The 2nd Metacarpal Cortical Index as a Simple Screening Tool for Osteopenia

Background

Osteopenia is a known risk factor for sustaining skeletal fractures. Prevention of fragility fractures has obvious clinical and economic advantages, however screening all patients using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is controversial not only because of the cost implications but also because it would potentially involve exposing a percentage of normal patients to unnecessary radiation. We wished to assess whether a simple hand X-ray measuring the 2nd metacarpal cortical index (2MCI) could be used as a simple screening tool for identifying patients with osteopenia.

Methods

We retrospectively collected the radiographic data of 206 patients who had a simple radiograph of the hand and a DXA scan within one year of each other from our picture archiving and communication system database. The 2MCI was calculated for all patients. As data was parametric, a Pearson’s correlation was performed to assess association between T-scores and 2MCI. Further analysis involved the construction of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to identify a 2MCI index, which would give the most appropriate sensitivity and specificity values for identifying the presence of osteopenia.

Results

A statistically significant and moderate correlation between DXA T-scores and 2MCI values was found (r=0.54, n=206, P<0.001). Further ROC curve analysis of normal and osteopenic subjects identified that a 2MCI of 41.5 had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 53% for detecting osteopenia.

Conclusions

Our results support the use of the 2MCI as a simple screening tool for identifying patients with osteopenia.

What effect has the major trauma network had on perceptions of trauma care delivery amongst trauma teams in major trauma centres and neighbouring trauma units?

INTRODUCTION

The Trauma network was established in April 2012 in England to improve the care of patients with trauma. The care of major trauma was centralised to major trauma centres. This article aims to survey trauma team members (TTM) to compare perceptions of trauma care delivery in major trauma centres (MTC) and trauma units (TU) from where major trauma care has been diverted.

METHODS

Trauma team members (TTM) from six hospitals were interviewed between June and July 2016. This included three MTCs and their neighbouring TU. Data were also gathered to determine appropriate trauma qualifications of TTMs.

RESULTS

TTMs in MTCs perceived the standard of trauma service improved (90% increased, 10% same) since April 2012 in comparison to TUs (10% increased, 63% same, 27% decreased) (p ≤ 0.001). In MTCs, TTMs felt their skills improved more (66% improved, 34% unchanged) compared to TU's (24% improved, 64% unchanged, 12% regressed) (p ≤ 0.001). TTM's in MTCs were more satisfied with their trauma teams training (p ≤ 0.001), leader's communication (p ≤ 0.001) and handover process (p ≤ 0.01) in comparison to TTMs in TUs. 69% of doctors in MTCs held valid trauma qualifications as compared to only 37% in TUs (p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The centralisation of major trauma care to MTCs allows care for severely injured patients in specialised hospitals with allocated resources. This survey shows the effect of this reorganisation where diversion of major trauma from TUs may have led to their TTMs perceiving their standard of care to be less than TTMs in MTCs. This study recommends training support for TUs using modalities such as simulation-based training and regular audits to ensure improved perceptions and adequate qualifications. Multidisciplinary meetings between MTCs and TUs can allow information to be exchanged and shared to ensure reciprocal support and engagement to improve perception of trauma care delivery.

Epsilon-aminocaproic acid versus tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis study

Introduction

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery can be associated with significant blood loss. Among the problems associated with such blood loss is the need for transfusions of banked blood [1]. Transfusions not only have a financial consequence but also carry a small risk of disease transmission to the patient. Antifibrinolytics have been successfully used to reduce transfusion requirements in elective arthroplasty patients. The objective of this meta-analysis is to determine which of tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) is more effective for reducing peri-operative blood loss, and lessening the need for blood transfusion following knee arthroplasty surgery.

Materials and methods

MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL databases were searched for relevant articles published between January 1980 to January 2018 for the purpose of identifying studies comparing TXA and EACA for TKA surgery. A double-extraction technique was used, and included studies were assessed regarding their methodological quality prior to analysis. Outcomes analysed included blood loss, pre- and post-operative haemoglobin, number of patients requiring transfusion, number of units transfused, operative and tourniquet time, and complications associated with antifibrinolytics.

Results

Three studies contributed to the quantitative analysis of 1691 patients, with 743 patients included in the TXA group and 948 in the EACA group. Estimated blood loss was similar between the two groups [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.50, 0.04; Z = 1.69; P = 0.09]. There were no differences between the two groups regarding the percentage of patients requiring transfusion (95% CI 0.14, 4.13; Z = 0.31; P = 0.76). There was no difference in the pre- and post-operative haemoglobin difference between the two groups (95% CI −0.36, 0.24; Z = 0.38; P = 0.70). There was no difference in the average number of transfused units (95% CI −0.53, 0.25; Z = 0.71; P = 0.48). There was no difference in the operative (95% CI −0.35, 0.36; Z = 0.04; P = 0.97) or tourniquet time (95% CI −0.16, 0.34; Z = 0.72; P = 0.47). Similarly, there was no difference in the percentage of venous thromboembolism between the two groups (95% CI 0.17, 2.80; Z = 0.51; P = 0.61).

