Infections following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are rare, with no previous reports citing Mycobacterium abscessus as the culprit pathogen. A 22-year-old man presented twice over three years with a painful discharging sinus over his right tibia tunnel site necessitating repeated arthroscopy and washout, months of antibiotic therapy, and ultimately culminating in the removal of the implants. In both instances, M. abscessus was present in the wound cultures, along with a coinfection of Staphyloccocus aureus during the second presentation. Though rare, M. abscessus is an important pathogen to consider in postoperative wounds presenting with chronic discharging sinuses, even in healthy non-immunocompromised patients. This case illustrates how the organism can cause an indolent infection, and how the removal of implants can be necessary to prevent the persistence of infection. Coinfection with a second organism is not uncommon and necessitates a timely change in treatment regime as well.
Purpose
To determine if the novel 3D Machine-Vision Image Guided Surgery (MvIGS) (FLASH™) system can reduce intraoperative radiation exposure, while improving surgical outcomes when compared to 2D fluoroscopic navigation.
Methods
Clinical and radiographic records of 128 patients (≤ 18 years of age) who underwent posterior spinal fusion (PSF), utilising either MvIGS or 2D fluoroscopy, for severe idiopathic scoliosis were retrospectively reviewed. Operative time was analysed using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method to evaluate the learning curve for MvIGS.
Results
Between 2017 and 2021, 64 patients underwent PSF using pedicle screws with 2D fluoroscopy and another 64 with the MvIGS. Age, gender, BMI, and scoliosis aetiology were comparable between the two groups. The CUSUM method estimated that the MvIGS learning curve with respect to operative time was 9 cases. This curve consisted of 2 phases: Phase 1 comprises the first 9 cases and Phase 2 the remaining 55 cases. Compared to 2D fluoroscopy, MvIGS reduced intraoperative fluoroscopy time, radiation exposure, estimated blood loss and length of stay by 53%, 62% 44%, and 21% respectively. Scoliosis curve correction was 4% higher in the MvIGS group, without any increase in operative time.
Conclusion
MvIGS for screw insertion in PSF contributed to a significant reduction in intraoperative radiation exposure and fluoroscopy time, as well as blood loss and length of stay. The real-time feedback and ability to visualize the pedicle in 3D with MvIGS enabled greater curve correction without increasing the operative time.
Background We evaluated the clinical presentation and microbiological profile of a cohort of paediatric patients with septic arthritis at a tertiary institution in Singapore. Methods After obtaining institutional board approval, records of all patients below 18 years presenting with septic arthritis between 2010 and 2019 were reviewed. Patient demographic and medical data were analysed. Results Of 24 patients with 26 infected joints with a mean age of 7.1 years, 50.0% had pre-existing atopic dermatitis. The most common site infected was the hip ( n = 11, 42.3%). The most common pathogen isolated from tissue cultures was methicillin-sensitive-Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) ( n = 9, 37.5%). Twenty-three (95.8%) of the patients underwent surgical drainage. Conclusions The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis has been shown to be more frequently colonised with Staphylococcus aureus compared to healthy individuals. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in our cohort was higher compared to the reported national average of 20.8%. MSSA was the most commonly reported pathogen, and the hip joint most commonly affected. Less than half of the cohort had positive tissue or blood cultures. In paediatric patients with known atopic dermatitis who present with a fever, a painful joint and limited range of motion, septic arthritis should be considered and early drainage and antibiotics instituted.
Case:
A 63-year-old man underwent L2-S1 decompression and fusion for spinal stenosis. He developed urinary retention postoperatively requiring catheterization. He developed fever, purulence, and foot-drop 8 days postoperatively and underwent debridement with implant retention. Cultures yielded Mycoplasma hominis after 10 days. He received 4 weeks of doxycycline. Four years postoperatively, he had no recurrence of infection and was able to ambulate despite a persistent foot-drop.
Conclusion:
Mycoplasma hominis is a urogenital commensal rarely implicated in musculoskeletal infections. A high index of suspicion is required in spinal surgery patients who develop fever and purulence and have initial negative cultures and poor response to empirical antibiotics.
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