CT findings in chondroradionecrosis of the larynx

PURPOSE: Our goal was to describe the CT findings before and after radiation therapy in a series of patients with laryngeal chondroradionecrosis. METHODS: The CT studies obtained before and after radiation therapy in nine patients with the diagnosis of laryngeal chondroradionecrosis were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: CT scans revealed abnormalities in all patients. A variable degree of laryngeal soft-tissue swelling was seen in eight of the patients. In four patients, cartilaginous abnormalities were visible initially, and appeared in three of four other patients who had further follow-up CT studies. Six patients had involvement of the thyroid cartilage; collapse of the thyroid cartilage was seen in two cases and gas bubbles were visible adjacent to the thyroid cartilage in three cases. Four patients with involvement of the thyroid cartilage eventually underwent total laryngectomy, and one died suddenly in severe respiratory distress. In all three patients with arytenoidal involvement, anterior dislocation of this cartilage was seen; in two of these patients, the adjacent part of the cricoid cartilage showed some sclerosis. Two patients with arytenoidal necrosis (both with cricoidal sclerosis) kept a functional larynx. In one case, cricoidal sclerosis was seen in association with lysis of the thyroid cartilage. CONCLUSION: The CT appearance of laryngeal chondroradionecrosis is nonspecific, but the diagnosis can be strongly suggested in cases of sloughing of the arytenoid cartilage, fragmentation and collapse of the thyroid cartilage, and/or in the presence of gas bubbles around the cartilage.     

Isolated traumatic dislocation of the hip. Long-term results in 50 patients

From 1974 to 1989, we treated 50 patients with a simple dislocation of the hip: 38 were posterior dislocations and 12 were anterior. All dislocations primarily treated at our hospital were reduced by closed methods within three hours (mean 85 minutes (10 to 180)) and 43 were reviewed after an average follow-up of 8 years (2 to 17). It is widely held that isolated hip dislocation reduced within six hours gives an excellent outcome, but we found a significant number of complications. There were radiological signs of partial avascular necrosis in two, mild osteoarthritis in seven, and moderate degeneration in two. Heterotopic ossification was seen in four patients, but 29 of 33 MRI examinations were normal. Objective evaluation according to the Thompson and Epstein (1951) criteria showed fair and poor results in 3 of 12 anterior dislocations, but in 16 of 30 posterior dislocations. In six of the seven patients with no other severe injury, the hip had an excellent or good result; in only three of the eight patients with severe multiple injuries was this the case. The important factors in the long-term prognosis appear to be the direction of the dislocation and the overall severity of injuries.     

Increased plasma levels of substance P and disturbed water excretion in patients with liver cirrhosis

We describe a surgical technique for replacing the hip joint capsule using synthetic mesh after oncological resections of the proximal femur that resulted in gross intraoperative instability of the prosthetic reconstruction. The results of its use in 13 patients, 6 of whom also had pelvic resections, are described. These patients were selected from a total group of 88 patients undergoing proximal femoral replacement, 75 of whom did not require capsular replacement (none of these 75 patients have experienced dislocation). In the group requiring capsular reconstruction, 1 of 4 patients with bipolar hemiarthroplasty and 4 of 9 patients with total hip replacements experienced dislocation after operation. Of the dislocated total hip replacements, 1 remains chronically dislocated, and 3 were successfully stabilized by open reduction with further capsular augmentation. Given that the resections involved removal of most of the soft tissues stabilizing the hip joint, we believe that the technique of capsular reconstruction is useful in this difficult group of patients.     

Biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of 131I-labeled LEX 032, a recombinant hybrid of antichymotrypsin

Computed tomographic (CT) scans were performed after closed reduction of 68 dislocated hips in 53 infants in spica casts with developmental hip dislocation (DDH). Ten measurements were made on the CT scans including acetabular indices and anteversion, hip-abduction angle, lateral and posterior displacement of the femur from the acetabulum, and femoral displacement from a modified Shenton's line drawn from the pubic rami. By using analysis of variance, the correlation of each variable with outcome after reduction was determined, including the development of avascular necrosis or the need for further surgery because of residual dysplasia. None of the variables was predictive of the outcome of persistent hip dysplasia. The subsequent development of avascular necrosis was statistically associated with hip-abduction angles >55 degrees as measured on postreduction CT scans, with 20% of the involved hips developing avascular necrosis on subsequent follow-up.     

Dislocations of the upper extremity in children

Traumatic dislocations and subluxations of the upper extremity in children have been surveyed. The elbow joint is most commonly dislocated and is dislocated more frequently in children than in adults. Severe neurovascular injury may be associated with dislocation of this joint. The most common subluxation is that of the radial head, secondary to a "pulled elbow." Otherwise dislocations and subluxations of the upper extremity are uncommon in children, apparently because of the relative weakness of the epiphyseal plate. Most of these injuries are the result of predictable indirect forces. Principles of reduction and immobilization are based on the unique anatomic structure of the joint involved and the known anatomic disruption resulting from the trauma.     

