Unusual Bone Lesions with Osteonecrosis Mimicking Bone Metastasis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

Some bone lesions are reported to mimic bone metastasis on imaging tests. Herein, we report a case of a 55-year-old Japanese man who presented with a skin tumor on the left lower extremity. He also had a history of recurrent generalized cutaneous blister and erosion formation since childhood. His skin lesions were diagnosed as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma complicated by recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Magnetic resonance imaging of the left lower extremity detected multiple focal bone lesions mimicking bone metastases in the left femur and tibia. However, bone biopsy revealed that the bone lesions were osteonecrosis without tumor cells. We suggest that cancer-induced osteonecrosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of bone lesions suspected of being metastases on magnetic resonance imaging.

Functional recovery after surgical stabilization and postoperative radiotherapy due to metastases of long bones

PURPOSE

To reinvestigate the functional recovery after combined treatment with surgery and postoperative irradiation of complete or impending pathologic fractures of long bones.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the results of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) carried out after 68 orthopedic stabilization procedures (femur, n = 55, 80.8%; humerus, n = 13, 19.2%) for actual or impending pathological fracture of long bone in 61 patients with skeletal metastases. The mean normalized total dose was 34.7 ± 7.8 Gy. Endpoints were patient's functional status (FS; 1 = normal pain free status; 2 = normal use with pain; 3 = significantly limited used; 4 = nonfunctional status), a need for a secondary procedure to the same site and overall survival following surgery.

RESULTS

Overall, 75% of patients achieved normal functional status (FS 1-2) within 12 weeks after surgery. Functional recovery in surviving patients reached 93%. Median survival was 17 months (95% confidence interval 13.7-20.2). Secondary surgical intervention at the same location was necessary in 3 patients (4.4%). On multivariate analysis, only general status (p = 0.011) and growing potential of primary tumor (p = 0.049) were associated with achieving normal functional status within 12 weeks after surgery and radiotherapy. The applied radiation schemes demonstrated a comparable impact on functional recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirm the effectiveness of stabilizing surgery and fractionated postoperative radiotherapy in terms of functional recovery, supporting prior results assessing postsurgical radiotherapy versus follow-up. The patient's general status is a strong prognostic factor for functional recovery. Rapidly growing tumors may hinder achievement of a normal functional status.

Is Total Femur Replacement a Reliable Treatment Option for Patients With Metastatic Carcinoma of the Femur?

BACKGROUND

The majority of metastatic bone lesions to the femoral bone can be treated without surgery or with minimally invasive intramedullary nailing. In rare patients with extensive metastatic disease to the femur, total femur replacement may be the only surgical alternative to amputation; however, little is known about this approach.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

In a highly selected small group of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the femur, we asked: (1) What was the patient survivorship after this treatment? (2) What was the implant survivorship free from all-cause revision and amputation, and what complications were associated with this treatment? (3) What functional outcomes were achieved by patients after total femur replacement for this indication?

METHODS

Eleven patients (three men, eight women) with a mean age of 64 years (range, 41-78 years) received total femur replacements between 1986 and 2016; none were lost to followup. The most common primary disease was breast cancer. In general, during this period, our indications for this procedure were extensive metastatic disease precluding internal fixation or isolated proximal or distal femur replacement, and an anticipated lifespan exceeding 6 months. Our contraindication for this procedure during this time was expected lifespan less than 6 months. Patient survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis; implant survival free from revision surgery and amputation were assessed by competing risk analysis. Function was determined preoperatively and 6 to 12 weeks postoperatively with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score normalized to a 100-point scale, with higher scores representing better function from a longitudinally maintained institutional database.

RESULTS

Eleven patients died at a median of 5 months (range, 1-31 months) after surgery. One-year revision-free and limb survival were 82% (95% CI, 51%-98%) and 91% (95% CI, 61%-99%), respectively. Reasons for reoperation were hip dislocation, infection and local recurrence in one patient each. The latter two complications resulted in amputation in two patients. The median MSTS score was 32 (range, 13-57).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite attempts to select patients who might have anticipated greater life expectancy, eight of 11 patients died by 6 months after surgery, and an additional two patients had undergone an amputation at 8 and at 17 months postoperatively. Most patients undergoing total femur replacement in this series did not recover from the procedure by the time they died, despite our best attempts to perform the procedure in patients whom we thought would live at least 6 months. Based on this, we believe that most patients with extensive metastatic disease to the femur should be offered palliative care, rather than major reconstruction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study.

Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung

Large cell neuroendocrine (LCNE) carcinomas of the lung are a newly recognized, highly aggressive and frequently misdiagnosed entity. We report a case of stage I LCNE lung carcinoma initially misdiagnosed as large cell undifferentiated carcinoma or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The tumor was very extensively necrotic and its neuroendocrine differentiation was only demonstrable with immunohistochemical staining with PHE-5 monoclonal antibody and with antisera against synaptophysin and calcitonin. ACTH, somatostatin and neurofilaments were not demonstrable. The clinical course was ominous and the patient died within 17 months. The reason for this rapid fatal outcome could be ascribed either to the neuroendocrine phenotype of the tumor, or to the extensive necrosis, or both.

Beyond Mirels: Factors Influencing Surgical Outcome of Metastasis to the Extremities in the Modern Era

Mirels scoring system for determining prophylactic stabilization need of skeletal metastases includes a limited number of variables and does not differentiate between procedure types. This study sought to identify additional variables associated with surgical failure, radiographic disease progression, and patient survival. A retrospective review was performed of patients from January 2004 to 2014 who underwent surgical treatment of skeletal metastases of the extremities, were >18 years of age, and had adequate radiographic surveillance. Eighty-nine metastatic bone lesions in 77 patients were included. Mirels score >8 (p = .015) and tumor origin (p = .008) were associated with surgical failure, which was 16.8%. Male gender (p < .001) and use of bone cement (p = .019) were associated with radiographic progression, 43.8% overall. Antiresorptive medications usage (p = .02) was associated with survival. The study concluded that tumor origin may be highly important when considering surgical treatment for metastatic bone disease and antiresorptive medications should be used postoperatively, given an association with survival. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(3):178-186, 2018).

