Amer Sebaaly

Improved acetabular fracture diagnosis after training in a CT-based method

BACKGROUND Acetabular fractures remain challenging to diagnose, particularly when they are complex. An accurate diagnosis is nevertheless crucial to select the best surgical strategy. None of the training methods described to date relies on the Letournel classification with a detailed analysis of each abnormality seen by computed tomography (CT). We therefore prospectively assessed a CT-based diagnostic method by (1) determining the rate of correct diagnoses by orthopaedic surgeons before and after training in the method, (2) comparing the times needed to read the CT images before and after training, (3) and assessing the repeatability of the method. HYPOTHESIS Training in the CT-based diagnostic method significantly increases the rate of correct diagnoses. METHOD The CT-based diagnostic method involves analysing eight anatomical landmarks in the anterior, posterior, and no mans land zones. From our institutional database (450 cases between 2007 and 2016), we selected 35 acetabular fractures that replicated the overall distribution of fracture types. The images were reviewed by 10 inexperienced and 3 experienced readers before and after they received training in the CT-based diagnostic method. The rates of correct diagnoses and times needed to read the images were compared. Finally, an additional reading was performed to allow an assessment of reproducibility. RESULTS After training, the rate of correct diagnoses by the unexperienced readers improved by 16.64% for all fractures combined (from 212/350, 60.5% [37-83%] to 270/350, 77.14% [63-86%]; P=0.001) and by 25.9% for associated fractures (from 90/180, 50% [11-89%] to 114/140, 75.6% [61-90%]; P=0.003). Mean time required by the inexperienced readers to interpret the 35 sets of images decreased after training, from 66.1 to 47.6min (i.e., a 1.22-minute decrease per patient, P=0.001). None of the study variables changed significantly after training of the experienced readers (P>0.05). Reproducibility among the inexperienced readers was 0.78. CONCLUSION Analysing the eight anatomical landmarks located in the anterior, posterior, and no mans land zones is a simple and reproducible method for diagnosing all fracture patterns defined by the Letournel classification. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, non-randomised prospective case-control diagnostic study.

Vertebral Augmentation: State of the Art

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVF) are an increasing public health problem. Cement augmentation (vertebroplasty of kyphoplasty) helps stabilize painful OVF refractory to medical treatment. This stabilization is thought to improve pain and functional outcome. Vertebroplasty consists of injecting cement into a fractured vertebra using a percutaneous transpedicular approach. Balloon kyphoplasty uses an inflatable balloon prior to injecting the cement. Although kyphoplasty is associated with significant improvement of local kyphosis and less cement leakage, this does not result in long-term clinical and functional improvement. Moreover, vertebroplasty is favored by some due to the high cost of kyphoplasty. The injection of cement increases the stiffness of the fracture vertebrae. This can lead, in theory, to adjacent OVF. However, many studies found no increase of subsequent fracture when comparing medical treatment to cement augmentation. Kyphoplasty can have a protective effect due to restoration of sagittal balance.

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Cervical Spine in Children: A Review and a Focus on Available Treatment Options.

Objective: To present a series of pediatric cervical spine (CS) aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC), to review the literature, and to propose a treatment algorithm. Material: We present a series of 4 cases of ABC and review the literature using PubMed, EMBASE, and Google scholar. Results: Only 51 cases are documented. The mean age at diagnosis is 11.5 years, and there is a small female predominance (F:M ratio=1.6). Most of ABC occurs in the upper CS (41%), are located in the posterior component (75%), and extends in 40% of the vertebral body. A single treatment modality was used in 56.9%, whereas combination of surgery with other treatment modalities was used in the rest. Of the total number of cases, 56.8% were managed with marginal resection, and instrumentation was used in 80%. Mean follow-up was 72.5 months, with the majority of patients disease free. Pain is the most common symptom present at the latest follow-up. Conclusions: ABC of the spine is a pediatric tumor occurring rarely in the CS. Treatment options vary from simple curettage to total resection with or without instrumentation. Recurrence after surgery is highest after curettage alone. The main indications for surgery are rapid progression, despite intracystic injection, and/or the presence of neurological signs or symptoms. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Physical performance and trabecular bone score in a group of young Lebanese women.

