Anomalous Brachial Artery Bifurcations Can Be at Increased Risk for Entrapment in Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures, but Do Not Alter Practice Guidelines.

Limb-threatening events arising subsequent to fixation of pediatric supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures are infrequent. We experienced an untoward pulseless hand in a 9-year-old boy subsequent to reduction and fixation of a SCH fracture with unremarkable preoperative neurovascular examination. A dilemma persists in consideration of parameters to assess limb perfusion from an array of investigations. Recently, clinical practice guidelines in the management of pediatric SCH have been established based on appropriate use criteria and in compliance, we undertook vascular exploration. We observed a variant of high brachial artery bifurcation entrapped in the fracture site. The injuries were appropriately managed without complications and had excellent outcomes in a follow-up period of 11 months. This index case report of a preexisting brachial artery bifurcation variant associating a limb-threatening event in postoperative period also highlights the effective utility of the current practice guidelines in management of pediatric SCH fractures.

Overt metabolic bone failure as the initial manifestation of neglected primary hyperparathyroidism: An unusual presentation and review of current practice guidelines.

Varied symptomatology exists in hyperparathyroidism. The current approaches and evaluation of altered calcium homeostasis have led to the practice of early identification and subsequent management of the adenomas. Hence, bony manifestations (deformities, lesions, and fractures) termed to be end stage of bone metabolism failure, have rarely been encountered in the last two decades. We report this infrequent presentation in a 47-year-old female, who visited the emergency department following a trivial fall. Her background history recorded left superior parathyroidectomy three months prior to fall. The clinical and radiological evaluations were suggestive of insufficiency fractures of right proximal humerus and right shaft of femur, multiple lytic lesions and other bony manifestations pathognomonic of hyperparathyroidism. Metabolic profile revealed a primary cause despite prior adenectomy, and targeted scintigraphy demonstrated a hyper-functioning right inferior parathyroid gland. The high resolution ultrasound used before the prior surgery failed to localise additional hyper-functioning glands. Post-parathyroidectomy, the hungry bone disease was adequately managed. The femur fracture required surgical stabilization. In conclusion, bony manifestations of hyperparathyroidism can be disabling and difficult to treat. Although a rare clinical presentation, the severity of bony manifestations arise from a preventable cause and that the initial evaluation of hyperparathyroidism should also include parathyroid scintigraphy, and not limited to screening of the neck with ultrasonography, for its combined additive information and improved diagnostic value.

Treatment of Locked Pubic Symphysis by Distraction Osteotomy of the Superior Pubic Ramus: A Case Report.

CASE: An 18-year-old adolescent sustained a lateral compression injury to the pelvis that featured a locked pubic symphysis with plastic deformation of the sacrum. The pubic bone was entrapped in the opposite obturator foramen and required a novel distraction osteotomy of the superior ramus to restore the symphysis. The patient developed a urethral stricture 3 months after injury that required urethroplasty. The symphysis remained in alignment without any morbidity at the osteotomy site over 13 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Locked pubic symphysis is frequently associated with urethral injuries. The distraction osteotomy of the superior pubic ramus described is a viable reduction maneuver that neutralizes the plastic deformation forces.

Posterior tension band plate osteosynthesis for unstable sacral fractures: A preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: Stable reduction and rigid fixation of the sacrum and posterior ring structures are of paramount importance in the management of complex pelvic ring disruptions, Tile B and C. The major concern with the use of conventional methods, like iliosacral screws and iliolumbar fixations is the increased risk for surgical and implant-related morbidity, especially in difficult situations, such as comminuted, bilateral sacral fractures, and fractures in the dysmorphic sacrum. Although various biomechanical studies have reported the posterior trans-iliac plates to provide maximum resistance to distracting forces by the principle of tension band, the literature pertaining to this implication in clinical studies has been limited. The purpose of our study was to assess the efficacy of the trans-iliac plate in the management of unstable sacral fractures and its utility in pelvic disruptions associated with surgical site morbidity. METHODOLOGY: The patients with unstable pelvic fractures (Tile B and C) between 2013 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed at a trauma center. First, the anterior ring disruptions were stabilized, and then, the sacral fractures (Denis Zone 1-3) treated by posterior tension band plate osteosynthesis (3.5 mm reconstruction plate) were included. Demographic and perioperative data were assessed. The outcome variables studied were surgical morbidity, pain, loss of reduction, and union and implant-related complications. The outcomes were graded using Lindhal's (radiological) and Majeed (functional assessment) scores. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (nine male/four female) with a median age of 42 years, had sacral fractures in Denis zones 1/2/3 (four/ten/one, respectively), resulting from Tile pelvic injury B and C were included. The pelvis in five patients was stabilized only with the posterior plate due to the anteriorly-associated surgical site morbidity (Morel-Lavallee lesions and urinary tract injuries). The mean follow-up was 21.5 ±â€¯2.8 months. All fractures had a radiological union by 22 weeks; Lindhal's grade A in ten patients and grade B in three patients. Two out of three patients recovered from preoperative neurological involvement. Two had complained of implant prominence (BMI<19 kg/m2) and there were no implant failures. Four had excellent, six had good, and three had fair or poor functional outcomes. CONCLUSION: The posterior trans-iliac plate is a minimally invasive and safe procedure that can be used in a wide range of unstable sacral fractures with notably less implant failure rate. The rigid posterior construct restores the principle tension between the iliac blades and minimizes the secondary displacement of the anterior disrupted structures, thereby useful in managing ring disruptions with surgical site morbidity.

Acute Traumatic Pseudo-pointing Index Finger Due to an Isolated Second Metacarpal-Trapezoid Dislocation: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: An isolated second metacarpal dislocation is one of the least reported injuries of the hand. This particular injury assumes clinical significance as they occur subsequent to high energy direct trauma and are usually missed with associated carpal and metacarpal bone fractures. We describe this unique case of an isolated metacarpal-trapezoidal disruption with clinical presentation as the pseudo-pointing index finger and also describe a novel radiological sign to ascertain the rotational deformity of metacarpals on plain radiographs. CASE REPORT: A 32-year male information technology employee experienced a road traffic accident and developed pain, localized swelling over dorsum of the left hand. He exhibited an inability to form a complete fist with the index finger lagging behind, giving a pointing index finger like appearance. Plain radiographs showed isolated disruption of second metacarpal-trapezoid articulation. The computed tomography (CT) scans were used to confirm the absence of associated carpal injuries. The patient was managed successfully by closed reduction and Kirschner wiring. All the deformities resolved and regained normal hand functions in the follow-up period of 13 months with no recurrent episodes or evidence of arthritis. CONCLUSION: Although a rare presentation, astute clinical examination and systematic radiological evaluation are the key to diagnose second through fourth carpometacarpal disruptions. The asymmetrical appearance of the metacarpal head tuberosities on anteroposterior radiographs is a strong indicator for rotational deformity of hands. These injuries must be evaluated with CT scans due to the increased potential for associated carpal injuries and poor prognosis when missed. More than often, an open reduction may be required to obtain stable concentric reduction.