Giant basal cell carcinoma: a clinical red flag.

Giant basal cell carcinoma (GBCC) is a rare and more aggressive variant of basal cell carcinoma. We present a case of GBCC with an overview of the challenges it presents.A man in his 60s presented to the tertiary care unit with a history of an ulcer over the posterior aspect of his left heel for the past 1 year. Examination revealed an ulceroproliferative lesion of 10×8 cm on the posterior aspect of the left heel and lower Tendo-Achilles region. A wedge biopsy of the lesion was performed twice, which demonstrated basal cell carcinoma. The patient underwent excision of the lesion with 10 mm margins. A split-thickness skin graft was placed and secured over the resultant wound with the application of a negative pressure wound dressing.The correlation between tumour size and tumour behaviour is examined. Additionally, the significance of tumour location, width of margins, incidence recurrence or metastasis is also studied.

A complicated Chiari type 1 malformation and holocord syrinx as a likely cause for heel pain.

BACKGROUND: Chiari malformations are a rare group of rhomboencephalic abnormalities involving the brain, craniocervical junction and spine. They may manifest in a variety of clinical presentations which relate to the variable involvement of the cerebellum, brainstem, lower cranial nerves, spinal cord and altered CSF flow dynamics. METHOD: We report an unusual case of incidental diagnosis of a type I Chiari malformation with secondary cystic cerebellar tonsillar encephalomalacia and holocord syrinx following investigation of a 5YO girl presenting with heel swelling related to progressive neuropathic osteoarthropathy of the posterior calcaneal body and apophysis. RESULT: The child was treated with decompressive suboccipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy and tonsillar resection. Cerebellar tonsillar gliosis and cystic degeneration were confirmed on histopathology. Referral for ongoing engagement with occupational and physical therapy. CONCLUSION: Most type I Chiari malformations in the paediatric population are incidental and asymptomatic. Neurological symptoms are typically mild and relate to altered CSF flow dynamics; however, we present a complex case of type I Chiari malformation with an unusual constellation of associated complications.

Precalcaneal Congenital Fibrolipomatous Hamartomas.

Precalcaneal congenital fibrolipomatous hamartomas are rare benign lesions that present in infancy. Lesions typically appear as unilateral or bilateral skin-colored asymptomatic subcutaneous nodules on the precalcaneal plantar heel. Diagnosis is clinical, and operative intervention is not indicated unless lesions are symptomatic. We report two cases of subcutaneous plantar nodules diagnosed as precalcaneal congenital fibrolipomatous hamartomas. The aim is to raise awareness of this rare diagnosis and emphasize its benign nature and conservative management.

Association of Calcaneal Bone Marrow Lesions and Plantar Fascia Imaging Biomarkers With Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine associations between chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) and imaging biomarkers derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography. METHODS: We compared 218 participants with CPHP with 100 age- and sex-matched population controls. We assessed imaging biomarkers on MRI (calcaneal bone marrow lesions [BMLs], plantar fascia [PF] signal and thickness, spurs, and fat pad signal) and B-mode/power Doppler ultrasound (PF thickness, echogenicity, and vascularity). Covariate data collected included demographic characteristics, disease history, clinical measures, and physical activity by accelerometry. Data were analyzed using multivariable conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Plantar calcaneal BML size (mm2 , odds ratio [OR] 1.03 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.02-1.05]), larger plantar spurs (OR for spurs >5 mm 2.15 [95% CI 1.13-4.10]), PF signal (OR for signal penetrating >50% of the dorsoplantar width 12.12 [95% CI 5.36-27.42]), PF thickness (mm, OR for MRI 3.23 [95% CI 2.36-4.43] and ultrasound OR 3.78 [95% CI 2.69-5.32]), and echogenicity (diffusely hypoechoic OR 7.89 [95% CI 4.02-15.48] and focally hypoechoic OR 24.92 [95% CI 9.60-64.69]) were independently associated with CPHP. PF vascularity was uncommon, occurring exclusively in cases (cases with signal n = 47 [22%]). Combining imaging biomarkers into 1 model, plantar BMLs and PF imaging biomarkers, but not fat pad signal or heel spurs, were independently associated with CPHP. CONCLUSION: Calcaneal BMLs and PF imaging biomarkers are associated with CPHP. Further research is required to understand whether these different markers represent distinct phenotypes of heel pain, and if so, whether there are specific treatment implications.

