The Cup of Diogenes: a fixed anatomical landmark for carpal tunnel surgery

PURPOSE

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common entrapment neuropathy. When conservative management fails to relieve symptoms, carpal tunnel surgery is indicated. The surgical exposure for this procedure is commonly based on variable anatomic landmarks. The purpose of this study was to describe a fixed, easily referenced anatomical landmark for the distal extension of the transverse carpal ligament, the "Cup of Diogenes."

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Topographical landmarks including Kaplan cardinal line, palmaris tendon, and distal palmer crease were marked on six fresh frozen cadaveric wrist and hand specimens. The apex of the Cup of Diogenes is determined to be the confluence of the thenar and hypothenar musculature of the palm. Wrists were dissected and the distance between these landmarks and the superficial palmar arch, median nerve, transverse carpal ligament, and ulnar nerve were measured.

RESULTS

In all specimens, the ulnar nerve was ulnar to this the apex of the Cup of Diogenes, while the median nerve was radial. The apex was proximal in all specimens to the superficial palmar arch. The apex marked the distal extent of the transverse carpal ligament in all specimens.

DISCUSSION

Based on our results, we feel the apex of the Cup of Diogenes is a consistent, fixed anatomical marker for the distal extent of the transverse carpal ligament, marking a safe zone in the palm for surgical planning of incisions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V - Therapeutic.

Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty in the Setting of Trauma

PURPOSE

To report the outcome of pyrocarbon metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint implants with traumatic nonreconstructible articular cartilage loss.

METHODS

We performed a review of all patients at a single institution who underwent a pyrocarbon MCP joint arthroplasty performed after an acute injury. Of 820 MCP joint arthroplasties performed, 10 were performed in 7 patients for open MCP joint trauma within 24 hours of the initial injury. Six were hemi- and 4 were total arthroplasties. The mean follow-up was 4 years. All injuries were the result of a direct laceration over the MCP joint.

RESULTS

There were no cases of revision or postoperative infection. Mean total arc of motions for the MCP, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints were 56° (30° to 70°), 76° (40° to 100°), and 50° (21° to 70°), respectively. Postoperative mean grip, oppositional pinch, and appositional pinch strengths were 28, 9, and 11 kg, respectively. All patients except one reported no or mild pain at the last follow-up. Half of the patients required a tenolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

MCP joint arthroplasty was performed safely in the setting of acute complex open MCP joint trauma. Patients had preservation of adequate MCP joint motion and experienced little pain. MCP arthroplasty should be a consideration in cases of open MCP joint trauma to preserve motion, prevent pain, and avoid fusion.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

Patella Fractures Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty: Worse Outcomes but Equivalent Survivorship

Distal femur and/or tibial plateau fractures adversely affect outcomes of TKA; however it is unknown if a previous patella fracture affects outcome. We reviewed 113 patients undergoing TKA with a previous patella fracture from 1990 to 2012. Component survival was compared to 19,641 patients undergoing TKA for osteoarthritis during the same period. The 15-year implant survivals following a previous patella fracture was 86%. There was no difference in implant survival compared to patients undergoing TKA for OA (P=0.31). Knee society scores significantly improved following TKA; however patients with a fracture had complications related to knee flexion. Patients undergoing primary TKA following a patella fracture have similar overall revision free survival compared to those undergoing TKA for OA at 15-years.

Glenoid Bone-Grafting in Revision to a Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Revision of a shoulder arthroplasty to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty in the presence of glenoid bone loss is especially challenging. The purpose of the present study was to determine the complications and results of glenoid bone-grafting in revision to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2010, 143 consecutive reverse shoulder arthroplasties performed as revision procedures were performed at our institution. Glenoid bone-grafting was performed in forty-one shoulders (29%), with 98% (forty) that had follow-up of more than two years (mean, 3.1 years). The 102 patients who did not undergo grafting served as a control group.

