Aim

Extraspinal osteoarticular tuberculosis (TOA-ER) is a rare form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. It remains a topical problem not only in underdeveloped countries but also in developed countries due to cases of immune deficiency. Through a study of 40 cases, we specify the current diagnostic aspects of TOA-ER and detail their therapeutic and evolutionary modalities.

Aims

The present study investigates the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel without adjunct to induce cartilage regeneration in large osteochondral defects in a rabbit model.

Purpose of the study: Diastematomyelia is a rare spinal cord malformation defined as the presence of two separate spinal cords separated or not by an osseous, cartilaginous, or fibrous septum. Spinal malformations are almost always associated, raising difficult therapeutic challenges.

Material and method: We report three cases of congenital kyphoscoliosis associated with diastematomyelia in three girls aged 12, 14 and 15 years. The diastematomyelia was dorsal in one case, thoracolumbar in one and lumbar in the third. For all three patients, the indication for surgery was progression of the scoliosis with development of neurological signs of recent progressive aggravation. Preoperative distraction with a plaster cast was pursued for several months prior to posterior instrumentation. No attempt was made to correct the cord malformation nor achieve major correction of the spinal malformation. The instrumentation bridged the thoracolumbar scoliosis in one case and stopped above the malformation in the two others.

Results: The postoperative period was uneventful. There were no neurological complications. Preoperative neurological signs improved after surgery. Control radiographs showed an improvement in the deformity. At mean 6 years follow-up, these patients were not bothered in their everyday life. They had stable deformities which a globally balanced trunk. There were no signs of neurological evolution.

Discussion: The therapeutic strategy for diastematomyelia remains a subject of debate. For some authors, the spinal cord should be released systematically which for the majority, this is not necessary except if spinal distraction is planned or if there is a neurological problem. If there is an indication for spinal cord release, any spurs must be removed followed by the necessary dura mater plasty. In our three patients, and in agreement with the neurosurgery team, there was no need for neurosurgical release. The recent development of neurological deficits was explained by the important kyphosis rather by the intramedullary anomaly. Our therapeutic strategy thus focused on treatment of the scoliosis. This enabled us to stabilise the spine, protecting these patients from worsening neurological involvement and enabling good functional outcome. The zone of the malformation was not instrumented in all cases because the posterior arcs were deformed, but also to avoid compromising any future neurosurgical intervention.

Purpose: We reviewed our pre-puberty patients whose scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis involved a hemivertebra. The purpose of our work was to evaluate the surgical technique used and evaluate spinal static as well as functional outcome at skeletal maturity.

Material and methods: This retrospective analysis included 21 patients who underwent surgery before the age of 10 years and were followed to skeletal maturity. We excluded children with a multiple malformation syndrome or multiple vertebral malformations. The type and localisation of the hemivertebra was noted. Deformation, transversal balance, and radiographic measures were recorded preoperatively. Elements contributing to the indication for surgery, the type of procedure, and complications were also recorded. Events recorded during growth were the clinical course, complementary treatments, and possible surgical revision. Functional and aesthetic outcome was assessed at last follow-up. Spinal deviation was measured and compared with the preoperative angles.

Results: Twenty-one children (13 girls, 8 boys), mean age three years ten months (range 10 months – 10 years) met the inclusion criteria. These children had a hemivertebra of the thoracic spine (n=9), the thoracolumbar junction (n=4), the lumbar spine (n=4), or the lumbosacral region (n=4). Surgery was indicated to arrest clinical and radiographic degradation. Several surgical procedures were used: fusion without resection for thoracic vertebrae and resection associated with arthrodesis or epiphysiodesis for other localisations. There were five complications: neurological (n=2), infectious (n=2) and disassembly (n=1). The clinical and radiographic course led to revision in ten children, including two who required a new operation. At mean follow-up of 14 years (9–23 years), the functional outcome was good in 19 patients, poor in one patient with a lumbosacral hemivertebra and in another with a thoracic hemivertebra. The aesthetic result was good in 16 patients. Five of the nine patients with a thoracic hemivertebra remained unsatisfied with the outcome. Mean curvature correction ranged from 26% at the thoracic level to 50% at the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral levels and 75% at the lumbar level.

Discussion: The long follow-up of this series is exceptional. Treatment of evolving spinal malformations is a difficult challenge. Early surgery does not guarantee the final outcome and 50% of patients have to be reoperated at the end of growth. The good long-term functional and aesthetic outcome is however encouraging, particularly when hemivertebrectomy can be performed.