Baller-Gerold Syndrome in a Premature Infant with a Mutation in the RECQL4 Gene

Baller-Gerold syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by premature fusion of the cranial sutures and malformation of the upper limb extremities at birth. Although the pathogenesis of Baller-Gerold Syndrome is not fully understood, it is mainly caused by mutations in the RecQ like helicase 4 (RECQL4) gene located on chromosome 8q24.3, which encodes the RECQL4 protein involved in normal DNA replication and repair. This study reports the case of a female premature infant with craniosynostosis of bilateral coronal sutures, resulting in a dysmorphic face and hypoplastic thumbs on both hands at birth, which are consistent with the core characteristics of Baller-Gerold syndrome. Diagnostic whole exome sequencing of the patient revealed a homozygous deletion from exon 13 to 18 in the RECQL4 gene. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first reported case of Baller-Gerold syndrome with RECQL4 gene mutation confirmed by diagnostic whole exome sequencing in Korea.

Prevalencia de síntomas músculo-esqueléticos de la mano en estudiantes de odontología / Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms of the Hand Among Dental Students

Resumen Introducción: Los síntomas músculo-esqueléticos de las extremidades superiores son comunes entre los trabajadores dentales debido a la exposición a factores de riesgo, como movimientos repetitivos, esfuerzos intensos de manos, y malas posturas de muñecas. A medida que los estudiantes de odontología aprenden nuevas habilidades y procedimientos durante la escuela, experimentan un aumento gradual a estos factores de riesgo. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de los síntomas musculo-esqueléticos (SME) de mano y muñeca entre los estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad de Iowa. Métodos: A 35 estudiantes de primer año y 39 estudiantes de cuarto año (N = 74) se les pidió que llenaran dos cuestionarios. Resultados: La prevalencia de los SME moderados/severos de la mano dominante como entumecimiento, hormigueo y dolor entre los estudiantes de primer año fue de 0, 6 y 20%, respectivamente, comparado con el 18,15 y 36% de los estudiantes de cuarto año. Conclusiones: Los SME de la mano dominante fueron más comunes entre los estudiantes de odontología de cuarto año, en comparación con los de primer año.

Abstract Introduction: Musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities are common among dental workers due to exposure to risk factors including repetition, forceful exertions of the hand, and awkward wrist postures. As dental students learn new skills and procedures during dental school, they experience a gradually increasing exposure to these risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hand and wrist musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among dental students of the University of Iowa. Methods: Thirty-five first year students and thirty-nine fourth year students (N=74) were asked to complete two questionnaires. Results: The prevalence of moderate/severe MSS of the dominant hand such as numbness, tingling and soreness among first year students was 0, 6 and 20% respectively compared to 18, 15 and 36% of the fourth year students. Conclusions: In this relatively small sample, MSS of the dominant hand were more common among fourth year dental students when compared to first year students.

Sports Injury-Related Fingers and Thumb Deformity Due to Tendon or Ligament Rupture / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Hand injuries are very common in sports, such as skiing and ball sports. One of the major reasons causing hand and finger deformity is due to ligament and tendon injury. The aim of this study was to investigate if the high-resolution 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can demonstrate the complex anatomy of the fingers and thumb, especially the tendons and ligaments, and provide the accurate diagnosis of clinically important fingers and thumbs deformity due to ligamentous and tendinous injuries during sport activities.</p><p><b>Methods</b>Sixteen fresh un-embalmed cadaveric hands were harvested from eight cadavers. A total of 20 healthy volunteers' hands and 44 patients with fingers or thumb deformity due to sports-related injuries were included in this study. All subjects had MR examination with T1-weighted images and proton density-weighted imaging with fat suppression (PD FS) in axial, coronal, and sagittal plane, respectively. Subsequently, all 16 cadaveric hands were sliced into 2-mm thick slab with a band saw (six in coronal plane, six in sagittal plane, and four in axial plane). The correlation of anatomic sections and the MRI characteristics of tendons of fingers and the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at the metacarpal phalangeal joint (MCPJ) of thumb between 20 healthy volunteers and 44 patients (confirmed by surgery) were analyzed.</p><p><b>Results</b>The normal ligaments and tendons in 16 cadaveric hands and 20 volunteers' hands showed uniform low-signal intensity on all the sequences of the MRI. Among 44 patients with tendinous and ligamentous injuries in the fingers or thumb, 12 cases with UCL injury at MCPJ of the thumb (Stener lesion = 8 and non-Stener lesion = 4), 6 cases with the central slip injury, 12 cases with terminal tendon injury, and 14 cases with flexor digitorum profundus injury. The ligaments and tendons disruption manifested as increased signal intensity and poor definition, discontinuity, and heterogeneous signal intensity of the involved ligaments and tendons.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>Sports injury-related fingers and thumb deformity are relatively common. MRI is an accurate method for evaluation of the anatomy and pathologic conditions of the fingers and thumb. It is a useful tool for accurate diagnosis of the sports-related ligaments and tendons injuries in hand.</p>

