Sophie Bourelle

Modern concepts of primary aneurysmal bone cyst

IntroductionDespite the long experience of radiologists, pathologists and orthopaedists with aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC), there is limited knowledge regarding the cause of the lesion and the optimal treatment. The pathogenesis of ABC remains unclear with theories ranging from a post-traumatic, reactive vascular malformation to genetically predisposed bone tumours. Recent genetic and immunohistochemical studies proposed that primary ABC is a tumour and not a reactive tumour-simulating lesion. The chromosomal analyses and some reported familial cases of this osteolytic bone lesion propose a hereditary factor in a presumably multifactorial pathogenesis.Materials and methodsThe imaging studies, even CT scan and MRI sometimes do not provide clearly diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of ABC. The radiographically differential diagnosis between ABC and unicameral bone cyst (UBC) is sometimes not clear. Double density fluid level, septation, low signal on T1 images and high intensity on T2 images strongly suggest the bone cyst is an ABC, rather than a UBC.ConclusionCommon methods of treatment vary considerably in the literature. The usual methods of treatment are curettage, resection, intracystic injections and embolization. Biopsy is imperative before any treatment. Ethibloc® treatment remains highly controversial. For some authors Ethibloc® injection can be recommended as the first-choice treatment excluding spinal lesions. A minimally invasive method by introduction of demineralized bone and autogenous bone marrow is able to promote the self-healing of a primary ABC.

Salter-Harris Type III and IV medial malleolar fractures: growth arrest: is it a fate? A retrospective study of 48 cases with open reduction.

Salter-Harris type III and IV medial malleolar fractures (MacFarland fracture) is a joint fracture of the ankle in children. The fracture line passes through the medial part of the lower epiphyseal disk of the tibia. Prognosis is dominated by later risk of misalignment and osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of these fractures. We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 48 children with MacFarland fractures (31 boys and 17 girls), mean age at the time of trauma 11 years 6 months (range, 8-15 years). The fractures were classed into two groups according to the Salter and Harris classification for epiphyseal detachment: Salter III (30 cases) and Salter IV (18 cases). Surgical treatment was given in all cases (46 screw fixations, 2 pin fixations). Three outcome categories were used: good (no pain, no stiffness, no limp, no misalignment, no surgical complication, no healing problem), fair (pain and/or stiffness and/or limp and/or healing problem without misalignment, no surgical complication), and poor (misalignment or surgical complication). Mean follow-up was 3 years and 3 months (24-94 months). Twenty-eight children were skeletally mature at the longest follow-up. The three-month postoperative assessment showed 35 patients with good results and 13 children with fair results. Ankle stiffness was noted in 6 cases, ankle pain in 4 cases, wound healing complications in 4 cases, limp in 1 case, and snapping in 1 case. The long-term outcome was considered good for 45 patients, fair for 2 patients (1 wound adherence and 1 hypertrophic scar tissue), and poor for 1 patient (6-degree varus deformity). We did not note leg-length discrepancy or malunion at the longest follow-up. Our results show that growth arrest after MacFarland fracture is no fate. We used surgery more than is generally reported by other teams, opting for surgery as soon as the displacement was ≥1 mm. Surgical treatment was arthrotomy in all cases to achieve anatomical reduction under direct view, followed by osteosynthesis. We believe that it is difficult to evaluate if the reduction is perfect under the control of the intensifier screen alone. Arthrotomy did not lead to ankle stiffness, in any of our patients at longest follow-up.

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the pelvis in children: a multicenter study and literature review.

The authors analyzed a series of 15 pelvic aneurysmal bone cysts (9 boys and 6 girls) in children and adolescents who were reviewed with an average follow-up of 50.3 months. Pain and limp were the main symptoms. Four patients had no treatment after the open biopsy. Eleven patients were treated with curettage. Preoperative selective arterial embolization was performed in three cases before curettage. Two recurrences were noted after curettage; recurrences were treated successfully with further curettage. As a result, the authors recommend curettage; more aggressive operative intervention does not appear to be indicated. No major intraoperative vascular complications occurred. Spontaneous healing in a few cases (even in active or aggressive lesions) argues for clinical and radiologic observation after biopsy when possible. In case of a propitious evolution, observation must be continued and surgery might be avoided, but if the lesion increases, treatment must be proposed.

Cartable et pathologie rachidienne : Légende ou réalité ?

