Healing hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers: the role of dehydrated amniotic allograft with cross-linked bovine-tendon collagen and glycosaminoglycan matrix.

The treatment of diabetic foot ulcers is complex and costly with an increased risk for infection, which may even lead to amputation. This prospective case series aims to assess the effectiveness of a dehydrated amniotic membrane allograft combined with a bilayer dermal matrix for healing complicated foot ulcers in patients with comorbidities. A total of six patients with complicated full-thickness ulcers and comorbidities, such as diabetes and peripheral vascular disease were treated with this technique. Each wound was measured intraoperatively just before graft application, at 14 days after application, and then at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Changes in wound volume and area were compared over time. One patient had complete wound closure by week eight, a second patient by week 12. The other four patients had wounds that decreased in size during the course of 12 weeks. The mean decrease in wound volume was 73.5% post-removal of the bilayer dermal matrix after two weeks of application. At week 12, the mean decrease in wound area and volume were 93.2% and 97.1%, respectively. This case series provides initial evidence that the combination of dehydrated amniotic membrane allograft with bilayer dermal matrix promotes complete wound closure in patients with comorbidities that may impede wound healing. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm these results.

Treatment of Giant Cell Tumor of Soft Tissue Disguised as Giant Cell Tumor of the Bone Involving the Distal and Proximal Phalanges of the Great Toe.

Giant cell tumors are benign tumors that are locally aggressive and rare in the foot. Giant cell tumors involving bone in the foot have an incidence of 1.2% to 2.8%, whereas giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath constitute 3% to 5% of all giant cell tumors in the foot and ankle. We present a case of giant cell tumor of the soft tissue disguised as a giant cell tumor of bone in a healthy 29-year-old male patient. Through radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation, it was determined that this patient had a bone tumor invading the distal and proximal phalanges of his left great toe with the involvement of soft tissue. With the use of the evidence-based medicine and patient expectation, the decision was made to amputate the digit. To much surprise, when the histopathologic results were reviewed, it was determined that the excised lesion was consistent with giant cell tumor of soft tissue that did not involve the bone.