Rodney K. Beals

Prophylactic internal fixation of the femur in metastatic breast cancer.

Three hundred and thirty‐eight patients with breast cancer have been reviewed. About half of the patients with skeletal metastases developed femoral involvement, usually bilateral. Certain impending femoral fractures can be presaged, and in these patients prophylactic internal fixation has reduced the incidence of pathologic fractures in femora so affected by metastatic disease from 32% to 9%.

Developmental Changes in the Femur and Acetabulum in Spastic Paraplegia and Diplegia

‘Normal’ mean value curves were constructed from data in the literature for the acetabular index, femoral inclination, and femoral anteversion in relation to age. These were compared to the mean values found in a group of 40 patients with spastic paraplegia and diplegia. The angle of inclination was usually normal in these spastic children, but anteversion was markedly increased. Decrease in the acetabular index in these children was related to the duration of ambulation.

Hereditary Onycho-osteodysplasia (nail-patella Syndrome): A Report Of Nine Kindreds

1. Nine unrelated kindreds with onycho-osteodysplasia are presented from a small population source suggesting relative frequency of this syndrome. 2. The presence of albuminuria in 39 per cent of affected persons tested supports the inclusion of renal dysplasia as a component of the syndrome. The nature of this dysplasia needs further definition. 3. Mild reduction of stature is demonstrated to be a component of the syndrome. 4. The finding of foot deformity in 46 per cent of affected persons examined suggests that this is also a component of the inherited syndrome. Calcaneovalgus deformity of the hind part of the foot with supination of the fore part of the foot was found to be the predominant deformity.

The Hajdu-Cheney syndrome: Report of two cases and review of the literature

The Hajdu-Cheney syndrome includes short stature, characteristic facies, and a slowly progressive skeletal dysplasia which affects skull, spine, and long bones. Two patients with this syndrome are presented. In the first patient the most distinctive skeletal feature, acro-osteolysis, was shown to be absent at age 6 years but was present at age 11 years. Diagnosis was made in the second case in the absence of acroosteolysis because of otherwise typical findings. Abnormalities affecting vision, hearing, and dentition occur and these, along with the other characteristic physical and radiographic features of the syndrome, should enable diagnosis prior to the onset of acro-osteolysis.

Spastic Paraplegia and Diplegia: An Evaluation Of Non-surgical And Surgical Factors Influencing The Prognosis For Ambulation

1. A concept of the natural history of motor development in children with spastic paraplegia and diplegia has been presented, based on a study of motor development tests.2. The severity index, the months of motor development at the chronological age of three years, can be used to prognosticate the c

Tricho-rhino-phalangeal dysplasia. Report of a kindred.

A family with autosomal dominant transmission of tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome is presented. The syndrome is characterized by the triad of slow growing, brittle hair and early loss of hair, distinctive facies which include a long philtrum and pear-shaped nose, and peripheral cone-shaped epiphyses, with brachyphalangia. Patients with this syndrome are likely to seek care for the skeletal manifestations of the disease. Genetic counseling may be indicated in addition to treatment of the orthopaedic complaints.

Familial Vertebral Hypoplasia and Kyphosis

A family with autosomal dominant inheritance of anterior hypoplasia of the upper lumbar vertebrae and other minor skeletal aberations has been described. The value of diagnosis lies principally in its genetic implications, its relatively good prognosis, and the possibility that early bracing may prevent deformity. The minimum deformity and fortuitous diagnosis in this family suggests that family histories and roentgenographic evaluation would be advisable in relatives of similarly affected persons.