Resume Les rachialgies de l’adulte sont tres frequentes et celles de l’enfant aussi. Les facteurs de risque pour les rachialgies sont le sexe feminin, un mauvais etat de sante, des antecedents familiaux de rachialgies, un profil psychologique particulier, le temps passe a rester assis ou a regarder la television, le poids du cartable, la duree de port du cartable, des antecedents de traumatisme rachidien, une activite physique intense, la pratique de sports en competition et l’âge (plus frequent chez l’adolescent que chez l’enfant). Pour la plupart des auteurs, il existe une relation entre l’apparition de rachialgies et le port d’un cartable representant plus de 20 % du poids du corps. Beaucoup d’etudes fixent comme seuil conseille 10 % du poids du corps pour le cartable. Il semble que non seulement le poids du cartable mais la duree du port de celui-ci dans la journee soit un facteur favorisant pour l’apparition de rachialgies. Le mauvais positionnement du cartable peut modifier la posture et la marche. Le port du cartable sur les deux epaules entraine moins de modification de la posture et de la marche que le port du cartable sur une seule epaule. Il n’y a pas d’etude actuelle qui permette d’etablir une relation entre poids du cartable et developpement d’une deformation rachidienne structuralisee.

Computerized static posturographic assessment after treatment of equinus deformity in children with cerebral palsy.

Assessment of treatments in children with cerebral palsy has been well developed, especially in the gait laboratory. However, the prerequisite for walking is adequate postural control. We hypothesize that a treatment of an equinus deformity should improve postural control. Balance control was assessed by static posturography on the Balance Master. Nine diplegic children, six girls and three boys, participated in the study. Assessment was conducted before and after treatment of the equinus deformity. Two static tests (Weight Bearing Squat and the modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction on Balance), and two dynamic balance tests (Limits of Stability and Rhythmic Weight Shift) were performed on the Balance Master. After treatment, mean weight-bearing asymmetry measured by the Weight Bearing Squat was significantly improved at 30° of knee flexion. In the modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction on Balance, there was a significant improvement in two conditions (eyes closed on foam surface and the composite score). The Limits of Stability was very difficult to perform for almost all the children. In the Rhythmic Weight Shift, mean directional control improved significantly in three conditions (left/right weight shift at 1 s of transition, front/back weight shift at 2 s of transition and the composite score of the front/back direction). The Balance Master offers the opportunity for an objective and easy assessment of postural control in children with cerebral palsy.

Diurnal changes in postural control in normal children: Computerized static and dynamic assessments.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) causes postural control deficits and accordingly comparison of aberrant postural control against normal postural control may help diagnose mTBI. However, in the current literature, little is known regarding the normal pattern of postural control in young children. This study was therefore conducted as an effort to fill this knowledge gap. Eight normal school-aged children participated. Posture assessment was conducted before (7–8 a.m. in the morning) and after (4–7 p.m. in the afternoon) school on regular school days using the Balance Master® evaluation system composed of 3 static tests and 2 dynamic balance tests. A significant difference in the weight-bearing squats was detected between morning hours and afternoon hours (P < 0.05). By end of afternoon, the body weight was borne mainly on the left side with the knee fully extended and at various degrees of knee flexion. A significantly better directional control of the lateral rhythmic weight shifts was observed at the end of the afternoon than at morning hours (P < 0.05). In summary, most of our findings are inconsistent with results from previous studies in adults, suggesting age-related differences in posture control in humans. On a regular school day, the capacity of postural control and laterality or medio-lateral balance in children varies between morning and afternoon hours. We suggest that posturographic assessment in children, either in normal (e.g., physical education and sports training) or in abnormal conditions (e.g., mTBI-associated balance disorders), be better performed late in the afternoon.

Résection fémorale supérieure chez l’enfant polyhandicapé grabataire

INTRODUCTION Hip dislocation in nonambulatory multiply handicapped children (particularly in cerebral palsy [CP]) is a common and severe problem involving painful transportation and uneasy positioning, usually resulting from major anatomical osteoarticular and soft tissue disorders. Therefore, proximal femoral resection is seen as a salvage procedure whose primary purpose is to provide children and their caregivers with better comfort during activities of daily living thus allowing improved sitting tolerance in the wheelchair and painless nursing care. MATERIALS AND METHODS A series of 21 proximal femoral resections performed on 16 patients with a mean age at surgery of 12 years, and a follow-up period of 21 years (from 1984 to 2005) were retrospectively reviewed. All patients suffered from painful dislocation of the hip. Sixteen of the hips (76%) had been managed previously with bony and soft tissue surgery. Femoral resection was performed in the basicervical region in eight hips and distal to the lesser trochanter in 13 hips. RESULTS At a mean follow-up of five years and eight months, 18 of the 21 painful hips reported to be painless (86%). All preoperative stiffness and deformity of the hip joints was corrected, resulting in floppy, mobile hips with an increased range of motion after surgery. Femoral stump, regarding the acetabulum was above in three hips, at the same level in 18 and never below. The proximal end of the femoral shaft could often been palpated but did not reveal any skin irritation. The formation of heterotopic bone was discernible in five hips (24%). However, it did not affect the functional outcomes. DISCUSSION Soft-tissue releases combined with femoral and pelvic osteotomies have reported poor results with regard to their long-term inefficacy in children. The outcomes of our series support these findings, since surgical procedures had been performed previously in 76% of the hips. Therefore, we believe that proximal femoral resection is a promising and reliable surgical treatment option to address such failures, in case of severe and painful deformities of the hip. The success of our series corroborates Widemann, Mc Carthy and Abu-Rajab encouraging results on proximal femoral resection. Postoperatively, we advise placement of a hip spica cast immobilization with a soft cotton lining to prevent pressure sores from developing. This surgical procedure seems to be an appropriate management in nonambulatory multiply handicapped children reporting more promising results than other surgical treatment options such as rotational osteotomy, arthrodesis or even arthroplasty.

