Dynamic Scapular Winging Caused by Long Thoracic Nerve Compression due to Scapular Osteochondroma: A Case Report.

CASE: We report a unique case of dynamic scapular winging due to compression of the long thoracic nerve by a ventral scapular osteochondroma, representing a combination of mechanical and neural causes. Arthroscopic resection of the lesion was performed, which led to complete resolution of the symptoms. CONCLUSION: By reporting this case, we aimed to increase awareness of the importance of a correct etiological diagnosis of dynamic scapular winging, so that targeted treatment can be addressed. Arthroscopic resection seems ideal for this indication because it reduces the risk of complications and patient recovery time.

Visualization of Median Nerve Entrapment After Reduction of an Elbow Fracture Dislocation Using 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Report.

CASE: A 10-year-old girl presented after closed reduction of an elbow fracture dislocation. She demonstrated intact vascularity but a dense median nerve palsy. Preoperative magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) precisely mapped the median nerve entrapped within the medial epicondylar fracture. Intraoperatively, the median nerve was freed preceding reduction and fracture fixation. Postoperatively, neurological symptoms completely resolved, and she regained full elbow function. CONCLUSION: Median nerve injury can present without associated vascular injury. In this case, MRN was helpful in preoperatively illustrating the spatial relationship between the median nerve and the medial epicondyle.

Optimizing Outcomes in Revision Peripheral Nerve Surgery of the Upper Extremity.

Peripheral nerve surgeries for compressive neuropathy in the upper extremity are generally successful. However, cases that either fail or have complications requiring revision surgery are challenging. During revision consideration, surgeons should perform a comprehensive preoperative workup to understand the etiology of the patient's symptoms and categorize symptoms as persistent, recurrent, or new in relation to the index procedure. Revision surgery often requires an open, extensile approach with additional procedures to optimize outcomes. Even with proper workup and treatment, clinical outcomes of revision surgeries are inferior compared to primary surgeries and patients should be well informed prior to undergoing such procedures.

Entrapment of Median Nerve After Pediatric Elbow Dislocation with a Brief Review of Literature: A Case Study.

CASE: We present a case of type II (intraosseous) entrapment of the median nerve in a patient who was diagnosed based on clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging and who was treated with medial epicondyle osteotomy, neurolysis, and transposition of the nerve to its anatomical position within a month of injury. Our patient made a complete motor and sensory recovery at 5 months with complete functionality and grip strength. CONCLUSION: Median nerve entrapment after posterolateral elbow dislocation is a rare complication with roughly 40 cases reported in the literature. This case illustrates the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Superficial thrombophlebitis in the forearm leading to entrapment of the radial nerve branch: a first case report and literature review.

This article reports a case of a female patient admitted with swelling and subcutaneous mass in the right forearm, initially suspected to be multiple nerve fibroma. However, through preoperative imaging and surgery, the final diagnosis confirmed superficial thrombophlebitis. This condition resulted in entrapment of the radial nerve branch, leading to noticeable nerve entrapment and radiating pain. The surgery involved the excision of inflammatory tissue and thrombus, ligation of the cephalic vein, and complete release of the radial nerve branch. Postoperative pathology confirmed the presence of Superficial Thrombophlebitis. Through this case, we emphasize the importance of comprehensive utilization of clinical, imaging, and surgical interventions for more accurate diagnosis and treatment. This is the first clinical report of radial nerve branch entrapment due to superficial thrombophlebitis.

Rare Variant of the Radial Artery Causing Compression of the Superficial Radial Nerve: A Case Report.

CASE: This case report describes a patient with paresthesia in the distribution of the superficial sensory branch of the radial nerve that was treated with surgery. Intraoperatively, there was a unique cause of internal compression by a rare superficial radial artery variant running adjacent to it. The nerve was mobilized from the artery with fascial releases. The patient had symptom resolution postoperatively. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this cause of compression has not been described before and should be considered in a differential diagnosis. In addition, clinicians should be aware of this anatomical variant during venipunctures and surgical approaches.

Sinus Node Dysfunction Triggered by Tonsillar Abscess: Effects of Vagal Nerve Compression.