Conclusions

This study did not demonstrate TXA to be superior to EACA. In fact, both antifibrinolytic therapies demonstrated similar efficacy in terms of intra-operative blood loss, transfusion requirements and complication rates. Currently EACA has a lower cost, which makes it an appealing alternative to TXA for TKA surgery.

Level of evidence

3.

Predictors of Intraoperative Fractures during Hemiarthroplasty for the Treatment of Fragility Hip Fractures

Background

The aim of our study was to determine the rate and preoperative predictors of intraoperative fracture (IOF) during hip hemiarthroplasty (HA) in patients who have sustained a fragility hip fracture injury.

Methods

We reviewed 626 patients who underwent HA at our institution using the National Hip Fracture Database. Various patient- and surgery-related data including demographic information, cement usage, surgeon grade, time to surgery, and operative duration were collected. The metaphyseal diaphyseal index and modified canal bone ratio were measured on preoperative radiographs. We compared patients with and without IOF with respect to all variables collected. Multivariate regression modeling was used to identify significant preoperative risk factors for IOF.

Results

There was a 7% incidence of IOF in our cohort exclusively comprising of Vancouver A fractures. The majority of these complications were treated nonoperatively (52%). There was no statistically significant difference with respect to cement usage, surgeon grade, operative duration, time to surgery, and radiographic parameters collected. Increasing age was found to be the most significant preoperative risk factor for predicting IOF (p = 0.024, overall relative risk = 1.06).

Conclusions

Our identified predictor of increasing age is nonmodifiable and illustrates the importance of meticulous surgical technique in older patients. Furthermore, its independence from fixation methods or prosthesis design as a predictor of IOF may support using an uncemented prosthesis in patients at risk from cement implantation.

Predicting intertrochanteric extension of greater trochanter fractures of the hip on plain radiographs

INTRODUCTION

It is important to distinct between isolated greater trochanter (GT) fractures and complete intertrochanteric (IT) extension to prevent unwanted morbidities. Aim of this study was to determine if there was any particular fracture pattern, of GT fractures on a plain radiograph of the hip which could predict IT extension.

METHOD

Retrospective review of radiographs of 49 patients with a GT fracture who presented in the last 10 years (January 2005-December 2015). All images were reviewed by a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon. The AP plain radiographs were assessed to look for fracture angle and length of the fracture. The fracture length was taken as a percentage and was measured as the length of the fracture crossing the intertrochanteric line/the total length of the intertrochanteric line. The fracture angle was measured as the angle between a line drawn from the most superior point of the fracture on the lateral cortex of the GT, to a perpendicular line along the medial cortex of the femoral shaft. The subsequent MRI and CT scans were assessed to see if there was true intertrochanteric extension.

RESULTS

32 patient were female and 17 male. 27 CT scans of which 8 showed complete IT extension. 22 had MRI scan of which 6 showed complete extension. The mean fracture length of patients with complete extension was 56% with a range of 50%-63%. The mean fracture length of patients with incomplete extension was 33% with a range of 12%-55%. The mean fracture angle for patients with complete extension was 39° with a range of 35-42°. The mean fracture angle for patients with incomplete extension was 58° with a range of 44-124°.

CONCLUSION

For greater trochanter fractures that do not cross >50% of the IT line and do not have a fracture angle between 35 and 42° do not require further imaging as they will not have complete intertrochanteric extension.

P.F.C Sigma® cruciate retaining fixed-bearing versus mobile-bearing knee arthroplasty: a prospective comparative study with minimum 10-year follow-up

AIMS

To prospectively compare long-term clinical and radiological outcomes following a cruciate retaining fixed-bearing (FB) and a mobile-bearing (MB) primary total knee replacement (TKR).

METHODS

We prospectively reviewed 113 TKRs in 99 patients (14 bilateral) with a PFC sigma cruciate retaining rotating platform system, at an average follow-up of 11.1 years (range 10-12). Results were contrasted with those from 89 TKRs in 72 patients (17 bilateral) with a PFC sigma cruciate fixed-bearing prosthesis, at an average follow-up of 12.1 years (range 10-14.1). Outcomes collected included pre- and post-operative range of motion, Oxford Knee Scores, complications encountered, as well as radiographical assessments of polyethylene wear.

