RESUMEN
Osteoid osteomas are benign primary bone lesions characterized by a central nidus with surrounding reactive sclerosis, classically presenting as worsening nocturnal pain relieved by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). These most commonly occur in intracortical bone and the diaphysis of long bones. As a rare entity, intra-articular osteoid osteomas present unusually, often resulting in a delayed or incorrect diagnosis. We present a case of an intra-articular osteoid osteoma, emphasizing the importance of MRI in aiding diagnosis in this atypical location.
RESUMEN
Background: The objective of this study was to assess functional, quality of life, and satisfaction outcomes of a hand surgery short-term surgical mission (STSM) to Honduras, and determine whether patient demographics and surgery characteristics during a surgical mission correlate with outcome. Methods: A total of 63 patients who received upper extremity surgery at a week-long hand surgery STSM to Honduras in March 2013 participated in the study. A before-after study design was used. Before receiving surgery, participants completed the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire and the Short Form 12 Health Survey version 2 (SF12v2). Four months postoperatively, participants completed the QuickDASH, SF12v2, and Satisfaction Survey. Results: The mean QuickDASH score significantly improved preoperatively to postoperatively. Demographics measures of age, sex, education, and income did not correlate with QuickDASH scores. Preoperative QuickDASH statistically significantly correlated with surgery type: Carpal tunnel patients had the highest scores (worst functioning). Postoperatively, mass excision and scar contracture/skin graft patients were correlated with the lowest scores. Carpal tunnel and tendon surgery patients showed greatest correlation with QuickDASH improvement. SF-12 scores revealed improvements in mental domains and declines in physical domains. Conclusions: Hand surgery performed during STSMs can result in significant functional improvement, regardless of socioeconomic status. Patients benefited from both simpler and more complex operations. Four months after surgery, general health-related quality of life measures showed improved mental indices. Measured physical indices declined despite improved QuickDASH scores. This may be due to the early general postoperative state. Further outcome research in STSMs in additional countries and specialties is required to expand our conclusions to other STSM contexts and guide best practices in STSMs.
RESUMEN
A 67-year-old female patient developed an esophagocutaneous fistula 4 mo after C4 and C5 partial corpectomy. Plain radiograph and computed tomography (CT) scan of cervical spine showed inferior screws pullout with plate migration that caused the esophageal perforation. Management included removal of anterior hardware, revision C4-5 corpectomy, iliac crest strut autograft and halo orthosis immobilization. The fistula was treated using antibiotics and a 10-french gauge rubber tube for daily irrigation and Penrose drain. At 3 mo, the esophagocutaneous fistula healed and the patient resumed oral feeding. Six months follow-up CT scan showed sound fusion with graft incorporation. At two-year follow-up, patient denied any neck pain or dysphagia. This case report presents a successful outcome of a conservative open wound management without attempted repair. The importance of this case report is to highlight this treatment method that may be considered in such a rare complication particularly if surgical repair failed.
RESUMEN
Originally described in 1853 by Dr. Morel-Lavellee, closed internal degloving injuries represent an important, although uncommon, source of morbidity in trauma patients. These injuries are typically the result of a shearing or crushing force that traumatically separates the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fat. This results in disruption of perforating blood vessels and lymphatics, leading to hematoma/seroma formation. We describe two cases in which industrial crush injuries resulted in lumbar transverse process fracture. Both patients developed closed degloving injuries of the flank. To the author's knowledge, this is the first case series describing the occurrence of closed internal degloving injuries of the flank with transverse process fractures. We advise that a high level of suspicion for these lesions to occur with transverse spinal fractures should be maintained, as they may arise several years after initial injury.