Publications by authors named "Maria A Smolle"

Aims: The most appropriate management of patients who have undergone curettage for a suspected low-grade chondrosarcoma (CS), which has subsequently been found to be of grade 2, remains unknown. We aimed to assess whether these patients have an increased risk of local recurrence and distant metastasis if followed up over time, compared to those who undergo further treatment soon after the diagnosis has been established.

Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken which included 71 patients treated between January 2010 and December 2022 by intralesional curettage for a supposed low-grade CS, but who subsequently proved to have a histological grade 2 CS.

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Background And Aims: The gut microbiota is a modulator of cardiometabolic disease. Circulating imidazole propionate (ImP) is a microbiota-derived proatherogenic amino acid metabolite modulating the inflammatory response of myeloid cells, endothelial function and glucose metabolism. This study examined the prognostic value of ImP in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

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Background: We aimed to 1) assess the prognostic performance of established prediction models for mortality in patients with spine and extremity bone metastases, 2) evaluate their performance in clinically relevant subgroups, and 3) study the importance of relevant patient characteristics for mortality prediction.

Methods: Between 29th May, 2000 and 21st April, 2022, a total of 526 patients (median age 67.0 years, interquartile range [IQR] 58.

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Long bone metastases are common in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). One potential surgical treatment option is resection and megaprosthetic reconstruction. However, implant complications and survival are poorly understood.

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Introduction: Recent reports show that vascular proximity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) increases the risk of local recurrence of thigh soft tissue sarcomas (STS). However, it remains unclear whether the defined radiological distance between the tumor and major blood vessels influences local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and overall survival (OS). We aimed to verify this association among patients with deep STS.

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Introduction: Various prognostic factors of bone sarcoma (BS) and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) have been investigated in the past. Recent reports indicate that muscle quantity is related to prognosis of older cancer patients. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on the relationship between femoral muscle volume and overall survival (OS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), or metastasis-free survival (MFS) in patients with BS and STS aged ≥18 years.

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Background: Advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for giant cell tumors of bone (GCTB) have introduced molecular and radiological tools that refine clinical decision-making. H3.3 G34W immunohistochemical staining has become a routine diagnostic marker, while H3F3A mutational analysis enhances prognostic insights.

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Purpose: Bone transport nails (BTN) are increasingly being used for defect reconstruction in orthopedic surgery, including orthopedic oncology. Herein, we report on preliminary outcomes in three adult sarcoma patients undergoing bone defect reconstruction of the lower limbs with a BTN.

Methods: In this study three patients were retrospectively included; ID1 male, 18 years, Ewing's sarcoma of the right tibial diaphysis; ID2 female, 30 years, G2 periosteal osteosarcoma of the left femoral diaphysis; ID3 female, 28 years, epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) originating from the right proximal tibial metaphysis.

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Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of reinfection in patients after two-stage revision of an infected megaprosthesis (MPR) implanted after resection of a bone tumour.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out of 186 patients from 16 bone sarcoma centres treated between January 2010 and December 2020. The median age at the time of tumour diagnosis was 26 years (IQR 17 to 33); 69 (37.

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Aims: The Birmingham Orthopaedic Oncology Meeting (BOOM), held in January 2024, convened 309 delegates from 53 countries to discuss and refine 21 consensus statements on the optimal management of chondrosarcoma.

Methods: With representation from Europe (43%; n = 133), North America (17%; n = 53), South America (16%; n = 49), Asia (13%; n = 40), Australasia (5%; n = 16), the Middle East (4%; n = 12), and Africa (2%; n = 6), the combined experience of treating bone sarcomas among attendees totalled approximately 30,000 cases annually, equivalent to 66 years of experience in the UK alone. The meeting's process began with the formation of a local organizing committee, regional leads, and a scientific committee comprising representatives from 150 specialist units across 47 countries.

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Purpose: The aim of this multicenter study was to analyze the potential impact of patient demographics and cementation technique towards the development of radiolucent lines (RLLs) in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It was hypothesized that cementation techniques, including higher cement volume, double-layer cementation technique and hardening in full extension, reduce RLL incidence by improving stability, whereas demographic factors such as age, BMI and smoking may increase RLL risk by affecting bone quality and mechanical loading.

Methods: Altogether, 776 patients (median age: 70.

