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Restriction fragment length polymorphism of genes of the alpha 2(XI) collagen, bone morphogenetic protein-2, alkaline phosphatase, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha among patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament and controls from the Japanese population.

STUDY DESIGN: The present study analyzed the restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of alpha 2(XI) collagen, bone morphogenetic protein-2, alkaline phosphatase, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha genes in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. This study investigates the genetic polymorphism of bone-induced factors in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and compares it with healthy control subjects. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the genetic markers linked to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is a genetic disease associated with abnormal calcium metabolism involving the posterior longitudinal ligament. Previous genetic studies have not identified the pathologic mechanism of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Histopathologic studies of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and the animal model, the spinal hyperostotic mouse, have revealed an increase in Type XI collagen and bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression. METHODS: Eighteen Japanese patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 51 healthy, unrelated control subjects were investigated for the restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of COL11A2, bone morphogenetic protein-2, alkaline phosphatase, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, genes with various restriction endonucleases. RESULTS: The gene frequencies of COL11A2 obtained with BamHl (10.0 kb fragment) and HindIII (19.0 kb fragment) observed in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were higher compared with control subjects (0.43 and 0.14, respectively). These differences were statistically significant (BamHl P = 0.018; Hindlll P = 0.046). Two new restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns were detected of the bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene with Mspl and Taql and one already known restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene with Ncol. However, they were not significantly different from the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Seven restriction fragment length polymorphisms of COL11A2 gene were identified. Two of them (BamHl, 10.0/10.0 kb genotype; HindIII, 19.0/19.0 kb genotype) were significantly different in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Long-term results of the anterior floating method for cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

STUDY DESIGN: Results of the anterior floating method used to decompress ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were studied for an average postoperative interval of 13 years. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term results of the anterior floating method used to manage ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The anterior floating method is a technique that differs from the extirpation method used to manage ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Reports of the long-term results from anterior decompression used to manage cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament are rare. METHODS: The anterior floating method was used to decompress cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in 63 patients. These patients were followed for more than 10 years with neurologic evaluations using a scoring system proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA score). RESULTS: The recovery rate was 66.5% at 10 years and 59.3% at 13 years, the time of the final survey. Operative outcomes most closely reflected the preoperative duration and severity of myelopathy (JOA score) and the preoperative cross-sectional area of the spinal cord. There was no correlation with the canal narrowing ratio or the thickness of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Delayed deterioration was attributed to an original inadequate decompression and progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament outside the original operative field. There was no evidence of significant recurrent ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament within the margins of prior decompression. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior floating method appears to yield adequate long-term outcomes when used to manage ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Adult↗

Indomethacin compared with localized irradiation for the prevention of heterotopic ossification following surgical treatment of acetabular fractures.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy surrounding the relative effectiveness of local irradiation and oral indomethacin for prophylaxis against heterotopic ossification following surgical treatment of acetabular fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of these two commonly used methods in a prospective, randomized trial. METHODS: From July 1992 to June 1999, 166 patients in whom a fracture of the acetabulum was treated surgically through a posterior, extensile, or combination approach were randomized to receive either indomethacin or radiation therapy postoperatively. Seventy-eight patients received 800 cGy of local radiation therapy within seventy-two hours after surgery, and seventy-two patients received a six-week course of indomethacin (25 mg three times a day) beginning within twenty-four hours after surgery. Sixteen additional patients were randomized but did not receive treatment with either prophylactic regimen. At an average of fourteen months, the extent of heterotopic ossification was assessed on plain radiographs with use of the classification of Brooker et al. The grade of ossification was correlated with hip motion. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between treatment groups with regard to patient age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale, operative time, estimated operative blood loss, duration of follow-up, or presence of closed head injury. The Injury Severity Score appeared to be the only covariate that was significantly different between the groups (p = 0.019). Grade-III or IV ossification developed in eight (11%) of the patients in the indomethacin group and three (4%) in the radiation therapy group. The difference was not significant (p = 0.22; 95% confidence interval, -1.1%, +15.7%). No complications related to the prophylaxis were noted in either group. Heterotopic ossification developed in all sixteen patients who did not receive prophylaxis, with six demonstrating grade-III or IV changes. The overall prevalence of grade-III or IV heterotopic ossification was 7% (eleven of 150) in the treated groups and 38% (six of sixteen) in the untreated group. We did not find any association between the prevalence of heterotopic ossification and fracture type (p = 0.296) or posterior hip dislocation (p = 0.306). Grade-I, II, and III heterotopic ossification did not decrease the range of motion of the hip except in flexion. CONCLUSIONS: Both local radiation therapy and indomethacin were found to provide effective prophylaxis against heterotopic ossification following surgical treatment of acetabular fractures through a posterior or extensile approach. We detected no significant difference in efficacy between the two prophylactic regimens.

