Abdominal wall endometriosis: a diagnostic dilemma for surgeons

OBJECTIVE

To report 3 cases of endometriosis of the abdominal wall, a disease which is unfamiliar to general surgeons because of the potential pitfalls in its diagnosis.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

Three patients were referred to our general surgery clinic for abdominal masses. Incisional hernia and an abdominal mass were initially suspected in 2 patients, while a preoperative diagnosis of a rectus abdominis hematoma was made in the third because she had no history of previous surgery. Pain was a remarkable complaint in only one of the present cases. Abdominal wall endometriosis was diagnosed only upon histological examination postoperatively. In all cases, ultrasonography revealed hypoechogenic masses, and computed tomography showed that these masses had spiculations, and macroscopic views of the resected masses revealed well-demarcated margins without peritoneal involvement. All patients were treated with wide radical resections followed by polytetrafluoroethylene patch grafting. They were discharged from hospital on either the 2nd or the 3rd postoperative day uneventfully, and during follow-up there were no signs of pelvic endometriosis, as confirmed by ultrasonography, CA 125 measurement, gynecological consultation and examination.

CONCLUSION

Since the diagnosis of scar endometrioma is rarely established prior to surgery, endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of masses on the abdominal wall.

Cysts of serendipity

PURPOSE

Primary intradiaphragmatic cysts are diagnostically challenging lesions. Often serendipitously discovered on radiological examination, intradiaphragmatic cysts are uncommon and require surgical resection for accurate identification.

METHODS

Two children, aged 16 and 4 years, presented for surgical evaluation of what were believed to be asymptomatic cystic lesions of hepatic origin.

CONCLUSION

Imaging studies of the 2 intradiaphragmatic cysts suggested lesions of extradiaphragmatic origins, and surgical excision was necessary for accurate diagnosis. The limitations of imaging studies in determining malignancy necessitate surgical intervention for lesions of the diaphragm and peridiaphragmatic structures.

An outcome study of chronic Achilles tendinosis after excision of the Achilles tendon and flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer

BACKGROUND

A number of operative techniques, including decompression with debridement and flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon augmentation, have been described for chronic degenerative Achilles tendinosis. Decompression with debridement has been shown to be effective; however, pain and functional limitation can persist in individuals with more severe tendon involvement. Augmentation with the FHL tendon can add mechanical support; however, difficulty in achieving proper tendon tensioning and the potential to leave behind painful diseased tendon are disadvantages of the technique. The purpose of this study was to present the results of a modified technique in which the Achilles tendon is completely excised and the FHL tendon is transferred.

METHODS

Fifty-six surgeries using this modified technique were done between October, 1994, and March, 2002, for patients with chronic degenerative Achilles tendinosis. Forty-four patients with and average age of 58.2 (SD 10.1) years and an average time of followup of 3.4 (SD 1.9) years were available for testing. All subjects were mailed a packet of standardized questionnaire information that included the Self-Reported Health Related Quality of Life measures Short Form (SF-36) and the subjective component of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle and Hindfoot Score. Nineteen patients returned to the clinic for objective assessment. Statistical analysis tested for a difference in the SF-36 scores between our subjects and the general United States population and for a difference in strength and range of motion between the involved and uninvolved lower extremities.

RESULTS

Pain decreased in 95.5% (n = 42) patients, and 86.4% (n = 38) patients were satisfied with the result. There was no significant difference (p > .05) between the SF-36 scores obtained by our sample compared to the general United States population. The average AOFAS score for the 19 patients was 91.6 (SD 7.7). Dorsiflexion range of motion was not significantly different (p = 0.17); however, significant deficits were found in plantarflexion range of motion (p = 0.001) and plantarflexion strength (p < 0.025). Strength deficits were 30% on average; however, all but one patient could do a heel raise.

CONCLUSION

Complete Achilles tendon excision reduces pain while preserving functional status. Although strength deficits persisted, these deficits did not seem to affect the functional status in this sample of patients.

Spontaneous rupture of the diaphragm

A 42-year-old man was brought into the Accident and Emergency Department with epigastric discomfort and severe bradycardia. Computerized tomography of the chest revealed spontaneous rupture of the left hemidiaphragm with herniation of small bowel loops.

