Introduction: The problems of the differential diagnosis (d.d.) between musculoskeletal infections and tumours are generally uncommon because both pathologies are quite rare. This is not the experience at the G. Pini Orthopaedic Institute where there are two Units specialized on bone infections and bone tumours and their clinicians often consult each other for difficult cases. Material and Methods: On the basis of this experience, the A.A. revised clinical and radiological criteria of d.d. between acute or chronic osteomyelitis and different histotypes of musculoskeletal tumours. In particular they examined the type and the course of the symptoms, the laboratory data, the site of the lesions and the characteristics of the imaging, both for bone damages and for soft tissues invasion. Afterwards they compared this revision whit the experience of the cases consulted each other. Results: D.d. of acute osteomyelitis include Ewing sarcoma, Osteosarcoma and Eosinofilìe granuloma, especially in children; d.d. of chronic and deep lesions (axial skeleton) in adults include lymphoma and metastasis; in the epiphysis d.d. can involve also benign lesions. This work allowed the A.A. to identify some guidelines that they consider suitable. Time, possibilities and limits of the imaging techniques like bone scans, CT and MRI are outlined, likewise time and types of direct examination of the lesions by puncture or biopsy, that was necessary in many cases, are proposed. Conclusions: The A.A. think that these personal guidelines can help them to face easier, in the future, the difficult cases, minimizing both diagnostics and therapeutics delays and mistakes

Aim: The differential diagnosis between chondroma and grade I chondrosarcoma still represents a challenge. There are always cases in which a perfect diagnosis can’t be done for sure. This cases are defined in literature with different synonyms such as: borderline chondrosarcoma, grade 0 chondrosarcoma, atypical enchondroma or in situ chondrosarcoma. Enchondroma are benign lesions that do not require a surgical treatment. Low grade chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumour that can recur and also if in a low percentage of cases can metastasize. Methods: The Authors reviewed 22 cases of chondrosarcoma of the limbs for clinical, radiographycal and histological features. Results: Pain was present in 80% of cases of low grade chondrosarcoma, while was absent in enchondroma. Radiographic analysis was not significative. Bone scan was often positive in low grade chondrosarcoma as in enchondroma. Histology demonstrated a permeative pattern in chondrosarcoma with infiltration of the bone trabeculae. Conclusions: Only the complete evaluation of the patient resulted in a correct diagnosis. Follow-up of patients confirmed our findings

Identification of modalities and procedures to improve the differential diagnosis of septic and aseptic cases in patients with joint-related pain after total hip or knee alloplasty (THA/TKA). A prospective cohort of 147 patients presenting with problems related to previous THA or TKA was included and subjected to a comprehensive diagnostic algorithm. The standard diagnostics were supplemented with novel or improved methods for sampling of clinical specimens, sonication of retrieved implant parts, prolonged and effective culture of microorganisms, and dedicated clinical samples for molecular biological detection and identification of microorganisms. Furthermore, comprehensive pain investigations and nuclear imaging were employed. For each case the clinical management was decided upon in a clinical conference with participation of clinical microbiologist, orthopedics and experts in nuclear imaging. The clinical management of patients was blinded against the molecular biological detection of microorganisms. Patients grouped as follows: 69 aseptic, 19 acute septic, 19 chronic septic, 40 pain/unresolved. Sonication of retrieved implant parts resulted in detection of biofilm not detected by standard specimens, i.e. joint fluid and periprosthetic tissue biopsies. Next generation sequencing detected and identified few infections not detected by culture. Molecular analyses showed more polymicrobial infections than culture. Nuclear imaging was inconclusive with respect to recommendation of changed setup. Analysis of blood based biomarkers is ongoing. Patients with chronic pain are undergoing follow-up. The special emphasis put on detection of infections resulted in detection of infections in joints that otherwise would have been categorized as aseptic loosening. Clinical management for these cases was changed accordingly. The cross-disciplinary clinical conference is considered valuable for clinical management. The clinical relevance of the polymicrobial nature of infections as diagnosed employing next generation sequencing is yet to be established. Long-term follow-up is planned

