Plexiform neurofibroma (Hamartoma) of the median nerve: A two-case report.

Plexiform neurofibroma is a benign peripheral nerve-sheath tumor, rarely involving major nerves of the extremities. In the literature, there are no clear treatment strategies for plexiform neurofibroma of major peripheral nerves. Our experience encountered two patients with plexiform neurofibroma of the median nerve, presenting with a palmar mass and symptoms of carpal tunnel compression. Preoperatively, plexiform neurofibroma was diagnosed on MRI and clinical examination. Both patients also experienced significant neurological deterioration, with finger numbness and increased nerve/tumor size. Potential malignant transformation was also considered. For these reasons, resection of the involved area of the nerve and repair were indicated. In both patients, intraoperative pathological diagnosis was plexiform neurofibroma. The 45-year-old male patient refused further surgery after carpal tunnel release, which was performed under axillary block. One year postoperatively, nerve compression symptoms decreased moderately. In the other patient, a 7-year-old boy, a significantly enlarged area of the median nerve was resected, and neurorrhaphy was performed. One year postoperatively, median nerve motor-sensory functions recovered completely. Four years postoperatively, no enlargement of the residual tumor was observed.

Elevated HbA1c level associated with disease severity and surgical extension in diabetic foot patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is a complex syndrome that is associated with other diabetic complications, such as peripheral arte-rial disease and peripheral neuropathy. Optimization of plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is one of the main principles of standard care and treatment approaches in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, the relationship of HbA1c level at the time of diagnosis was evaluated with diabetic foot disease severity score and surgical extension in patients with Type 2 DM. METHODS: This study included 301 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with diabetic foot in the general surgery diabetic foot clinic and were hospitalized for surgery. The relationships between the HbA1c levels of the patients with the Wagner and PEDIS (Perfusion, Extent, Dept, Infection, Sensation) classification system grades, and the surgical procedures performed were analyzed and the treatment outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: It was determined that there was a 90% statistically significant relationship between HbA1c values of ≥10.1% and the de-velopment of Wagner Grade 4 diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) (P=0.037). A strong statistically significant relationship at the rate of 85% was determined between HbA1c values of ≥10.1% and the development of PEDIS Grade 3 ulcers. As the HbA1c values increased, so there was determined to be a statistically significant relationship with the development of PEDIS Grade 3 ulcer (P=0.003). In the comparison of the HbA1c values according to the type of surgery performed, a weak relationship was determined at the rate of 26%, and it was determined that as the HbA1c values increased, so there could be an increase in the amputation level. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that as HbA1c values at diagnosis increased in patients with diabetic foot; Wagner/PEDIS grades, disease severity, surgical extension, amputation level, and tissue loss increased. To reduce the severity of diabetic foot disease and prevent amputation, compliance with diabetic treatment and glycemic control should be increased.

Suprapatellar approach for fractures of the tibia: Does the fracture level matter?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate proximal, shaft, and distal tibial fractures treated with suprapatellar (SP) tibial intramedullary nailing (IMN) in terms of alignment, healing, and patellofemoral (PF) pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 58 patients (41 males, 17 females; mean age 42.9 years; range, 18 to 75 years) treated via the SP approach in semiextention. Suprapatellar IMN surgeries were performed by two surgeons. After a minimum of 12 months of follow-up, patients' genders, ages, limb sides, fracture types, and classifications were recorded. Fracture reduction accuracy, angulation, PF arthritis, healing time, complications, and nonunions were analyzed. Anterior knee pain, visual analog scale (VAS), and Lysholm knee scoring scale were used as clinical measurements. RESULTS: Seventeen fractures were in the proximal third, while 22 were in the middle third and 19 were in the distal third of the tibia. The mean healing time was 7.14 months (range, 4 to 13 months); differences in healing time between fracture locations were not statistically significant (p=0.83). The mean follow-up duration was 19.83 months (range, 12 to 30 months); there were no statistically significant differences in follow-up times in terms of fracture sites (p=0.51). The VAS score for the knee was 0 in 49 patients (84.5%) and <3 in nine patients (15.5%). The Lysholm score differences between the fracture location groups were not statistically significant (p=0.33). CONCLUSION: Suprapatellar tibial IMN can be applicable to extra-articular tibial fractures in all locations. Providing easy anatomic reduction in semiextention, convenient fluoroscopic imaging, safety for the PF joint, acceptable anterior knee pain, and satisfactory functional outcomes render SP approach more feasible.

The Second Look after Fights: Why Wounds Might Not Only Be Superficial.

Introduction. We present a case of intraosseous foreign body penetration due to knife attack and its emergency service management. Case. Seventeen-year-old patient was admitted to the emergency department with a knife cut over the right knee. In the local wound exploration during the extension position of the knee, deep tissue penetration was not observed. Therefore, the patient was discharged after a primary wound saturation without any radiographic evaluation. During the second admission, the detailed anamnesis revealed that the injury occurred while the knee was in the flexion and the radiographic examination displayed a broken knifepoint in the sagittal plane of the femur's medial patellar region penetrated in the intraosseous tissue. Conclusion. Intraosseous foreign body cases due to the knife attacks are quite rare. There is no algorithm, indicating the necessity of radiographic examination in the stab wounds. Local wound exploration of stab wounds should be done in accordance with the mechanism of injury.