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Introduction: Liquid biopsy as a non-invasive method to investigate cancer biology and monitor residual disease has gained significance in clinical practice over the years. Whilst its applicability in carcinomas is well established, the low incidence and heterogeneity of bone and soft tissue sarcomas explains the less well-established knowledge considering liquid biopsy in these highly malignant mesenchymal neoplasms.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature review adhering to the PRISMA guidelines initially identified 920 studies, of whom 68 original articles could be finally included, all dealing with clinical applicability of liquid biopsy in sarcoma.

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Introduction: Assessment of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a means to monitor disease activity in translocation-associated tumors has become very popular in clinical practice. However, there are still few studies on its clinical application to date. Our study evaluates the clinical applicability of ctDNA as a biomarker for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with translocation-associated sarcomas.

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: The resection of tumors of the proximal fibula includes the removal of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and biceps femoris tendon (BFT) attachment. The aim was to describe and evaluate a surgical reconstruction technique in terms of functional outcome and knee joint stability. : We analyzed the outcome of six patients, treated by a proximal fibula resection.

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Aims: This multicentre retrospective observational study's aims were to investigate whether there are differences in the occurrence of radiolucent lines (RLLs) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between the conventional Attune baseplate and its successor, the novel Attune S+, independent from other potentially influencing factors; and whether tibial baseplate design and presence of RLLs are associated with differing risk of revision.

Methods: A total of 780 patients (39% male; median age 70.7 years (IQR 62.

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Article Synopsis
  • Enchondromas (ECs) and atypical cartilaginous tumors (ACTs) are benign and intermediate bone tumors, respectively, that are difficult to differentiate through histology and MRI alone, prompting the need for follow-up MRIs to monitor their natural progression.
  • A study involving re-examination of MRI scans from 176 patients with cartilage lesions over an average follow-up of 27 months found that ACTs exhibited significantly higher growth rates compared to ECs in both knee and shoulder lesions.
  • The findings suggest that while both tumor types grow slowly, ECs might even decrease in size, supporting a "watchful waiting" approach and indicating that follow-up MRIs may improve tumor distinction.
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Introduction: X-rays are regularly performed after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While soft tissue management and ligament tension cannot be evaluated, important information, such as inadequate component positioning and loose cement location, as well as subsequent loosening, can be detected. The aim of this study was to correlate radiological findings, referring to the radiological grading system (previously published by the same study group, henceforth abbreviated as "RGS"), with long-term outcomes and implant survival.

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Background: The primary aim of this study was to assess 30-day and 1-year rates for unplanned readmission due to implant-associated complications following total hip (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Austria. Secondary endpoints were reasons for readmission and differences in revision risk depending on demographics and hospital size.

Methods: Data on patients receiving THA (n = 18,508) or TKA (n = 15,884) in orthopaedic and trauma units across Austria within a 1-year period (January 2021 to December 2021) were retrieved from a government-maintained database.

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A 74-year-old male patient was referred with signs of sepsis 5 days after having been diagnosed with a rib fracture following a fall out of bed. Novel hypodensities were visible on thoracic X‑rays and laboratory tests revealed elevated inflammatory parameters. Subsequently performed thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan showed burst fracture of the 3rd thoracic vertebra, posttraumatic esophageal rupture at the same level and mediastinitis.

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Background: This experimental study aimed at directly comparing conventional and endoscopic-assisted curettage towards (1) amount of residual tumour tissue (RTT) and (2) differences between techniques regarding surgical time and surgeons' experience level.

Methods: Three orthopaedic surgeons (trainee, consultant, senior consultant) performed both conventional (4x each) and endoscopic-assisted curettages (4x each) on specifically prepared cortical-soft cancellous femur and tibia sawbone models. "Tumours" consisted of radio-opaque polyurethane-based foam injected into prepared holes.

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Aims: Patients with proximal femoral fractures (PFFs) are often multimorbid, thus unplanned readmissions following surgery are common. We therefore aimed to analyze 30-day and one-year readmission rates, reasons for, and factors associated with, readmission risk in a cohort of patients with surgically treated PFFs across Austria.

Methods: Data from 11,270 patients with PFFs, treated surgically (osteosyntheses, n = 6,435; endoprostheses, n = 4,835) at Austrian hospitals within a one-year period (January to December 2021) was retrieved from the Leistungsorientierte Krankenanstaltenfinanzierung (Achievement-Oriented Hospital Financing).

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