Full-tendon nasal transposition of the vertical rectus muscles: a retrospective review

The authors report the results of a retrospective review of patients who underwent nasal transposition of the vertical rectus muscles between 1997 and 2004. Eight patients were identified, 4 males and 4 females. There was an average age at surgery of 37 years, with a range from 8 to 79 years. The aetiologies included 6 patients with trauma to their medial rectus (4 following endoscopic sinus surgery) and 2 patients with paralytic medial rectus muscles secondary to 3rd nerve palsy. All patients underwent whole tendon transposition of the superior and inferior rectus muscles, with resection of both muscles in 7 cases, before reattachment adjacent to the upper and lower borders of the medial rectus, respectively. One patient had a reduced amount of resection and this was combined with inferior oblique disinsertion and traction sutures. All patients had a reduction in deviation in the primary position and in 5 patients there was some improvement in adduction. A consequence of surgery was a degree of limitation of abduction, elevation and depression in some patients. Overall, patients were satisfied with the improvement in their appearance.

Hydatid cyst of trapezius muscle: an unusual localisation. Report of a case and review of the literature

The muscular localisation of hydatid cyst is very uncommon. The authors report a recently observed case of hydatid cyst of the trapezius muscle. An 81-year-old man presented with a 9-months history of a slow-growing painless mass in his left shoulder associated with itching. US examination showed a large multiloculated cystic mass, strongly suspicious of a hydatid cyst. At operation, under local anesthesia, complete surgical resection of the cystic mass was performed. The patient tolerated surgery very well. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 2. No recurrence occurred after 11 months. Muscular hydatidosis is very rare and can cause a variety of diagnostic problems, especially in the absence of typical radiological findings. The possibility of hydatid disease should always be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of muscular masses, especially in endemic areas.

Management of congenital fibrosis of the inferior rectus muscle associated with high myopia: a case report

BACKGROUND

Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles includes a wide spectrum of phenotypically heterogeneous disorders involving a single or multiple muscles.

METHODS

We present a case of congenital fibrosis of the inferior rectus associated with ipsilateral high myopia. First we tried to treat the hypotropia with inferior rectus weakening and superior rectus strengthening procedures, but this failed, so we proceeded with an ocular sling with fascia lata and a vertical Hummelsheim procedure.

RESULTS

Hypotropia improved completely after the last operation and some degree of upward movement appeared.

CONCLUSION

It seems that in a highly myopic globe with fibrotic muscles, classical methods for the correction of deviation may have poor response and more innovative procedures may be required to correct the deviation.

Satellite cells delivered by micro-patterned scaffolds: a new strategy for cell transplantation in muscle diseases

Myoblast transplantation is a potentially useful therapeutic tool in muscle diseases, but the lack of an efficient delivery system has hampered its application. Here we have combined cell biology and polymer processing to create an appropriate microenvironment for in vivo transplantation of murine satellite cells (mSCs). Cells were prepared from single muscle fibers derived from C57BL/6-Tgn enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice. mSCs were expanded and seeded within micro-patterned polyglycolic acid 3-dimensional scaffolds fabricated using soft lithography and thermal membrane lamination. Myogenicity was then evaluated in vitro using immunostaining, flow cytometry, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses. Scaffolds containing mSCs were implanted in pre-damaged tibialis anterior muscles of GFP-negative syngenic mice. Cells detached from culture dishes were directly injected into contra-lateral limbs as controls. In both cases, delivered cells participated in muscle regeneration, although scaffold-implanted muscles showed a much higher number of GFP-positive fibers in CD57 mice. These findings suggest that implantation of cellularized scaffolds is better than direct injection for delivering myogenic cells into regenerating skeletal muscle.