Intramuscular Rotator Cuff Cysts: Association with Tendon Tears on MRI and Arthroscopy

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to explore the relationship between intramuscular cysts and rotator cuff tendon tears.

CONCLUSION

Intramuscular cysts are strongly associated with rotator cuff tendon tears. Identification of such a cyst should prompt a search for a rotator cuff tear. Findings on MR arthrography and surgery suggest that a delaminating component of the rotator cuff tear may lead to the development of these cysts and may explain the occasional discrepancy between location of tears and location of cysts.

Treatment of congenital muscular torticollis in patients older than 8 years

The authors treated congenital muscular torticollis by sternocleidomastoid muscle release in 32 patients over 8 years of age who had not received any prior medical treatment or in whom torticollis had recurred since initial treatment. The results were analyzed to compare clinical results after an average of 39 months (range 24-74 months) by dividing the patients into two groups: patients who were still in the growing period (group 1, n=19) and patients who had finished growth (group 2, n = 13) at surgery. According to the total score table by Cheng et al (which includes motion deficits, craniofacial asymmetry, scar, band, head tilt, and subjective assessment), there were 13 excellent and 6 good results in group 1 and 2 excellent, 8 good, and 3 fair results in group 2. The clinical results were statistically less successful in group 2 than in group 1 by Cheng's score table (P <0.05). However, most patients showed marked improvement in neck motion and head tilt, with satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. Thus, in patients older than school age, even for those who have finished growth, sufficient unipolar or bipolar release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and intensive postoperative care are expected to yield satisfactory treatment results.

Severe carpal tunnel syndrome in a patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis due to proximal migration of hypertrophic lumbrical muscles

We report a new case of pediatric carpal tunnel syndrome in a patient with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms were mainly motor weakness and severe atrophy of the thenar.

Longitudinal tears of both peroneal tendons associated with tophaceous gouty infiltration. A case report

The authors report a case of longitudinal tendon tears of the peroneus longus and brevis in the presence of tophaceous gouty infiltration. There are a limited number of reports discussing similar processes affecting various tendons throughout the body. There has been 1 prior case of peroneal tendon involvement affecting only the peroneus brevis. A 35-year-old man presented with a 4-year history of left-sided lateral ankle pain, redness, and swelling. The patient described the "attacks" as occurring off and on, with a recent increase in frequency. The symptoms were relieved with indomethacin, colchicine, and narcotic analgesics. Upon clinical evaluation, there was a cavus foot type with moderate calcaneal varus. Peroneal subluxation was elicited with resisted eversion. An MRI evaluation revealed longitudinal tears of both peroneal tendons. During surgical repair, a chalky-white substance resembling gouty tophi was present within both tendon tears. The tendons were remodeled and repaired. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course with nearly completed resolution of his symptoms at 1-year follow-up. The patient was referred to his primary care physician for further evaluation and long-term control of elevated uric acid levels.

Levator contraction strength and genital hiatus as risk factors for recurrent pelvic organ prolapse

OBJECTIVE

To correlate levator ani contraction strength and genital hiatus measurements with surgical failure in prolapse.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective study involved chart review for documentation of levator contraction strength, genital hiatus measurement, and recurrent pelvic floor disorders in women who underwent surgery for prolapse.

RESULTS

The recurrent prolapse rate was 34.6%. Median follow-up interval was 5 months. Diminished levator strength was associated with recurrent prolapse (35.8% versus 0%; P = .017). A genital hiatus 5 cm or greater was associated with recurrent prolapse (44.2% vs 27.8%; P = .034). Inability to contract the levator ani was associated with urinary incontinence (35.1% vs 18.8%; P = .023). Increasing levator contraction strength was associated with a decreased reoperation rate for pelvic floor disorders, whereas genital hiatus correlated best with recurrent prolapse.

CONCLUSION

Diminished levator ani contraction strength and a widened genital hiatus correlate with an increase in surgical failures in the early postoperative period. These tools are useful for counseling a patient concerning surgery for prolapse.

