Evaluation of the Behavior of Spinal Deformities in Tuberculosis of the Spine in Adults

Study DesignA prospective clinical study.PurposeThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the behavior of spinal deformities in tuberculosis (TB) of the spine during the initial 2 years and to suggest remedial measures.Overview of LiteratureSpinal TB is the most common cause of a kyphotic deformity in many parts of the world. Treatment of the established deformity is difficult, hazardous and has a high complication rate.MethodsWe followed 50 adult patients treated for spinal TB for a minimum of 2 years. Average values of vertebral body height loss (VBL), deformity angle, kyphosis angle, and lumbosacral joint angle at the final follow-up were compared with the values at initial presentation. The relationship between the amount of initial VBL and final kyphotic angle was analyzed.ResultsAverage values of VBL, deformity angle, kyphosis angle, and lumbosacral joint angle at initial presentation were 0.26, 12.51°, 2.26°, and 12.3°, respectively; and the corresponding values at the final follow-up were 0.7, 17.8°, 5.64°, and 10.8°, respectively. The increase was extremely significant for the deformity angle (initial vs. 6th month, p=0.000; 6th month vs. 24th month, p=0.000) and kyphotic angle (initial vs. 6th month, p=0.003; 6th month vs. 24th month, p=0.000) in the thoracic and thoracolumbar regions during the first 2 years of the disease process. The increase in the deformity angle in the lumbar region was significant only in the initial 6 months (p=0.01). We could not find any correlation between the initial VBL and the final kyphotic angle (r=0.302, p>0.05).ConclusionsDifferent regions of the vertebral column respond differently to bony destruction caused by spinal TB. Deformity progression is more significant during the initial 6 months of the disease process, and this may be the best time to take remedial measures to prevent development/progression of the deformity. Kyphotic deformity keeps increasing even after 6 months of antituberculous treatment, and it does not correlate with the initial VBL in adults

Outcome of Pedicle Screw Fixation and Monosegmental Fusion in Patients with Fresh Thoracolumbar Fractures

Study DesignProspective clinical study.PurposeThe present prospective study aims to evaluate the clinical, radiological, and functional and quality of life outcomes in patients with fresh thoracolumbar fractures managed by posterior instrumentation of the spine, using pedicle screw fixation and monosegmental fusion.Overview of LiteratureThe goals of treatment in thoracolumbar fractures are restoring vertebral column stability and obtaining spinal canal decompression, leading to early mobilization of the patient.MethodsSixty-six patients (46 males and 20 females) of thoracolumbar fractures with neurological deficit were stabilized with pedicle screw fixation and monosegmental fusion. Clinical, radiological and functional outcomes were evaluated.ResultsThe mean preoperative values of Sagittal index, and compression percentage of the height of the fractured vertebra were 22.75° and 46.73, respectively, improved (statistically significant) to 12.39°, and 24.91, postoperatively. The loss of correction of these values at one year follow-up was not statistically significant. The mean preoperative canal compromise (%) improved from 65.22±17.61 to 10.06±5.31 at one year follow-up. There was a mean improvement in the grade of 1.03 in neurological status from the preoperative to final follow-up at one year. Average Denis work scale index was 4.1. Average Denis pain scale index was 2.5. Average WHOQOL-BREF showed reduced quality of life in these patients. Patients of early surgery group (operated within 7 days of injury) had a greater mean improvement of neurological grade, radiological and functional outcomes than those in the late surgery group, but it was not statistically significant.ConclusionsPosterior surgical instrumentation using pedicle screws with posterolateral fusion is safe, reliable and effective method in the management of fresh thoracolumbar fractures. Fusion helps to decrease the postoperative correction loss of radiological parameters. There is no correlation between radiographic corrections achieved for deformities and functional outcome and quality of life post spinal cord injury