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical notes and radiographs of children with proven non-accident injury (NAI) who had sustained long bone fractures between 1997 and 2002, and compared them to the clinical and radiological appearances of 32 osteogenisis imperfecta (OI) patients, seen over the last 20 years, who sustained fractures before the age of one year. In the five-year period, 501 children had NAI. Sexual abuse was involved in 35%, soft tissue injuries in 31%, head injuries in 26% and long bone fractures in 3.6% (18 children). The mean age of these 18 children was 11 months. Six had more than one fracture, and there were 29 fractures (15 femora, five humeri, three elbows, two forearms, two clavicles and two tibiae). Fifty-seven percent of fractures were diaphyseal and 43% were metaphyseal. There were only three metaphyseal buckle or corner lesions (distal femur). In none of these children were there radiological features of osseous fragility, i.e., osteopoenia, anterolateral bowing of the femur and tibia and gracile bones (thin bones with thin cortices). Of the 32 OA patients, 23 were Sillence type I. There was a positive family history in 84% and 95% had blue sclera and Wormian bones. One patient was unclassifiable. All OI patients had fractures in the first year of life, 38% of them occurring perinatally. All had femoral fractures, with or without other fractures, and 90% were diaphyseal. Two or more features of osseous fragility were present in all type-III and 20 type-I patients. Three type-I patients and the unclassifiable patient had osteopoenia only, without bowing or gracile bones. Howeve, three of the four had a positive family history and all had blue sclera and Wormian bones. In all patients, the differential diagnosis between NAI and OI could be made radiologically. The family history, blue sclera and Wormian bones were adjuncts

Giant synovial cyst is commonly seen in association with rheumatoid arthritis. The Baker’s cyst around the knee is the commonest example but it has also been described at the elbow and hip. The possibility of a synovial cyst around the hip is unfamiliar to most clinicians including those who regularly deal with inguinal swellings and those specialising in musculoskeletal conditions. This is often overlooked as a cause of symptoms in inguinal area and lower limb. We present a report on two patients in whom abnormal pulsatile masses in the groin caused diagnostic difficulty. Patients were initially admitted under vascular surgeons with a clinical diagnosis of aneurysm. Ultrasound examination was useful in excluding aneurysm. Detailed clinical examination revealed painful restricted hip movements and an X–ray showed evidence of arthritis in hip joint. CT Scan confirmed it to be a synovial cyst. Computed Arthrotomogram or Arthrography showed communication of the cyst with hip joint. Synovial cysts and iliopsoas bursa enlargement may be more common than previously reported. They may present as a pulsatile mass due to close proximity to femoral vessels and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with unusual inguinal swelling

Introduction: The incidence of tuberculosis has increased by almost 30% annually in the UK. Orthopaedic surgeons are more likely to encounter patients affected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis [MTB]. We have reviewed the surgical and medical management of cases of MTB infecting prosthetic hip joints in patients without previous tuberculosis.

Report: A 59 year old Caucasian woman presented to us with apparent osteoarthritis hip. X-rays confirmed osteoarthritis but also revealed a lytic lesion in the greater trochanter and erosion of the superior cortex of the femoral neck. The patient had no prior history of exposure to tuberculosis and no evidence of pulmonary or osteoarticular tuberculosis. The patient was investigated preoperatively with blood tests, bone scan, CT scan, CT guided FNAC, and core biopsy. None of these showed any specific diagnostic features. She underwent a total hip replacement and was asymptomatic up to 15 months post-op when she presented with pain in the joint with an abscess over the gluteal region. The abscess was drained and special media culture grew MTB. We used 4-drug therapy for 12 months with retention of the prosthesis and a good functional result.

