Uncommon Anatomical Causes of Ulnar Compression: A Narrative Review.

OBJECTIVES: Some patients develop ulnar nerve compression due to rare anatomical variations or malformations. The aims of this review are to provide a comprehensive overview of anatomical structures and variations that can cause ulnar nerve compression and to evaluate treatment options. METHODS: Case reports and case series about rare cases of unusual ulnar nerve compression published from January 2000 until April 2022 were obtained from databases Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. A total of 48 studies describing 64 patients were included in our study. RESULTS: The following structures have proven to cause ulnar nerve compression: anconeus epitrochlearis, accessory abductor digiti minimi, vascular anomalies, palmaris longus, fibrous bands, and flexor carpi ulnaris. All cases except one have had a surgical release of the ulnar nerve resulting in diminished symptoms or complete recovery at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to considering common compression points, it is important to be aware that proximal compression symptoms, such as pain and a positive Tinel sign at the medial elbow, may be attributed to a hypertrophic AE or vascular anomaly. Distal compression symptoms encompass swelling, along with pain and a positive Tinel sign at the distal forearm. Various structures contributing to distal compression include an accessory abductor digiti minimi muscle, an accessory or anomalous palmaris longus muscle, or an accessory or hypertrophic flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. The occurrence of fibrous bands exhibits variability, manifesting in diverse locations across the arm.Level of Evidence: IV.

Recurrent lipoma: an uncommon presentation in the wrist after incomplete excision.

Patient: Female, 58-year-old. Final Diagnosis: Benign recurrent lipoma following incomplete surgical removal. Symptoms: Discomfort, Aesthetic Dissatisfaction. Clinical Procedure: Surgical Revision-Excision-Exploration with Lipoma Extraction. Specialty: Plastic Surgery (Hand Surgery). Objective: Unusual Clinical Presentation and Course. Background: Lipoma is a usually painless tumor composed of adipocytes, of fat cells, arising from mesenchymal tissue. It manifests itself in locations in the body where adipocytes are and has circumscribed growth. Its incidence in the hand is relatively low (1%-4.9%). Despite most lipomas being benign and usually asymptomatic, the location of lipoma can lead to nerve compression symptoms. We report a case of an unusual recurrence of lipoma in the wrist after incomplete excision. Case report: A 58-year-old female presented with a large, soft mass located on the volar side of the wrist, which recurred during the first week following the initial excision. While the patient did not exhibit symptoms of nerve compression, she reported experiencing swelling and pain at the surgical site postoperatively. The patient underwent surgical re-excision of the lesion, and the excised tissue was sent for histological examination. The subsequent histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a benign lipoma. The patient expressed satisfaction with the surgical revision, postoperative care, and outcomes, reporting high levels of contentment in pain relief, functional improvement, and cosmetic results. Conclusions: Lipomas often remain asymptomatic for extended periods, only becoming a source of discomfort or concern once they increase in size or impact one's appearance. Although most lipomas are benign and pose little risk to overall health, certain malignant variants exist. Recurrence of lipoma is uncommon and typically suggests an incomplete initial excision. In anatomically complex regions like the hand or wrist, meticulous planning and preoperative imaging are essential to prevent compression, exclude malignancy, and preserve function.

The Influence of Corticosteroid Injections on Postoperative Outcomes of Carpal Tunnel Release: A Systematic Review.

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated with corticosteroid injections (CIs) and surgery. In this systematic review, the influence of previous CI on different postoperative outcomes after carpal tunnel release is evaluated. Methods A systematic literature search using several databases was performed to include studies that examined patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome who received preoperative or intraoperative CIs. Results Of 2,459 articles, 9 were eligible for inclusion. Four papers reported outcomes of preoperative and four outcomes of intraoperative CIs. One study evaluated patients who received both intraoperative and preoperative corticosteroids. Conclusion Intraoperative CIs are associated with reduced postoperative pain after carpal tunnel release and support earlier recovery of the hand function that can be objectified in a faster median nerve conduction speed recovery and lower Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) scores. Using preoperative CIs did not lead to enhanced recovery after carpal tunnel release, and both preoperative and intraoperative CIs might be predisposing factors for infections.

Conservative Treatment of Ulnar Nerve Compression at the Elbow: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background The clinical results of conservative treatment options for ulnar compression at the elbow have not been clearly determined. The aim of this review was to evaluate available conservative treatment options and their effectiveness for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. Methods In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies was performed. Literature search was performed using Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Results Of the 1,079 retrieved studies, 20 were eligible for analysis and included 687 cases of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Improvement of symptoms was reported in 54% of the cases receiving a steroid/lidocaine injection (95% confidence interval [CI], 41-67) and in 89% of the cases using a splint device (95% CI, 69-99). Conclusions Conservative management seems to be effective. Both lidocaine/steroid injections and splint devices gave a statistically significant improvement of symptoms and are suitable options for patients who refuse an operative procedure or need a bridge to their surgery. Splinting is preferred over injections, as it shows a higher rate of improvement.

Rare Tumors Causing Median Nerve Compression in Adults-A Narrative Review.

