Lipoma Arborescens of the Upper Extremity With Anatomic Variation of the Palmaris Longus: A Case Report.

CASE: We present a case of a patient who suffered from wrist swelling and had symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient underwent ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, in which signs of joint effusion and a fatty synovial lesion were presented. The treatment included open excision of the tumor. In addition, the palmaris longus muscle had an anatomic variation with proximal and distal tendon portions. The histopathological examination disclosed lipoma arborescens of the synovial membranes of the joints. CONCLUSION: The recognition of this entity and its characteristics are important not only for correct diagnosis but also for the appropriate treatment.

Brain abscess and generalized seizure caused by halo pin intracranial penetration: case report and review of the literature.

The objective of our study is to report a rare complication of halo pin insertion associated with an epileptic seizure and brain abscess, and to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to its management. The treatment of unstable cervical spine injuries with a halo vest is an established procedure. Complications of pin penetration such as brain abscess and seizure are rare, and need to be urgently treated. Intracranial abscess and seizure associated with the use of the halo device is an unusual complication, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. A 21-year-old male had a halo vest placed for the management of an odontoid type II fracture, which he sustained from a motor vehicle accident. Ten weeks after halo ring placement he complained of headaches which relieved by analgesics. After 2 weeks he was admitted at the emergency unit in an unconscious condition after a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The halo pins were displaced during the seizure and were removed at his admission. No drainage was noted from the pin sites, and a Philadelphia cervical collar was applied. A brain CT and MRI revealed intracranial penetration of both posterior pins and a brain abscess in the right parietal lobe. Computed tomography of the cervical spine revealed stable fusion of the odontoid fracture. Cultures from the pin sites were negative; however, intravenous wide spectrum antibiotic treatment was administered to the patient immediately for 4 weeks followed by oral antibiotics for additional 2 weeks. Anti-epileptic medication was also started at his admission. The patient was discharged from the hospital in 6 weeks without symptoms, continuing anti-epileptic medication. On the follow-up visits he had fully recovered without any neurologic sequelae. In conclusion, complications of halo pin penetration are rare which need immediate intervention. Any neurologic or infectious, local or generalized, symptom need to be investigated urgently with available imaging techniques and treated promptly. Pin over-tightening may cause bone penetration and possible deep cranial infection with serious complications.

Review article: Patellar instability after total knee arthroplasty.

Patellar instability after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a serious complication that impairs functional outcome and may lead to revision surgery. Its aetiology can be related to the surgical technique and component positioning, extensor mechanism imbalance, and other causes. After TKA, the presence of anterior knee pain, especially during stressful activities, is indicative of patellar instability. Diagnosis can be made by radiological evaluation of the patella position, alignment, and component fixation. Main treatment options include revision of the TKA components (in case of malposition) and lateral retinacular release with or without a proximal or distal realignment (in case of soft-tissue imbalance).

Transtibial versus anteromedial portal of the femoral tunnel in ACL reconstruction: a cadaveric study.

The aim of this cadaveric study was to compare the transtibial versus the anteromedial portal with respect to the anatomic femoral positioning of the ACL attachment. Ten fresh frozen cadaveric knees were included in our study. A standard arthroscopy was performed and the normal ACL was partially cut through with arthroscopic scissors leaving a small footprint of 2 mm at the anatomical insertion area on the lateral femoral condyle. The femoral tunnel was drilled through the tibial tunnel and subsequently through the anteromedial portal. Using a probe with standard magnification, we measured the distances of the two femoral tunnels from the margin of ACL footprint arthroscopically. The femurs were then dissected and we measured the distances of the two tunnels from the posterior part of the lateral femoral condyle. The median arthroscopically measured distance of the centers of transtibial femoral tunnel and of the femoral tunnel through the anteromedial portal from the margin of the femoral ACL footprint were 6.20 mm and 2.80 mm respectively. The difference was statistically significant. After femoral dissection the median distance of the centers of the transtibial femoral tunnel and the femoral tunnel performed through the anteromedial portal from the border of the articular surface at the lateral femoral condyle was 6.10 mm and 5.25 mm respectively (p<0.001). Both measurements showed that ACL reconstruction technique through the anteromedial portal is more accurate compared to the transtibial technique.

Posterior tibial subluxation and short-term arthritis resulting from failed posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Posterior tibial subluxations because of combined or isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries require detailed evaluation. PCL reconstructions are difficult procedures because of the low rate of such injuries and the complex anatomy of the ligament. We report on 2 cases of failed PCL reconstruction because of malpositioned femoral tunnels. These 2 cases support the existing biomechanical evidence that the correct placement of the tunnels, especially in the femur, is a major factor in defining the outcome. It seems that the drilling of the tunnels, especially in the femur, during PCL reconstruction must be performed with accuracy and always be evaluated in cases of graft failure. In addition, failed PCL reconstructions are usually accompanied by a short-term excessive arthritis that results in poor functional outcome.