Evaluation and reduction of nasal trauma.

Nasal trauma plays a large and important role in the field of craniofacial trauma. The resulting aesthetic, structural, and functional sequelae associated with these injuries necessitate a thorough understanding of the topic. This includes an appreciation for the unique anatomic features of the region, the important aspects of the initial history and examination, nasal injury classification, and subsequent treatment timing and options. While a large body of literature has accumulated on the topic, the purpose of this article is to focus on both clinically relevant information and pearls of management. Additionally, age-specific concerns, secondary procedures, and nasal fracture grafting, will be addressed as well.

Crystal deposition disease masquerading as proliferative tenosynovitis and its associated sequelae.

Extra-articular crystalline deposition secondary to gout, and less commonly, pseudogout is a well known phenomenon. Despite this well-documented entity of extra-articular deposition, there have been few reports of infiltration of the flexor tendon sheath of the hand. Here, we present a case series of this unique occurrence, including surgical techniques, pathology, and the clinical outcomes of 5 patients. We encountered 2 cases of calcium pyrophosphate and 3 cases of uric acid deposition into the flexor tendon sheath masquerading as common tendonopathies. These include cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, nonsuppurative flexor tenosynovitis, trigger finger, and attrition rupture of the flexor tendons. Although, medical therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for diseases that result in crystal deposition, these cases emphasize the potential need for surgical therapy in the armamentarium of their management. This case series demonstrates the importance of inclusion of crystal deposition into the flexor tendon sheath in the differential diagnosis in patients that present with uncharacteristic symptomatology of common flexor tendonopathies.

Negative pressure therapy is effective to manage a variety of wounds in infants and children.

Negative pressure therapy (NPT) has been accepted as a valuable adjunct for wound closure in adults; however, reports on its effectiveness in young children and infants, including neonates, are limited. A retrospective chart review was conducted on children treated with NPT at a single institution between January 2003 and December 2005. Wound volumetric measurements were calculated at the start and end of therapy. Sixty-eight patients with 82 wounds were identified. The mean age was 8.5 years (range 7 days-18 years). Twenty patients (29%) were 2 years of age or younger, including eight neonates. Wound types included: pressure ulcers (n=13), extremity wounds (n=18), dehisced surgical wounds (n=19), open sternal wounds (n=10), wounds with fistulas (n=3), and complex abdominal wall defects (n=6). Low suction pressures (<100 mmHg) were generally used in children younger than 4 years of age. Following NPT, 93% of wounds decreased in volume. The average wound volume decrease was 80% (p<0.01, n=56). NPT can be effectively used to manage a variety of wounds in children and neonates. No major complications were identified in our retrospective review. Prospective studies are required to better refine the use of this technology in children.