Bilateral central acetabular fracture dislocations secondary to sustained myoclonus

This case report presents a patient with bilateral central acetabular fracture dislocations secondary to sustained myoclonus treated with delayed bilateral total hip arthroplasty. This is an unusual mechanism of injury, but is similar to other uncontrolled muscular contractions, such as electroconvulsive therapy and seizures. Because of ongoing myoclonus, the patient initially was treated nonoperatively. The patient then successfully had staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty 15 months after injury. This case exemplifies that forceful, uncontrolled muscular contraction can cause bilateral symmetric fracture dislocations. In patients with a history of seizure or myoclonic contracture with subsequent pain or loss of function, radiographs are indicated and skeletal fracture or joint dislocation must be ruled out. Secondary reconstruction can be recommended when the patient is medically stable.     

Dislocation in total hip arthroplasties

In a series of 1,443 total hip arthroplasties performed between 1970 and 1975, dislocation was the most frequent complication and its incidence was found to be increasing. Dislocatin was frequently associated with component malposition that the surgeon was not aware of at the time of surgery and was relatively frequent among less experienced surgeons. It was especially frequent if the patient had had previous hip surgery and was related to the difficulty of the surgery rather than the primary hip disease. Increasing incidence was associated with change in operative technique and less stringent patient selection. Dislocation was 2 1/2 times more frequent if trochanteric osteotomy was not performed. The tip of the greater trochanter was moved significantly closer to the center of the prosthetic head in the patients who dislocated. Traction for up to three weeks did not lower the incidence of subsequent dislocation compared with mobilization of the patients as soon as tolerated after dislocation. Surgery was effective in preventing further dislocations in patients with recurrent dislocation and component malposition. The use of an articulated prosthesis is not recommended.     

Post-traumatic problem cases involving the elbow in children]

In the last 20 years 49 children with gross posttraumatic elbow deformities have been treated in our hospital: 19 patients with an overlooked radial head dislocation, 12 children with a radial condyle deformity and 19 patients with a severe radial head deformity. SECONDARY TREATMENT: In the majority of cases secondary surgical procedures led to unsatisfying results. Only 4 patients with a pseudarthrosis of the radial condyle were treated secondarily. Surgical fixation led to good functional results but was not able to remove the joint deformity. Overlooked radial head dislocations were treated by ulnar osteotomy in 17 cases. We were able to follow up 13 of these: a redislocation had taken place in 8 of them. Functional impairment was found in 6 redislocated cases and in 2 children with a correct position of the radial head. In patients with gross radial head deformities arthrolysis was performed. The radial head had to be taken out in 7 cases. Functional results of pro- and supination were unsatisfactory. INITIAL TREATMENT AND CAUSES: Persistent dislocations of the radial head had been overlooked initially. In 9 out of 12 cases with a radial condyle deformity a conservatively treated dislocated fracture had led to a pseudarthrosis. In the remaining 2 cases the fracture fragments had been fixated in an incorrect position. Radial head deformities were seen after dislocated radial head fractures which had been treated by open reduction, internal fixation, longterm immobilization (6-8 weeks) and excessive physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: In 47 out of 49 cases posttraumatic deformities were either caused by delayed an neglected treatment or traumatic and excessive therapy methods. An adequate initial diagnosis and therapy can prevent more than 90% of severe posttraumatic elbow deformities in children.     

Dislocation and instability complicating low friction arthroplasty of the hip joint

Among the complications in a series of 1,400 consecutive Charnley low friction arthroplasty procedures, there were 8 dislocations, and 3 highly unstable hips. Three dislocations followed severe trauma, in 2 of the 3 there was only fibrous union of the greater trochanter. In all but 2 of the hips, more than one previous operation had been performed. More than one technical fault was evident in most dislocations. Six of the 8 dislocations required reoperation. Meticulous attention to the Charnley procedure, including soft tissue elements of the hip joint is necessary to avoid instability and dislocation following total hip arthroplasty.     

CT appearances of ossicular injuries

Trauma of the ossicular chain is a frequent complication of temporal bone injury. Skull trauma from blows to the temporal, parietal, or occipital region (with or without fracture of the temporal bone) is the main cause of ossicular injury; other modes of injury are rare. Ossicular injury usually occurs as a dislocation, of which there are five types: incudostapedial joint separation, incudomalleolar joint separation, dislocation of the incus, dislocation of the malleoincudal complex, and stapediovestibular dislocation. Fracture of the malleus, incus, or stapes is uncommon. High-resolution computed tomography is the method of choice for evaluation of ossicular trauma. Joint separation and fracture of the stapes are seen on axial images; coronal images may aid visualization. Both axial and coronal images are needed for evaluation of a dislocated malleus or incus. Fracture of the malleus or incus is detected with axial or coronal images; reformatted images may also be useful.     

