Irreducible posterolateral elbow dislocation: A case report.

Elbow dislocations are very common, particularly in the posterolateral variety. Closed reduction is usually easy. However, an irreducible elbow dislocation without associated fracture is rare. We report the case of a 21-year-old patient who presented with an isolated posterolateral irreducible elbow dislocation. Open reduction revealed the buttonhole radial head in the capsule and the complex ligaments. A significant protrusion of the radial head associated with a closed reduction failure is highly suspicious of an irreducible dislocation.

Résultats de la technique de Mac Intosh au Fascia Lata Modifiée par Jaeger dans les instabilités antérieures chroniques du genou

Objectif: Il existe plusieurs techniques de reconstruction des ruptures anciennes du ligament croisé antérieur du genou. Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer à moyen terme les résultats de la technique de Mac Intosh au fascia lata modifiée par Jaeger. Matériel et méthodes: Dans cette étude rétrospective réalisée entre janvier 2005 et décembre 2013, 56 genoux (56 patients) ont été opérés par la technique de Jaeger à ciel ouvert pour des ruptures anciennes du ligament croisé antérieur. Elle a concerné des adultes jeunes masculins. Cinquante (89%) patients étaient sportifs. Un patient avait une arthrose débutante classée stade 2 Alhbäck modifiée. L'évaluation fonctionnelle des résultats a été faite selon le score IKS (globale, genou et fonction). L'examen clinique était basé sur la mobilité du genou, le test de Lachman-Trillat, et la recherche du ressaut. Le positionnement du tunnel tibial a été analysé à la radiographie. Le stade arthrosique a été apprécié selon les critères d'Alhbäck modifié . La ligamentisation du transplant à l'IRM a été étudiée chez quatre patients. Résultats: Au recul moyen de 7 ans, 85% des patients étaient satisfaits du résultat fonctionnel avec un score IKS genou de 96,1 en moyenne, un score IKS fonction de 100, et un score IKS global de 196,1. La mobilité était complète sans flessum résiduel. Le test de Lachman-Trillat était négatif (n= 38 ; 68%). Il était positif avec arrêt dur (n=16 ; 29%) et retardé (n=2 ; 3%). Le ressaut rotatoire a été neutralisé chez tous les patients. L'angle tibial moyen de face était de 61°. Il n'y avait pas de ballonisation des tunnels. Cinquantedeux (93%) patients étaient classés Alhbäck 1 et quatre (7%) Alhbäck 2. La ligamentisation a été constante à l'IRM. Conclusion: La ligamentoplastie du croisé antérieur au fascia lata modifiée par Jaeger donne de bons résultats fonctionnels et anatomiques avec une réduction significative de l'apparition de l'arthrose secondaire

Four-strand hamstring tendon autograft for ACL reconstruction in patients aged 50 years or older.

INTRODUCTION: Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using a four-strand hamstring tendon autograft in symptomatic patients aged 50 years or older is an accepted treatment option. HYPOTHESIS: Four-strand hamstring tendon autograft although not universally utilized in patients who are at least 50 years old is an efficient procedure to control knee instability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective, we analyzed the clinical outcomes of 18 patients treated from September 1998 to September 2003. Criteria for inclusion were the following: age above 50 years at surgery, chronic anterior laxity associated or not with meniscal damage; one or more episodes of knee instability and no prior ligament surgery on the involved knee. A same operative technique (arthroscopic single-bundle four-strand hamstring reconstruction, blind femoral tunnel, through anteromedial portals), a same fixation type (absorbable interference screws in femur and tibia) and a same rehabilitation protocol were used for all these knees. The IKDC 93 scores were determined pre- and postoperatively combined with anteroposterior and lateral views, single leg stance, 30 degrees flexion stance, and passive Lachman test (Telos) postoperatively. RESULTS: At mean 30 month-follow-up (range 12-59 months), there were no graft failure and no loss of extension for any of these knees. Three patients complained of hypoesthesia in the medial saphenous nerve territory and one patient experienced posterior knee pain. All patients graded their knee as normal or nearly normal, all were satisfied or very satisfied with their operation. None of the patients reported instability. The Lachman-Trillat test was noted "firm end point" in 14 knees and "delayed firm end point" in four. The pivot-shift test was negative in 16 knees and mild positive in two. The mean residual differential laxity was 3.1 mm (0 to +6 mm) for the passive Lachman test. At last follow-up, the overall IKDC score was 7A, 7B, 3C, and 1 D. Patients with preserved meniscus (nine patients) reported a lesser degree of pain and a better residual laxity control compared with patients who had undergone a meniscectomy. CONCLUSION: Age over 50 years is not a contraindication to select a hamstring tendon autograft for ACL reconstruction. This surgery can restore knee stability but does not modify the pain pattern in patients, who had a medial meniscectomy prior to the ACL reconstruction.

