Citations

ObjectiveTo present a case of ultrasonic diagnosis and nonoperative management of a complete proximal rectus femoris avulsion in a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 soccer goalkeeper.BackgroundWhile delivering a goal kick, a previously uninjured 24-year-old collegiate soccer goalkeeper had the sudden onset of right anterior thigh pain. He underwent rehabilitation with rapid resolution of his presenting pain but frequent intermittent recurrence of anterior thigh pain. After he was provided a definitive diagnosis with musculoskeletal ultrasound, he underwent an extended period of rehabilitation and eventually experienced complete recovery without recurrence.Differential DiagnosisRectus femoris avulsion, rectus femoris strain or partial tear, inguinal hernia, or acetabular labral tear.TreatmentOperative and nonoperative options were discussed. In view of the player's recovery, nonoperative options were pursued with a good result.UniquenessComplete proximal rectus femoris avulsions are rare. Our case contributes to the debate on whether elite-level kicking and running athletes can return to full on-field performance without surgery.ConclusionsComplete proximal rectus femoris avulsions can be treated effectively using nonoperative measures with good preservation of function even in the elite-level athlete. In addition, musculoskeletal ultrasound is an excellent tool for on-site evaluation and may help guide prognosis and management.

Context Although primary bone tumors are extremely rare, the literature suggests that there are variations in the epidemiologic characteristics in different populations. The most frequently cited epidemiologic characteristics of primary bone tumors are derived from a large US series (Mayo Clinic), with no comparable study thus far performed in China. Objective To identify any potential epidemiologic differences between Chinese patients and a US series of patients. Design We performed a comparison study between 9200 patients treated at Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital (JST) and 10 165 patients treated at Mayo Clinic (MC), Rochester Minnesota. Detailed epidemiologic features were analyzed. Results We found that giant cell tumor and osteosarcoma have significantly higher incidences in the JST than the MC patients (P < .001). However, JST patients had a significantly lower incidence of Ewing sarcoma, chordoma, fibrosarcoma, myeloma, and malignant lymphoma (P < .001). For most benign and malignant bone tumors, the Chinese cohort had a more distinct male predominance than the US cohort. Malignant bone tumors had a monomodal age distribution in the JST patient group, with a bimodal age distribution in the MC cohort. Also, there were was a predilection for tumors of the femur and tibia among the JST patients (P < .001). Conclusions Our data confirm that epidemiologic variations of primary bone tumors exist in different populations. Factors that may contribute to these observed differences are proposed and discussed.

OBJECT Despite the growing epidemic of falls, the true incidence of peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) in this patient population remains largely unknown. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of 839,210 fall-injured patients who were registered in the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) between 2009 and 2011 and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Regression techniques were used to investigate the association of demographic and socioeconomic factors with the rate of PNIs in this patient population. The association of age with the incidence of PNIs was also investigated. RESULTS Overall, 3151 fall-injured patients (mean age 39.1 years, 33.3% females) sustained a PNI (0.4% of all falls). The respective incidence of PNIs was 2.7 per 1000 patients for ground-level falls, 4.9 per 1000 patients for multilevel falls, and 4.5 per 1000 patients for falls involving force. This demonstrated a rapid increase in the first 2 decades of life, with a maximum rate of 1.1% of all falls in the 3rd decade, followed by a slower decline and eventual plateau in the 7th decade. In a multivariable analysis, the association of PNIs with age followed a similar pattern with patients 20–29 years of age, demonstrating the highest association (OR 2.34 [95% CI 2.0–2.74] in comparison with the first decade of life). Falls involving force (OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.14–1.37] in comparison with multilevel falls) were associated with a higher incidence of PNIs. On the contrary, female sex (OR 0.87 [95% CI 0.80–0.84]) and ground-level falls (OR 0.79 [95% CI 0.72–0.86]) were associated with a lower rate of PNIs. CONCLUSIONS Utilizing a comprehensive national database, the authors demonstrated that PNIs are more common than previously described in fall-injured patients and identified their age distribution. These injuries are associated with young adults and falls of high kinetic energy.

