Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F De Iure.
The authors evaluate the posterior approach to the cervical spine with the patient in a sitting position for the surgical treatment of neoplasms of the vertebral arch. Advantages and risks, particularly those related to anesthesia, are examined. Two cases in which the sitting position was advantageous are reported.
The clinical and radiographic progression of fibrous dysplasia may be due to a cystic-hemorrhagic change, or to a sarcomatous transformation. The distinction between these two possibilities, which is essential to treatment, depend on the biopsy. A case of fibrous dysplasia in a female aged 18 years is described in which, 3 years after pathologic fracture consolidated with non-surgical treatment, clinical and radiographic progression occurred, enough to suspect malignant transformation. Histological diagnosis showed fibrous dysplasia with a cartilaginous component and cystic-hemorrhagic changes, and curettage-bone allografting resulted in healing of the lesion.
The authors describe two cases of syphilis of bone with multiple pathologic fractures. Healing of the fractures occurred over a normal period of time, with the production of hyperplastic callus. Differential diagnosis with tumorous and pseudotumorous lesions is possible based on clinical data and a history of the patient, as well as specific laboratory tests for syphilis; occasionally, biopsy is required.
The authors describe the technique of sagittal vertebral hemiresection used for the treatment of tumors of the thoracic spine involving one or more hemivertebrae. This type of treatment is not frequently indicated because of the rare asymmetrical distribution of vertebral tumors.
The authors describe lumbar vertebral resection for the treatment of bone tumors by double approach (posterior longitudinal with the patient in prone position, and retroperitoneal lobotomy in lateral position), usually performed in one-stage surgery. The indication includes aggressive benign tumors (e.g., stage 3 giant cell tumor, osteoblastoma) and low-grade malignant tumors (e.g., chordoma, chondrosarcoma). In these cases an oncologically adequate surgical margin may be obtained, provided that the neoplasm is entirely or largely intracompartmental and at least one of the vertebral pedicles is uninvolved. The different stages of surgery and anesthesia-related problems are described, and possible complications are discussed.
A total of 1147 pertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures, 10 delays in consolidation and non-union, 24 pathologic fractures and osteolysis with the risk of fracture, treated with a gamma nail in 17 Italian departments of traumatology, were collected. In 70% of the patients weight-bearing was allowed during the first week postsurgery; 77% of the patients followed-up recovered the same ability to walk that had preceded trauma. Complications included intraoperative (1.8%) and postoperative (1.1%) diaphyseal fractures, cephalic screw cut out (2.2%), and breakage of the nail (0.4%). There were two cases of infection (0.3%). Most of the complications were related to errors in technique. The safest procedure is constituted by the choice of a nail with a thinner caliber, 2 mm diaphyseal over-reaming, insertion of the nail without the use of a hammer, and distal locking; the cephalic screw must always be inserted in the lower portion of the femoral head.
The authors report the results they obtained in a homogeneous series of fractures of the distal third of the femur treated by Grosse-Kempf nailing. Of the 67 fractures (58 closed, 9 exposed) treated with closed surgery (except for 1 case treated by nailing 35 days after trauma) non-union was never observed. The two cases of delay in consolidation (one related to an infection) did not require a change in method. Bone grafting was never necessary. Only in 3 cases (2 with multiple trauma, 1 treated by open reduction) was moderate reduction in range of movement of the knee observed.
On the basis of the authors' experience in the treatment of 257 skeletal neoplasms of the lumbar spine, the features of back pain, which in 96% of the cases constitutes the first symptom of these diseases, are discussed. The overall clinical aspects firstly depend on the stage of the primary tumor: latent, active, aggressive for benign tumors; intra- and extra-compartmental for malignant tumors. Symptoms may include elements which suggest specific lesions, such as osteoid osteoma, eosinophilic granuloma, aneurysmal bone cyst, or high-grade malignant tumors such as Ewing's sarcoma, while lumbar metastasis from carcinoma do not seem to have distinctive features. Site and localization of the tumor are also important variables. The treatment of neoplastic back pain depends on diagnosis, and cannot be adequate if it is not planned on the basis of a complete preoperative study, taking into account not only surgery, but also adjuvant therapy.
