Search Results (5)

Background: Mycobacterium ulcerans causes Buruli ulcer (BU), a necrotizing skin disease endemic in over 30 countries. Its toxin, mycolactone, drives tissue destruction, and the infection is transmitted via environmental reservoirs or vectors. Disease patterns vary globally, and an improved understanding of their pathogenesis may enhance current antimicrobial and surgical treatments. Methods: A comprehensive literature search from 1901 to 2025 was conducted across major databases to explore antimicrobial and reconstructive surgical strategies for Mycobacterium ulcerans. Search terms included BU, key antibiotics, and surgical interventions. Relevant English-language studies on treatment outcomes were reviewed to summarize evolving management trends and emerging therapeutic approaches. Results and Discussion: This review highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely antimicrobial therapy in preventing disease progression and limb loss. It reviews WHO-recommended antibiotic regimens and discusses the theoretical risk of drug resistance, although clinical resistance remains rare and unreported in Australia. Surgical interventions in select cases are crucial, with timing being a significant factor in functional outcomes. The review also covers pediatric-specific challenges, including growth preservation and psychosocial support for young patients. Reconstructive options focus on limb salvage and staged reconstructions, with multidisciplinary care essential for optimal outcomes. The paper advocates for RCTs to refine treatment protocols, surgical guidelines, and explore emerging antibiotic therapies such as telacebec. Conclusions: BU remains a global health challenge, requiring early diagnosis, timely antimicrobial therapy, and surgery in selected cases. Future research will refine treatment and reduce long-term impacts. Full article

Background: Primary malignant bone tumors among adolescent patients are most commonly associated with burdensome surgeries that can severely affect young patients’ early life. To this day, despite available autologous tissue donor sites, cement spacers or endoprostheses are still most commonly used as a form of reconstruction of post-resection defects. Methods: The study group includes 20 adolescent patients diagnosed with Osteosarcoma or Ewing Sarcoma involving the upper limbs. The inclusion criteria were as follows: primary malignant bone tumors sensitive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, tumors not infiltrating major blood vessels and nerves, and the appliance of the microsurgical free flap as a reconstructive method. Poor tumor response to neodajuvant chemotherapy or patients with incomplete follow-up were excluded from this study. To achieve the functional reconstruction of post-resection defects, fibula free flaps were applied. In cases of resection, including the metaphysis of a long bone, a modification of the flap harvest was applied in order to prevent arthrodesis. The MSTS (Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scoring System) scale was used as a functional outcome measurement tool. Results: The reported outcomes of this study prove the efficiency of the treatment’s approach of combining the resection of the tumor with subsequent microsurgical restoration with the use of autologous tissues. The average score on the MSTS scale, which assesses the functional outcome, was 26.8/30 points, which indicates great motor outcomes. There were no reports of local recurrence during follow-up. Conclusions: Patients with primary malignant bone tumors in the upper limbs can benefit from microsurgical techniques, which are highly customized; effective; and give sufficient functionality following extensive resection. Full article

Limb salvage surgeries utilizing endoprostheses and allografts are performed for a variety of oncologic conditions. These reconstructions can fail and require revision for many reasons, which are outlined and classified into mechanical failures (soft tissue failures, aseptic loosening, structural failure), non-mechanical failures (infection, tumor progression), and pediatric failures (physeal arrest, growth dysplasia). Distinct radiologic and clinical findings define specific failure subtypes but are sparsely illustrated in the radiology literature. Specifically, an understanding of the organizational structure of the failure modes can direct radiologists’ search for post-reconstruction complications, enhance an appreciation of their prognostic significance, and facilitate research by standardizing the language and conceptual framework around outcomes. The purpose of this review is to highlight the key radiologic findings and imaging studies of each failure mode in orthopedic oncologic reconstructive surgery in the context of risk factors, failure rates, prognosis and survival statistics, and clinical decision-making regarding chemotherapy, radiation, and revision surgery. Full article

This study presents the mid-term outcomes of a novel “biological prosthesis” for pediatric humerus reconstruction after major bone tumor removal. This approach involves a hollow 3D-printed titanium custom-made prosthesis combined with bone grafting. The primary aim was to preserve and revitalize the unaffected autologous proximal or distal humeral stump. Between 2017 and 2021, we treated five pediatric patients (mean age 11.2 years; range 7–17) with humeral bone sarcomas. A one-stage surgical procedure involved tumor resection and implanting a hollow 3D-printed custom-made prosthesis. In two cases, we preserved the proximal humerus; in two, the distal part; and in one, both. Graft materials included homologous bone chips in three cases and free vascularized fibular grafts in two cases. All patients were clinically and radiographically assessed after a mean follow-up of 32.2 months (range of 14–68). No significant complications were observed, and no implant revisions were needed. Osseointegration was evident in all cases within eight months post-surgery; vascular support for the remaining autologous stump was demonstrated in all cases. Our hollow 3D-printed custom-made prosthesis and bone grafting offer the potential for partial or complete articular surface preservation. This approach encourages revascularization of the epiphysis, leading to satisfactory outcomes in humerus reconstruction within the pediatric population. Full article

Recently, custom-made 3D-printed prostheses have been introduced for limb salvage surgery in adult patients, but their use has not been described in pediatric patients. A series of 11 pediatric patients (mean age 10.8 years; range 2–13) with skeletal tumors treated with custom-made implants for the reconstruction of bony defects is described. Patients were followed up every 3 months. Functional results were evaluated by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) for upper and lower limbs. The mean follow-up was 25.7 months (range 14–44). Three patients died after a mean of 19.3 months postoperatively—two because of disease progression and the other from a previous malignancy. Three patients experienced complications related to soft tissues. One patient required device removal, debridement, and antibiotic pearls for postoperative infection. Partial osseointegration between grafts and host bone was observed within a mean of 4 months. At the final follow-up, mean MSTS score was 75%. 3D prostheses may yield biological advantages due to possible integration with the host bone and also through the use of vascularized flaps. Further research is warranted. Full article