BackgroundThere is little information regarding the composition of peripheral blood immunity in sarcoma patients and even less in the context of pediatric sarcomas. We describe the immune status using flow cytometry of peripheral blood in patients with osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma and demonstrate excessive CD14 in tumor tissues.MethodsPeripheral blood from patients with OS and ES was collected at diagnosis or relapse, and used for immune phenotyping of 74 different leukocyte phenotypes. Blood from young adult healthy volunteers was collected as controls. Tumor tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.ResultsNineteen patients (average age = 14 y) and 16 controls (average age = 25y) were enrolled on study. Of the 74 phenotypes, 14 were different between sarcoma patients and HV. Sarcoma patients’ leukocytes contained a higher percentage of granulocytes (67 % sarcoma vs. 58 % HV; p = 0.003) and fewer lymphocytes (20 % sarcoma vs. 27 % HV; p = 0.001). Increased expression of CTLA-4 was seen in both T cells in sarcoma patients as compared to HV (p = 0.05). Increased CD14+ HLA-DRlo/neg immunosuppressive monocytes were seen in sarcoma patients (p = 0.03); primarily seen in OS. Increased tumor necrosis factor receptor II expression was seen on CD14+ cells derived from sarcoma patients as compared to HV (p = 0.01). Massive infiltration of CD14+ cells was seen in OS (>50 % of cells in the majority of tumors) compared to ES (<10-25 % of cells). In contrast, both OS and ES had limited T cell infiltration (generally <10 % of cells).ConclusionsPediatric sarcoma patients exhibit several immune phenotypic differences that were exacerbated in more severe disease. These phenotypes have the potential to contribute to immune suppression and may indicate potential targets for immune therapies.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40425-015-0082-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Epithelioid hemangioma is a rare tumor that can have bone involvement. Its clinically and radiographically aggressive appearance mimics a malignant neoplasm. Although epitheliod hemangioma has been described as having an aggressive appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and plain radiographs, this is the first reported case of pathologic fracture associated with this lesion to our knowledge. This article describes a case of epithelioid hemangioma involving the distal humerus, which initially presented with progressive pain and fracture of the lateral condyle. The aggressive appearance on plain radiographs and MRI suggested a malignant bone tumor. This preliminary diagnosis was confirmed due to the presence of local lymph node spread on positron emission tomography/computed tomography. After a core needle biopsy revealed nondiagnostic tissue, rather than performing a wide resection based on a presumptive malignant diagnosis, we followed the standard diagnostic algorithm and performed an open biopsy with temporary internal stabilization. The tissue sample was adequate and revealed a diagnosis of epithelioid hemangioma. Based on this finding, we were able to proceed with surgical management, including curettage of the lesion, placement of a bone graft, and internal fixation, rather than a wide resection with elbow joint replacement. This article emphasizes the need for careful adherence to the diagnostic algorithm for musculoskeletal tumors. In doing so, a definitive diagnosis was reached, and our patient was able to resume his occupation as a laborer without the restrictions that would have accompanied elbow arthroplasty.

Background Percutaneous-assisted arthroplasty was introduced to minimize complications traditionally associated with minimally invasive techniques, such as component malposition and periprosthetic fracture. Proponents of percutaneous-assisted techniques have more than 15 years of clinical utilization with good outcomes. This study reports our early experience, and outcomes, with an anterior percutaneous-assisted total hip arthroplasty (AnteriorPath). Methods A retrospective evaluation of a single-surgeon experience with the first 46 patients undergoing AnteriorPath using a cannula for acetabular cup instrumentation was compared with a similar-sized cohort undergoing traditional direct anterior (DA) total hip arthroplasty. Patients needed at least 2 postoperative visits for inclusion. Baseline preoperative characteristics, operative time, component positioning, and 6-week all-cause complications were evaluated. P values <.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Longer operative times were experienced with the AnteriorPath vs DA THA (93.6 minutes ± 38.6 vs 79.6 minutes ± 23.2, respectively, P = .0503). There were no significant differences in component abduction (40.14° DA vs 41.95° AnteriorPath, P = .1058). A statistically significant difference was found in component anteversion (32.8° DA vs 27.25° AnteriorPath, P = .0039). There were higher rates of short-term complications in patients undergoing DA THA (9.09% DA vs 2.5% AnteriorPath). Conclusions Early experience with an AnteriorPath demonstrates similar short-term outcomes compared with traditional DA THA. The use of a percutaneous technique has also allowed for a smaller incision, in-line acetabular cup reaming and impaction under direct visualization, and limited trauma to surrounding soft tissues. Further long-term studies with a larger sample size are needed to evaluate the potential benefits and complications of this novel technique