Reconstrução tardia na mão traumatizada com perda de múltiplos dedos / Late reconstruction of a traumatized hand with loss of multiple fingers

As lesões mutilantes de mão são um desafio para o cirurgião de mão e o paciente. O cirurgião deve tomar decisões desde o debridamento inicial, escolhendo quais dedos e articulações serão preservadas e uso apropriado das partes a serem retiradas. A reconstrução tardia é a segunda parte dessa difícil tarefa. Dificuldade que se atribui à particularidade de cada lesão, do grande número de possibilidades de tratamento e seus diversos níveis de complexidade que devem ser adequados à necessidade e motivação pessoal de cada paciente. Este relato de caso apresenta uma reconstrução tardia de mão com perda de indicador e dedo médio com transplante de articulação metacarpofalângica de indicador para função de interfalangeana proximal de dedo médio.

Mutilating hand injuries are a challenge to both the hand surgeon and the patient. The surgeon must make decisions ranging from the initial debridement to which fingers and joints will be preserved and the appropriate use of the parts to be removed. Late reconstruction constitutes the second part of this difficult task. The difficulty attributed to the characteristics of each lesion, the large number of treatment possibilities, and the different levels of complexity must be adapted to the personal needs and motivation of each patient. This case report describes a late hand reconstruction with index and middle finger loss, using metacarpophalangeal joint transplantation of the index finger to gain the proximal interphalangeal function of the middle finger.

Multiple Brachymetacarpia Treated by Distraction Osteogenesis

The treatment of a brachymetacarpia using a distraction osteogenesis was mostly single, unilateral pattern. In case of multiple brachymetacarpia, single-stage lengthening or rapid distraction lengthening with a bone graft were usually used. Multiple brachymetacarpia treated by distraction osteogenesis is rarely reported. We report a case of a 15-year-old female presented with bilateral multiple brachymetacarpia treated by distraction osteogenesis simultaneously without complications. Also, we have evaluated the clinical results and factors which influence the clinical results.

Upper limb nerve injuries caused by intramuscular injection or routine venipuncture

The reported cases of upper limb nerve injury followed by needle procedure such as intramuscular injection or routine venipuncture are rare. However, it should not be overlooked, because neurological injury may cause not only minor transient pain but also severe sensory disturbance, hand deformity and motor dysfunction with poor recovery. Recognizing competent level of anatomy and adept skill of needle placement are crucial in order to prevent this complication. If a patient notices any experience of abnormal pain or paresthesia during the needle procedures, an administrator should be alert to the possibility of nerve injury and should withdraw the needle immediately. Careful monitoring of the injection site for hours is required for early detection of nerve injury.