Discussion: Infected total hip replacement presents a management challenge and surgeons should have a high index of suspicion for Tuberculosis in recalcitrant infections where smears from infected joints are negative. The infection of a total hip replacement with MTB in patients without previous tuberculosis is very uncommon. Only 12 cases have been reported in a search of English language literature from 1966–2005.

We have analysed the wide variation in the management of these cases. The majority of authors in our review resected or revised the infected prosthesis. We are of the opinion that if the infection is clinically under control and the prosthesis is stable, medical treatment alone should suffice.

We retrospectively reviewed eight children with idiopathic chondrolysis (IC) of the hip and nine with atrophic tuberculosis (TB) of the hip treated over the 10 years 1990 to 1999. Both conditions present with a stiff hip and radiographic joint space narrowing. Our aim was to delineate clinical, radiological and histological differences between the two conditions, thereby obviating the need for biopsy in IC, which could worsen the prognosis.

In the IC group all patients were girls. Their mean age was 12 years (11.5 to 13). They presented with a flexion abduction and external rotation deformity of the hip. Chest radiographs were normal in all patients, and all except one had an ESR below 20. The Mantoux was negative in six of the eight. Radiographs showed joint space narrowing and osteopoenia, but the subchondral bony line remained present. Four of the eight had a synovial biopsy, which showed non-specific chronic synovitis. The cartilage looked pale and lustreless. In one hip the cartilage was biopsied and showed cartilage necrosis.

In the TB group, five of the nine patients were boys. The mean age was 7 years (5 to 13.5). The only constant hip deformity was flexion. Chest radiographs were normal in all patients. In all patients the ESR was below 20 and the Mantoux was positive. Hip radiographs showed osteopoenia with loss of the subchondral bony line. Peri-articular lytic lesions were present in all patients except one. Histology of synovial biopsy showed caseous necrosis in all hips, and seven of the nine had a positive culture for TB. Macroscopically the cartilage looked normal, and in one hip the cartilage biopsy was histologically normal.

We confirmed that in IC the joint space narrowing is due to cartilage necrosis. We postulate that in atrophic TB the loss of subchondral bone due to subchondral erosion gives the impression of joint space narrowing. We also concluded that IC was a diagnoses per se and not by exclusion, and that biopsy was not required.

Introduction: Hot swollen knee joints are a common presentation in clinical practice. It has wide differential diagnoses, the most serious being septic arthritis. Delayed or inadequate treatment leads to joint damage. Arthroscopic lavage should be planned appropriately after proper clinical assessment and investigation. Other differential diagnoses like crystal arthritis, reactive arthritis, monoarticular inflammatory arthritis should be considered.

Patients and Methods: This retrospective audit involved 44 patients who had arthroscopic knee lavage for suspected septic arthritis from January 2005 to May 2007. Analysis included the aspects of adequate backup supportive evidence for the procedure, the time from diagnosis to operation and postoperative antibiotic regime.

Results: There were 29 males and 15 females with age group ranging from 11 to 91 yrs. Fever was present in 15 patients(34%), preoperative joint aspiration done in 22(50%), peri-operatively pus found in 11(25%). 13 patients(29.5%) had procedure done within 6hrs, causal organism identified in 25%. Follow-up ranged upto 12 months without persistence or reactivation.

Discussion: Arthroscopic lavage is a useful adjunct in treatment of septic arthritis of knees but proper patient selection with systematic approach considering other possible differential diagnoses is important for avoiding unnecessary operations.

