scholarly journals Primary Results of Bone Biopsies in Outpatients with Neuropathic Ulcers

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Vris ◽  
Edward Massa ◽  
Raju Ahluwalia ◽  
Venu Kavarthapu

Category: Diabetes Introduction/Purpose: Patients with Charcot foot disease often develop ulcers that probe to bone due to progressive deformity and loss of protective sensation. Infection of the ulcers and the underlying bone is common. In order to diagnose and treat osteomyelitis, especially in cases where reconstruction is planned, the pathogen must be isolated. The need for bone debridement and the duration of antibiotic treatment depends on the presence of bone infection. Percutaneous bone biopsies through intact skin is the gold standard for acquisition of samples for cultures. The presence of neuropathy negates the need for anaesthesia and renders biopsies possible in the outpatient setting. In our study we compare the results of bone biopsies with wound swabs and document the safety of the technique in clinic. Methods: Thirty five patients were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were the presence of neuropathy and foot ulcers with exposed bone (Grade 3 University of Texas wound classification). Samples were obtained by three different doctors with aseptic technique through intact skin and sent for cultures. The area of the bone where the sample was taken from was defined by the location of the ulcer, the available imaging and anatomical landmarks. Complications such as bleeding and entry point infection and delayed healing were documented. Superficial ulcer swabs were also obtained for comparison. Results: In 37 patients 2 procedures were abandoned due to pain; otherwise no complications during or after the biopsy were recorded and the procedure duration was 4 minutes at most. There was bacterial growth in 40% of bone biopsy samples, compared to 65.7% of superficial swabs. Cultures were polymicrobial in 35.7% of positive biopsies and 82.6% of positive ulcer swabs. Concordance between bone biopsy and swab results was seen in 16/35 (45.7%) of samples. In 7 patients both tests were negative and in 9 both positive. 7/9 of samples that were positive with both methods grew the same organism. Conclusion: Our study showed that there is poor concordance of the results of the two tests. Wound swabs have high rates of polymicrobial cultures; in comparision bone biopsies are more reliable in confirming a specific microbial organism and dictating the need for and type of antibiotic. Targeted antibiotics can thus be safely used, potentially reducing the complications and the cost of broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. The technique of needle bone biopsy is easy, safe and reproducible, and pain is not a limiting factor for in outpatients with neuropathy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Duncan ◽  
J. W. Angell ◽  
P. Richards ◽  
L. Lenzi ◽  
G. J. Staton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis (CODD) is an emerging and common infectious foot disease of sheep which causes severe welfare and economic problems for the sheep industry. The aetiology of the disease is not fully understood and control of the disease is problematic. The aim of this study was to investigate the polybacterial aetiopathogenesis of CODD and the effects of antibiotic treatment, in a longitudinal study of an experimentally induced disease outbreak using a 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing approach. Results CODD was induced in 15/30 experimental sheep. During the development of CODD three distinct phenotypic lesion stages were observed. These were an initial interdigital dermatitis (ID) lesion, followed by a footrot (FR) lesion, then finally a CODD lesion. Distinct microbiota were observed for each lesion in terms of microbial diversity, clustering and composition. Porphyromonadaceae, Family XI, Veillonellaceae and Fusobacteriaceae were significantly associated with the diseased feet. Veillonellaceae and Fusobacteriaceae were most associated with the earlier stages of ID and footrot rather than CODD. Following antibiotic treatment of the sheep, the foot microbiota showed a strong tendency to return to the composition of the healthy state. The microbiota composition of CODD lesions collected by swab and biopsy methods were different. In particular, the Spirochaetaceae family were more abundant in samples collected by the biopsy method, suggesting that these bacteria are present in deeper tissues of the diseased foot. Conclusion In this study, CODD presented as part of a spectrum of poly-bacterial foot disease strongly associated with bacterial families Porphyromonadaceae, Family XI (a family in Clostridiales also known as Clostridium cluster XI), Veillonellaceae and Fusobacteriaceae which are predominately Gram-negative anaerobes. Following antibiotic treatment, the microbiome showed a strong tendency to return to the composition of the healthy state. The composition of the healthy foot microbiome does not influence susceptibility to CODD. Based on the data presented here and that CODD appears to be the severest end stage of sheep infectious foot disease lesions, better control of the initial ID and FR lesions would enable better control of CODD and enable better animal welfare.


