Faculty Bibliography

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review our experience with a benign surface bone lesion referred to as bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) or Nora's lesion, named for the pathologist who described it in 1983. The lesion may be confused with a variety of tumors, particularly solitary osteochondromas, which are rare. METHODS: The files in the Department of Pathology at the Hospital for Joint Diseases were reviewed over a 21-year period for all surface bone lesions involving the tubular bones in the hand. There were a total of 10 cases of BPOP compared with only a single case of an osteochondroma. RESULTS: Radiographs generally showed a well-marginated uniformly dense mass arising from the surface of the affected bone without any disruption in its bony architecture. Surgical excision is the definitive treatment and included the fibrous pseudocapsule over the lesion, any periosteal tissue beneath the lesion, and any area of the cortex of the host bone that appeared abnormal. Although in the medical literature the recurrence rate for BPOP is high, we had only one recurrence in our series. CONCLUSIONS: BPOP is a benign surface bone lesion that may be confused with benign and malignant tumors. Although there is a cleavage plane between the lesion and host bone, we recommend excising the pseudocapsule over the lesion, any periosteal tissue beneath the lesion, and decorticating any abnormal-appearing areas in the underlying host bone. This may explain the low recurrence rate in our series

A structured meta-analysis of the available literature was performed to evaluate the outcome of the treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. A comprehensive search of Medline using the key words 'radius' and 'fracture' revealed over 4,000 articles. After limiting the search to clinical trials in English and excluding pediatric and geriatric age groups as well as biomechanical and animal studies, 615 abstracts were identified in the period from 1976 to May 1998. Thirty-one articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These included two prospective randomized comparative trials, two non-randomized comparative trials, one half prospective case series and half historical control, and 27 papers on case series. Four papers dealt with external fixation versus closed reduction and cast treatment and one paper looked at open reduction internal fixation with or without additional external fixation. There was insufficient data to perform a scientific meta-analysis because of the poor quality of the studies and lack of a uniform method of outcome assessment. However, the data from the comparative trials showed that external fixation was favored over closed reduction and casting. Additionally, comparing the results of the case series showed that external fixation was superior to internal fixation

A broad spectrum of tumorlike lesions and neoplasms can occur in the hand and wrist, although with somewhat less frequency than in other parts of the body. A thorough understanding of the differential diagnosis of these lesions and a comprehensive strategy for evaluation are central for effective care. Plain radiographs are diagnostic for most bony lesions, whereas magnetic resonance imaging may be necessary to help differentiate a benign soft-tissue lesion from the rare malignant neoplasm. In spite of the complex anatomy, adherence to proper oncologic principles most often will lead to a satisfactory outcome

Ulnar nerve-innervated intrinsic muscle weakness, in the absence of sensory complaints or deficits, usually is the result of compression at the ulnar nerve in zone II of Guyon's canal. In rare instances the problem is not caused by a compressive neuropathy but by a demyelinating focal motor neuropathy. Demyelinating neuropathies have been well documented in the neurologic literature but they have received little attention in the hand surgery literature. We report on one such case and the importance of differentiating the 2 neuropathies. Although surgery often is necessary for a compressive neuropathy it is contraindicated for a demyelinating neuropathy

Tear of the dorsal capsule of a finger metacarpophalangeal joint is an uncommon injury that should be differentiated from an injury to the sagittal fibers of the extensor hood. While the latter injury can often be treated nonoperatively, a dorsal capsular injury usually requires surgery, particularly in athletes who are disabled by the injury

The anatomical configuration of the carpal tunnel is that of an inelastic channel. Consequently, any increase in its volume or alteration in shape will usually result in a significant increase in interstitial pressure. At a pressure threshold of 20 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg, epineurial blood flow is compromised. When that pressure is sustained, the symptoms and physical findings associated with CTS appear. Typically, patients present with intermittent pain and paresthesias in all or part of the median nerve distribution of their hand(s). As weeks and months pass, symptoms progressively increase in frequency and severity. Eventually, thenar muscle weakness develops that initially manifests itself as 'fatigue,' or 'tiredness.' The progressive increase in symptoms and physical findings, usually accompanied by a progressive deterioration in electrodiagnostic studies, facilitates the classification of the condition into early, intermediate, and advanced stages. The increase in interstitial pressure in the carpal tunnel is in the vast majority of cases idiopathic (spontaneous). It can also be caused by a myriad of other conditions that can be classified into three other categories: intrinsic factors that increase the volume of the tunnel (outside and inside the nerve), extrinsic factors that alter the contour of the tunnel, and repetitive/overuse conditions. In addition, there is another category of neuropathic factors that affect the nerve without increasing interstitial pressure. In rare situations CTS can present as an acute problem. Far less common than the chronic form of the condition, it can follow acute wrist trauma, rheumatologic disorders, hemorrhagic problems, vascular disorders affecting a patent median artery, and high pressure injection injuries. Prompt recognition is important, followed in most cases by urgent surgical decompression of the median nerve