Introduction and Objective. Septic arthritis is an acute infective presentation of the joint calling for urgent intervention, thus making the differential diagnosis process difficult. An increase in temperature in the area containing the suspected septic arthritis is one of the clinically important findings. In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether or not the temperature changes obtained through thermal camera can be used as a new additional diagnostic tool in the differential diagnosis of septic arthritis. Materials and Methods. The study was approved by the local ethics committee as a prospective cohort. A total of 49 patients, 15 septic and 34 non-septic ones, both male and female ones from all ages admitted to the emergency room or evaluated with the consultation of another clinics who were also present with a pre-diagnosis of arthritis (septic or non-septic) in the knee (with complaints of redness, swelling, pain, effusion, increased temperature, edema, and inability to walk) were included in the study. The patients with non-joint inflammatory problems and a history of surgery in the same joint were excluded from the study. The temperature increase in the joint area with suspected septic arthritis was observed, and the difference in temperature changes of this suspicious area with the joint area of the contralateral extremity was compared after which the diagnosis of septic arthritis was confirmed by taking culture with routine intra-articular fluid aspiration, which is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. Results. The mean age of the patients was 39.89 ± 27.65°C. A significant difference was found between the group with and without septit arthritis in terms of ASO, sedimentation, and leukocyte increase in the analysis of joint fluid (p <0.05). When the thermal measurements were compared, the mean temperature was 37.93°C in the septic group, while it was 36.79°C in the non-septic group, which showed a significant difference (p <0.000∗). The mean temperature difference in both joints was 3.40°C in the septic group, while 0.94°C in the non-septic group (p <0.000∗). While the mean temperature was 37.10°C in the group with septit arthritis, it was measured to be 35.89 °C in the group without (p <0.020). A very strong positive correlation was found between the difference between the mean temperatures of both groups and the values of the hottest and coldest temperature points (r = 0.960, r = 0.902). Conclusions. In the diagnosis of septic arthritis, a thermal imager can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. With the help of this device, a quantitative value, in addition to palpation, can be given to the local temperature increase in the joint, which is an important finding in the clinic of septic arthritis. In future studies, specially designed thermal devices developed with special software for septic arthritis can be developed

Abstract. Background. Schwannomas are slow-growing, benign tumours normally originating from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. Intraosseous schwannoma accounts for 0.175% of primary bone tumours and extremely rare especially outside the axial skeleton. Monoclonal gammopathy has been associated with soft tissue schwannomas but never with the intraosseous variety. Presenting problem. A 55-year-old woman with a background of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) presented with a 2-year history of right thigh pain. CT scan showed a well defined, lytic lesion with a thin peripheral rim of sclerosis in the midshaft of the femur. MRI displayed a hyperintense, well marginated and homogenous lesion. Definitive diagnosis was made based on the classical histopathological appearance of schwannoma. Clinical management. We managed our patient with local curettage and prophylactic cephalomedullary nailing on the basis of a high mirel score. Discussion. Intraosseous schwannomas are poorly understood but most commonly reported in middle-aged women. Radiologically, their differential diagnosis includes malignant bone tumours, solitary bone cysts, aneurysmal bone cysts and giant cell tumours. As a result, they are usually diagnosed incidentally on histology. Although malignant transformation is possible in soft tissue schwannomas, all intraosseous schwannomas reported to date have been benign. This case demonstrates the importance of suspecting intraosseous schwannoma as a differential diagnosis for lytic bone lesions to avoid the overtreatment of patients. We also highlight monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance as a potential risk factor for a poorly understood disease and make recommendations about the appropriate management of these lesions. Declaration of Interest. (b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project

Aim. Improving the quality of clinical and radiologic differential diagnosis of intramedullary tumours of long bones. Methods. A database includes clinical and radiologic (X-ray, CT and MRI methods) signs of 106 patients with osteosarcoma (n = 44), chondrosarcoma (n = 31) and giant cell tumour (n = 31). Multivariate analysis of clinical and radiologic characteristics and developing informative set of criteria (decision rule) for the differential diagnosis of osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and giant cell tumour were provided with program «ASTA». Results. Before examination in Blokhin Oncology Research Centre in 70% of the osteosarcomas and chondrosarcomas and 60% of GCTs the size of the tumour was more than 8 cm. The reason of the late patients' admission to a specialized medical department is inaccurate diagnosis of these tumours. In our study diagnostic accuracy of the differential diagnosis of osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and GCT was 89% in case if the decision rules were based on 14 the most informative clinical and X-ray features, 84% if based on 14 clinical and CT features and 88% if based on 9 MRI features. The comparative analysis revealed a high accuracy in determination of these tumours by using decision rules developed on the basis of multivariate analysis of clinical and X-ray criteria. Conclusion. The comparative accuracy of the developed differential diagnostic criteria (decision rules) of clinical and X-ray, clinical and CT and MRI features proved high informative of each method. The diagnostic accuracy of clinical and X-ray decision rule (89%) exceeded the diagnostic accuracy of radiologist's examination before (62%) and after (83%) admission to Oncology Centre. It proves the necessity for further development and practical application of diagnostic expert systems

