Mini invasive axillary approach and arthroscopic humeral head interference screw !xation for latissimus dorsi transfer in massive and irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears.

Abstract: As the number of shoulder surgeries is increasing, the challenges of treating the massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears pose an operative challenge for the shoulder surgeons. The purpose of this study is to propose a new mini invasive axillary incision (5 cm) for harvesting latissimus dorsi (LD) tendon and arthroscopic-assisted interference screw fixation of the transfer on the humeral head for the treatment of massive and irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. We describe our technique. The incision is minimized with the help of ultrasound Doppler-guided identification of the LD pedicle preoperatively. This study also makes clear how to maintain the tension on the pedicle of the LD uniform before and after the fixation of the transfer. During our experience of 17 cases from November 2007 to July 2009, we had good-to-excellent results in patient satisfaction. The clinical outcomes were not indifferent from the other methods of fixation. Key Words: latissimus dorsi transfer, massive irreparable posterosuperior cuff tear, iterative cuff tear, interferrence screw latissimus dorsi fixation, arthroscopic latissimus dorsi fixation, mini invasive axillary approach (Tech Should Surg 2010;11: 8--14) T he incidence of the challenges for massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears is on the raise in the patients attending shoulder specialty centers for surgery. Some of these patients have already been operated by open or arthroscopic technique even before the age of 50 years. Gerber et al 1 is the first to publish the latissimus dorsi (LD) tendon transfer for the treatment of these massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. The LD flap is well known and widely used in other specialties such as breast reconstructions and paralytic shoulder owing to birth palsy in pediatric orthopedics. 2 Gerber 3 and Gerber et al 4 discussed in detail regarding the indications and contraindications for the LD transfer. He concluded that when posterosuperior rotator cuff tears were associated with subscapularis tears, the LD transfer is contraindicated. Other authors 5-10 also confirmed bad results in case of subscapularis tears, deltoid anterior deficit, proximal migration of the humeral head, preoperative poor function of the shoulder, and as a salvage procedure. Whereas the patient selection plays an important role in success of this transfer, it remains a viable and effective option for younger patients with massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears. Moreover, constantly great tuberosity is fragile owing to earlier surgery or lack of mechanical stimulus chronically by the absence of rotator cuff musculature. The technical difficulties of fixation of the LD transfer on to osteoporotic bone need to be studied in detail. Gerber et al 1 fixed the transfer to the subscapularis with transosseous sutures. Warner and Parson 6 fixed the transfer on to the greater tuberosity by transosseous sutures. Habermeyer et al, We hypothesized that the reasons for failures of this transfer were not only owing to invasive and open surgery (new deltoid injury), but also owing to lack of adequate strong and stable fixation of the LD tendon on to the greater tuberosity. From the experience of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction of the knee and from the work of Boileau et al 14 in the tenodesis of long head of biceps into the humeral head, we describe a new mini invasive technique for harvesting the LD tendon, new technique of fixation by tubularization, and interference screw (IFS) fixation into a bone tunnel made in the humeral head. This fixation initially carried out by open procedure now switched to arthroscopically assisted procedure as our experience increased and it was more advantageous. This procedure is a viable alternative to the existing techniques in the hands of surgeon who is skilled in arthroscopic management of shoulder pathology. The specific biomechanical study conducted under the guidance of Jean Grimberg (personal communication) has concluded that the IFS fixation of the LD transfer on the humeral head is equal or slightly better than the multiple anchor fixation technique. Various studies OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE The patient is in lateral position with shoulder in 30 degrees abduction, slightly tilted toward the back, and a 3 kg traction. The operative position allows free wide access to the shoulder, entire scapula, and its apex as this transfer needs free movement of shoulder and arm. This position also allows easy shifting over from open axillary approach for LD tendon harvesting to shoulder arthroscopic fixation of the transfer. It is important at this point to mention that the LD muscle neurovascular pedicle enters from the medial and under surface of the muscle from about 10 cm from humeral insertion of the LD tendon and 2 cm from the lateral scapular border. The exac

Primary gliosarcoma: key clinical and pathologic distinctions from glioblastoma with implications as a unique oncologic entity

This report presents the historical experience, clinical presentation, treatment, prognosis, and pathogenesis of gliosarcoma described to date in the English literature. PubMed query of term “gliosarcoma” was performed, followed by a rigorous review of cited literature. Articles selected for analysis included: (1) case reports of gliosarcoma, (2) review articles of gliosarcoma, and (3) studies of the pathogenesis or genetics of gliosarcoma in humans. Our review identified 219 cases of gliosarcoma in 34 reports and eight articles addressing the pathogenesis. Survival in larger series ranged 4–11.5 months. Features unique to gliosarcoma compared to glioblastoma (GBM) include their temporal lobe predilection, potential to appear similar to a meningioma at surgery, repeated reports of extracranial metastases, and infrequency of EGFR mutations. Published experience is limited to small case series, and the pathogenesis remains unclear. Clinical and pathologic characteristics distinct from GBM suggest that they may warrant specific treatment, separate from conventional GBM therapy

Investigation of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptors genes and migraine susceptibility