Acetabulum↗

[Postoperative, appositional ossifications after lumbar laminectomy].

QUESTION: Post-laminectomy segmental hypermobility as well as appositional ossification were suggested by many authors to contribute to the unsatisfactory long-term results of laminectomy. The aim of this study was to find out whether segmental instability, among other factors, influences the degree of appositional ossification following laminectomy. METHODS: 55 out of 72 patients operated upon by laminectomy or hemilaminectomy for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis were examined by radiography after an average follow-up period of 5.2 years. Appositional ossification at the site of surgery was evaluated in relation to lumbar instability, the number of segments undergoing laminectomy, and whether simultaneous fusion was done. Instability was determined by measuring angulation and translation using lateral flexion and extension views of the lumbar spine, whereas new-bone formation was best evaluated on antero-posterior radiographs. RESULTS: 94% of the patients had appositional ossification at the site of laminectomy. Patients undergoing simultaneous fusion with laminectomy had a significantly lower amount of appositional ossification compared to patients undergoing laminectomy without segmental fusion. Radiographically measured segmental instability, the number of segments undergoing laminectomy, age, and sex of the patients did not influence the extent of ossification. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative appositional ossification at the posterior site of resection are seen regularly following laminectomy. The extent of appositional ossification does correlate with lumbar fusions, but does not correlate with the extent of radiographically measured lumbar instability, the number of segments undergoing laminectomy, or the age and sex of the patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Simultaneous lumbar fusion with laminectomy is proved to be associated with less appositional ossification. Therefore lumbar fusion should be considered when planning surgery for spinal stenosis.

Adult↗

[A problem with surgical treatment of ectopic ossification after total hip replacement].

The author presents the issue and the results of surgical treatment of ectopic (heterotopic) ossification following total hip replacement. Four patients (3 female patients aged 44, 52 and 59 years and one male patient aged 58 years) in whom ectopic ossification occurred as a late complication and who had major ROM limitation were treated surgically. The three female patients were from the risk group and the evolution of ossification had a typical course, in the male patient ossification occurred 6 years after hip replacement and was preceded by trauma and a haematoma proximal to the hip prostheses. ROM limitation was more dependent on the localisation of the ossification rather than it's extent. In all cases a major increase in ROM was noted, with intra-operatively and post-op. A good functional result was found in 3 cases 12 months after surgery. In one case, where the extent of the ossification was least, ROM decreased considerably when compared to the intra-operative result. Radiological follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgical treatment didn't reveal any signs of renewal of the ossification process. Routine prophylactics of ectopic ossification consisted of administration of NSAID (Metindol 1 g/24 h) and a low-calcium diet. The author believes that cases of ectopic ossification leading to hip contractures and major ROM limitations are best treated by surgical resection.

Adult↗

[Studies on induction mechanism of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine--especially on the cultured cells from the human spinal ligament].

To determine the mechanism of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the spine using cultured cells derived from the human spinal ligament, the ossification group and the non-ossification group were compared morphologically and biochemically. The results are as follows: 1) There is a difference in the characteristics of the two groups. The non-ossification group consists chiefly of fibroblast-like cells, while the ossification group consists chiefly of osteogenic un-differentiated mesenchymal cells. 2) In the ossification group, the posterior longitudinal ligament is composed of high osteogenic potential cells, with a resulting general tendency of systemic ossification. This systemic ligamentous ossification factor is a primary cause of OPLL. When localized anatomical stress and/or abnormalities of hormone and bone metabolism stimulate this ligament which is in a high osteogenic activity, this may result in initial ossification which may develop into the pathological OPLL.

