Multiple myeloma, the second most common haematopoietic cancer, represents a collection of plasma-cell neoplasms that invariably become fatal when self-renewing myeloma cells begin unrestrained proliferation. The major clinical manifestation of multiple myeloma is related to loss of bone through osteolysis. The bone disease can lead to pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, hypercalcemi...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the technical feasibility of harvesting a vascularized bone graft from the acromion pedicled on the acromial branch. BACKGROUND Complex fractures of the proximal humerus may result in partial or total avascular necrosis of the head fragment. Treatment of avascular necrosis of the humeral head is dependent upon the stage of disease as well as the dimension and location...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the initial functional results and early complication rate of ceramic-ceramic total hip replacements among patients living with HIV who presented osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHOD Twelve HIV-positive patients with a diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the incongruent femoral head were evaluated using clinical and laboratory criteria and the WOMAC functional scale befo...

BACKGROUND Avascular necrosis of the femoral head causes significant morbidity and occurs in up to 20,000 people per year. A variety of nonoperative and operative measures have been trialled however a definitive treatment algorithm is yet to be established. Young adults in many cases have undergone multiple surgical procedures in their lifetime with increasing risks of complications. Less invas...

  Background: Diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is complicated due to the lack of reliable serum biomarkers. Up-regulation of alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) gene has been reported in glucocorticoid-induced ANFH rat model. This study aimed to investigate whether the serum level of alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) can be used for ONFH diagnosis. Methods: Serum protein capillary elect...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intraosseous use of a flexible endoscope during core decompression in identifying avascular bone in the femoral head that did not meet magnetic resonance imaging diagnostic criteria for osteonecrosis. The flexible endoscope was used to visually examine and locate avascular bone in the entire core track. A high-speed burr was then used to debride the...

Avascular osteonecrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is one of the most common skeletal complications of kidney transplantation [1,2]. Factors governing its prevalence, risk factors and therapy remain controversial, even four decades after the initial description. It is generally accepted that corticosteroids play a crucial role in the pathogenesis. Prevalence of this complication decreased follow...