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Purpose: We introduce the novel treatment technique, scalene injection, and study its clinical efficacy for diagnosis, treatment, and pain control for patients with thoracic outlet syndrome.Methods: Between November 2001 and October 2018, 266 patients were studied retrospectively. To evaluate the efficacy and sustainability, we checked the numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain relief and neck disability index (NDI) for functional improvements, prior to and 1, 12 weeks after the injection. The safety was evaluated by examining side effects for at least 24 hours from the point of injection.Results: NRS was improved from 7.12 to 3.11 at 1 week, and to 3.05 at 12 weeks (p

Background: Previous research investigating rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy has usually focused on pathoanatomy. The pathologic response to anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) has not yet been investigated. Purpose/Hypothesis: To explore changes in APAs as detected by pre-emptive activation of shoulder muscles during ball catching. It was hypothesized that anticipatory muscle activation (AMA) would be present in the unaffected shoulder but delayed or absent in the affected shoulder in patients with RC tendinopathy. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: This study included 21 RC tendinopathy patients with a mean age of 49.5 years. Patients were required to grab a ball embedded with an electromyography sensor when it dropped on their hand, and surface electromyography signals were recorded from the infraspinatus, upper trapezius, anterior deltoid, and biceps. The trials utilized 2 balls, weighing 200 g and 500 g. Each ball was used in 2 trials, 1 involving a number count preceding the ball drop (predictable) and the other involving a sudden drop (unpredictable). The onsets of AMA between the affected and unaffected limbs were compared. Results: Regardless of the experimental condition, significantly delayed AMA onsets were identified in all investigated muscles of the affected side compared with those of the unaffected side, except for the biceps muscle in the 500-g predictable trial. For the infraspinatus, the mean onset time in the 200-g predictable trial was –141.0 ± 60.2 ms on the affected side and –211.9 ± 67.1 ms on the unaffected side ( P < .001); in the 200-g unpredictable trial this value was –139.5 ± 54.9 ms on the affected side and –199.5 ± 56.2 ms on the unaffected side ( P < .001). Conclusion: Delayed AMA was observed in the affected shoulder compared with the unaffected shoulder in patients with RC tendinopathy, not only in the RC muscle but also in the periscapular and upper arm muscles. This may indicate that central hypoexcitability is partly responsible. Clinical Relevance: The basis for RC tendinopathy treatment should not be limited to the tendon pathoanatomy. Delayed AMA around the shoulder joint could provide insight into potential mechanisms related to the central nervous system.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization to relieve pain associated with shoulder and elbow tendinopathy refractory to conservative treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 13 patients (15 cases) who underwent embolization between November 2015 and December 2016 to treat chronic shoulder pain (6 with rotator-cuff tendinopathy, 2 with calcific tendinitis) or elbow pain (7 with lateral epicondylitis) refractory to conservative treatment. Microspheres were used in the first 4 cases, and imipenem/cilastatin sodium was used in the remaining 11. Visual analog scale (VAS) score changes were recorded. Decrease in VAS score and degree of enhancement on digital subtraction angiography were compared. RESULTS The technical and clinical success rates were 100% (15/15) and 73% (11/15), respectively. The mean VAS scores at baseline, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 4 months after embolization were 6.1, 5.8, 5.1, 4.3, and 2.5, respectively (P < .05 after 1 wk). Pain improved in 9 of 10 cases (90%) with "evident" enhancement and 3 of 5 cases (60%) with no evident enhancement. The VAS scores in the evident enhancement group decreased more than those in patients with no evident enhancement (4.5 vs 1.8; P < .05). Forearm cutaneous erythema was noted in 1 patient treated with microspheres. CONCLUSIONS Transcatheter arterial embolization may be an option for relieving pain associated with chronic shoulder and elbow tendinopathy refractory to conservative treatment. The degree of angiographic enhancement might be a possible factor affecting the degree of pain relief after embolization.

Background:Previous studies on massive rotator cuff tears have not addressed the outcomes of tears extending to the subscapularis tendon.Hypothesis:The retear rate in patients with a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear combined with a subscapularis tear is higher than that in patients with a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear with an intact subscapularis tendon.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Data were collected and analyzed from 92 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the status of the subscapularis tendon: intact subscapularis tendon (I-massive tear; n = 42), tear involving half or less than half of the subscapularis tendon (S-massive tear; n = 22), and tear involving more than half of the subscapularis tendon (L-massive tear; n = 28). The integrity of the rotator cuff was determined by ultrasonography at 4.5 and 12 months or later after surgery. Clinical evaluations were performed using the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Constant score, and active shoulder range of motion. Data were collected on the day before surgery and at final follow-up (at least 24 months postoperatively).Results:A total of 25 retears (27%) were identified based on an ultrasonographic evaluation. Although statistical significance was not found, there was a trend toward a higher retear rate in patients with an L-massive tear (43%) compared with those with an S-massive tear (18%; P = .050) or I-massive tear (21%; P = .059) at final follow-up. The subclassification of retears according to the involved tendons revealed that subsequent retears of the subscapularis tendon were noted only in patients with an L-massive tear. In patients with an L-massive tear, postoperative data comparison between patients with intact subscapularis tendons and those with failed subscapularis tendons revealed that a significant difference was noted in the VAS (1.1 vs 3.8, respectively) and ASES (90.6 vs 58.5, respectively) scores. The improvement in clinical scores after repair was statistically significant in all groups but not different between the groups.Conclusion:The arthroscopic repair of massive tears results in substantial improvements in shoulder function, regardless of the presence of combined subscapularis tears. However, this study showed a trend toward a high failure rate for the repair of massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears extending over half of the subscapularis tendon. Therefore, other treatment options should also be considered for this type of rotator cuff tear.

