Parathyroidectomy Versus Cinacalcet for the Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Hemodialysis Patients

Background Secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with end stage renal disease on dialysis is associated with bone pain and fractures in addition to cardiovascular morbidity. Cinacalcet is the most commonly used drug to treat such patients, but it has never been compared to surgery. The goal of this study is to compare the long-term outcomes and survival between cinacalcet and parathyroidectomy in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients. Methods Adult patients on hemodialysis who were treated with cinacalcet or parathyroidectomy in the United States Renal Data System were included. Patients treated with surgery (n = 2023) were compared using 1:1 propensity score matching ratio to a cohort of patients treated with cinacalcet. A Cox regression analysis was conducted to compare the overall mortality. Results The propensity score matching successfully created two groups with similar demographics. Patients in the surgery group had a higher mean peak PTH level prior to therapy (2066.8 vs 1425.4, P < 0.001). No difference was observed in the development of new-onset coronary artery disease (7.7% vs 7.9%, P = 0.8) or cerebrovascular disease (7% vs 6.7%, P = 0.8). Surgical patients had a higher rate of pathologic fractures (27.8% vs 24.9%, P = 0.04). Survival analysis showed that patients undergoing surgery had a better 5-year survival (65.6% vs 57.8%) and were less likely to die within the study period (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.7–0.85, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Patients on dialysis undergoing parathyroidectomy for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism have a better overall survival than those treated with cinacalcet.

Tumoral Calcinosis of the Cervical Spine Associated with a Pathologic Odontoid Fracture

Tumoral calcinosis involves focal calcium deposits in the soft tissues surrounding a joint and most commonly occurs in the hips and elbows, rarely in the cervical spine. Furthermore, it has not been known to be associated with pathologic fractures. To the best of our knowledge, our case report highlights the first case of a pathologic type II odontoid fracture associated with adjacent tumoral calcinosis, resulting in pain, dysphagia, and severe spinal stenosis. The patient underwent a posterior occipitocervical fusion and C1 laminectomy, along with planned tracheostomy and gastrostomy to avoid expected difficulty with postoperative extubation and dysphagia. Additionally, we present a review of existing literature on tumoral calcinosis in the upper cervical spine.

Tibial plateau fractures in a limited-resource setting: A prospective study of surgical techniques and outcome over three years

Introduction: Tibial plateau fractures form a wide spectrum of injuries accounting for 1.2% of all fractures and a prevalence of 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Methodology: A prospective consecutive multicentre study from May 2018 to May 2021 was carried out in Yaounde. All consenting cases of tibial plateau fracture underwent surgical treatment while patients with pathologic fractures, previous knee osteoarthritis, medically unfit for surgery, and discharging against medical advice were excluded. Data was analysed with SPSS 26.0 and the level of significance set at p<0.05. Results:Eighty-four (84) cases of tibial plateau fractures were sampled and 68 consented to surgery. The mean age was 42 ±13.6 years and sex ratio 2.4. Estimated prevalence was 2.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Schatzker type II fractures were most represented (33.3%). The left leg was affected in 57.1%. Motorbike accidents were the main cause of injury (66.7%). Of the 68 operated, 63.3% by plating osteosynthesis, 32.4% by external fixation, and 4.4% by screws fixation. Tricortical iliac bone graft was realised in 4 cases. The minimum follow-up was 6 months, with a median of 18 months (5 to 37 months). Plating osteosynthesis (p<0.001), operative time between 60 to 120 minutes (p<0.02) and a good radiologic fracture healing (p<0.04) were associated with a satisfactory outcome. Poor prognosis was seen with open fractures (p<0.001), bridging external fixation (p<0.001), and Schatzker VI fractures (p<0.02). Complications included post-traumatic osteoarthritis (64.7%), post-traumatic osteomyelitis (29.4%), knee ankylosis (5.9%), and limb malalignment (30.9%). Conclusion:The prevalence of tibial plateau fractures remains lower than reported in literature but it is projected to rise. Plating remains a viable treatment option. A larger scale study will establish the burden of this entity in our context.

Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty, and Implant-Based Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation

Vertebral compression fractures are a global public health issue with a quantifiable negative impact on patient morbidity and mortality. The contemporary approach to the treatment of osteoporotic fragility fractures has moved beyond first-line nonsurgical management. An improved understanding of biomechanical forces, consequential morbidity and mortality, and the drive to reduce opioid use has resulted in multidisciplinary treatment algorithms and significant advances in augmentation techniques. This review will inform musculoskeletal radiologists, interventionalists, and minimally invasive spine surgeons on the proper work-up of patients, imaging features differentiating benign and malignant pathologic fractures, high-risk fracture morphologies, and new mechanical augmentation device options, and it describes the appropriate selection of devices, complications, outcomes, and future trends.

