Conversion hip arthroplasty for failed nailing of intertrochanteric fracture: Reflections on some important aspects

In this editorial,I present my comments on the article by Solarino et al.Conversion hip arthroplasty,which is an optional salvage procedure performed following unsuccessful fixation of intertrochanteric femur fractures in elderly pati-ents,entails more complex processes and higher rates of operative complications than primary arthroplasty.Hence,it is important to consider the appropriateness of the primary treatment choice,as well as the adequacy of nailing fixation for intertrochanteric fractures.This article briefly analyzes the possible factors contributing to the nailing failure of intertrochanteric fractures and attempts to find corresponding countermeasures to prevent fixation failures.It also analyzes the choice of treatment between nailing fixation and primary arthroplasty for intertrochanteric fractures.

Surgical treatment of an old avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity and ischial ramus: A case report

BACKGROUND Avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity is a relatively clinically rare type of trauma that is mainly incurred by adolescents during competitive sports activities.According to previous literature,the most commonly involved sports are soccer,sprinting,and gymnastics,in descending order.Dance-induced avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity and ischial ramus is extremely clinically rare.CASE SUMMARY A case of a neglected avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity and ischial ramus was diagnosed in a young female dancer who complained of pain and restricted movement of her right hip.She stated that she had suffered the injury while performing a split leap during a dance performance 9 mo prior.Eventually,she underwent surgery and obtained satisfactory treatment results.CONCLUSION Early diagnosis of these fractures is important to ensuring early proper treatment towards a quicker recovery.For old fractures with nonunion and chronic buttock pain,surgery is a preferred therapeutic choice with good treatment outcomes.

Assessment of clinical outcomes of advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Low resectability and poor survival outcome are common for hilar cholangiocarcinoma(HCCA), especially in advanced stages. The present study was to assess the clinical outcome of advanced HCCA, focusing on therapeutic modalities, survival analysis and prognostic assessment.Methods: Clinical data of 176 advanced HCCA patients who had been treated in our hospital between January 2013 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Prognostic effects of clinicopathological factors were explored by univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival predictors were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve.Results: The 3-year overall survival rate was 13% for patients with advanced HCCA. Preoperative total bilirubin(P = 0.009), hepatic artery invasion(P = 0.014) and treatment modalities(P = 0.020) were independent prognostic factors on overall survival. A model combining these independent prognostic factors(area under ROC curve: 0.748; 95% CI: 0.678–0.811; sensitivity: 82.3%, specificity: 53.5%) was highly predictive of tumor death. After R0 resection, the 3-year overall survival was up to 38%. Preoperative total bilirubin was still an independent negative factor, but not for hepatic artery invasion.Conclusions: Surgery is still the best treatment for advanced HCCA. Preoperative biliary drainage should be performed in highly-jaundiced patients to improve survival. Prediction of survival is improved significantly by a model that incorporates preoperative total bilirubin, hepatic artery invasion and treatment modalities.

Isolated cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the ulna in an immunocompetent patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Cryptococcal osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by cryptococcus.As an opportunistic infection,bone cryptococcosis usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiency diseases or in those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy and often displays characteristics of disseminated disease.Isolated cryptococcal osteomyelitis is extremely unusual in immunocompetent person.The pathogenic fungus often invades vertebrae,femur,tibia,rib,clavicle,pelvis,and humerus,but the ulna is a rare target.CASE SUMMARY A 79-year-old woman complaining of chronic pain,skin ulceration and a sinus on her right forearm was admitted,and soon after was diagnosed with cryptococcal osteomyelitis in the right ulna.Unexpectedly,she was also found to have apparently normal immunity.After treatment with antifungal therapy combined with surgery debridement,the patient’s osteomyelitis healed with a satisfactory outcome.CONCLUSION Although rare,cryptococcal osteomyelitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of osteolytic lesions even in immunocompetent patients,and good outcomes can be expected if early definitive diagnosis and etiological treatment are established.