Recent studies have shown that trabecular bone score (TBS) is related to fractures in elderly subjects (1,2). Furthermore, we have recently shown in a study conducted on 4907 Lebanese women that the correlation between lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) and TBS is low (r5 0.39; p! 0.001) suggesting that these two parameters reflect different bone properties (3). Identifying simple determinants of TBS may be useful for the prevention and early detection of osteoporotic fractures. The main aim of this study was to identify the determinants of TBS in a group of young Lebanese women. A total of 26 Lebanese adult women whose ages range between 18 and 28 yr participated in this study.Weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Body composition, lumbar spine (L1eL4) BMD, and TBS were evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar iDXA, GE Healthcare; Madison, WI). Daily calcium intake (DCI) and daily protein intake (DPI) were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Serum vitamin D was assessed. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max; L/min) was measured while exercising on a bicycle ergometer. Performances in vertical jump, horizontal jump, 3-jump test, 5-jump test, and 1⁄2 squat were also measured as previously described (4). Age, weight, height, BMI, lean mass, fat mass, DCI, DPI, and serum vitamin D were not correlated to TBS. The VO2 max (L/min) and performances in vertical jump, horizontal jump, 3-jump test, 5-jump test, and 1⁄2 squat were positively correlated to TBS ( p! 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first study to show positive correlations between physical performance variables and TBS in young women. Morphological characteristics (weight, lean mass, and BMI) were not positively correlated to TBS. This result is in accordance with that of our previous study conducted on Lebanese women (3). However, our results showed a positive correlation between VO2 max (L/min) and TBS. This is the first study

Multifocal metachronous giant cell tumor: case report and review of the literature.

Introduction. Giant cell tumors (GCTs) of bone are known for their local aggressiveness and high recurrence rate. There are rare cases of multicentric GCT and most are synchronous. We herein review metachronous multicentric GCT reported in the literature. Material and Methods. A MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar search was done to collect all cases of multicentric metachronous GCT specifying the clinical, radiological, and histological characteristics of each location and its treatment. Results. A total of 37 multifocal giant cell tumors were found in the literature. 68% of cases of multicentric giant cell tumors occur in less than 4 years following treatment of the first lesion. Thirty-seven cases of multifocal metachronous GCT were identified in the literature until 2012. Patients with multicentric GCT tend to be younger averaging 23. There is a slight female predominance in metachronous GCT. The most common site of the primary GCT is around the knee followed by wrist and hand and feet. Recurrence rate of multicentric GCT is 28.5%. Conclusion. Multicentric giant cell tumor is rare. The correct diagnosis relies on correlation of clinical and radiographic findings with confirmation of the diagnosis by histopathologic examination.

Osteochondritis of the Distal Tibial Epiphysis

Osteochondritis of the distal tibial epiphysis is a very rare entity. 9 cases have been described in 7 articles and 8 other cases have been mentioned in textbooks. This paper describes the 10th case of osteochondritis of the distal tibial epiphysis and summarizes the clinical and radiological presentations of the 9 other cases. The etiology of this entity is well debated in the literature. We believe that it results from a vascular abnormality in the distal tibial epiphysis associated with a mechanical stress (trauma, excessive overload, etc.). Since it is a self-limited disease, the prognosis is good and the younger the patient is the better the prognosis will be. In general, this entity responds well to conservative treatment.