RESULTS

Seven patients (18%) required another revision surgery because of glenoid loosening (four patients), instability (two patients), or infection (one patient). The two and five-year implant survival rate free of revision for shoulders that had glenoid bone-grafting was 88% and 76%, respectively, which was lower than that for patients who had not required glenoid bone-grafting. The survival rate free of radiographic glenoid loosening at two and five years for the shoulders that had bone-grafting was 92% and 89%, respectively, which was worse than that for those that had not had glenoid bone-grafting. Patients had significant pain relief and improvement in their shoulder range of motion, and they had an increased level of satisfaction compared with the preoperative status. Increased rates of glenoid loosening were seen in patients who had an increased body mass index, an implant with a lateral center of rotation, a previous total shoulder replacement (versus hemiarthroplasty), and in those who were smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there were relatively high rates of glenoid loosening and reoperation at mid-term follow-up, glenoid reconstruction with bone graft in the revision setting was able to relieve pain and restore shoulder function and stability.

Revision Proximal Interphalangeal Arthroplasty: An Outcome Analysis of 75 Consecutive Cases

PURPOSE

To examine the outcomes and complications associated with revision proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty.

METHODS

An analysis of 75 consecutive revision PIP joint arthroplasties in 49 patients, performed between 1998 to 2012, was performed. The mean age at the time of surgery was 58 years. Thirty-two patients had a history of prior PIP joint trauma, and 18 patients had rheumatoid arthritis. There were 12 constrained (silicone) implants and 63 nonconstrained implants (34 pyrocarbon and 29 metal-plastic).

RESULTS

Over the 14-year period, 19 (25%) fingers underwent a second revision surgery. Second revision surgeries were performed for infection, instability, flexion contracture, and heterotopic ossification. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 80%, 70%, and 70%, respectively, for patients requiring a second revision for PIP joint arthroplasty. Worse outcomes were seen with postoperative dislocations, pyrocarbon implants, and when bone grafting was required. Two operations were complicated by intraoperative fractures, but neither required stabilization. Sixteen patients undergoing revision surgery experienced a postoperative complication, including 2 infections, 1 postoperative fracture, 3 cases of heterotopic ossification, and 10 PIP joint dislocations. The volar approach and the use of a pyrocarbon implant was associated with increased rates of heterotopic ossification, whereas preoperative instability increased the rates of PIP joint dislocation following revision. At a mean of 5.3 years (range, 2-10 years) follow-up, 98% of patients had good pain relief but decreased PIP joint total arc of motion.

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty in the revision setting represents a challenge for surgeons. Revision arthroplasty was associated with a 70% 5-year survival but with a high incidence of complications. Instability was associated with worse outcomes. In this series, silicone and metal-polyethylene implants had lower rates of implant failure and postoperative complications than ones made from pyrocarbon.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head: treatment with ancillary growth factors

Osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head, also known as avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head, is a progressive disease that predominantly affects younger patients. During early stage of ON, decompression of the femoral head has been commonly used to improve pain. The decompression has been augmented with nonvascularized or vascularized bone grafts, mesenchymal stems cells, and growth factors. The use of adjuvant growth factors to supplement the core decompression has mainly been limited to animal models in an attempt to regenerate the necrotic lesion of ON. Factors utilized include bone morphogenetic proteins, vascular endothelial growth factors, hepatocyte growth factors, fibroblast growth factors, granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, and stem cells factors. In animal models, the use of these factors has been shown to increase bone formation and angiogenesis. Although promising, the use of these growth factors and cell-based therapies clinically remains limited.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis: current perspectives

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful chronic condition with a significant impact on quality of life. The societal burden imposed by OA is increasing in parallel with the aging population; however, no therapies have demonstrated efficacy in preventing the progression of this degenerative joint disease. Current mainstays of therapy include activity modification, conservative pain management strategies, weight loss, and if necessary, replacement of the affected joint. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a multipotent endogenous population of progenitors capable of differentiation to musculoskeletal tissues. MSCs have a well-documented immunomodulatory role, managing the inflammatory response primarily through paracrine signaling. Given these properties, MSCs have been proposed as a potential regenerative cell therapy source for patients with OA. Research efforts are focused on determining the ideal source for derivation, as MSCs are native to several tissues. Furthermore, optimizing the mode of delivery remains a challenge both for appropriate localization of MSCs and for directed guidance toward stemming the local inflammatory process and initiating a regenerative response. Scaffolds and matrices with growth factor adjuvants may prove critical in this effort. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of MSC-based therapeutics for OA and discuss potential barriers that must be overcome for successful implementation of cell-based therapy as a routine treatment strategy in orthopedics.

