Current diagnosis and treatment of the osteoarticular tuberculosis

In 1993, tuberculosis was recognized as global medical problem by WHO. Recurring flare-up of this disease was triggered by difficult socioeconomic situation of the countries in transition, current development of immunocompromising diseases, and some other factors have contributed, too. The osteoarticular tuberculosis has been always postprimary and localized form of the disease, which, due to certain similarity to some other osteoarticular diseases, has been challenge for orthopaedic surgeons both from diagnostic and treatment aspects. Bacteriological diagnostics has had a limited value due to application of recommended tuberculostatic medication before obtaining specimens from bones or joints; and, on the other hand, rapid bacteriological methods, because of their expensive equipment, could be carried out in large mycobacteriology laboratories only. New visualizing methods, CT and MRI, have been particularly important for detection and monitoring of tuberculosis process in the spine during the early stage of the disease, what is impossible to achieve with native radiograms. Programmed administration of tubercuiostatic drugs both in non-operative and surgical treatment has been proven necessary

A radiographic and clinical comparison of two soft-tissue procedures for paralytic subluxation of the hip in cerebral palsy

This article summarises a comparative retrospective study (1983–2001) of 42 consecutive spastic–diplegic ambulatory patients (aged 2–10 years) by examining the radiographic and clinical results of two soft-tissue procedures for paralytic hip subluxation (PSH). Group A comprised 20 patients (26 PSHs) who were treated by iliopsoas tenotomy, and group B comprised 22 patients (31 PSHs) who were treated by rectus femoris and iliopsoas tenotomy with iliac crest resection (sartorius release). All patients had bilateral adductor tenotomies. At 8.8 years mean follow-up, group A migration percentages (MP) improved from 39.8% to 24.7% with 92.3% good/average results. At a mean follow-up period of 8.3 years, group B improved from 58.0% to 25.9% with 96.8% good/average results. Long-term hip reduction was achieved in 84.6% of group A and 80.6% of group B hips. Relative MP correction was superior in group B. No patient had MP progression in either the PSH or non-PSH hip. Walking ability improved in 55% of group A and 86% of group B patients (Functional Mobility Scale). In conclusion, we recommend release of all the principle hip flexors: rectus femoris, sartorius, and iliopsoas, coupled with adductor tenotomies, in this patient group