Yunus Emre Akman

Particle Disease: A Current Review of the Biological Mechanisms in Periprosthetic Osteolysis After Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Inflammatory responses to wear debris cause osteolysis that leads to aseptic prosthesis loosening and hip arthroplasty failure. Although osteolysis is usually associated with aseptic loosening, it is rarely seen around stable implants. Aseptic implant loosening is a simple radiologic phenomenon, but a complex immunological process. Particulate debris produced by implants most commonly causes osteolysis, and this is called particle-associated periprosthetic osteolysis (PPO). Objective: The objective of this review is to outline the features of particle-associated periprosthetic osteolysis to allow the physician to recognise this condition and commence early treatment, thereby optimizing patient outcome. Methods: A thorough literature search was performed using available databases, including Pubmed, to cover important research published covering particle-associated PPO. Results: Although osteolysis causes bone resorption, clinical, animal, and in vitro studies of particle bioreactivity suggest that particle-associated PPO represents the culmination of several biological reactions of many cell types, rather than being caused solely by the osteoclasts. The biological activity is highly dependent on the characteristics and quantity of the wear particles. Conclusion: Despite advances in total hip arthroplasty (THA), particle-associated PPO and aseptic loosening continue to be major factors that affect prosthetic joint longevity. Biomarkers could be exploited as easy and objective diagnostic and prognostic targets that would enable testing for osteolysis after THA. Further research is needed to identify new biomarkers in PPO. A comprehensive understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms is crucial for developing new therapeutic interventions to reverse or suppress biological responses to wear particles.

Sacral agenesis: evaluation of accompanying pathologies in 38 cases, with analysis of long-term outcomes.

PurposeSacral agenesis (SA), or caudal regression syndrome, is a congenital malformation of the spine of varying degree of severity. The aim of our study was to identify associated impairments in structure and function of the orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems, and to evaluate their impact on function.MethodsThis was a retrospective case series analysis of 38 patients with SA. Patients were divided into two groups: SA with myelomeningocele (group 1) and without myelomeningocele (group 2). Between-group comparisons in terms of the features of the SA, impairments in associated systems, impact on gross motor function, need for surgery, and association with prenatal screening and maternal gestational diabetes were evaluated.ResultsThe majority of comorbidities were orthopedic and neurological in nature. Impairments in sphincter control and independent transferring were more prevalent in group 1, resulting in lower function. Scoliosis, kyphosis, and hip dislocation/subluxation were the most common orthopedic problems, with a higher prevalence of kyphosis in group 1. The requirement for neurosurgery was significantly higher in group 1.ConclusionsOrthopedic and neurological comorbidities are commonly associated with SA and are more prevalent in the presence of a myelomeningocele. As the impairments impact a child’s ability for maximum function, early identification and intervention is required to correct or ameliorate the impairment.Level of Evidence: Level IV.

The effect of tourniquet and knee position during wound closure after total knee arthroplasty on early recovery of range of motion: a prospective, randomized study

IntroductionThere is no consensus on the position of the knee joint while performing wound closure after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Further, there are no studies focusing on the association between early functional outcomes and different wound closure strategies. Therefore, we investigated the effects of tourniquet and knee position during wound closure on early recovery of range of motion (ROM) after primary TKA. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the influence of both tourniquet and knee position during wound closure in primary TKA.MethodsOne hundred-twenty eligible patients were consecutively enrolled in this study and randomly divided into four groups according to wound closure strategy. Wound closure was either performed with the knee in flexion at 90° or in full extension, with the combination of an inflated or deflated tourniquet. Visual analogue score (VAS), knee ROM, ROM recovery, knee society score (KSS), and wound complications were evaluated in the early postoperative period.ResultsAfter the first postoperative week, ROM recovery in the group with knee in extension and inflated tourniquet was significantly lesser than the two groups with deflated tourniquets. Between the first and fourth postoperative weeks, ROM recovery in the group with knee inflection and deflated tourniquet was significantly higher than the two groups with knee in extension. After the first postoperative week, the visual analog score (VAS) for pain in the group with knee inflection and deflated tourniquet was significantly lesser than the two groups with inflated tourniquets. The differences in the outcomes between the four groups were not significant after the fourth postoperative week. The incidence of wound complications and KSS were not significantly different between the four groups.ConclusionFollowing TKA, wound closure with the knee in flexion and after deflating the tourniquet significantly decreased postoperative pain and promoted the recovery of ROM in the early postoperative period.