Unusual abscesses associated with colon cancer: report of three cases

Three cases of colon cancer accompanied by unusual abscess formation are reported. Case I : A 77-year-old man was diagnosed with a paracolic abscess formation behind the cecum and a swollen appendix by computed tomography (CT) scan. Case II : An 85-year-old woman was diagnosed with an abscess formation of the right iliopsoas muscle, a swollen appendix, and a thickened right colon wall by CT scan. After antibiotic therapy failed, both patients underwent ileocecal resection urgently under suspicion of appendicitis, but cecal cancer around the entrance to the appendix caused secondary appendicitis in both cases. Case III : A 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer with an abscess formation in the pelvic cavity concomitant with ovarian tumor. A Hartmann procedure was performed, and a pathological examination revealed that a subserosal abscess behind the sigmoid colon cancer perforated the rectum with abscess formation. All cases were definitively diagnosed intraoperatively. The cancer recurred in cases I and III. We emphasize that precise surgical evaluation has an important role in the diagnosis of these complicated diseases. In addition, surgery affords the patient the best chance of recovery, and in these advanced cases radical treatment is recommended as early as possible.

[The surgical treatment of the diastasis recti abdominis: an original technique of prosthesis repair of the abdominal wall]

The Authors talk about on the surgical correction of the diastasis recti abdominis and underline its indications and aims. Firstly, they specify the possibilities and define the limits of the traditional surgical method. Secondly, they illustrate the rational of an innovating and original technique of prosthesis repair of the abdominal anterior wall setted up to treat the important diastasis recti abdominis. Particularly, this technique is the result of a kind of eclecticism and integration of some phases of the Quénu's self-plastic surgery and of the Welti-Eudel and Chevrel's technique. Thirdly, the authors describe the sequence of the times of the new technique and present the preliminary clinical experience carried out with it. Therefore, they determine gratifying and encouraging the findings of this method as regards the immediate and enduring curative efficacy (cosmetic and functional), the security and the compliance of the patient. Finally, in accordance with the outcomes, the authors decide to defend the undoubted reliability of the prosthesis repair of the abdominal wall to treat the big diastasis recti abdominis. Moreover, they intend to pass definitive judgement on the method after further clinical experiences on larger series of cases.

[Minimally invasive surgery for the management of congenital diaphragmatic patology]

INTRODUCTION

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) plays a major role in pediatric surgery. We reported our experience in MIS management of congenital diaphragmatic patology (CDP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The authors collected date on children who underwent a MIS for CDP repair from 1998 until 2006. The following features have been taken into account: lesion type, approach, surgical technique, complications, hospital stay and time of follow-up.

RESULTS

From 1998 until 2006 11 patients (age range: 2 days-6 years and 6 months) with CDP had undergone an attempt at MIS repair: 6 patients with posterolateral hernia (36.4%), 4 with Morgagni hernia ( 54.5%) and a congenital diaphragmatic eventration case (9%). Eight patients 8 (72.7%) were treated using laparoscopy and three cases using thoracoscopy. Three patients were treated as newborns (27.2%). Four patients presented complications (36.3%): two patients who were repaired initially laparoscopically were converted to a transabdominally approach and two patients had recurrent herniation, which were repaired with MIS. Actually all cases were asymptomatic with a mean time of follow-up of 1 year and 8 months (range: 3 months-two years).

CONCLUSIONS

MIS is a feasible, safe, easy to perform and efficient approach to repair CDP but it needs selection criteria for successful outcome.

Hereditary internal anal sphincter myopathy: the first Caribbean family

Hereditary proctalgia is an extremely rare condition characterized by endosonographic evidence of internal anal sphincter (IAS) thickening and specific ultrastructural changes seen at light and electron microscopy (EM). We report the case of a 54-year-old Caribbean woman with severe proctalgia and IAS thickening, treated with IAS myectomy. Transmission EM showed PAS-positive inclusions and granulofibrillary smooth muscle inclusion bodies. Anal endosonography of 5 family members from 3 generations showed IAS thickening in all cases with reported proctalgia. The condition represents an isolated IAS myopathy which is a probable polysaccharide storage disease variant. This condition may require specific surgical therapy with specimen preservation and ultrastructural examination for optimal characterization and treatment.

