Neck Reflex Points: A New Clinical Test? Prevalence in Two Cohorts and Its Covariates.

: Neck reflex points (NRPs) are 2 × 6 potentially tender areas of the neck, denominated NRP-C0 to NRP-C7. They are different from muscular trigger points and become tender in response to chronic trigeminal irritation. NRP examination has a high inter-rater reproducibility.

Survival Prediction in Patients Treated Surgically for Metastases of the Appendicular Skeleton-An External Validation of 2013-SPRING Model.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to externally validate the 2013-SPRING model, a survival prediction tool for patients treated surgically for bone metastases in a retrospective patient cohort from a single institution. Moreover, subgroup analyses on patients treated with (A) endoprostheses or (B) osteosynthesis, as well as (C) upper limb and (D) lower limb metastases, were performed.

Methods: Altogether, 303 cancer patients (mean age: 67.

Observational retrospective study on socio-economic and quality of life outcomes in 41 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis 5 years after bracing combined with physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE).

Purpose: We analysed socio-economic- and health-related quality of life (primary outcome) and radiological outcome (secondary outcome) 5 years after full time rigid bracing (FTRB) plus physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods: We included 41 patients (38 female and 3 male) treated with FTRB (Chênau brace) and PSSE (Schroth) between 2001 and 2010. The study protocol included a clinical and radiological examination, the completion of the SRS-24 questionnaire and acquisition of data on socio-economic factors (educational and employment status) and physical activity.

When Do Orthopaedic Oncologists Consider the Implantation of Expandable Prostheses in Bone Sarcoma Patients?

Introduction: Indications discussed for the implantation of expandable prostheses in bone sarcoma patients are unclear. This survey aimed to analyse common practice with this implant type in orthopaedic oncology.

Methods: A web-based survey was sent to 98 orthopaedic oncology surgeons.

Video-game-assisted physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises for idiopathic scoliosis: case series and introduction of a new tool to increase motivation and precision of exercise performance.

Background: It is important to monitor how patients with juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis comply with their physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE). Physiogame, a newly developed video game using the Game-Trak 3D interactive game controller, combines correct PSSE performance with gaming. It tracks the position of the working limb in 3D space during the exercises as participants aim to hit certain targets and avoid others, and gives direct feedback by stopping the game if the working limb leaves the target 3D space, which is chosen to secure the corrective position according to the Schroth method.

Predictive Value of Six Prognostic Scoring Systems for Spinal Bone Metastases: An Analysis Based on 1379 Patients.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the predictive accuracy of six models designed to estimate survival of patients suffering from spinal bone metastases Just (SBMs).

Summary Of Background Data: On the basis of the estimated survival of patients with SBM, extent of treatment can be adjusted.

Is superior tibiofibular joint resection necessary in extraarticular knee resection for sarcomas? A systematic review.

Background: Sarcomas infiltrating the knee joint require extraarticular resection to achieve wide margins. Opinions differ as to whether the superior tibiofibular joint (STFJ) is part of the knee joint and should be removed in the course of extraarticular resection. Thus, we investigated the frequency of communication between the tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) and the STFJ, and the reported local recurrence rates (LRR) following extraarticular knee resection.

Which one is a valuable surrogate for predicting survival between Tomita and Tokuhashi scores in patients with spinal metastases? A meta-analysis for diagnostic test accuracy and individual participant data analysis.

This study is to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of Tokuhashi and Tomita scores that assures 6-month predicting survival regarded as a standard of surgical treatment. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, European PubMed central, and the Cochrane library for papers about the sensitivities and specificities of the Tokuhashi and/or Tomita scores to estimate predicting survival. Studies with cut-off values of ≥9 for Tokuhashi and ≤7 for Tomita scores based on prior studies were enrolled.

Examination of survivin expression in 50 chordoma specimens--A histological and in vitro study.

Chordomas mainly arise along the axial skeleton and are characterized by their slow but destructive growth. Prognosis and quality of life are poor because treatment options are mainly limited to surgery and radiotherapy. Survivin, a member of the apoptosis inhibitor protein family, functions as a key regulator of mitosis and programmed cell death, and is overexpressed in many tumor types.

Evaluation of prognostic scoring systems for spinal metastases in 196 patients treated during 2005-2010.

Purpose: Estimating the survival time of patients with spinal metastases based on pre-treatment parameters is important for the best choice of therapy. Following two previous studies, this sequel analyzes possible changes in the impact of various parameters and scoring systems and includes a comparison to the previous dataset for the purpose to find the most predictive parameters and scores for this patient group.

Methods: Included were 196 patients retrospectively with confirmed spinal metastases treated between 2005 and 2010 (35% surgery, 65% conservative).

Paley's multiplier method does not accurately predict adult height in children with bone sarcoma.

Background: The majority of patients with osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma are diagnosed before skeletal maturity. Paley's multiplier is used for height prediction in healthy children, and has been suggested as a method to make growth predictions for children with osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma when considering limb salvage options. To our knowledge, no evaluation of this method in this particular patient group has been performed, but a temporary growth deficit has been observed in children undergoing chemotherapy.

Central low-grade osteosarcoma with an unusual localization in the diaphysis of a 12-year old patient.

Background: Low-grade central osteosarcoma is a very rare subtype of osteosarcoma with a predilection for the metaphysis of long bones and a peak incidence in the 3(rd) decade of life. Absence of specific clinical symptoms and a good prognosis after wide resection are the characteristics of this entity. Chemotherapy is not indicated in this highly differentiated tumour.

Intercalary reconstructions with vascularised fibula and allograft after tumour resection in the lower limb.

Reconstruction with massive bone allograft and autologous vascularised fibula combines the structural strength of the allograft and the advantages of fibula's intrinsic blood supply. We retrospectively analysed the outcome of twelve patients (4 male, 8 female) who received reconstruction with massive bone allograft and autologous vascularised fibula after tumour resection in lower limb. Mean age was 17.

Survival analysis of 254 patients after manifestation of spinal metastases: evaluation of seven preoperative scoring systems.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: This study analyzed the predictive value of the scoring systems of Bauer, Bauer modified, Tokuhashi, Tokuhashi revised, Tomita, van der Linden, and Sioutos as well as the parameters included in these systems.

Summary Of Background Data: Metastases of the spinal column are a common manifestation of advanced cancer.

The threat of misdiagnosis of primary osteosarcoma over the age of 60: a series of seven cases and review of the literature.

Background: Osteosarcoma is the most common, non-haematopoietic, primary malignant bone tumour with an incidence of 0.3-0.5 per 100,000.