The median nerve can be compressed due to a tumor along the course of the median nerve, causing typical compression symptoms or even persistence or recurrence after an operation. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of rare tumors described in recent publications that cause median nerve compression and to evaluate treatment options. The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies describing median nerve compression due to a tumor in adults, published from the year 2000 and written in English. From 94 studies, information of approximately 100 patients have been obtained. Results The rare tumors causing compression were in 32 patients located at the carpal tunnel, in 21 cases in the palm of the hand, and 28 proximal from the carpal tunnel. In the other cases the compression site extended over a longer trajectory. There were 37 different histological types of lesions. Complete resection of the tumor was possible in 58 cases. A total of 8 patients presented for the second time after receiving initial therapy. During follow-up, three cases of recurrence were reported with a mean follow-up period of 11 months. The most common published cause of median nerve compression is the lipofibromatous hamartoma. Besides the typical sensory and motor symptoms of median nerve compression, a thorough physical examination of the complete upper extremity is necessary to find any swelling or triggering that might raise suspicion of the presence of a tumor.

A rare dislocation: an open isolated palmar dislocation of the head of the fifth metacarpal bone without fracture.

We present an open and isolated palmar dislocation of the head of the fifth metacarpal bone without fracture. The diagnosis, which was initially made based on the X-rays, was confirmed during the operation. The patient was satisfactorily treated with open reduction, Kirschner wires fixation and casting followed with hand physiotherapy.

Retrospective Analysis of Non-Surgical Treatment of Acute Cholecystitis.

Background: Worldwide, acute cholecystitis is a common disease. The current standard of treatment is according to the Tokyo Guidelines established in 2018. Conservative management with various combinations of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and percutaneous drainage are sometimes used to avoid or delay surgery, especially in frail patients, but little is known about the efficacy and safety of these strategies. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of antibiotic agents, with or without gallbladder drainage, or symptomatic treatment alone in patients with acute cholecystitis who were considered unfit for acute surgery. Patients and Methods: All patients whose initial treatment for cholecystitis was conservative who were admitted between 2014 and 2016 were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups: those treated with antibiotic agents, those who received antibiotic agents in combination with percutaneous gallbladder drainage and those whose treatment was only symptomatic. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, Tokyo Severity Classification, length of stay, re-admission rates, secondary treatment (delayed drainage or surgery), and complication rates were retrieved from their medical records. Results: Initially 33 were treated with conservative methods in this period. Fifteen patients were treated initially with antibiotic agents, 12 patients with antibiotic agents in combination with percutaneous drainage, and 6 patients received symptomatic treatment only. One patient had mild cholecystitis (Tokyo Severity Classification grade I) and the other 32 patients had moderate to severe (grade II or III) cholecystitis. Eventually, 25 patients (76%) underwent cholecystectomy, 2 of whom (8%) were emergency operations because of disease progression. Twelve patients (36%) were re-admitted, of whom the majority (83%) was re-admitted before cholecystectomy. Conclusion: Treatment of cholecystitis with antibiotic agents, drainage, or analgesic agents is feasible. However, it should be regarded as a bridge to surgery rather than a definitive solution because of frequent recurrence. Occasionally, an emergency operation could not be avoided as a result of disease progression under conservative treatment.

Results of reoperation for failed ulnar nerve surgery at the elbow: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical results of reoperation for recurrent or persistent ulnar nerve compression at the elbow have not been clearly determined. The aim of this review was to determine overall improvement, residual pain, and sensory and motor deficits following reoperation regardless of the type of primary surgery performed for this condition. METHODS: In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies was performed. An independent librarian performed a literature search using Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the quality appraisal tool described by Moga et al. were used to assess the quality of included case series. RESULTS: Of the 278 retrieved studies, 16 were eligible for analysis and included a total of 290 patients with failed surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. Relief of symptoms after reoperation was reported in 85% of patients. A decrease in pain was noted in 85% of the patients (95% CI 75%-93%). Only 2.4% of patients with preoperative pain experienced worse pain after reoperation. Motor and sensory function improvement was noted in 77% (95% CI 63%-88%) and 77% (95% CI 61%-90%) of cases, respectively. Complete recovery from signs and symptoms at the final follow-up was noted in 23% of elbows (95% CI 16%-31%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the level of evidence of the included studies was low, the majority of patients had relief from their complaints after reoperation for recurrent or persistent ulnar nerve compression at the elbow following a previous surgery. The success rate of surgical treatment for a failed surgery was quite remarkable since almost a quarter of the patients completely recovered. Therefore, the authors recommend reoperation as a serious option for patients with this condition.

The Predictive Value of Early In-Treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT Response to Chemotherapy in Combination with Bevacizumab in Advanced Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

18F-FDG PET/CT is potentially applicable to predict response to chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: In 25 patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC, 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed before treatment and after 2 wk, at the end of the second week of first cycle carboplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab (CPB) treatment. Patients received up to a total of 4 cycles of CPB treatment. Maintenance treatment with bevacizumab monotherapy was continued until progressive disease without significant treatment-related toxicities of first-line treatment. In the case of progressive disease, bevacizumab was combined with erlotinib. SUV corrected for lean body mass (SUL and SULpeak) were obtained. PERCIST were used for response evaluation. These semiquantitative parameters were correlated with progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). Results: Metabolic response, defined by a significant reduction in SULpeak of 30% or more after 2 wk of CPB, was predictive of progression-free survival and OS. For partial metabolic responders (n = 19), the median OS was 22.8 mo. One-year and 2-y OS were 79% and 47%, respectively. Nonmetabolic responders (n = 6) (stable metabolic disease or progressive disease) showed a median OS of 4.4 mo (1-y and 2-y OS was 33% and 0%, respectively) (P < 0.001). Conclusion:18F-FDG PET/CT after 1 treatment cycle is predictive of outcome to first-line chemotherapy with bevacizumab in patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC. This enables identification of patients at risk of treatment failure, permitting treatment alternatives such as early switch to a different therapy.