Salvage of a recurrently dislocating total hip prosthesis with use of a constrained acetabular component. A retrospective analysis of fifty-six cases

Fifty-six constrained acetabular components were placed, between April 1988 and February 1993, in fifty-five patients who had had recurrent dislocations (average, six dislocations; range, two to twenty dislocations) of the femoral component after a previous total hip arthroplasty. All patients had additional factors contributing to the instability of the implant, including absence or disruption of the abductor mechanism, poor health, mental retardation, confusion, and Alzheimer disease. One patient was lost to follow-up. The remaining patients were followed clinically for a minimum of three years (average, sixty-four months; range, thirty-seven to ninety-seven months) or until the time of death. During the follow-up interval, only two (4 per cent) of the fifty-five patients had a subsequent dislocation. The use of this type of component should be considered for patients who have recurrent dislocation if other treatment modalities are unlikely to be effective.     

Combined procedure of open reduction and shortening of the femur in treatment of congenital dislocation of the hips in older children

A one-stage, combined operative procedure for reduction of congenitally dislocated hips in older children consists of shortening of the femur; open reduction by an inferior approach to the joint; reconstruction of the acetabular roof; correction of anteversion of both the femoral neck and the neck-shaft angle; anterior transposition of the iliopsoas muscle. On 60 hips operated in children, ages 5 to 15 with a follow-up period, ranging from 5 to 9 years, the results were found to be excellent in 3 per cent, good in 60 per cent, fair in 30 per cent, and poor in 7 per cent. The procedure is indicated in children up to the time of early puberty. The primary indication is high bilateral dislocation. In unilateral dislocations some residual leg-length discrepancy frequently occurs. This procedure should be done only by orthopedic surgeons who have special training and experience in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip.     

Is routine computed tomographic (CT) scanning necessary in suspected basal skull fractures?

The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the yield of routine fine-cut computed tomographic (CT) scans in patients with suspected basal skull injuries. Over an 8 month period in 1994, 500 consecutive head-injured patients were examined for clinical signs of basal skull fracture and underwent fine-cut (5 mm) CT scans through the skull base in addition to standard (10 mm) cuts through the vault. Clinical signs were present in 144 patients (144/500, 28.8 per cent) of which 75 (75/144, 52 per cent) had corresponding CT evidence of fracture. A further 22 patients (22/500, 4.4 per cent) had no clinical signs but fractures were seen on CT. The presence of cranial nerve injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, epistaxis, periorbital bruising, and two or more signs, were more likely to be associated with positive CT scans (P < 0.001, chi 2 tests). The incidence of associated mass lesions was 50.5 per cent, of which 55.1 per cent required craniotomy. This was significantly higher than in patients without evidence of skull base fracture (16.6 per cent) (P < 0.001, chi 2 27.165). Six patients, two of whom had meningitis, required surgical repair of the dural defects seen on CT. The diagnostic yield of routine fine-cut CT scans in this sub-type of head injury is 52 per cent, and is of value in detecting associated mass lesions or significant dural defects which may require surgical intervention.     

Surgical management of hip dislocation in children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a rare disease with multiple joint contractures. It is widely believed that bilaterally dislocated hips should not be reduced since movement is satisfactory and open reduction has had poor results. Since 1977 we have performed a new method of open reduction using an extensive anterolateral approach on ten hips in five children with AMC. The mean age at surgery was 31.5 months (17 to 64) and the mean follow-up was 11.8 years (3.8 to 19.5). At the final follow-up all children walked without crutches or canes. Two managed independently, one required a long leg brace and two had short leg braces because of knee and/or foot problems. The clinical results were good in eight hips and fair in two and on the Severin classification seven hips were rated as good (group I or group II). We recommend the extensive anterolateral approach for unilateral or bilateral dislocation of the hip in children with arthrogryposis or developmental dislocation of the hip.     

Traumatic hip dislocation with spontaneous reduction and capsular interposition. A report of 2 children

We present 2 cases of posterolateral hip dislocation in children followed by spontaneous reduction and interposition of soft tissue. After reduction of a dislocated hip joint, interposition of soft tissues or fracture fragments must be excluded. When reduction has occurred spontaneously, the condition may be misjudged, correct treatment delayed and the hip joint permanently damaged, as occurred in one of our cases. In the second case, prompt surgery was undertaken and the patient recovered completely.     

