Ten Pearls for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopaedic procedure that has continued to evolve. Since it is a complex procedure, it carries a risk of a range of complications. To ensure optimal results, there are many important considerations to take such as the choice of graft, tunnel positioning, graft preparation, and many others. In this technical note, we elucidate our top 10 pearls to consider for a successful ACL reconstruction.

Lacertus syndrome: Use of pre- and post-exercise MRI to aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Lacertus syndrome is a chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm that is unlike exertional compartment syndrome of the lower extremity. It differs from traditional exertional compartment syndrome in terms of the anatomy, symptoms and physical exam findings. This is a case where dynamic magnetic resonance imaging is used to confirm the diagnosis rather than relying solely on a clinical diagnosis or invasive compartment pressure monitoring. Surgical release of the lacertus fibrosis can effectively relieve the pressure over the pronator and allow the patient to resume previous activities.

The Effects of Peri-Operative Dexamethasone on Patients Undergoing Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: Is It Safe for Diabetics?

BACKGROUND: Peri-operative dexamethasone has been shown to effectively reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting and aide in analgesia after total joint arthroplasty (TJA); however, systemic glucocorticoid therapy has many adverse effects. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of dexamethasone on prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and blood glucose levels in patients undergoing TJA. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients receiving primary TJA from 2011 to 2015 (n = 2317) was conducted. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: dexamethasone (n = 1426) and no dexamethasone (n = 891); these groups were subdivided into diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The primary outcome was PJI; secondary measures included glucose levels and pre-operative hemoglobin A1c (A1c) values. Statistics were carried out using logistic and regression models. RESULTS: Of the 2317 joints, 1.12% developed PJI; this was not affected by dexamethasone (P = .166). Diabetics were found to have higher rate of infection (P < .001); however, diabetics who received dexamethasone were not found to have a significantly higher infection rate that non-diabetics (P = .646). Blood glucose levels were found to increase post-operatively, and dexamethasone did not increase this change (P = .537). Diabetes (P < .001) and increasing hemoglobin A1c (P < .001) were also associated with increased serum glucose levels; however, this was not influenced by dexamethasone (P = .595). CONCLUSION: Although diabetic patients were found to have a higher infection rate overall, this was not affected by administration of intravenous dexamethasone, nor was the post-operative elevation in serum glucose levels. In this study population, peri-operative intravenous dexamethasone did not increase the rate of PJI and was safe to administer in patients undergoing TJA.

Esophageal Granular Cell Tumor: A Benign Tumor or an Insidious Cause for Concern?

BACKGROUND: Esophageal granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare, often benign tumors of neurogenic origin. GCTs most frequently occur in the skin and subcutaneous tissues but are found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in 6%-10% of cases, with the distal two-thirds of the esophagus being the most common site. Owing to the insidious nature of GCTs, presentation is typically asymptomatic. In fact, GCTs are often discovered incidentally during investigation of other GI disturbances. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 36-year-old white male who had a 2.3 × 2.0-cm submucosal mass of the midesophagus found during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at an outside hospital for workup of chronic diarrhea. He was referred to us for further evaluation that led to a diagnosis of a large esophageal GCT. CONCLUSION: Because of the rarity of GCTs in clinical practice and their poorly defined malignant classification, proper workup and management are essential to avoid the potential morbidity and mortality associated with large and/or malignant tumors. Although malignancy is uncommon, approximately 1%-2% of esophageal GCTs are malignant. Conservative management is tolerated for benign, asymptomatic lesions <10 mm in diameter, but endoscopic removal is recommended for large, symptomatic tumors or those with features suggestive of malignancy. Routine surveillance often includes EGD and/or esophageal ultrasonography to evaluate tumor size, location, and depth and to exclude malignancy or lymph node involvement.

Liver transplantation and the management of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis in children.

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a constellation of inherited disorders that result in the impairment of bile flow through the liver that predominantly affects children. The accumulation of bile results in progressive liver damage, and if left untreated leads to end stage liver disease and death. Patients often present with worsening jaundice and pruritis within the first few years of life. Many of these patients will progress to end stage liver disease and require liver transplantation. The role and timing of liver transplantation still remains debated especially in the management of PFIC1. In those patients who are appropriately selected, liver transplantation offers an excellent survival benefit. Appropriate timing and selection of patients for liver transplantation will be discussed, and the short and long term management of patients post liver transplantation will also be described.