A case of neonatal compartment syndrome: importance of early diagnosis in a rare and debilitating condition.

Neonatal compartment syndrome (NCS) is a rare condition that is often initially misdiagnosed because its skin lesions mimic several other more common diseases of the newborn. It has not been described in the pediatric literature thus far. Early diagnosis along with fasciotomy may be limb and function-sparing, but only in certain cases, because the exact time and duration of the initial insult and the full extent of damage at presentation is unknown in many cases. We present a case of NCS that was initially thought to be amniotic band syndrome, and delayed fasciotomy and debridement were performed once the correct diagnosis was made. We review the literature of this rare and debilitating condition and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.

Cutaneous metastasis of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast to an infusaport site.

Cutaneous metastasis of a primary internal malignancy is a relatively common phenomenon, occurring in up to 10% of patients with noncutaneous cancer. Cutaneous metastasis can occur via direct extension, hematologic or lymphatic dissemination, or surgical implantation. The most common internal malignancy associated with the development of cutaneous metastases in females is breast cancer. We present a patient with widely metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, status postpalliative mastectomy and chest wall coverage with a vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap, who acquired cellulitis and, subsequently, noncontiguous cutaneous metastasis of her breast cancer to the site of her central venous access device (ie, infusaport). We hypothesize that the local inflammation associated with her recent bout of cellulitis and operations, in conjunction with the presence of a foreign body, may have predisposed the infusaport site to seeding by metastatic tumor cells. This case highlights the importance of considering cutaneous metastasis in the differential diagnosis of new skin eruptions in patients with cancer.

Innovative techniques in bony reconstruction to facilitate hand salvage.

Mutilating injuries of the hand and congenital hand anomalies can present challenging reconstructive scenarios for salvage and restoration of function. During a 5-year period from 1993 to 1997, the plastic and reconstructive surgical unit of East Carolina University Medical Center was presented with a series of unique reconstructive challenges as a result of complex hand injuries that resulted in unexpected opportunities for the salvage of distal components. These traumatic injuries were unique in that, although devastating to the hand, they left the opportunity for salvage of distal vascularized and sensate components of the hand. Other unique challenges arose as a result of patients who did not want to pursue alternative reconstructive options such as toe-to-hand transfers or pollicization. These cases are presented to emphasize alternative algorithms to standard hand reconstruction in complex scenarios. Three patients presented with distal viable (vascularized and sensate) phalangeal components with proximal complex bony defects, 1 patient presented with a complex thumb defect and declined standard therapy, and 1 patient presented with a congenital thumb anomaly and declined standard therapy. All flaps survived and all hands were saved. These patients illustrate the clinical feasibility of osteocutaneous and free osseous grafting to provide strut stabilization in metacarpal defects and to preserve an opposable post after thumb amputation or thumb anomaly.