Hagen Schmal

Pelvic disruptions are rare in children caused by the flexible anchoring of bony parts associated with a high elasticity of the skeleton. Portion of pelvic fractures in infants is lower than 5% even when reviewing cases of specialized centers. The part of complex pelvic injuries and multiple injured patients in infants is higher when compared to adults, a fact caused by the more intense forces that are necessary to lead to pelvic disruption in children. Combination of a rare injury and the capability of children to compensate blood loss for a long time may implicate a wrong security and prolong diagnostic and therapeutic procedures--a problem that definitely should be avoided. Three cases were analyzed and established algorithms for treatment of patients matching these special injury-features demonstrated. A good outcome may only be achieved when all components of injury pattern get recognized and treatment is organized following the hierarchy of necessity. Therefore in the time table first life-saving steps have to be taken and then accompanying injuries can be treated that often decisively influence life quality. As seen in our cases unstable and dislocated fractures require open reduction and internal fixation ensuring nerval decompression, stop of hemorrhage and realizing the prerequisite for effective treatment of soft tissue damage. The acute hemorrhagic shock is one of the leading causes of death following severe pelvic injuries. After stabilization of fracture, surgical treatment of soft tissue injuries and intraabdominal bleeding sources the immediate diagnostic angiography possibly in combination with a therapeutic selective embolization is a well established part of the treatment. The aim of complete restitution can only be accomplished by cooperation of several different specialists and consultants in a trauma center.

The dislocated four-fragment fracture of the proximal humerus is a problematic fracture. In this study we evaluated shoulder function after implantation of a shoulder hemiprosthesis of the anatomical generation. The evaluation was based on a case-control study in which the following information was gathered: epidemiology, Constant-Murley score, compliance score, radiological results, and a summary of complications. Twenty shoulder prostheses were implanted between September 2000 and August 2002. After an average follow-up time of 14 months, the average Constant score was 52. The score for the opposite shoulder was 91 points. The function found to be most limited was shoulder movement. The subjective estimation of shoulder function had a mean value of 49% and correlated with the Constant score. Fourteen of the patients exhibited a postoperative defect in the tuberculum majus. Implantation of shoulder hemiprostheses allows treatment of four-fragment fractures of the humerus head in older patients, whereby limitations of mobility and function are to be expected.

Natural bone healing following fractures is initiated by osteoblasts (OBs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a cell combination with possible potential in tissue engineering techniques for bony defects. The aim of the study was to investigate MSC/OB-crosstalk, in order to determine optimal cell culture conditions for osteogenic differentiation. Human OBs and MSCs interactions were investigated in an in vitro trans-well co-culture study over a time period of 28 days. Calcification was determined by optical density (OD) at 450 nm and Alizarin red staining. Messenger RNA expression was assessed by quantitative PCR. Osteogenic medium containing 1% fetal bovine serum resulted in superior levels of calcification in MSCs in co-culture with OBs compared to 2% or 5% fetal bovine serum (p<0.05). Comparing MSCs and OBs alone with the MSC/OB co-culture, calcification, as measured by OD 450 nm, increased over time in all groups. The highest values were recorded in the co-culture (p<0.05)....

We evaluated the roles of the C-X-C chemokines cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) as well as the complement activation product C5a in development of lung injury after hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion in rats. During reperfusion, CD11b and CD18, but not CD11a, were upregulated on neutrophils [bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood] and lung macrophages. BAL levels of CINC and MIP-2 were increased during the ischemic and reperfusion periods. Treatment with either anti-CINC or anti-MIP-2 IgG significantly reduced lung vascular permeability and decreased lung myeloperoxidase content by 93 and 68%, respectively (P < 0.05). During the same period, there were significant increases in serum C5a-related neutrophil chemotactic activity. Treatment with anti-C5a decreased lung vascular permeability, lung myeloperoxidase, and BAL CINC by 51, 58, and 23%, respectively (P < 0.05). The data suggest that the C-X-C chemokines CINC and M...

Complement is one of the integral but- tresses of the inflammatory response. In addition to host defense activities, proinflammatory properties of several complement components are described. This overview elucidates the role of complement in inflammatory reactions in vitro and in vivo, focus- ing on the complement activation products, C5a, and the membrane attack complex, C5b-9. Using several approaches, the impact

There is still a lack of reliable data on cytokine concentrations in the ankle and their value for prognosis. In a prospective clinical trial, lavage fluids were collected from 49 patients with an arthroscopy of the ankle. The fluids were investigated by ELISA for cytokine levels. Clinical scores (FFI, AOFAS) were evaluated both pre-operatively and then again 12 months after surgery (n = 43, 88%). Radiological changes were noted with the Kellgren-Lawrence-Score (KLS) and the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scoring System (AOSS). Based on the difference between the pre- and postoperative clinical scores, two groups were defined according to whether they had benefited from the surgical therapy (Δ score ≥ 10) or not (Δ score < 10). The average clinical scores had improved to a statistically significant extent in the one-year follow-up (p < 0.01). BMP-2 (p = 0.02), IGF-1 (p = 0.04), BMP-7 (p = 0.01) and aggrecan (p = 0.04) showed significant correlations with pre-operative clinical and radiological scores (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, p = 0.01, p = 0.01). Furthermore, BMP-2 (p = 0.01), IGF-1/TPC (p = 0.03) and aggrecan (p = 0.01) correlated with scores after one year (p = 0.02, p = 0.01). High aggrecan concentrations were associated with a low clinical and a high radiological score at both time points, both indicating progress of cartilage degeneration in contrast to BMP-2 or IGF-1. Furthermore, MMP-13 concentrations were significantly higher in the non-benefit group (p = 0.02). BMP-2, IGF-1, aggrecan and MMP-13 seem to be involved in the degenerative process of cartilage in the ankle joint. Additionally, high synovial MMP-13 concentrations indicate a worse clinical outcome.

Although vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) has been developed into a standard technique in septic surgery, reliable data about the efficacy of the treatment are still lacking. Postoperative infections after arthroplasty or soft-tissue surgery were identified using a prospective database for complications (Critical Incidence Reporting System) which was retrospectively supplemented with items for evaluation of VAC therapy. Eradication success of infection was analysed considering epidemiological parameters, course of treatment, and characteristics of causing bacterial strains. Furthermore, serological C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were evaluated for diagnostic and prognostic reliability. 92 patients with an average age of 60 ± 4 years were included in the study. Patients with soft tissue infections (STI, n = 53) were statistically significant younger compared to patients with infections following arthroplasty (AI, n = 39) (53 ± 6 vs. 70 ± 4 years; p < 0.001), but the pr...

Soft tissue injuries associated with pelvic fractures are often responsible for compromised haemodynamics. The objective of this study was to clarify what parameters determine patient outcome. In a cohort study, all patients with a pelvic fracture treated between 1991 and 2001 at a Level I trauma center were analysed for associated intrapelvic injuries, classification, severity of trauma, type of intervention and outcome. Of 552 patients with a pelvic fracture who entered the study, 15.5% presented with associated intrapelvic injuries secondary to the fracture (group I). A subgroup of patients with lacerations of branches of the iliac artery was identified as being at high risk for lethal outcome; they represented 4.3% of all patients with pelvic fracture (group II). The overall mortality reached 4.4%; it increased in group I to 15.5%, and in group II to 33.3%. In the subgroup with pelvic arterial haemorrhage (group II), the severity of injury, the proportion of multiple injured pat...

We evaluated the roles of the C-X-C chemokines cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) as well as the complement activation product C5a in development of lung injury after hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion in rats. During reperfusion, CD11b and CD18, but not CD11a, were upregulated on neutrophils [bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood] and lung macrophages. BAL levels of CINC and MIP-2 were increased during the ischemic and reperfusion periods. Treatment with either anti-CINC or anti-MIP-2 IgG significantly reduced lung vascular permeability and decreased lung myeloperoxidase content by 93 and 68%, respectively (P < 0.05). During the same period, there were significant increases in serum C5a-related neutrophil chemotactic activity. Treatment with anti-C5a decreased lung vascular permeability, lung myeloperoxidase, and BAL CINC by 51, 58, and 23%, respectively (P < 0.05). The data suggest that the C-X-C chemokines CINC and M...

Because of the important role of rat ICAM-1 in the development of lung inflammatory injury, soluble recombinant rat ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) was expressed in bacteria, and its biologic activities were evaluated. Purified sICAM-1 did bind to rat alveolar macrophages in a dose-dependent manner and induced production of TNF-alpha and the CXC chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2). Alveolar macrophages exhibited cytokine responses to both sICAM-1 and immobilized sICAM-1, while rat PBMCs failed to demonstrate similar responses. Exposure of alveolar macrophages to sICAM-1 resulted in NFkappaB activation (which was blocked by the presence of the aldehyde peptide inhibitor of 28S proteosome and by genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor). As expected, cross-linking of CD18 on macrophages with Ab resulted in generation of TNF-alpha and MIP-2. This response was also inhibited in the presence of the proteosome inhibitor and by genistein. Alveolar macrophages showed adherence to immobilize...

Complement is one of the integral buttresses of the inflammatory response. In addition to host defense activities, proinflammatory properties of several complement components are described. This overview elucidates the role of complement in inflammatory reactions in vitro and in vivo, focusing on the complement activation products, C5a, and the membrane attack complex, C5b-9. Using several approaches, the impact of these complement components in mechanisms relevant to neutrophil recruitment is emphasized. In addition, the participation of complement in endothelial superoxide generation and its essential requirement for full expression of lung injury is demonstrated, as are the involved intracellular signal transduction pathways. Understanding the mechanisms of complement-induced proinflammatory effects may provide a basis for future therapeutic blockade of complement and/or its activation products.

The C-X-C chemokines of the IL-8 family possess potent chemotactic activity for neutrophils, but their in vivo role in inflammatory responses is not well understood. In the IgG immune complex-induced model of acute lung inflammatory injury in the rat we have evaluated the roles of two rat chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC). Both mRNA and protein for MIP-2 and CINC appeared in a time-dependent manner after initiation of IgG immune complex deposition in lung. There exists a 69% homology between the amino acid sequences for these proteins, and we found cross-reactivity between polyclonal Abs raised to these chemokines. By purifying the blocking Abs using double affinity methods (with Ag-immobilized beads), this cross-reactivity was removed. Individually, anti-MIP-2 and anti-CINC Ab significantly reduced lung injury (as measured by 125I-labeled albumin leakage from the pulmonary vasculature) and reduced neutrophil...

Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) is a C-X-C chemokine that possesses chemotactic activity for neutrophils. Rat MIP-2 was cloned and expressed as a 7.9-kDa peptide that exhibited dose-dependent neutrophil chemotactic activity at concentrations from 10 to 250 nM. Rabbit polyclonal Ab to the 7.9-kDa peptide showed reactivity by western blot analysis and suppressed its in vitro chemotactic activity. Cross-desensitization chemotaxis experiments suggested that the chemotactic responses elicited by MIP-2 and the related chemokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant, may be mediated through a common receptor. Also, chemotactic responses to human GRO-alpha were blocked by exposure of human neutrophils to either GRO-alpha or rat MIP-2, suggesting conservation of this receptor-mediated response. After LPS instillation into rat lung, mRNA for MIP-2 was up-regulated in a time-dependent manner, peaking at 6 h. MIP-2 protein was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of these ...

IL-10 has regulatory effects in vitro on cytokine production by activated macrophages. In the IgG immune complex model of lung injury, exogenously administered IL-10 has been shown to suppress in vivo formation of TNF-alpha, up-regulation of vascular ICAM-1, neutrophil recruitment, and ensuing lung injury. In the current study, we sought to determine whether endogenous IL-10 is playing a regulatory role in the lung inflammatory response. On the basis of lung mRNA and ELISA measurements, IL-10 induction was found during development of inflammation in the IgG immune complex model of lung injury. Blocking of IL-10 by Ab resulted in a 52% increase in lung vascular permeability, a 56% increase in TNF-alpha activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, and a 47 to 48% increase in bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophils and lung myeloperoxidase content. These findings suggest that IL-10 is an important natural regulator of lung inflammatory injury after deposition of IgG immune complexes.

The role of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury in rats after intrapulmonary deposition of IgG immune complexes or intratracheal administration of LPS has been assessed. Critical to these studies was the cloning and functional expression of rat MIP-1 alpha. The resulting product shared 92% and 90% homology with the known murine sequence at the cDNA level and protein level, respectively. Recombinant rat MIP-1 alpha exhibited dose-dependent chemotactic activity for both rat and human monocytes and neutrophils, which could be blocked by anti-murine MIP-1 alpha Ab. Rat MIP-1 alpha mRNA and protein expression were determined as a function of time in both injury models. A time-dependent increase in MIP-1 alpha mRNA in lung extracts was observed in both models. In the LPS model, MIP-1 alpha protein could also be detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids by Western blot analysis. Anti-MIP-1 alpha administered at commencement o...

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) appears to be an unusual and almost universally fatal injury. Although AOD is the cause of death in about 10% of fatal cervical spine injuries an increasing number of reports document cases of survival following this injury. Improved pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency care according to ATLS guidelines that include early cervical spine stabilization, effective diagnosis because of improved imaging after trauma including whole body multislice CT followed by expeditious reposition and adequate immobilization are reasons for this phenomenon. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl surviving an AOD accompanied by a distraction injury C6/7 with unilateral fixed spinal luxation. After a primary attempt at closed reduction and external stabilization with a halo vest, the injury was treated by a navigated dorsal spondylodesis C0-C1 using the CerviFix rod system and open reposition of the remaining subluxation C6/7 with laminar hooks. The literature was reviewed for diagnostic possibilities, management and prognosis of AOD.

As pelvic fractures in children and adolescents are very rare, the surgical management is not well delineated nor are the postoperative complications. The aim of this study using the prospective data from German Pelvic Trauma Registry study was to evaluate the various treatment approaches compared to adults and delineated the differences in postoperative complications after pelvic injuries.Using the prospective pelvic trauma registry established by the German Society of Traumatology and the German Section of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO), International in 1991, patients with pelvic fractures over a 12-year time frame submitted by any 1 of the 23 member level I trauma centers were reviewed.We identified a total of 13,525 patients including pelvic fractures in 13,317 adults and 208 children aged ≤14 years and compared these 2 groups. The 2 groups' Injury Severitiy Score (ISS) did not differ statistically. Lethality in the pediatric group was 6.3%, not statistically different from the adults' 4.6%. In all, 18.3% of the pediatric pelvic fractures were treated surgically as compared to 22.7% in the adult group. No child suffered any thrombosis/embolism, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiorgan failure (MOF), or neurologic deficit, nor was any septic MOF detected. The differences between adults and children were statistically significant in that the children suffered less frequently from thrombosis/embolism (P = 0.041) and ARDS and MOF (P = 0.006).This prospective multicenter study addressing patients with pelvic fractures reveals that the risk for a thrombosis/embolism, ARDS, and MOF is significant lower in pediatric patients than in adults. No statistical differences could be found in the ratios of operative therapy of the pelvic fractures in children compared to adults.