Factors associated with the decision of operative procedure for proximal femoral bone metastasis: Questionnaire survey to institutions participating the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group

BACKGROUND

Pathological fracture of the proximal femur is a main cause of cancer patients losing their ability to walk. Although both osteosynthetic devices (predominantly intramedullary nails) and prosthetic replacement have been widely performed for treatment, controversies exist regarding which procedure should be used for the various conditions. In order to decide the eligibility criteria of a planned randomized prospective study about the treatment of pathological fractures of the proximal femur, we assessed the factors affecting the selection of operative procedures using questionnaires sent to the members of the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Study Group (BSTTSG) of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG).

METHODS

Questionnaire surveys to evaluate (1) the priority levels of the factors, (2) the equipoise range of each factor in situations where either procedure could be applied, (3) risk and benefit of each procedure, and (4) the degree of bone destruction affecting the selection of operative procedures, were sent to 26 institutions.

RESULTS

Over 80% of the institutions answered. Orthopaedic surgeons of BSTTSG decided on the procedure according to the following factors in descending order: life expectancy, performance status before fracture, the degree of bone destruction, walking ability before fracture, general complications, the number of bone metastases in other sites, and the visceral metastasis status. With regard to bone destruction, (1) the involvement of the head, neck, calcar, and intertrochanteric region, (2) transverse destruction >1/2, and (3) soft-tissue tumor extension, were the factors that led to the choice of prosthesis treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Using these identified factors, the inclusion criteria for the prospective randomized study of the surgical treatment of metastatic bone tumors of the proximal femur were optimized. The evaluation system about the bone destruction of metastases needs to be refined through the following prospective randomized study.

Fracture after radiation therapy for femoral metastasis: incidence, timing and clinical features

We analyzed 428 femoral metastases initially treated with radiotherapy between 2002 and 2011 to clarify the clinical details of post-irradiation fractures of femoral metastasis. Patients included 161 men and 167 women, with a mean age of 62 years. Fracture incidence, fracture site, fracture risk based on X-ray images before radiotherapy, and interval from completion of radiotherapy to fracture occurrence were assessed. In addition, 24 pathological specimens obtained during 27 surgeries for these fractures were examined. Fractures occurred in 7.7% of 428 femoral metastases (total 33: 28 actual fractures and five virtual fractures with progressive pain and bone destruction). The fracture rate was 7.8% in the proximal femur and 1.5% in the shaft (P = 0.001). Fractures occurred a median of 4.4 months after radiotherapy, with 39.4% occurring within 3 months and 63.6% within 6 months. Among femurs with high fracture risk according to Harrington's criteria or Mirels' score, the fracture rate was 13.9% and 11.8%, respectively. Viable tumor cells were detected in all five patients with painful virtual fracture, in 85.7% of femurs with actual fractures that occurred within 3 months, and in only 25.0% of actual fractures occurring after 3 months. Post-irradiation fractures of femoral metastasis most frequently occurred within 3 months after radiotherapy, and were more common in the peritrochanteric area than in the shaft. Radiological evidence of impending fracture did not correlate with a high fracture rate. Actual fractures occurring after more than 3 months were likely caused by post-irradiation fragility of the femur, without viable tumor cells.

Successful Therapy with Nivolumab in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma After Multiple Prior Treatments

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is responsible for 80 to 85 percent of all primary renal malignancies. In the United State%, there are about 63,000 new cases and almost :14,000 deaths per year from RCC. Surgical resection of localized RCC can be curative but many patients eventually recur. Immunotherapy appears to be a promising new modality for many malignancies, including RCC. Nivolumab, a specific immunotherapy agent indicated for advanced RCC, may restore antitumor immunity and allow for greater progression-free survival by targeting proteins that negatively regulate T cell immunity. This case study aims to demonstrate the integration of nivolumab into the management of a patient with advanced RCC and provide a stimulus for further investigation and research into this treatment modality.

The surgical management and treatment of metastatic lesions in the proximal femur: A mini review

Review current treatments of metastatic lesions in the proximal femur.We reviewed published literature related to diagnosis and surgical treatments and summarized current treatment options.Surgical management mainly consist of internal fixation, hip replacement, and percutaneous femoroplasty (PFP) which has been newly applied in clinical practice.An appropriate series of treatments is necessary for patients to avoid the occurrence of paraplegia and prolong survival time.

Complications With Long Cemented Stems in Proximal Femoral Replacement

This study attempted to determine whether patients undergoing cemented long-stem proximal femoral replacement had: (1) an increased short-term mortality rate; (2) greater intraoperative hemodynamic instability; (3) a greater need for resuscitation; and (4) a decreased risk of periprosthetic fracture. The current study reviewed intraoperative and short-term events related to clinical outcomes in 24 consecutive patients who were treated at a single institution over a 5-year period. These patients underwent primary long-stem (≥250 mm, n=13) vs short-stem (<250 mm, n=11) cemented proximal femoral replacement. Other than stem length, the 2 groups were not significantly different in terms of patient age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, diagnosis, or preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists functional score. Primary outcomes were intraoperative death, blood loss, blood transfusions, fluid resuscitation, hypotension, oxygen desaturation, mortality up to 1 year, and need for revision surgery. At 1 year, a significantly increased mortality rate (77% vs 27%, P=.03) was noted in patients receiving long-stem vs short-stem arthroplasty. Patients who received longer stems also required more intraoperative blood transfusions and fluid resuscitation (P=.04) for greater hypotension (P=.04) and oxygen desaturation (P=.04). Two intraoperative deaths occurred in the long-stem group, and none occurred in the short-stem group. The findings suggest that there is an increased risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability with long-stem vs short-stem proximal femoral replacement, with a need for greater resuscitative efforts and an increased risk of mortality at 1 year. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):e423-e429.].