MémoireRésection fémorale supérieure chez l’enfant polyhandicapé grabataireProximal femoral resection in nonambulatory multiply handicapped child

INTRODUCTION Hip dislocation in nonambulatory multiply handicapped children (particularly in cerebral palsy [CP]) is a common and severe problem involving painful transportation and uneasy positioning, usually resulting from major anatomical osteoarticular and soft tissue disorders. Therefore, proximal femoral resection is seen as a salvage procedure whose primary purpose is to provide children and their caregivers with better comfort during activities of daily living thus allowing improved sitting tolerance in the wheelchair and painless nursing care. MATERIALS AND METHODS A series of 21 proximal femoral resections performed on 16 patients with a mean age at surgery of 12 years, and a follow-up period of 21 years (from 1984 to 2005) were retrospectively reviewed. All patients suffered from painful dislocation of the hip. Sixteen of the hips (76%) had been managed previously with bony and soft tissue surgery. Femoral resection was performed in the basicervical region in eight hips and distal to the lesser trochanter in 13 hips. RESULTS At a mean follow-up of five years and eight months, 18 of the 21 painful hips reported to be painless (86%). All preoperative stiffness and deformity of the hip joints was corrected, resulting in floppy, mobile hips with an increased range of motion after surgery. Femoral stump, regarding the acetabulum was above in three hips, at the same level in 18 and never below. The proximal end of the femoral shaft could often been palpated but did not reveal any skin irritation. The formation of heterotopic bone was discernible in five hips (24%). However, it did not affect the functional outcomes. DISCUSSION Soft-tissue releases combined with femoral and pelvic osteotomies have reported poor results with regard to their long-term inefficacy in children. The outcomes of our series support these findings, since surgical procedures had been performed previously in 76% of the hips. Therefore, we believe that proximal femoral resection is a promising and reliable surgical treatment option to address such failures, in case of severe and painful deformities of the hip. The success of our series corroborates Widemann, Mc Carthy and Abu-Rajab encouraging results on proximal femoral resection. Postoperatively, we advise placement of a hip spica cast immobilization with a soft cotton lining to prevent pressure sores from developing. This surgical procedure seems to be an appropriate management in nonambulatory multiply handicapped children reporting more promising results than other surgical treatment options such as rotational osteotomy, arthrodesis or even arthroplasty.

Les tumeurs osseuses rachidiennes chez l'enfant et l'adolescent

The occurrence of back pain in children and adolescents varies from 30 to 51% in the literature. Bone tumors can be responsible for back pain. This paper presents the more common spinal bone tumors in children and adolescents, and specifies their etiology, their natural history, and their treatment as well.

P499 - Résultats de 169 fractures supra condyliennes traitées selon Blount

Analyser les resultats fonctionnels a long terme des fractures supra condyliennet traitees selon la technique de Blount. Etude retrospective menee entre 1988-2008 (stade 1 de Lagrange et Rigault exclus). Sont etudies : les deplacements secondaires, le nombre de reprise, les troubles trophiques et les complications neuro vasculaires. 169 enfant (57 stade 2, 53 stade 3 et 59 stade 4) ont ete revus a J8, J21 et J45 avec des radiographies standards. 22 enfants ont ete perdus de vue. Pour les non perdus de vue, le recul moyen est de 6 ans lors de la derniere consultation. Nous avons repertorie 32 reprises pour deplacement secondaires (62 % de stade 4) dont 10 ont eu un Blount iteratif et 22 ont ete operes. Quelques complications precoces de la technique ont ete retrouvees (trouble trophique, troubles neuro vasculaires,)mais toutes ont evolue favorablement. Les resultats montrent 70 % de recuperation complete de la mobilite articulaire apres ablation de la contention. Nous discutons de ces resultats a l’aide de la litterature. La methode de Blount reste une technique performante dans le traitement des fractures supra condyliennes humerales de l’enfant.