Management and complications of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries

This article provides an overview of the management of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries. It examines the basic pathophysiology of peripheral nerve injuries, along with the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, and treatment options and outcomes for the various classifications of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries.

Atypical presentation of fat embolism syndrome after gunshot wound to the foot

A 42-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the foot, which caused multiple fractures of the tarsal bones. Over the course of 6 hours, he became obtunded and began to experience respiratory compromise and neurologic symptoms. On magnetic resonance imaging, he was found to have innumerable tiny infarcts consistent with fat embolism syndrome. He was placed in a spanning external fixator. The patient remained in a coma for 6 weeks after injury but gradually regained function. Fat embolism syndrome is classically described as resulting from injury to the diaphysis of a long bone, but it can occur secondary to trauma of the foot. Neurovascular status must be continually evaluated in the setting of any bony trauma, and index of suspicion should remain high when neurologic deficits are encountered.

Use of a modular tapered fluted femoral component in revision total hip arthroplasty following resection of a previously infected total hip: minimum 5-year follow-up

Femoral reconstruction in the setting of two stage reimplantation can be difficult and substantial reoperation rates due to implant loosening have been reported. We retrospectively reviewed 28 male and 29 female patients who underwent a two-stage reimplantation using a modular, tapered femoral stem. The mean clinical follow-up was 62 months. The mean Harris Hip score at 5-year follow-up was 76. Two stems were revised for aseptic loosening. Reinfection occurred in 16% of patients. Stem survivorship was 87% at 5-years. Use of a modular tapered stem provided a high rate of stable femoral fixation and acceptable rate of reinfection in two stage treatment of infected THA.

Morbid obesity: a significant risk factor for failure of two-stage revision total hip arthroplasty for infection

BACKGROUND

Morbid obesity (BMI [body mass index], ≥40 kg/m2) is associated with a higher risk of complications, including infection and implant failure, following primary total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of two-stage revision total hip arthroplasty for infection in a morbidly obese patient cohort (BMI, ≥40 kg/m2) and nonobese patients (BMI, <30 kg/m2).

METHODS

Using an institutional total joint registry, we reviewed the medical records of 653 patients treated with two-stage revision total hip arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection over a twenty-year period (1987 to 2007). Patients were stratified according to preoperative BMI. Thirty-three patients (fourteen male and nineteen female) with a BMI of ≥40 kg/m2 were identified. These patients were matched 1:2 with a cohort of sixty-six patients (twenty-eight male and thirty-eight female) of the same sex and similar age (91% within two years) who were not obese (BMI, <30 kg/m2). All patients had a minimum of five years of clinical follow-up (mean, 8.1 years in the morbidly obese group and 10.3 years in the nonobese group).

RESULTS

Compared with nonobese patients, morbidly obese patients had significantly greater rates of reinfection (18% compared with 2%, p<0.005), revision (42% compared with 11%, p<0.001) and reoperation for any reason (61% compared with 12%, p<0.001). Prior to surgery, the mean Harris Hip Score had been 50.6 in the morbidly obese group and 48.8 in the nonobese group, and these scores improved significantly in both groups postoperatively (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Morbidly obese patients have markedly elevated risks of reinfection, reoperation, and component resection as well as poorer intermediate-term clinical outcome scores compared with nonobese patients following revision total hip arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection.

New options for vascularized bone reconstruction in the upper extremity

Originally described in the 1970s, vascularized bone grafting has become a critical component in the treatment of bony defects and non-unions. Although well established in the lower extremity, recent years have seen many novel techniques described to treat a variety of challenging upper extremity pathologies. Here the authors review the use of different techniques of vascularized bone grafts for the upper extremity bone pathologies. The vascularized fibula remains the gold standard for the treatment of large bone defects of the humerus and forearm, while also playing a role in carpal reconstruction; however, two other important options for larger defects include the vascularized scapula graft and the Capanna technique. Smaller upper extremity bone defects and non-unions can be treated with the medial femoral condyle (MFC) free flap or a vascularized rib transfer. In carpal non-unions, both pedicled distal radius flaps and free MFC flaps are viable options. Finally, in skeletally immature patients, vascularized fibular head epiphyseal transfer can provide growth potential in addition to skeletal reconstruction.