[Role of US in the management of de Quervain's tenosynovitis: review of 22 cases]. / Apport de l'échographie dans la prise en charge de la ténosynovite de de Quervain: à propos de 22 cas.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of US in the management of de Quervain's tenosynovitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a high-frequency transducer (12 MHz), sagittal and axial images were obtained of the first extensor compartment. The US features of 22 symptomatic patients were reviewed (positive Finkelstein's maneuver). RESULTS: US findings included tendon thickening and synovial sheath thickening with peritendinous edematous changes resulting in a peritendinous hypoecoic halo in all patients. An intertendinous septum was identified in two patients. CONCLUSION: US can confirm the suspected diagnosis and provide follow-up of lesions. It can confirm the presence of an intertendinous septum and provide guidance at the time of steroid injection. It can increase the rate of conservative management by demonstrating the absence of septum.

[Bipolar dislocation of the clavicle or floating clavicle. A report of 3 cases]. / Luxation bipolaire de la clavicule ou clavicule flottante. A propos de trois cas.

Bipolar clavicular dislocation is uncommon. It associates an acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular dislocation. The authors review the mechanism of this injury and discuss the treatment. Three patients presented after a trauma of the shoulder a floating clavicle. In 2 patients management was surgical. Abstention was decided for the fourth patient. The pathology of floating clavicle is not completely understood. Two hypothesis were made: 1) two dislocations occur simultaneously; 2) two dislocations occur one after another. Management still difficult. Indications must take into considerations the severity of the injury and the functional consequences in the acromioclavicular joint.

[Ankylosed spine fractures with spondylitis or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: diagnosis and complications]. / Fractures du rachis sur ankylose étendue par spondylarthrite ou hyperostose vertébrale: diagnostic et complications.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis or idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis can raise difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Spinal fracture is well known in ankylosing spondylitis but exceptional in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. The purpose of the present work was to identify clinical and radiological features in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, to determine whether similar risks and clinical expression are observed in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and to present a radiological classification of these fractures. We did not assess therapeutic methods in the present study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight fractures in 48 patients were observed over a period of 17 years. Twenty patients (mean age 62 years) had ankylosing spondylitis and 28 patients (mean age 81 years) had diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. A fall was the immediate cause of the fracture in more than half of the patients. No notion of trauma could be identified in six patients. The radiological classification was established as follows; type I open-wedge anterior fracture, type II "sawtooth" fracture, type III occult or radiologically invisible fracture, type IV non-specific fractures comparable to other spinal fractures. A computed tomography was obtained in all patients seen after 1992 and magnetic resonance imaging was performed in case of suspected extradural hematoma. The ASIA classification (as modified by Frankel) was used for cord injuries. Clinical course and complications were noted. RESULTS: Diagnosis was established the day of fracture in 32 patients (12 spondylitis and 20 hyperostosis) and between day 2 and 30 for 16 (8 spondylitis and 8 diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis). The radiological classification was: type I n=30, type II n=4, type III n=8, type IV n=6 (one odontoid fracture, five compression fractures). Three patients had extradural hematomas (2 spondylitis and 1 hyperostosis). Thirty-four patients (11 spondylitis and 23 hyperostosis) had cord injuries, including 16 with a symptom-free interval. The ASIA classification was: type A n=4, type B n=6, type C n=20, type D n=4. Thirty-two patients died within the first three months after spinal fracture (10 spondylitis and 22 hyperostosis), due to bed rest related complications in 30. One patient died after rupture of an aortic aneurysm. DISCUSSION: Spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis generally occur spontaneously or after low-energy trauma. Subsequent complications have serious consequences. Late diagnosis either results from missing a radiologically visible fracture or from the presence of an occult "paper thin" fracture. We do not have experience with diagnostic scintigraphy or magnetic resonance imaging. In our opinion, repeating standard x-rays the second and third weeks and use of a spiral scan or multiple spiral scan could provide early diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The possible diagnosis of spinal fracture should be explored very extensively in patients with a symptomatic ankylosed spine who present symptoms compatible with spinal fracture, with or without trauma.

