Vascular anatomy of the breast and its implications in the breast-sharing reconstruction technique.

The most frequently described breast-sharing procedure consists in a pedicled technique where the transferred lower breast pole is based on the lower perforators of the internal mammary (IM) artery. The current article investigates the vascular supply of the breast and its surgical implications in breast-sharing reconstruction. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images of 55 patients (110 breasts) were retrospectively examined. A total of 473 branches of the IM, lateral thoracic (LT) and anterior intercostal (AI) arteries with a diameter greater than 0.5 mm were traced throughout their course in the breast. Distinct connections between the vessels were equally recorded. Although any vessel could vascularise any quadrant in the individual patient, blood supply to the lower quadrants came fundamentally from the AI arteries (76.2% of all the perforators). Lower IM branches (4th-5th) were seen to reach both lower quadrants in only 6.4% of the breasts, whereas LT branches did in 15.5%. In 86.4% of the breasts, at least a distinct AI perforator was seen to perfuse both lower quadrants. Well-defined connections between the IM and the LT arteries were observed in 41.8% of the breasts, always at or above the nipple-areola level. Other connections were far less common. Our study strongly indicates that the breast-sharing technique based on 4th-5th contralateral branches of the IM or LT arteries is unreliable in most patients. Given the unpredictable vascularization pattern in the lower breast pole, a preoperative imaging study is mandatory when the use of the contralateral breast is considered. Due to its accuracy, availability, and anatomical reliability, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance is the best technique in the preoperative evaluation of the breast-sharing reconstruction.

Adelgazamiento cortical y área tumoral. ¿Predictores de fractura patológica en encondromas de falanges de manos? / Cortical thinning and tumoral area. Predictors of pathological fracture in enchondromas of phalanges of the hand?

Introducción y objetivo: Los encondromas son los tumores primarios más comunes en las falanges de las manos. Cuando son descubiertos en pacientes asintomáticos, el cirujano debe decidir entre tratamiento quirúrgico o actitud expectante. Hasta la fecha, no se dispone de indicadores radiológicos establecidos que determinen el riesgo de fractura patológica. Pretendemos conocer la utilidad de dos parámetros de radiografía simple, adelgazamiento cortical y área ósea ocupada por tumor, como predictores de fractura patológica. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional y analítico, de casos y controles, realizado entre 2003 y 2017 con 18 pacientes operados por encondromas en falanges de manos, 9 de ellos asintomáticos (grupo A, control), y otros 9 con fractura patológica como debut (grupo B, casos). Con el objetivo de identificar los parámetros radiológicos asociados con fractura, analizamos sus radiografías preoperatorias anteroposteriores y laterales. Cuantificamos el área de hueso ocupada por tumor y el grado de adelgazamiento cortical en ambos grupos. Resultados: No encontramos diferencias significativas respecto al área de hueso ocupada por tumor (p > 0.1). Sin embargo, en el grupo B evidenciamos, de manera estadísticamente significativa, un mayor grado de adelgazamiento cortical (p < 0.1).La probabilidad de desarrollar fractura patológica se incrementa en falanges con mayor adelgazamiento cortical, tanto en radiografías anteroposteriores [Odds Ratio (OR) 16, Intervalo de Confianza (IC) 90% 1.97-130.24] (p=0.01) como en laterales (OR 7, IC 90% 1.21-40.62) (p=0.03). Conclusiones: De nuestro estudio deducimos la asociación positiva entre adelgazamiento cortical y desarrollo de fractura patológica en falanges de manos afectadas por encondromas. (AU)

Background and objective: Enchondromas are the most common primary tumors involving phalanges of the hand. When they are identified in asymptomatic patients, surgeons must decide between surgery or watchful waiting. Till the date, there is no established radiological parameter for determining the risk of pathological fracture.Our study aims to determine the utility of two radiographic indicators, amount of cortical thinning and bone area occupied by tumor, as predictors of pathological fracture. Methods: Retrospective, observational and analytic, case-control study, conducted between 2003 and 2017. Eighteen patients with enchondromas of phalanges of the hand were operated on; 9 of them were asymptomatic (control, group A), and in the other 9 cases (group B), pathological fracture was the first presenting symptom of disease. In order to identify radiological parameters associated with pathological fracture, we analyzed their anteroposterior and lateral preoperative radiographs. We measured the bone area occupied by tumor, and the amount of cortical thinning, in both groups.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to bone area occupied by tumor (p > 0.1). Nevertheless, the amount of cortical thinning was significantly higher in group B (p < 0.1).The probability of developing a pathological fracture was increased in bones with greater cortical thinning. This was observed in anteroposterior radiographs [Odds Ratio (OR) 16, Confidence Interval (CI) 90% 1.97-130.24] (p=0.01) and in lateral radiographs (OR 7, CI 90% 1.21-40.62) (p=0.03). Conclusions: Our study suggests a positive association between cortical thinning and development of pathological fracture in hand phalanges affected by enchondromas. (AU)