Surgical Treatment of Axial Polysyndactyly and Postaxial Polydactyly of The Hand in Korean: A Clinical Analysis of 24 Cases

PURPOSE: Non-preaxial polydactyly of the hand refers to axial polysyndactyly involving the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th finger and postaxial polydactyly involving the 5th finger. It has a much lower incidence and a higher genetic penetrance than preaxial type. METHODS: Medical records of the patients who had operation for their polydactyly between July 1997 and July 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data of the patients were investigated regarding demographics, clinical findings of the involved digits, foot involvement, and genetic penetrance. Through postoperative follow-up based on physical and radiologic examinations, we assessed functional and aesthetic outcomes, postoperative complications, and reoperation rate. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (17 males and 7 females) underwent surgery for non-preaxial polydactyly of the hand. There were 15 postaxial type polydactyly, and 9 axial type polysyndactyly. Thirteen patients had bilateral involvement (54.2%), while 5 patients (20.8%) were right-sided and 6 patients (25%) were left-sided. In the axial type, 4th finger was the most frequently involved in 8 patients, followed by the 3rd finger in 1 patient. Thirteen patients (54.2%) had concurrent congenital foot anomalies. One patient (4.2%) had a family history of congenital hand anomaly. Patients with axial type polysyndactyly had poorer postoperative outcome than those with postaxial type, regarding reoperation rate. CONCLUSION: Non-preaxial polydactyly is a very rare congenital hand anomaly and the surgical outcome is not always promising especially in the axial type. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a sufficient preoperative counseling and to perform a meticulous surgery.

Optimizing Outcomes in the Reconstruction of Postburn Scar Hand Deformities

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of severe postburn hand deformities with flexion or extension contractures with finger webbing deformities, large hypertrophic scars of dorsal hand are frequently encountered problems in burn hand surgery. To obtain the good results after correction of various type of postburn scar hand deformities, we have used the sophisticated reconstructive procedures such as scar contracture release, skin graft, and use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM). We report reliability and usefulness of these novel updated procedures according the type of postburn hand deformities, and reviewed the literatures. METHODS: We had 82 postburn hand deformities. Among them we selected 7 patients of severe postburn hand deformities, which had different affected sites involving over 1/3 of hand. To reconstruct the finger flexion contractures, the scar contracture release and full thickness skin graft was most frequently performed. For correction of finger webbing deformities, the 5 flap Z-plasty for 1(st) web, dorsal and volar interposition flap for 2, 3 and 4 web, FTSG were used. The diffuse hypertrophic scar of dorsum of hand was reconstructed with total excision of scars, skin coverage with one piece of medium thickness STSG, and postoperative clenched hand position. The postburn palmar contractures was reconstructed with extensive contracture release followed by resurfacing with ADM (AlloDerm™) and thin STSG. The severe postburn abduction contractures of wrist was treated by total excision of scars, ADM (CGDerm™), and thin STSG. RESULTS: After 1 month to 1.6 years follow up, relatively satisfactory results were obtained in all patients. As complications, 1 case of recurrent palmar contractures, which was reconstructed with ADM (AlloDerm™) with thin STSG, were noticed. CONCLUSION: The postburn finger flexion contractures could be managed by the scar contractures release and FTSG. This method is very safe and reliable. For reconstruction of postburn finger webbing deformities, it is mandatory to use 5-flap Z-plasty for 1(st) webbing deformities, and dorsal and volar interposition flap for 2, 3 and 4(th) webbing deformities concomitantly with resurfacing with FTSG. The diffuse hypertrophic scars of dorsum of hand was managed by total excision of scars, resurfacing with one large piece of over medium thickness STSG, and postoperative clenched hand position. After release of scar contractures of hand, acellular dermal matrix (ADM) with thin STSG can be used in case of deficient FTSG donor site.

Síndrome de Klippel-Feil con fistula traqueoesofagica, pulgar bifido y angiolipoma cerebral / Klippel-Feil syndrome with tracheoesophageal fistula, bifid thumb and cerebral angiolipoma

El síndrome de Klippel-Feil es una malformación congénita de la charnela cráneo-cervical compleja que involucra vértebras y visceras, caracterizada por la tríada clásica de cuello corto, limitación de movimientos de la cabeza por la fusión de vértebras cervicales e implantación baja del cabello en la región occipital. Se presenta por falla de segmentación en el esqueleto axial del embrión. Su incidencia se estima en 1/40 000-42 000nacimientos y predomina en el sexo femenino. El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir el cuadro clínico de un paciente con síndrome de Klippel-Feil y múltiples malformaciones asociadas, entre ellas, fístula traqueoesofágica, pulgar bífido y lipomas/angiolipomas intracraneales, las cuales, hasta ahora, no han sido descritas en el síndrome, por lo que se considera un hallazgo excepcional.