Primary Cutaneous Cribriform Carcinoma of the Heel: A Rare Case Report.

Primary cutaneous cribriform carcinoma (PCCC) is an extremely rare carcinoma of the sweat glands. In this case report, we present a 41-year-old man with PCCC in the heel. The patient had heel pain for 10 months, and his complaints had increased in the past 2 months. Physical examination revealed a firm nonmobile mass at his heel. The PCCC in the heel was excised by wide resection after biopsy, and the defect that occurred after resection was reconstructed with a vascularized free anterolateral thigh flap. There were no complications during or after the surgery. No recurrence or metastasis was encountered during 48 months of follow-up. The patient continues his daily life activities without any problems or pain. In the heel, PCCC can be effectively treated by extensive resection and reconstruction of the defect with a skin graft/vascularized flap. Cribriform carcinomas of visceral organs and primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis, which should be made carefully, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically.

Cytological features of BCOR-CCNB3 sarcoma: Comparison with Ewing sarcoma and synovial sarcoma.

INTRODUCTION: BCOR-CCNB3 sarcoma (BCS) is one of the histological types classified as an undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma of bone and soft tissue. This sarcoma frequently develops in males under 20 years of age. Histologically, a delicate capillary network has been reported as a conspicuous finding. In this study, the cytological findings of BCS were observed in two cases of primary lesions and one case of a lung metastatic lesion. The cytological findings of BCS were compared with its histological mimics, and the characteristic findings of BCS were examined. METHODS: Three cases of BCS were studied, and a cytological comparison was performed with 8 cases of Ewing sarcoma (ES) and 10 cases of synovial sarcoma (SS; monophasic type: 7 cases, biphasic type: 2 cases, poorly differentiated: 1 case). RESULTS: In all BCS cases, small clusters with thin and delicate vascular cores and tiny vascular fragments were conspicuous. In ES and SS cases, although small clusters with vascular cores were observed, the vascular cores were thicker than in BCS, and no tiny vascular fragments appeared in most cases. Cytomorphological differences of tumour cells were also observed among BCS, ES, and SS. Predominantly rounded nuclei with fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli can be cytological clues for BCS. CONCLUSIONS: BCS shows characteristic cytological findings that make the diagnosis of BCS more likely than that of ES and SS. Cytological evaluation is a useful tool for appropriate differential diagnosis that leads to a more accurate final diagnosis and rapid treatment.

Management of Chronic Osteomyelitis by an Orthoplastic Team: 7-Year Experience of a University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Treating chronic osteomyelitis of the lower extremities is challenging. The treatment of acute lower limb trauma by orthoplastic teams has shown good results over the past few decades. This study aimed to characterize surgical outcomes of leg and heel chronic osteomyelitis by an orthoplastic team. METHODS: The cases of 113 consecutive leg and heel chronic osteomyelitis patients undergoing soft-tissue reconstruction with an orthopedic procedure were reviewed in this retrospective single-center observational study. The main objective was to assess surgical outcomes of skin healing and gait recovery at the 1-year follow-up. The secondary objective was to evaluate the global success rate at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 19.7 months. A free flap was performed for 33 patients (29.2 percent) and a locoregional flap was used in 79 patients (69.9 percent). Seventy-two patients (63.7 percent) had chronic osteomyelitis on continuous bone. The others had a septic pseudarthrosis with a mean bone defect length of 42.9 mm. Forty-four patients (38.9 percent) underwent curettage only, eight (7.1 percent) underwent curettage and cement, 20 (17.7 percent) underwent curettage and bone fixation, and 39 (34.5 percent) underwent the Masquelet technique. At the 1-year follow-up, 72 patients (63.7 percent) had achieved skin healing and had recovered their gait. The success rate at all follow-up time points was 82.3 percent. The median time to achieve skin healing was 6.5 months and that to bone union in cases of septic pseudarthrosis was 7.9 months. CONCLUSION: Orthoplastic management of leg and heel chronic osteomyelitis patients with combined soft-tissue reconstruction using an orthopedic procedure was a viable strategy that offered good results even though the time to complete healing was long. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Atlas of the OMERACT Heel Enthesitis MRI Scoring System (HEMRIS).

