Outcomes of radialization for radial longitudinal deficiency: 20 limbs with minimum 5-year follow-up.

We report functional and cosmetic outcomes in 14 patients (six bilateral and eight unilateral) with type IV radial longitudinal deficiency who underwent radialization. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 19 years. Outcome measures were grip and pinch strengths, Percival and Sykes score, Vilkki score, Cattaneo grading, and a questionnaire to patients. Radiological assessment included the hand-forearm angle, the hand-forearm position, and ulna length and width. At final follow-up, the length of the affected ulna was 56% of the length of the normal ulna. The distal ulna hypertrophied to 97% of the opposite distal radius and a median loss of correction of hand-forearm angle was 9°. All hands improved on Vilkki severity grade and on the Cattaneo functional and aesthetic grading. We conclude that radialization is an effective procedure in these cases, but secondary procedures may be required for the long-term maintenance of wrist alignment and hand function. Level of evidence: IV.

Ancient Schwannoma of Radial Nerve: A Report of Two Cases.

Ancient schwannoma is a rare variant of schwannoma associated with a longstanding course. They differ from classical schwannomas in the long duration for this subtype of schwannoma to develop and also by demonstrating haemorrhagic and degenerative changes with nuclear atypia. It is because of these histologic hallmarks that they are frequently misdiagnosed as malignant tumours. They usually involve the major nerves of flexor surfaces in upper extremity such as the ulnar and median nerve but schwannomas of the radial nerve are a rare entity. We report two cases of ancient schwannoma involving the radial nerve at mid arm and dorsum of the hand. The differential diagnoses included atypical soft tissue sarcomas and tumours of neural origin. Imaging and histopathology are crucial in diagnoses of these tumours.