The Klippel-Feil syndrome is a congenital malformation of the skull flap involving complex cervical vertebrae and organs, characterized by a classic triad: short neck, limitation of movement of the head due to cervical spine fusion and low hairline in occipital region. It results from an error in the axial skeleton segmentation of the embryo; its incidence is estimated at 1/40,000-42,000 births and predominates in females. The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical picture of a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome and multiple malformations, including tracheoesophageal fistula, bifid thumb and intracranial lipomas/angiolipomas,that have not been previously described in the syndrome, so it is considered an exceptional finding.

La muñeca reumatoidea. Aspectos esenciales en el tratamiento / The rheumatoid wrist. Essential aspects in the treatment

(AU) IntroducciónEl compromiso de la muñeca es común en la artritis reumatoide. Pacientes con persistencia de dolor e inflamación, a pesar de tratamiento farmacológico, son candidatos para cirugía. El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar aspectos médico-quirúrgicos e indicaciones y tipos de cirugías, en una muñeca reumatoidea.Materiales y métodosLas palabras clave escogidas en español e inglés fueron: mano o muñeca reumática, artritis reumatoidea y mano, artritis reumatoidea y muñeca, radiosinovectomía-artritis reumatoidea y en artritis. Finalmente, se escogieron 52 artículos.ResultadosCuando no hay buena respuesta al tratamiento farmacológico antes de pasar al tratamiento quirúrgico, la infiltración local de corticoides y la radiosinovectomía pueden ser usadas.Las sinovectomías y tenosinovectomías dan alivio sintomático y mejoran la función a corto plazo. Los tendones extensores y flexores pueden romperse por la infiltración sinovial y la irritación ocasionada por protuberancias óseas, como la subluxación dorsal del cúbito.Cuando hay roturas tendinosas se recurre a injertos o transferencias tendinosas. Inestabilidades del carpo, artritis severa y daño articular a menudo requieren cirugías óseas. La articulación radiocubital distal suele verse afectada inicialmente y los procedimientos de Sauvé-Kapandji o la técnica de Darrach funcionan bien en esta articulación.La artrodesis parcial radiocarpiana da estabilidad a la articulación más comprometida, respetando la mediocarpiana y conservando cierta movilidad. Cuando hay una artrosis global, la artrodesis total de muñeca brinda buenos resultados en cuanto al alivio del dolor y estabilidad.La artroplastia total de muñeca es una alternativa que preserva el movimiento; sus resultados a largo plazo están por verse

The Prevalence and Genetic Pattern of Clinodactyly in Korean Populations / 체질인류학회지

Clinodactyly, as rare congenital malformation, refers to a curvature of a digit in a radial or ulnar direction in the coronal plane. The abnormality is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. And its frequency was low, however, it was higher by accompanying other congenital anomaly. In present study, the frequency and genetic characteristics of clinodactyly were investigated. In 100 family (382 peoples), clinodactyly was found in 4.7% (n=18). All clinodactyly were bilateral and it was more frequent in female (6.8%) than male (2.6%), without statistical difference (p=0.056). Its inheritance was autosomal dominant trait in 80% (4/5) families, however, one family did not have any inheritance pattern. We described the frequency and clinical implication of clinodactyly, and this description will be lead to an improved understanding of its spectrum and inheritance.

Síndrome de la mano diabética, a propósito de tres casos con limitación de la movilidad articular y lesiones complicadas del pie / A propos of three cases of diabetic hand syndrome with limited joint mobility and complicated foot injures

