Faculty Bibliography

Neurilemomas are the most frequently arising benign nerve tumors of the upper extremity and are also called Schwannomas. Generally, they present as solitary tumors, although multiple tumors are common. Regardless of number, they are usually found on the lexor surface of the forearm and hand, and multiple tumors are almost always located within a single major nerve, its branches, or both. We present three patients who had multiple neurilemomas; two patients had tumors within a single major nerve and its branches, and the third patient had an unusual occurrence of one tumor in the ulnar nerve and a second tumor in a branch of the median nerve

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP), or Nora's lesion, is an unusual surface-based lesion of bone found most commonly in the hands and feet. In the original description of the lesion and in all publications that followed, one of the key imaging characteristics used to define this entity was the lack of cortico-medullary continuity with the underlying bone. The authors present 4 unique cases of pathologically proven BPOP in which cortico-medullary continuity with the underlying bone was demonstrated on imaging. It is believed that florid reactive periostitis, BPOP and turret osteochondroma may reflect points along the same continuum with trauma the likely inciting event. The authors suggest that, given this continuum, it may be possible to have BPOP lesions demonstrating overlapping imaging features with osteochondroma. If this is the case, strict adherence to the standard imaging criterion of lack of continuity between the lesion and the underlying bone may lead to misdiagnosis of these unusual cases of BPOP as osteochondromas

BACKGROUND: Several previous studies have described reconstructive methods for the treatment of an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb. However, there are few biomechanical studies to date to analyze the strength of the surgical reconstruction. PURPOSE: To evaluate 2 reconstruction techniques with use of a cadaveric model: (1) reconstruction with the use of a free tendon graft placed in a figure-of-8 fashion through drill holes in the metacarpal and proximal phalanx of the thumb, and (2) reconstruction with the use of the Bio-Tenodesis Screw System. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eight matched pairs of cadaveric specimens underwent removal of the proper and accessory ulnar collateral ligaments. One of the 2 reconstruction methods was performed, and specimens were mounted on a materials-testing machine. The specimens were subjected to valgus stress to failure at 30 degrees of flexion. Failure was defined as valgus laxity of 30 degrees at the metacarpophalangeal joint. RESULTS: The peak load to failure was 23.5 +/- 11.4 N for the figure-of-8 reconstruction and 24.3 +/- 12.3 N for the reconstruction using the Bio-Tenodesis Screw System. Comparing the 2 groups, there was no statistically significant difference in peak loads to failure (P = .88). CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference between the peak loads to failure of the 2 reconstructions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The Bio-Tenodesis Screw System may provide another viable option for surgical reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb

Surgical procedures for the treatment of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow are well described. Studies have reported clinical outcomes after decompression of the nerve without transposition and decompression with transposition. Numerous preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors contribute to failure of the surgical procedures. Although the techniques available for revision decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow are similar to those used in the primary setting, the results after repeat surgical intervention are less predictable

Malignant tumors in the hand and wrist compose a wide variety of lesions involving skin, soft tissues, and bone. Although these lesions are found elsewhere in the body, many have unique characteristics at this anatomic location. Skin tumors predominate; the most common are squamous cell carcinomas, followed in frequency by basal cell carcinomas and malignant melanomas. Other soft-tissue malignancies are less common but may present more difficult diagnostic problems. They often appear as painless masses that sometimes have been present for months or even years and deceptively appear to be benign. A missed or delayed diagnosis of these tumors can have devastating consequences. Bone malignancies involve both primary lesions, of which chondrosarcomas are the most common, and metastatic lesions. Regardless of cell type, treatment of malignant tumors in the hand and wrist requires special considerations because of the important function of these structures. Orthopaedic surgeons should be familiar with the spectrum of these tumors, the work-up necessary to arrive at a precise diagnosis, and the treatment that will achieve the most favorable outcome

It has recently been suggested that peripheral nerve or plexus blocks performed with the use of a nerve stimulator at low currents (<0.5 mA) may result in neurologic damage. We studied the infraclavicular nerve block, performed with the use of a nerve stimulator and an insulated needle, in a prospective evaluation of efficacy and safety. During a one-year period, 248 patients undergoing infraclavicular nerve block were evaluated for block success rate and incidence of neurologic complication. All blocks were performed with the use of a nerve stimulator and an insulated needle at < or =0.3 mA. Success rate was 94%, which increased to 96% with surgical infiltration of local anesthetic. There were no intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications noted. After one week, only one patient had a neurologic complaint, and this was surgically related, referable to surgery performed on the radial nerve. We conclude that infraclavicular nerve blocks performed at low currents (< or =0.3 mA) are safe and effective

We present the unusual case of a flexor carpi radialis tendon that ruptured after extended strenuous physical activity by a patient with paralysis of the opposite limb secondary to poliomyelitis

There are large differences between nations in the diagnosis and management of children with marked impulsiveness and inattention. The differences extend to the names and definitions of disorder and the extent to which medication should be used. This paper uses data from a large randomized clinical trial of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments, conducted in North America, to clarify its implications for other parts of the world. A diagnostic algorithm was applied to 579 children, diagnosed with ADHD-Combined Type in the MTA trial, to generate the ICD-10 diagnosis of 'hyperkinetic disorder' (HD); only a quarter met these more stringent criteria. HD was a moderator of treatment response. The superiority of medication to behavioral treatment was greater for children with HD. Children with ADHD but not HD also showed some improvement with medication. The results provide evidence for the validity of HD as a subgroup of those presenting ADHD; and suggest that treatment with stimulants is a high priority in children with HD. Results also suggest that some children with other forms of ADHD will respond better to medication than to psychosocial intervention, and therefore that European guidelines should extend their indications.

PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanical properties of 4 methods of fixation of tendon grafts to bone as used for ligament reconstructions. METHODS: Thirty-two metacarpals were harvested from fresh-frozen cadavers and stripped of soft tissue. Flexor tendons were harvested from the same cadavers and cut into 2-mm-wide strips. Each tendon was fixed to a metacarpal head at the site of origin of a collateral ligament. Four different methods of fixation were tested. In group 1 the tendon was fixed to the bone with a 4.0-mm Arthrex bio-tenodesis interference screw (Arthrex, Inc., Naples, FL). In group 2 the tendon was passed through a bone tunnel and fixed with a 3.2-mm mini-Acutrak screw (Acumed, LLC, Hillsboro, OR) that was inserted in interference mode. In group 3 the tendon was passed through a bone tunnel and fixed with sutures tied over a polyethylene button. In group 4 the tendon was fixed with a mini-Mitek bone suture anchor (Mitek Worldwide, Norwood, MA). All specimens were clamped into a linear loading machine and loaded until failure. Statistical analysis was performed by 1-way analysis of variance testing. RESULTS: The differences in maximal tensile strength and stiffness were statistically significant when comparing any 2 groups. The Arthrex biotenodesis interference screw was the strongest and stiffest fixation method, followed by the Acutrak screw inserted in interference mode. Next was the suture tied over a button method. The mini-Mitek bone suture anchor was the weakest. CONCLUSIONS: Interference screw fixation of tendons to bone has statistically significant higher pullout strength and stiffness than 2 other commonly used fixation methods. The use of interference screws for fixation of tendon grafts to bone for hand ligament reconstructions is a promising new surgical technique