Clinical Utilization of DiaSorin Molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction in Pneumonia.

Background: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is a sensitive diagnostic tool but does not distinguish infection from colonization. Cycle threshold (C) may correlate with fungal burden and could be considered in clinical decision making. Clinical use of PCR and significance of C values have not previously been examined with the DiaSorin Molecular platform.

The standardized exploration of the radial nerve during humeral shaft fixation reduces the incidence of iatrogenic palsy.

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine if a standardized protocol for radial nerve handling during humeral shaft repair reduces the incidence of iatrogenic nerve palsy post operatively.

Methods: Seventy-three patients were identified who underwent acute or reconstructive humeral shaft repair with radial nerve exploration as part of the primary procedure for either humeral shaft fracture or nonunion. All patients exhibited intact radial nerve function pre-operatively.

Validation of High-Sensitivity Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing for Stool-Toward the New Normal for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation.

Introduction: Mounting evidence demonstrates potential for fecal-oral transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The US Food and Drug Administration now requires SARS-CoV-2 testing of potential feces donors before the use of stool manufactured for fecal microbiota transplantation. We sought to develop and validate a high-sensitivity SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) procedure for testing stool specimens.

Comparison of Antibody Class-Specific SARS-CoV-2 Serologies for the Diagnosis of Acute COVID-19.

Accurate diagnosis of acute severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is critical for appropriate management of patients with this disease. We examined the possible complementary role of laboratory-developed class-specific clinical serology in assessing SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients. Serological tests for immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM antibodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated using samples from real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR)-confirmed inpatient coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Results after radial head arthroplasty in unstable fractures.

Background: Whereas most radial head fractures are stable injuries, they sometimes occur as part of complex injury patterns with associated elbow instability. Radial head arthroplasty has been favored in patients with unreconstructable radial head fractures and unstable elbow injuries. The purpose of this study was to review radiographic outcomes, functional outcomes, and complications after radial head arthroplasty for radial head fracture in unstable elbow injuries.

Percutaneous Repair of a Schatzker III Tibial Plateau Fracture Assisted by Arthroscopy.

Purpose: Tibial plateau fractures are articular fractures that sometimes prove difficult to effectively manage and treat. Although fluoroscopy is frequently used to assess the articular reduction in the surgical repair of tibial plateau fractures, this video demonstrates the additional benefit of arthroscopy in assisting with the articular reconstruction of a Schatzker III tibial plateau fracture.

Methods: The goal of operative treatment of tibial plateau is reconstruction of the articular surface followed by reestablishment of tibial alignment.

Repair of Displaced Partial Articular Fracture of the Distal Femur: The Hoffa Fracture.

Purpose: The Hoffa fracture is a rare fracture pattern consisting of a unicondylar posterior fracture of the distal femur. This video demonstrates a case of Hoffa fracture repair using headless screw compression.

Methods: Hoffa fractures are intra-articular in nature.

Management of Proximal Humerus Fractures with the Equinoxe® Locking Plate System.

There is no consensus on surgical fixation and treatment of proximal humerus fractures, even though they are common fractures with several fixation techniques. This retrospective study quantifies the outcomes of patients who sustained a proximal humerus fracture and were treated with open reduction and internal fixation by at a single academic center between December 2010 and December 2014 using the Equinoxe® proximal humerus locking plate. Following enrollment, injury and surgical data was recorded.