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Summary Changes of the bone formation marker PINP correlated positively with improvements in vertebral strength in men with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) who received 18-month treatment with teriparatide, but not with risedronate. These results support the use of PINP as a surrogate marker of bone strength in GIO patients treated with teriparatide. Introduction To investigate the correlations between biochemical markers of bone turnover and vertebral strength estimated by finite element analysis (FEA) in men with GIO. Methods A total of 92 men with GIO were included in an 18-month, randomized, open-label trial of teriparatide (20 μg/day, n  = 45) and risedronate (35 mg/week, n  = 47). High-resolution quantitative computed tomography images of the 12th thoracic vertebra obtained at baseline, 6 and 18 months were converted into digital nonlinear FE models and subjected to anterior bending, axial compression and torsion. Stiffness and strength were computed for each model and loading mode. Serum biochemical markers of bone formation (amino-terminal-propeptide of type I collagen [PINP]) and bone resorption (type I collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide degradation fragments [CTx]) were measured at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 18 months. A mixed-model of repeated measures analysed changes from baseline and between-group differences. Spearman correlations assessed the relationship between changes from baseline of bone markers with FEA variables. Results PINP and CTx levels increased in the teriparatide group and decreased in the risedronate group. FEA-derived parameters increased in both groups, but were significantly higher at 18 months in the teriparatide group. Significant positive correlations were found between changes from baseline of PINP at 3, 6 and 18 months with changes in FE strength in the teriparatide-treated group, but not in the risedronate group. Conclusions Positive correlations between changes in a biochemical marker of bone formation and improvement of biomechanical properties support the use of PINP as a surrogate marker of bone strength in teriparatide-treated GIO patients.

ObjectiveWe present the subanalysis of the Greek cohort of the Extended Forsteo Observational Study (ExFOS), a multicenter, non-interventional, prospective, observational study evaluating the effect of teriparatide on fractures, back pain (BP), health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and safety and compliance, in patients with osteoporosis treated for up to 24 months, with a post-treatment follow-up of at least 18 months.DesignA total of 439 osteoporotic patients (92.2% female) were enrolled in Greece. New or worsened fractures, based on their physicians’ assessment, as well as patients’ self-assessment of HR-QoL and BP, compliance, and safety profile, were captured by validated questionnaires.ResultsIn the ExFOS Greek cohort, fracture rates were low and mean bone mineral density (BMD) was numerically improved. Compliance with teriparatide remained high throughout the study, with 81.5% of subjects completing treatment. Only 0.7% of patients reported discontinuation due to adverse effects. A sustainable improvement in patient-perceived BP and HRQoL throughout treatment and follow-up was similar to that achieved by the European Forsteo Observational Study (EFOS). A lower than expected percentage of patients using antiresorptives following teriparatide was recorded.ConclusionsExFOS reproduces the outcomes of EFOS, with a 6.5-year time interval between studies, in comparable cohorts of osteoporotic patients. Data should be interpreted in the context of observational study data collection, although summary statistics computed at each time point may overstate drug effect.

Dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint is an unusual injury. We report a patient, who developed inferior proximal tibiofibular dislocation after a severe motorcycle accident. The dislocation was associated with avulsion of the leg, fractures of the fibula and the ankle and neurovascular lesions. The patient was surgically treated and had a good final outcome. Classifications of proximal tibiofibular dislocations did not include inferior dislocation. This type is always associated with avulsion mechanism and has the poorest prognosis.

The bony bridges of the atlas over the \"groove of the vertebral artery\" are commonly seen in plain radiographs of the cervical spine, and it is a subject of controversy whether they cause compression of the underneath lying vertebral artery. To clarify this we examined a total of 176 dried and complete atlas vertebrae and found the presence of a \"canal for the vertebral artery\" (CVA) in 10.23% and an incomplete \"canal for the vertebral artery\" in 24.43%. The CVA and incomplete CVA is more common in males (11.11% and 24.9%) than in females (9.3% and 24.42%). We found a higher incidence of CVA in laborers (37.5%) than in nonlaborers (4.16%). The incomplete CVA appeared to be more characteristic in the age group of 5-44 years. In the age group of 45-90 years the CVA was characteristic, which probably means that an incomplete CVA is the precursor of a CVA. The superoinferior diameter of the CVA canal ranged from 5.1 to 6.1 mm at the right side and from 4.6 to 5.8 mm at the left side, while the anteroposterior diameter was 5.6-6.9 mm at the right side and 6.1-7.2 mm at the left side. We also found a high incidence of coexistence of CVA and the \"retrotransverse foramen\" (72.22%) which means that because of possible compression of the vertebral veins the blood flow is directed into the small vein of the retrotransverse foramen. Finally, in 93.5% of unilateral CVA a deeply excavated contralateral \"groove of the vertebral artery\" was found.

Introduction: Injection of PMMA cement for kyphoplasty treatment of osteoporotic VCF's is widely accepted. However, there is scepticism for acute traumatic fractures for young patients due to long term PMMA adverse effects. Methods: This is a case report of a 32 year old male working in a heavy job. He had a traumatic VCF, type A1, Frankel E. The patient reported back pain (V.A.S. score 85). Under local anaesthesia, kyphoplasty procedure was performed using a novel synthetic in-jectable bone graft substitute composed of calcium sulphate and beta -tricalcium phosphate (Genex, Biocomposites Ltd. UK). Results: Next day the patient had significant pain improvement (VAS 35) and was fully mobilised. He was discharged and rested at home. After 4 weeks he returned to work. At the three months evaluation he had no deterioration of pain or deformity (local angulation). Conclusions: The use of PMMA cement is the major disadvantage of kyphoplasty because of (1) difference in strength compared to neighbouring osteoporotic bone, (2) high exothermic reaction (85 degree C), and (3) cement debris. We used Genex, a synthetic, radio-opaque bone graft, presented as an injectable setting paste (10 min) which is resorbed in approximately 8 to 12 months. Its use prevents long term problems of PMMA cement debris, it exhibits a low exothermic reaction (max temperature 37 degree C) and was strong enough to prevent deformity. We believe Genex warrants further study as a bone substitute for VCF kyphoplasty.