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of enthesitis, a key feature in spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), using objective and sensitive methods is pivotal in clinical trials. MRI allows detection of both soft tissue and intra-osseous changes of enthesitis. This article presents an atlas for the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Heel Enthesitis Magnetic Resonance ImagingMRI Scoring System (HEMRIS). METHODS: Following a preliminary selection of potential examples of each grade, as per HEMRIS definitions, the images along with detailed definitions and reader rules were discussed at web-based, interactive meetings between the members of the OMERACT MRI in Arthritis Working Group. RESULTS: Reference images of each grade of the MRI features to be assessed using HEMRIS, along with reader rules and recommended MRI sequences are depicted. CONCLUSION: The presented reference images can be used to guide scoring Achilles tendon and plantar fascia (plantar aponeurosis) enthesitis according to the OMERACT HEMRIS in clinical trials and cohorts in which MRI enthesitis is used as an outcome.

[Advance of diagnosis and treatment of Haglund syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To review the current research on the diagnosis and treatment of Haglund syndrome. METHODS: The domestic and foreign literature about Haglund syndrome in recent years was extensively reviewed to summarize and analyze the etiology, anatomy, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of Haglund syndrome. RESULTS: The etiology of Haglund syndrome is not very clear, and it may be related to local friction and high gastrocnemius muscle tension, and there may be a certain genetic tendency. The local anatomy is more complex and there are many adjacent tissue structures. Haglund malformation may cause the impingement of the posterior heel bursa and Achilles tendon insertion, lead to wear of the posterior heel bursa and the Achilles tendon insertion, and finally result in pain. The FPA (Fowler-Philipp angle), CPA (calcaneal pith angle), PPL (parallel pitch lines), CLA (Chauveaux-Liet angle), and X/Y ratios (ratio of total calcaneal length to calcaneal tuberosity length) measured on X-ray film can be used for the diagnostic measurement of Haglund malformation. Treatment includes conservative and surgical treatment (open Haglund ostectomy, dorsal closed wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus, and arthroscopic Haglund osteotomy). CONCLUSION: Both open and arthroscopic Haglund ostectomy and dorsal closed wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus can achieve satisfactory results, but minimally invasive treatment is the current development trend. Surgeons should pay attention to the management of the calcification of Achilles tendon insertion and reconstruction of Achilles tendon insertion.

Factores asociados con dolor severo en pacientes con fascitis plantar: Un análisis de relaciones / Factors associated with severe pain in patients with plantar fasciitis: An association analysis

Objetivo: Describir los factores asociados con niveles de dolor mas severo en una cohorte de pacientes con fascitis plantar. El objetivo secundario fue analizar cuales de estos factores estaban asociados con niveles mas altos de mejoria clinica luego del tratamiento conservador. Materiales y Métodos: Se evaluo a una cohorte prospectiva de pacientes con diagnostico de fascitis plantar. Cada participante completo una escala ordinal visual de dolor (del 1 al 10) para dolor del primer paso y dolor al final del dia y encuestas FFI-R (Foot Function Index-Revised). Tambien se realizo una evaluacion demografica. La dorsiflexion de la articulacion del tobillo, el rango de movilidad de la primera articulacion metatarsofalangica, la rigidez del gastrocnemio y el angulo popliteo tambien se evaluaron de manera estandar. Resultados: Se incluyo a 214 pacientes. El 64% eran hombres (118 pacientes), la media de la edad era de 49.67 anos (DE 13.16) y el indice de masa corporal promedio, de 28,53 (DE 5,18). En el analisis multivariado, se observo que el riesgo de un puntaje ≥8 en la escala de dolor aumento cuando el paciente refirio estar de pie por mas de 6 h (OR 1,17; p = 0,03; IC95% 1,02-1,35). El riesgo de un puntaje >8 fue mayor cuando el grado de dorsiflexion del tobillo fue <0° (OR 1,20; p = 0,03; IC95% 1,02-1,41). Conclusión: Nuestros hallazgos apoyan indirectamente la hipotesis de que la dorsiflexion limitada del tobillo juega un papel como factor de riesgo asociado a un puntaje ≥8 en la escala de dolor, en los casos de fascitis plantar. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Objective: The main purpose of our study was to describe the factors associated with more severe pain levels in a cohort of patients with plantar fasciitis (PF). The secondary purpose of this study was to determine which of these factors were associated with higher levels of clinical improvement after conservative therapy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective study in a cohort of patients with PF. Each participant completed an ordinal pain scale (1-10) for first-step pain and end-of-day pain, and Foot Function Index-Revised (FFI-R) surveys at enrollment. Also, patient demographics were evaluated. The ankle joint dorsiflexion, the range of motion (ROM) for the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), the gastrocnemius tightness, and the popliteal angle were evaluated through standard tests. Results: Our study included 214 participants, of which 64% (118 patients) were males, the average age was 49.67 years (SD 13.16) and the average BMI was 28.53 (SD 5.18). The multivariate analysis showed that the risk of having a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score ≥8 increased when the patient reported standing for more than 6 hours (OR=1.17; P=0.03; CI95%: 1.02-1.359). The risk of a >8-VAS score was higher when the level of ankle dorsiflexion was <0 (OR=1.20; P=0.03; CI95%: 1.02-1.41). Conclusion: Our findings indirectly support the hypothesis that limited ankle dorsiflexion ROM plays a role as a risk factor associated with VAS scores ≥8 in PF patients. Level of Evidence: IV

