Study Design Retrospective review of scoliosis progression, pulmonary and cardiac function in a series of patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Objective To determine whether operative treatment of scoliosis decreases the rate of pulmonary function loss in patients with DMD. Summary of Background Data It is generally accepted that surgical intervention should be undertaken in DMD scoliosis once curve sizes reach 35 degrees to allow intervention before critical respiratory decline has occurred. There are conflicting reports, however, regarding the effect of scoliosis stabilization on the rate of pulmonary function decline when compared to non operative cohorts. Methods We reviewed spinal radiographs, echocardiograms, and spirometry, hospital, and operative records of all patients seen at our tertiary referral center from July 1, 1992 to June 1, 2007 Data was recorded to Microsoft Excel and analyzed with SAS and R statistical processing software. Results The percent predicted forced vital capacity (PPFVC) decreased 5% /year prior to operation. The mean PPFVC was 54% (sd=21%) prior to operation with a mean postoperative PPFVC of 43% (sd=14%). Surgical treatment was associated with a 12% decline in PPFVC independent of other treatment variables. PPFVC after operation declined at a rate of 1% per year and while this rate was lower, it was not significantly different than the rate of decline present prior to operation (p=0.18). Cardiac function as measured by left ventricular fractional shortening declined at a rate of 1%/year with most individuals exhibiting an LVFS rate of >30 prior to operation. Conclusion Operative treatment of scoliosis in DMD using the Luque Galveston method was associated with a reduction of FVC related to operation. The rate of pulmonary function decline after operation was not significantly reduced when compared to the rate of preoperative FVC decline.

A 39-year-old man presented with weakness and a nonmobile mass in the buttock of 5 months' duration. Hip flexion was limited to 70 degrees. Strength was diminished for both ankle/foot plantar and dorsiflexion. Sensation was decreased on the plantar and dorsal foot. A pedunculated osseous mass measuring 6x4 cm on the posterior femoral neck was seen on plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. Electromyography showed moderate sciatic neuropathy of the peroneal and tibial branches. The patient underwent excision of the tumor through a posterior approach. Due to the risk of weakening the neck, two 7.3-mm cannulated screws were passed percutaneously into the head with fluoroscopic guidance. The final pathological report indicated the tumor was an osteochondroma. At 22-month follow-up, he had full resolution of the neurologic findings. Postoperatively, the patient reported improvement in numbness and tingling in the leg but continued to have moderate buttock pain. Left hip flexion increased to 115 degrees at last follow-up.The importance of protecting the medial femoral circumflex artery during approaches to the hip is paramount. In this case, the tumor arose from the central aspect of the quadratus femoris, with the superior muscle protecting the medial femoral circumflex artery from harm. Although osteochondromas are a rare cause of mass effect, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sciatic nerve compression in this anatomical location.

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