes. Although surgery is generally not recommended for neuropathic arthropathy because of poor healing and high rates of complication, neuropathic arthropathy in the setting of a septic joint requires operative irrigation and debridement.

Chondrosarcoma of the spine: a series of 16 cases and a review of the literature

Only a few major studies of chondrosarcoma of the mobile spine have been reported. These studies have shown that spinal chondrosarcomas require complete surgical resection and are notoriously resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. We present 16 cases of chondrosarcoma of the mobile spine diagnosed at a median age of 54.5 (range 20 - 79) years. Diagnosis and treatment studies were based on both CT scans and MRI. Fifteen of our 16 patients had low-grade (grade 1-2) chondrosarcomas. All patients were treated with surgical resection. Fourteen patients had total resection while two patients had subtotal resection. The two patients who had subtotal resection died of their disease. Five of the fourteen patients who had total resection also died. The mean interval to death was 3.6 years. This study confirms that although chondrosarcomas of the spine are low grade, they are dangerous neoplasms. Even with complete resection, they have a high rate of recurrence and metastasis.