BACKGROUND Compression of the vagus nerve by a pharyngeal mass is a well-documented condition that can result in sinus node dysfunction (SND). However, there is scarce literature on extrinsic vagal nerve compression from a tonsillar abscess. CASE REPORT A 59-year-old woman with a history of asthma and chronic throat discomfort presented to the Emergency Department with bradycardia, palpitations, and voice changes. Following a shellfish allergy hospitalization, an otolaryngology evaluation revealed an enlarged right tonsil, recommending tonsillectomy, but scheduling challenges persisted. The patient reported mild throat pain, dysphagia, hoarseness, rhinorrhea, and exertional dyspnea and was admitted for the evaluation of peritonsillar mass. She was found to be bradycardic with a heart rate of 47, with an electrocardiogram revealing SND. Albuterol and ipratropium nebulizers, as well as dexamethasone and pantoprazole, were initiated. With this treatment, the patient symptomatically improved with a new heart rate of 68. She was discharged with outpatient appointments, but was unfortunately lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This case reveals sinus node dysfunction resulting from extrinsic vagal nerve compression by a tonsillar abscess. Pressure on the vagus nerve can trigger bradycardia and low blood pressure, possibly due to compensatory overfiring of afferent vagal nerve signals from local mass effect. Early recognition and antibiotic treatment are essential to prevent cardiac complications. Clinicians must remain vigilant for such extrinsic causes, particularly in patients with chronic sore throat and cardiac symptoms. Further research and case reports are needed to deepen our understanding of this rare yet significant association.

Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome Caused by a Fixation Device: A Case Report.

Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is characterized by abdominal wall neuralgia. We report an 85-year-old woman with ACNES caused by a fixation device during the bipolar hip arthroplasty. To prevent ACNES as a perioperative peripheral nerve injury, it is important to maintain patients in the appropriate position during the operation. A positive Carnett's sign means the abdominal pain originates from the abdominal wall and is useful in diagnosing ACNES. Thus, physicians should examine Carnett's sign to differentiate ACNES in patients with abdominal pain developing after an operation.

Tuberculous Flexor Tenosynovitis with Median Nerve Compression: A Case Report.

CASE: A 65-year-old female patient presented with complaints of diffuse pain and swelling in her right wrist with paresthesia in her right hand with thenar wasting. Her magnetic resonance imaging scan was suggestive of flexor tenosynovitis of the wrist with compression of the median nerve with multiple rice bodies. She underwent excisional biopsy along with median nerve decompression. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected by polymerase chain reaction (GeneXpert), and histopathology identified caseous granulomas. The patient was started on antitubercular chemotherapy postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In endemic countries such as India, tuberculous flexor tenosynovitis must always be a differential diagnosis in cases of wrist swelling with rice bodies.

Entrapped by pain: The diagnosis and management of endometriosis affecting somatic nerves.

Somatic nerve entrapment caused by endometriosis is an underrecognized and often misdiagnosed issue that leads to many women suffering unnecessarily. While the classic symptoms of endometriosis are well-known to the gynaecologic surgeon, the dermatomal-type pain caused by endometriosis impacting neural structures is not within gynecologic day-to-day practice, which often complicates diagnosis and delays treatment. A thorough understanding of pelvic neuroanatomy and a neuropelveologic approach is required for accurate assessments of patients with endometriosis and nerve entrapment. Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred imaging modality for this presentation of endometriosis. Surgical management with laparoscopic or robotic-assisted techniques is the preferred approach to treatment, with excellent long-term results reported after nerve detrapment and endometriosis excision. The review calls for increased awareness and education on the links between endometriosis and the nervous system, advocating for patient-centered care and further research to refine the diagnosis and treatment of this challenging condition.

Upper-limb neurovascular compression, pectoralis minor and quadrilateral space syndromes: A narrative review of current literature.

Pectoralis minor syndrome (PMS) and quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS) are uncommon neurovascular compression disorders affecting the upper extremity. PMS involves compression under the pectoralis minor muscle, and QSS results from compression in the quadrilateral space-both are classically observed in overhead-motion athletes. Diagnosing PMS and QSS may be challenging due to variable presentations and similarities with other, more common, upper-limb pathologies. Although there is no gold standard diagnostic, local analgesic muscle-block response in a patient with the appropriate clinical context is often all that is required for an accurate diagnosis after excluding more common etiologies. Treatment ranges from conservative physical therapy to decompressive surgery, which is reserved for refractory cases or severe, acute vascular presentations. Decompression generally yields favorable outcomes, with most patients experiencing significant relief and restored baseline function. In conclusion, PMS and QSS, although rare, can cause debilitating upper-extremity symptoms; accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment offer excellent outcomes, alleviating pain and disability.

A rare presentation of a large suprascapular fossa lipoma causing suprascapular nerve traction injury leading to massive rotator cuff tear, treated arthroscopically - case report.