Background The purpose of this study was to report the ultrasonographic findings and clinical features of schwannoma of the hand. Methods We enrolled 8 patients who were initially diagnosed with ganglion by ultrasonography but finally with schwannoma by a tissue biopsy. We retrospectively analyzed the ultrasonographic findings of eight patients including echogenicity, internal homogeneity, posterior enhancement, internal vascularity, and clinical manifestations such as the occurrence site, tenderness, Tinel's sign, and paresthesia before the surgery. Results The occurrence sites were as follows: two cases on the thenar area, one case on the second web space, three cases on the third web space, one case on the radiovolar aspect of the proximal phalanx of the index finger, and one case on the radiovolar aspect of the proximal phalanx of the middle finger. Four patients suffered from tenderness and pain on presentation, and all patients had pain around the mass before presentation. Tinel's sign was present without paresthesia in one case. Ultrasonography revealed cystic lesions showing clear margins in all cases, and two of them had acoustic enhancement without internal flow. Conclusions It may not be easy to diagnosis schwannoma of the hand with ultrasonography alone when the lesion is small because of the similarity to the ultrasonographic findings of ganglion. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the possibility of schwannoma if a mass near the digital nerve or cutaneous nerve branch is accompanied by dull pain and tenderness.

Most of the clinical studies on the results of MIPO (minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis) with the use of anatomically preshaped locking plates for the complex distal femoral fractures have shown favorable results. In the application of bridge plating, placement of lag screws to the butterfly fragments is usually not recommended because it may make the whole construct too stiff. Recently, problems of nonunion related to excessive stiffness after MIPO using a locked plate were reported but the only solution suggested was reoperation with a bone graft. We herein report a case of nonunion after MIPO of the distal femoral fracture where we applied a concept of "dynamization of the plate-bone construct" to make it less stiff and in turn to get fracture healing with bridging callus formation. A 58-year-old woman sustained a simple oblique fracture of the distal femur (AO-OTA 33A1). We performed MIPO procedure using a locking compression plate-distal femur. To get the alignment, we have placed a conventional screw across the fracture line through the dynamic compression unit (DCU) of the combination hole. Postoperative radiographs revealed 7-8 mm gap across the entire fracture surface which was not obvious on the intra-operative C-arm images. Radiographs taken 6 months after operation showed almost no callus formation with shuttle marginal resorption. We interpreted the situation that the construct was too stiff to allow motion across the fracture site due to the lag screw. We thought we have used it as a reduction screw but it acted as a lag screw, preventing motion at the fracture site. Given this analysis, we have only taken the lag screw out to make the construct less stable. It caused the situation of absolute stability with a significant gap to turn into the one of relative stability with acceptable gap. Fracture has solidly healed with bridging callus formation 6 months after lag screw removal under local anesthesia. We would like to call this strategy as "dynamization" of the locked plating.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis(PVNS) is a benign proliferative lesion, involving synovial tissue in joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae. Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare and usually monoarticular condition and primarily affects the knee joint and hand. Polyarticular PVNS appears in less than 1% of all case and its occurrence in the shoulder is rare(

