Cubitus varus is the most common complication of supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. Although function of the elbow is not greatly impaired, the deformity is unsightly. It usually results from malunion, since growth disturbance of the humerus after this fracture is uncommon. The normal carrying angle can be restored by supracondylar osteotomy. This operation was done in 32 patients over a ten-year period, 16 of them using the technique described by French (1959). The results in 27 patients are reviewed in the light of previous reports. French's method proved safe and satisfactory.

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We describe an 8-year-old girl who sustained multiple compound fractures in an accident involving agricultural equipment. She developed Scedosporium prolificans osteomyelitis of the pelvis, septic arthritis of the hip, and myositis of adjacent muscles. The infection progressed, despite extensive surgical debridement and joint washouts with 0.2% polyhexamethylene biguanide; antifungal therapy with caspofungin, terbinafine, and voriconazole; and adjunctive therapy with interferon-gamma. Gradual resolution was achieved after the addition of a novel agent, hexadecylphospocholine (miltefosine), and the continuation of terbinafine and voriconazole. This is the first report of the use of miltefosine as an antifungal agent in the management of severe infection with S. prolificans.

In our experience the technique of using FD rods is demanding and associated with some intraoperative and postoperative pitfalls. We are happy to continue its use in OI patients when there is longitudinal stability and sufficient bone healing. However, in circumstances of insufficient stability and bone healing potential, further stabilization that can be achieved with an Ilizarov frame may be beneficial.

Purpose Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a rare but serious disorder in children. No single approach has clearly emerged as superior in terms of operative procedure, fixation, optimal time for surgery or adjunctive pharmaceutical intervention. CPT is frequently associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a condition featuring deficient bone anabolism and excessive catabolism. We have therefore combined the use of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) with bisphosphonates (BP) as an adjunct to surgical intervention. Methods Between 2002 and 2008 we administered BMP-7 (OP-1) at the time of surgery followed by BP (pamidronate or zoledronic acid) in eight Crawford type IV CPT cases in seven patients (six with a confirmed diagnosis of NF1) with a median age of 7 years (range 2 years 11 months to 12 years) at surgery.