Wound management of chronic diabetic foot ulcers: from the basics to regenerative medicine

BACKGROUND

Hospital-based studies have shown that mortality rates in individuals with diabetic foot ulcers are about twice those observed in individuals with diabetes without foot ulcers.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the etiology and management of chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

STUDY DESIGN

Literature review.

METHODS

Systematic review of the literature discussing management of diabetic foot ulcers. Since there were only a few randomized controlled trials on this topic, articles were selected to attempt to be comprehensive rather than a formal assessment of study quality.

RESULTS

Chronic nonhealing foot ulcers occur in approximately 15% of patients with diabetes. Many factors contribute to impaired diabetic wound healing. Risk factors include peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, limited joint mobility, foot deformities, abnormal foot pressures, minor trauma, a history of ulceration or amputation, and impaired visual acuity. With the current treatment for nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers, a significant number of patients require amputation.

CONCLUSION

Diabetic foot ulcers are optimally managed by a multidisciplinary integrated team. Offloading and preventative management are important. Dressings play an adjunctive role. There is a critical need to develop novel treatments to improve healing of diabetic foot ulcers. The goal is to have wounds heal and remain healed.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease are major factors involved in a diabetic foot ulcer. Despite current treatment modalities for nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers, there are a significant number of patients who require amputations. No known therapy will be effective without concomitant management of ischemia, infection, and adequate offloading.

Radiographic and functional outcomes following bilateral ankle fusions

BACKGROUND

Ankle arthrodesis is considered to be a well-accepted technique for end-stage ankle arthritis. Our purpose was to evaluate outcomes of patients with bilateral ankle arthrodeses with attention to radiographic and functional outcomes.

METHODS

Medical records of 31 patients were reviewed from 1977 through 2007. All patients had 1 year of clinical follow-up after their contralateral ankle arthrodesis, with an average follow-up of 11.2 years following the initial arthrodesis. Pertinent patient demographics and information pertaining to the operative procedure, complications, and subsequent adjacent joint fusions was collected. Radiographs were reviewed for time to fusion and adjacent joint arthritis. Functional outcomes were measured using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle and Hindfoot scale.

RESULTS

Ten females and 21 males underwent bilateral ankle fusions at an average age of 57 years at the time of the initial fusion. The contralateral fusion occurred on average 3.1 years following the initial fusion. Radiographic fusion occurred 12 weeks following the initial fusion and 14 weeks following the contralateral fusion. There was a significant increase (P = .0001) in the average AOFAS score postoperatively in both ankles. The average FAAM score at last follow-up was 70. Adjacent joint arthritis developed in the majority of patients; however, most of the patients were free from adjacent fusions and reported their function as "normal" or "nearly normal" at last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Bilateral ankle arthrodesis was an acceptable treatment option for patients with bilateral, end-stage ankle arthritis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective case series.

Osteoid osteomas of the foot and ankle: a study of patients over a 20-year period

Osteoid osteomas (OOs) are common benign bone tumors that seldom occur in the foot or ankle. Patients typically complain of pain that is worse at night and is relieved with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Previous studies of treating these lesions in the foot and ankle have been limited to case reports. We retrospectively reviewed all cases of a histologically confirmed foot or ankle OO treated surgically or with an interventional radiologic procedure between 1990 and 2010. Thirteen (12 male, 1 female) patients had a foot or ankle OO. The most common site was the talus (n=5). Ten lesions were treated surgically, 3 with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Surgical patients required 3 weeks of restricted weight-bearing, whereas patients treated with RFA had no weight-bearing restrictions. At final follow-up, all patients reported complete pain relief and return to previous activities. Surgical curettage and RFA provided excellent symptom relief in patients with a foot or ankle OO. We recommend RFA for lesions with diagnostic imaging. RFA is contraindicated for lesions near a major neurovascular bundle. Surgeons should carefully measure the distance from lesion to articular cartilage and use the treatment that minimizes damage to the cartilage.

