Nata Parnes

Atypical Pectoralis Major Muscle Wasting in a Recreational Weight Lifter

Pectoralis major injuries are relatively uncommon and can pose a diagnostic challenge. Deformity and weakness of this muscle in weight lifters is typically due to traumatic tendon rupture and often requires surgical repair. However, there are other less common etiologies that can mimic the clinical presentation of pectoralis major wasting and weakness that require different treatment approaches. This article describes a case of a 48-year-old recreational weight lifter who presented with severe pectoralis major wasting and weakness secondary to isolated mononeuropathy of the lateral pectoral nerve possibly due to Parsonage Turner syndrome. The patient was treated nonoperatively and achieved full recovery 18 months after onset. Parsonage Turner syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with atraumatic weakness and wasting of the pectoralis major muscle and dysfunction. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e756-e759.].

Arthroscopic Repair of Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears in Active Patients Younger Than 40 Years: 2- to 5-Year Clinical Outcomes

This study characterized injury patterns and reported clinical outcomes of all-arthroscopic management of full-thickness rotator cuff tears among military patients younger than 40 years. A retrospective review was performed of prospective data for 42 patients younger than 40 years who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and, in some cases, concomitant labral repair. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations (minimum follow-up, 2 years; mean, 41 months; range, 24-66 months) included range of motion, visual analog scale (VAS) score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score. Of the patients, 97.6% (41 of 42) had improved VAS, SST, and ASES scores. Mean VAS score improved from 8.09±1.51 to 1.19±1.85 (P<.01). Mean SSV improved from 47.88±19.56 to 89.45±14.04 (P<.01). Mean ASES score improved from 38.97±12.70 to 89.88±14.26 (P<.01). No difference for VAS, SSV, and ASES scores was noted between (1) all 42 patients, (2) the 26 patients who had rotator cuff repair but not labral repair, and (3) the 16 patients who had both rotator cuff repair and labral repair. Complications (7.1%; 3 of 42) included 2 postoperatively frozen shoulders and 1 retear of the rotator cuff. Of the patients, 95.2% (40 of 42) returned to their preoperative level of recreational and military job activity. Military patients younger than 40 years who have a full-thickness rotator cuff tear have a high prevalence of concomitant shoulder injury, especially labral tear. For patients younger than 40 years, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, with or without labral repair, resulted in excellent clinical outcomes, a low risk of complications, and a high rate of return to the preoperative level of recreational and military job activity. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(1):e52-e57.].

Anomalous abductor digiti minimi in Guyon canal: A cadaver study.

A routine cadaver dissection revealed a noteworthy anomalous muscle in the distal anterior forearm. Clinicians should be aware of this finding and consider it as a differential diagnosis in patients with wrist disorders such as ulnar tunnel syndrome from occlusion of the ulnar canal. A space-occupying lesion, such as the anomalous muscle found in this dissection, is an important potential source of ulnar canal obstruction.

Morphological Variation of the Carotid Arterial System Increases the Risk of Development of Central Nervous System Ischemia

During a routine cervicothoracic dissection, an anomalous carotid vascular system was discovered. Anomalies of the carotid vascular system are clinically significant due to their principal role in supplying blood to the neck, head, and brain. Our findings reveal a severe morphological variation of the carotid vascular system, which significantly increases the risk of developing central nervous system ischemia. Variations in morphology, including kinking and tortuosity, of the carotid arterial system described in this study should be considered when evaluating the symptoms consistent with central nervous system ischemia. The individual studied suffered from dementia as well as a past medical history of cardiovascular accident (CVA), Hypertension (HTN), and depression, which can be clinically related to the morphological variations seen in the carotid arterial system.