Author(s):  
Sebastian Zensen ◽  
Sumitha Selvaretnam ◽  
Marcel Opitz ◽  
Denise Bos ◽  
Johannes Haubold ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Apart from the commonly applied manual needle biopsy, CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of bone lesions can be performed with battery-powered drill biopsy systems. Due to assumably different radiation doses and procedural durations, the aim of this study is to examine radiation exposure and establish local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) of CT-guided bone biopsies of different anatomical regions. Methods In this retrospective study, dose data of 187 patients who underwent CT-guided bone biopsy with a manual or powered drill biopsy system performed at one of three different multi-slice CT were analyzed. Between January 2012 and November 2019, a total of 27 femur (A), 74 ilium (B), 27 sacrum (C), 28 thoracic vertebrae (D) and 31 lumbar vertebrae (E) biopsies were included. Radiation exposure was reported for volume-weighted CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose–length product (DLP). Results CTDIvol and DLP of manual versus powered drill biopsy were (median, IQR): A: 56.9(41.4–128.5)/66.7(37.6–76.2)mGy, 410(203–683)/303(128–403)mGy·cm, B: 83.5(62.1–128.5)/59.4(46.2–79.8)mGy, 489(322–472)/400(329–695)mGy·cm, C: 97.5(71.6–149.2)/63.1(49.1–83.7)mGy, 627(496–740)/404(316–515)mGy·cm, D: 67.0(40.3–86.6)/39.7(29.9–89.0)mGy, 392(267–596)/207(166–402)mGy·cm and E: 100.1(66.5–162.6)/62.5(48.0–90.0)mGy, 521(385–619)/315(240–452)mGy·cm. Radiation exposure with powered drill was significantly lower for ilium and sacrum, while procedural duration was not increased for any anatomical location. Local DRLs could be depicted as follows (CTDIvol/DLP): A: 91 mGy/522 mGy·cm, B: 90 mGy/530 mGy·cm, C: 116 mGy/740 mGy·cm, D: 87 mGy/578 mGy·cm and E: 115 mGy/546 mGy·cm. The diagnostic yield was 82.4% for manual and 89.4% for powered drill biopsies. Conclusion Use of powered drill bone biopsy systems for CT-guided percutaneous bone biopsies can significantly reduce the radiation burden compared to manual biopsy for specific anatomical locations such as ilium and sacrum and does not increase radiation dose or procedural duration for any of the investigated locations. Level of Evidence Level 3.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 205846012110306
Author(s):  
Mine B Lange ◽  
Lars J Petersen ◽  
Michael B Nielsen ◽  
Helle D Zacho

Background The presence of malignant cells in bone biopsies is considered gold standard to verify occurrence of cancer, whereas a negative bone biopsy can represent a false negative, with a risk of increasing patient morbidity and mortality and creating misleading conclusions in cancer research. However, a paucity of literature documents the validity of negative bone biopsy as an exclusion criterion for the presence of skeletal malignancies. Purpose To investigate the validity of a negative bone biopsy in bone lesions suspicious of malignancy. Material and Method A retrospective cohort of 215 consecutive targeted non-malignant skeletal biopsies from 207 patients (43% women, 57% men, median age 64, and range 94) representing suspicious focal bone lesions, collected from January 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013, was followed over a 2-year period to examine any additional biopsy, imaging, and clinical follow-up information to categorize the original biopsy as truly benign, malignant, or equivocal. Standard deviations and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results 210 of 215 biopsies (98%; 95% CI 0.94–0.99) showed to be truly benign 2 years after initial biopsy. Two biopsies were false negatives (1%; 95% CI 0.001–0.03), and three were equivocal (lack of imaging description). Conclusion Our study documents negative bone biopsy as a valid criterion for the absence of bone metastasis. Since only 28% had a confirmed diagnosis of prior cancer and not all patients received adequately sensitive imaging, our results might not be applicable to all cancer patients with suspicious bone lesions.


Author(s):  
Raul Juan Molines-Barroso ◽  
Esther García-Morales ◽  
David Sevillano-Fernández ◽  
Yolanda García-Álvarez ◽  
Francisco J. Álvaro-Afonso ◽  
...  

