Intra and inter-observer reliability of determining degree of pelvic obliquity in neuromuscular scoliosis using the EOS-CHAIR® protocol

Purpose Scoliosis with pelvic obliquity (PO) could be investigated with the EOS-CHAIR protocol as the most common deformity especially in patients with trunk hypotonia and quadriplegia. However, the intra-observer and inter-observer reliability of various angles assessing PO was not investigated with this new imaging protocol. Methods A retrospective cohort of 36 EOS frontal fullspine acquisitions made in sitting position was used. The sacroiliac pelvic obliquity angle, iliac crest pelvic obliquity angle, and ischiatic pelvic obliquity angle were assessed in an intra-observer and inter-observer study. Results The use of the EOS-CHAIR protocol was implemented satisfactory with a high acceptance rate by all caregivers and patients and their families. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability was excellent for the three tested angular measurements. Discussion As for idiopathic scoliosis, we postulate the EOS system as being superior to standard radiographs to assess 3D spinal deformities in neuromuscular conditions. The EOS-CHAIR protocol improves preoperative comprehension of the lumbosacral junction anatomy in patients with poor standing or sitting postures. Our results show a very high reliability of three different angular measurements of the frontal pelvic obliquity in sitting position. Then it is possible to use one of these three angles as well as the others to assess frontal pelvic obliquity in neuromuscular patients. This frontal pelvic obliquity protocol in sitting position with the EOS-CHAIR is a validated measurement technique that needs to be used now to measure PO as a critical parameter of the global trunk balance in neuromuscular patients

Dose, image quality and spine modeling assessment of biplanar EOS micro-dose radiographs for the follow-up of in-brace adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the radiation dose, image quality and 3D spine parameter measurements of EOS low-dose and micro-dose protocols for in-brace adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. Methods: We prospectively included 25 consecutive patients (20 females, 5 males) followed for AIS and undergoing brace treatment. The mean age was 12 years (SD 2 years, range 8-15 years). For each patient, in-brace biplanar EOS radiographs were acquired in a standing position using both the conventional low-dose and micro-dose protocols. Dose area product (DAP) was systematically recorded. Diagnostic image quality was qualitatively assessed by two radiologists for visibility of anatomical structures. The reliability of 3D spine modeling between two operators was quantitatively evaluated for the most clinically relevant 3D radiological parameters using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The mean DAP for the posteroanterior and lateral acquisitions was 300 ± 134 and 433 ± 181 mGy cm2 for the low-dose radiographs, and 41 ± 19 and 81 ± 39 mGy cm2 for micro-dose radiographs. Image quality was lower with the micro-dose protocol. The agreement was "good" to "very good" for all measured clinical parameters when comparing the low-dose and micro-dose protocols (ICC > 0.73). Conclusion: The micro-dose protocol substantially reduced the delivered dose (by a factor of 5-7 compared to the low-dose protocol) in braced children with AIS. Although image quality was reduced, the micro-dose protocol proved to be adapted to radiological follow-up, with adequate image quality and reliable clinical measurements. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.No funding was secured for this study

Quantification of Microstructural Changes in the Dermis of Elderly Women Using Morphometric Indices of the Skin Surface

Objective: The main objective of this study was the development of a non-invasive mathematical marker of the skin surface, the characteristic length, to predict the microstructure of the dermis. This marker, at the individual level, is intended to provide the biological age of the patient in the context of personalised medicine for the elderly. Study design: To validate this hypothesis, a clinical study was conducted on 22 women over 60 years old from a population of osteoporotic subjects who sustained a femoral neck fracture: a morphological analysis of the skin surface was performed on the patient’s forearm and quantitatively compared with microarchitectural parameters of the dermis. Major results: The Elastin-to-Collagen ratio measured on dermis samples ranged between 0.007 and 0.084, with a mean of 0.035 ± 0.02. The surface characteristic length ranged between 0.90 and 2.621, with a mean of 0.64 ± 0.51. A very strong correlation was found between this characteristic length and the Elastin-to-Collagen ratio (r = 0.92). Conclusions: This study proposes an original diagnostic tool based on morphometric indices of the skin surface and shows a direct quantitative relationship with the dermis microarchitecture and its collagen and elastin content. The proposed method allows reliable and easy access to the intrinsic ageing of the dermis, which would be a strong biomarker in a personalised collagen treatment approach

Use of supercritical carbon dioxide technology for fabricating a tissue engineering scaffold for anterior cruciate ligament repair