Objectives. Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis is a major challenge in orthopaedics, and no reliable parameters have been established for accurate, preoperative predictions in the differential diagnosis of aseptic loosening or PJI. This study surveyed factors in synovial fluid (SF) for improving PJI diagnosis. Methods. We enrolled 48 patients (including 39 PJI and nine aseptic loosening cases) who required knee/hip revision surgery between January 2016 and December 2017. The PJI diagnosis was established according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. SF was used to survey factors by protein array and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to compare protein expression patterns in SF among three groups (aseptic loosening and first- and second-stage surgery). We compared routine clinical test data, such as C-reactive protein level and leucocyte number, with potential biomarker data to assess the diagnostic ability for PJI within the same patient groups. Results. Cut-off values of 1473 pg/ml, 359 pg/ml, and 8.45 pg/ml were established for interleukin (IL)-16, IL-18, and cysteine-rich with EGF-like domains 2 (CRELD2), respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that these factors exhibited an accuracy of 1 as predictors of PJI. These factors represent potential biomarkers for decisions associated with prosthesis reimplantation based on their ability to return to baseline values following the completion of debridement. Conclusion. IL-16, IL-18, and CRELD2 were found to be potential biomarkers for PJI diagnosis, with SF tests outperforming blood tests in accuracy. These factors could be useful for assessing successful debridement based on their ability to return to baseline values following the completion of debridement. Cite this article: M-F. Chen, C-H. Chang, L-Y. Yang, P-H. Hsieh, H-N. Shih, S. W. N. Ueng, Y. Chang. Synovial fluid interleukin-16, interleukin-18, and CRELD2 as novel biomarkers of prosthetic joint infections. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:179–188. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.84.BJR-2018-0291.R1

Multifocal osteolytic lesions of the skeletal system are a challenge regarding diagnosis especially when multi-nucleated giant cells which are not specific for a tumour entity are found in the histological specimen. Therefore multiple differential diagnosis have to be considered such as metastases, primary malignant bone tumours, multicentric giant cell tumour of bone and brown tumours of primary hyperparathyroidism. A 49 year old woman underwent medical investigation in an external surgical department due to right hip pain after a fall. The radiologic skeletal status surprised with multiple osteolytic pelvic lesions and one tumour in the left scapula and first histological diagnosis described a giant cell tumour of bone with malignant aspects. After confirmation of this diagnosis by a second histopathological inquiry accomplished by a bone tumor specialist the patient was transferred to our tumour centre. To exclude the differential diagnosis of brown tumours a close look on the parathormon level was done which revealed an exorbitantly high serum amount of 922.7 pg/ml (normal 15–65 pg/ml). Further examination confirmed a parathyroid adenoma. After its extirpation serum levels of parathormon decreased and two months after therapy with high dose calcium substitution radiologic controls show a decline of osteolysis with bone consolidation. Brown tumours of hyperparathyroidism have always to be considered as a rare differential diagnosis of multiple giant cell containing tumours. The disease cannot be distinguished by the histological pattern but can very easily be excluded by normal parathormon levels. First step of therapy in brown tumours should be surgical extirpation of parathyroid adenomas or carcinomas followed by an endocrinological regime. Only failure of this treatment requires further surgical stabilisation of the bone lesions

