Entrapment of Superficial Peroneal Nerve (A Case Report) / 대한족부족관절학회지

We experienced a case of an athlete with a painful mass on the distal peroneal musculature after sports activity, and diagnosed as the entrapment syndrome of superficial peroneal nerve. We treated the case with the mini-open and subcutaneous fasciotomy to release the entrapped peroneal nerve. We report the case with a review of the literature.

Comparison of Open Fixation and Closed Percutaneous Pinning in Jakob Stage II Lateral Condylar Fractures of Children

PURPOSE: To compare the results of open fixation and closed percutaneous pinning in managing Jakob stage II lateral condylar fractures of children's elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since Febuary 2000, We operated 21 children with Jakob stage II lateral condylar fractures of elbow. Eleven of the 21 were treated with closed percutaneous pinning, open fixation was done to the other 10 children. Each patient was evaluated about range of motion, carrying angle, scar satisfaction and radiologic findings for comparison between closed pinning and open fixation groups. RESULTS: Open fixation group showed 3.8 degrees decrease of elbow motion while closed pinning group showed no significant decrease. Carrying angle and radiologic findings were not different between the two groups. Open fixation group expressed dissatisfaction to their scars (average 5.2 cm) whereas all the patients of closed pinning group were satisfied with their functional and cosmetic outcomes. CONCLUSION: In managing Jakob stage II lateral condyle fractures of children's elbow, closed percutaneous pinning was thought to be superior to open fixation because of the same functional outcome and much better cosmetic results.

Clinical and Radiological Findings of Foraminal Disc Herniation / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of clinical experiences. OBJECTIVES: The correct discrimination of a compressed root is very important for proper decompression. With a foraminal disc herniation, the cephalad root is compressed. The diagnostic importance of the clinical and radiological findings was investigated. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: A compressed root, due to a herniated disc, is known as a caudal root (i. e. L5 root compressed by L4-5 disc herniation). In some cases, a prolapsed disc may compress the cephalad root, resulting in a difficult diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records, plain X-ray and MRI of 17 patients were reviewed, and the physical examination and MRI findings were carefully evaluated to retrospectively document the efficacy of the diagnoses. Every MRI image of each patient was graded according to the 4 point ranking system of diagnostic efficacy devised by the authors. The clinical outcomes and postoperative complications were also investigated. RESULTS: Ten, 5 and 2 of the 17 patients had L4-5, L5-S1 and L3-4 foraminal disc herniations, respectively. Eight of 10 L4-5 cases showed a positive femoral nerve stretching test. The knee jerk reflex was diminished in 7 patients, with bilateral hyporeflexia in the other 3. The body-cut axial MRI image was the most effective, and the coronal images were also very helpful, whereas the routine axial images were of least value. Most cases achieved a satisfactory clinical result. CONCLUSIONS: Foraminal disc herniations seem to be reasonably common. For the accurate discrimination of a compressed root, a thorough physical examination seems to be very important. When MRI is performed for these cases, in addition to routine studies, the body-cut axial and coronal MRI images are effective and useful, and their use is strongly recommended.

Fat Embolism in a Patient with Multiple Fractures of Cancellous Bones: A Case Report

Fat embolism is a rare complication of multiple long bone fracture or extensive soft tissue injury. The pathogenesis of fat embolism has been poorly understood and definite pathogenesis and treatment were not fully established. Respiratory failure associated with fat embolism is a major cause of death, but is usually self-limited, and is responsive to intensive treatment. We have experienced fat embolism in cancellous bone fracture which occurred in spine, distal radius and talus. Patient's fractures were treated with conservative management. The patient was recovered from fat embolism with supportive treatment.

Differences of Fracture Types and Associated Injuries in Thoracolumbar Fractures Caused by Fall from Height and by In-Car Accident

PURPOSE: To evaluate the differences of associated factors in thoracolumbar fractures according to the mechanism of injury, level and type of the fracture, associated injuries were investigated for comparison between injuries by fall from height and by in-car accident injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and X-ray findings of 249 patients with fractures of thoracolumbar spine were reviewed retrospectively. Among them, 169 patients were injured by the two main causes. McAfee classification was adopted to determine the type of fracture. Associated injuries were classified as head and neck, chest and abdomen, pelvis, proximal and distal extremity, and neurologic deficit. Statistical analysis using Chi-square method was used for comparison between the two groups. RESULTS: In overall patients, the most common cause of thoracolumbar fracture was fall from height (44.6%) followed by in-car accident (23.3%) and fall down (16.9%). In fall-from height gruoup, burst fracture was the most common (44.1%) while flexion-distraction injury was the most popular (39.7%) in in-car accident group (p=0.05). Comparison according to height of fall showed significant increase of multiple fractures (p=0.0326). Associated injuries of distal lower and upper extremities and pelvis were common in fall-from-height group, while injuries of head and neck, proximal part of upper extremity, chest and abdomen were common in in-car accident patients. CONCLUSION: Type of fracture and distribution of associated injuries were significantly different between the two main causes of thoracolumbar injury, which seemed to be useful for understanding the mechanical events of injury and detecting associated injuries in each victim.