Superiority of Droplet Digital PCR Over Real-Time Quantitative PCR for Allele Mutational Burden Assessment in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: A Retrospective Study.

mutational status is an essential diagnostic index in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Although widely used for detection of mutation in peripheral blood (PB), sensitive real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) presents some methodological limitations. Recently, emerging alternative technologies, like digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), have been reported to overcome some of qPCR's technical drawbacks.

Comparison of plate, calcanealplasty and external fixation in the management of calcaneal fractures.

Objective: Managing displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare and identify the surgical technique with the best outcomes for the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective multicentric study conducted between February 2000 and June 2014 in 206 patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures presenting to the outpatient or emergency department of three different orthopaedic departments.

The impact of the third fragment features on the healing of femoral shaft fractures managed with intramedullary nailing: a radiological study.

Introduction: Femoral shaft fractures with third fragments have a high non-union rate, which may reach 14%. This study aims to assess the impact of the radiological features of the third fragment, evaluated on post-operative X-rays, on the outcome of femoral shaft fractures type 32-B managed with intramedullary nailing, in order to obtain an algorithm which could predict the fracture healing time.

Materials And Methods: We have retrospectively evaluated a series of 52 patients.

Balloon-assisted reduction, pin fixation and tricalcium phosphate augmentation for calcaneal fracture: A retrospective analysis of 42 patients.

Introduction: The treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures is still complex and controversial. Although open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is favored by many authors, several percutaneous techniques have been introduced to reduce complications and to obtain satisfactory clinical and radiological results. Among these percutaneous treatments, balloon reduction and bone graft augmentation is gaining an increasing popularity.

Periprosthetic acetabular fractures: A New classification proposal.

Introduction: Acetabulum periprosthetic fractures are rare, but are increasing, due to increase in high-energy trauma and a decrease in mortality index. Reconstruction of an acetabular fracture, in the presence of hip arthroplasty can be very complex and represents a real challenge for orthopedic surgeon. Aim of this multicentric study is to classify periprosthetic acetabulum fractures and to propose a treatment algorithm.

The fake unlocked femoral nail: A configuration to avoid in stable pertrochanteric femur fractures.

Background: Intramedullary unlocked nailing is a safe and used treatment for stable pertrocantheric fractures. Due to the femoral anterior bow of the shaft or a wrong entry point, the distal tip of the nail can be impinging the anterior cortex. This type of situation can compromise the function of the nail, leading to nonunion of the fracture, and cut-out.

Beyond the pillars of the ankle: A prospective randomized CT analysis of syndesmosis' injuries in Weber B and C type fractures.

Background: This study compared clinical and radiographic results of patients who underwent stabilization of syndesmosis with one tricortical syndesmotic screw divided into three different groups: Group A without preoperative fractured ankle computed tomography (CT) scan, Group B with preoperative fractured CT scan, and Group C with preoperative bilateral ankle CT analysis.

Methods: Between June 2016 and May 2017, fifty-one patients with fracture type AO/OTA 44 B and C were analyzed. Of those, 14 (27.

The pedicle instrumentation and percutaneous elevation (Pi.Pe): a new cementless surgical technique in type A post-traumatic vertebral fractures.

Purpose: To investigate if bone substitutes are strictly necessary to restore the vertebral body height and improve the clinical outcome, in patients with thoracolumbar or lumbar AO type A post-traumatic vertebral fractures, managed with balloon kyphoplasty combined with posterior screw and rod system.

Methods: 105 patients with post-traumatic thoracolumbar spine fracture were recruited. At baseline, the patients underwent a CT and an MRI of the spine.

Accuracy of plain radiographs to identify wrong positioned free hand pedicle screw in the deformed spine.

Background: The accuracy rate of pedicle screws placement in the deformed spine can be easily assessed on computed tomography (CT), while it is difficult to be evaluated in conventional radiography in the posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral projections, even if they are an essential step to identify wrong positioned screws after surgery. Aim of the study is to evaluate the accuracy of plain radiographs compared with CT in identifying wrong positioned pedicle-screws in the deformed spine.

Methods: A total of 1125, pedicle screws implanted with free hand technique in 79 patients surgically treated for scoliosis with intraoperative/postoperative.