Primary echinococcus infestation of the bone and muscles

Hydatid diseases of the bone and muscles are rare, generally are incurable, and have a high level of recurrence. We attempted to ascertain whether the recurrence rate decreased in patients with hydatid disease infestation of the bone and skeletal muscle who were treated with current surgical techniques and antihelminthic chemotherapy, and whether the outcomes for bone infestation were different when compared with outcomes for muscular infestation. We retrospectively reviewed 15 patients with hydatid disease of the bone (eight patients) and muscle (seven patients). The average followup was 30 months (range, 6-69 months). Recurrence was observed in four patients with bone involvement. No patient with muscle involvement had a recurrence after excision. Hydatid disease of the bone often is recurrent and progressive despite using advanced diagnostic studies, improved surgical techniques, and newly developed antihelminthic drugs. The disease status also was not as good as for patients with bone lesions when compared with patients with muscular lesions.

Disorders of the Achilles tendon and its insertion

This article describes disorders of the Achilles tendon and its insertion.

[Muscle cell transplantations: the ups and downs]

Cell transplantation is believed to be an attractive technique among the various prospective methods of healing muscle wasting and other degenerative diseases. Muscle precursor cells can be obtained and cultured in vitro relatively easily, making possible a wide application of this method in the near future. A number of research efforts regarding cell transplantation for the recovery of dystrophic muscles and attempts to accelerate convalescence of disabled heart muscle are underway. There are also initiatives to use muscle cells in the repair of urinary incontinence. In the case of muscle dystrophy, very promising results were achieved in animal models, but the procedure has proved unreliable in clinical tests on humans. More convincing results were obtained from muscle cells transferred to myocardium. This procedure gave positive response in both animal models and clinical trials. However, there are still several obstacles to transplant muscle cells. First there is the poor viability of muscle cells after transfer. This results in sudden cell death, which occurs within a few hours after the cells are transferred to the recipient. A major concern recently is to develop procedures which will improve the efficacy of muscle cell transplantation. Growing interest is focused on autologous cell transplantation owing to the low immunogenicity of this kind of transfer. Moreover, numerous attempts are underway to suppress inflammation at the site of cell deposition or to search for subpopulations of cells which would result in a higher survival rate after transfer. Furthermore, genetic manipulations or preconditioning of muscle cells prior to transfer are often performed.

Severe proximal myopathy in advanced renal failure. Diagnosis and management

Myopathies encountered in uremic patients may have different pathogenetic mechanisms and treatment. Secondary hyperparathyroidism may cause uremic myopathy responding to specific treatment. This study aimed at presenting a case illustrative of the clinical features, diagnosis and management of uremic parathyroid myopathy. A 66-year old man with renal failure from membranous nephropathy developed sensory signs of uremic neuropathy and progressive painless weakness of the pelvic girdle muscles bilaterally. Motor nerve conduction velocity was normal, electromyogram was consistent with a myopathic pattern, while muscle biopsy showed a pattern of atrophy more consistent with a neuropathic pattern. Serological tests for collagen vascular diseases and hyperthyroidism were negative, while serum muscle enzymes were not elevated and serum phosphate levels were not low. Serum parathyroid hormone level was grossly elevated, while serum calcium was mildly elevated in a small fraction of the measurements, serum alkaline phosphatase showed a progressive rise and skeletal bone survey did not disclose osteopenia or signs of parathyroid bone disease. A course of calcitriol failed to improve the myopathy, which responded promptly and dramatically to parathyroidectomy. Uremic parathyroid myopathy, which has a characteristic clinical picture, must be differentiated from other neuropathic or myopathic conditions that require specific treatments. Progressive parathyroid myopathy is, by itself, an indication for parathyroidectomy, which is curative in this case.

[Human hydatidosis: advances and report of four paediatric cases with unusual presentation]

Human hydatid disease due to Echinococcus granulosus is frequently observed in Italy, especially in the central and southern areas and on the islands. In the last twenty years some major advances in the field of epidemiology as well as diagnostic and therapeutical approaches have changed our knowledge of this disease. In Italy, localization in the liver, kidney or peritoneum accounts for about 95% of cases. The authors describe four paediatric cases with unusual localization (kidney and muscle), highlighting difficulties in the diagnosis.