Transaxillary endoscopic release of restricting bands in congenital muscular torticollis – a novel technique

Congenital muscular torticollis is due to fibrosis of one or both the heads of sternocleidomastoid muscle. This may also involve the platysma, scalene muscles, and the carotid sheath and may be associated with cervical scoliosis. Conventional surgical procedures leave visible scars. Ramirez, who used the posterior part of the traditional face-lift incision, made perhaps the first attempt at concealing scars. Burstein et al. reported a large series of subcutaneous endoscopic release of torticollis through a hairline approach. Sasaki described an endoscopic two-incision, posterior auricular fold and hairline approach. A technique of transaxillary subcutaneous endoscopy for the release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in congenital muscular torticollis is described here. This procedure provides direct access to the fibrous bands, enables release without risk of damage to the spinal accessory nerve, external jugular vein, or greater auricular nerve, and leaves no visible neck scars. Two cases of congenital muscular torticollis presenting in adulthood were managed successfully by this technique. The fibrotic part of sternocleidomastoid muscle was released and the normal range of head motion was restored. There were no surgical complications encountered and the patients achieved complete pain free range of movement in six weeks. This technique provides direct and quick access, perpendicular to the line of the fibrotic bands, avoids injury to neurovascular structures and does not leave visible neck scars.

Cavernous hemangioma of temporalis muscle: report of a case and review of the literature

Hemangiomas are tumors of vascular origin comprising approximately 7% of all benign tumors. Intramuscular hemangioma is a rare condition and hemangiomas of the head and neck make up less than 15% of intramuscular hemangiomas. Temporalis muscle is an uncommon location for intramuscular hemangioma and seldom reported in the literature. Radiological methods are generally insufficient for the correct diagnosis and surgery is the treatment of choice to exclude malignancy and for adequate treatment of these lesions. A 37-year-old male was admitted with a slowly growing painless mass in his right temporal fossa. The lesion was surgically excised and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma. Diagnosis and treatment modalities for temporalis muscle hemangiomas are discussed.

Weichteiltumor unklarer Dignität

Cystic necrotization with liquefaction and calcification of muscle tissue is a rare late sequel of compartmental syndrome. Diagnosis and treatment of this clinical picture is still a problem. In the literature, various therapeutic approaches are described such as incision, needle decompression, and complete compartmental debridement. We report a case in which cystic degradation and liquefaction of three compartments developed 51 years after a complete fracture of the tibia. The patient was treated by radical compartmental resection. No postoperative complication was noted, and almost no functional loss occurred.

Lumbar hernia repaired using a new technique

Lumbar hernia is uncommon and occurs in Grynfeltt's triangle on the left side, more frequently in men than in women. Acquired lumbar hernias are the result of iliac crest bone harvest or blunt trauma and seat belt injuries in road accidents. Many surgical options have been reported for repairing this hernia through primary closure of the defect or through use of aponeurotic or prosthetic materials. The Dowd technique is the technique most often used. The authors describe a patient with posttraumatic inferior triangle lumbar hernia who underwent laparoscopy and, 10 days later, laparotomy. Both procedures failed. Finally, a novel lumbotomic surgical approach was used, involving the Dowd technique and prosthetic mesh. The patient was free of recurrence 3 months after the procedure.

Double-door laminoplasty using autologous spinous process for the management of cervical myelopathy

We describe a technique of double-door laminoplasty for the management of cervical myelopathy using the autologous spinous process instead of an artificial spacer. The aims in the present study were to determine the fusion rate and the incidence rate of breakage in the autologous spinous process, and to assess its efficacy for cervical laminoplasty. Twenty-three patients of cervical myelopathy were treated with double-door laminoplasty followed by implantation of the autologous spinous process. The spinous process from C3 to C7 was resected, at 8 mm from the basal part of the spinous process. The autologous spinous process was made from the removed spinous process, and was implanted between each expanded laminae. Post-operative CT scanning determined the fusion rate between the expanded laminae and the autologous spinous process as 70.4% at 3 months, and 93.5% at 6 months, after the operation. There was no dissociation and no breakage in the autologous spinous process during the follow-up observation period. There were certain advantages to our technique including the high fusion rate and good stability in the autologous spinous process. In addition, this technique was less expensive than other techniques using an artificial spacer. These findings indicated that this technique was a reliable procedure for effectively treating of cervical myelopathy which are caused by multisegmental cervical canal stenosis.