Intraoperative fracture during aseptic revision total knee arthroplasty

Bone encountered during revision knee arthroplasty is compromised and predisposed to fracture. This study reports the rate, location, timing, treatment, and outcome of intraoperative fractures occurring during revision knee arthroplasty. Between 1997 and 2011, 2836 aseptic revisions were performed. Ninety-seven fractures were identified in 89 patients (3%). Fifty occurred in femora, 42 in tibiae, and 5 in patellae. Forty-six occurred during exposure, 21 during bony preparation, 17 during trialing, and 13 during final component placement. Treatment included fixation (n = 43), observation (n = 21), component build-up (n = 17), bone grafting (n = 6), and a combination (n = 3). Ninety-four percent of fractures united. Fifteen patients required a re-revision (17%), of which infection was the leading cause (n = 5).

Morbid obesity: a significant risk factor for failure of two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty for infection

BACKGROUND

Obese patients have a higher risk of complications following primary total knee arthroplasty, including periprosthetic joint infection. However, there is a paucity of data concerning the efficacy of two-stage revision arthroplasty in obese patients.

METHODS

We performed a two-to-one matched cohort study to compare the outcomes of thirty-seven morbidly obese patients (those with a body mass index of ≥ 40 kg/m(2)) who underwent two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection following primary total knee arthroplasty with the outcomes of seventy-four non-obese patients (those with a body mass index of <30 kg/m(2)). Groups were matched by sex, age, and date of reimplantation. Outcomes included subsequent revision, reinfection, reoperation, and Knee Society pain and function scores. The minimum follow-up time was five years.

RESULTS

Morbidly obese patients had a significantly increased risk for revision surgery (32% compared with 11%; p < 0.01), reinfection (22% compared with 4%; p < 0.01), and reoperation (51% compared with 16%; p < 0.01). Implant survival rates were 80% for the morbidly obese group and 97% for the non-obese group at five years and 55% for the morbidly obese group and 82% for the non-obese group at ten years. Knee Society pain scores improved significantly following surgery in both groups; the mean scores (and standard deviation) were 50 ± 5 points for the morbidly obese group and 55 ± 2 points for the non-obese group (p = 0.06) preoperatively, 74 ± 5 points for the morbidly obese group and 89 ± 2 points for the non-obese group (p < 0.0001) at two years, 72 ± 6 points for the morbidly obese group and 88 ± 3 points for the non-obese group (p < 0.0001) at five years, and 56 ± 9 points for the morbidly obese group and 84 ± 3 points for the non-obese group (p = 0.01) at ten years.

CONCLUSIONS

Morbid obesity significantly increased the risk of subsequent revision, reoperation, and reinfection following two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty for infection. In addition, these patients had worse pain relief and overall function at intermediate-term clinical follow-up. Although two-stage revision should remain a standard treatment for chronic periprosthetic joint infection in morbidly obese patients, increased failure rates and poorer outcomes should be anticipated.

Stem cell treatment for avascular necrosis of the femoral head: current perspectives

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a progressive disease that predominantly affects younger patients. Although the exact pathophysiology of AVN has yet to be elucidated, the disease is characterized by a vascular insult to the blood supply of the femoral head, which can lead to collapse of the femoral head and subsequent degenerative changes. If AVN is diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, it may be possible to attempt surgical procedures which preserve the hip joint, including decompression of the femoral head augmented with concentrated bone marrow. The use of autologous stem cells has shown promise in halting the progression of AVN of the femoral head, and subsequently preventing young patients from undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to review the current use of stem cells for the treatment of AVN of the femoral head.

Anatomical feasibility of the anterior obturator nerve transfer to restore bowel and bladder function

Total sacrectomies are radical procedures required to treat tumorigenic processes involving the sacrum. The purpose of our anatomical study was to assess the feasibility of a novel nerve transfer involving the anterior obturator nerve to the pudendal and pelvic nerves to the rectum and bladder. Anterior dissection of the obturator nerve was performed in eight hemipelvis cadaver specimens. The common obturator nerve branched into the anterior and posterior at the level of the obturator foramen. The anterior branch then divided into two separate branches (adductor longus and gracilis). The branch to the gracilis was on average longer and also larger than the branch to the adductor longus (8.7 ± 2.1 cm vs. 6.7 ± 2.6 cm in length and 2.6 ± 0.2 mm vs 1.8 ± 0.4 mm in diameter). Each branch of the anterior obturator was long enough to reach the pelvic nerves. The novel transfer of the anterior branch of the obturator nerve to reinnervate the bladder and bowel is anatomically feasible. This represents a promising option with minimal donor site deficit.