Trigeminal trophic syndrome: An unusual nasal ulceration. A case report and review of the literature.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome is a rare condition characterized by self-inflicted persistent facial ulceration. It is believed to be consequent to central or peripheral insult to trigeminal nerve, which may have taken place even years before the ulcer development. The aggression to the nerve pathway causes dysesthesias in the trigeminal dermatomes that induce a self-mutilating behavior, with repetitive pinching or scratching in order to mitigate the altered sensation. Due to associated skin anesthesia, the patient does not interrupt manipulation of the affected area despite severe skin necrosis. Ulceration typically occurs in the ala nasi and may resemble other more common cutaneous diseases, such as tumors or infections. Given that this condition is not included in our daily clinical practice, the risk is that of a diagnostic delay with devastating functional and esthetic facial consequences. We present the case of a patient with a history of meningioma resection who developed this syndrome and we have reviewed the published literature to provide an update on the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.

Colgajo fasciocutáneo pudendo bilateral para cobertura de tronco del pene: nuevo diseño e indicación / Bilateral pudendal thigh flap for penile shaft coverage: new indication and design

La Gangrena de Fournier es una forma poco frecuente de fascitis necrotizante que puede llegar a ser fatal si no es tratada adecuadamente. Las áreas habitualmente afectadas son el periné y los genitales externos y con frecuencia requieren amplios desbridamientos quirúrgicos que pueden dejar defectos de cobertura extensos.La reconstrucción del tronco del pene requiere una reparación libre de tensión que permita mantener la capacidad eréctil del tejido y evite la formación de una cicatriz retráctil. La viabilidad de la técnica empleada, su resultado estético y el grosor del pene reconstruido son otros factores a tener en cuenta. Las principales opciones para proporcionar cobertura son los colgajos pediculados locales y los injertos de piel de espesor parcial o total.El colgajo fasciocutáneo pudendo se emplea comúnmente en la cirugía reparadora de periné y vagina pero, de acuerdo con lo observado en la literatura, apenas existen 2 casos descritos de su uso en reconstrucción del tronco del pene, con variaciones respecto al diseño tradicional del colgajo. Describimos una secuela de Gangrena de Fournier en la que logramos con éxito la cobertura del tronco del pene gracias a una novedosa modificación en el diseño del colgajo fasciocutáneo pudendo. (AU)

Fournier ́s Gangrene is an uncommon form of necrotizing fasciitis, which can be fatal if inadequately treated. Perineum and external genitalia are the most commonly affected areas. Urgent radical surgical debridement is often required, which results in extensive soft tissue damage.Reparation of penis shaft must be tension-free, preserving erectile capacity, and avoiding retractile scar formation. Viability of the technique, aesthetic outcome, and thickness of the reconstructed penis should be also beard in mind. Local pedicled flaps, and split or full-thickness skin grafts are the main options for providing coverage.The pudendal thigh fasciocutaneous flap is one of the workhorse flaps of choice for perineal and vaginal reconstructive surgery but, to the best of our knowledge, it has only been used for penile shaft reconstruction in 2 single case studies, in which modifications to the classical design were performed. We report the case of a sequel of Fournier's Gangrene, in which penile shaft coverage was successfully accomplished with an innovative modification in the design of the pudendal thigh fasciocutaneous flap. (AU)

A new method for the radiochemical purity measurement of ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The recommended method for the measurement of radiochemical purity (RCP) of ¹¹¹In-labelled pentetreotide is thin-layer chromatography with a silica gel as the stationary phase and a 0.1 N sodium citrate solution (pH 5) as the mobile phase. According to the supplier's instructions, the mobile phase must be prepared before the test is carried out, and the recommended stationary phase is off-market. We propose a new method for RCP measurement in which the mobile phase is acid citrate dextrose, solution A, which does not need to be prepared beforehand, and thin-layer chromatography is performed with a silica gel-impregnated glass fibre sheet as the stationary phase. We used both methods to measure the percentages of radiopharmaceutical and impurities. RESULTS: The range of RCP values obtained was 98.0-99.9% (mean=99.3%) by the standard method and 98.1-99.9% (mean=99.2%) by the new method. We observed no differences between the RCP values of both methods (P=0.070). CONCLUSION: The proposed method is suitable for RCP testing because it yields results that are in good agreement with those of the standard method and because it is easier to perform as the mobile-phase solution need not be prepared in advance.