Musculo-skeletal complications in seizure disorders

Eight cases of musculo-skeletal injuries secondary to seizures of various causes treated between 1979 and 1983 are presented. A comprehensive review of the literature shows that these injuries are quite common occurrences in the convulsive therapy of psychiatric patients. These seizures have since, been prevented by the use of general anesthesia, muscle depolarizing agents and newer drugs introduced in psychiatric therapy. Physical restraint may in fact produce these injuries during seizure and avoidance may be more beneficial to the patient. The musculo-skeletal complications are quite varied and orthopedic management is individualized.(Summary)

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and dysphagia

A case of difuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis with dysphagia based on clinical and laboratory findings is presented. Excision of the cervical osteophyte resulted in complete relief of dysphagia. However, because the exact pathogenesis of the disease is not known and because of the patients short period of follow-up, recurrence is a possibility.(Summary)

The value of sympathectomy in Buergers disease among Filipinos

A total of 16 patients with Buergers disease who underwent 17 sympathectomies from January 1980 to August 1986 were followed-up at the PGH Out Patient Clinic. These were predominantly middle-aged males smoking an average of 1 pack a day presenting with signs and symptoms of peripheral vascular insufficiency exemplified by rest pain, claudication, Raynauds phenomenon, gangrene and non-healing wounds of the toes/fingers. Ten patients (59 percent) completely stopped smoking and six (35 percent) had medical therapy but this did not afford any relief prior to surgery. With the performance of sympathectomy, with or without disarticulation, there was dramatic relief of pain with eventual wound healing in all the patients. This strengthens the belief that sympathectomy has a place in the management of Buergers disease in the Philippines. (Auth)

Resection-arthrodesis utilizing intramedullary rod fixation and autogenous bone grafting for giant cell tumor about the knee

Three patients with giant cell tumor involving the bones about the knee, i.e. located in the proximal end of the tibia or distal end of the femur were treated by local resection and arthrodesis using an intramedullary nail (Kuntscher nail) and autogenous fibular graft. Union was attained in seventeen months on the average. The procedure gives a bright hope in attaining satisfactory tumor control, improved rehabilitation, and resumption of a vigorous life-style within one year. Furthermore, it has been found to be simpler, cheaper and less formidable and is suitable to our local situation.(Auth)