Multidisciplinary approach to L3/L4 lumbar disc prolapse masquerading as focal limb myositis-a radiological challenge.

Prolapsed intervertebral discs are commonly associated with back ache and sciatica. Management is often conservative with analgesia and physiotherapy. Nerve root injections and discectomy procedures are used where conservative measures fail. Majority of patients present with symptoms of pain and motor weakness; however, a few can present as focal myositis of lower limb muscles in the distribution of radiculopathy. MRI scans of limbs are rarely done in these cases but if done can confound the radiologist. Our case report emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary approach for a L3 nerve radiculopathy with confounding clinical presentation of focal lower limb myositis of unknown etiology.

Bilateral encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) in a 6-year-old female for moyamoya disease: case report and technical note with 12-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that despite disease progression, indirect cerebral revascularisation via EDAS for moyamoya disease is able to maintain sufficient collateral blood supply over a 12-year period. METHODS: Case report of an individual patient with surgically managed moyamoya disease followed up with imaging and outpatient clinic assessments. RESULTS: Follow-up imaging and assessment over 12 years concluded with a good functional and radiographic outcome. CONCLUSION: The extensive follow-up in our case of a 6-year-old female treated with bilateral EDAS procedures for moyamoya disease demonstrates that despite disease progression over 12 years, sufficient collateral blood supply was maintained to achieve a good functional outcome.

Independence and mobility after infrainguinal lower limb bypass surgery for critical limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a common condition associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. Most work to date has focused on surgeon-oriented outcomes such as patency, but there is increasing interest in patient-oriented outcomes such as mobility and independence. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of infrainguinal lower limb bypass surgery (LLBS) on postoperative mobility in a United Kingdom tertiary vascular surgery unit and to investigate causes and consequences of poor postoperative mobility. METHODS: We collected data on all patients undergoing LLBS for CLI at our institution during a 3-year period and analyzed potential factors that correlated with poor postoperative mobility. RESULTS: During the study period, 93 index LLBS procedures were performed for patients with CLI. Median length of stay was 11 days (interquartile range, 11 days). The 12-month rates of graft patency, major amputation, and mortality were 75%, 9%, and 6%, respectively. Rates of dependence increased fourfold during the first postoperative year, from 5% preoperatively to 21% at 12 months. Predictors of poor postoperative mobility were female sex (P = .04) and poor postoperative mobility (P < .001), initially and at the 12-month follow-up. Patients with poor postoperative mobility had significantly prolonged hospital length of stay (15 vs 8 days; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing LLBS for CLI suffer significantly impaired postoperative mobility, and this is associated with prolonged hospital stay, irrespective of successful revascularization. Further work is needed to better predict patients who will benefit from revascularization and in whom a nonoperative strategy is optimal.