Aim

When a prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is suspected, guidelines recommend performing periprosthetic samples, at least one for histopathological examination and 3 to 6 for microbiological culture. The diagnosis of infection is based on the presence of neutrophil granulocytes whose number and morphology can be variable, resulting in definition of “acute” inflammation. The acute inflammation of periprosthetic tissue is supportive of infection. Since 2007, in our hospital, for all patients with suspected PJI who underwent surgery, from each sample taken by the surgeon, one part has been sent to the pathologist and the other one to the microbiologist. Our aim was to compare histopathological to microbiological results from samples taken intraoperatively at the same site.

Aim and purpose

The clinical management of osteosarcoma differs significantly from that of chondrosarcoma;

Therefore it is extremely important to diagnose these two types of bone tumour accurately. In the absence of a specific marker, differential diagnosis by histochemistry is sometimes impossible, especially between chondroblastic osteosarcoma and conventional chondrosarcoma. The aim of the study was to find an useful diagnostic marker, simple to use for distinguishes chondroblastic osteosarcoma from conventional chondrosarcoma.

We describe a 46-year-old woman who presented at intervals of seven years with osteonecrosis of the outer end of both clavicles. The clinical, radiological features and the appearances of the bone scans are described. Although the condition may be confused with osteolysis there is a clear histological distinction between the two conditions. If the symptoms fail to respond to conservative treatment, excision of the outer end of the clavicle is recommended.