Boys affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) often develop significant scoliosis in the second decade of life and require scoliosis surgery. Our aim was to establish whether cardiac MRI (CMR) improves the preoperative risk assessment in DMD patients and evaluate the current risk of surgery. Case records were retrospectively reviewed for 62 consecutive DMD boys who underwent pre-surgical evaluation at a single tertiary neuromuscular centre between 2008–2013. 62 DMD patients aged 7–18 years underwent pre-operative assessment for a total of 70 procedures (45 spinal, 19 foot, 6 gastrostomy). Echocardiography data were available for 68 procedures. Echo revealed a median left ventricular (LV) shortening fraction (SF) of 29% (range: 7–44). 34% of boys (23/68) had abnormal SF <25%, 48% (31/65) showed dyskinesia and 22% (14/64) had LV dilatation. CMR was routinely performed on 35 patients. Of those who underwent CMR, median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 52% (range: 27–67%), 71% of boys (25/35) had dyskinesia. Echocardiography shortening fraction (SF) correlated significantly with CMR LVEF (rs = 0.67; p<0.001). Increasing severity of dyskinesia on CMR correlated with reduced CMR LVEF (rs = −0.64; p<0.001) and reduced echo SF (rs = −0.47; p = 0.004). Although functional echocardiography and CMR data tended to correlate in 35 DMD boys who underwent both imaging modalities nine (26%) had discrepant results. Seven (20%) had evidence of dysfunction on CMR (LVEF < 55%) not detected on echocardiography (SF ≥ 27%); in two cases echocardiogram measured worse function than CMR. Based on multi-disciplinary risk assessment, surgery was considered too high risk in 23 out of 67 (34%) cases. In 21 cases (91%) this was due to underlying cardiomyopathy. The highest risk among older boys assessed for spinal surgery; 21 out of 43 (49%). Of 19 boys undergoing spinal surgery, six (32%) experienced complications: two wound infections; three patients required readmission to intensive care; one patient died in the post-operative period with acute heart failure.
Identifying and scoring risk factors that predict early wound dehiscence and progression to metalwork infection. Results of wound healing, eradication of infection and union of with the use of vacuum dressing. Compare results of serial washouts against early vacuum dressing in this group of children with significant medical co-morbidities. A retrospective review of 300 patients with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent posterior instrumented correction and fusion between 2008 and 2012 at two institutions. 10 patients had an early wound dehiscence which progressed to deep seated infection requiring wound washout(s) and subsequent vacuum dressing. Medical notes, clinical photographs and imaging were reviewed. Minimum follow up period was 14 months.Aims:
Method:
Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in the UK. It is more prevalent in patients with orthopaedic conditions. Previous studies in the literature have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with low patient-related outcome scores. To date, no studies have been performed in spinal patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between vitamin D status and pre-operative outcome scores in patients with AIS. AIS patients undergoing scoliosis correction between July 2012 and May 2013 at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital were investigated. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured and SRS-22r questionnaires were completed as part of their pre-admission work up.Aim:
Methods:
This study aims to identify the incidence and factors influencing readmissions following scoliosis surgery over a period of 19 years. A search was conducted in the hospital database between 7th January 1992 and 29th December 2010. 73 diagnostic codes were used to identify all scoliosis patients within this period. Repetitions of hospital codes were identified and these represent readmission episodes. Each readmission episode was manually classified using hospital diagnostic/procedural codes, clinic letters, or radiographs. The average costs of the implants used were calculated using the hospital costing database.PURPOSE
METHODS
This study aims to identify factors that influence the Cobb angle at presentation to a tertiary referral scoliosis centre, and the outcome of the referrals. 81 consecutive patients referred were reviewed retrospectively. Hospital database, clinic letters and radiographs were examined. Patient demographics, mode of referral (GP vs. tertiary), severity and type of scoliosis were recorded. The season of referral was defined as ‘warm’ between months of June and September, and ‘cold’ between November and March. Cobb angle measurements were made independently on digital radiographs by 2 Orthopaedic trainees.Purpose
Methods
Lateral oblique radiographs are considered important for the identification of spondylolytic lesions, but these projections will give a clear view only when the radiological beam is in the plane of the defect. We studied the variation in orientation of spondylolytic lesions on CT scans of 34 patients with 69 defects. There was a wide variation of angle: only 32% of defects were orientated within 15° of the 45° lateral oblique plane. Lateral oblique radiographs should not be considered as the definitive investigation for spondylolysis. We suggest that CT scans with reverse gantry angle are now more appropriate than oblique radiography for the assessment of spondylolysis. Variation in the angle of the defect may also need consideration when direct repair is being planned.