Suprascapular fossa lipoma extending to the suprascapular notch causing traction injury to the suprascapular nerve is a rare presentation. We report a 47-year-old male with progressive weakness of the right shoulder joint of 8 months duration, with a palpable mass over the spine of the scapula was noticed 2 months earlier and developed a sudden drop in arm following a moderate strain. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed a rotator cuff tear involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles with a tumor like lesion in the suprascapular fossa, displacing the suprascapular muscle mass and extending into the suprascapular notch. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity studies revealed suprascapular neuropathy. After histopathologic confirmation, an arthroscopic excision of the mass with decompression of the suprascapular notch was performed along with repair of the rotator cuff. Six months after the procedure, the patient had improved considerably in terms of function and postoperative MRI revealed a complete excision of the mass, and further follow-up of 2 years showed no recurrence. Suprascapular nerve entrapment can be caused by a lipoma in the shoulder, leading to weakness, atrophy, and consequent tear of the rotator cuff tendons. Arthroscopic management, after histopathological confirmation, gives good results in this situation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Tocilizumab use for optic nerve compression in thyroid eye disease: a prospective longitudinal cohort.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of tocilizumab in reverting the signs and symptoms of dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) in thyroid eye disease and the need for emergency orbital decompression. The secondary outcomes are to identify the optimal number of tocilizumab cycles to achieve the primary outcome, to analyze the association between thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI), clinical activity score (CAS) and proptosis in response to the treatment and the need for rehabilitative orbital decompression. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal cohort study that included 13 patients who had unilateral or bilateral dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) due to severe and progressive sight-threatening thyroid eye disease based on the CAS system. Patients were seen in this facility starting from July 2017, and all had received intravenous tocilizumab. RESULTS: Initial visual acuity mean was 0.52 ± 0.38 and the final were 0.93 ± 0.11 with a mean difference of 0.41 and P < 0.00245. The mean CAS prior to the initiation of the treatment was 7.92 ± 0.66 and the final was 2.85 ± 1.03 with mean difference of 5.07 and P < 0.00001. Initial mean proptosis was 24.85 ± 2.31 and the final was 21.78 ± 2.18 with a mean difference of 3.07 and P < 0.000497. No emergency orbital decompression was performed. TSI was high initially in all cases with a wide range of 2.4 to 40 IU/L and with a mean of 10.70 ± 13.40. The final TSI mean was 2.90 ± 3.90 with a mean difference of 7.81 and significant P value (P < 0.0272). CONCLUSION: Tocilizumab use in optic nerve compression showed promising results as it can be the primary or an alternative treatment option.

Delayed vagal nerve compressive neuropathy following placement of vagal nerve stimulator: case report.

Vagal neuropathy causing vocal fold palsy is an uncommon complication of vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) placement. It may be associated with intraoperative nerve injury or with device stimulation. Here we present the first case of delayed, compressive vagal neuropathy associated with VNS coil placement which presented with progressive hoarseness and vocal cord paralysis. Coil removal and vagal neurolysis was performed to relieve the compression. Larger 3 mm VNS coils were placed for continuation of therapy. Coils with a larger inner diameter should be employed where possible to prevent this complication. The frequency of VNS-associated vagal nerve compression may warrant further investigation.

Common Peroneal Nerve and Tarsal Tunnel Release Surgery in an Adolescent Male with Hunter Syndrome: Illustrative Case.

BACKGROUND: Children with Hunter syndrome have a high prevalence of nerve compression syndromes given the buildup of glycosaminoglycans in the tendon sheaths and soft tissue structures. These are often comorbid with orthopedic conditions given joint and tendon contractures due to the same pathology. While carpal tunnel syndrome and surgical treatment has been well-reported in this population, the literature on lower extremity nerve compression syndromes and their treatment in Hunter syndrome is sparse. OBSERVATIONS: We report the case of a 13-year-old male with a history of Hunter syndrome who presented with toe-walking and tenderness over the peroneal and tarsal tunnel areas. He underwent bilateral common peroneal nerve and tarsal tunnel releases, with findings of severe nerve compression and hypertrophied soft tissue structures demonstrating fibromuscular scarring on pathology. Post-operatively, the patient's family reported subjective improvement in lower extremity mobility and plantar flexion. LESSONS: In this case, peroneal and tarsal nerve compression were diagnosed clinically and treated effectively with surgical release and postoperative ankle casting. Given the wide differential of common comorbid orthopedic conditions in Hunter syndrome and the lack of validated electrodiagnostic normative values in this population, the history and physical examination and consideration of nerve compression syndromes are tantamount for successful workup and treatment of gait abnormalities in the child with Hunter syndrome.

Superior orbital fissure syndrome after deep lateral orbital wall decompression in Graves' ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: The superior orbital fissure contains cranial nerves III, IV, VI, and V1 with their three branches: frontal, lacrimal, and nasociliary. Superior orbital fissure syndrome (SOFS) is rare and can occur as a result of compression of these nerves due to trauma, bleeding, or inflammation in the retrobulbar space, but no cases of SOFS after deep lateral orbital wall decompression (DLOWD) have been reported. The aim of this paper is to describe this pathology, its possible causes, management, and outcome. METHODS: Retrospective study of 575 DLOWD in patients with disfiguring exophthalmos due to Graves' ophthalmopathy performed in our hospital between 2010 and 2023. Three cases of postoperative SOFS were identified based on clinical presentation, history, physical examination, and radiological study. All patients were observed for a minimum of 12 months. RESULTS: SOFS was diagnosed with the presence of ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, fixed and dilated pupils, hypo/anesthesia of the upper eyelid and forehead, loss of corneal reflex, and no loss of vision after DLOWD. Fractures, edema, and hemorrhages were excluded. They were treated with high-dose intravenous steroids and the patients recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: DLOWD challenges orbital surgeons because it requires removing bones near the globe or neurovascular structures. SOFS may occur due to the proximity and increased pressure on these structures.

