Obturator dislocation of the hip with ipsilateral femoral neck fracture: A case report

Obturator dislocation of the hip associated with ipsilateral femoral neck fracture is an unusual injury. We report a case of a 40-year-old man with such a combination of injuries which was treated with an open reduction and internal fixation. He has a good follow-up result. There was no evidence of avascular necrosis on radiographs after 3 years.

Posterior interosseous nerve syndrome due to intramuscular lipoma

Lipomas are extremely common benign soft tissue tumors that are usually subcutaneous and asymptomatic. However, an intramuscular lipoma, occurring adjacent to the proximal radius, may easily cause paralysis of the posterior interosseous nerve because of a specific anatomical relationship of these structures in that area. In this report, we describe an unusual case of a 48-year-old-woman with a posterior interosseous nerve syndrome due to an intramuscular lipoma. The patient had good recovery after surgery and rehabilitation physiotherapy.

[Idiopathic ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow: report of 20 cases]

We report a retrospective study of 20 patients treated for idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome in a period of 10 years (2002-2011). The average age was 46 years. A profession at risk was present in the majority of cases. The treatment was surgical in all the cases. The indication for surgery was related to the importance of sensory-motor deficit, the long duration of symptoms, and the failure of conservative treatment. Two surgical techniques were used in this work: isolated neurolysis and neurolysis with anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. There were no complications or recurrence of symptoms. After a mean follow-up of 12 months, our results evaluated thanks to the classification of Bishop were considered as excellent or good in 85% of cases and fair in 15% of cases. Prognosis factors were advanced age (more than 60 years), severity of the disease, and duration of symptoms (more than one year). The management of this affection must go through a better knowledge of the disease, for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, only guarantees for a good result.

Goals for oral health in Tunisia 2020

In 1981, the World Health Organization (WHO) together with the Fédération Dentaire Internationale (FDI) set global dental health goals for the year 2000 within the global strategy of health for all. In 1999, a team of experts drew up new goals to be achieved by 2020, which aimed to facilitate specific oral health policy development for each country. These goals are more general and have to be adapted to local circumstances. This paper aimed to adapt the WHO/FDI/IADR's Global goals for oral health 2020 to Tunisia and draw up new national goals and targets for Tunisia based on previous national oral health surveys.

Randomised clinical trial: simvastatin as adjuvant therapy improves significantly the Helicobacter pylori eradication rate--a placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

The eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori with standard treatments are decreasing worldwide.

AIM

To determine whether adding simvastatin as adjuvant to triple regimen in patients with H. pylori infection will improve the eradication rate.

METHODS

We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial comparing a 7-day, triple eradication regimen consisting of two antibiotics (clarithromycin 500 mg and amoxicillin 1 g, all twice per day) plus a proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole 20 mg twice daily) supplemented with simvastatin 20 mg (CAO + S) or a comparable placebo (CAO + P). Both the simvastatin and the placebo were taken orally twice daily for 1 week in 113 patients with H. pylori infection. The presence of H. pylori was determined by positive rapid urease test and histology. Eradication was confirmed by ¹³C-urea breath test at least 1 month after treatment. Adverse effects were assessed by questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 113 patients underwent randomisation. Intention-to-treat analysis (ITT; n = 113) eradication rates were: CAO + S (86%; 95% CI: 78-92%), CAO + P (69%; 95% CI: 64-74%). Per protocol analysis (PP; n = 108) eradication rates were: CAO + S (91%; 95% CI: 84-94%), CAO + P (72%; 95% CI: 65-78%). Eradication rates were higher with CAO + S than CAO + P in PP and ITT (P = 0.03, P = 0.04 respectively). No differences were demonstrated between the two groups concerning compliance or adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

In this randomised clinical trial simvastatin as adjuvant to standard therapy improves significantly the H. pylori eradication rate.

