Utility of Distal Forearm DXA as a Screening Tool for Primary Osteoporotic Fragility Fractures of the Distal Radius A Case-Control Study

Background: Osteoporotic fragility fractures frequently occur at the distal part of the radius. This suggests that initial osteoporosis evaluation at this site may inform screening and treatment to prevent additional fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of distal forearm dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a screening tool to assess the risk of fragility fractures at the distal part of the radius. Methods: This retrospective, case-control study included postmenopausal women who had sustained a distal radial fracture (fracture group, n = 110) and postmenopausal women with no history of fracture (control group, n = 95). DXA measurements at the spine, hip, and distal part of the forearm (ultra-distal, mid-distal, and one-third distal sections) were compared between the groups on the basis of bone mineral density (BMD), T-score, and the proportion of patients with a T-score of £–2.5 standard deviations (SD). We also investigated the regional differences on the basis of T-score among the skeletal sites. Furthermore, the reliability of distal forearm DXA measurements was validated by assessing the statistical correlation (r) with volumetric BMD by computed tomography (CT). Results: Compared with the control group, the fracture group showed significantly lower BMD and T-scores and higher proportions of patients with a T-score of £–2.5 SD at the ultra-distal, mid-distal, and one-third distal forearm; however, the spine and hip measurements did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. With respect to regional differences, in the fracture group, T-scores were significantly lower and the proportions of patients with a T-score of £–2.5 SD were significantly higher for the 3 distal forearm sites compared with the spine and hip. DXA measurements at all 3 of the distal forearm regions exhibited high correlation with volumetric BMD by CT (r = 0.83 to 0.92). Conclusions: Some postmenopausal women were found to exhibit bone loss preferentially at the distal part of the radius, which may render them vulnerable to fragility fractures. Forearm DXA for the assessment of local bone loss may demonstrate benefit in screening for those at risk for distal radial fractures and facilitate the early identification of patients who require intervention for osteoporosis. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.Miyamura S., Kuriyama K., Ebina K., et al. Utility of Distal Forearm DXA as a Screening Tool for Primary Osteoporotic Fragility Fractures of the Distal Radius A Case-Control Study. JBJS Open Access 5, E0036 (2020); https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.OA.19.00036

Risk factors for insufficient ultrasound‐guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Abstract Purpose Ultrasound‐guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SCBPB) is performed by surgeons for upper limb anesthesia; however, certain patients need additional local anesthesia. This study aimed to identify risk factors for additional local anesthetic injection requirements. Methods In total, 269 patients receiving ultrasound‐guided SCBPB were enrolled. Patient age, sex, body mass index, anesthetic drug dose, surgeon expertise (hand surgeon or resident), tourniquet time, comorbidities (diabetes mellitus and mental disorders), and preoperative blood pressure representing anxiety were compared between the additional local anesthesia and no additional local anesthesia groups matched for background using propensity scores. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine risk factor cut‐off values with the highest predictive potential. Results Of 269 patients, 41 (15.2%) required additional intraoperative local anesthesia. Among surgical sites, elbow surgery showed the highest prevalence of the need for additional local anesthesia (17/41, 41%). A high body mass index and high systolic blood pressure before surgery were identified as risk factors for additional intraoperative local anesthesia requirement. Furthermore, systolic blood pressure > 170 mmHg (area under the curve, 0.66) predicted the need for intraoperative local anesthesia with 36% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 37.5% positive predictive value, and 88.6% negative predictive value. The median systolic blood pressure was significantly greater in patients requiring additional local anesthesia than in those not requiring it [151 (139–171) mmHg vs. 145 (127–155) mmHg; P = 0.026]. Conclusion Elbow surgery, obesity, and high systolic blood pressure (> 170 mmHg) before surgery are predictive of additional intraoperative local anesthesia requirement. Level of Evidence Prognostic Level II