The challenges faced by hip surgeons have changed over the last decade. Historically, fixation, polyethylene wear, osteolysis, loosening and failure to osseointegrate dominated the discussions at hip surgery meetings. With the introduction of highly crosslinked polyethylene, wear and osteolysis are currently not significant issues. Improved surgical technique has resulted in a high rate of osseointegration and once fixed, loosening of cementless components is rare. In this session, we will focus on issues that orthopaedic surgeons performing hip surgery routinely face including bearing couples in the young active patient, implant choices in the dysplastic hip and osteoporotic femur, evaluation and management of the unstable hip and differential diagnosis of the painful THR

Physical examination is critical to formation of a differential diagnosis in patients with ulnar-sided wrist pain. Although the specificity and sensitivity of some of those tests have been reported in the literature, the prevalence of positive findings of those provocative maneuvers has not been reported. The aim of the study is to find the prevalence of positive findings of the most commonly performed tests for ulnar sided wrist pain in a population presenting to UE surgeon clinics, and to correlate those findings with wrist arthroscopy findings. Patients with ulnar sided wrist pain were identified from a prospective database of patients presented with wrist pain from September 2014. Prevalence of positive findings for the following tests were gathered: ECU synergy test, ECU instability test (Ice cream and Fly Swatter), Lunotriquetral ballottement, Kleinman shear, triquetrum tenderness, triquetrum compression test, triquetral-hamate tenderness, pisotriquetral shuck test, ulnar fovea test, ulnocarpal impaction (UCI) maneuver, UCI maneuver with fovea pressure (ulnar carpal plus test), piano key sign. A subgroup was then created for those who underwent wrist arthroscopy, and analysis of the sensitivities, the specificities and the predictive values of these provocative tests was carried out with correlation to arthroscopic finding. Prevalence of ECU instability tests was t 1.13% (ice cream scoop) and 1.5% (fly swatter). Lunotriquetral ballottement test's positive findings range from 4.91% (excessive laxity) to 14.34% (pain reproducing symptoms. The Kleinman shear test yielded pain in 13.58% of patients, and instability in only 2.26%. Triquetrum compression test reproduces pain in 32.83% of patients, and triquetral-hamate tenderness reproduced pain in 13.21%. Pisotriquetral grind test yields 15.85% positive findings for pain, and 10.57% for crepitus with radioulnar translation. The ulnar fovea test revealed pain in 69.05% of cases. The UCI maneuver yielded pain in 70.19%. The UCI maneuver plus ulnar fovea test reproduced pain in 80.38% of cases. Finally, the piano key sign yields positive finding in 2.64% of cases. For patients who underwent surgery, sensitivities, specificities and predictive values were calculated based on arthroscopic findings. The lunotriquetral ballottement test has 59.6% sensitivity, 39.6% specificity, 20.3% positive predictive value and 85.4% negative predictive value. The sensitivity of Kleinman test was 62.4%, the specificity was 41.3%, the positive predictive value was 23.5%, and the negative predictive value was 83.2%. The sensitivity of fovea test was 94.3%, the specificity was 82.5%, the positive predictive value was 89.5% and the negative predictive value was 92.3%. The UCI maneuver plus ulnar fovea test has 96.5% sensitivity, 80.7% specificity 86.4% positive predictive value, and 95.3% negative predictive value. Among the provocative tests, the prevalence of positive findings is low in the majority of those maneuvers. The exceptions are the fovea test, the UCI maneuver, and the UCI plus maneuver. With regard to the sensitivity and the specificity of those tests, the current study reproduces the numbers reported in the literature. Of those patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy, the tests are better at predicting at the absence of injury rather than at predicting its presence