Isolated greater tuberosity fracture: Short-term functional outcome following a specific rehabilitation program

BACKGROUND

Evaluate the functional outcome of a specific program of rehabilitation during conservative treatment of fracture of the greater tuberosity.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied the records of 22 patients, with minimally displaced greater tuberosity fracture, according to inclusion criteria. All patients have received an early (one week after the injury) rehabilitation program based on physical analgesic therapy means, techniques for recovering range of motion, strengthening exercises, proprioceptive stabilization exercises and usability advices. The evaluation was done at baseline, one, two and three months of the end of physical treatment.

RESULTS

Pain, perceived disability and range of motion were improved significantly since the end of rehabilitation. The improvement of function (Constant score) was significant at different evaluation times. The functional result seems to be poor when patients are aged and pain is severe at baseline.

CONCLUSION

During conservative treatment of fracture of the greater tuberosity, earlier rehabilitation allows rapid range of motion and functional recovery limiting care duration. After fracture healing, the rehabilitation program becomes similar to that advocated in rotator cuff disease. Whatever the initial treatment choice, rehabilitation must be considered at the waning of the first week.

Arthroscopic treatment of calcaneonavicular coalition in children

Calcaneonavicular coalition is a common source of pain and more or less severe flat and stiff foot in children. Classically, treatment consists in resecting the coalition using a dorsolateral approach. Good quality resection and interposition can prevent recurrence. The most common complications are infection, hematoma and neuroma. Arthroscopy offers a minimally invasive alternative, but the optimal approach remains undetermined. We describe a surgical technique with an approach based on the anterolateral process of the calcaneus, in three cases with 12 months' follow-up. Arthroscopic resection has certain advantages: recovery is quicker, and the esthetic result is better. For the instrumental portal, skin incision should be superficial, followed by blunt dissection of subcutaneous tissue to avoid superficial peroneal nerve injury. Although longer term follow-up is needed, arthroscopy seems to be an attractive minimally invasive technique in this kind of pathology.

Congenital infantile fibrosarcoma of the forearm

Congenital infantile fibrosarcoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm in the infant of which only a few cases are reported as congenital. This tumor has a rapid growth and extensive local invasion, but metastasis rarely occurs. Distal extremities involvement is more common and metastasis are rare. We report a case of a congenital infantile fibrosarcoma of the forearm, which was initially confused with a hemangioma, treated successfully by surgical resection.

Type IV-D thumb duplication: A new reconstruction method

INTRODUCTION

In the Wassel type IV classification category, the thumb is duplicated from the metacarpophalangeal joint; this abnormality accounts for approximately 50% of the cases of thumb duplication. Type IV is divided into four subtypes in which the IV-D type, or convergent (9% of cases), is the most complex form because both thumbs are hypoplastic with a divergent metacarpophalangeal joint and a convergent interphalangeal joint. Reconstruction is prone to axis deformity and ligament laxity, whereas the Bilhaut-Cloquet technique's main pitfall is nail dystrophy. We propose a modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure to avoid these complications.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Four males (mean age: 11 months; range: 10-12 months) with IV-D thumb duplication were operated on using a modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

The skin is preliminarily marked, taking into account the excision of the central skin and the more hypoplastic nail of the two (most often the radial nail). Both proximal phalanges are split longitudinally and the central halves discarded. An oblique osteotomy is performed at the base of the distal phalanx of the ulnar thumb duplicate (the less hypoplastic) and the radial wedge is excised. The same osteotomy is applied to the distal phalanx of the radial thumb duplicate, but the radial wedge is preserved. The proximal phalanx and the bases of the distal phalanx are joined by bone suture. Axis correction and ligament stability are thus achieved without nail surgery.

RESULTS

The patients were examined with a mean 24 months of follow-up (range: 12-36 months). The result was good in all four cases according to the Horii score.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This procedure combines an excision of the central part of the proximal phalanx and partial excision of the base of the distal phalanx. It provides axis correction and stabilization of the interphalangeal joint while avoiding subsequent nail dystrophy because a single nail is preserved. Preliminary results are encouraging: no axis deformity, instability or nail dystrophy has been noted. Nonetheless, the long-term results need to be evaluated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV retrospective study.

