Pathologic mallet fracture of distal phalanx enchondroma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Enchondromas arise from cartilaginous cells derived from the physis that persists throughout development. They are difficult to diagnose and are often discovered on radiographs after a trauma. PATIENT CONCERNS: We discuss the case of a 32-year-old woman with a pathologic mallet fracture of the distal phalanx that was initially misdiagnosed as common mallet fracture. DIAGNOSIS: Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an eccentrically located lesion expanding to the cortex, with a high signal intensity at T2 weighted image, suggesting pathologic fracture. INTERVENTIONS: We performed a operation, involving curettage and bone grafting. Complete removal of the lesion was confirmed intraoperatively with the image intensifier, and the cavity was irrigated and subsequently filled with allogenous bone and demineralized bone matrix. OUTCOMES: With an uneventful recovery, she gradually return to normal function within 3 months. Her symptoms improved and nearly full range of motion of the finger was seen at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our case of pathologic mallet fracture was misdiagnosed as a simple fracture, suggesting that the mechanism of fracture and radiological diagnosis should be carefully considered.

External Snapping Hip Treated by Effective Designed N-plasty of the Iliotibial Band.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to present the effective design of N-plasty of the iliotibial band and surgical results of its use as a treatment for refractory external snapping hip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 17 patients (24 cases) with external snapping hip who underwent N-plasty between October 2013 and May 2016 and who were followed up for at least 12 months. All patients were male and the mean age was 20.8 years. The mean duration of symptoms prior to surgical intervention was 28.5 months with an average follow up of 24.5 months. Surgery was defined as being successful when patients could carry out their daily activities and exercise without a clicking sensation or pain 6 months after surgery until their last follow-up. Failure was defined when either a clicking sensation or pain was present. The visual analog scale (VAS) and modified Harris hip score (mHHS) were measured and compared preoperatively and at last follow-up. RESULTS: All patients had complete resolution of pain and snapping. The VAS decreased from 6.77 preoperatively to 0.09 postoperatively and mHHS improved from 69.5 to 97.8 after surgery. CONCLUSION: Modified designed N-plasty is considered to be an excellent treatment method facilitating operation reproducibility with maximum elongation effect of the iliotibial band.