The authors report 38 reconstruction by Grosse-Kempf nailing for resection of bone tumor; there were: intercalar resections: 16; arthrodeses of the knee: 13; arthrodesis of the ankle joint: 5; gyroplasty: 4. Massive homoplastic bone graft was used in 26 cases, in 3 of which autoplastic grafting was associated; autoplastic grafts were used exclusively in 7 cases, and a cement spacer was used in 1. Twenty-nine patients (76%) obtained satisfactory final results, but in 10 cases secondary surgery was performed for a total of 14 operations, of which 7 major (1 nail substitution and 6 vascularized fibula operations). There were 7 failures: mechanical complications: 6; infection: 1. The highest number of non-unions were observed where massive homoplastic grafting was used: intercalar reconstruction: 11; arthrodesis of the knee: 7. The results were evidently better and the incidence of complications low in cases in which autoplastic grafting was used or where gyroplasty was performed. Absolute stiffness and best possible contact are difficult to obtain with blocked intramedullary nailing. On the contrary, when autoplastic grafts are used or when gyroplasty is performed micromovements allowed the instrumentation are compatible with good consolidation.
The authors propose two cases of subtrochanteric nonunion (one infected) treated by Gamma nailing. Early movement and the fact that weight-bearing is allowed are particularly advantageous for functional recovery. This method is proposed as a good alternative to open osteosynthesis with bone grafting.
The authors present four cases of peripheral aneurysm: 1 true aneurysm towards the superficial femoral artery, and 3 aneurysms of the popliteal artery, 1 of which true and 2 false. The criteria used for differential diagnosis with soft tissue sarcomas is analyzed and the importance of a complete diagnosis before planning incisional biopsy is emphasized.
The authors present a new system for the topographical description of vertebral neoplasms. The general criteria of reconstruction after curettage or vertebral resection are evaluated. The literature is reviewed in terms of the use of prostheses, bone grafts, cement and stabilization systems in the treatment of tumors of the spine. Indications for the different methods are discussed.
The authors discuss the criteria of differential diagnosis between primary and secondary tumors, emphasizing the role played by biopsy.
With the purpose of clarifying the limits of resection surgery (en bloc excision) for the treatment of bone tumors of the spine, the authors report the indications and results of 43 operations. This series was homogeneous in terms of oncological and surgical staging, as well as with regard to surgical method used and anaesthesiology. Three different types of surgery were performed: en bloc resection of tumors of the body (sectors 5-9 or 4-8 depending on the WBB staging system), of the posterior arch (sectors 10-3) or characterized by eccentric growth (sectors 2-5 or 8-11). The surgical margins were histologically studied in all of the cases: based on the evaluation and on histological diagnosis further chemo- and/or radiation therapy were decided on. Long-term follow-up was obtained for all of the cases (from 6 to 153 months, mean 30 months; 26 cases followed for more than 24 months). Six of the patients died as a result of the disease from 10 to 28 months after resection. There were 4 local recurrences, 4 pulmonary metastases, and 5 metastatic disseminations to the skeleton and to other tissues observed in 11 patients. At final follow-up 33 patients (77%) were thus disease-free (32 continually), in excellent condition, and capable of living a normal life. Complications and treatment are also reported. A careful study of the neoplasm, an appropriate selection of the patients based on diagnosis and histological staging, a knowledge of the natural progression of bone neoplasms and of the surgical anatomy of the vertebral column, the application of suitable measures of anaesthesiological control, allow for a correct cost/benefit evaluation of this type of surgery as compared to oncological methods that are less effective but more diffused. On the basis of these considerations indications for en bloc resection in tumors of the spine are defined.