Clinical benefits of femoroplasty: a nonsurgical alternative for the management of femoral metastases

BACKGROUND

Bone metastases occur frequently in advanced cancer. The spine, pelvis, ribs, skull and femur are the most affected sites. It is reported that up to 83% of the patients develop pain at some point of the disease. The patient can also develop fractures and disability, particularly in the femur..

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous femoroplasty in patients with metastatic osseous disease located in the proximal femur (trochanter, neck, and femoral head).

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective clinical review, comparing pain status "before vs after" intervention.

SETTING

National Cancer Institute in Mexico.

METHODS

We included patients over 18 years old, with mild to severe pain due to metastasis in the proximal femur (trochanter, neck, or head), or with a high risk of fracture according to Mirels scale (> 8 points) or severe osteoporosis according to the World Health Organization (a Karnofsky score more than 50%). Exclusion criteria were femoral fracture. We recorded the following variables age, sex, type of neoplasm, concomitant therapy, We used the Karnofsky functionality scale, the VAS pain intensity assessment, the "Mayo Clinic" scale to measure improved functionality, and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) (Spanish version) questionnaires. Follow-up was performed at 7 days, one month after femoroplasty, and during the individual outpatient that lasted one year on average.

RESULTS

Eighty subjects were enrolled. Seventy-three percent were women. The most frequent tumors were breast (46.3%), followed by multiple myeloma (18.7%). All patients had a decrease in the intensity of pain, analgesic consumption, and improved quality of life, at 7 and 30 days after the intervention. There were no complications with serious consequences. Two participants experienced polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) leakage, without clinical or functional impact. In 4 patients, the needle was occluded during the filling process and we had to place another biopsy needle through the same entry site to finish the injection process.

LIMITATIONS

The sample was a single group of patients evaluated before and after the femoroplasty. We did not include a control group.

CONCLUSION

The results of the current report suggest that femoroplasty, a percutaneous cement placement analogous to a vertebroplasty, might be a therapeutic option for patients with metastatic bone disease of the proximal femur, providing the patient an analgesic reduction and a better quality of life.

Immunohistochemistry in diagnosis and surgical treatment of femoral bone metastasis

BACKGROUND

When the primary tumor is unknown, the biopsy and the histopathological examination (associated with immunohistochemistry and molecular profiling) will identify the type and subtype of the tumor and, if possible, the site of origin. The classification in type and subtype will allow to assess the prognosis and to indicate the most appropriate therapeutic approach.

AIM

Identification of the unknown primary tumor by biopsy and immunohistochemistry from the femoral bone metastasis, the clinical results and the survival rate after osteosynthesis ± cement stabilization of the lesion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

52 patients with femoral metastasis were included in a prospective study. The gender ratio was 30 women/22 men (average age - 64 years and six months; range: 33-82 years). Thirty-three patients had pathologic bone fracture, while 19 had osteolytic lesions without fracture. The mean follow-up for survivors was 34 months (range: 17-56 months). Surgical treatment consisted in hemiarthroplasty, osteosynthesis with DHS (Dynamic Hip Screw), proximal femoral nail, locked centromedullary nail or DCS (Dynamic Condylar Screw) ± cement. In 19 (36.54%) cases, the primary tumor was not known. In these cases, biopsy and histological examination with immunochemistry were performed. Twenty-three (52.27%) patients underwent chemotherapy. Clinical and radiological check-ups were performed every three months in the first year and every six months after that.

RESULTS

Pain was ameliorated in all cases. Deambulation was achieved in 45 out of 52 (86.54%) patients. Survival rate was 76.92% (40/52) at six months and 59.61% (31/52) at 12 months. At the end of the follow-up period, 18 (34.61%) patients were alive, 24 (46.15%) were deceased and 10 (19.23%) were lost to follow-up. After eliminating the patients lost to follow-up, the survival rate was 33.33% (9/27) in the pathologic fracture group and 60% (9/15) in the osteolytic lesion without fracture group.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the patients (86%) could be mobilized immediately after surgery. The expected survival rate one year after surgery is around 60%. The goals of osteosynthesis are the same, regardless the location of the lesion and the implant used: pain amelioration, appropriate stability for immediate full weight bearing, durability for patient's life expectancy. All extended osteolytic lesions must be reinforced at the time of the surgical procedure. The presence of a pathologic fracture is a negative prognosis factor for the medium term survival rate.

[Surgical classification and therapeutic strategy for metastases of proximal femur]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a surgical classification system for metastases of proximal femur and discuss the therapeutic strategy with retrospective analysis and literature review.

METHODS

The data of 99 patients who underwent a total of 102 operations for femoral metastatic lesions from January 2003 to December 2011 was analyzed. There were 50 males and 49 females, and the median age was 56 years (range 15-87 years). The most common diagnosis was lung cancer (30 cases), followed by breast cancer (17 cases). All femoral lesions were divided into 4 types (I-IV) with different anatomic site and biomechanic characteristic. The patients with various surgical reconstruction mode and postoperative follow-up data were recorded.