Ganglion cyst of the carpal navicular. A case report and review of the literature

Intraosseous ganglion (IOG) cyst of the scaphoid is an infrequent cause of hand and wrist pain. Intraosseous ganglia located in the scaphoid have rarely been described in the literature. We report the case of a 30-year-old right-handed woman who presented with a more than 24-month history of progressive right-wrist pain. No history of trauma was reported.Conservative treatment with anti-inflammatory medications before referral was unsuccessful. Examination revealed a small palpable mass in the carpal navicular region with no limitation of normal wrist motion. An IOG cyst of the scaphoid was found on standard radiograph and CT-scan of the wrist. Treatment consisted in curettage of the cyst followed by packing of the defect with autologous cancellous bone graft harvested in the distal end of the radial metaphysis. Satisfactory functional recovery was achieved. The clinical, radiographic and therapeutic aspects of this rare condition are discussed by the authors.

Identification of two novel variants in PRKAG2 gene in Tunisian type 2 diabetic patients with family history of cardiovascular disease

We report the identification of two novel polymorphisms in the PRKAG2 gene and preliminary association study between 5'-UTR and exon 1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. No association with type 2 diabetes was identified. However, one of these newly identified polymorphisms (p.Ser20Ile) is likely associated with cardiac disease.

Bilateral posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulder

The authors report a case of shoulder bilateral posterior fracture dislocation in a 42-year-old man with osteogenesis imperfecta history. The importance of the communition, the large size of articular surface involved and the poor quality of the bone indicate a bilateral total shoulder arthroplasty. At midterm outcome, a good range of motion of both shoulders was registered.

[Iliopsoas abscess: a rare complication of pyogenic sacroiliitis in a child]

Pyogenic sacroiliitis is a rare entity in children. Diagnosis is often delayed because of its variable clinical presentation, low suspicion by the examining physician, and rare findings on radiographs. Delayed diagnosis, however, results in complications such as iliopsoas abscess. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl hospitalized with a 21-day history of fever, pain in the left iliac fossa, and flexion contracture of the hip. On examination, she had fever (38.9 degrees C), psoitis, localized tenderness at the left sacroiliac joint, and pain elicited by lateral compression of the pelvis. The abdominal examination was normal. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 130 mm in the first hour, C-reactive protein was 186 mg/l, and the white blood cell count was 18,400/mm(3), with 79% neutrophils. Urinalysis was normal. Blood cultures were negative. Radiographs of the pelvis showed irregular left sacroiliac borders. The CT scan provided the diagnosis of sacroiliitis complicated by an ilioapsoas abcsess. Treatment was based on antibiotic therapy associated with surgical drainage. Bacteriologic investigation revealed Staphylococcus aureus. The patient's temperature returned to normal on the second day. Antibiotics were continued for 3 months, leading to full recovery.

Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of the scapula in children

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Osteomyelitis of the scapula is uncommon, often with a misleading clinical presentation. We report four cases of osteomyelitis of the scapula to illustrate the particular clinical imaging findings and treatment related to this location.

CASE REPORTS

Between 1996 and 2006, four children were treated for osteomyelitis of the scapula, three boys and one girl, with a mean age of 8 years (range, 5-11 years). The time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 2 days. Pain was noted for all patients and total functional incapacity of the upper extremity was noted for three patients. The diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the scapula was established on the basis of imaging (ultrasound and CT scan). All patients were given medical treatment and underwent surgery. A positive bacteriology was noted in all patients. The bacterium isolated from blood cultures (two cases) and local samples obtained at the surgical site (four cases) were Meti-S Staphylococcus aureus.

RESULTS

The results were analyzed by studying the anatomic and functional outcome at a mean follow-up of 36 months (range, 16-60 months). The patients were pain-free and had full range of motion in their shoulders. There were no complications.

DISCUSSION

Few reports are available in the literature on osteomyelitis of the scapula. We discuss the specific clinical and imaging features as well as the treatment for this location.