Introducción: La diabetes mellitus está asociada a una gran variedad de alteraciones músculo esqueléticas en las manos. El término síndrome de la mano diabética aparece con frecuencia en la literatura médica, aunque no existe una definición precisa, y hasta la fecha no se ha reconocido como una complicación específica de la enfermedad. El examen físico para la identificación temprana de estas alteraciones podría evitar la discapacidad de las formas severas.Objetivos: describir las alteraciones músculo esqueléticas más frecuentes en las manos de las personas con diabetes, a propósito de 3 pacientes con limitación de la movilidad articular, hospitalizados por lesiones complicadas del pie.Desarrollo: entre las alteraciones más frecuentes de la mano en las personas con diabetes está la limitación de la movilidad articular, la contractura de Dupuytren, el dedo en gatillo, la neuropatía ulnar y el túnel carpiano. Cada una tiene sus particularidades y pueden ser fácilmente diagnosticadas con el examen físico. Se asocian con la duración de la enfermedad, el pobre control metabólico y la presencia de complicaciones microvasculares, como en los casos que se presentan, con limitación de la movilidad articular severa. Estas deformidades afectan las actividades de la vida diaria, y por tanto, la calidad de vida de los pacientes, además, orientan al médico en la búsqueda de complicaciones microvasculares no diagnosticadas, de ahí la importancia de detectarlas.Conclusiones: se establece que la identificación temprana de las alteraciones en las manos de los diabéticos tiene importantes implicaciones individuales y sanitarias, por lo que su examen periódico debe ser realizado a todos los pacientes(AU)

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is associated to a variety of musculoskeletal alterations in hands. The term diabetic hand syndrome frequently occurs in medical literature, although there is no exact definition and to date, it has not been recognized as specific disease complication. The physical exam for early detection of these alterations might prevent severe disability.Objectives: to describe the most common musculoskeletal alterations in diabetic persons’ hands using 3 patients with limited joint mobility who were hospitalized because of complicated foot injures.Development: among the most common hand alterations observed in diabetic persons are limited joint mobility, Dupuytren’s contracture, ulnar neuropathy and Carpal tunnel syndrome. Each of them has its own particularities and may be easily diagnosed through physical exam. They are related to length of disease, poor metabolic control and microvascular complications as it happens in the present cases with severe limited joint mobility. These deformities affect daily life activities and the quality of life of patients. Additionally, they guide the physicians in searching undiagnosed microvascular complications, hence the importance of detecting them.Conclusions: the early detection of hand alterations in diabetics has significant personal and health implications, so a systematic exam is required to be performed in all the patients(AU)

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome in adulthood: extending the clinical spectrum

Ellis-van Creveld (EvC) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive malformation disorder. Cardiac defects are observed in about 50% of EvC cases. Surgical data is lacking on the prognosis and life expectancy of EvC patients. Herein, we report the case of a 38-year-old man with EvC syndrome who underwent two surgical corrections for cardiac anomalies. This report supplements the available information on the clinical course of EvC syndrome in older patients.

Retrospective Analysis of the One-per-Million Tumescent Technique in Post-Burn Hand Deformity Surgeries

BACKGROUND: The use of a tourniquet in hand surgery is generally accepted as necessary to create a clear visualization of the operative field. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of one-per-million tumescent solution (1:1,000,000 epinephrine concentration) in creating a bloodless operative field in post-burn hand deformity surgeries performed without a tourniquet. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted on a series of 12 patients with post-burn hand deformities who underwent surgery between February 2013 and January 2014. A total of 29 operative fields were recorded. The one-per-million tumescent solution was used for hemostatis instead of a tourniquet. The clarity of the operative field, volume of solution injected, duration of surgery, scar thickness and density, and functional outcomes at least three months after the surgery were observed. The relationship of scar thickness and density with the clarity of the operative field was analyzed with the chi-square test. RESULTS: Of the 29 operative fields in which the one-per-million tumescent technique was used, 48.2% were totally bloodless, 44.8% had minimal bleeding, and 6.9% had an acceptable level of bleeding. Both scar thickness and density were shown to have a significant relationship with operative field clarity (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The one-per-million tumescent technique is effective in facilitating post-burn hand deformity surgeries involving meticulous, multiple, and lengthy procedures by creating a relatively clear operative field without the use of a tourniquet. Although scar thickness and density are associated with the clarity of the operative field, this technique can be considered safe and effective in creating a clear operative field.