RESULT

There were 65 side who received widely or marginal resection and 37 side who received intralesional resection. The patients were operated with bipolar hip prosthesis (n = 3), ordinary total hip replacement (THR) (n = 10), bipolar tumor prosthesis (n = 48), THR with tumor prosthesis (n = 8), intramedullary nailing (n = 21), and plate/screw (n = 12). The estimated survival for the 99 patients was 10.3 months. Type I, II, III and IV patients with postoperative American Society of bone and soft tissue tumors-93 rating were 86.5%, 77.3%, 81.3% and 69.1%. Patients with type IV were worse compared with the other 3 groups (t = 4.763, P = 0.031). The 10 operations were followed by complications of any kind. Complication rate of patients with type IV were 3/12, and it was significantly higher than the other 3 groups of patients (χ(2) = 4.018, P = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

The classifications and corresponsive surgical methods for upper femur metastases had some superiority in hinting prognosis and guiding treatment.

[A rare case of concurrent follicular and columnar cell variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma]

The paper describes a rare case of concurrent two different histological (follicular and columnar cell) variants of papillary carcinoma in one thyroid with columnar cell metastases to the lymph nodes and femoral bone. There are morphological features of and differences in BRAF status in the cells of two variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Evaluation of the role and cost-effectiveness of end-of-life orthopaedic interventions in cancer patients with skeletal metastases to the hip

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hip reconstruction on patients with skeletal metastases to the hip. We investigated the effect of hip reconstruction on quality of life and ambulatory status, as well as cost-effectiveness of hip reconstruction in this group of patients.

[Analysis of clinical prognostic factor for 99 patients with metastases of proximal femur]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the clinical features and independent predictors of survival in patients with metastases of proximal femur.

METHODS

In the study, 99 patients with proximal femoral metastatic lesions from 2003 to 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. The median age of patients was 56 years old (15-87 years old), and the most common diagnosis was lung cancer, followed by breast cancer. The overall survival rate after bone metastases was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The prognostic factors were identified by univariate analysis using a Log-rank test and by multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

RESULTS

The 0.5-, 1- and 2-year survival rates were 55.7%, 24.3% and 7.7%, respectively, with an average survival time of 10.34 months for patients with metastases of proximal femur. In univariate analysis, the number of bone lesions, viscera metastases, and sensitivity to hormone therapy of primary tumor were correlated with prognosis. By multivariate analysis using Cox regression, the dependence to hormone therapy of primary tumor was the only independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

Patients with femoral metastatic lesions can be operated safely and with acceptable complication rates. The prognostic factor analysis will help us to determine the appropriate surgical treatment for proximal femoral metastases.

Treatment of bone tumors in the femoral trochanteric area

OBJECTIVE

To report the management of bone tumor in the femoral trochanteric area in terms of safety,functional outcome and patient satisfaction.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Thirty-eight patients with impending or pathological fracture at the trochanteric region of the femur were treated surgically at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital from 1998 to 2007. Thirteen males and 25 females with a mean age of 49.7 years, 11 patients had benign bone tumors (5 fibrous dysplasia, 3 chondroblastoma and 1 each of aneurysmal bone cyst, bone island and intraosseous hemangioma). Twenty-seven patients had metastatic lesions (10 breast, 3 lung, 2 hepatocellular, 2 colon, 2 prostate and 1 each of multiple myeloma, gastric, cervix, thyroid, nasopharynx, bladder, secondary sarcoma and of unknown origin). Twenty-six patients presented an impending fracture and the remainder had a pathological fracture. All patients were treated with curettage in conjunction with a sliding hip compression screw and plate, except one patient with bone deformity from fibrous dysplasia who had an adjunct valgus osteotomy. Eleven patients were augmented with bone grafting, 19 with bone cement and 8 patients had no augmentation.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time was 3 years. The mean operative time and estimated blood loss was 98 minutes and 542 ml respectively. Two complications were found in this series and successfully managed. There was no serious intra or perioperative complication. The mean functional score was 79.5 percent in metastatic group and 89.7 percent in benign bone group.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, the outcomes of intralesional curettage and stabilization with a sliding hip compression screw and plate for bone tumors in the femoral trachanteric area were safe and only 2 treatable complications were found. Most patients had less pain after the operation and could ambulate independently with gait support and all satisfied with the results.

Failure of the titanium trochanteric gamma nail in ununited metastatic fractures

Metastatic lesions often occur in the trochanteric region of the femur with a risk for pathologic fractures, requiring aggressive surgical treatment. We present two cases of mechanical failure of the Titanium Gamma 3 Nail 180 used for treatment of impending pertrochanteric pathologic fractures. Metallurgic and low power optical examination findings are presented. Treatment with intramedullary nailing devices has proven its efficacy. However in cases of delayed union or non-union, a fatigue fracture due to dynamic overload should be expected sooner of later. If there is no evidence of healing within six months postoperatively a hardware exchange or another therapeutic option should be considered.

Long bone metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue

We report a case of a 79-year-old woman with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue with metastasis to the greater trochanter.

Primary extracranial meningioma of the lower limb

This paper is about a primary extracranial meningioma case of a 40-year-old male patient who presented with a complaint of a rapidly growing painless stiff mass located in his left thigh. The magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed that the lesion was well-circumscribed and with isosignal intensity to muscle on T1-weighted images and with a relatively hiperintense on T2-weighted images. The histopathological analysis of the specimens both from the incisional biopsy and the excisional surgery were typical of meningioma showing spindle cell proliferation with a whirling pattern. Although extracranial meningiomas are very rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a spindle cell neoplasm.