Between 1974 and 1998, 34 patients with primary bone tumors and 28 with soft tissue tumors, all located in the foot, were surgically treated at our institutions. Of the 34 patients with a bone tumor, 27 (79%) had chondrogenic tumors: exostoses, 17; enchondromas, 7; benign chondroblastomas, 2 and chondrosarcoma, 1. This chondrosarcoma was misdiagnosed as a benign chondroblastoma at the initial biopsy. Five months after the initial curettage and bone grrafting, the tumor was recurred as a chondrosarcoma. This patient died with pulmonary metastasis another five months after the below the knee (BK) amputation. The differential diagnosis between benign chondrogenic tumors and low grade chondrosarcoma is very difficult as proposed by Mirra. Whereas the malignant tumor is very rare in the foot, the diagnosis of chondrogenic tumor should be made carefully. Of the 28 soft tissue tumors, diagnoses were giant cell tumor of tendon sheath or pigmented villonodular synovitis, 8; angioleiomyoma, 4; ganglion, 4; hemangioma, 2; miscellaneous benign tumors, 7 and soft tissue sarcomas (STS), 3. All patients with a STS were treated by a BK amputation, a partial foot amputation or a marginal resection, and died with pulmonary metastasis. However the function of the operated limb and the emotional acceptance were better in a patient with the less abrasion surgery. Conclusion: The majority of bone tumor in the foot was benign chondrogenic tumor. Even if the chondrosarcoma is very rare in the foot, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis to the benign chondrogenic tumors. Less abrasion surgeries for STS are recommended on the basis of functional evaluation and patient’s emotional acceptance, when the surgical margin is adequate wide

Diagnosis of infective discitis may be difficult as presentation is usually non-specific with little symptomatology and few signs in the early stages. This dilemma is further complicated by the fact there is a long latent period between the onset of symptoms and plain radiograph changes and a high index of suspicion must be maintained. We reviewed 30 cases referred to our unit for treatment between 1996 and 2001 with an emphasis on time to diagnosis. 90% of patients complained of some degree of back pain at initial presentation and 70% had symptoms of active infection. 60% had a history of recent sepsis and a further 23% had been extensively investigated for pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO). The mean time to diagnosis from first presentation to a member of the medical profession was 54 days (range 0–183 days). 35% of patients were diagnosed incidentally on a CT scan while investigating abdominal and chest symptoms or PUO so these diagnoses could potentially have been delayed further. 23% of patients required acute surgical treatment and in this sub-group the mean time to diagnosis was 61 days (range 14–91 days). 16% of patients died as a result of discitis. In this subgroup the mean time to diagnosis was 74 days (range 56–183 days). Many patients were extensively investigated for PUO or sepsis of unknown cause despite having persistent back pain. Although a small sample, delay in diagnosis seems to increase death rates. Many of these patients had first presented to their general practitioner or a physician for investigation, however discitis is rarely cited as a differential diagnosis of PUO in medical textbooks. A high index of suspicion must be maintained in patients with back pain, especially that of a non-mechanical nature. Discitis should be considered early in such patients especially those with evidence of infection. Discitis must always be included in the differential diagnosis of pyrexia of unknown origin

The challenges faced by hip surgeons have changed over the last decade. Historically, fixation, polyethylene wear, osteolysis, loosening and failure to osseointegrate dominated the discussions at hip surgery meetings. With the introduction of highly crosslinked polyethylene, wear and osteolysis are currently not significant issues. Improved surgical technique has resulted in a high rate of osseointegration and once fixed, loosening of cementless components is rare. In this section, we will focus on issues that orthopaedic surgeons performing hip surgery routinely face including bearing couples in the young active patient, implant choices in the dysplastic hip and osteoporotic femur, evaluation and management of the unstable hip and differential diagnosis of the painful THR