Elderly patient's mortality and morbidity following trochanteric fracture. A prospective study of 100 cases

BACKGROUND

Trochanteric fractures are a major source of mortality, morbidity and functional impairment in the elderly. Morbidity is closely related to the degree of instability and comminution and is substantially influenced by the quality of reduction and internal fixation. Advanced age and associated co-morbidities are two decisive factors of mortality secondary to trochanteric fracture.

OBJECTIVES

This prospective study examined the epidemiological profile of trochanteric fractures and assessed mortality and morbidity with the aim of establishing management guidelines and improving prevention strategies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred patients were included; 60% were male. Mean age was 76 years (range, 60-96 yrs). One, or more than one, co-morbidities were present in 68% of cases. The fractures were caused by a simple fall in 90% of cases. Fractures were classified according to the criteria of Ramadier and the ones of Ender. Sixty-five percent of these fractures were unstable. A dynamic hip screw was systematically used as the standard means of internal fixation.

RESULTS

Anatomic and functional results were analyzed in 82 patients (18 had died within the first year following fracture occurrence). Mean follow-up period was 24 months (range, 12-36 months). Bone healing was achieved in 96% of cases. There were numerous postoperative complications (four cases of thromboembolism, fourteen immobility-related complications, two infections, six secondary displacement combined to loss of fixation, four non-unions, and nine malunions). At 2 years follow-up, 28 patients had died. Mortality was strongly correlated with older age (over 90 years), associated co-morbidity and fracture instability. Good functional outcomes (72%) correlated with younger age (60-74 years), fracture stability, adequate reduction and internal fixation.

DISCUSSION

In stable trochanteric fractures, osteosynthesis by dynamic screw-plate is more effective than alternative techniques (blade-plate, nail-plate, Ender nail or even trochanteric nail). In unstable trochanteric fractures, delayed weight-bearing should be preferred to avoid mechanical complications. In fractures that are unstable or extend far below the lesser trochanter, trochanteric nailing is indicated since providing enhanced stability, but sometimes at the cost of insufficient reduction. The treatment objective should be the complete resumption of weight-bearing as early as possible with the fewest possible complications. Prevention consists in detecting and treating osteoporosis and countering the causes of falls in elderly subjects (muscular reinforcement and correction of neurosensory deficit).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III: Prospective diagnostic study.

Shoulder arthritis as a lung metastatic carcinoma revealer. A case report

Joint metastasis is very rare. It usually presents as a monoarthritis. It is generally located in the knee and secondary to lung cancer. Prognosis is poor, with a mean survival term of less than six months. We report the case of a right shoulder joint metastasis from a bronchopulmonary squamous cell carcinoma in a 55-year-old male smoker. The patient presented with an atypical chronic post-traumatic arthritis, not improved by symptomatic treatment. The diagnosis was based on synovial biopsy performed during open surgery. The primitive lung cancer was confirmed by chest CT scan and bronchial biopsy.

["Floating fifth metacarpal". A Case report]

We present the case of a patient with a fracture-dislocation of the fifth metacarpal and a dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint (floating fifth metacarpal) combined with a fracture of the fourth metacarpal. The mechanism of injury and management of this uncommon injury is reported. The "floating fifth metacarpal" and the fourth metacarpal fracture were reduced by closed techniques with percutaneous fixation. Twelve months later, the patient had a full range of wrist and finger movement, he was pain-free and without any residual disability.

[Palmar dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint. A case report]

Palmar dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the long finger is a rare injury. The authors report a case of palmar dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger. The presumed mechanism is a combination of active flexion and forceful hyperextension. The dislocation was treated successfully by closed reduction shortly after injury. Closed reduction should be attempted in all cases of this injury.

An unusual complication of pubic exostosis

We report the case of a left superior pubic ramus osteochondroma occurring in a 29-year-old man. The patient consulted for a multiple exostoses disease revealed by a painful induration at the base of his penis. This induration was increasing in volume and causing discomfort during sexual intercourse and when sitting for a prolonged period of time. CT-scan examination showed a pedunculated osteochondroma of the left superior pubic ramus compressing the urethra. Surgical resection of the tumor confirmed the diagnosis of osteochondroma. At a 2-year follow-up delay, all symptoms had regressed with no evidence of recurrence.