Case series study: the diagnosis and treatment of fifty tumors and pseudotumors at the proximal femur

Introduction: Tumor and pseudotumor (TP) at the proximal femur (PF) can seriously affect mortality, extremity function, and body integrity. However, reports often focused on a specific tumor, not regional lesions. This study focuses on clinical findings, imaging, micro-pathology, and the treatment of all TP at the site. Methods: The study involved all patients who had a confirmed tumor or pseudotumor diagnosis at the PF. The clinical findings, X-ray, and biopsy were recorded and analyzed. Treatment was optional depending on the patient's situation and available condition of the hospital. The functional outcome, bone healing were defined at the last examination or two years of follow-up. Results: Fifty patients were involved in the study. Twenty-four patients had apparent tumors. TP at the PF, neck-trochanter, trochanters, and neck were 21 (42%), 16 (32%), 9 (18%), and 4 (8%) cases, respectively. There were 29 (58%) pathologic fractures. Biopsy was made for all patients. Twenty-three cases (46%) were malignant, and 8 (16%) cases were giant cell tumors. Thirtythree patients suffered from an operation. Ennerking's functional score was excellent, good, fair, and poor in 24 (48%), 5 (10%), 1 (2%), and 20 (40%) patients, respectively. For the last outcomes of 33 operated patients, 17 healed, three unchanged, one worse, and two dead. Conclusions: For the PF TP, the rate of malignant and pathological fracture was high. The giant cell tumor was not rare. The resection of the TP combined with grafts using ordinary fixation devices was satisfactory.

The frequency of demand and options for surgical treatment of breast cancer metastases in long and flat bones, depending on the histological subtype of the tumor

Introduction. Bone metastases increase the risk of developing a pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, pain syndrome and require palliative, radiation therapy and oncoortopedic operations. The appearance of these metastases and the above complications is associated with an unfavorable prognosis and negatively affects the quality of life of patients.Objective – to analyze the outcomes of surgical treatment in patients with breast cancer metastases to long and flat bones and to identify an optimal surgical tactics depending on the morphological subtype of the tumor.Materials and methods. Between April 2015 and April 2021, a total of 731 patients with breast cancer and bone metastases were consulted in the departments of the Russian Research Center of Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia. Two hundred and thirty patients (31.5 %) had indications for orthopedic surgery. This study included 78 patients with breast cancer metastases to long or flat bones. Of them, 50 individuals had metastases to bones only, whereas 28 participants additionally had metastases to other organs. Luminal A and B breast cancer was diagnosed in 27 patients (34.6 %) and 40 patients (51.2 %), respectively. Ten participants (12.8 %) were found to have HER2-positive tumors, whereas one patient (1.3 %) had triplenegative cancer.Results. Eighteen patients with metastatic lesions in long bones have undergone bone grafting; 17 patients had intramedullary internal fixation with osteoplasty; and 1 patient had extramedullary internal fixation with osteoplasty. Forty two patients with metastatic lesions in the flat bones have undergone 39 osteoplasty surgeries of the iliac bone, while 3 patients had osteoplasty surgeries of the sternum. The survival rates of patients with luminal A, luminal B, HER2- positive, and triple-negative breast cancer were as follows: 1-year survival – 95, 84, 87 and 100 %, respectively; 3-year survival – 83, 64, 23 and 0 %, respectively; 5-year survival – 66, 32, 23 and 0 %, respectively. Thirty-one patients were lost to follow-up between month 0 and month 46. Eighteen patients died between month 1 and month 58.Conclusion. Patients with luminal A and B breast cancer and threatened pathologic fracture should undergo intramedullary/extramedullary internal fixation, while for patients who already developed pathologic fracture and their estimated life expectancy does not exceed 1 months, it is recommended to perform bone grafting regardless of the tumor immunohistochemical type. Patients with threatened pathologic fractures demonstrated a more favorable prognosis, better functional status, and higher survival rates than patients with pathologic fractures: 1-year survival was 90 and 87 %, respectively; 3-year survival was 67 and 58 %, respectively, and 5-year survival was 54 and 0 %, respectively. Radiation therapy increases the risk of pathological fractures, but is not a contraindication for orthopedic surgery.

The Surgical Management of Proximal Femoral Metastases: A Narrative Review

The proximal femur is a common location for the development of bony metastatic disease. Metastatic bone disease in this location can cause debilitating pain, pathologic fractures, reduced quality of life, anemia or hypercalcemia. A thorough history, physical examination and preoperative investigations are required to ensure accurate diagnosis and prognosis. The goals of surgical management is to provide pain relief and return to function with a construct that provides stability to allow for immediate weightbearing. Current surgical treatment options include intramedullary nailing, hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty and endoprosthetic reconstructions. Oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma must be given special consideration as tumor resection and reconstruction has survival benefit. Both tumor and patient characteristics must be taken into account before deciding on the appropriate surgical intervention.