Intramuscular schwannoma: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Schwannomas that arise within the muscle plane are called intramuscular schwannomas. The low incidence of these tumours and the lack of specific clinical features make preoperative diagnosis difficult. Herein, we report our experience with intramuscular schwannomas. We present details of the clinical presentation, radiological diagnosis and management of these tumours.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 2011 and December 2013, 29 patients were diagnosed and treated for histologically proven schwannoma at the National University Hospital, Singapore. Among these 29 patients, eight (five male, three female) had intramuscular schwannomas.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of the eight patients was 40 (range 27-57) years. The most common presenting feature was a palpable mass. The mean interval between surgical treatment and the onset of clinical symptoms was 17.1 (range 4-72) months. Six of the eight tumours (75.0%) were located in the lower limb, while 2 (25.0%) were located in the upper limb. None of the patients had any preoperative neurological deficits. Tinel's sign was present in one patient. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed that the findings of split-fat sign, low signal margin and fascicular sign were present in all patients. The entry and exit sign was observed in 4 (50.0%) patients, a hyperintense rim was observed in 7 (87.5%) patients and the target sign was observed in 5 (62.5%) patients. All patients underwent microsurgical excision of the tumour and none developed any postoperative neurological deficits.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intramuscular schwannomas demonstrate the findings of split-fat sign, low signal margin and fascicular sign on MR imaging. These findings are useful for the radiological diagnosis of intramuscular schwannoma.</p>

General practitioners' knowledge of hand surgery in Singapore: a survey study

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Hand surgery is a subspecialty with a dedicated training programme in Singapore. Currently, Singapore is one of two countries in the world that still provides dedicated advanced hand specialty training. As hand surgeons depend on referrals from institutions and general practitioners, appropriate hand surgical referral requires the referring physician to have knowledge and understanding of common hand conditions as well as less common but more urgent surgical conditions, and their available surgical treatments. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of hand surgery and hand surgical conditions among general practitioners.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A questionnaire survey was conducted during a continuing medical education symposium on hand surgery in Singapore. Participants responded to 12 questions on hand trauma by keying the answers into a computer database system. The results were then analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 35 general practitioners responded to our survey, and they were able to answer 53% of the questions correctly. We found knowledge gaps among the participants regarding hand surgical conditions, and identified areas where increased education during medical school, postgraduate training and continuing medical education may be beneficial. Areas that were found to be weak included recognising injuries that pose a high risk for developing wound infection, complications of topical steroid injection in trigger finger treatment and hand tumours.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Improving hand surgery knowledge among general practitioners not only leads to improved primary care, but it can also facilitate prompt recognition of surgical problems and subsequent referral to appropriate hand surgeons for treatment. This may possibly reduce the load of tertiary institutions in treating non-urgent hand conditions.</p>

Prospective randomised study of intra-articular fractures of the distal radius: comparison between external fixation and plate fixation

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Intra-articular fractures of the distal radius represent high energy, complex, unstable injuries and the optimal method of treatment remains controversial.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>The aim of the paper is to compare the outcomes of external fixation (EF) with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with plates and screw fixation in the treatment of intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. Thirty-five patients were enlisted from December 2003 to September 2005 after a failure of initial conservative treatment. The patients were randomised into EF or ORIF groups. The patients were followed-up at 1 week, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Clinical and radiological outcomes were measured. They were scored using the Green and O'Brien or the Gartland and Wertley score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 35 patients, 5 defaulted the 6-month follow-up and were excluded. We found that the clinical and radiological outcomes for the 2 groups were not significantly different. Complication rates were also similar.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no significant difference in the outcome of intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with either EF or ORIF.</p>