Background Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of severe headache, affecting around 12% of Caucasian populations. It is well known that migraine has a strong genetic component, although the number and type of genes involved is still unclear. Prior linkage studies have reported mapping of a migraine gene to chromosome Xq 24–28, a region containing a cluster of genes for GABA A receptors (GABRE, GABRA3, GABRQ), which are potential candidate genes for migraine. The GABA neurotransmitter has been implicated in migraine pathophysiology previously; however its exact role has not yet been established, although GABA receptors agonists have been the target of therapeutic developments. The aim of the present research is to investigate the role of the potential candidate genes reported on chromosome Xq 24–28 region in migraine susceptibility. In this study, we have focused on the subunit GABA A receptors type ε (GABRE) and type θ (GABRQ) genes and their involvement in migraine. Methods We have performed an association analysis in a large population of case-controls (275 unrelated Caucasian migraineurs versus 275 controls) examining a set of 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding region (exons 3, 5 and 9) of the GABRE gene and also the I478F coding variant of the GABRQ gene. Results Our study did not show any association between the examined SNPs in our test population (P > 0.05). Conclusion Although these particular GABA receptor genes did not show positive association, further studies are necessary to consider the role of other GABA receptor genes in migraine susceptibility

The Genome Sequence of the Leaf-Cutter Ant Atta cephalotes Reveals Insights into Its Obligate Symbiotic Lifestyle

Leaf-cutter ants are one of the most important herbivorous insects in the Neotropics, harvesting vast quantities of fresh leaf material. The ants use leaves to cultivate a fungus that serves as the colony's primary food source. This obligate ant-fungus mutualism is one of the few occurrences of farming by non-humans and likely facilitated the formation of their massive colonies. Mature leaf-cutter ant colonies contain millions of workers ranging in size from small garden tenders to large soldiers, resulting in one of the most complex polymorphic caste systems within ants. To begin uncovering the genomic underpinnings of this system, we sequenced the genome of Atta cephalotes using 454 pyrosequencing. One prediction from this ant's lifestyle is that it has undergone genetic modifications that reflect its obligate dependence on the fungus for nutrients. Analysis of this genome sequence is consistent with this hypothesis, as we find evidence for reductions in genes related to nutrient acquisition. These include extensive reductions in serine proteases (which are likely unnecessary because proteolysis is not a primary mechanism used to process nutrients obtained from the fungus), a loss of genes involved in arginine biosynthesis (suggesting that this amino acid is obtained from the fungus), and the absence of a hexamerin (which sequesters amino acids during larval development in other insects). Following recent reports of genome sequences from other insects that engage in symbioses with beneficial microbes, the A. cephalotes genome provides new insights into the symbiotic lifestyle of this ant and advances our understanding of host–microbe symbioses

The Role of BMI in Hip Fracture Surgery

Introduction: Obesity is an oft-cited cause of surgical morbidity and many institutions require extensive supplementary screening for obese patients prior to surgical intervention. However, in the elderly patients, obesity has been described as a protective factor. This article set out to examine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes and morbidity after hip fracture surgery. Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all patients undergoing 1 of 4 surgical procedures to manage hip fracture between 2008 and 2012. Patient demographics, BMI, and known factors that lead to poor surgical outcomes were included as putative predictors for complications that included infectious, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and neurovascular events. Using χ 2 tests, 30-day postoperative complication rates were compared between 4 patient groups stratified by BMI as low weight (BMI 40). Results: A total of 15 108 patients underwent surgery for hip fracture over the examined 5-year period. Of these, 18% were low weight (BMI 40). The low-weight and morbidly obese patients had both the highest mortality rates and the lowest superficial infection rates. There was a significant increase in blood transfusion rates that decreased linearly with increasing BMI. Deep surgical site infection and renal failure increased linearly with increasing BMI, however, these outcomes were confounded by comorbidities. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that patients at either extreme of the BMI spectrum, rather than solely the obese, are at greatest risk of major adverse events following hip fracture surgery. This runs contrary to the notion that obese hip fracture patients automatically require additional preoperative screening and perioperative services, as currently implemented in many institutions

Implications for high-precision dose radiation therapy planning or limited surgical resection after percutaneous computed tomography-guided lung nodule biopsy using a tract sealant

Purpose: Precision radiation therapy such as stereotactic body radiation therapy and limited resection are being used more frequently to treat intrathoracic malignancies. Effective local control requires precise radiation target delineation or complete resection. Lung biopsy tracts (LBT) on computed tomography (CT) scans after the use of tract sealants can mimic malignant tract seeding (MTS) and it is unclear whether these LBTs should be included in the calculated tumor volume or resected. This study evaluates the incidence, appearance, evolution, and malignant seeding of LBTs. Methods and materials: A total of 406 lung biopsies were performed in oncology patients using a tract sealant over 19 months. Of these patients, 326 had follow-up CT scans and were included in the study group. Four thoracic radiologists retrospectively analyzed the imaging, and a pathologist examined 10 resected LBTs. Results: A total of 234 of 326 biopsies (72%, including primary lung cancer [n = 98]; metastases [n = 81]; benign [n = 50]; and nondiagnostic [n = 5]) showed an LBT on CT. LBTs were identified on imaging 0 to 3 months after biopsy. LBTs were typically straight or serpiginous with a thickness of 2 to 5 mm. Most LBTs were unchanged (92%) or decreased (6.3%) over time. An increase in LBT thickness/nodularity that was suspicious for MTS occurred in 4 of 234 biopsies (1.7%). MTS only occurred after biopsy of metastases from extrathoracic malignancies, and none occurred in patients with lung cancer. Conclusions: LBTs are common on CT after lung biopsy using a tract sealant. MTS is uncommon and only occurred in patients with extrathoracic malignancies. No MTS was found in patients with primary lung cancer. Accordingly, potential alteration in planned therapy should be considered only in patients with LBTs and extrathoracic malignancies being considered for stereotactic body radiation therapy or wedge resection