External Fixation with Five Pins for Unstable Fractures of the Distal Radius

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of five-pin external fixation, with the fifth pin stabilizing the distal radius articular fragment, for unstable distal radial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty cases of unstable distal radial fractures were treated with five-pin external fixation (5-pin group). The fifth pin was inserted into the distal articular fragment and attached to the external fixation frame. Metacarpal pins were removed at sixth week in 12 cases and at third in 8 cases, and radial pins were removed at eighth or ninth week. The radiographic results of 5-pin group were compared with those of 20 cases of traditional four-pin external fixation (4-pin group). RESULTS: The postoperative radial inclination was 23.1 degrees in 5-pin group and 22.2 degrees in 4-pin group; while at last follow-up 21.8o and 15.1 degrees respectively. Postoperative volar tilt was 8.5 degrees and 7.3o; while at last follow-up 6.3 degrees and 0.1 degrees respectively. Postoperative radial shortening was 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm; while at last follow-up 1.1 mm and 2.1 mm respectively. In 5-pin group, there were no significant differences in results whether the metacarpal pins were removed at sixth or third week. CONCLUSION: Five-pin external fixation, with the fifth pin stabilizing the distal articular fragment, enhanced early motion of the wrist maintaining fracture stability in unstable fractures of the distal radius.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Granular Cell Tumor of the Lower Leg: Report of a Case / 대한세포병리학회지

Granular cell tumor is characterized by large eosinophilic cells with granular appearances. These are mostly benign. Approximately 1~2% are malignant, and establishment of reliable criteria for diagnosing malignant granular cell tumor has been difficult to establish because of the rarity. Reports on the cytologic features of this neoplasm are hardly found in Korea. We report a case of rarely-occurring granular cell tumor in the lower leg of a 40-year-old male, diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology, together with a review of the literature regarding significant adverse histology and prognostic factors. The aspirates revealed cellular smears of isolated cells, syncytial clusters, and occasionally stripped nuclei in a fine, bluish-purple, granular background. Tumor cells were polygonal, rounded, or slightly spindled, and showed ill-defined granular cytoplasm. Nuclei were small and round or oval, with inconspicuous or small, prominent nucleoli. The nuclei showed rare intranuclear cytoplasmic invagination. Occasionally, there were mild to moderate nuclear pleomorphisms with vesicular nuclei, with large, prominent nucleoi, but no mitosis. The immunocytochemical stain for S-100 was strongly positive in the cytoplasm of tumor cells with occasional nuclei.

Ewing's Sarcoma/PNET of the Talus: Report of a Case / 대한세포병리학회지

Ewing's sarcoma (ES)/PNET is common in both axial and appendicular skeletons, but is extremely rare in the talus. Here, we report a case of ES/PNET of the left talus in a 29-year-old male patient diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology, and review the literature on similar cases. The cytological smears were composed of individually dispersed small round cells and occasional clusters of loosely cohesive cells. The tumor cells were fragile, frequently exhibiting naked nuclei. Two distinct types of cells were observed. The light (chief) cells displayed round or slightly oval nuclei with frequent indentations, generally inconspicuous nucleoli, and a thin rim of cytoplasm, which sometimes harbored small vacuoles. The dark cells were smaller, displaying scanty cytoplasm with dense hyperchromatic nuclei, intermixed with chief cells, and often manifesting as small molded groups. However, no significant nuclear pleomorphisms or mitoses were noted. Tumor cells in the cell block revealed positive cytoplasmic glycogen, as determined by a PAS stain with diastase control, and also exhibited positive immunoreactivity for CD99.