Freih Odeh Abu Hassan

Primary pyomyositis of the paraspinal muscles: a case report and literature review

A case of non-tropical pyomyositis in a healthy, adolescent, 13-year-old boy, affecting the paraspinal muscles is presented. Computerised axial tomography scan (CT scan) of the spine provided valuable information on the nature, extent of the disease and helped to plan successful surgical management. None of the reported cases of such severity of paraspinal pyomyositis had involvement of quadratus lumborum muscle or compression on retroperitoneal organ as in our case.

Primary pelvic hydatid cyst: an unusual cause of sciatica and foot drop.

Study Design. A case report of primary pelvic hydatid cyst causing sciatica and foot drop. Objective. To document the occurrence of primary pelvic hydatid cyst as one of the hidden causes of lower limb weakness and foot drop, and to recommend inclusion of the pelvic cavity when assessing sciatica and foot drop. Summary of Background Data. It is common to see foot drop caused by peripheral lesions around the knee or disc herniation in the lumbar spine, but if these sites were excluded, the pelvic cavity must be examined for hidden disease that may explain the cause of foot drop and sciatica. Methods. The authors involved in the care and management of this patient were interviewed and all medical records, radiologic investigations, and related literature were reviewed. Results. After exclusion of spinal and peripheral causes of foot drop, computed tomography of the pelvis showed a well-localized cystic swelling in the right side of the pelvis over the lumbosacral plexus roots. Surgical excision of the cyst resulted in partial recovery of the foot drop at 3 years of follow-up. Conclusion. Primary pelvic hydatid cyst rarely causes pressure on the lumbosacral plexus. This was a case of hydatid cyst in the pelvis causing sciatica and foot drop, and it indicates the pelvis as a hidden source of sciatica and foot drop. After surgical excision followed by 4 months’ mebendazole therapy, there was no evidence of recurrence on long-term follow-up.

Retained toothpick causing pseudotumor of the first metatarsal: A case report and literature review

We present a case of a retained toothpick causing pseudotumor of the first metatarsal in a young female who was referred as a case of painless swelling in the dorsolateral aspect of the right foot to exclude a malignant tumor. Plain radiograph did show an osteolytic lesion in the head and neck of the first metatarsal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a toothpick inside the first metatarsal head. Surgical exploration revealed a 4 cm toothpick embedded inside the bone surrounded by granulation tissue. We could find seven cases of retained foreign bodies causing osteolytic lesions in the metatarsals of the foot with one case of osteomylitis in an adult due to a retained small piece of toothpick. Retained foreign body should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an osteolytic lesion of the foot.

Tuberculous dactylitis pseudotumor of an adult thumb: a case report

Tuberculous dactylitis is an uncommon condition which is particularly difficult to differentiate from other lesions, particularly tumors. We report the case of a 56-year-old, healthy, left-handed person who consulted for progressive painful swelling of 8-month duration in the right thumb, which had developed after direct trauma. The plain radiograph of the thumb revealed extensive destruction of the proximal phalanx associated with pathological fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed replacement of the affected phalanx with prominent soft tissue mass with extension outside the bone margins. The diagnosis of tuberculous dactylitis was based on histological characteristics and positive acid fast bacilli using Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Surgical debridement and anti-tuberculous chemotherapy eradicated the infection. Seven years post treatment, the patient had good function of the thumb with no significant disability interfering with his daily activity.

Complete subtalar release for older children who had recurrent clubfoot deformity

BACKGROUND Neglected idiopathic clubfoot deformities, and severe recurrent deformity after previous surgery presents technical difficulties for correction and challenges for surgeons to achieve primary skin closure. METHODS Between 2000 and 2006, 18 children (30 feet), had complete subtalar release (CSTR) for failed previous surgery in 28 feet and severe neglected congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) in 2 feet followed by cross leg fasciocutaneous flaps for reconstruction of residual defect at the ankle and foot after full correction of the deformity. Mean patients followed up were 4.5 years (average 2-8 years). 23 feet were classified as Dimeglio III and 7 feet as Dimeglio IV. RESULTS All cases achieved a plantigrade foot, better walking ability (p<0.03), and parental satisfaction with the result (p<0.001). Ankle joint doriflexion increased from mean (-21.33 degrees ) preoperatively to (12.5 degrees ) postoperatively. All cases showed postoperative improvement in their radiographic findings. The mean preoperative talocalcaneal angle increased from (15.7 degrees to 30.03 degrees ). The talo-first metararsal angle improved from a preoperative mean of -16 degrees mean of 5.53 degrees postoperatively. At the final follow-up cosmetically acceptable plantigrade foot was achieved in all feet. Four legs (14.28%) developed hypertrophic scars at the donar flap site. One patient developed 1.5cm marginal necrosis of the flap, which did heal after debridement by secondary intention. None of the feet had recurrence at the final follow up. Despite the enormous improvement clinically and radiologically, their was no statistical significant difference between preoperative and postoperative radiological angles (p<0.069). The number of previous surgical interventions had no influence on the outcome. All the previously treated feet had inadequate release of important tethered soft tissue. CONCLUSION This is indicative of the enormous value of complete subtalar release combined with cross leg fasciocutaneous flap without the need for bony intervention in previously operated failed feet or neglected deformities.

Intramuscular myxoma of the hypothenar muscles

Intramuscular myxomas of the hand are rare entities. Primarily found in the myocardium, these lesions also affect the bone and soft tissues in other parts of the body. This article describes a case of hypothenar muscles myxoma treated with local surgical excision after frozen section biopsy with tumor-free margins. Radiographic images of the axial and appendicular skeleton were negative for fibrous dysplasia, and endocrine studies were within normal limits. The 8-year follow-up period has been uneventful, with no complications. The patient is currently recurrence free, with normal intrinsic hand function.

Percutaneous fenestration of the anteromedial aspect of the calcaneus for resistant heel pain syndrome

INTRODUCTION The failure of conservative treatment of chronic heel pain might cause prolonged disability from continued discomfort and pain, which mandates a further treatment modality. AIM OF STUDY The presentation of the results of percutaneous fenestration of the anteromedial aspect of the calcaneus for symptomatic relief of resistant heel pain syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between September 2001 and August 2006, 34 patients (38 feet) with chronic heel pain syndrome reported an unacceptable level of pain despite intensive conservative treatment. There were 23 females and 11 males with an average age of 41 years (25-59 years). The average follow-up was 46 months (range, 14-84 months). Clinical evaluation of the intensity of pain (VAS score system), walking distance, standing duration, fascial tenderness, and ankle and subtalar joint motion were evaluated preoperatively and at regular follow-up. RESULTS The preoperative pain score level was 8.4 (range, 6-10). The mean postoperative VAS for pain at 4 weeks was 5.89 (range, 3-9), at 8 weeks the value was 3.98 (range, 2-7), at 4 months 2.46 (range, 2-5), at 8 months 1.7 (range, 0-3) and at 12 months zero. A clinical improvement was seen in all patients irrespective of the duration of symptoms (p=0.0041). Three heels (7.9%) had partial relief of pain, but after 43 weeks had complete subsidence of pain. Complications include three transient paraesthesias at the distribution of the medial calcaneal nerve that resolved spontaneously after 8 weeks post-surgery. CONCLUSION The results suggest the technique of percutaneous fenestration is a significantly effective treatment modality for patients with recalcitrant heel pain syndrome after failed conservative treatment. The described technique may provide a useful method for treating refractory heel spur syndrome without resorting to invasive surgical techniques and warrants further study.