Clinical features and treatment of joint dislocations in Larsen's syndrome. Report of three cases in one family

Of 3 cases of Larsen's syndrome in one family, one had bilateral dislocation of the hip and the knee joints. The knee joint was not reduced by manipulation and corrective cast, while both hip and knee joints were simultaneously reduced by skeletal traction of the tibia at the age of 4 months, and the course was satisfactory. Reduction of joint dislocations should be attempted by a conservative method such as skeletal traction as early as possible. Various radiographic skeletal abnormalities occurred in all 3 cases. Larsen's syndrome very likely has a genetic origin.     

Salvage of total hip instability with a constrained acetabular component

Between April 1988 and February 1993, 101 constraining acetabular components were implanted into 98 patients. One patient was lost to followup at 8 months. Otherwise, all patients were observed until death or for at least 2 years minimum followup. The average clinical followup for the living patients was 61 months (range, 24-97 months). Indications for the use of the constrained acetabular components were recurrent dislocation (an average of six dislocations, range 2-20) in 56 cases, intraoperative instability in 38 cases, and neurologic impairment in seven cases. For the entire group there were four cases of recurrent dislocation or failure of the component (4%). For the cases where this component was used for recurrent dislocation, 96% (54 of 56 cases) had no additional dislocations. Radiographically, at this short term followup, there was no evidence of an increased incidence of femoral or acetabular component loosening. The authors recommend judicious use of this component as a salvage measure for desperate cases of hip instability during or after total hip arthroplasty.     

Anterior dislocation of the shoulder in elderly patients

Of 545 consecutive patients with anterior shoulder dislocations, 108 (20%) were aged 60 years or more at the time of injury. We reviewed and radiographed 95 of these elderly patients after a mean follow-up of 7.1 years. Axillary nerve injuries were seen in 9.3% of the 108 patients, but all recovered completely in 3 to 12 months. There were single or multiple recurrences of dislocation in 21 patients (22.1%), but within this group age had no influence on the tendency to redislocate. Tears of the rotator-cuff were diagnosed by imaging studies or clinically in 58 patients (61%), including all who had redislocations. Sixteen patients required surgery. Eight with a single dislocation and a cuff tear had only repair of the torn cuff. Of the eight patients with multiple dislocations requiring operation, five also had a torn cuff and needed either a stabilising procedure and a cuff repair or repair of the cuff only. All patients who were operated on had a satisfactory result, with the exception of those with multiple redislocations and a cuff tear who had repair of the cuff only. Anterior shoulder dislocation in elderly subjects is more common than is generally believed; 20% suffer redislocation and 60% have a cuff tear. Operation may be needed to repair a torn cuff or to stabilise the shoulder. Patients with multiple redislocations will probably require both procedures.     

Lateral subtalar dislocation: review of the literature and case presentation

Lateral subtalar joint dislocations are rare injuries which are usually the result of a violent eversional force, driving the talar head medially and displacing the rest of the foot laterally. Associated fractures and obstruction to closed reduction are more common with lateral than medial dislocations. Avascular necrosis of the talus and navicular as well as subtalar instability may result from these injuries. Severe post-traumatic subtalar arthritis may warrant triple arthrodesis. Prompt closed reduction of lateral subtalar dislocation is recommended to avoid soft-tissue or neurovascular compromise. A short period of immobilization limits loss of subtalar range of motion. Open reduction may be required, particularly with entrapment of the posterior tibial tendon or obstructing fracture fragments. A case of lateral subtalar joint dislocation is presented.     

99mTc-HMPAO SPECT of the brain in mild to moderate traumatic brain injury patients: compared with CT--a prospective study

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with Technetium-99m hexamethyl propylenamine oxime (Tc-99m-HMPAO) was used in 20 patients with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) to evaluate the effects of brain trauma on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). SPECT scan was compared with CT scan in 16 patients. SPECT showed intraparenchymal differences in rCBF more often than lesions diagnosed with CT scans (87.5% vs. 37.5%). In five of six patients with lesions in both modalities, the area of involvement was relatively larger on SPECT scans than on CT scans. Contrecoup changes were seen in five patients on SPECT alone, two patients with CT alone and one patient had contrecoup lesions on CT and SPECT. Of the eight patients (50%) with skull fractures, seven (43.7%) had rCBF findings on SPECT scan and five (31.3%) demonstrated decrease in rCBF in brain underlying the fracture. All these patients with fractures had normal brain on CT scans. Conversely, extra-axial lesions and fractures evident on CT did not visualize on SPECT, but SPECT demonstrated associated changes in rCBF. Although there is still lack of clinical and pathological correlation, SPECT appears to be a promising method for a more sensitive evaluation of axial lesions in patients with mild to moderate TBI.