Purpose: Ossification (YLO) and calcification (YLC) of the yellow ligaments constitute an exceptional pathological situation described almost exclusively in Japan. We report a retrospective series of 19 patients from the French West Indies followed between 1996 and 2003. Material and methods: The series included six men and thirteen women, mean age 67.8 years (31–79). A neurological examination was performed in all patients. Positive diagnosis was based on computed tomography results. MRI was performed in fifteen patients. Twelve patients underwent surgery (eight for laminectomy and four for laminoplasty). Operative specimens were analysed. The Rankin score was used to assess treatment efficacy. Results: The patients generally consulted for progressive aggravation of gait disorders. Physical examination disclosed spastic tetra- or paraparesia associated with a pyramidal reflex syndrome and sphincter disorders. Computed tomography provided the positive and differential diagnosis. YLO was seen as a linear hyperdensity underlining the laminae, generally at the lower thoracic level (T9–T12 in six of ten patients). YLC was found at the lower cervical level in nine of the nine patients and appeared as round bilateral hyperdensities independent of the laminae. MRI revealed cord involvement seen as a high intensity signal on T2 sequences. The fifteen operated patients improved 1 to 3 points on the Rankin scale. Prognosis was better for YLC. Pathology examination revealed cartilaginous metaplasia of the yellow ligament leading to laminar bone for the YLO and microcrystal deposits (calcium pyrophosphate and/or hydroxyapatite) for he YLC. Discussion: YLO and YLC are exceptional pathologies. More than 90% of the cases have been described in Japan and only one case in a black patient has been reported. YLO generally affects men in the fifth decade, YLC more often women after the age of 65 years. Positive and differential diagnosis are provided by CT scan. MRI visualises cord involvement. Treatment is based on posterior decompression. Prudence is particularly important for YLO due to dural adherences and the risk of dural breaches. Conclusion: The frequency of YLO and YLC appears to be underestimated in the black population. These conditions can lead to severe myelopathy. Treatment is based on posterior decompression, best performed before appearance of a high intensity signal on the MRI

Purpose of Study: To discuss on Clinical presentations, Investigations, Histopathology, Differential diagnosis and Treatment options based on a series of six Lipoblastomas that we encountered in our paediatric orthopaedic practice. Materials and Methods: This series consists of six children with lipoblastoma who attended Alder Hey Hospital between 2000 and 2006. Mean age 17 months. Mean follow up was 26 months. The youngest was a six month old infant with a swelling on his right instep. The second patient was a three year old girl who presented with a limp and swelling in her foot, the third patient was an 18 month old boy with a swelling on the dorsum of his left forearm, fourth patient had a swelling of his left thigh and two patients had swellings in their back. They were investigated appropriately with MRI, CT or USG and surgical excision planned accordingly. Results: Male to female ratio was 5:1. Age groups; 2 patients were of less than 12 months of age, another two of them was between 12 to 24 months and the last two were under 36 months at the time of diagnosis. Anatomically three patients had swellings in the lower limb, 2 had swellings over dorsum of their trunk one patient had a forearm swelling. Investigations include MRI for one patient and CT for another USG was done for the remaining four. There was no post op complication for any of them. None of them have shown any recurrence during the follow-up. Discussion: Lipoblastomas are uncommon, benign tumour of embryonal mesenchymal cells. It is a rare tumour but occurs mostly during infancy and early childhood. It most often presents on the extremities, back, head and neck. Histology: cellular neoplasm composed of lipoblasts in different stages of maturation and fine vascular network, with well defined septa. Cytogenetic evaluation often shows chromosomal anomalies of tumour cells like abnormalities of the long arm of chromosome 8, leading the rearrangement of the PLAG1 gene. Biopsy of the lesion is recommended, as clinical and radiological diagnoses can be misleading. These tumours tend to spread locally and may recur in case of incomplete resection; metastatic potential has not been reported. Differential diagnosis includes myxoid liposarcoma, welldiffrentiated liposarcoma, spindle cell lipoma, typical lipoma and soft tissue sarcoma. Conclusion: All patients were originally thought to have simple lipomas or soft tissue swellings. This is primarily because lipoblastoma is a rare tumour and is rarely encountered in orthopaedic training. It is important that we orthopaedic surgeons be aware that lipoblastoma is in fact the most likely diagnosis of a fatty lump in a child of less than two years of age. Lipoblastomas needs through imaging and if possible cytogenetic evaluation for accurate diagnosis before surgery because complete surgical resection is mandatory to prevent a likely local recurrence