Fascitis plantar: Estudio comparativo entre tres esquemas terapéuticos / Comparison of three treatment regimens for plantar fasciitis

Introducción: La fascitis plantar, descrita, por primera vez, por Plettner, es la causa más común de dolor en el talón. Su etiología continúa en estudio, participan factores anatómicos, como el acortamiento de la flexión plantar, y relacionados con el aumento de peso. Si bien no se ha publicado cuál es el mejor tratamiento para este cuadro, se recomienda el tratamiento conservador temprano. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar tres métodos de tratamiento de la fascitis plantar. Materiales y Métodos: Entre marzo de 2016 y marzo de 2017, se trató a 90 pacientes con fascitis plantar, quienes fueron divididos en tres grupos, según el tratamiento recibido: grupo A o de control, ejercicios de elongación de la fascia plantar; grupo B, infiltración corticoanestésica y ejercicios de elongación de la fascia plantar, y grupo C, infiltración con solución salina y ejercicios de elongación de la fascia plantar. Resultados: Se mencionan los resultados comparativos sobre la base de la edad, el lado afectado, las enfermedades previas, la forma del pie, las cirugías previas del pie, el dolor posinfiltración, la escala analógica visual: grupo A: 0,73; grupo B: 1,03, grupo C: 2,7 y el tiempo hasta el retorno a la actividad previa: grupo A: 19.1 días, grupo B: 12.63 días, grupo C: 15.12 días. Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio demuestra que los tres tratamientos para la fascitis plantar son eficaces. La recuperación fue más rápida en los pacientes tratados con infiltración corticoanestésica, con un bajo número de complicaciones, pero sin diferencias a largo plazo. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Objective: Plantar fasciitis, first described by Plettner, is the most common cause of heel pain. The pathophysiology of this condition is still being studied, but it involves both anatomical factors-such as shortening of plantar flexion-and factors related to weight gain. Although literature is not conclusive on the best treatment strategy, early conservative management is recommended. The objective of this study was to compare three treatment regimens for plantar fasciitis. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients with plantar fasciitis were treated between March 2016 and March 2017. They were divided into 3 groups based on the treatment received. Group A (the control group) was managed with plantar fasciitis stretches; Group B was managed with steroid injections and plantar fasciitis stretches; and Group C was managed with saline injections and plantar fasciitis stretches. Results: Results of the comparative study were as follows (reported based on age, affected side, underlying conditions, foot shape, previous foot surgeries, post-injection pain, and visual analog scale scoring): Group A - 0.73, Group B - 1.03, Group C - 2.7. Regarding the time elapsed until patients were able to resume previous activities, results were as follows: Group A - 19.1 days, Group B - 12.63 days, Group C - 15.12 days. Conclusions: Our study showed the effectiveness of the three treatment regimens used. A shorter time to recovery and a lower complication rate were observed in patients treated with steroid injections, but no long-term differences were detected. Level of Evidence: IV

Misdiagnosed Malignant Tumor on an Ischemic Limb.

INTRODUCTION: Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a rare variety of melanoma typically located on distal areas of the body. Due to its presentation, it can be confused with a vascular ulcer. CASE REPORT: The authors present the case of a 68-year-old man who smokes with a history of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, who was referred to the vascular clinic with complaints of intermittent claudication and a developing ulcer on his heel. After formulating an accurate wound care plan and performing revascularization surgery, the ulcer did not heal. At this point, the wound was biopsied and melanoma diagnosis was confirmed. After melanoma surgery, direct closure of the wound with a split-thickness skin graft was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its rare pathology, misdiagnosis of ALM may prolong initiation of appropriate treatment and reduce the overall survival rate. Biopsies should be performed on nonhealing ulcers despite appropriate wound management and/or revascularization procedures.

