Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the upper extremity:a review of the radiologic findings for 15 patients

The purpose of this study was to analyze the radiologic characteristics of lipofibromatous hamartomas affecting upper limb peripheral nerves

Phaeohyphomycosis Infection Leading to Flexor Tendon Rupture: A Case Report

A rare previously unreported cause of flexor tendon rupture is described. A 66-year-old man presented with a fully extended left middle finger, accompanied by swelling and purulent drainage. Prior to presentation, he had received a steroid injection for left middle finger stenosing tenosynovitis and subsequently developed culture-proven phaeohyphomycosis fungal infection and secondary enterococcal bacterial infection, requiring pharmacotherapy and incision, drainage, and debridement for abscess formation. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with the diagnosis of closed flexor tendon rupture of the left middle finger. Antifungal and antibiotic therapy followed by two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction was performed. Six months postoperatively, full passive range of motion was achieved and the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints of the left middle finger actively flexed to 125° and 90°, respectively

Evaluation of Pain Measurement Practices and Opinions of Peripheral Nerve Surgeons

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the opinions and practices of peripheral nerve surgeons regarding assessment and treatment of pain in patients following nerve injury. Surgeons with expertise in upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries and members of an international peripheral nerve society were sent an introductory letter and electronic survey by email (n = 133). Seventy members responded to the survey (49%) and 59 surgeons completed the survey (44%). For patients referred for motor or sensory dysfunction, 31 surgeons (52%) indicated that they always formally assess pain. In patients referred for pain, 44 surgeons (75%) quantitatively assess pain using a verbal scale (n = 24) or verbal numeric scale (n = 36). The most frequent factors considered very important in the development of chronic neuropathic pain were psychosocial factors (64%), mechanism of injury (59%), workers’ compensation or litigation (54%), and iatrogenic injury (48%). In patients more than 6 months following injury, surgeons frequently see: cold sensitivity (54%), decreased motor function (42%), paraesthesia or numbness (41%), fear of returning to work (22%), neuropathic pain (20%), and emotional or psychological distress (17%). Only 52% of surgeons who responded to the survey always evaluate pain in patients referred for motor or sensory dysfunction. Pain assessment most frequently includes verbal patient response, and assessment of psychosocial factors is rarely included. Predominately, patient-related factors were considered important in the development of chronic neuropathic pain