Microbiological cultures of per-wound bone biopsies have shown a lack of correlation and a high rate of false-negative results when compared with bone biopsy cultures in diabetic foot osteomyelitis. The selection of samples from the area of active osteomyelitis, which contains a complete census of the microorganisms responsible for the infection, is essential to properly guide antimicrobial treatment. We aimed to comparatively evaluate the quantitative and qualitative cultures taken from different areas, in metatarsal heads resected for osteomyelitis. For this purpose, we consecutively selected 13 metatarsal heads from 12 outpatients with plantar ulcers admitted to our diabetic foot unit. Metatarsal heads were divided transversally into 3 portions: plantar (A), central (B), and dorsal (C), and the 39 resulting samples were cultured. Qualitative and quantitative microbiological analysis was performed, and the isolated species and bacterial load, total and species specific, were compared between the 3 metatarsal bone segments. The primary outcome of the study was the bacterial diversity detected in the different bone sections. Cultures were positive in 12 of the 13 included metatarsal heads (92%). A total of 34 organisms were isolated from all specimens. Ten of the 12 cultures (83%) were polymicrobial. Ten of the 13 metatarsal heads (77%) had identical microbiological results in each of the 3 bone sections. The largest number of microorganisms was found in the central section. The overall concordance between sections was 91%. The predominant microorganisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (41%). Statistical differences were not found in the bioburden between sections (range 3.25-3.41 log10 colony-forming unit/g for all sections; P = .511). The results of our study suggest that microorganisms exhibit a high tendency to spread along the metatarsal bone and that the degree of progression along the bone is species dependent. The central portions of metatarsal bones tend to accumulate a higher diversity of species. Thus, we recommend this area of bone for targeted biopsy in patients with suspected osteomyelitis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-131
Author(s):  
Simon E. Smith ◽  
Julie Miller

Percutaneous flexor tenotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves cutting one or both flexor digitorum tendons underneath the toe. It is an alternative to open surgical procedures performed in an operating theatre. This project is a prospective case series investigating the utility, effectiveness, and participant satisfaction of the percutaneous flexor tenotomy when performed in the outpatient setting. People with diabetes, digital flexion deformity, and loss of protective sensation with an apical ulcer or preulcerative lesion presenting to the Austin Health Foot Ulcer Specialist Outpatient Clinic were enrolled in the study. The procedure was performed under sterile technique with an 18-gauge needle or fine scalpel blade. Participants were reviewed weekly until the incision and/ or ulcer healed. Participants were then followed up at 3 and 6 months. Time to ulcer healing, reulceration rate, frequency of complications, and patient satisfaction were recorded. There were 11 toe ulcers and 41 preulcerative lesions. A total of 76 tenotomy procedures were performed on the 23 participants across 35 episodes of care. The mean time to ulcer healing following tenotomy was 10.2 ± 4.3 days. There were no recurrences of ulceration. The infection rate per episode of care was 2.8%. There were 11 toes (14.5%) that sustained a transfer lesion post the index procedure. The mean time to development of a transfer lesion was 95.5 ± 98.1 days. All participants strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the outcome of the procedure. The flexor tenotomy is an effective procedure to expedite the healing of apical toe ulcers in people with loss of protective sensation and flexion digital deformity. It has a low infection rate and high patient satisfaction rate when performed in the outpatient setting. There is a moderate risk of transfer preulcerative lesions to an adjacent digit. Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Prospective case series


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Tillotson ◽  
Thomas Lodise ◽  
Peter Classi ◽  
Donna Mildvan ◽  
James A McKinnell

Abstract Background Antibiotic treatment failure is common among patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who are managed in the outpatient setting and is associated with higher mortality and increased health care costs. This study’s objectives were to quantify the occurrence of antibiotic treatment failure (ATF) and to evaluate clinical and economic outcomes between CAP patients who experienced ATF relative to those who did not. Methods Retrospective analysis of the MarketScan Commercial & Medicare Supplemental Databases was performed, identifying patients ≥18 years old, with a pneumonia diagnosis in the outpatient setting, and who received a fluoroquinolone, macrolides, beta-lactam, or tetracycline. ATF was defined as any of the following events within 30 days of initial antibiotic: antibiotic refill, antibiotic switch, emergency room visit, or hospitalization. Outcomes included 30-day all-cause mortality and CAP-related health care costs. Results During the study period, 251 947 unique patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 52.2 years, and 47.7% were male. The majority of patients received a fluoroquinolone (44.4%) or macrolide (43.6%). Overall, 22.1% were classified as ATFs. Among 18–64-year-old patients, 21.2% experienced treatment failure, compared with 25.7% in those >65 years old. All-cause mortality was greater in the antibiotic failure group relative to the non–antibiotic failure group (18.1% vs 4.6%, respectively), and the differences in 30-day mortality between antibiotic failure groups increased as a function of age. Mean 30-day CAP-related health care costs were also higher in the patients who experienced treatment failure relative to those who did not ($2140 vs $54, respectively). Conclusions Treatment failure and poor outcomes from outpatient CAP are common with current guideline-concordant CAP therapies. Improvements in clinical management programs and therapeutic options are needed.


Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 87 (11) ◽  
pp. 4762-4769 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Bataille ◽  
D Chappard ◽  
MF Basle

To determine if excessive osteoclastic-mediated bone resorption (BR) is an early tumor-induced event in multiple myeloma (MM), BR was assessed at first presentation on quantitative bone biopsy in 87 individuals evaluated for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and reinterpreted according to the presenting features and subsequent follow-up evaluation. As a reference population, 48 patients with previously untreated overt MM were evaluated under similar conditions. The median level of BR was significantly higher in 48 overt MM versus 87 MGUS patients (12.2% v 5.1% [normal level, <6%], P <.01). Actually, 93% of overt MM patients had an excessive BR versus 45% of MGUS patients at presentation (P <.01) According to simple presenting parameters (> or <5% plasma cells within the bone marrow, presence or absence of mild anemia/neutropenia), 31 individuals were classified as low-risk MGUS, 32 high-risk MGUS, and 24 indolent MM. An excessive BR was observed in 16% of low-risk MGUS, 46% of high-risk MGUS (P <.01 v low-risk MGUS), 79% of indolent MM (P <.05 v high-risk MGUS), and 93% of overt MM patients. Of major interest, the level of BR in indolent MM (11.2%) was identical to that in overt MM (12.2%) but significantly higher than in both low-risk (4%, P <.01) and high-risk (5.6%, P <.01) MGUS. When considering the follow-up evaluation of MGUS patients, an excessive BR at presentation was observed in 52% of MGUS cases that turned out to be unstable or developed subsequent MM, but in only 4% of stable MGUS (P <.01). More precisely the level of BR of low-risk MGUS that either turned out to be unstable or that developed into MM was significantly higher at presentation than that of subsequent stable MGUS (4.4% v 2.9%, P <.05). The same difference was observed in both high-risk MGUS and indolent MM according to subsequent follow-up studies (8.1% v 3.4% and 11.7% v 6%, respectively, P <.05). Of major interest, the level of BR in 11 stable high-risk MGUS cases actually fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of smoldering MM was very low (3.4%) and similar to that in stable low-risk MGUS (2.9%). We conclude that a quantifiable excess of BR in MGUS is significantly associated with progression and thus is an early symptom of malignancy in these individuals.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S91-S91
Author(s):  
Cole Hirschfeld ◽  
Shashi Kapadia ◽  
Joanna Bryan ◽  
Deanna Jannat-Khah ◽  
Benjamin May ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Bone biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis (OM), but few studies have investigated the extent to which it influences antimicrobial therapy in non-vertebral bones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinician-initiated changes to empiric antimicrobial therapy after obtaining bone biopsy results. A secondary aim was to identify predictors of a positive bone culture. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all cases of non-vertebral OM in patients who underwent image-guided bone biopsies between 2009 and 2016. Data on pathologic and microbiologic yield were collected and logistic regression was used to determine potential factors affecting the microbiologic yield. Post-biopsy empiric antibiotics and final antibiotics were compared with determine if there was a change in antibiotic treatment after biopsy results were reported. Results We evaluated 203 bone biopsies in 185 patients. Samples from 115 (57%) cases were sent to pathology, of which 33 (29%) confirmed OM. All samples were sent to microbiology and 57 (28%) yielded a positive result. Diabetes (OR=2.39, P = 0.021) and white blood cell count (OR=1.13, P = 0.006) were significantly associated with positive bone cultures in multivariate analyses. There was no association between positive cultures and number of samples cultured, needle size, prior antibiotic use, or antibiotic-free days. Post-biopsy empiric antibiotics were given in 138 (68%) cases. Therapy was narrowed to target specific organisms in seven cases and changed due to inadequate empiric treatment in three cases. Targeted therapy was initiated in 4/65 cases, in which empiric antibiotics had been initially withheld. While final antibiotics were withheld in 38/146 with negative bone cultures, empiric antibiotics were discontinued in only eight cases. Conclusion In patients with non-vertebral OM, bone biopsy cultures rarely yielded results that necessitated changes in antibiotic management. Identified bone organisms were treated by empiric therapy in most patients. While bone biopsy remains the gold standard diagnostic test for OM, further work is needed to identify patients whose management may be impacted by this procedure. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


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