Combined composite osteofasciocutaneous fibular free flap and radial head arthroplasty for reconstruction of the elbow joint

Reconstruction of the radial head can be complicated in cases of wide resection, particularly in those cases including the proximal radial shaft. In such cases, radial head replacement may not be possible because of lack of adequate bone stock. Here, we report the use of a radial head prosthesis incorporated with a vascularized fibula for immediate anatomic restoration of the forearm and elbow. We present a case of a pathologic fracture non-union in the proximal radius in a 57-year-old female with a history of multiple myeloma. Non-operative management of the fracture was unsuccessful after chemotherapy and radiation. The proximal radius and radial head were resected and reconstructed with vascularized fibula graft in conjunction with immediate radial head prosthesis. The osteotomy site healed at 6-weeks and follow-up at 1 year showed good functional outcome. We feel that the use of this construct has definite promise and may be considered for reconstruction following resection of the proximal radius.

Use of concentrated bone marrow aspirate and platelet rich plasma during minimally invasive decompression of the femoral head in the treatment of osteonecrosis

The aim of this paper is to describe our surgical procedure for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head using a minimally invasive technique. We have limited the use of this procedure for patients with pre-collapse osteonecrosis of the femoral head (Ficat Stage I or II). To treat osteonecrosis of the femoral head at our institution we currently use a combination of outpatient, minimally invasive iliac crest bone marrow aspirations and blood draw combined with decompressions of the femoral head. Following the decompression of the femoral head, adult mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the iliac crest and platelet rich plasma are injected into the area of osteonecrosis. Patients are then discharged from the hospital using crutches to assist with ambulation. This novel technique was utilized on 77 hips. Sixteen hips (21%) progressed to further stages of osteonecrosis, ultimately requiring total hip replacement. Significant pain relief was reported in 86% of patients (n = 60), while the rest of patients reported little or no pain relief. There were no significant complications in any patient. We found that the use of a minimally invasive decompression augmented with concentrated bone marrow and platelet rich plasma resulted in significant pain relief and halted the progression of disease in a majority of patients.

Angioleiomyoma of the upper extremity

PURPOSE

To determine the outcomes of surgical excision in the management of angioleiomyomas of the upper extremity.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 26 patients undergoing a surgical excision of an angioleiomyoma in the upper extremity between 1975 and 2012, who had at least 1 year of follow-up. There were 12 men and 14 women, with an average age of 55 ± 20 years. The most common location was the hand (n = 14). The onset of symptoms was on average 6 ± 5 years before presentation. The most common problem was a painful mass (19 of 26 patients). Average tumor size was 10 ± 7 mm.

RESULTS

Patients over the age of 60 years tended to have smaller tumors. There was no significant difference between average preoperative and postoperative grip strength in the affected and unaffected extremities. None of the lesions was diagnosed based on radiographic imaging. There was 1 postoperative complication. No recurrence was noted at an average 8.6-year follow-up (range, 1.0-21.0 y).

CONCLUSIONS

Angioleiomyomas present as a small, painful masses that can be reliably treated with marginal surgical excision.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

Utility of synovial fluid aspirations in failed metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty

White blood cell (WBC) count and neutrophil percentage from preoperative synovial fluid aspirations are used to help determine the presence or absence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in failed total hip arthroplasty (THA). The clinical levels indicative of infection have not been delineated in metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings. We identified 39 patients who received a preoperative synovial fluid aspiration prior to MoM revision. Thirty-five of 39 cases were culture negative and 4 of 39 were culture positive. WBC count >3000 cells/μL was 100% sensitive and 57.1% specific. Neutrophil percentage >80% was 100% sensitive and 97.1% specific. Both CRP and ESR >8.0mg/L and >22 mm/h, respectively were 75.0% sensitive and 67.6% specific. Our data suggest that synovial WBC count and serum ESR and CRP have poor predictive value in diagnosing PJI for failed MoM THA, whereas synovial neutrophil percentage is a highly accurate marker for diagnosing infection in this patient population.