Ectopic hamartomatous thymoma growing in the sternocleidomastoid muscle masquerading as sarcoma

The distinction between ectopic hamartomatous thymoma and sarcoma is difficult, and preoperative biopsy and intraoperative histopathological examination fail to give a definitive diagnosis. It is important to recognise ectopic hamartomatous thymoma as one of the differential diagnoses of a cervical tumour.

Primary hydatid cyst of the thigh

Echinococcosis of the musculoskeletal system is found in 0,5-4% of the patients suffering from hydatid disease. We describe a case of primary hydatid cyst of the posterior thigh in a 73 year-old woman, who presented with a painless mass. The diagnosis was set intraoperatively after biopsy of the cyst wall. A wide excision of the cyst with part of the attached muscles was performed. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful. A postoperative CT-scan of the thorax and abdomen revealed no signs of other echinococcal cysts. Thus, the case was considered as a primary hydatid cyst of the thigh. The patient received adjuvant oral treatment with albendazole for six months. The patient remains in good general condition and without any signs of recurrence, one year after the operation. Hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cystic mass detected in the thigh, especially if occurs in regions where the disease in endemic.

Myoblast transplantation for inherited myopathies: a clinical approach

Myoblast transplantation (MT) is an experimental strategy for the potential treatment of myopathies. MT has two properties that make it potentially beneficial: genetic complementation and myogenic potential. Preclinical experiments on monkeys have shown that promising results can be obtained with MT in large muscles of primates depending on two conditions: appropriate immunosuppression and cell delivery by a method of high-density injections. Preclinical work on MT is being, or may be, addressed to: develop efficient methods of donor cell delivery applicable to clinics; control or avoid acute rejection by methods with the fewest secondary effects; understand the factors that condition the early survival of donor cells following transplantation; increase the success of each individual injection; re-engineer a functional structure in muscles that degenerates to fibrosis and fat substitution; and search for precursor cells with potential advantages over myoblasts.

Tension-free cuff repairs with excision of macroscopic tendon lesions and muscular advancement: results in a prospective series with limited fatty muscular degeneration

Recurrent tears after rotator cuff repairs are frequent. These could be influenced by excessive tension on a degenerated tendinous stump and by fatty degeneration of the cuff muscles. The goal of this study was to evaluate the anatomic and functional results of tension-free cuff repairs with the excision of macroscopic tendon lesions in a series with limited muscular fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus and a global fatty degeneration index of rotator cuff muscles equal to or lower than 2. We studied 27 tears, comprising 13 cases involving both supraspinatus and infraspinatus tears, 13 cases with 3-tendon tears, and 1 case with only a supraspinatus tear. All shoulders were operated on through a transacromial approach easily repaired with 2 titanium screws with washers. To obtain a repair without tension, a single advancement was performed in 20 cases and a double advancement of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus was done in 7 cases. The shoulders were evaluated clinically preoperatively and postoperatively with the non-weighted Constant score and anatomically with computed arthrotomography scans. The mean age at operation was 59.5 years, and the length of follow-up ranged from 1 to 4 years. Of the cuffs, 23 (85%) were watertight 1 year after surgery. No predictive factor of retear could be found. The functional improvement was statistically significant only for watertight cuffs, with an improvement of the Constant score from 57.8 to 75. The only predictive factor of functional outcome in this watertight group was the preoperative Constant score. Single and double advancements yielded similar functional results regardless of the extent of the initial tear, provided that the cuff was watertight at revision.

Primary hydatid disease in femoral muscles

Usually, intramuscular hydatid cysts are secondary, resulting from the spread cysts from other areas either spontaneously or after operations for hydatidosis in other regions. We present an unusual case of a primary hydatid cyst found in the left thigh of a 35-year-old woman, presenting as an enlarging soft-tissue tumour. Ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations revealed a multilocular intramuscular cyst in the anterior aspect of her left thigh, and no disease at any other location. We removed the entire cyst surgically, and macroscopic and microscopic histopathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of muscular hydatidosis. Three years after the operation there had been no recurrence. In regions where hydatidosis is endemic, a tumour in any part of the body should be considered a hydatid cyst until proven otherwise.