SummaryMultiple myeloma (MM) is a tumor of indolent, bone marrow (BM) localized, isotype‐switched plasma cells. Recently, the diagnostic criteria have been amended to include some patients who would previously have been diagnosed with ultra‐high‐risk smoldering MM and benefit from immediate treatment. Genetically it can be divided into tumors with different recurrent immunoglobulin heavy chain gene translocations (4p16, 11q13, 6p21, 16q23, 20q11) and tumors characterized by hyperdiploidy with multiple trisomies. Recent genomic studies have shown that almost half of untreated patients have a genetic rearrangements of the MYC locus that result in juxtaposition of ectopic super‐enhancers adjacent to MYC, as well as somatic mutations that activate the RAS/MAPK pathway (NRAS, KRAS, BRAF, FGFR3). Mutations that result in constitutive activation of the NFkB pathway and that inactivate TP53, CDKN2C, KDM6A, FAM46C, and DIS3 are also recurrent. A major insight from these studies has been the recognition of the high degree of subclonal heterogeneity in MM, which is more frequent in patients with high‐risk genetics. The subclones may alternate in dominance under alternating therapeutic pressure, a phenomenon known as ‘clonal tides’. The identification of marked subclonal heterogeneity argues in those patients for the use of therapeutic strategies to maximize response, and long‐term suppressive therapies to prevent tumor regrowth and development of additional subclones.

SummaryIntroductionThe performance of factor XI activity (FXI) by laboratories in the North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratory Association proficiency testing program was analyzed.MethodsOver 10 years (2003–2013), 80 samples were distributed; 33–55 laboratories participated per exercise providing 3833 total responses. Analysis was performed on numeric results and qualitative classification of results.ResultsThe sample FXI levels ranged from 3.8 to 154.0 IU/dL. The overall interlaboratory average coefficient of variation (CV%) was 17.5%; the CV was higher for a sample with low (3.8 IU/dL) FXI. Results were correctly classified as abnormal (100%) for a sample with 3.8 IU/dL FXI and normal/borderline normal (97.7%) for 45 samples with 80 to < 140 IU/dL FXI. The classification was heterogeneous for samples with FXI of 50 to < 80 IU/dL. Six specimens were repeat‐tested from 2007 to 2013. The mean FXI was not significantly different in laboratories using the same method on both exercises, suggesting good intralaboratory precision over time. Univariate analysis of data from 2011 to 2012 did not find a consistent significant difference among the activators, analyzers, calibrators, and FXI‐deficient plasmas.ConclusionLaboratories generally performed well in assessment of FXI based on interlaboratory precision when FXI >30 IU/dL and on classification of samples with very low or normal FXI.

Background Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a condition that may develop following breast cancer surgery and that presents as a palpable axillary cord of tissue. Objective The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine the clinical characteristics of AWS related to movement, function, pain, and postoperative edema and (2) to define the incidence of and risk factors for AWS within the first 3 months following breast cancer surgery. Design This was a prospective cohort study with a repeated-measures design. Methods Women who underwent breast cancer surgery with sentinel node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection (N=36) were assessed for AWS, shoulder range of motion, function, pain, and postoperative edema (using girth measurements, bioimpedance, and tissue dielectric constant) at 2, 4, and 12 weeks. Demographic characteristics were used for risk analysis. Results Seventeen women (47.2%) developed AWS, and AWS persisted in 10 participants (27.8%) at 12 weeks. Abduction range of motion was significantly lower in the AWS group compared with the non-AWS group at 2 and 4 weeks. There were no differences between groups in measurements of function, pain, or edema at any time point. Trunk edema measured by dielectric constant was present in both groups, with an incidence of 55%. Multivariate analysis determined lower body mass index as being significantly associated with AWS (odds ratio=0.86; 95% confidence interval=0.74, 1.00). Limitations Limitations included a short follow-up time and a small sample size. Conclusion Axillary web syndrome is prevalent following breast/axilla surgery for early-stage breast cancer and may persist beyond 12 weeks. The early consequences include movement restriction, but the long-term effects of persistent AWS cords are yet unknown. Low body mass index is considered a risk factor for AWS.