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PURPOSE: To assess the effect of radial longitudinal deficiency on the function of pollicized digits as determined by the Thumb Grasp and Pinch (T-GAP) assessment. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 25 hands with thumb hypoplasia that underwent index finger pollicization. Patients were followed for an average of 10.4 years. Hands were divided by severity into two groups: no or mild radial longitudinal deficiency (RLD) (Group 1 = 16) and moderate to severe RLD (Group 2 = 9). We collected demographic information and completed physical examination measures, including hand strength, elbow, wrist, and hand range of motion, the Kapandji opposition score, active grasp span, and T-GAP total score. RESULTS: Patients with moderate to severe forms of RLD had stiffer long fingers, lower Kapandji opposition scores, and limited active and passive range of motion for elbow flexion, wrist ulnar deviation, and pollicized thumb interphalangeal flexion. They had shorter forearms, decreased active grasp span, and fewer thumb creases at the interphalangeal thumb joint. In addition, the T-GAP total score was significantly lower when comparing the two groups. Children with mild dysplasia were able to achieve 32% of age-matched normal grasp strength. Patients with more severe radial dysplasia averaged 17% less grasp strength compared with children with mild dysplasia. Patients with moderate to severe RLD also had lower T-GAP total scores and strength measurements if they had limited wrist ulnar deviation. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with moderate to severe RLD have unique anatomical factors that affect outcomes after pollicization. These individuals use their thumbs for fewer activities, have weaker grasp, and retain more primitive grasp patterns compared with those who have milder forms of RLD. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

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La patología traumática del plexo braquial comprende un amplio espectro de lesiones potencialmente devastadoras para la funcionalidad de los pacientes. El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar una revisión narrativa de la literatura enfocada en el diagnóstico y estudio de las lesiones del plexo braquial en adultos, además de entregar nociones básicas sobre el manejo de esta compleja patología

Traumatic brachial plexus injuries comprise a wide spectrum of lesions that are potentially devastating to the functionality of the patients. The aim of the present review is to perform a narrative review of the literature focused on the diagnosis and study of brachial plexus injuries in adults, in addition to providing basic guidelines on the management of this complex pathology.

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BACKGROUND: Congenital conditions of the hand and upper extremity are a frequent source of consultation among pediatric orthopaedists and hand surgeons. Advances in the fields of molecular biology and genetics have helped to better understand some of these conditions and redefine previous classification systems. New outcome measurement tools have been used to assess surgical results and have brought into focus a different aspect of the patients' experience. METHODS: We searched PubMed database for papers related to the treatment of congenital hand anomalies published from January 1, 2015 to October 31, 2018. The search was limited to English articles yielding 207 papers. Three pediatric hand surgeons selected the articles based upon the criteria that the topic was germane, the article fell under the subheadings within the manuscript, and the conclusions were meaningful. RESULTS: A total of 40 papers were selected for review, based upon their quality and new findings. Research articles with significant findings were included for syndactyly, symbrachydactyly, cleft hand, polydactyly, radial longitudinal deficiency, congenital radio-ulnar synostosis, and macrodactyly. CONCLUSIONS: Our knowledge of the embryology and pathophysiology of congenital upper extremity conditions continues to evolve. Functional assessments combined with patient and parent-reported outcomes have our understanding of the results following surgical procedures. Further research and standardization of our scientific data will provide better answers and higher quality of evidence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V-literature review and expert opinion.

Assuntos

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OBJECTIVE: To describe early functional outcomes of nerve transfer surgery in a relatively large cohort of patients with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). METHODS: A retrospective case analysis was made of patients with AFM treated with nerve transfer surgery between 2007 and 2018. Surgical criteria were persistent motor deficits after 6 months from onset and available donor nerves. Thirty-two patients with AFM were evaluated; 16 underwent nerve transfer surgeries. Motor function was evaluated by a licensed occupational therapist using the Active Movement Scale preoperatively and during follow-up examinations. Patients with 6 or more months of follow-up were included in the analysis. Patients with procedures other than nerve transfers were excluded. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with AFM had nerve transfers, with a male predominance (75%) and median age of 2.5 years (range = 4 months-12 years). Eleven patients had a minimum 6 months of follow-up. Nerve transfers to restore elbow function had 87% excellent recovery for elbow flexion and 67% for elbow extension. Finger and thumb extension were full against gravity in 1 patient (100%). Shoulder external rotation was excellent in 50% of patients and shoulder abduction in only 20%. Nine of 10 patients (90%) had resolution of shoulder pseudosubluxation following nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve. INTERPRETATION: Patients with AFM with persistent motor deficits 6 to 9 months after onset benefit from nerve transfer surgery. Restoration of elbow function was more reliable than restoration of shoulder function. We recommend early referral of patients with incomplete recovery to a center experienced in nerve transfers for timely evaluation and treatment. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:607-615.