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral prostaglandin E1( PGE1) on the patency of the microvascular anastomosis of the carotid artery in rat. A total of 48 rats were used, and divided into three groups. The first group (A) was used as a control with no medical agent being used after anastomosis, the second group (B) was medicated with aspirin, and the third group (C) was medicated with oral PGE1. In each group, four rats were sacrificed serially on every post-operative 3, 5, 10 and 15 days after arterial anastomosis. Patency and histologic evaluations at the anastomotic site were observed. The results revealed that the PGE1therapied group showed highest patency rate (100%), lesser formation of mural thrombosis, and also minimal changes in the intimal hyperplasia and medial fibrosis. From these findings, we could conclude that PGE1has superior effect on maintaining the patency after microvascular surgery.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the ulna is very rare. We have experienced a case of pseudarthrosis of ulna to be treated with the vascularized fibular graft in a seven-years-and-three-month-old boy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical results of excision of the hamate hook in baseball players with hamate hook nonunion. Materials and Methods: This study included 10 baseball players treated with excision of the hamate hook. Among 10 players, there were 3 professional players and 7 amateur players. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, exercise performance score, and grip power. We also checked complications and time to return to the game. Results: At final follow-up, the average VAS score was 0.4 points and the average performance score was 9.0 points. The grip power was recovered to 96.7% of the opposite hand at final follow-up. Significant improvement in pain and grip power was observed after surgery. The average time to return to the game was 11.8 weeks. There was one case of postoperative ulnar nerve neuropathy, which was completely resolved within 12 weeks after surgery. Conclusion: We think that excision of the hamate hook is an effective treatment to enable early return to the game without loss of grip strength in the baseball player with nonunion of the hamate hook.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome. The elevated pressure in the carpal tunnel causes compression of median nerve. Although the diagnostic criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome are not clear, the diagnosis is based on the patient history and physical examination and may be confirmed by electrodiagnosis with nerve conduction test or ultrasonography. Nonsurgical treatments are generally recommended for early carpal tunnel syndrome and surgical treatments are preferred for failed nonsurgical treatment, however there is controversy regarding the optimal time when the surgery should be performed. Results of surgical treatment are usually satisfactory, however there are also complications after surgical treatment. In order to achieve good results without complications, normal anatomy around the median nerve and its anatomical variations should be thoroughly understood before the operation and careful surgical technique is absolutely required.

The Streptococcus milleri group, which also includes S. anginosus, S. intermedius and S. constellatus, is found in the oropharynx, upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and urogenital tract mucosa. Bacteria in the Streptococcus milleri group are associated with bacteremia and abscess formation. Most of the reports of of Streptococcus milleri group (SMG) infection occur in patients with underlying medical conditions. Predisposing factors that have been associated with S. milleri group empyema include mucosal disturbances (sinusitis, periodontal disease, enteric disease), preceding to pneumonia, thoracic surgery, malignancy, neurological disease, alcohol abuse, and also diabetes mellitus. We report on a 42-year-old man with mental retardation. He who suffered from dyspnea and a fever that he had developed for over 14 days. S. constellatus and anaerobic bacterias (Prevotella buccae and Micromonas micros) were cultured. The patient was treated with the drainage of pleural effusion and clindamycin and levofloxacin.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs infrequently in children. Genetic disorders and systemic disease of carpal tunnel syndrome may be the predisposing factors for carpal tunnel syndrome in children. Immunoglobulins (Ig) play a major role in adaptive immunity, and the loss of certain species of immunoglobulin is known to increase the risk of certain types of infection. Patients with hypogammaglobulinemia have an increased risk of cellulitis, arthritis and osteomyelitis. We describe the management of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in children with hypogammaglobulinemia.

Purpose : This study examined the displacement of the ulnar head with respect to the distal radius after distal radius malunion on the axial plane using computed tomography. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients with a residual dorsal tilt ＞10˚ or radial shortening ＞2 mm than the normal side, and no limitation in wrist rotation after radius union were enrolled in this study. The bilateral CT scans were obtained in 70˚ pronation, neutral, 70˚ supination. The radioulnar ratio was measured and the ratios of the abnormal side were compared with those of the opposite normal side. The results were statistically analyzed using a two-tailed paired t-test. Results : The ulnar head of the patients with a malunited radius had a tendency for anterior translation compared with the normal side. In patients with a dorsal tilt deformity, the anterior translation of the ulnar head with respect to the radius was significant, particularly in the supination and neutral position. However, no significant difference was found in patients with radial shortening in terms of the ulnar head translation between the normal and abnormal side. Conclusion : These results might explain the mechanism of distal radioulnar joint instability and low incidence of ulnocarpal impingement in patients with distal radius malunion.

Purpose: To describe the clinical presentation and course of necrotizing fasciitis of low extremity and to analyze the factors affecting the clinical result of necrotizing fasciitis. Materials and Methods: The medical records and MRI of 26 patient who had suffered from necrotizing fasciitis were reviewed retrospectively. Results: There were 18 men and 8 women with a mean age of 43.8 years. Twenty two of 26 patients had a medical disease and the most common comorbidity was diabetes mellitus. Exquisite pain, erythema, warm skin were the most consistent clinica l feature at the time of admission. Only six patients had a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis initially. The interval between onset of symptom and operative treatment was average 5.4 days in 20 patients who didn’ have a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis initially, and among them, 2 patients died. There were limited range motion of knee joint in 3 cases, sacral osteomyelitis in 1 case, and sciatic nerve palsy in 1 case as a complication. Conclusion: We think that the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis should be considered with a high index of suspicion in patients who present with unexplained limb pain, and delay in operative treatment and wide involvement of the necrosis is associated with poor results of necrotizing fasciits.