Pediatric focal calvarial lesions: an illustrated review.

Focal skull lesions in children can be diagnostically challenging with a wide variety of potential etiologies. Understanding the diverse pathologies and recognizing their associated clinical and imaging characteristics is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning. We review pertinent anatomy of the scalp and calvarium and review different pathologies that can present with focal skull lesions in pediatric patients. These include neoplastic, non-neoplastic tumor-like, congenital, post traumatic, and vascular-associated etiologies. We review the key clinical and imaging features associated with these pathologies and present teaching points to help make the correct diagnosis. It is important for radiologists to be aware of the common and rare etiologies of skull lesions as well as the clinical and imaging characteristics which can be used to develop an accurate differential to ensure a timely diagnosis and initiate appropriate management.

The modified Norwegian method of biceps tenodesis: how well does it work?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and complications in a series of patients who underwent the modified Norwegian method (MNM) of biceps tenodesis by a single shoulder surgeon. METHODS: A retrospective review of charts from all patients who underwent the modified Norwegian method of biceps tenodesis by the senior author during a 5-year period between 2008 and 2013 was performed. After all patients were identified, informed consent was obtained and DASH and ASES surveys were administered. Inclusion criteria for the study were a minimum 2-year follow-up after MNM tenodesis and appropriate adherence to DASH and ASES survey protocol. Data obtained included: demographic data, time to follow-up, hand dominance, concomitant procedures, workman's compensation (WC) status, DASH and ASES surveys, and complications. A complication was defined as rupture of the tenodesis or post-operative infection. Residual shoulder pain was considered as treatment failure. The data were then analysed using statistical software. In this time period, 94 biceps tenodeses using the MNM technique were performed. Follow-up rate was 75/94 patients (80 %). Of 75 patients, 15 (20 %) had an isolated tenodesis performed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in DASH or ASES scores when comparing isolated tenodesis patients to those who had concomitant procedures. WC patients had worse DASH and ASES scores (p = 0.016; p = 0.002). The complication rate was 2/75 (3 %), which were both ruptured tenodeses. Of 75 patients, 3 (4 %) experienced treatment failure with residual anterior shoulder pain. CONCLUSIONS: There is debate in the literature regarding the optimal method of biceps tenodesis. This paper demonstrates that the MNM tenodesis appears to be a simple, efficient, and effective alternative to other methods of biceps tenodesis with subjective outcome scores and complication rates that parallel other methods previously described in the literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Case Report: Absence of the Long Head of the Biceps Brachii Tendon.

BACKGROUND: Absence of the long head of the biceps brachii (LHB) tendon is rare with an unknown incidence. It can occur bilaterally in patients with or without associated congenital anomalies. Diagnostic difficulty exists with both magnetic resonance imaging and physical examination. METHODS/RESULTS: We present the case of a 24-year-old female with a three year history of progressive right shoulder pain and instability with negative magnetic resonance arthrogram who was subsequently found to have absence of the LHB tendon. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a potential relationship between absence of the LHB tendon and an increased risk of acquired shoulder pain and instability. However, the relationship between the absence of the LHB and subsequent pain and function remains unclear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Onset of Frozen Shoulder Following Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccinations.

OBJECTIVE: Adhesive capsulitis has been suggested as an adverse effect of vaccine administration into the shoulder area. The purpose of this case series is to report 3 cases of acute onset of adhesive capsulitis following pneumococcal and influenza vaccines. CLINICAL FEATURES: Patients reported painful shoulder and limited motion following routine vaccination. After clinical examination, a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis was noted. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: All 3 patients were treated conservatively with physical therapy (active ranges of motion and active-assisted motion), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and activity modification with eventual resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Reports implicating vaccination with adhesive capsulitis are rare. This case series raises the awareness of pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations as possible causes of adhesive capsulitis that appear to respond to standard treatment. Although vaccines are of tremendous importance in the prevention of serious illness, we emphasize the importance of administering them at the appropriate depth and location for each patient.

The modified norwegian method of biceps tenodesis.

This technical note describes a method of biceps tenodesis called the Modified Norwegian Method that is an all-arthroscopic, intra-articular, bony biceps tenodesis that uses a suture shuttle passer through an anterosuperolateral portal. It allows for easy passage of suture through the long head of the biceps tendon while one is viewing through the posterior portal. We believe this method to be a very reasonable and simple method of biceps tenodesis that has complication rates similar to those described for subpectoral and other methods of fixation.

Sensitivity of physical examination versus arthroscopy in diagnosing subscapularis tendon injury.

The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of physical examination in the detection of subscapularis tendon tears and compare it with the gold standard of arthroscopy to determine whether clinical examination can reliably predict the presence of subscapularis tendon tears. This was a retrospective analysis of 52 patients (52 shoulders) who underwent arthroscopic subscapularis tendon repairs between September 2008 and April 2012. Positive findings on any combination of the belly press, lift-off, and bear hug tests constituted a positive physical examination result. There was a positive finding on physical examination in 42 of 52 patients. The sensitivity of the physical examination as a whole was 81%. The literature has shown that the belly press, bear hug, and lift-off tests are specific to the subscapularis tendon. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the sensitivity of these 3 separate clinical tests as a composite. Knowledge regarding the sensitivity of the subscapularis-specific physical examination as a composite can lead practitioners to implement all 3 components, even when 1 test has a negative finding, thus promoting a more thorough physical examination. Because unrepaired subscapularis tendon tears can result in poor outcomes in the repair of other rotator cuff tendons, a complete physical examination would be beneficial to patients with shoulder pathology. The authors conclude that physical examination, when performed consistently by an experienced practitioner, can reliably predict the presence of subscapularis tendon tears.

Outcomes after trochleoplasty.

Trochlear dysplasia is a risk factor for patellofemoral instability. Trochleoplasty involves reshaping the trochlear groove to provide increased patellofemoral stability. We obtained post-operative radiographs, MRI, and outcome scores in 6 patients who underwent this procedure. All 6 of the patients were satisfied with their outcome following trochleoplasty with no recurrent instability events. Mean bony sulcus angles decreased from 148 degrees to 129 degrees. However, 4 of the 6 patients reported anterior knee pain. Similar to previously published studies, trochleoplasty can reliably improve patellofemoral stability in patients with severe trochlear dysplasia, but a high percentage of patients will have pain postoperatively.