Metastatic lesions of the proximal femur

Skeletal metastases are common in the adult population. The proximal femur is a frequently affected bone in the appendicular skeleton. The orthopaedic surgeon may be the first to find a pathologic lesion of the proximal femur and appropriate diagnosis and nonoperative management is essential prior to surgical treatment. Bisphosphonates and radiation therapy are used in conjunction with surgical management to minimize pain and prevent further destruction. Surgical management may consist of internal fixation, with or without polymethylmethacrylate, or endoprosthesic replacement. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and allow for function while minimizing systemic complications.

Survival and ambulatory function after endoprosthetic replacement for metastatic bone tumor of the proximal femur

The purpose of this study was to clarify the ambulatory functional and oncological outcomes of tumor excision and endoprosthetic reconstruction for a metastatic lesion of the proximal femur. Subjects comprised 40 patients (18 women, 22 men; average age 63.4 years). The mean follow-up periods were 15.2 months for patients dying of the disease, and 38.7 months for survivors. Seven patients were lost to follow-up for 1.9 to 13.1 months. Endoprosthesis was performed after intralesional aggressive curettage in 20 patients and following excision of the lesion with a clear margin, in another 20. Postoperative radiation therapy was carried out on 27 limbs (intralesional 13, marginal 6, wide 8). Chemotherapy was administered to 19 patients after discussion with the medical oncologist. The cumulative survival rates at 6 and 12 months were 60% and 35%, respectively, while the rates with ambulant status were 48% at 6 months and 34% at 12 months. An analgesic effect was achieved for all patients. Ambulatory function was restored in 34 patients with a mean ambulant period of 17.8 months; however, the other 6 patients remained non-ambulatory. The ambulant period expressed as a percentage of survival time averaged 75.9%. Though there was local recurrence in 4 of 40 patients, ambulant function was not affected. Postoperative ambulatory function was inferior in patients with a short life expectancy; those with moderate or long life expectancy are good candidates for endoprosthetic replacement after tumor excision and can regain ambulant function for as long as nearly 80% of the survival period.

Surgical treatment of metastatic tumors of the femur

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the patients functional outcome and pain control after resection of metastatic femoral tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective randomized clinical study was conducted, which included 26 cases of metastatic tumors of the femur with an associated pathologic fracture. These selected cases were randomly divided into two groups based upon the using of methylmethacrylate cement in fracture fixation. Group 1 (n=13) included all cases where the fractures were treated with bone cement augmentation. Group 2 (n=13) included all cases where the fractures were treated without bone cement augmentation. Functional outcome was evaluated according the American Musculoskeletal Tumor Society system.

RESULTS

Good and excellent pain control was achieved in 61.5%, satisfactory in 38.5% of all cases in the Group 1 versus 15.5% (P=0.015) and 69% (chi(2)=2.4762; P=0.115) of all cases in the Group 2. Functional outcome after femoral metastasis resection and pathologic fracture fixation was significantly better in the Group 1. Total lower extremity function of full normal function was 67% in the Group 1 versus 49% in the Group 2 (P<0.05). We did not observe significant difference between patients' postoperative survival in the groups (P>0.05). The postoperative durability of stable pathologic fracture fixation was shorter in the Group 2 (273.9+/-51.7 vs. 358.9+/-116.8 days) comparing with Group 1 (P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of bone cement as the adjunct to the pathologic femoral fracture fixation significantly improved the clinical our study results: we achieved better functional outcome and better pain control.

[Indications for usage of oncological prostheses in the treatment of proximal femur methastases]

In this paper we present indications for usage of oncological prosthesis in the treatment of metastases in proximal femur. According to our experience, based on clinical material of 78 patients treated between year 1997 and 2007 in Spine Surgery, Onclological Orthopaedics and Taumatology Clinic, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, the indications are: massive bone loss, second surgery in the same place, damage of articular surface, small possibility of stable union, threatening patological fracture. At the appropriately selected group of patients application of onclological prosthesis lets for restoring the function of the limb, reducing or bearing pain complaints or removing the entire methastasis.

Bilateral femur metastasis in endometrial adenocarcinoma

Bone metastasis of endometrial carcinoma is uncommon, and bilateral femur metastasis is extremely rare. A 48-year-old woman with Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB grade 2-3 endometrial adenocarcinoma underwent curative radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Twenty-two months after surgery, she suffered from progressive pain and then presented bilateral femur metastasis. She was administered the surgical excision of bony metastasis and adjuvant therapies including chemotherapy, palliative radiation, and hormone therapy. Three and a half years after treatment of bony metastasis, she remains clinically well. Bone metastasis of endometrial carcinoma may occur at some unusual sites, and bilateral femur metastasis should be considered in patients. Multimodal therapies are usually advocated for bone metastasis of endometrial carcinoma.

[Tumour prosthesis in the treatment of metastases, loosening of prosthesis and fractures at the proximal femur (author's transl)]

19 patients were treated via a tumour prosthesis in the hip joint region. The indication resulted from osteolyses, loosening of prosthesis and subtrochanteric fractures in aged patients involving risk factors. The results show that application of a tumour prosthesis is a suitable method for bridging over major defects in the proximal femur to achieve early mobilisation of the patients associated with full load of the extremity on which the operation had been performed.

Flat-panel detector-based volume computed tomography: a novel 3D imaging technique to monitor osteolytic bone lesions in a mouse tumor metastasis model

Skeletal metastasis is an important cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer. Hence, animal models, in combination with various imaging techniques, are in high demand for preclinical assessment of novel therapies. We evaluated the applicability of flat-panel volume computed tomography (fpVCT) to noninvasive detection of osteolytic bone metastases that develop in severe immunodeficient mice after intracardial injection of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. A single fpVCT scan at 200-microm isotropic resolution was employed to detect osteolysis within the entire skeleton. Osteolytic lesions identified by fpVCT correlated with Faxitron X-ray analysis and were subsequently confirmed by histopathological examination. Isotropic three-dimensional image data sets obtained by fpVCT were the basis for the precise visualization of the extent of the lesion within the cortical bone and for the measurement of bone loss. Furthermore, fpVCT imaging allows continuous monitoring of growth kinetics for each metastatic site and visualization of lesions in more complex regions of the skeleton, such as the skull. Our findings suggest that fpVCT is a powerful tool that can be used to monitor the occurrence and progression of osteolytic lesions in vivo and can be further developed to monitor responses to antimetastatic therapies over the course of the disease.