[Evaluation of the management of femoral shaft fractures in children by flexible intramedullary nailing]. / Evaluation du traitement des fractures de la diaphyse fémorale chez l'enfant par embrochage centromédullaire elastique stable (ECMES).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological and functional outcomes of femoral shaft fractures of the child using a centromedullary elastic nailing. We led a retrospective study including 22 children operated from January 1997 to December 2000 at the surgical emergency department of "Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec". The follow-up was made in the department of paediatric surgery. The patients included 16 boys and 6 girls presenting a total of 23 femoral shaft fractures. The main circumstance was traffic accident(15 cases). All the children underwent an ascending centromedullary elastic nailing controlled by a C-arm after a period of traction. The outcomes were appreciated after a period of 10 months. We observed: A union in all cases, four infections well managed by antibiotics, one vicious callus of 15 degrees, a mobility limitation of knee in two cases (45 degrees and 100 degrees), an inferior limb length inequality in one case, scabs in one patient who died at the 3rd month of a septicopyohemia. The functional evaluation of the outcomes (flexion, extension, limb length inequality) and morphological outcomes (axis, consolidation) showed 21 good results and one bad result. The centromedullary elastic nailing is a safe procedure owing to the low complication rates and the rapid consolidation allowing an early walk in femoral shaft fractures, compared with the orthopaedic treatment.

[Emergency reimplantation of the tongue after complete traumatic amputation]. / Réimplantation en urgence après amputation traumatique complète de la langue chez un enfant.

Complete traumatic amputation of the tongue is very exceptional, the intra-oral position generally protecting the tongue. Most reported cases of trauma have involved partial section with satisfactory results after simple suture. Complete amputation of a portion of the tongue occurred in a 12-year-old boy during a fight. The fragment of the tongue was brought to the emergency unit. It was placed in heparinated saline solution and replanted successfully three hours after the trauma. Plastic surgery of the oral cavity was also performed to repair laceration injuries. The postoperative period was uneventful and the tongue regained vitality and normal motion. There was just a slight retraction. Replantation of the tongue after complete section may not be successful but should be attempted when possible.

[Deep onchocerciasis of the left thigh. An unusual case]. / Onchocercome profond de la cuisse gauche. A propos d'un cas isolé.

INTRODUCTION: Commonly onchocercoma has been presented as superficial and multiple nodules. When it's unique and deeply situated, its clinical diagnosis is difficult. An uncommon form of onchocercoma is reported. CASE REPORT: A 37 years old man presented a big tumor at the inferior third of the left thigh like lipoma or liposarcoma because of microcalcifications. The tumor was removed. It was a cyst containing a liquid like an "mango juice". The histological examination was performed. Degenerated microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus was found. DISCUSSION: A big and deep onchocerma of the thigh is uncommon and diagnosis before operation is very difficult. Histological examination have eliminate filarial infections like Dracunculus medinensis and have given the right diagnosis. Radiological microcalcifications and absence of microfilariae at the parasilogical and ophthalmological examinations recall an "aged" onchocercoma. For this reason, we didn't realise a chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: This tumor in Sahel areas is very difficult to diagnose before operation. The histological examination is very important in this case. We don't use chemotherapy because this onchocercoma looks old without alive microfilariae.