Treatment of congenital clasped thumb in arthrogryposis

We report the result of treatment of 69 complex clasped thumbs in 39 patients with distal arthrogryposis. The mean age at surgery was 30 months. Surgical reconstruction included skin augmentation of the first web using modified dorsal rotation advancement flap (Abdel-Ghani flap), a la Carte release of tight structures of the first web, and chondrodesis of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. The mean follow-up was 4 years. We prefer chondrodesis because of the presence of global instability, abnormal joint structure, abnormal articular surfaces, and inefficient muscles for transfer. Also, chondrodesis shortens the thumb and may alleviate the need for release of deficient palmar skin and lengthening of a short flexor pollicis longus. The Abdel-Ghani flap provides ample skin that gives a wide rounded web. It is a simple procedure with minimal donor site morbidity. Surgical reconstruction significantly improved the cosmetic appearance and function of the thumb.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

A patient with pleuritic chest pain and abnormal blood clotting tests

We present the case of a 58 year old man who developed pleuritic chest while an in-patient; investigations revealed pulmonary embolism, despite a significantly raised Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), which was subsequently attributed to Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The diagnosis and initial management of APS in the acute setting is discussed.

Endovascular treatment of a large venous pouch direct carotid cavernous fistula

Endovascular treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) can be performed by either arterial or venous approaches. The aim is to disconnect the fistula with or without preservation of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The aim of this article is to describe a technique for embolization of the cavernous sinus and the ICA in direct CCF using coils. Trapping the distal aspect of the fistula using a retrograde navigation via the vertebrobasilar system and the posterior communicating artery was performed in two cases. Clinical and radiological evolutions are described.