[Internal fixation of meta- and diaphyseal intercalary bone defects after tumour resection with intramedullary nailing and porous polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) spacer]

BACKGROUND

Radical resection of bone tumours localized in the meta- or diaphysis of long bones frequently results in segmental defects. Several stabilization techniques with preservation of the adjacent joint have been published, but the failure rate appears to be considerable. The objective of this study is the experimental and clinical testing of a new technique which combines unreamed nailing with support of the defect by a porous polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) spacer.

METHODS

For spacer preparation, PMMA spheres were adhered to a cylindrical spacer (Ø 32 mm) with interconnective porosity. Axial strength was determined, as was the stiffness/strengths of the combination osteosynthesis in human cadaver tibias (defect lengths 6 cm; empty defect served as a control). An experiment was also conducted with sheep. A 3 cm diaphyseal tibia defect was prepared and stabilized by nailing. For the control there was an empty defect. Group A had support of the defect with a PMMA spacer and group B a PMMA spacer coated with osteoconductive RGD-peptide. Evaluation after was made after 6 months including histology and a determination of relative torsional strength. In addition, a clinical study has been under way since October 1998, with 13 patients (defect lengths between 3-15 cm) being operated.

RESULTS

Axial stability was 12,750+/-300 N (17.56+/-0.59 MPa). There was an enhancement of 4-point bending stiffness by 35% (P=0.028), of axial stiffness by 36% (ns) and of axial strength by 553% (P=0.028). Histology showed the formation of a new bone at the spacer/muscle interface. For the sheep, relative torsional strength was enhanced by 95% (P=0.08) in group A and by 91% (P=0.047) in group B. For the patients studied, the mean follow-up period was 16.1 months, max. 48 months. One mechanical failure occurred after 24 months, which was solved by callus distraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination osteosynthesis is suitable for stabilizing segmental bone defects. The risk of mechanical failure appears to be low. Nevertheless, this technique should only be applied as a definitive solution if callus distraction is unfavourable due to advanced age or a poor lifetime prognosis. The method can also be used for temporary internal stabilization during prolonged postoperative chemotherapy.

Unusual case of calciphylaxis associated with metastatic breast carcinoma

Calciphylaxis is a relatively rare disorder associated with calcification of small- and medium-sized blood vessels, progressive ischemic skin necrosis, and ulcerations. It is usually seen in patients with end-stage renal disease with secondary hyperparathyroidism and is occasionally seen in primary hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia of malignancy, and end-stage liver disease. We report an unusual case of calciphylaxis seen in association with metastatic breast carcinoma in the absence of end-stage renal or parathyroid disease. A 73-year-old woman presented with painful leg ulcers. Serum calcium levels and parathormone levels were within normal limits. Skin biopsies from the ulcers revealed small- to medium-sized subcutaneous arteries with calcification of the media. Some of the arteries were narrowed by fibrointimal hyperplasia and fibrin thrombi. Calcification of the subcutaneous fat, fat necrosis, and suppuration were also seen. Calciphylaxis associated with metastatic osteolytic breast carcinoma is rare. Although end stage renal disease with secondary hyperparathyroidism is the most common cause of calciphylaxis, this case demonstrates that less common conditions with normal serum calcium and parathormone levels may also cause it.

Adamantinoma of the tibia with late skeletal metastasis: an unusual presentation

Adamantinoma is a rare tumour of long bones that occurs most commonly in the tibia. Its pathogenesis is unknown. It is locally aggressive and recurrences are common after resection. Metastases have been reported in 10% to 20% of cases, most commonly in the lungs and rarely in the lymph nodes. We report a patient who developed a skeletal metastasis four years after resection of the primary tumour. There was no evidence of recurrence at the primary site or of secondary deposits in the lungs.

Tendon abnormalities mimicking metastatic disease in patients with prostate cancer

We present plain x-ray examination, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of 2 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who complained of hip pain. Bone scintigraphy was suggestive for metastases. Further radiologic investigation revealed benign etiologies for the hip pain; calcific tendinitis of the vastus lateralis and tendonosis of the gluteus medius tendon were visualized.

Feasibility of a percutaneous technique for repairing proximal femora with simulated metastatic lesions

Fracture of the proximal femur due to metastatic disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among breast cancer patients. Prophylactic surgical fixation is advised for patients at risk of fracture and typically involves placement of an orthopaedic implant. We propose that some proximal femora with metastases can be repaired by removing the lesion and filling the resulting defect with bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate), a procedure that could be performed percutaneously without the use of hardware. We studied the strengths of 12 matched pairs of cadaveric proximal femora under single-limb stance loading. One femur from each pair remained intact, while a simulated metastatic lesion, measuring approximately 75% of the neck diameter, was burred into the neck of the contralateral femur. The defects were repaired using a procedure similar to the one proposed. Femoral strength was measured via mechanical testing to failure. The strengths of the repaired femora averaged 94.7% of the strength of their respective contralateral intact femur (standard deviation, 8.7%). These findings suggest that the proposed procedure may be useful for some patients with metastases in the femoral neck. If the proximal femur could be safely repaired using the proposed technique in place of conventional surgical fixation, the patient would benefit from a shorter and less invasive surgical procedure, less pain and discomfort, greatly reduced recovery time, and a shorter hospital stay-all at a much lower cost.