[Rare Compression Syndrome of the Median Nerve due to a Supracondylar Humeral Process and a Ligament of Struthers]. / Seltenes Kompressionssyndrom des N. medianus durch den Processus supracondylaris und das Struthers-Ligament.

INTRODUCTION: A supracondylar process is a bony spur on the distal anteromedial surface of the humerus, and it is considered an anatomical variant with a prevalence of 0.4-2.7% according to anatomical studies. In almost all cases, it is associated with a fibrous, sometimes ossified ligament, which extends from the supracondylar process to the medial epicondyle. This ligament is known in the literature as the ligament of Struthers, named after the Scottish anatomist who first described it in detail in 1854. In rare cases, the supracondylar process can be a clinically relevant finding as a cause of nerve compression syndrome. The median and ulnar nerve can be trapped by the ring-shaped structure formed by the ligament of Struthers and the supracondylar process. CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old patient with symptoms of a cubital tunnel syndrome and additional ipsilateral sensory deficits in his thumb was referred to our clinic. Electroneurography showed no signs of an additional carpal tunnel syndrome. Preoperative x-ray and CT scans of the upper arm revealed a supracondylar process, which led us to suspect an associated entrapment of the median nerve. An MRI scan of the upper arm showed a ligament of Struthers and signs of a related median nerve compression as we initially assumed. We performed a surgical decompression of the median nerve in the distal upper arm and of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel. Intraoperatively, there was evidence of compression of the median nerve due to the supracondylar process and the ligament of Struthers. The latter was cleaved and then resected along with the supracondylar process. Three months after surgery, the patient had no motor or sensory deficits. SUMMARY: The ring-shaped structure formed by the supracondylar process and ligament of Struthers represents a rare cause of compression syndrome of the median and ulnar nerve. Its incidence remains unknown so far. This anatomical variant should be considered a differential diagnosis in case of possibly related nerve entrapment symptoms after ruling out other, more frequent nerve compression causes. Moreover, the supracondylar process should be completely resected including the periosteum during surgery to minimise the risk of recurrence.

Visceral symptoms in patients with anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES): expression of viscerosomatic reflexes?

PURPOSE: Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment (ACNES) is characterized by neuropathic pain in a predictable, circumscript abdominal area. The diagnostic delay is long, with half of ACNES-affected individuals reporting nausea, bloating, or loss of appetite mimicking visceral disease. The aim of this study was to describe these phenomena and to determine whether treatment could successfully reverse the visceral symptoms. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted between July 2017 and December 2020 at SolviMáx, Center of Excellence for Chronic Abdominal Wall and Groin Pain, Máxima Medical Center, Eindhoven. Adult patients who fulfilled published criteria for ACNES and reported at least one visceral symptom at intake were eligible for the study. A self-developed Visceral Complaints ACNES Score (VICAS) questionnaire that scores several visceral symptoms (minimum 1 point, maximum 9 points) was completed before and after therapy. The success of treatment was defined as at least 50% reduction in pain. RESULTS: Data from 100 selected patients (86 females) aged 39 ± 5 years were available for analysis. Frequently reported symptoms were abdominal bloating (78%), nausea (66%) and altered defecation (50%). Successful treatment significantly reduced the number of visceral symptoms, with a VICAS before of 3 (range 1-8) and after of 1 (range 0-6) (p < 0.001). A low baseline VICAS was associated with successful treatment outcome (OR 0.738, 95% CI 0.546-0.999). CONCLUSION: Patients with ACNES may report a variety of visceral symptoms. Successful treatment substantially reduces these visceral symptoms in selected patients.

Compressive lesions of the head and neck: Common and uncommon must-know entities.

There are many lesions that cause compression of nerves and vessels in the head and neck, and they can often be overlooked in the absence of adequate history or if not suspected by the radiologist. Many of these lesions require a high index of suspicion and optimal positioning for imaging. While a multimodality approach is critical in the evaluation of compressive lesions, an MRI utilizing high-resolution (heavily weighted) T2-weighted sequence is extremely useful as a starting point. In this review, we aim to discuss the radiological features of the common and uncommon compressive lesions of the head and neck which are broadly categorized into vascular, osseous, and miscellaneous etiologies.