A rare knee extensor mechanism injury: Vastus intermedius tendon rupture

Highlights • The first case of isolated rupture of vastus intermedius tendon in the literature.• Partial quadriceps tendon rupture can be treated by conservative therapy.

Elastoplasty as a promising novel technique: Vertebral augmentation with an elastic silicone-based polymer

Objective Percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) restores the stiffness and the strength of fractured vertebral bodies, but changes the pattern of the stress transfer. This effect may cause a secondary fracture of the adjacent vertebrae. Elastoplasty has emerged as a new technique to overcome this complication. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical results of the elastoplasty procedure. Materials and methods Thirthy nine patients (9 males, 30 females, 87 spinal levels) were clinically evaluated pre and postoperatively in terms of pain relief, leakage and silicone embolism. The mean age was 67 (range 38–84) years. The mean follow up period was 12,5 months. The patients were evaluated radiologically for the presence of adjacent level fractures postoperatively. Complications were recorded. Results The mean VAS score decreased from 7,5 to 3,5 during the last follow-up. Symptomatic silicone pulmonary embolism was not encountered in any patients. Leakage was observed in 5 (13%) cases. There was an adjacent level fracture in 1 case and another fracture which was not at the adjacent level in another one. A hematoma occurred in the needle entry site in a patient with trombocytopenia (<70,000). Conclusions Elastoplasty is a safe, promising technique in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Symptomatic silicone pulmonary embolism is not observed. The materials stiffness is close to intact vertebrae. Therefore, elastoplasty may be a good viable option in the treatment of VCFs as it cause less complications and can prevent adjacent level fractures. Level of evidence Level IV, therapeutic study.

Unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome caused by an occult ganglion in the carpal tunnel: a report of two cases.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) usually presents bilaterally and a secondary nature should be suspected in patients with unilateral symptoms, especially those with a long-standing history, and when the symptomatic hand shows severe neurophysiologic impairment, while the contralateral hand is neurophysiologically intact. Space-occupying lesions are known to cause CTS and the incidence of space-occupying lesions in unilateral CTS is higher than that of bilateral CTS. It is easy to detect a mass when it is palpable; however, occult lesions are usually overlooked. Whenever a patient presents with unilateral symptoms and unilateral neurophysiologic impairment, the possibility of a space-occupying lesion compressing the median nerve should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis. This study presents two cases with an occult ganglion in the carpal tunnel compressing the median nerve and causing unilateral symptoms of CTS. We stress on the importance of imaging studies in patients with unilateral symptoms that are usually not used in CTS. The reported patients were evaluated and magnetic resonance images revealed an intratunnel space-occupying lesion.

The Surgical Overcorrection of Lenke Type 1 Deformities with Selective Fusion Segments: What Happens to the Coronal Balance?

Purpose The aim of our study is to determine the alterations on coronal balance after overcorrection of Lenke type 1 curve, retrospectively. Methods Datas of 34 patients (29 female, 5 male patients; mean age, 16.3±3.3 years; range, 13-24 years) surgically treated for scoliosis between 2004 and 2010 were reviewed, retrospectively. The adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Lenke type 1 curve treated with only posterior pedicle screw and postoperative thoracic curves less than 10° by Cobb method on frontal plane were enrolled in this study. Mean follow-up period was 52.5±29.7 months. Results The mean amount of the preoperative thoracic curves was measured as 41.2°±6.1° (range, 30°-56°). The mean amount of the early postoperative thoracic curves was measured as 6.5°±1.8° (range, 3°-9°). The mean amount of the thoracic curves was measured as 8.5°±4.6° (range, 3°-22°) during the last follow-up (p=0.01). The mean preoperative coronal balance was measured as 8.5mm(range, 1-30mm). The mean early postoperative coronal balance was measured as 3.5mm(range, 0-36 mm). The mean coronal balance was measured as 5.5mm(range, 0-38mm) during the last follow-up (p>0.05). Conclusion We suggest that Lenke type 1B and 1C should be carefully evaluated and the fusion levels should be accurately selected in order to maintain the correction of coronal balance. We suggest that selective fusion with overcorrection in Lenke type 1A are applied to curves that can be corrected lumbar curve at the preoperative bending radiograph and curves that not have coronal decompensation and >10° distal junctional kyphosis, preoperatively.