The effect of simulated metastatic lytic lesions on proximal femoral strength

Metastatic lesions in the proximal femur can reduce hip strength and lead to pathologic fracture. However, current methods for identifying patients at risk of pathologic fracture are inadequate. We hypothesized the percentage of intact proximal femoral strength remaining after formation of a simulated lytic defect within the femoral neck or at the level of the lesser trochanter depends on defect location within the respective region. Computed tomography scan-based finite element models of 12 cadaveric proximal femora were used to evaluate the effect of 20-mm-diameter spherical voids at various locations in the neck and at the level of the lesser trochanter. In both regions, the percentage of intact strength remaining depended on defect location (p < 0.001). In the neck, the strength of specimens with inferomedial defects (median, 50.4% of intact; range, 27.8-71.7%) was less than the strength of specimens with defects located in the center of the neck, superolaterally, or anteriorly (p < 0.05). Near the lesser trochanter, anteromedial defects resulted in the lowest strength (median, 66.6% of intact; range, 49.2-73.8%). Other defects at the level of the lesser trochanter had a markedly smaller effect. These findings may be helpful for evaluating pathologic fracture risk.

Clinical outcome of percutaneous osteoplasty for pain caused by metastatic bone tumors in the pelvis and femur

We examined the pain-relieving effects in five patients who underwent percutaneous osteoplasty (POP) for pain caused by metastatic bone tumors in the pelvis and femur. Pain intensity, improvement of walking, and complications associated with POP were evaluated. Pain was measured using a numerical rating scale (NRS), with scores ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). The patients were four men and one woman (mean age, 65 years). POP was performed in the pelvis in three patients and in the femur in two patients. Three of the subjects had already received radiation therapy at the lesion. The scores on the NRS on moving in the five patients before POP were 5, 8, 5, 4, and 7. After POP, the NRS scores decreased to 0, 0, 2, 0, and 1, respectively, within 72 hs. Three of the patients showed improvements in walking. There were no complications associated with POP. However, pathological fracture occurred, while walking, 4 days after POP in one patient. Percutaneous osteoplasty is a safe and effective treatment for pain caused by metastatic bone tumors in the pelvis and femur. However, care and attention should be paid to the risk of pathological fracture after POP of the femur.

Proximal femoral replacement for metastatic bone disease

Between 1994 and 2000, 13 patients (8 women and 5 men; 14 hips) underwent proximal femoral replacement secondary to metastatic disease. Average patient age was 62 years (range: 46-77 years). The most common diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma. Seven pathologic fractures were noted. Patients ambulated with full weight bearing postoperatively and wore an abduction brace for 3-4 months. Ten patients died of their diseases at 0.5-3.5 years postoperatively. No dislocations, infections, or reoperations occurred. Proximal femoral replacement provides excellent pain relief and good restoration of function when more simple reconstructive options are not feasible.

Predicting Failure Load of the Femur with Simulated Osteolytic Defects using Noninvasive Imaging Technique in a Simplified Load Case

Currently, there is no proven sensitive or specific method for predicting pathological fracture of the femur. The clinical management of lytic femoral metastases is based on geometric measurement of the bone, of the defect, or both. However, the mechanical behavior of a structure depends on both its material and geometric properties. Our hypothesis is that a change in bone structural properties as the result of tumor induced osteolysis determines the fracture risk in bones with skeletal metastases. We developed a method of QCT (Quantitative Computed Tomography) combined with engineering beam analysis as a noninvasive tool for measuring the material and geometric properties of the femur with simulated lytic defects in the intertrochanteric region. In this ex-vivo study we prove that engineering beam structural analysis applied to serial transaxial QCT scans through human femora with simulated lytic defects at the proximal femur predicts the load at failure and location of fracture better than current clinical guidelines. Structural rigidity measured by QCT in this study may be used to predict the load carrying capacity of femurs with metastatic defects and, furthermore, may be used when the tumor has weakened the bone sufficiently such that pathological fracture is imminent and prophylactic stabilization is necessary.

Unexpected finding of elevated glucose uptake in fibrous dysplasia mimicking malignancy: contradicting metabolism and morphology in combined PET/CT

Fibrous dysplasia is a common benign disorder of bone in which fibro-osseous tissue replaces bone spongiosa. Lesions have a typical appearance on computed tomography (CT) images and regularly show a markedly increased uptake in bone scintigraphy using (99m)Tc-labelled methylene diphosphonate ((99m)Tc-MDP) as radiotracer. The glucose avidity of these lesions depicted by positron emission tomography (PET) using the radiolabelled glucose derivative (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose (FDG) is less well known since FDG-PET does not have a role in the assessment of this disease. However, single cases have been reported in which fibrous dysplasia was present in patients undergoing FDG-PET scanning for oncological reasons, and no significant FDG uptake was observed for lesions identified as fibrous dysplasia. We report on a 24-year-old man with known fibrous dysplasia who underwent combined FDG-PET/CT scanning because of suspected recurrence of testicular cancer. In contrast to prior reports, a markedly elevated uptake of FDG was seen in numerous locations that were identified as fibrous dysplasia by CT. Based on this result, we conclude that fibrous dysplasia may mimick malignancy in FDG-PET and that coregistered CT may help to resolve these equivocal findings.

