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Paget's disease of bone is a focal skeletal disorder characterized by the formation of structurally abnormal bone, skeletal deformities, and other complications leading to bone pain and significant disability. It can involve one or more areas in a single bone (monostotic) or multiple bones (polyostotic). Most of the time the disease is asymptomatic and the diagnosis is made incidentally by increased levels of bone metabolism markers, especially alkaline phosphatase and is confirmed by specific findings in radiographs and radionuclide bone scan. In this report, we describe the case of a 65-year-old female with clinical and radiological findings of active Paget's disease of bone, but with absence of abnormal biochemical markers. The patient was given a dose of 5 mg zoledronic acid intravenously with significant clinical improvement within the next 6 months. The present case not only shows that Paget's disease of bone can occur in the setting of normal markers of bone metabolism but also that, in such cases, the response to treatment can be monitored by improvement in the clinical picture or by correct evaluation of the imaging findings. Clin Rheumatol

Although acute vascular injury is a common complication in children with severely displaced supracondylar humeral fractures, the management of patients with a pink pulseless hand still remains controversial. Between 1994 and 2006, 66 children with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus were treated. Five patients had an absence of the radial pulse with an otherwise well perfused hand. In one patient, radial pulse returned after closed reduction of the fracture. In four patients, open reduction and vascular exploration was required. Three patients had brachial artery occlusion because of thrombus formation. Thrombectomy was performed, which led to the restoration of a palpable radial pulse. In one patient with open fracture, brachial artery contusion and spasm were found, and treated by removal of adventitia. Surgical exploration for the restoration of brachial artery patency should be performed, even in the presence of viable pink hand after an attempt at closed reduction. Int Orthop

We present a case of a 34-year-old white female patient who, 13 years ago, sustained a pathological intracapsular femoral neck fracture on a pre-existing aneurysmal bone cyst. Three months later radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation revealed both femoral neck fracture and stage IV osteonecrosis of the femoral head according to Steinberg classification system. Management was accomplished with combined free vascularized fibular grafting and internal osteosynthesis with a 130 degrees blade plate. Union was achieved in 7 months. Progression of osteonecrosis was arrested. Hip salvage and a satisfactory subjective and clinical outcome were achieved. At the last follow-up, 13 years postoperatively, the patient had satisfactory functional outcome. Microsurgery

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a well-known clinical entity. Release of the transverse carpal ligament is considered to be the treatment of choice. Both open and endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament in CTS has yielded satisfactory results. Although these procedures are very common in surgical practice, inadequate release and intraoperative damage to neural elements are very frustrating complication for both the patient and the surgeon. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate incidental intraoperative findings of variations of the standard median nerve anatomy. We obtained incidental intraoperative identification of median nerve variations in 110 consecutive patients operated with open release of the transverse carpal ligament in CTS. Using the Amadio classification, we found intraoperatively variations of median nerve at the wrist in 11 patients. In three patients, there was an aberrant sensory branch arising from the ulnar side of the median nerve and piercing the ulnar margin of the transverse carpal ligament. Neural variations arising from the ulnar aspect of the median nerve were common and could be a cause of iatrogenic injury during endoscopic or open release. Surgeons should be aware of anomalous branches, which should be recognized and separately decompressed if needed. Clin Anat

A 22-year-old woman presented with pain on the dorsum of her left big toe. The patient had had an accident 1 year previously, when a heavy object fell on her left big toe. She experienced no pain in the hallux before the injury. Radiographic evaluation revealed a well-circumscribed osseous mass, in close relationship to the underlying dorsal cortex of the proximal phalanx. A 2 x 1.5 x 0.7 cm mass was resected. No communication was found between the undersurface of the bony mass and the medullar space of the phalanx. The histology report confirmed diagnosis of acquired osteochondroma. Removal of the bony mass resulted in disappearance of symptoms without any sign of recurrence 10 months later. J Foot Ankle Surg

Femoral neck fractures, frequently complicated by non-union and femoral head osteonecrosis,present a difficult clinical situation, especially when young patients are concerned. Existing treatment options are valgus osteotomy to address the biomechanical factors or bone grafting to address the biologic factor. The authors describe the operative technique and results of combined subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy and free vascularized fibular grafting in management of five young patients with both non-union and avascular necrosis. Orthop Clin North Am