Recurrent Metacarpal Enchondroma Treated With Strut Allograft: 14-year Follow-up

Enchondroma of the hand is a common lesion with a recurrence rate of up to 13.3% after curettage and bone grafting. Pathologic fractures often occur. Although allograft bone chips are widely used in the surgical treatment of enchondroma, the use of structural allograft bone has not been reported before. This case report presents a recurrent enchondroma of the fifth metacarpal with pathologic fracture in a 13-year-old girl who had 2 previous interventions and 2 more interventions for other enchondromas in the same hand. These interventions consisted of curettage and autogenous iliac crest bone grafting. The metacarpal diaphysis was resected and reconstructed with an intercalary freeze-dried strut allograft fibular bone segment to avoid further donor graft site morbidity. At 14 years of follow-up, the patient had full range of motion of the hand, with no symptoms, and the allograft bone had been incorporated completely, with no recurrence of the tumor. With strut allograft bone, healing occurs by creeping substitution at its ends that is limited to a few millimeters. Limited vascularization also occurs on the allograft surface, leaving most of the allograft segment devoid of vascularity and leading to the complications seen in massive bone allografts. However, because of their thin cortices and decreased total volume, smaller bone allografts show higher rates of osteointegration and revascularization. In selected cases, a strut allograft bone may be considered a suitable material for long-term reconstruction of the hand after enchondroma excision, especially in young patients, who have increased healing potential compared with older patients.

A comparison of the effects of two different techniques on shoulder balance in the treatment of congenital scoliosis: Vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib and dual growing rod.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of two different growth guidance techniques (dual growing rod and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib [VEPTR]) on shoulder balance, in the surgical treatment of congenital scoliosis. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients who were operated due to congenital scoliosis are divided into two groups. The coracoid height difference and clavicular tilt angle difference were measured on standing anteroposterior X-ray images in the preoperative, early postoperative periods, and during the last follow-up. Results: Clinical improvement in shoulder balance was obtained in VEPTR during the last follow-up, but there was no significance in the comparison among the two groups during the last follow-up. Conclusion: The effect of the growth guidance techniques on shoulder balance positively contributes in the surgical treatment of congenital scoliosis.

A comparison of two techniques: Open and percutaneous biopsies of thoracolumbar vertebral body lesions.

Aim: The purpose of this article is to compare the similarity of initial radiological diagnosis and pathological diagnosis between thoracal and lumbar vertebral bodies and the adequacy and the reliability of open and percutaneous biopsies performed via transpedicular approach in the lesions located in vertebral bodies. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three patients who had undergone transpedicular biopsy for vertebral body lesions were retrospectively evaluated. Seventeen patients were diagnosed by percutaneous transpedicular biopsy (11 in the lumbar vertebrae, 6 in the thoracal vertebrae). Sixteen patients were diagnosed by open transpedicular biopsy (9 in the lumbar vertebrae, 7 in the thoracal vertebrae). Results: The similarity ratio between the initial radiological diagnosis and the final pathological diagnosis was 71.4% in the open biopsy and was 69.2% in the percutaneous biopsy (P > 0.05). The similarity ratio between the initial radiological diagnosis and the final pathological diagnosis was 66.7% in the lumbar region and was 77.8% in the thoracal region (P > 0.05). For percutaneous biopsy group, the similarity ratio was 72.7% in the lumbar region and was 66.7% in the thoracal region (P > 0.05). For open biopsy group, the similarity ratio was 62.5% in the lumbar region and 83.3% in the thoracal region (P > 0.05). No complication was observed. Conclusion: Specimen adequacy of open biopsy was higher than percutaneous biopsy. Particularly, the open thoracal biopsy has provided the highest similarity ratio between the initial radiological diagnosis and the final pathological diagnosis.