Despite extensive research, the cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is still largely unclear. Girls with AIS tend to be taller and leaner, and have a lower body-mass index (BMI) and lower bone mass, than do healthy girls. Recent MRI studies have shown the presence of relative anterior spinal overgrowth in girls with AIS. The lower bone mineral status and BMI could be related to dysfunctional central regulation pathway of growth, bodyweight, and bone metabolism. Following several interesting reports on the role of leptin in regulation of the above pathway in animals and human beings, our recent study has shown a low leptin concentration in girls with AIS girls compared with healthy adolescents. This finding leads to our new hypothesis that abnormal leptin bioavailability could be associated with the lower bodyweight, lower bone mineral density, and relatively disproportional endochondral skeletal growth in AIS. This study aimed to investigate the leptin bioavailability in girls with AIS. 53 girls with AIS and 27 healthy girls (aged 11–16 years) were recruited in this preliminary study. Clinical and anthropometric data were obtained. Blood samples were obtained for ELISA of leptin and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R). Independent Student's t test and multivariate regression were used in group comparison.Introduction
Methods
Genetic predisposition is a key causal factor in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is the most common form of spinal deformity. However, common quantitative genetic effect estimates such as hereditability have not been fully evaluated and reported for this disorder. We aimed to determine the sibling recurrent risk and hereditability of AIS in first-degree relatives of 513 Chinese patients with this disorder. Family members of 513 Chinese patients with AIS attending a scoliosis clinic were assessed. A diagnosis of AIS was made with the criteria of Cobb angle greater than 20°. The evaluation included clinical assessment and physical examination in a health screening centre by medical doctors with use of forward bending test. Any positive screening cases were referred to a scoliosis clinic for follow-up spinal radiograph. All radiographs were assessed by an orthopaedic surgeon in the scoliosis clinic. A population prevalence of scoliosis was obtained from the data of a territory-wide screening campaign. The prevalence of AIS among siblings of probands was measured both overall and divided by sex of siblings. The sibling recurrent risk (λs) was calculated for male and female siblings separately with reported population incidence of AIS.Introduction
Methods
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is associated with low bone mineral density, which could be related to its etiopathogenesis. Apart from bone density, bone micro-architectures are equally important for better understanding of disease initiation and progression in AIS. Quantitative assessment of bone quality is hampered by the invasive nature of investigations, until recently when the high-resolution pQCT (XtremeCT) became available for revolutionary in-vivo microimaging and derivation of bone micro-architectural parameters. Our objective was to use this powerful instrument to study bone qualities in AIS and compare findings with those from healthy controls. 48 girls with AIS and 84 sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Cobb angle was measured with standing radiographs, and imaging of the non-dominant distal radius was captured with XtremeCT according to a standard protocol.Introduction
Methods
The main challenge in management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is to predict which curve will progress so that appropriate treatment can be given. We previously reported that low bone mineral density (BMD) was one of the adverse prognostic factors for AIS. With advancement in imaging technology, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) becomes a useful method to assess bone density and bone quality. The objective of this study was to assess the role of QUS as a radiation-free method to predict curve progression in AIS. 294 girls with AIS were recruited at ages 11–16 years and followed up until skeletal maturity. 269 age-matched healthy girls were recruited as controls. They provided the normal reference for calculation of Z score for QUS parameters. QUS measurements, including BUA (broadband ultrasound attenuation), VOS (velocity of sound) and SI (stiffness index) of the calcaneum, BMD of femoral neck, menarche history, ages, and Cobb angle of the major curve were recorded at baseline as independent variables. The predictive outcome was curve progression defined as an increase of Cobb angle of 6° or more. Logistic regression model and the ROC curve were used for statistical analysis.Introduction
Methods
Out of a total of 112 children with displaced forearm shaft fracture treated with Percutaneous Kirschner (K) wire fixation in the past 9 years, 84 cases with fracture of both the radius and ulna were reviewed. 64 (76%) had fixation of both the radius and ulna, 10 (12%) the radius only and the other 10 (12%) the ulna only. In 60 (71%) patients were successful with one stage close reduction and pinning, while in the remaining 24 (29%) a semi- open reduction through a small incision was required. The K-wire was inserted through the radial styloid or the Lister tubercle for the radius, and through the tip of the olecranon for the ulna. All the patients reviewed were found to have good functional results with no non-union, deep infection or premature physeal closure at a mean follow-up of 48 months. Initial pre-operative shortening or translation of the fracture were associated with significantly higher chance of open reduction. We concluded that percutaneous K-wiring for forearm diaphyseal fracture in children is a convenient, effective and safe operation, with minimal complications.
“Subacute Synovities of the Hip”, which runs a more fluctuant clinical progress and slower response to treatment than those of acute transient synovitis, is always posing diagnostic and management challenge in children presented with acute hip pain. This study aims to identify the special features of this distinct entity, and the important diagnostic parameters in differentiation of acute transient synovitis, subacute arthritis and also septic arthritis in children presented with acute painful pain. From 1985–1999, 427 children have been admitted into our centre with subsequent diagnosis of acute transient synovitis, subacute synovitis &
septic arthritis. 320 cases with full records are available for review, with 270 cases 85%) having acute transient synovitis, 35 cases (10%) of subacute arthritis and 15 cases (5%) of septic arthritis. Statistical results showed that patient having subacute arthritis different significantly from those with acute transient synovitis in terms of age of presentation &
duration of symptoms before hospitalization. Moreover, patient having transient synovitis significantly different from those with septic arthritis in terms of temperature on admission, ESR and White Cell Count.
Distal radial fractures are common in children. Recent outcome studies have cast doubt on the success of treatment by closed reduction and application of plaster. The most important risk factor for poor outcome is translation of the fracture. If a distal radial fracture is displaced by more than half the diameter of the bone at the fracture site it should be classified as high risk. We performed percutaneous Kirschner-wire pinning on 157 such high-risk distal radial fractures in children under 16 years of age. The predicted early and late failure rate was reduced from 60% to 14% and only 1.5% of patients had significant limitation of forearm movement of more than 15 degrees in the final assessment at a mean of 31 months after operation. There were no cases of early physeal closure or deep infection.
We measured the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content of callus at various intervals during healing in 78 fractured tibiae in 10- to 12-week-old rabbits. The results, compared with the level in normal tissues, showed a high rate of energy metabolism in the early phase of fracture healing, which persisted until the callus was corticalised and remodelling had started. The ATP content could provide a more sensitive index to monitor fracture healing in animal studies. Our findings lend support to the need for nutritional supplements for patients with multiple fractures.