RESULTS

In the MB group, mean Oxford Knee Scores improved from 16 pre-operatively to 42 at final follow-up. The mean range of motion was 115° (75-130). In the FB group, mean Oxford Knee Scores improved from 16.2 pre-operatively to 42.5 at final follow-up. The mean range of motion was 111.2 (80-135) degrees at final follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We failed to elicit an objectively demonstrable clinical difference between the MB- and FB-implanted knees. Similarly, radiological benefits of the MB implants with regard to polyethylene wear were not evident at a minimum 10-year follow-up.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Modified CT Severity Index in Assessing Severity of Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of modified CT severity index in assessing the severe acute pancreatitis keeping APACHE II as gold standard.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional (validation) study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Department of Radiology, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, from February to August 2014.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 120 patients of either gender aged 20-60 years with epigastric pain radiating to back and having sonographic findings (decreased or heterogeneous pancreatic echogenicity, pancreatic enlargement, peripancreatic fluid collection), supportive of acute pancreatitis were taken. CT with intravenous contrast was performed on 128-slice scanner within 24 hours of presentation. Slice thickness was 3 mm in region of pancreas. Modified CT severity index was calculated. Score above 5 was graded as severe pancreatitis. APACHE II score of >11 considered as gold standard was also calculated within 24 hours of admission.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 39.03 ±8.71 years. Most of the patients were females 73 (60.8%). Out of 120 patients, 43 (35.83%) patients had severe acute pancreatitis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of modified CT severity index in assessing the severe acute pancreatitis were 100%, 87%, 81.13% and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was yielded as 91.67% considered APACHE II as gold standard.

CONCLUSION

Modified CT severity index had high diagnostic accuracy in assessment of severe acute pancreatitis and can be used reliably in early prediction of complications of severe acute pancreatitis.

Serum albumin and fixation failure with cannulated hip screws in undisplaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture

Introduction Internal fixation of undisplaced intracapsular femoral neck fractures with cannulated hip screws is a widely accepted surgical technique, despite reported failure rates of 12%-19%. This study determined whether preoperative serum albumin levels are linked to fixation failure. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 251 consecutive undisplaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture patients treated with cannulated hip screws in a district general hospital. Preoperative albumin levels were measured, and the fixation technique, classification and posterior tilt on radiography assessed. Fixation failure was defined as a screw cut, avascular necrosis (AVN) or non-union. Results Of the patients, 185 were female and 66 male. The mean age was 77 years (range 60-101 years). Thirty seven (15%) patients had fixation failure: 10 (4%) due to AVN; 12 (5%) due to non-union; and 15 (6%) due to fixation collapse. Low serum albumin levels were significantly associated with failure (p=0.01), whereas gender (p=0.56), operated side (p=0.62), age (p=0.34) and screw configuration (p=0.42) were not. A posterior tilt angle greater than 20° on lateral radiography significantly predicted failure (p=0.002). Conclusions Preoperative serum albumin is an independent predictor of cannulated hip screw fixation failure in undisplaced femoral neck fractures. Nutritional status should therefore be considered when deciding between surgical fixation and arthroplasty to avoid the possibility of revision surgery, along with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

Quantifying the problem of kneeling after a two incision bone tendon bone arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

the aims of this study was to investigate the post-operative incidence of anterior knee pain and quantify the problem of kneeling in patients who have underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with a bone tendon bone (BTB) graft.

METHODS

prospective study of 71 male patients who participated in competitive sports and underwent BTB ACL reconstruction using a two incision approach between August 2008 and May 2011. The patella defect was packed with bone graft, and the peritenon was preserved and repaired. A questionnaire was used to evaluate pain and kneeling capability. All patients had pre and post operative Lysholm/Tegner scores, KT1000 evaluation and hop tests to assess knee stability and function.

RESULTS

71 patients were operated and had a follow up of 42 months, mean age 29.8. 22 patients had anterior knee pain on kneeling, paraesthesia of anterior knee was found in 23 patients. 65 patients were still able to kneel and 6 found they were unable. 36 were able to kneel for unrestricted periods, 9 for 5-15 minutes, 15 kneel for 1-5 minutes and 5 for >1 minute. Anterior knee pain was compared to kneeling time (P=0.001). Paraesthesia and kneeling time, (P=0.001). Anterior knee pain when compared with Lysholm score (P=0.540), hop test (P=0.277), and Lachman's (P=0.254).

CONCLUSIONS

two incision BTB grafting of the patella and repair of the paritenon minimises the length of scar at the front of the knee. This reduces any palpable defects which could be causation factor for pain whilst kneeling. We have quantified kneeling and pain, thus aiding patients and surgeons in making the right decision for graft choice for ACL reconstruction.

An osteochondral lesion in the distal fibula: a case report

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are well-recognized clinical entities; however, this report illustrates a rare case of an osteochondral defect in the distal fibula. A 15-year-old male was referred to the orthopaedic services with a 9-month history of persistent ankle pain following an initial inversion injury. Plain X-ray was unremarkable but magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed an osteochondral lesion at the level of the fibular physeal scar. The patient underwent an ankle arthroscopy where an unstable chondral flap was debrided and the associated fissure decompressed. The patient made an uneventful recovery and returned to normal sporting activities, symptom free. This diagnosis should be considered in patients presenting with chronic ankle pain particularly with a history of an inversion injury. The purpose of this report is to raise awareness of this condition.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, Level IV, Case study.