2D SPLASH: a new method to determine the fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff muscles

The objective of this paper is to quantify the fatty degeneration (infiltration) of rotator cuff muscles with a new spectroscopic FLASH (SPLASH) sequence. Before planned surgery (reconstruction or muscle transfer), 20 patients (13 men, 7 women; 35-75 years) with different stages of rotator cuff disease underwent an MR examination in a 1.5-T unit. The protocol consists of imaging sequences and a newly implemented SPLASH, which allows an exact quantification of the fat/water ratio with a high spatial resolution in an arbitrarily shaped region of interest (ROI). The percentages of fat in the rotator cuff muscles were determined. To determine statistically significant differences between the different stages of rotator cuff tear, a Kruskal-Wallis H test was used. Fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus muscle was correlated with cross-sectional area (CSA) measures (Bravais-Pearson). We found significant differences between different stages of rotator cuff disease, the fatty infiltration and the volume loss (determined by the occupation ratio) of the supraspinatus muscle. With the increasing extent of rotator cuff disease, fatty infiltration increases significantly, as does the volume loss of the supraspinatus muscle. Comparing fatty infiltration and the occupation ratio individually, there was only a moderate inverse correlation between fatty infiltration and the occupation ratio, with considerable variation of data. Fatty infiltration of the infraspinatus muscle occurred when the infraspinatus tendon was involved to a lesser extent. The SPLASH sequence allows exact quantification of fatty infiltration in an arbitrarily shaped ROI. The extent of atrophy and fatty infiltration correlates with the size of the tear. Atrophy and fatty infiltration correlate only moderately and should be evaluated separately.

Gracilis muscle injury as a cause of lameness in two horses

Injury to the gracilis muscle can cause acute, severe lameness in horses. Two female Quarter Horses that were used for barrel racing sustained gracilis muscle tear injuries. The site of injury was localized by direct infiltration of the area with mepivacaine. The extent of muscle tearing and seroma formation was determined via ultrasonographic evaluation. One horse developed fibrotic myopathy approximately 3 months after the original injury and underwent surgery to transect a palpable fibrous band at the previous injury site. Both horses returned to barrel racing 5 to 6 months after the injury These results suggest that horses sustaining a gracilis muscle injury have a good prognosis for returning to athletic use after an adequate period of muscle healing; however, fibrotic myopathy or muscle atrophy could be a complication of the injury resulting in persistent gait deficits.

[Hydatid cyst--rare presentations]

Hydatid disease is an parasitic infestation due to germens from Echinococcus family, principal localizations of the disease being hepatic and pulmonary. We present two cases of disease, first localized primary on the buttock and second with multiple organ involving. We consider these cases interesting because of rarity and complexity of lesions.

[Abscess of obturator internal muscle]

The abscess of obturator internal muscle is a rare disorder. The literature states only sporadic cases. Because of its rarity, the diagnosis is often late. Indeed, the presence of functional disability of the lower limb associated to a made septic syndrome evoke in the first of all, arthritis of the hip. We bring back (report) an observation illustrating the difficulties and the delay diagnosis of an abscess of the obturator internal muscle. It is about a ten year old girl having consulted for a septic syndrome with functional disability of the hip. The patient having been treated (handled) at the beginning for a cold of the hip. Secondarily she was operated for septic arthritis of the hip. The surgical investigation showed it self negative. It is only to the pelvien scanner realized after ten days of hospitalization that the diagnostic of abscess was reserved. The evolution has been favourable after surgical drainage and antibiotherapie.

Calcific myonecrosis: a unique presentation in the upper extremity

Calcific myonecrosis is a rare and latent condition characterized by a dystrophic calcified lesion that can present 10-64 years following initial trauma. Of the 25 cases documented in English world literature, all have occurred in the lower extremity exclusively. We report a case of a 60-year-old man with a painless enlarging left forearm mass that was subsequently diagnosed as calcific myonecrosis. Awareness of this lesion arising outside of the lower extremity is important to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention and patient reassurance.