[Centromedullary nailing of the femur for bone metastasis: clinical and radiological evaluation using the Tokuhashi score in 24 patients]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Pluridisciplinary management of patients with metastasis to the femur is well defined, but the choice between palliative surgery or abstention must be decided on the basis of a few evaluated prognostic criteria. We report a series of 24 cases of metastasis to the weakened or fractured femur which was evaluated with the Tokuhashi score and treated by surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixteen women and eight men, mean age 71 years (58-89) underwent centromedullary nailing of the femur. These patients had metastases from breast cancer (n = 13 of the 16 women). Twenty of the 24 patients also had other metastases. The Tokuhasi score was > 6 in 16/24 patients. Fourteen patients had pain which did not respond to morphine. Thirteen had fractures and eleven weakened femurs. Time to surgery was six days (1-15). A full nail was inserted in four patients and a reconstruction nail in twenty.

RESULTS

Operative time was 93 minutes (57-123). Blood loss was 200 ml (150-350). There were no intraoperative complications (fat embolism) excepting increased comminution. Hospital stay was 23 days (8-55). Survival was 148 days (8-510) for patients with fractures and 272 days (12-730) for patients with weakened femurs. Eight patients with a fractured femur died (six within the first three postoperative weeks), two among those with preventive nailing. On average, weight bearing among the surviving patients with nailing for fracture was achieved on the 57th postoperative day (30-90). Only six patients required morphine early after surgery. Centromedullary nailing successfully relieved pain in all patients with an isolated metastasis. Mean survival in patients with a Tokuhashi score < 3 was 2.1 months. It was 17 months in those whose score was > 6.

CONCLUSION

Centromedullary nailing for fractured or weakened femur due to metastasis is a useful therapeutic solution for patients with short life expectancy. With this technique, antalgesics can be reduced while preserving independence as long as possible. The Tokuhashi score is easy to establish. If it is less than 3, centromedullary nailing should not be attempted due to the short expected survival.

Prediction of torsional failure in 22 cadaver femora with and without simulated subtrochanteric metastatic defects: a CT scan-based finite element analysis

BACKGROUND

In metastatic bone disease, prophylactic fixation of impending long bone fracture is preferred over surgical treatment of a manifest fracture. There are no reliable guidelines for prediction of pathological fracture risk, however. We aimed to determine whether finite element (FE) models constructed from quantitative CT scans could be used for predicting pathological fracture load and location in a cadaver model of metastatic bone disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Subject-specific FE models were constructed from quantitative CT scans of 11 pairs of human femora. To simulate a metastatic defect, a transcortical hole was made in the subtrochanteric region in one femur of each pair. All femora were experimentally loaded in torsion until fracture. FE simulations of the experimental set-up were performed and torsional stiffness and strain energy density (SED) distribution were determined.

RESULTS

In 15 of the 22 cases, locations of maximal SED fitted with the actual fracture locations. The calculated torsional stiffness of the entire femur combined with a criterion based on the local SED distribution in the FE model predicted 82% of the variance of the experimental torsional failure load.

INTERPRETATION

In the future, CT scan-based FE analysis may provide a useful tool for identification of impending pathological fractures requiring prophylactic stabilization.

Malignant mixed Mullerian tumors

Malignant mixed Mullerian tumours (MMMTs) are rare neoplasms, highly aggressive and with an extremely poor prognosis, usually arising in elderly postmenopausal women and presenting at an advanced stage. MMMTs derive from the mullerian mesodermus that differentiates in epithelial and stromal elements, both malignant elements. The clinic pathological features of 3 uterine MMMTs are reported here. The patients ranged in age from 25 to 69 years. The initial manifestations were mainly bloody discharge, abdominal pain and increase of the volume of the uterus. Treatment in 2 patients was hysterectomy with double ooforectomy, and resection of the pelvic mass was the treatment in the third case. Adjuvant radio chemotherapy was administrated in 2 of the 3 cases. Follow-up revealed recurrent pelvic tumour in 1 patient at 59 months, and breast metastases at 20 months in the second one. Because of the high incidence of recurrence and poor prognosis of these tumours, they should be studied and managed by a multidisciplinary team composed by surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists and pathologists.

Case report: metastatic adamantinoma of the tibia--an unusual presentation

A 26-year-old female with a tibial lesion diagnosed as an adamantinoma was treated with intra-lesional curettage, bone grafting and intra-medullary nailing. Six years post-surgery, she presented with an asymptomatic primary site but with a metastatic lesion in the mid-shaft of the ipsilateral femur and lung metastases. The femoral lesion was treated with wide excision and reconstructed with an allograft and plate fixation. Pulmonary metastatectomy was carried out for the lung lesions. A follow-up CT scan of the chest at 1 year after the surgery for the metastatic lesions revealed fresh unresectable bilateral metastases. Although cases of local recurrences and pulmonary metastases in adamantinoma are reported, this case is unusual in presenting without a local recurrence but with simultaneous skeletal and pulmonary metastases.

Perioperative morbidity and mortality after reconstruction for metastatic tumors of the proximal femur and acetabulum

An observational cohort study was performed on 90 hip arthroplasties performed in 84 patients for metastatic disease of the hip. Significant improvement was noted with both 3-month and 6-month function scores vs preoperative function scores (P < .001). Complications included 1 intraoperative femur fracture, 2 cases of deep venous thrombosis, 1 peroneal nerve palsy, 1 deep infection, and 5 dislocations. Eight (8.8% of 90 procedures, 9.4% of 84 patients) patients died during the initial hospital stay. Although the risk of mortality after hip arthroplasty for metastatic diseases is perhaps higher than previously expected, improvement in postoperative function scores in surviving patients was significant and perioperative morbidity in this complex patient population was acceptably low.

Long-term survival in a patient with stage IV non-small-cell lung carcinoma after bone metastasectomy

Patients with bone metastases related to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a poor prognosis. In the rare situation in which a patient has a solitary bone metastasis, aggressive treatment may be warranted, as illustrated by the case reported here.