Surgical site infection in spinal metastasis: incidence and risk factors

BACKGROUND Surgical site infection (SSI) in spinal metastasis surgery represents the most common postoperative surgical complication with high morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the incidence of SSI in spinal metastasis surgery and its risk factors. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data. METHODS Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were collected together with the modified Tokuhashi score and Frankel score at all time checkpoints. Surgical site infection was divided into superficial and deep SSI, as well as early (<90 days) and late SSI. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors, with p<.05 as significance threshold. RESULTS A total of 297 patients were included, with an incidence of SSI of 5.1% (superficial SSI: 3.4%; deep SSI: 1.7 %). Cervicothoracic surgery was associated with the highest incidence of SSI, whereas cervical surgery had the lowest incidence. Smoking, higher number of spinal metastasis, elevated body mass index (BMI), and higher ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologist) score were the preoperative factors associated with increased risk of SSI. Increased intraoperative blood loss and increased number of fixed vertebra increased the SSI incidence. SSI increased hospital stay by a mean of 12 days. When all these variables are analyzed in a multiple regression model, only surgical time≥4 hours and ASA≥3 were found to be independent risk factors for the occurrence of SSI. CONCLUSION This paper represents the largest series of spinal metastasis with a mean incidence of SSI of 5.1%. Smoking, higher BMI, higher number of spinal metastasis, higher ASA score, higher number of fused vertebra, intraoperative bleeding≥2000 mL, and neurologic deterioration are risk factors for SSI occurrence. Only ASA≥3 and operative duration≥4 hours are independent risk factors for this complication occurrence. Finally, SSI occurrence is associated with increased hospital stay, increased 30-day mortality rate, and decreased survival rates.

Standardized three dimensional computerised tomography scanner reconstructions increase the accuracy of acetabular fracture classification

PurposeEvaluate the role of four standardized 3D reconstruction views in the accurate diagnosis of acetabular fractures.Materials and methodsThirty-five acetabular fracture cases were selected from a tertiary centre database. Fourteen reviewers with different experience level evaluated this set of images which were provided in axial 2D views and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) without 3D views in the first two readings then the standardized 3D views were added for the subsequent two readings. The primary outcome was the accuracy of diagnosis while inter-observer reliability and reading time as well as time needed for accurate diagnosis were evaluated.ResultsAccuracy of classification was 56.7% using the 2D and 73% using the described 3D (p < 0.001). Improvement was noted in all groups even though the expert group showed the least improvement (6.7% (p = 0.04)) and the least experience group showed the most improvement (35.7% (p < 0.001)). Average time of interpretation was 96 minutes for the 2D sets and 47 minutes for the 3D sets. Finally, the adding of the four standardized views increased the inter-observer reliability in all groups compared to the standard 2D sets with MPR.ConclusionAcetabular fracture diagnosis according to Letournel classification is difficult and depends greatly on the experience of the reader. The described set of 3D images yields better accuracy and renders the diagnosis more repeatable and faster. We recommend the use of these images in classifying acetabular fractures.

First Description of a Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor Arising in the Nose

We report the case of a 12-year-old girl, who consulted us with one-year history of an 8 mm nose lesion that was painless and firm upon palpation. The lesion was resected conservatively. Immunohistochemistry was in favor of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)/Ewings sarcoma lesion, excluding epithelial, lymphoid, and other tumors. After a second resection, our patient was referred to chemotherapy and has already undergone 9 cycles out of 14. The patient is to date with no evidence of persistent or recurrent disease. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a PNET arising in the nose.

Etiology, Evaluation, and Treatment of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

The study aimed to review the etiology of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and to propose a treatment algorithm based on a systematic review of the current literature and individual experience. FBSS is a term that groups the conditions with recurring low back pain after spine surgery with or without a radicular component. Since the information on FBSS incidence is limited, data needs to be retrieved from old studies. It is generally accepted that its incidence ranges between 10% and 40% after lumbar laminectomy with or without fusion. Although the etiology of FBSS is not completely understood, it is possibly multifactorial, and the causative factors may be categorized into preoperative, operative, and postoperative factors. The evaluation of patients with FBSS symptoms should ideally initiate with reviewing the patients’ clinical history (observing “red flags”), followed by a detailed clinical examination and imaging (whole-body X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography). FBSS is a complex and difficult pathology, and its accurate diagnosis is of utmost importance. Its management should be multidisciplinary, and special attention should be provided to cases of recurrent disc herniation and postoperative spinal imbalance.