Elastofibroma dorsi – differential diagnosis in chest wall tumours

BACKGROUND: Elastofibromas are benign soft tissue tumours mostly of the infrascapular region between the thoracic wall, the serratus anterior and the latissimus dorsi muscle with a prevalence of up to 24% in the elderly. The pathogenesis of the lesion is still unclear, but repetitive microtrauma by friction between the scapula and the thoracic wall may cause the reactive hyperproliferation of fibroelastic tissue. METHODS: We present a series of seven cases with elastofibroma dorsi with reference to clinical findings, further clinical course and functional results after resection, as well as recurrence. Data were obtained retrospectively by clinical examination, phone calls to the patients' general practitioners and charts review. Follow-up time ranged from four months to nine years and averaged 53 months. RESULTS: The patients presented with swelling of the infrascapular region or snapping scapula. In three cases, the lesion was painful. The ratio men/women was 2/5 with a mean age of 64 years. The tumor sizes ranged from 3 to 13 cm. The typical macroscopic aspect was characterized as poorly defined fibroelastic soft tissue lesion with a white and yellow cut surface caused by intermingled remnants of fatty tissue. Microscopically, the lesions consisted of broad collagenous strands and densely packed enlarged and fragmented elastic fibres with mostly round shapes. In all patients but one, postoperative seroma (which had to be punctuated) occurred after resection; however, at follow-up time, no patient reported any decrease of function or sensation at the shoulder or the arm of the operated side. None of the patients experienced a relapse. CONCLUSION: In differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors located at this specific site, elastofibroma should be considered as likely diagnosis. Due to its benign behaviour, the tumor should be resected only in symptomatic patients

K-wire transfixation or distraction following the Keller-Brandes arthroplasty in Hallux rigidus and Hallux valgus?

A total of 118 feet with Hallux valgus and Hallux rigidus treated by the Keller-Brandes method were re-examined clinically and radiologically after 9.1 years (range: 1.7–24.3). Correction of the Hallux valgus angle was obtained from an average of 40° to 23° in the Hallux valgus group. Improvement in the postoperative range of motion was observed when the aftertreatment consisted of Kirschner-wire distraction instead of an axial Kirschner-wire transfixation. The patients who underwent Keller-Brandes surgery for Hallux valgus had less pain when the aftertreatment was carried out using an axial Kirschner wire, while those operated on for Hallux rigidus had less pain when the aftertreatment consisted of distraction. The percentage of satisfied or very satisfied patients with the cosmetic results of the Keller-Brandes arthroplasty was more than 66.7%. Patients with Hallux valgus and postoperative aftertreatment with Kirschner wire transfixation were the most satisfied patients, while patients with Hallux rigidus were very satisfied with the postoperative distraction. Our good results are comparable to those in other studies and confirm the success of the Keller-Brandes resection arthroplasty in Hallux valgus with osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in older patients whose demand for movement is less, and in Hallux rigidus in less active older patients

Bourbon Virus Transmission, New York, USA

In July 2019, Bourbon virus RNA was detected in an Amblyomma americanum tick removed from a resident of Long Island, New York, USA. Tick infection and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) serosurvey results demonstrate active transmission in New York, especially Suffolk County, emphasizing a need for surveillance anywhere A. americanum ticks are reported