Publications by authors named "Zachary D C Burke"

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) are among the most common adult soft tissue sarcoma (STS) subtypes. Due to their high genetic complexity, heterogeneity, and lack of specific genetic alterations, no consistent molecular targets for targeted therapy have been identified for UPS and MFS. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has emerged as a promising treatment modality for UPS and MFS.

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Background: Despite the goal of an acceptable functional result, the surgical treatment of soft-tissue sarcoma can portend a prolonged course of recovery. More comprehensive data on the expected course of recovery following extremity sarcoma surgery are needed to help to inform physicians and patients. The purpose of the present study was to describe the typical course of functional recovery following limb-salvage resection of a soft-tissue sarcoma and to identify factors associated with a delayed postoperative course of recovery.

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Background: The Reconstructive Allograft Preparation by Toronto Sarcoma (RAPTORS) protocol is reliable and reproducible without substantially adding to the surgical reconstruction time or cost. Our technique includes clearance of debris, lavage of the medullary canal, pressurized filling of the medullary canal with antibiotic-laden cement for its mechanical and antimicrobial properties, and insertion of cancellous autograft at the allograft-host junctional ends prior to dual-plate compression to fix the allograft into the defect. Our experience with large intercalary allograft reconstruction has demonstrated high rates of long-term success and addresses the most common causes of large allograft failure (infection, fracture, and nonunion), as shown in our long-term outcome study.

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bacteremia is typically treated empirically with vancomycin, with therapy later tailored based on susceptibility results. However, these tests occur before vancomycin exposure and do not account for adaptation during empiric treatment that can alter ' susceptibility to first-line drugs. To investigate these collateral drug responses, we experimentally evolved 18 methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) populations under increasing vancomycin concentrations until they achieved intermediate resistance.

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Bacterial biofilms on orthopedic implants are resistant to the host immune response and to traditional systemic antibiotics. Novel therapies are needed to improve patient outcomes. TRL1068 is a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) against a biofilm anchoring protein.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study examined how different biopsy methods (open biopsy vs. core needle biopsy) affect surgical outcomes in sarcoma patients.
  • It found that core needle biopsy was the most frequently used method internationally, whereas open biopsy was more common in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Despite open biopsy taking longer and resulting in more tissue removed, both methods showed no significant difference in infection rates or cancer outcomes after one year.
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Aims: The preoperative grading of chondrosarcomas of bone that accurately predicts surgical management is difficult for surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists. There are often discrepancies in grade between the initial biopsy and the final histology. Recent advances in the use of imaging methods have shown promise in the ability to predict the final grade.

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Radiation-associated sarcoma of the pelvis and/or sacrum (RASB) is a rare but challenging disease process associated with a poor prognosis. We hypothesized that patients with RASB would have worse surgical and oncologic outcomes than patients diagnosed with primary pelvic or sacral bone sarcomas. This was a retrospective, multi-institution, comparative analysis.

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Background: Unlike other soft tissue sarcomas, atypical lipomatous tumors (ALTs) are thought to have a low propensity for metastasis. Despite this, a standard of care for pulmonary metastasis (PM) surveillance has not been established. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of chest imaging for PM surveillance following ALT excision.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Extremity reconstruction surgeries are becoming more common for patients with significant bone loss, sparking debate over whether to use metal implants or allograft bone as void fillers in these procedures.
  • - Recent research indicates that the risk of infection might be higher with allograft bone compared to metal, challenging previous assumptions.
  • - A study using mice uncovered that allograft bone harbors a much larger bacterial load from Staphylococcus aureus, and it can create immune-evading microabscesses, suggesting a need to rethink how we approach infections in bone treatments.
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Background: There is a paucity of data on long-term survivorship and outcomes for total humerus replacements (THR) with only two series reporting 10-year survival.

Patients And Methods: A review of 769 consecutive, prospectively collected endoprosthetic reconstructions for oncological diagnoses at a single-center between 1980 and 2019 was performed. Patients with THRs were isolated and analyzed for outcomes, complications, and modes of failure.

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Purpose Of Review: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) or tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) encompasses a wide spectrum of disease and is divided into localized and diffuse variants. Surgical resection remains the principal treatment for nearly all localized type disease and most diffuse type. Recent mechanistic understanding of the disease led to drug discovery that has opened new avenues for patients with recalcitrant disease.

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Aims: We aimed to examine the long-term mechanical survivorship, describe the modes of all-cause failure, and identify risk factors for mechanical failure of all-polyethylene tibial components in endoprosthetic reconstruction.

Methods: This is a retrospective database review of consecutive endoprosthetic reconstructions performed for oncological indications between 1980 and 2019. Patients with all-polyethylene tibial components were isolated and analyzed for revision for mechanical failure.

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Limb salvage is widely practiced as standard of care in most cases of extremity bone sarcoma. Allograft and endoprosthesis reconstructions are the most widely utilized modalities for the reconstruction of large segment defects, however complication rates remain high. Aseptic loosening and infection remain the most common modes of failure.

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Background: Although there is widespread acceptance of core needle biopsy (CNB) for diagnosing solid tumors, there is reluctance by some clinicians to use CNB for aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) as a result of concerns of safety (bleeding, nerve injury, fracture, readmission, or infection) and reliability, particularly to rule out malignant diagnoses like telangiectatic osteosarcoma. This is especially true when CNB tissue is sent from an outside hospital, where the technique used to obtain the tissue may be spurious.

Questions/purposes: (1) Is CNB effective (provided adequate information to indicate appropriate surgical treatment without further open biopsy) as an initial diagnostic test for ABC? (2) Is CNB accurate (pathology consistent with the subsequent definitive surgical pathologic diagnosis) in differentiating between benign lesions such as primary or secondary ABCs and malignant radiolucent lesions such as telangiectatic osteosarcoma? (3) What are the complications of CNB? (4) Is there any difference in the effectiveness or accuracy of CNB performed at outside institutions when compared with a referral center?

Methods: A retrospective study of our musculoskeletal tumor board pathology database (1990-2016) was performed using search criteria "aneurysmal bone cyst" or "telangiectatic osteosarcoma.

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The purpose of this study was to determine what orthopaedic surgery department leadership characteristics are most closely correlated with securing NIH funding and increasing scholarly productivity. Scopus database was used to identify number of publications/h-index for 4,328 faculty, department chairs (DC), and research directors (RD), listed on departmental websites from 138 academic orthopaedic departments in the United States. NIH funding data was obtained for the 2013 fiscal year.

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Bile duct cysts are a rare form of biliary disease characterized by single or multiple dilations anywhere along the biliary tree. Todani Type V bile duct cysts are intrahepatic and typically involve multiple fusiform dilations. We present the case of a neonate with an unusual prenatally identified solitary diverticular type V bile duct cyst that was evaluated, monitored, and subsequently resected with right lobectomy at the age of 6 months.

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Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate preoperative and intraoperative blood transfusion practices in Hospital Central (Maputo, Mozambique) and estimate the number of potentially avoidable transfusions.

Study Design And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Age, comorbidities, hemoglobin (Hb), the potential for blood loss, and units of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions were recorded.

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