Ancient schwannoma involving the median nerve: A case report and review of the literature

Ancient schwannomas are benign long standing schwannomas of the neural sheaths. Histological findings are these seen as in conventional schwannomas, but ancient schwannomas additionally demonstrate cystic hemorrhagic changes and degenerative nuclei with pleomorphism and hyperchromasia. Due to the nuclear atypia, and cystic degeneration, ancient schwannomas might be confused with malignant tumors on histology and imaging, leading to a radical surgical approach. The median nerve is rarely affected. We present a rare case of an ancient schwannoma involving the median nerve at the mid humerus. The tumor slowly grew up within ten years and become symptomatic with local pain, mild numbness in the distribution of the median nerve in the palm and Tinel's test. The tumor was successfully removed by separating it from the nerve fascicles to negative margins. Post-operatively local symptoms relieved but minor sensory loss in the median nerve distribution in the palm was noticed which improved in the following six months. Ancient schwannomas can be misdiagnosed as sarcomas due to specific imaging and histologic findings. Patients' physical examination, history and fine radiologic and pathology features should be cautiously interpreted in order to achieve correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary wide tumor excisions. © 2013 The Author(s)

Soft tissue sarcomas of the upper extremities: Maximizing treatment opportunities and outcomes (review)

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare tumors; they do not even equate to 1% of all malignant tumor cases. One-fifth of all STS occur in the upper extremities, where epithelioid sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma and malignant fibrohistiocytoma are the most frequent subtypes. Surgical resection is the cornerstone of treatment. However, accomplishment of optimal oncological and functional results of STS of the upper extremities may represent a challenge for hand surgeons, due to the complex anatomy. In several cases, preoperative therapies are needed to facilitate tumor resection and improve the oncological outcome. Oligometastatic disease may also be a challenging scenario as curative strategies can be applied. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are commonly used for this purpose albeit with conflicting evidence. Novel drug combinations have also been approved in the metastatic setting, further improving the quality of life and survival of eligible patients. Thus, prior to any approach, every case should be individually discussed in sarcoma centers with specialized multidisciplinary tumor boards. The aim of the present review was to gather the multidisciplinary experiences of the available therapeutic strategies for STS of the upper extremities. © 2019, Spandidos Publications. All rights reserved

Improving gait and lower-limb muscle strength in children with cerebral palsy following Selective Percutaneous Myofascial Lengthening and functional physiotherapy

Background: Selective Percutaneous Myofascial Lengthening (SPML) is an innovative minimally invasive surgical procedure, using micro incisions often combined with alcohol nerve block, for managing muscle contractures and stiffness in children with cerebral palsy (CP). There is lack of evidence of effects of a combined intervention of SPML and physiotherapy on gait function and muscle strength in CP. Objective: This study investigated the change in gait function and muscle strength in children with CP who underwent gait laboratory assessment before and after SPML, combined with obturator nerve blocks, and 9-month post-surgical functional physiotherapy. Methods: Ten children with bilateral spastic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level II-IV, age 5-7 years, participated in this study. The Global Gait Graph Deviation Index (Global GGDI) and isometric muscle strength (hand-held dynamometry) were the primary outcome measures. Changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters, gross motor function and GMFCS level were secondarily examined. Results: A significant improvement of Global GGDI was found (p<0.05). The mean strength in hip flexors, extensors and adductors, knee extensors, and ankle dorsiflexors increased significantly (p<0.05). Children improved significantly their GMFCS level and gross motor capacity (p<0.05). Conclusions: SPML procedure combined with functional physiotherapy can improve gait function and lower-limb muscle strength. © 2018 IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved

Spaghetti wrist: Transverse injury, axial incision, layered microsurgical reconstruction

Introduction: Among various patterns of complex injuries of the wrist and forearm, “spaghetti wrist” refers to an extensive volar forearm laceration, in which several of the 12 tendons, 2 major nerves and 2 major arteries are transected, leading to lifelong disability and psychological, social and economic consequences. The aim of the study is to emphasize the keynote principles for the management of these injuries through retrospective review of a large group of patients treated by a team of experienced hand surgeons. Material-Methods: Data were retrospectively obtained for 61 patients (49 males and 12 females with average age of 34.7 years) treated for spaghetti wrist lacerations and followed for a minimum period of two years, in two accredited Orthopaedic / Hand-Upper Extremity Surgery and Microsurgery Departments in Greece. All patients were treated within 16 hours of injury and underwent primary, layered reconstruction of all injured structures through an axial forearm exposure. Results: The most frequent mechanism of injury was glass-related lacerations. Overall, 541 structures were reconstructed, of which 417 were tendons, 76 nerves, and 48 arteries. An average of 8.86 structures were injured per patient, including 6.83 tendons, 1.24 nerves, and 0.79 arteries. The majority of the patients (28/61) had ≥10 structures injured (45.9%), while 32.7% (20/61) and 21.3% (13/61) of patients had 6-9 and 3-5 injured structures respectively. Almost 80% (49/61) of patients had excellent/good grading in all six tests used for the functional assessment post-operatively. Discussion: Spaghetti wrist injuries usually occur in a transverse wound pattern and necessitate timely and definitive operative reconstruction of all injured structures in layers, through an axial approach, by experienced hand surgeons to maximize outcome and to avoid complications. The most important prognostic factor of functional recovery is not the number of transected tendons, but the involvement of ulnar and/or median nerve injury. © 202