Identification of aggressive Gardner syndrome phenotype associated with a de novo APC variant, c.4666dup.

Gardner syndrome describes a variant phenotype of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), primarily characterized by extracolonic lesions including osteomas, dental abnormalities, epidermal cysts, and soft tissue tumors. We describe a 2-yr-old boy presenting with a 2-cm soft tissue mass of the forehead. Pathologic evaluation revealed a nuchal-type/Gardner-associated fibroma. Sequencing of the APC gene revealed a pathologic variant c.4666dupA. Parental sequencing of both blood and buccal tissue supported the de novo occurrence of this pathologic variant. Further imaging revealed a number of additional lesions including a large lumbar paraspinal desmoid, a 1-cm palpable lesion posterior to the left knee, firm lesions on bilateral heels, and multiple subdermal lesions. Colonoscopy was negative. This case illustrates a genetic variant of Gardner syndrome resulting in an aggressive early childhood phenotype and highlights the need for an individualized approach to treatment.

Precalcaneal congenital fibrolipomatous hamartoma: Rare or under-reported?

Precalcaneal congenital fibrolipomatous hamartoma (PCFH) is a benign under-reported condition of infancy characterized by the presence of soft nodules on precalcaneal plantar surface of the heel. These lesions are usually bilateral solitary and asymptomatic. We present a 2-month-old infant with solitary skin-colored nodules present on precalcaneal plantar aspect of bilateral heels.

The Vertical Contour Calcanectomy: An Alternative Surgical Technique to the Conventional Partial Calcanectomy.

Heel ulcers have a significant impact on lower extremity morbidity and confer a high risk for major amputations. Although there are many conservative treatment options, once calcaneal osteomyelitis occurs or a heel ulcer becomes chronic or recalcitrant, more invasive management is required. The partial calcanectomy is a surgical solution that can address both pathologies-the ulceration and the infected bone. The conventional partial calcanectomy, however, does not ensure complete soft tissue closure. Often, closure under tension is required for primary closure of the soft tissue deficit or the wound must be closed by secondary intention. This process occurs, in part, when the proportion of bone resected is insufficient in relation to the size of the wound. Closure under tension increases the possibility of dehiscence and subsequent postoperative surgical site complications that lead to the same risks for major amputation as the index heel ulcer. This article introduces and describes a novel modification to the conventional partial calcanectomy and addresses these aforementioned concerns. The vertical contour calcanectomy incorporates improvements to an already accepted limb salvage technique. The purpose of this article was to describe the indications, contraindications, intraoperative technique and postoperative management of the vertical contour calcanectomy for patients who present with heel ulcers in the limb salvage setting.

[Effectiveness of medial ankle branches propeller "Tennis racket-like" flap in repair of heel-ankle tissue defects].

Objective: To investigate effectiveness of the medial ankle branches propeller "Tennis racket-like" flap in repair of heel-ankle tissue defect. Methods: Between June 2011 and June 2016, 50 patients with heel-ankle tissue defects were treated. There were 40 males and 10 females, with a median age of 35.6 years (range, 6-58 years). The defects were caused by trauma in 44 cases, scar deformity after trauma in 2 cases, chronic ulcer in 2 cases, and squamous cell carcinoma in 2 cases. The defects located at heel in 20 cases, ankle in 15 cases, and heel-ankle in 15 cases. The size of heel-ankle tissue defect ranged from 3.5 cm×2.0 cm to 13.0×10.0 cm. The course of disease ranged from 3 hours to 2 months (mean, 28 days). All wounds were repaired by the medial ankle branches propeller "Tennis racket-like" flap in a size of 3.8 cm×2.2 cm-13.4 cm×10.3 cm. The donor site was directly sutured in 5 cases or repaired by skin grafting in 45 cases. Results: All flaps survived and wounds healed by first intention. Partial necrosis of skin grafting occurred in 1 case, and the wound recovered by change dressing. The other skin grafting survived and wounds healed by first intention. Forty-eight patients were followed up 12 months after operation. The appearance, sensory, and function of repaired heel-ankle flaps were satisfactory. Conclusion: For heel-ankle tissue defect repair, the medial ankle branches propeller "Tennis racket-like" flap has advantages of the high survival rate, reliable blood supply, and sensory recovery.