Conservatively treated acetabular fractures: A retrospective analysis

Background: There are a few studies reporting the long term outcome of conservatively treated acetabular fractures. The present study aims to evaluate the quality of reduction, and radiological and functional outcome in displaced acetabular fractures treated conservatively. Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine patients (55 men and 14 women) with 71 displaced acetabular fractures (mean age 38.6 years) managed conservatively were retrospectively evaluated. There were 11 posterior wall, 5 posterior column, 6 anterior column, 13 transverse, 2 posterior column with posterior wall, 9 transverse with posterior wall, 6 T-shaped, 1 anterior column with posterior hemi-transverse, and 18 both-column fractures. The follow-up radiographs were graded according to the criteria developed by Matta J. Functional outcome was assessed using Harris hip score and Merle d′Aubigne and Postel score at final followup. Average follow-up was 4.34 years (range 2-11 years). Results: Patients with congruent reduction (n=45) had good or excellent functional outcome. Radiologic outcome in incongruent reduction (n=26) was good or excellent in 6 and fair or poor in 20 hips. The functional outcome in patients with incongruent reduction was good or excellent in 16 and satisfactory or poor in 10 hips. Good to excellent radiologic and functional outcome was achieved in all patients with posterior wall fractures including four having more than 50% of broken wall. Good to excellent functional outcome was observed in 88.8% of both-column fractures with secondary congruence despite medial subluxation. Conclusions: Nonoperative treatment of acetabular fractures can give good radiological and functional outcome in congruent reduction. Posterior wall fractures with a congruous joint without subluxation on computed tomography axial section, posterior column, anterior column, infratectal transverse or T-shaped, and both-column fractures may be managed conservatively. Small osteochondral fragments in the cotyloid fossa or non-weight-bearing part of the hip with a congruous joint do not seem to adversely affect the functional outcome. Displaced transverse fractures with "V" sign may require operative treatment

Bone Mineral Density and Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover During the First Year of Injury in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with bone mass loss that can be complicated by fractures, which result in further disabilities for patients. After a SCI, the body starts losing large amounts of calcium and other minerals in the urine (demineralisation). This study aimed to assess the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) during the 1st year of acute SCI in patients with neurological deficit. Methods: A total of 95 patients with acute SCI and neurological deficit were evaluated in this prospective study. Haematological investigations such as evaluation of serum calcium, serum phosphate, serum creatinine, and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were carried out. Urinary investigations such as 24-hour urinary creatinine level and excretion of calcium and phosphate in the urine were measured. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan with Hologic QDR 2000 scanner (Explorer). All of the aforementioned parameters were measured again at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Serum ALP at 1-year follow up was significantly raised (p<0.05). The BMD at 1-year follow up had statistically significant lower values than the initial BMD at the hip (p<0.05), proximal tibia (p < 0.00l), and distal tibial epiphysis (p < 0.001). The BMD in motor-complete SCI patients [American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades A and B] had significant lower values than motor-incomplete SCI patients (ASIA C and D) at the hip (p < 0.05) and proximal tibial epiphysis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There was a marked decrease in BMD in metaphyseal sites than below the neurological deficit level with maximum decrease at the proximal tibia during the 1st year of SCI. Although the markers of osteoblastic activity did not show much change, the decrease in BMD was influenced by the neurological recovery after SCI

Ossicle in Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Rare Occurrence

The occurrence of an intra-articular ossicle is not rare in the knee, with reports suggesting the existence of meniscal osscile. There are also reports describing the attachment of the posterolateral bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to an accessory ossicle. However, despite an extensive search of the English literature we did not find much written about an intrasubstance ossicle in the ACL. We present the case of a 13-year-old male with an intrasubstance ossicle in the anteromedial bundle of the ACL of his right knee

Double floating arm injury in a child: a case report and review of the literature

【Abstract】The combination of ipsilateral humeral fractures at three different levels namely proximal, shaft and supracondyle has been rarely defined in the literature. We present a case report on such a complex injury in a 10-year-old child after falling down from the second floor of his house while playing. To the best of our knowledge, no such case report exists in the English literature. We define it as “double floating arm” injury. Firstly, shaft of humerus was open reduced and fixed with 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate. Then closed reduction and pinning of the supracondylar humerus under an image intensifier was obtained. Open reduction using deltopectoral approach to the proximal humerus was done and the fracture was fixed with three K-wires. Ipsilateral multiple fractures in children often result from high energy trauma. Immediate reduction and fixation is required. Usually surgeons need to treat simple fractures firstly, which makes the subsequent treatment of complex fractures easier. Key words: Humeral fractures; Arm injuries; Terminolog

Combined radial and median nerve injury in diaphyseal fracture of humerus: a case report

【Abstract】Radial nerve palsy is the most common neurological involvement in humeral shaft fractures. But combined radial and median nerve injury in a closed dia- physeal fracture of the humerus is rare. Combined injury to both radial and median nerve can cause significant disability. A detailed clinical examination is therefore necessary fol- lowing humeral shaft fractures. We report a patient with closed diaphyseal humeral fracture (AO 12A-2.3) together with radial and median nerve palsy, its management and review of the literature. As the patient had two nerves involved, surgical exploration was planned. Fracture was reduced and fixed with a 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compres- sion plate. There was no external injury to both radial and median nerves on surgical exploration. Neurological reco- very started at 3 weeks’ follow-up. Complete recovery was seen at 12 weeks. Careful clinical examination is of the ut- most importance in early diagnosis of combined nerve injuries, which allows better management and rehabilitation of the patient. Key words: Humeral fractures; Radial nerve; Me- dian nerve; Diaphyses; Paralysi