Background: Intramedullary nail fixation is commonly used for prophylactic stabilization of impending and fixation of complete pathological fractures of the long bones. However, metallic artifacts... Show moreBackground: Intramedullary nail fixation is commonly used for prophylactic stabilization of impending and fixation of complete pathological fractures of the long bones. However, metallic artifacts complicate imaging evaluation for bone healing or tumor progression and postoperative radiation planning. Carbon-fiber implants have gained popularity as an alternative, given their radiolucency and superior axial bending. This study evaluates incidences of mechanical and nonmechanical complications.Methods: Adult patients (age 18 years and older) treated with carbon-fiber nails for impending/complete pathological long bone fractures secondary to metastases from 2013 to 2020 were analyzed for incidences and risk factors of mechanical and nonmechanical complications. Mechanical complications included aseptic screw loosening and structural failures of host bone and carbon-fiber implants. Deep infection and tumor progression were considered nonmechanical. Other complications/adverse events were also reported.Results: A total of 239 patients were included; 47% were male, and 53% were female, with a median age of 68 (IQR, 59 to 75) years. Most common secondary metastases were related to breast cancer (19%), lung cancer (19%), multiple myeloma (18%), and sarcoma (13%). In total, 17 of 30 patients with metastatic sarcoma received palliative intramedullary nail fixation for impending/complete pathological fractures, and 13 of 30 received prophylactic nail stabilization of bone radiated preoperatively to manage juxta-osseous soft-tissue sarcomas, where partial resection of the periosteum or bone was necessary for negative margin resection. 33 (14%) patients had complications. Mechanical failures included 4 (1.7%) structural host bone failures, 7 (2.9%) implant structural failures, and 1 (0.4%) aseptic loosening of distal locking screws. Nonmechanical failures included 8 (3.3%) peri-implant infections and 15 (6.3%) tumor progressions with implant contamination. The 90-day and 1-year mortalities were 28% (61/239) and 53% (53/102), respectively. The literature reported comparable failure and mortality rates with conventional titanium treatment.Conclusions: Carbon-fiber implants might be an alternative for treating impending and sustained pathological fractures secondary to metastatic bone disease. The seemingly comparable complication profile warrants further cohort studies comparing carbon-fiber and titanium nail complications. Show less
Rijs, Z.; Weekhout, A.; Lozano-Calderon, S.A.; Groot, O.Q.; Berner, E.; Merchan, N.; ... ; Carbon-Fiber Int Collaboration Ini 2022
Carbon-fiber (CF) plates are a promising alternative to metal plates. However, reported experience in orthopaedic oncology remains limited. The aim of this study was to identify complications of... Show moreCarbon-fiber (CF) plates are a promising alternative to metal plates. However, reported experience in orthopaedic oncology remains limited. The aim of this study was to identify complications of patients with bone tumors treated with CF plates. Between February 2015 and May 2021, 13 centers retrospectively registered patients with bone tumors that were reconstructed using CF plates. Complications were identified, and timing and etiology of complications were noted. Similar complications were tabulated and classified based on mechanical, non-mechanical and paediatric complications. Mechanical complications included: (1) aseptic loosening or graft-host non-union, and (2) structural complications. Non-mechanical complications included: (3) soft tissue complications, (4) infection and (5) tumor progression. Specific paediatric complications included (6) growth arrest resulting in longitudinal or angular deformity. Ninety-six patients were included with a median follow-up time of 35 months. In total, 22 (23%) patients had complications. Mechanical complications included: 1 (1%) aseptic loosening, 2 (2%) non-unions, and 7 (7%) structural complications. Non-mechanical complications included 1 (1%) soft tissue complication, 4 (4%) infections and 5 (5%) tumor progressions. Paediatric complications occurred in 2 (2%) patients. This study suggests CF plates are safe to use in demanding reconstructions after bone tumor resections, presenting a seemingly low complication profile. Show less
Singh, B.; Lant, S.; Cividini, S.; Cattrall, J.W.S.; Goodwin, L.C.; Benjamin, L.; ... ; Brain Infect Global COVID-Neuro Ne 2022
BackgroundNeurological COVID-19 disease has been reported widely, but published studies often lack information on neurological outcomes and prognostic risk factors. We aimed to describe the... Show moreBackgroundNeurological COVID-19 disease has been reported widely, but published studies often lack information on neurological outcomes and prognostic risk factors. We aimed to describe the spectrum of neurological disease in hospitalised COVID-19 patients; characterise clinical outcomes; and investigate factors associated with a poor outcome.MethodsWe conducted an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of hospitalised patients with neurological COVID-19 disease, using standard case definitions. We invited authors of studies from the first pandemic wave, plus clinicians in the Global COVID-Neuro Network with unpublished data, to contribute. We analysed features associated with poor outcome (moderate to severe disability or death, 3 to 6 on the modified Rankin Scale) using multivariable models.ResultsWe included 83 studies (31 unpublished) providing IPD for 1979 patients with COVID-19 and acute new-onset neurological disease. Encephalopathy (978 [49%] patients) and cerebrovascular events (506 [26%]) were the most common diagnoses. Respiratory and systemic symptoms preceded neurological features in 93% of patients; one third developed neurological disease after hospital admission. A poor outcome was more common in patients with cerebrovascular events (76% [95% CI 67-82]), than encephalopathy (54% [42-65]). Intensive care use was high (38% [35-41]) overall, and also greater in the cerebrovascular patients. In the cerebrovascular, but not encephalopathic patients, risk factors for poor outcome included breathlessness on admission and elevated D-dimer. Overall, 30-day mortality was 30% [27-32]. The hazard of death was comparatively lower for patients in the WHO European region.InterpretationNeurological COVID-19 disease poses a considerable burden in terms of disease outcomes and use of hospital resources from prolonged intensive care and inpatient admission; preliminary data suggest these may differ according to WHO regions and country income levels. The different risk factors for encephalopathy and stroke suggest different disease mechanisms which may be amenable to intervention, especially in those who develop neurological symptoms after hospital admission. Show less