A utilização da tecnologia assistiva para alimentação na melhora do desempenho ocupacional de hansenianos com mão em garra / Feeding using assitive technology in the improvement of occupational performance of leprosy patients with claw hand

A hanseníase é uma doença infecciosa crônica, granulomatosa, de curso lento, causada pelo Mycobacterium Leprae. A doença causa lesões na face, mãos e pés, que podem gerar incapacidades físicas severas que contribuem para a instalação de padrões deformantes e incapacitantes. A lesão do tipo mão em garra é uma sequela que pode ser observada em pacientes com lesões ao nível dos membros superiores sendo muito incapacitante, dificultando a realização das Atividades de Vida Diária destes indivíduos e consequentemente prejudicando sua qualidade de vida e satisfação pessoal. A intervenção terapêutica ocupacional utilizando a tecnologia assistiva de baixo custo para auxílio nas atividades de vida diária de pacientes com mão em garra objetiva a minimização dos déficits motores e de destreza manual. Desse modo, este estudo objetiva demonstrar a autopercepção dos pacientes acerca da melhora do seu desempenho na atividade de alimentação após uso da adaptação funcional. Efetuou-se aplicação do protocolo da Medida Canadense de Desempenho Ocupacional antes e após 10 intervenções de treino com adaptação para atividade de alimentação para avaliar a autopercepção de 20 pacientes sobre o desempenho e satisfação com a realização da Atividade de Vida Diária, observou-se que os quesitos apresentaram índices de melhora com aumento dos graus de independência, o material proposto e utilizado no estudo mostrou-se adequado para a confecção das adaptações desenvolvidas, proporcionando redução de custos, conforto e higienização. As adaptações desenvolvidas no presente estudo demonstraram resultados favoráveis, obtidos através da análise dos dados finais que apontaram significância estatística.

Leprosy is a slow course, chronic, granulomatous infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy is a slow course, chronic, granulomatous infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy is a slow course, chronic, granulomatous infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease causes lesions on face, hands and feet,which can generate severe physical disabilities that contribute to the installation of deformities and disabling patterns. The claw hand type lesion is a sequel observed in patients with upper limbs lesions. It can be very disabling, making it difficult to the individuals to carry out their Daily Living Activities which impairs their quality of life and personal satisfaction. The occupational therapy intervention using low cost assistive technology to aid in daily living activities of patients with claw hand aims at minimizing motor and manual dexterity deficits. Thus, this study aims to demonstrate the self perception of patients about improving their feeding performance activity after use of functional adaptation. We conducted the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance protocol before and after 10 training interventions with adaptation to feeding activity to evaluate the perception of 20 patients on the Performance and Satisfaction with the performance of Daily Living Activities. It was observed that the variables showed improved indices with increase in the independence levels. The material proposed and used in this study showed to be adequate to the confection of the adaptations that were developed, which promoted reduction of costs. The adaptations developed in this study showed favorable results with statistical significance, obtained through analysis of the final data.

Fascitis palmr asociada a leucemia mieloide crónica / Palmar fascitis associated with chronic myeloid leukemia

El síndrome de fascitis palmar con poliartritis (PFPAS) es un trastorno paraneoplásico infrecuente. Consiste en artritis generalizada de la mano, eritema, tumefacción, rigidez y engrosamiento de la fascia palmar con contracturas progresivas en flexión de los dedos, yse asocia a una enfermedad maligna subyacente. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 75 años de edad que presentó placas induradas eritemato-violáceaspruriginosas y levemente dolorosas en ambas palmas, con tumefaccióny retracción en flexión de los dedos asociado a artralgias en ambas muñecas.El estudio de la médula ósea confirmó el diagnóstico de leucemia mieloide crónica...

