Aims

Since 2005 we have performed submuscular plating to the femur and tibia after distraction osteogenesis in selected cases in order to shorten the time in external fixator. The aim was to assess safety, lengths gained, frame time and perform cost analysis

Purpose

To examine the effect of limb lengthening on the quality of life of people who have disproportionate short stature (DSS).

Introduction: Plastic deformation of the regenerate bone is a complication noted soon after limb lengthening. However, less is known about the factors responsible for the development of plastic deformation.

Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 35 X-rays of achondroplast children who had limb lengthening were reviewed. The study compared Monofocal Vs Bifocal and Long lengthenings(> 10 cms) Vs modest lengthenings(≤ 10 cms) of tibial lengthening. Other parameters included in study were Bone healing Index, total length gained and sagittal and coronal axial deformities. There were 20 females and 15 males, 21 long lengthenings and 14 modest lengthenings in the study. The joint orientation and diaphyseal angles(antero-posterior and lateral X-ray views) was used for the measurement of plastic deformation of the regenerate bone.

Results: The mean age at operation was 10 years (range; 6–16 years). There were 29 cases of monolateral fixator and 6 of Ilizarov ring fixator, Of which 26 had monofocal lengthening and 9 had bifocal lengthening (34 callotasis and 1 chondrodiastasis). The total average length gained was 10 cms (range; 23–152). The mean bone healing index and external fixation index/time were 41 days and 352 days respectively. Plastic deformation of the regenerate bone was seen in 26 cases in total. 24 out of 29 cases of monolateral fixator (82%) developed plastic deformation. 44%(4/9) of bifocal group and 84%(22/26) of monofocal group showed evidence of plastic deformation. The long lengthenings showed plastic deformation in 85% (18/21) of the cases, whereas only 57%(8/14) of the cases were positive in modest lengthening group. Most of the axial deviation was in the coronal plane in 92% (24/26) and the sagittal plane accounted to only 23%(6/26) requiring surgical correction.

Conclusions: Long lengthenings and monofocal techniques showed more plastic deformation than bifocal and short lengthenings. However, Ilizarov ring fixator with bifocal corticotomy seemed to be promising with less association with the above entity in our recent experience.

Introduction: Prophylactic pinning of an asymptomatic hip in SCFE is controversial. Bone age has been used as evidence of future contralateral slip risk and used as an indication for such intervention. The efficacy of bone age assessment at predicting contralateral slip was tested in this study.

Patients and Methods: 18 Caucasian children prospectively had bone age assessment using wrist and hand x-rays when presenting with a unilateral SCFE. Patients and parents were informed about the chance of con-tralateral slip and risks of prophylactic fixation, and advised to attend hospital immediately on development of symptoms in contralateral hip. After in-situ fixation of the affected side prospective monitoring in outpatient department was performed. Surgical intervention was undertaken if the contralateral hip was symptomatic.

Results: Three children (2 boys) went on to develop to a contralateral slip at a mean of 20 months from initial presentation. 6 children (5 boys) were deemed at risk of contralateral slip due to a bone age below 12.5 years for boys and 10.5 for girls. Only one from this group developed a contralateral slip. The relative risk of proceeding to contralateral slip when the bone age is below the designated values was 1 (95% confidence interval of 0.1118 to 8.95). The sensitivity and specificity were 33% and 66% respectively. With positive predictive value of 15% and diagnostic efficiency of 61%.

Conclusion: Delayed bone age by itself is not a good predictor of future contralateral slip at initial presentation. Routine prophylactic pinning is not justified based on bone age alone, with the risks of surgical fixation it carries. Prospective long term longitudinal study is required.

Introduction: Prophylactic pinning of an asymptomatic hip in SCFE is controversial. Bone age has been used as evidence of future contralateral slip risk and used as an indication for such intervention. The efficacy of bone age assessment at predicting contralateral slip was tested in this study.

Patients and Methods: 18 Caucasian children prospectively had bone age assessment using wrist and hand x-rays when presenting with a unilateral SCFE. Patients and parents were informed about the chance of con-tralateral slip and risks of prophylactic fixation, and advised to attend hospital immediately on development of symptoms in contralateral hip. After in-situ fixation of the affected side prospective monitoring in outpatient department was performed. Surgical intervention was undertaken if the contralateral hip was symptomatic.

Results: Three children (2 boys) went on to develop to a contralateral slip at a mean of 20 months from initial presentation. 6 children (5 boys) were deemed at risk of contralateral slip due to a bone age below 12.5 years for boys and 10.5 for girls. Only one from this group developed a contralateral slip. The relative risk of proceeding to contralateral slip when the bone age is below the designated values was 1 (95% confidence interval of 0.1118 to 8.95). The sensitivity and specificity were 33% and 66% respectively. With positive predictive value of 15% and diagnostic efficiency of 61%.

Conclusion: Delayed bone age by itself is not a good predictor of future contralateral slip at initial presentation. Routine prophylactic pinning is not justified based on bone age alone, with the risks of surgical fixation it carries. Prospective long term longitudinal study is required.

Introduction: Lumbar spine morphology is well described in healthy children but has not been described in children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI).

Aims: To look at lumbar bony morphometry in OI children and to consider the importance of these factors in spinal surgery in these children

Methods: 21 lumbar vertebrae (from L3-5) of 7 OI (6 OI type 3 and 1 OI type 4) children with scoliosis were analysed using Reformatted Computer Tomographic scans. The following measurements obtained: Spinal canal diameters, Transverse pedicle width, Total pedicle length, Pedicle root length, Transverse pedicle angle and Sagittal pedicle angle. Results are compared with previously published data of normal age-matched lumbar spine measurements

Results: The mean age was 12 years (range 7-18 years). 6 females and 1 male. All had spondylolisthesis at L5-S1. Results were analysed by Wilcoxon Signed Rank test (nonparametric test). The transverse pedicle width was significantly narrower at all 3 levels (p< 0.01). Transverse pedicle angle was significantly less angled at all 3 levels (L3 p=0.04, L4 & L5 p< 0.01) whilst the sagittal pedicle angle was significantly more angled at all 3 levels (p< 0.01). Spinal canal diameter (AP) was significantly increased at all 3 levels (L3 & L5 p< 0.01, L4 p=0.02). And no significant differences in spinal canal transverse diameter and total pedicle length. Pedicle root length Significantly longer at all 3 levels (L3 & L4 p< 0.05, L5 p< 0.01). All children had grade-I spondylolisthesis at L5/S1.

Conclusions: A longer pedicle root with a narrower transverse diameter (and thinner cortices) and a reduced transverse angle is essential knowledge when passing pedicle screws in the lumbar spine in children with OI. This is a difficult technique and its safety requires further evaluation.

Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma (ADPACa) is a rare skin adnexal tumour, which has a predilection for the digits. We report a case with this tumour in a 51 year old insulin dependent diabetic man, who presented as a paronychia of right index finger. After histopathological confirmation as an ADPACa partial amputation was performed. This case emphasizes the presentation of this tumour as a simple nail bed infection occasionally.