Adult↗

Correlation between ossification of the stylohyoid ligament and osteophytes of the cervical spine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between ligamentous ossification or osteophytes of the cervical spine and ossification of the styloid process and stylohyoid ligament, and to determine any relation between diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) of the thoracic spine and ossification of the styloid process and stylohyoid ligament. METHODS: Four patients having cervical spine DISH, an elongated styloid process and/or variable patterns of stylohyoid ligament ossification, and clinical findings compatible with Eagle's syndrome are described. Cervical computed tomography scans of 100 patients who also had lateral radiographs of the thoracic spine were reviewed. Point biserial and Spearman rank correlation analysis, McNemar test, chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test were used to determine correlation between elongation of the styloid process and/or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament and (1) ligamentous ossification or osteophytes of the cervical spine (the characteristic spinal manifestation of DISH), and/or (2) DISH of the thoracic spine. RESULTS: (1) Elongation of the styloid process and variable patterns of ossification of the proximal, middle, and distal parts of the stylohyoid ligament, and (2) enlargement of this ligament were significantly correlated with transverse and anteroposterior dimensions of ligamentous ossification or osteophytes of the cervical spine at various levels. The prevalence of such abnormalities of this process and ligament was not significantly different between the patients with and without thoracic spine DISH. CONCLUSION: Variable types of styloid process-stylohyoid ligament complex abnormalities have significant correlation with ligamentous ossification and osteophytes of the cervical spine.

Aged↗

Heterotopic ossification in childhood and adolescence.

Heterotopic ossification, or myositis ossificans, denotes true bone in an abnormal place. The pathogenic mechanism is still unclear. A total of 643 patients (mean age, 9.1 years) admitted for neuropediatric rehabilitation were analyzed retrospectively with respect to the existence of neurogenic heterotopic ossification. The purpose of this study was to obtain information about incidence, etiology, clinical aspect, and consequences for diagnosis and therapy of this condition in childhood and adolescence. Heterotopic ossification was diagnosed in 32 patients (mean age, 14.8 years) with average time of onset of 4 months after traumatic brain injury, near drowning, strangulation, cerebral hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, or spinal cord injury. The sex ratio was not significant. In contrast to what has been found in adult studies, serum alkaline phosphatase was not elevated during heterotopic ossification formation. A persistent vegetative state for longer than 30 days proved to be a significant risk factor for heterotopic ossification. The incidence of neurogenic heterotopic ossification in children seems to be lower than in adults. A genetic predisposition to heterotopic ossification is suspected but not proven. As a prophylactic regimen against heterotopic ossification we use salicylates for those patients in a coma or persistent vegetative state with warm and painful swelling of a joint and consider continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion and botulinum toxin injection for those patients with severe spasticity. We prefer to wait at least 1 year after trauma before excision of heterotopic ossification.

Adult↗

Maturation process of secondary ossification centers in the rat and assessment of bone age.

The maturation process from the appearance to the fusion of the secondary ossification centers of extremities was studied in Wistar rats aged 0 to 134 weeks. The examination of the secondary ossification centers made by radiography. The assessment of the stage of development was made in accordance with the criteria proposed by Ohwada and Sutow. The secondary ossification center was found to be take one of the following three types of maturation processes : (1) the acute ossification, (2) the delayed ossification, and (3) the incomplete ossification. No fusion was observed up to 134 weeks in certain epiphyses of the rat. This type of ossification designated as the incomplete ossification may be specific to the mouse and rat. The relative lengths of time required for appearance and fusion in the average prospective life were obtained for the rat. They were compared with those of the mouse and man. The relative length of time necessary for maturity of the secondary ossification centers was shown to be the shortest in the rat and the longest in man. The results suggested that the rat may reach maturity in the bone age at 17 to 21 weeks of age. The rat at this age may be regarded as being adult corresponding to age 17 weeks in mice and 18 to 24 years in man.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗

Stage-I osteochondritis dissecans versus normal variants of ossification in the knee in children.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) has a better prognosis than the adult type. OBJECTIVE: We postulated that the excellent prognosis of juvenile OCD could be explained, at least in part, by the erroneous diagnosis of some developmental variants of ossification as stage-I OCD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Knee MRIs of 38 children, ages 7.5-17.7 years (mean and median age 13 years), were retrospectively reviewed to look for features that might separate normal variants of ossification from stage-I OCD. These included age, gender, site, configuration of the lesion, residual cartilaginous model and presence of edema. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (32 condyles) had ossification defects with intact articular cartilage suggestive of stage-I lesions. No stage-II lesions were seen in the posterior femoral condyles. Accessory ossification centers were seen in 11/16 posterior condyles and 3/16 central condyles. Spiculation of existing ossification was seen in 12/16 posterior condylar lesions and 1/16 central condyles. There was a predominance of accessory ossifications and spiculations in the patients with 10% or greater residual cartilaginous model. No edema signal greater than diaphyseal red-marrow signal was seen in the posterior condyles. Clinical follow-up ranged from 0.5 to 38 months, with clinical improvement in 22 out of 23 patients. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of normal variants in the stage-I OCD category might explain, in part, the marked difference in published outcome between the juvenile and adult forms of OCD. Ossification defects in the posterior femoral condyles with intact overlying articular cartilage, accessory ossification centers, spiculation, residual cartilaginous model, and lack of bone-marrow edema are features of developmental variants rather than OCD.

Adolescent↗

Heterotopic ossification around distal femur after total knee arthroplasty.

Heterotopic ossification after total knee arthroplasty is not well recognized. We found heterotopic ossification around the distal femur in 10 (5%) of 221 knees after primary total knee arthroplasty and evaluated clinical findings as well as risk factors. The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 5 years. Most patients with heterotopic ossification showed clinical findings that were suspected of being early infection after surgery such as continuing low-grade fever and erythematous, warm, and swollen knees, whereas blood examinations were normal. Heterotopic ossification developed by a mean period of 5 weeks, and the size increased for a mean period of 9 weeks. The maximum size of the ossification was <5 cm in 9 knees and >5 cm in 1 knee. After that, the size decreased without any treatment in all knees, and the ossification finally disappeared in 2 knees. Osteoarthrosis and the presence of postoperative effusion were the significant risk factors in the development of heterotopic ossification. Although it is difficult to draw valid conclusions from our small study, heterotopic ossification at the distal femur after total knee arthroplasty needed no treatment and was not progressive, nor did it affect the short-term outcome in this study.

Adult↗

Postmeningitic ossification in pediatric cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to retrospectively review high-resolution CTs (HRCTs) of pediatric postmeningitic cochlear implant recipients and to correlate results with surgical findings. METHODS: HRCTs of 20 children (11 months to 12 years old) who underwent implantation with multichannel devices were reviewed. Results were correlated with the degree of ossification observed at surgery. RESULTS: Ninety percent of subjects required drilling of ossified bone within the basal turn at surgery. HRCT of the cochleas suggested ossification within the basal turn in 45% (50% sensitivity). Ossification of the lateral semicircular canal on HRCT was present in 72% (77% sensitivity). Five of 6 cases without radiographic evidence of ossification had positive findings at surgery. CONCLUSION: Ossification is a common occurrence in postmeningitic deaf children. Ossification of the lateral semicircular canal on HRCT is a more sensitive measure for predicting ossification than evidence of cochlear involvement. Absence of ossification on HRCT is no guarantee of cochlear patency at the time of implantation.

