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Biomedical subjects

Olga D Savvidou

Publications and source records attributed to Olga D Savvidou.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Survivorship analysis in patients with periosteal chondrosarcoma.

UNLABELLED: To investigate outcome and identify prognostic factors, we retrospectively reviewed 24 consecutive patients with periosteal chondrosarcomas. There were 17 males and seven females with a mean age of 37.6 years (range, 15-73 years). The femur was involved in 12 patients, the proximal humerus in five, the tibia in two, and the distal fibula, ilium, pubis, metatarsal, and rib in one patient each. The mean greatest dimension of the lesions was 8.1 cm (range, 1.5-27 cm). Based on the histologic pattern, there were 18 Grade 1 tumors and six Grade 2 tumors. All patients were treated surgically. Two patients had intralesional excisions, five patients had marginal excisions, and 17 patients had wide resections. With a mean followup of 17 years (range, 28 months-47 years), seven of 24 patients (29%) had one or more local recurrences. The 5-year local recurrence-free survival was less in patients treated with intralesional or marginal excisions (25%) than for patients treated with wide resections (93%). At the latest followup, six of 24 patients (25%) had died of pulmonary metastases. The overall 5-year metastasis-free survival was 83%. The 5-year metastasis-free survival was less for patients with Grade 2 tumors (50%) than for patients with Grade 1 tumors (94%). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series no, or historical control group). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Advances and challenges in diagnosis and management of skeletal metastases.

The treatment of metastatic disease remains challenging. The number of patients who will be diagnosed with metastatic bone disease will continue to increase as survival from the primary cancer diagnosis continues to improve. Although it often is impossible to cure these patients, the task of maximizing their quality of life must be met with valiant efforts. Although a large number of medical and technological advances have occurred, perhaps the recognition of the importance of a well-qualified multidisciplinary team approach to treatment of these complex patients has done more to improve the field than any other single achievement. As basic science continues to further unravel potential treatment options, we must not forget this integrated approach and we must embrace "the bench" at the bedside.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of scoliosis in women with visual deficiency.

UNLABELLED: Whether visual impairment influences the prevalence of scoliosis in humans or not remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of scoliosis in blind women in a Mediterranean region. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 26 blind women aged 40 years (median, range 20 - 67) were screened for scoliosis. The existence of a possible trunk hump was measured by the forward bending test using the Pruijis Scoliometer. Reading of an Angle of Trunk Inclination (ATI) greater or equal to 7 degrees was used as a cut-off criterion for radiological examination. Standing postero-anterior and lateral spinal radiographs were obtained. Menarche and circadian rhythm was recorded. RESULTS: 11 out of 26 women had a scoliosis with an average Cobb angle of 19 degrees (range 12 - 28). The average ATI was 8 degrees. Thoracolumbar was the most common type of curve identified (9 out of 11, 6 were to the right and 3 to the left). The median age of menarche was 13 years (range, 11 - 15). None of the blind women reported any difficulty sleeping and had a circadian rhythm related to a 24-hour day. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of scoliosis was 42.3%, while the prevalence in the general population in the same regime is 2.9%. Blind women had a later age of menarche (13 versus 12.58 yrs) compared with normal girls. The postural etiology of scoliosis in blind people has been reported. The possible role of light in association to melatonin production, age at menarche and high prevalence of scoliosis in blind women is presented and discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Lateral malleolus en bloc resection and ankle reconstruction for malignant tumors.

UNLABELLED: Four children and six adults required en bloc resection of the lateral malleolus for malignant tumors. There were four osteosarcomas, three chondrosarcomas, two Ewing's sarcomas, and one adamantinoma. Surgical margins were wide in seven patients, marginal in two, and intralesional in one. A primary ankle arthrodesis was done in four adults and bracing without any reconstruction was done in four children and two adults. During a mean followup of 14.5 years (range, 3-30 years), there were two local recurrences (two of 10 patients) after a marginal excision and an intralesional excision. One patient had reoperation for a skip osteosarcoma lesion in the proximal fibula. Other complications included chronic osteomyelitis, a lateral talus subluxation and cavovarus deformity, and recurrent ankle instability and degenerative changes of the ankle. At the latest followup, all 10 patients showed no evidence of disease. Five patients who had primary or late ankle arthrodesis had a Musculoskeletal Tumor Society and International Society of Limb Salvage functional score of 28 points (92%), and two adolescents who had postoperative bracing alone had a functional score of 24 points (80%). The three remaining patients had a salvage amputation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series--no, or historical control group). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Coracoclavicular screw fixation for unstable distal clavicle fractures.

Fifteen patients with Neer type II distal clavicle fracture were treated surgically. Operative treatment included open reduction and fixation of the proximal clavicular fragment to the coracoid process using a 6.5-mm cancellous screw and repair of the coracoclavicular ligaments. Fracture union occurred at a mean of 7 weeks postoperatively without any serious complications. All patients returned to the pre-injury level of activity with no residual pain or dysfunction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Percutaneous Harlow Wood needle biopsy of the spine: a retrospective analysis of 238 spine lesions.

This retrospective study assessed the diagnostic accuracy and clinical usefulness of the Harlow Wood needle biopsy for spinal lesions. The medical records of 238 patients (138 men and 100 women) who underwent closed spine biopsy from 1987 through 1997 were reviewed. Patient age ranged from 21 to 83 years. Lesions involved the thoracic vertebrae in 127 patients, the lumbar vertebrae in 99 patients, and the sacrum in 12 patients. Cultures of the biopsy specimens were examined histopathologically and cytologically. One hundred twenty-four patients were diagnosed with a spinal infection, and 68 patients were diagnosed with a tumor. In the remaining 46 patients, the biopsy specimens were negative for infection or neoplasia in 20 patients and not diagnostic in 26 (10.9%) patients. There were no major complications. The Harlow Wood needle biopsy is a simple, repeatable procedure with satisfactory diagnostic accuracy (89.1%) and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Adult↗