Three cases of rupture of a flexor tendon graft many years after surgery are presented. Two cases occurred 12 years after reconstruction and the third case occurred 21 years after reconstruction. Each rupture was intratendinous, just proximal to the flexor tendon sheath in 2 cases and at the proximal edge of the transverse carpal ligament in the third case. Active digital flexion was restored by transfer of the flexor digitorum superficialis from an adjacent finger to the distal tendon stump or by direct end-to-end repair of the rupture site reinforced with an onlay autogenous patch graft. Patients undergoing tendon grafting should be alerted to the possibility of rupture, even many years later

Compressive neuropathy of the ulnar nerve in the upper limb is a common problem that frequently results in severe disabilities. At the elbow, Lundborg concluded that the nerve was 'asking for trouble' because of its anatomic course through confined spaces and posterior to the axis of elbow flexion. Normally, the ulnar nerve is subjected to stretch and compression forces that are moderated by its ability to glide in its anatomic path around the elbow. When normal excursion is restricted, irritation ensues. This results in a cycle of perineural scarring, further loss of excursion, and progressive nerve damage. Initial treatment for the acute and subacute neuropathy at the elbow is nonsurgical. Rest and avoiding pressure on the nerve may suffice, but if symptoms persist, splint immobilization of the elbow and wrist is warranted. For chronic neuropathy associated with muscle weakness, or neuropathy that does not respond to conservative measures, surgery is usually necessary. A variety of surgical procedures have been described in the medical literature, and deciding on the most effective procedure can be difficult considering the excellent results claimed by proponents for each. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of information based on prospective randomized clinical studies comparing the different surgical methods. Dellon attempted to provide some guidelines by reviewing the data in 50 articles dealing with nonsurgical and surgical treatment of ulnar neuropathies at the elbow. In order to provide uniform data, he re-interpreted the data in these articles using his own system for staging nerve compression. He reported that treatment was most successful for mild neuropathies, a conclusion few would challenge. Excellent results were also achieved in 50% of patients with mild neuropathies that were treated nonsurgically and in more than 90% treated by surgery, regardless of the procedure. For moderate neuropathies, nonsurgical treatment was generally unsuccessful, as were decompressions in situ. Medial epicondylectomies were effective in only 50% of cases and they had the highest recurrence rate. Regarding ulnar nerve transpositions, each method has its proponents, usually based on the training and experience of the surgeon. Subcutaneous transposition is the least complicated. It is an effective procedure, particularly in the elderly and in patients who have a thick layer of adipose tissue in their arms. It is the procedure of choice for repositioning the nerve during surgical reductions of acute fractures, arthroplasties of the elbow, and secondary neurorrhaphies. Intramuscular and submuscular transpositions are more complicated procedures. Although proponents of intramuscular transposition report favorable results, the procedure can result in severe postoperative perineural scarring. Submuscular transposition has a high degree of success and is generally accepted to be the preferred procedure when prior surgery has been unsuccessful. I also prefer it as the primary procedure for most chronic neuropathies that require surgery. Compressive neuropathies of the ulnar nerve in the canal of Guyon are less common, but they can also result in significant disabilities. Compression can occur in 1 of 3 zones. Zone 1 is in the most proximal portion of the canal, where the nerve is a single structure consisting of motor and sensory fascicles, and zones 2 and 3 are distal where the ulnar nerve has divided into motor and sensory branches. The clinical picture correlates with the zone in which compression occurs

Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow can occur at any of five sites that begin proximally at the arcade of Struthers and end distally where the nerve exits the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle in the forearm. Compression occurs most commonly at two sites-the epicondylar groove and the point where the nerve passes between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle (i.e., the true cubital tunnel). The differential diagnosis of ulnar neuropathies at the elbow includes lesions that cause additional proximal or distal nerve compression and systemic metabolic disorders. A complete history and a thorough physical examination are essential first steps in establishing a correct diagnosis. Electrodiagnostic studies may be useful, especially when the site of compression cannot be determined by physical examination, when compression may be at multiple levels, and when there are systemic and metabolic problems