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Background: Purpura fulminans is a condition characterized by rapidly evolving skin necrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Early recognition and aggressive supportive management has led to a decrease in its mortality rate, but most of these patients must undergo extensive soft tissue debridement and partial or total limb amputation. There is controversial evidence about the timing of surgery, suggesting that some patients may benefit from delayed debridement with limb preservation. Methods: We present a case of an 86-year-old patient who developed skin necrosis of his four limbs after infectious purpura fulminans. He was treated in the ICU with supportive measures and antibiotic treatment. Surgical debridement was delayed for 4 weeks until necrosis delimitation. Results: Only upper extremity debridement was necessary. Four fingers, including one thumb, were salvaged and successfully treated with semi-occlusive dressing without complications. Conclusion: Early recognition of infectious PF and timely supportive management are important pillars of its treatment. Delayed surgical debridement allows for less aggressive resection and good functional outcome.

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INTRODUCTION: Diabetes knowledge among TB patients can contribute to improved TB treatment outcomes, but lack of diabetes diagnosis awareness is a limitation in developing countries. Given its low cost, the sensitivity of urine glucose dipsticks for diabetes screening in TB patients was assessed. METHODS: Glycosuria was assessed in 90 newly diagnosed TB patients (38 with diabetes) in south Texas, USA (n = 20) and northeast Mexico (n = 70) during January 2009-December 2010. RESULTS: Glycosuria was detected in 65% of the diabetic patients with chronic hyperglycemia (positive predictive value 91%, negative predictive value 84%). CONCLUSION: We propose that TB clinics with limited budgets where portable glucometers may not be available conduct universal screening for diabetes with urine dipsticks. This could be followed by blood glucose or HbA1c testing in the subset of patients requiring confirmation or higher sensitivity assessment, to improve the comanagement of TB and diabetes.

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The goal of the study was to determine the association between diabetes and inflammation in clinically diagnosed diabetes patients. We hypothesized that low-grade inflammation in diabetes is associated with the level of glucose control. Using a cross-sectional design we compared pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in a community-recruited cohort of 367 Mexican Americans with type 2-diabetes having a wide range of blood glucose levels. Cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-8) and adipokines (adiponectin, resistin and leptin) were measured using multiplex ELISA. Our data indicated that diabetes as whole was strongly associated with elevated levels of IL-6, leptin, CRP and TNF-α, whereas worsening of glucose control was positively and linearly associated with high levels of IL-6, and leptin. The associations remained statistically significant even after controlling for BMI and age (p=0.01). The association between TNF-α, however, was attenuated when comparisons were performed based on glucose control. Strong interaction effects between age and diabetes and BMI and diabetes were observed for IL-8, resistin and CRP. The cytokine/adipokine profiles of Mexican Americans with diabetes suggest an association between low-grade inflammation and quality of glucose control. Unique to in our population is that the chronic inflammation is accompanied by lower levels of leptin.

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OBJECTIVE: Microbiological identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is insensitive and slow, and clinical distinction of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) from other subacute or chronic meningoenchephalitides (SACM) is difficult. Successful use of highly specific M. tuberculosis serological assays on cerebrospinal fluid has been reported, but their performance for diagnosis in a tuberculosis endemic country where they would be of most value is unclear. We sought to determine the biological basis for the uncertainty in interpretation of antibody detection in the CSF of TBM patients. METHODS: We identified prospectively 46 adults with SACM and explored the concordance between TBM diagnosis and detection of highly specific M. tuberculosis antibodies in CSF. The source of antibodies in CSF was explored by evaluating the correlation between antibody titres in CSF with those in serum, or with the albumin quotient. Intrathecal IgG synthesis was assessed by the IgG index. RESULTS: Positive antibody titres were more frequent among TBM patients (76%), but were also present in individuals with other SACM (59%). A positive correlation between antibody titres in CSF with those in serum, or with the albumin quotient, supported the leakage of antibodies from plasma to CSF through an increased blood-brain barrier permeability. Intrathecal IgG synthesis was only detected in 35% of the TBM cases. CONCLUSION: Plasma antibodies likely synthesized in response to previous tuberculosis infections were a major source of mycobacterial antibodies in CSF due to leakage through an impaired blood-brain barrier. Interpretation of mycobacterial antibodies in CSF of adults for TBM, however specific, must take into account the contribution of antibodies from plasma, and hence, has questionable use for diagnosis.

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