Child↗

Prevention of heterotopic ossification about the hip: final results of two randomized trials in 410 patients using either preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Experimental and clinical data support effectiveness of perioperative radiotherapy to prevent heterotopic ossification after hip surgery or trauma. Since 1987, two prospectively randomized trials were performed in patients with high-risk factors to develop heterotopic ossification: the first (HOP 1) to assess the prophylactic efficacy of postoperative low vs. medium dose radiotherapy, and the second (HOP 2) to assess the prophylactic efficacy of pre vs. postoperative radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIAL: 410 patients with high risk to develop heterotopic ossifications about the hip following hip surgery were recruited. Between June 1987 and June 1992, 249 patients were randomized in HOP 1 to postoperative "low dose" (5 x 2 Gy; total: 10 Gy) or "medium dose" (5 x 3.5 Gy; total: 17.5 Gy) radiotherapy. Between July 1992 and December 1995, 161 patients were randomized in HOP 2 to either 1 x 7 Gy preoperatively (< or = 4 h before surgery) or 5 x 3.5 Gy (total: 17.5 Gy) postoperatively (< or = 96 h after surgery). With exception of age and type of implant (cemented vs. uncemented prosthesis) all confounding patient variables (gender, prior surgery) and predisposing risk factors were similarly distributed between both trials and treatment arms. Portals encompassed the periacetabular and intertrochanteric soft tissues. Radiographs were obtained prior and immediately after surgery and at least 6 months after surgery to assess the extent of ectopic bone formation about the hip. Modified Brooker grading was used to score the extent of heterotopic ossification. Harris scoring was applied to evaluate the functional hip status. If the scores decreased from immediate post or preoperative status, respectively, to the last follow-up, radiological or functional failures were assumed. RESULTS: Effective prophylaxis was achieved in 227 (91%) hips of HOP 1 and in 142 (88%) of HOP 2. In HOP 1, 15 (11%) radiological failures were observed in the low-dose group compared to 7 (6%) in the medium dose group (p > 0.05). In HOP 2, 4 (5%) radiological failures were observed in the postoperative and 11 (19%) in the preoperative group (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis of the preoperative group revealed that the highest failure rate occurred in patients with prophylactic radiotherapy prior to removal of ipsilateral Brooker Grade III and IV ossification (39%) (p < 0.001), while all other patients in the preoperative group had a failure rate that was comparable to postoperative treatment groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis the number of high-risk factors for development of heterotopic ossification (p = 0.03) and the time to RT initiation (p = 0.05) were independent prognostic factors in the HOP 1 study. For the HOP 2 study, the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the number of high-risk factors for development of heterotopic ossification (p = 0.003), the preoperative HO grade (p = 0.001) and the RT dose concept (p = 0.05) as independent prognostic factors. Other factors including type of implant (cemented vs. uncemented) did not affect the prophylactic efficacy of radiotherapy. There were no increased intra- and postoperative complications seen in the preoperative group, and no long-term complications were observed in both HOP studies. For functional failures (decrease of Harris score) no statistically prognostic factors were found. There were less functional failures in HOP 1 (18 = 7%) than in HOP 2 (23 = 14%, but this difference was not statistically significant. Only patients with high Brooker Grade III and IV at last FU achieved a lower Harris score than those with low Brooker Grade 0, I and II (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: With the exception of a small subgroup of patients with ipsilateral high Brooker Grade III and IV, pre- and postoperative radiotherapy are equally effective to prevent heterotopic ossification about the hip after hip surgery and total hip arthroplasty. Fractionated medium dose radiotherapy resulted in the low

Adult↗

Disodium etidronate in the prevention of heterotopic ossification following spinal cord injury (preliminary report).

Heterotopic ossification is a frequent complication following spinal cord injury with 16 per cent to 53 per cent of patients developing varying degrees of pathologic ossification. The diphosphonates are known to block the transformation of amorphous calcium phosphate into crystalline hydroxyapatite. Therefore, one of the diphosphonates, disodium etidronate (generic name of disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonate (EHDP) was selected fro clinical trials to study the effectiveness of EHDP in preventing heterotopic ossification following spinal cord injury. In a double-blind, clinical study of 149 spinal cord injury patients, disodium etidronate has proven its effectiveness in the prevention of heterotopic ossification. The extent of heterotopic ossification development as measured by the total heterotopic ossification X-ray grade was significantly less in EHDP-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients (P less than 0-05). For maximal effectiveness, EHDP treatment must be started before the onset of the pathological process initiating the development of heterotopicossification. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal time to institute EHDP treatment, length of treatment, and minimal effective dose. EHDP is the first hterapeutic agent known to alter the formation of heterotopic ossification after spinal injury and may prove useful in other conditions where heterotopic ossification prevention is clinically indicated.

Adolescent↗

Ossification of laryngeal cartilages on lateral cephalometric radiographs.

This study was undertaken to identify the variations in the physiologic ossification of human laryngeal cartilages by evaluating the lateral cephalometric radiographs of healthy males and females referred to our facility. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 359 patients (141 male and 218 female; ages 10 to 59 years) referred from various specialty clinics between April 1998 and March 2000 were used. Frequencies and confidence intervals were obtained and tabulated for both thyroid and cricoid ossifications as seen on these cephalometric radiographs. The interobserver agreement was strong for both thyroid (kappa = .986) and cricoid (kappa = .982) observations. Overall, thyroid cartilage was more frequently ossified compared with cricoid. Various degrees of thyroid and cricoid cartilage ossification were found in 186 patients (120 female and 66 male) in the third decade and beyond. Among 173 patients in the first 2 decades (98 females and 75 male), evidence of thyroid ossification was found in 2 male patients aged 14 and 18, and ossification was detected in the cricoid cartilage in 12 patients. There was a preponderance of laryngeal cartilage ossification in men compared with women. Radiographically detectable laryngeal ossification increased with age starting in the third decade. There is a general trend of increase in the ossification of laryngeal cartilages as the age advanced.

Adolescent↗

[Variants of ossification of the stylohyoid chain].

PURPOSE: Evaluation of age-related differences in the incidence, length and topographic location of ossifications in the stylohyoid chain. METHOD: Panoramic radiographs of 380 patients (718 reviewed stylohyoid chains), subdivided into 4 age groups (up to 20 years, 21 to 40 years, 41 to 60 years, older than 60 years), were reviewed and examined for the incidence, length and topographic location of stylohyoidal ossification. RESULTS: 221 (30.8%) of 718 reviewed stylohyoidal chains showed radiological variants (elongation of the stylold process and/or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament). With increasing age, there was an increase in the incidence and length of stylohyoidal ossifications (p < 0.01). A significant linear correlation between the length of the stylohyoidal ossifications and age was only found in the young age group (up to 20 years; p < 0.01). In the young age group(up to 20 years), there was also a preferred presence of isolated locations in the superior stylohyoidal segment. With increasing age, there was a pronounced presence of ossifications in the middle and inferior stylohyoid segments and combinations of ossified varibilities. CONCLUSION: Stylohyoidal ossifications show age-related differences in incidence, length and topography and can also be put down to different pathological events. Stylohyoidal ossifications gain a different importance in adult patients from that in young people.

Adolescent↗

Variants of ossification in the stylohyoid chain.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the age-related differences in the incidence, length and topographic location of ossification in the stylohyoid chain. Panoramic radiographs of 420 patients (795 reviewed stylohyoid-chains), subdivided into 4 age groups (20 years and under, 21 to 40 years, 41 to 60 years, older than 60 years) were reviewed and examined for the incidence, length and topographic location of stylohyoidal ossification. 245 (30.8%) out of 795 reviewed stylohyoidal chains showed radiological variabilities (elongation of the styloid process and/or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament). With increasing age, there was an increase in the incidence and length of stylohyoidal ossifications (p<0.01). A significant linear correlation between the length of the stylohyoidal ossifications and age was only found in the young age group (under 20 yrs.; p<0.01). In the young age group (under 20 yrs), there was also a higher prevalence of isolated locations in the superior stylohyoidal segment. With increasing age, there was a pronounced presence of ossifications in the middle and inferior stylohyoid segments and combinations of ossified variabilities. Stylohyoidal ossifications show age-related differences in incidence, length and topographical location. Stylohyoid ossifications gain a different importance in adult patients than in juvenile patients.

Adolescent↗

Current therapy in the management of heterotopic ossification of the elbow: a review with case studies.

Heterotopic ossification, or the appearance of ectopic bone in para-articular soft tissues after surgery, immobilization, or trauma, complicates the surgical and physiatric management of injured joints. The chief symptoms of heterotopic ossification are joint and muscle pain and a compromised range of motion. Current therapies for prevention or treatment of heterotopic ossification include surgery, physical therapy, radiation therapy, and medical management. Unlike heterotopic ossification of the hip, heterotopic ossification of the elbow has not been extensively investigated, leaving its optimal management ill-defined. To remedy this deficiency, we review risk factors, clinical anatomy, physical findings, proposed mechanisms, and current practice for treatment and prevention of heterotopic ossification. We then consider and draw conclusions from four cases of elbow injury treated at our institutions (three complicated by heterotopic ossification) in which treatment included surgery, radiation therapy, physical therapy, and medical therapy. We summarize our institutional practices and conclude with a call for a randomized clinical trial to better define optimal management of heterotopic ossification of the elbow.

Adult↗