Tissue-engineered grafts may be useful in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) repair and provide a novel, alternative treatment to clinical complications of rupture, harvest site morbidity and biocompatibility associated with autografts, allografts and synthetic grafts. We successfully used supercritical carbon dioxide (Sc-CO2) technology for manufacturing a "smart" biomaterial scaffold, which retains the native protein conformation and tensile strength of the natural ACL but is decellularized for a decreased immunogenic response. We designed and fabricated a new scaffold exhibiting (1) high tensile strength and biomechanical properties comparable to those of the native tissue, (2) thermodynamically-stable extra-cellular matrix (ECM), (3) preserved collagen composition and crosslinking, (4) a decellularized material milieu with potential for future engineering applications and (5) proven feasibility and biocompatibility in an animal model of ligament reconstruction. Because of the "smart" material ECM, this scaffold may have the potential for providing a niche and for directing stem cell growth, differentiations and function pertinent to new tissue formation. Sc-CO2-related technology is advanced and has the capability to provide scaffolds of high strength and durability, which sustain a lifetime of wear and tear under mechanical loading in vivo

High-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis reduction and fusion in children using transsacral rod fixation

International audienceThere is no consensus on how to treat surgically high-dysplastic developmental spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents. Although reducing spinal deformity seems mandatory, the issue of surgical reduction versus in situ fusion remains controversial

Progressive restoration of spinal sagittal balance after surgical correction of lumbosacral spondylolisthesis before skeletal maturity

International audienceSpinopelvic alignment is crucial in assessing an energy-efficient posture in both normal and disease states, such as high-displacement developmental spondylolisthesis (HDDS). The overall effect in patients with HDDS who have undergone local surgical correction of lumbosacral imbalance for the global correction of spinal balance remains unclear. This paper reports the progressive spontaneous improvement of global sagittal balance following surgical correction of lumbosacral imbalance in patients with HDDS

Screw augmentation for spinopelvic fixation in neuromuscular spine deformities: technical note

International audienceThe primary goal of curve correction in neuromuscular patients is to restore coronal and sagittal trunk balance, including the pelvis, to maximize sitting balance. For several years, it has been a common practice to inject polymeric cement into osteoporotic bone through specially designed, perforated pedicle screws in an effort to enhance screw stability. Therefore, we started using the association of a spinopelvic fixation with S1 pedicle screw augmentation, using bisphenol-a-glycidyl dimethacrylate composite resin in neuromuscular patients with pelvic obliquity, technique in neuromuscular patients to improve pedicle screw stability of our pelvic construct

How Can Surgeonfish Help Pediatric Surgeons? A Pilot Study Investigating the Antinociceptive Effect of Fish Aquariums in Adult Volunteers

International audienceBACKGROUND: Multiple distraction strategies have been proposed to reduce the incidence of anxiety and pain in children. Animal-assisted therapy is acknowledged and used in children as an adjunctive treatment with cognitive, physical, psychosocial and spiritual benefits.OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of fish aquarium animal-assisted therapy (FA-AAT) on pain perception in a cohort of healthy volunteers.METHODS: Sixty-nine healthy subjects (mean age 27.3 years) were exposed to >20 different species of soft or hard corals and >25 fish in a 1000 L saltwater aquarium. Pain perception was assessed using an electrical stimulation device, the Pain Matcher (Cefar Medical AB, Sweden), after 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min of continuous aquarium viewing. The measurements were repeated 10 min after stopping aquarium viewing.RESULTS: A statistically significant pain perception threshold augmentation was observed after a 5 min aquarium viewing. This threshold augmentation was also increased after 10 min, 20 min and 30 min of FA-AAT. A remnant effect was noted up to 10 min after exposure. This short post-viewing time period could be useful in clinical practice to perform certain painful procedures in children, such as those involving needles, under improved conditions immediately after aquarium exposure.CONCLUSIONS: In the authors' department, FA-AAT is now used as a nonpharmacological antinociceptive technique in association with a protocol of inhalated oxygen⁄nitrous oxide mixtures for needle-related procedures. Children and parents are invited to watch the aquarium during the 10 min to 20 min before venous punctures

Anterior cruciate ligament surgery in the rabbit

BACKGROUND: Various methods regarding allograft knee replacements have been described. The animal models, which are generally used for this purpose include sheep, dogs, goats, and pigs, and accrue significant costs for study protocols. The authors herein describe an efficient and cost-effective model to study either native or tissue-engineered allografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) replacement in a New Zealand rabbit model with the potential for transgenic and cell migration studies. METHODS: ACL reconstructions were performed in rabbits under general anesthesia. For fresh allograft implantations, two animals were operated in parallel. Each right extensor digitorum longus tendon was harvested and prepared for implantation. After excision of the ACL, tibial and femoral bone tunnels were created to implant each graft in the native ACL position. RESULTS: During a 2-year period, the authors have successfully undertaken this surgery in 61 rabbits and have not noticed any major complications attributed to this surgical technique. In addition, the authors have observed fast recovery in the animals postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The authors recommend this surgical procedure as an excellent model for the study of knee surgery