Compresión del nervio mediano en el túnel del carpo en una paciente de 16 años. Reporte de caso / Compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel in a 16 year-old: A case report

Introducción El síndrome del túnel del carpo es la patología nerviosa compresiva mas frecuente del miembro superior. En niños es una entidad infrecuente, en la mayoría de las ocasiones esta asociado principalmente a una alteración de origen genético como la mucopolisacaridosis, puede ser de origen idiopático, traumático, infeccioso asociado patologías sistémicas y ocupación del túnel del carpo. Reporte del caso Se trata de una paciente femenina de 16 años de edad con dolor en la mano izquierda de un año de evolución, presenta hipoestesia y parestesia de la punta de los dedos sin evento traumatico previo. El examen físico no es conclusivo, aunque altamente sospecho de patología neurológica compresiva. Mediante electrodiagnóstico e imagenología se realiza el diagnóstico de síndrome del túnel del carpo por secundario a ganglión en el piso del túnel. El tratamiento mas recomendado en este tipo fue la liberación quirúrgica y resección del ganglión. Discusión El diagnóstico del síndrome del túnel del carpo en niños y adolescentes es de difícil diagnóstico dado por la amplia sintomatología, una vez diagnósticado el síndrome del túnel del carpo, el tratamiento más recomendado según esta causa es la liberación quirúrgica del túnel del carpo y resección del ganglión. El síndrome del túnel del carpo es una patología infrecuente en los niños, se debe realizar estudios complementarios para realizar un diagnóstico adecuado y un tratamiento efectivo. Es infrecuente que después de la liberación del túnel del carpo exista persistencia de la sintomatología neurológica distal.

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequent nerve compression disorder of the upper limb. It is uncommon in children and in the majority of cases it is mainly associated with an alteration of genetic origin such as mucopolysaccharidosis. It can be of an idiopathic, traumatic, infectious origin, associated with systemic infectious diseases and occupation of the carpal tunnel. Case report The case is presented on a 16 year-old female patient with pain in the left hand for a year, with hypoesthesia and paraesthesia of the fingertips, with no previous traumatic event. The physical examination was not conclusive, although a nerve compression disorder was highly suspected. Using electrodiagnosis and imaging, the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome was made that was secondary to a ganglion identified on the floor of the tunnel. The most recommended treatment in this type of condition is surgical release and resection of the ganglion. Discussion Carpal tunnel syndrome in children and adolescents is difficult to diagnose due to the wide range of symptoms. Once the carpal tunnel syndrome has been diagnosed, the most recommended treatment according to this cause is the surgical release of the carpal tunnel and resection of the ganglion. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an infrequent condition in children. Complementary studies should be performed to make an adequate diagnosis and an effective treatment. After the release of the carpal tunnel it rare for the neurological symptomatology to persist.

Clinical factors in patients with congenital muscular torticollis treated with surgical resection

BACKGROUND: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is characterized by persistent head tilt toward the affected side. No consensus exists regarding the cause of this disorder. In this study, we analyzed various clinical factors in patients with CMT who were treated with surgical release. This analysis enabled us to identify potential causative factors of CMT and to establish a basis for surgical interventions. METHODS: In total, 584 patients who underwent surgical intervention for CMT from October 2007 to December 2016 were included in this study. Their demographic characteristics, birth-related factors, and clinical features were analyzed. RESULTS: Data from 525 patients were analyzed in this study after exclusion of those with insufficient information. Before birth, 31 patients (5.9%) were diagnosed with oligohydramnios, and 87 (16.6%) had a breech presentation. Seven (1.3%) cases of clavicle fracture and two (0.4%) cases of cephalohematoma were noted at birth. Before surgery, 397 patients (75.6%) underwent physiotherapy and 128 patients (24.4%) did not. The duration of physiotherapy ranged from 1 to 50 months (average, 6 months). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that 16.6% of the CMT patients presented in the breech position, which is a much higher rate than that observed in the general population (3%–4%). We hypothesize that being in the breech position as a fetus appears to exert a significant influence on shortening and fibrosis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

[RETRACTED ARTICLE] Post-traumatic flexion contractures of the elbow release via limited lateral.