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Cubital tunnel syndrome is compressive neuropathy, entrapment of the ulnar nerve around the medial epicondyle of the elbow joint, and the second most common neuropathy after carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients complain of hypoesthesia or paresthesia in the ulnar half of the ring and small fingers early in the disease. Advanced disease is complicated by irreversible muscle weakness or atrophy and claw hand deformity of the ring and small fingers. Although traditional decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is known as standard treatment, according to recent reports only simple decompression has a good outcome. So, variety of surgical treatment options are available. In this paper, we purpose to describe the causes, clinical features and recent surgical treatments of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Nailfold capillary microscopy for evaluating hand-arm vibration syndrome

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated nailfold capillary abnormalities in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome using nailfold capillary microscopy. METHODS: Fifty workers who underwent a special health examination because of exposure to hand-arm vibration at Ulsan University Hospital in 2012 (exposed group) and a control group of 50 white-collar employees were evaluated through a questionnaire survey regarding their present tasks, types of tools used, vibration exposure duration, use of protective wear, and medical history. Then, an occupational physician performed a physical examination for any hand deformities, skin problems, or motor and sensory dysfunctions of the upper extremities. The nailfold capillary morphologies (tortuous, crossing, bushy, meandering, branching, hemorrhage, avascular area, enlarged, and giant), capillary dimensions (afferent, top, venous, total width, and length), and specific counts (crossing and branching) on both fourth fingers were determined by a rheumatologist. Thereafter, the exposed subjects were assessed according to the Stockholm workshop classification scale. In total, 8 and 6 subjects in the exposed and control groups, respectively, were excluded from the study because of poor capillary microscopic image quality. In addition, 24 subjects in the exposed group with Stockholm vascular stage 0 were excluded. Finally, capillary morphology, dimensions, and specific counting were compared between the exposed (n = 18) and control groups (n = 44). RESULTS: The exposed group had significantly greater crossing capillaries and abnormal capillary numbers that included crossing capillaries (crossing, branching, bushy, and meandering) but smaller branching and abnormal capillary numbers that excluded crossing capillaries (branching, bushy, and meandering) than the control group did. No significant difference in capillary dimensions was observed between the two groups. Despite the adjustment for age, smoking status, and underlying diseases, the statistical significance was unchanged. In the specific counting of the type of capillaries, the exposed group had a significantly higher total crossing count but fewer total branching count than the control group did. However, no statistical significance resulted after adjustment for age, smoking status, and underlying diseases. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the exposed group had significantly more crossing capillaries and a higher crossing count than the control group did.

Melorheostosis of the hand affecting the c6 sclerotome and presenting with carpal tunnel syndrome

Melorheostosis is a rare, progressive bone disease accompanied by hyperostosis and soft tissue fibrosis. While affected adults present with contracture and pain, children present with limb length discrepancy and deformity. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with melorheostosis since childhood who presented with right hand deformity and numbness. Radiographs showed not only a combination of dense sclerosis and opacities, but also the classic 'flowing candle wax' appearance. Radiography can be used to identify melorheostosis, thus preventing unnecessary bone biopsies. Carpal tunnel release revealed the presence of a thickened flexor retinaculum and a degenerated median nerve distal to the retinaculum, but did not show hyperostosis. This case highlights the role of nerve decompression in melorheostosis and the importance of early identification of the disease to prevent unnecessary bone biopsies.

Open palm technique in Dupuytren's disease treatment / A tecnica da palma aberta no tratamento da doenca de Dupuytren

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of the open palm technique for the treatment of Dupuytren's disease. METHOD: The authors used the technique described by McCash. Twelve patients (13 hands) were surgically treated, between october 2002 and september 2011. RESULTS: The wounds healed in a medium of 25 days (variation of 17 to 30 days). There were no complications, such as infection, haematoma formation, skin necrosis, residual edema. CONCLUSION: The open palm technique remains a safe alternative for the treatment of Dupuytren's disease, with satisfactory results and low risk of complications. .

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico da doença de Dupuytren pela técnica da palma aberta. MÉTODO : Com o uso da técnica operatória descrita por McCash, 12 pacientes (13 mãos) foram operados para tratamento de doença de Dupuytren, entre outubro de 2002 e setembro de 2011. RESULTADOS : As feridas cicatrizaram num tempo médio de 25 dias, com variação entre 17 e 30 dias. Não houve infecção, hematoma, necrose cutânea, edema residual ou qualquer outra complicação local. CONCLUSÃO : A técnica da palma aberta constitui opção segura para o tratamento da doença de Dupuytren, com resultados satisfatórios e baixo índice de complicações. .