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Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a well-known condition of bone formation in soft tissues due to trauma (e.g. surgery) or neurological injury, but the exact aetiology is unknown. In most cases, HO is asymptomatic, but it may cause pain, reduced mobility of joints, and loss of functioning. Various patient groups have a significant risk of developing HO after surgery and should be offered prophylactic treatment. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and radiotherapy are internationally accepted treatments. This review discusses the potential for radiotherapy as prophylaxis against HO.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a hereditary generalized connective tissue disorder characterized by skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility and tissue fragility. Peripheral neuropathy is described sporadically. Although the exact mechanism of the neuropathy is not well-known, excessive stretch and abnormal connective tissue support are the suggested causative agents. To our knowledge, total peroneal nerve palsy occurring in conjunction with a growth spurt has not previously been described. We describe the case of a young male patient, who developed a total unilateral peroneal palsy during a growth spurt.

Localized Langerhans cell histiocytosis, also known as eosinophilic granuloma (EG), is a benign tumour-like inflammatory disease with variable clinical course. The peak incidence of EG is between five and ten years of age. EG in children down to the age of two years has been described. To our knowledge congenital EG has not previously been described. We present a case of congenital EG.

The study included 14,316 consecutive victims of violence registered by Odense University Hospital and/or the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark from 1991-2002. The incidence rate was 9.9 and 3.4 per 1,000 population/year for males and females respectively. The incidence rate for males decreased during the period of the study. The proportion of less serious lesions increased and the proportion of potential severe lesions such as bone fractures and deep lesions decreased during the period of the study. The proportion of patients with injuries from knives or firearms did not change during the period of the study.

Introduction: Infection following knee arthroplasty is a severe complication which may lead to arthrodesis or even amputation. We wanted to examine the results after arthrodesis of the knee using the Ilizarov ring fixator in eight patients., Materials and Methods: Eight patients (seven females, one male) who underwent knee arthrodesis with the Ilizarov external fixator were studied retrospectively. Their median age was 63 (51-84) years. The mean follow-up period after removal of the fixator was 10 months., Results: Six arthrodeses healed without further operation. One patient died before the end of follow-up. One patient had an above-knee amputation because of chronic infection. Associated complications were the complications/problems which are already well known., Discussion: The Ilizarov ring fixator is a reliable method for performing arthrodesis after removal of an infected total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to estimate the average costs of injuries and the proportion of total (treatment + social) costs covered when including injuries treated at the hospital., Material and Methods: The empirical data consisted of emergency department visits (n = 29,516) from the catchment area of Odense University Hospital in 1992 for all age groups and a representative population sample (n = 1074 injuries) for the age group 15-67 years old. The costs were assessed following the "cost of illness" principles., Results: The average costs per injured person varied significantly by age and were 26,119 DKK for 68+ years old, 2357 DKK for 15-67 years old, and 1528 DKK for 0-14 years old. The total direct costs for hospital treated persons were 117 million DKK, of which "injuries at home among elderly women" totalled 29% and road traffic injuries 25%. The numerical proportion of hospital treated injuries was 36% (95% CI 32-39%), but in economic terms 92% for treatment costs, and 85% when including social costs., Discussion: The proportion of total regional economic costs is considerably higher (85 or 92%) than in numerical terms for hospital based registration of injuries. Future cost studies can be based on hospital data for the age group 15-67 years old for road traffic injuries. If extrapolated conservatively to all of Denmark (population approx five million) the figures indicate that an amount of approx 2.-2.5 billion DKK per year (2002 level) is spent.

Introduction: In recent years, a number of elderly patients have been treated at the Odense University Hospital following injuries caused by bag-snatching. The aim of this study was to discover how many of elderly patients sustained such injuries., Material and Methods: The study comprised all inhabitants in the Odense Municipality aged 60 years or more treated at Odense University Hospital in 1996-2000 for injuries caused by bag-snatching., Results: We registered 95 patients. The annual number rose significantly from 1996 to 1999 and from 1999 to 2000 it declined. The mean age was 78 years and 95% were women. Most of the injuries occurred during the daytime. Many patients were injured, because of falls as the bag-snatcher grabbed the bag and got away (74%). Fewer patients were beaten or kicked (26%). The patients were generally pedestrians (86%), and the bag-snatchers mostly pedestrians (47%) or cyclists (29%). The injuries were commonly contusions/sprains (45%) and fractures/dislocations (37%). Twenty-seven per cent were admitted to hospital with a median stay of 15 days (1-54 days). One patient died as a result of the injury. Most patients sustained minor injuries (Maxsimal abbreviated injury scale-score = 1) (62%)., Discussion: Over a period of years we have observed an increasing number of injuries in the elderly caused by bagsnatching. The victims often fell and fractured or dislocated a limb. More than a quarter of the victims were hospitalised.