Background: Varying surgical techniques, patient groups and results have been described regards the surgical treatment of post traumatic flexion contracture of the elbow. Aims & Objective: We present our experience using the limited lateral approach on patients with carefully defined contracture types. Materials and Methods: Surgical release of post-traumatic flexion contracture of the elbow was performed in 23 patients via a limited lateral approach. All patients had an established flexion contracture with significant functional deficit. Contracture types were classified as either extrinsic if the contracture was not associated with damage to the joint surface or as intrinsic if it was. Overall, the mean preoperative deformity was 55 degrees (95%CI 48 – 61) which was corrected at the time of surgery to 17 degrees (95%CI 12 – 22). Results: At short-term follow-up (7.5 months) the mean residual deformity was 25 degrees (95%CI 19 – 30) and at medium-term followup (43 months) it was 32 degrees (95%CI 25 – 39). This deformity correction was significant (p < 0.01). One patient suffered a postoperative complication with transient dysaesthesia in the distribution of the ulnar nerve, which had resolved at six weeks. Sixteen patients had an extrinsic contracture and seven an intrinsic. Although all patients were satisfied with the results of their surgery, patients with an extrinsic contracture had significantly (p = 0.02) better results than those with an intrinsic contracture. (28 degrees compared to 48 degrees at medium term follow up). Conclusion: Surgical release of post-traumatic flexion contracture of the elbow via a limited lateral approach is a safe technique, which reliably improves extension especially for extrinsic contractures. In this series all patients with an extrinsic contracture regained a functional range of movement and were satisfied with their surgery.

Correction of Long Standing Proximal Interphalangeal Flexion Contractures with Cross Finger Flaps and Vigorous Postoperative Exercises

PURPOSE: We reviewed the results of cross finger flaps after surgical release and vigorous postoperative exercises for long-standing, severe flexion contractures of the Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) joints of fingers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 9 patients, all contracted tissue was sequentially released and the resultant skin defect was covered with a cross-finger flap. The cause of the contracture was contact burn in 4, skin graft in 3, and a previous operation in 2. The mean follow-up period was 41.2 months. RESULTS: The mean flexion contracture/further flexion in the joints were improved from 73.4/87.8degrees to 8.4/95.4degrees at the last follow-up. A mean of 19.5degrees of extension was achieved with vigorous extension exercise after the operation. The mean gain in range of motion (ROM) was 79.4degrees. Near full ROM was achieved in 3 cases. There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: In severe flexion contractures with scarring of the PIP joints of fingers, cross finger flaps after sufficient release and vigorous postoperative exercise seems to be a reasonable option to obtain satisfactory ROM of the joints.

Surgical Treatment of Post-traumatic Elbow Stiffness / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We analyzed the clinical results of surgical treatment in patients with post-traumatic stiff elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed surgical release in 22 elbows with posttraumatic stiffness of extraarticular origin. The average preoperative arc was 48.3 degrees, with an average flexion contracture of 39.5 degrees and an average further flexion of 87.2 degrees. Depending on their radiographic findings, cases were divided on the basis of whether ectopic ossification was present (16 cases) or not (6 cases); and as to whether the articular surface was involved (11 cases) or not (11 cases). The postoperative final arc and ratio of desired gain were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The average final arc was 108.9 degrees in the ectopic ossification group and 85.7 degrees in the non-ectopic ossification group, and showed a significantly higher arc in the ectopic ossification group. The ratios of desired gain were 89.3% and 62.6%, respectively, being significantly higher in the ectopic ossification group. In terms of articular surface involvement, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: When performing operative treatment for post-traumatic stiff elbow, assessment of the cause plays an important role. In case of ectopic ossification, satisfactory results can be expected with operative treatment after the ectopic bone has matured.