Radical excision of a complicated transobturator tape

Aim of the video: In this video, we present the case of a late-detected sinus formation 4 years after a TOT placement. Method: A combined surgical approach (transvaginal and transcutaneous routes) performed by a urogynecologist and an orthopaedic surgeon was chosen to carry out a radical en bloc excision of the sinus tract with the right half of the tape. This combined approach has the advantage of completely removing the biofilm adhered to the surface of the tape and the surrounding tissues, thus making antibiotic therapy more effective. Conclusion: Surgical removal of these microbial commmunities is very important for the resolution of device-related infections. Severe infectious complications of transobturator slings should be managed by a tertiary multidisciplinary team to optimize patient care. © 2019, The International Urogynecological Association

Ultrasonography provides a diagnosis similar to that of nerve conduction studies for carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy. Its diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and neurophysiological evaluation. Recently, ultrasonography has been introduced as a promising noninvasive diagnostic alternative. In this study, the authors compared ultrasonography with neurophysiological findings for the diagnosis of CTS in 96 patients/hands with clinical symptoms of CTS. The latency, amplitude, distance, and velocity of the median and ulnar nerves were measured. Needle electromyography was performed in the abductor pollicis brevis, in addition to muscles of the arm and forearm, to exclude proximal median nerve, brachial plexus, or radicular abnormalities. Ultrasonography was based on the morphologic/anatomic changes of the median nerve crosssectional area in the sagittal plane of the wrist at the level of the pisiform bone, the changes of its regional echogenicity, and the identification of coexisting pathologies, such as tenosynovitis, space-occupying lesions, supplementary muscles, and vessels, that may provoke indirectly an increase of the pressure in the carpal tunnel. Eighty-seven (90%) of the 96 patients/hands with clinical symptoms of CTS showed positive findings in both ultrasonography and nerve conduction studies. Six (6%) patients showed positive findings only in nerve conduction studies, and 3 (3%) patients showed positive findings only in ultrasonography; the difference was not statistically significant. The sensitivity and the specificity of nerve conduction studies compared with ultrasonography was 97% and 89% compared with 94% and 55%, respectively. A positive correlation and proportional increase of the ultrasonography measurements compared with the increase of the nerve conduction studies severity was observed. Copyright © SLACK Incorporated

Can initial hematocrit predict blood transfusions, hospital cost, and mortality in polytrauma patients?

Knowing the initial hematocrit of a polytrauma patient can assist his trauma management. This paper describes a four-year study of 88 polytrauma patients. Fifty-nine were transfused, and eight were women (13.5%). The mean cost of the first hospitalization of patients who were transfused was 14,503 €; the mean cost of patients who were not transfused was 5,718 €. HCT did not correlate with ICU stay; nor did days of hospitalization. The mean HCT of those who died was not much different from that of survivors (33.23 with standard deviation [SD] 7.43 versus 32.37 with SD 5.89). This study showed that initial HCT does not correlate with days of hospitalization or days in ICU, but that transfusion can predict higher total cost. © 2020 by Begell House, Inc. www.begellhouse.com

Efficacy of local administration of tranexamic acid for blood salvage in patients undergoing intertrochanteric fracture surgery

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to assess whether local administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) reduced the need for a blood transfusion in elderly patients treated with an intramedullary (IM) nail for an intertrochanteric fracture. Design: Randomized prospective trial. Setting: Academic level 1 trauma center. Patients: Two hundred patients (200 fractures) over 65 years with an intertrochanteric fracture treated by IM nail between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2014. Intervention: Subfascial administration of 3 g of TXA around the fracture site at the end of the surgical procedure, versus a control group without TXA. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months. Main Outcome Measures: Group differences in number of transfused packed red blood cell (PRBC) units, and hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet count. Results: There was a 43% reduction in transfusion requirements in the TXA group (P < 0.01). Twenty-seven units of PRBC were transfused in 22/100 patients in the TXA group, whereas 48 PRBC units were transfused in 29/100 patients in control group. There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of late complications and overall mortality rate. Conclusions: Subfascial administration of TXA around the fracture site in elderly patients undergoing IM nailing for intertrochanteric fractures is safe and cost-effective. A significant reduction in blood loss and transfused blood units, and health care cost can be achieved. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc