Ovarian fibrothecoma is a relatively new term that is used to describe an ovarian sex cord stromal tumour that has mixed features of both fibroma and thecoma. The prevalence of ovarian fibrothecoma tumours is very rare and is reported to be about 1.2% of all ovarian tumours. We report a case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with acute menorrhagia with no previous medical, surgical or gynecological history. She was amenorrhic for four years after the insertion of a levonorgestrelreleasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for contraception. The efficacy and location of LNG-IUS was reflected due to the sudden onset of menorrhagia. On pelvic examination and ultrasound the LNG-IUS could not be visualized and a uterine fibroid was noted. A diagnostic laparoscopy was done to identify the LNG-IUS, which revealed an incidental large ovarian mass on the left ovary. CA-125 level was elevated to 45 kU/L (Normal range <35 kU/L). Total abdominal hysterectomy, left salpingo-oopherectomy and cystectomy were performed. On histopathology, the mass was proven to be an ovarian fibrothecoma. No signs of malignancy were noted on peritoneal fluid cytology. The LNG-IUS was found inside the uterus. Our case is reported on the basis of the rare incidence of ovarian fibrothecoma and the possible effect it may have on the efficacy of LNG-IUS causing menorrhagia.
Menorrhagia ; Fibroma ; Thecoma ; Ovarian Neoplasms

A 60-year-old female developed a right parotid swelling six months after surgery for intra-oral squamous cell carcinoma. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytological smears showed dissociated large and small pleomorphic tumour cells with abundant mitoses and oncocytic features. A cytological diagnosis of parotid acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) was made. Histological study of the subtotal parotidectomy specimen showed a papillary cystic variety of acinic cell carcinoma (ACC-PCV). FNA cytological features in this case of ACC-PCV differs from the two previously reported cases in that it showed prominent oncocytic and high grade features and absence of papillary pattern in the cytological smears. ACC-PCV is an uncommon tumour and knowledge of its varied FNA cytological features is important for the diagnosis of this neoplasm.
Fine needle biopsy, NOS ; Cells ; Carcinoma ; Grade ; Packed cell volume

STUDY DESIGN: Biomechanical study. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of density, insertion angle and reinsertion on pull-out strength of pedicle screw in single and two screw-rod configurations. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Pedicle screw pull-out studies have involved single screw construct, whereas two screws and rod constructs are always used in spine fusions. Extrapolation of results using the single screw construct may lead to using expensive implants or increasing the fusion levels specifically in osteoporotic bones. METHODS: Single screw and two screw pull-out strength tests were carried out according to American Society for Testing and Materials F 543-07 on foam models to test the effect of density, insertion angle and reinsertion using poly axial pedicle screws. RESULTS: Bone density was the most significant factor deciding the pull-out strength in both single and two screw constructs. The difference in pull-out strength between single screw and two screw configurations in extremely osteoporotic bone model (80 kg/m3) was 78%, whereas in the normal bone model it was 48%. Axial pull-out value was highest for the single screw configuration; in the two screw configuration the highest pull-out strength was at 10°-15°. There was an 18% reduction in pull-out strength due to reinsertion in single screw configuration. The reinsertion effect was insignificant in the two screw configuration. CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference in response of various factors on holding power of pedicle screw between single and two-screw configurations is evident. The percentage increase in pull-out strength between single and two screw constructs is higher for osteoporotic bone when compared to normal bone. Reinsertion has no significant effect on pull-out strength in the two screw rod configuration.
Bone Density ; Osteoporosis ; Pedicle Screws* ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Biomechanical study. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of density, insertion angle and reinsertion on pull-out strength of pedicle screw in single and two screw-rod configurations. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Pedicle screw pull-out studies have involved single screw construct, whereas two screws and rod constructs are always used in spine fusions. Extrapolation of results using the single screw construct may lead to using expensive implants or increasing the fusion levels specifically in osteoporotic bones. METHODS: Single screw and two screw pull-out strength tests were carried out according to American Society for Testing and Materials F 543-07 on foam models to test the effect of density, insertion angle and reinsertion using poly axial pedicle screws. RESULTS: Bone density was the most significant factor deciding the pull-out strength in both single and two screw constructs. The difference in pull-out strength between single screw and two screw configurations in extremely osteoporotic bone model (80 kg/m3) was 78%, whereas in the normal bone model it was 48%. Axial pull-out value was highest for the single screw configuration; in the two screw configuration the highest pull-out strength was at 10°-15°. There was an 18% reduction in pull-out strength due to reinsertion in single screw configuration. The reinsertion effect was insignificant in the two screw configuration. CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference in response of various factors on holding power of pedicle screw between single and two-screw configurations is evident. The percentage increase in pull-out strength between single and two screw constructs is higher for osteoporotic bone when compared to normal bone. Reinsertion has no significant effect on pull-out strength in the two screw rod configuration.
Bone Density ; Osteoporosis ; Pedicle Screws* ; Spine

BACKGROUND: The pelvic bone is the most common site of bone metastases following the axial skeleton. Surgery on the pelvic bone is a demanding procedure. Few studies have been published on the surgical outcomes of metastasis to the pelvic bone with only small numbers of patients involved. This study sought to analyze the complications, local progression and survival after surgery for metastasis to the pelvic bone on a larger cohort of patients. METHODS: We analyzed 83 patients who underwent surgery for metastases to the pelvic bone between the years 2000 and 2015. There were 41 men and 42 women with a mean age of 55 years. Possible factors that might be associated with complications, local progression and survival were investigated with regard to patient demographics and disease-related and treatment-related variables. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 16% (13/83). Advanced age (> 55 years, p = 0.034) and low preoperative serum albumin levels (≤ 39 g/L, p = 0.001) were associated with increased complication rates. In patients with periacetabular disease, the complication rate was higher in those who underwent total hip replacement arthroplasty (THR) than those who did not (p = 0.030). Local progression rate was 46% (37/83). The overall median time to local progression was 26 ± 14.3 months. The median time from local progression to death was 13 months (range, 0 to 81 months). The local progression-free survival was 52.6% ± 6.4% at 2 years and 36.4%± 7.6% at 5 years, respectively. Presence of skip lesions (p = 0.017) and presence of visceral metastasis (p = 0.027) were found to be significantly associated with local progression. The median survival of all patients was 24 months. The 2-year and 3-year survival rates were 52.5% ± 5.9% and 35.6% ± 6%, respectively. Metastasis from the kidney, breast, or thyroid or of hematolymphoid origin (p = 0.014), absence of visceral metastasis (p = 0.017) and higher preoperative serum albumin levels (p = 0.009) were associated with a prolonged survival. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age and low serum albumin levels were associated with high complication rates. Local progression after surgery for metastases to the pelvic bone was affected by the presence of skip lesions, not by surgical margins. Primary cancer type, serum albumin level and visceral metastasis influenced survival.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Neoplasms ; Breast ; Cohort Studies ; Demography ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pelvic Bones* ; Serum Albumin ; Skeleton ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Gland

Late vascular complications involving aorta are rare but devastating adversities following anterior thoracic spine operations are present. The current article describes our experience with one such patient who had an iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta, mimicking infection. The patient was treated successfully following concomitant efforts by multidisciplinary experts with shunting. We wish to highlight upon the significance of recognizing the possible sinister consequences of a dangerously prominent spinal implant and the role of a suspicious surgeon in identifying these menacing complications at the right time.
Aneurysm, False ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) creates a global threat. Medical students are more susceptible to be infected by the virus. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude towards COVID-19, and preventive behaviours against COVID-19 among medical students within the first month of the onset of the outbreak in Malaysia. We collect data from medical students using an online Google survey form. Out of 696 students, 467 responded to the questionnaire. The analysis revealed that the mean percentage of knowledge was (85.04), attitude (84.12), and preventive practice (77.75) respectively. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed that living with family (p<0.01) and knowledge of COVID-19 (p<0.001) appeared to be important predictors of attitude toward COVID-19. However, gender (p<0.001), living status (p<0.001), frequency of travel during movement control order (p<0.01), attitude towards COVID-19 (p<0.001) have appeared significant predictors for preventive practice against COVID-19. But knowledge of COVID-19 had no impact on preventive practice against COVID-19 (p>0.05). We found a high level of COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice against COVID-19 among medical students. A sustained knowledge, attitude, and preventive behavioural strategy could play an ingredient in upholding the student’s learning and practice against any disease like COVID-19.

Results: Pullout strength decreased by 36% when the size of the revision screw was increased by 1 mm, while it increased by 35% when the size of the revision screw was increased by 2 mm compared to the index screw value. While the morphologies of the load paths were similar in all cases, they differ between the two groups: the larger screw responded with generally elevated stiffer path than the smaller screw, suggesting that revision surgery using a larger screw has more purchase along the inserted body-pedicle axis. Conclusions A larger screw enhances strength and increases biomechanical stability in revision surgeries, although the final surgical decision is made by the clinician, which includes the patient’s anatomy and associated characteristics.

OBJECTIVETalar body fractures are rare and have poor treatment outcome. The purpose of this study is to report the long term surgical treatment outcome of closed talar dome fractures.

METHODSEight closed talar body fractures, treated by open reduction and internal fixation with small fragment cancellous screws and/or Herbert screws in our level I trauma centre were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs of the foot (antero-posterior, lateral and oblique views) and ankle (antero-posterior, lateral and mortise views) were obtained. The patients were followed up both radiologically and functionally (foot function index, FFI) after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and then annually.

RESULTSThere were five crush fractures and three shear fractures (two sagittal shear and one coronal shear), with average follow-up of 5 years. No early complications were noticed in these patients. Late complications included osteoarthrosis of subtalar/ankle joints in six patients and osteonecrosis of talar body in four patients. On functional assessment, mean FFI after 5 years was 104.63 points and worse outcome was noticed in crush injury and coronal shear fractures. Sagittal shear fractures had a good functional and radiological outcome.

CONCLUSIONSLate complications subsequent to surgically treated talar body fractures are inevitable, even though exact reduction and rigid fixation are achieved, thus patients are supposed to be counseled about the adverse outcome. Although crush and coronal shear fractures have poor outcome, sagittal injuries have good prognosis on long term evaluation.

This paper discussed the injury mechanism and management of a patient who had concomitant ipsilateral hip and knee dislocations and contralateral open leg fracture. A 32-year-old man presented with ipsilateral fracture-dislocations of the left hip (Pipkin's type IV) and knee (Moore II) joints and contralateral open fracture of the leg bones after a car accident. After emergency resuscitative measures, the hip joint was reduced and Pipkin's fracture was fixed using Ganz approach with lag screws; knee joint was reduced closely and tibial plateau fracture was stabilized with lateral buttress plate and a transarticular spanning fixator. The open fracture on the other leg was debrided and fixed with an external fixator. There was no instability in both joints after fixation when he was examined under anesthesia. The fractures united after 3 months and the patient had no residual instability of hip and knee. There was no clinical or radiological evidence of osteonecrosis in the hip joint after 6 months. At one-year follow-up, he had satisfactory functional outcome with almost normal range of motion at both joints. Ipsilateral hip and knee dislocations are rare injuries and more caution is needed for early diagnosis. A timely appropriate intervention can provide good functional outcome to the patient in this situation.
Adult ; Fractures, Open ; surgery ; Hip Dislocation ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee Dislocation ; surgery ; Leg Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed