Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by an Occult Schwannoma of the Posterior Tibial Nerve: Avoidance of Delay in Diagnosis.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS), resulting from compression of the posterior tibial nerve (PTN) within the tarsal tunnel, is a relatively uncommon entrapment neuropathy. Many cases of tarsal tunnel syndrome are idiopathic; however, some causes, including space-occupying lesions, may lead to occurrence of TTS symptoms. Schwannoma, the most common tumor of the sheath of peripheral nerves, is among these space-occupying lesions, and may cause TTS when it arises within the tarsal tunnel, and it may mimic TTS even when it is located outside the tarsal tunnel and cause a significant delay in diagnosis. The possibility of an occult space-occupying lesion compressing the PTN should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of TTS, and imaging studies that are usually not used in entrapment neuropathies may be of importance in such patients. This case report presents a 65-year-old woman with TTS symptoms and neurophysiologic findings secondary to an occult schwannoma of the PTN proximal to the tarsal tunnel. Avoidance of delay in diagnosis in secondary cases is emphasized.

A Simple Method for Fixation of Proximal Opening-Wedge Osteotomy of the First Metatarsal for Correction of Hallux Valgus.

A simple, inexpensive technique for fixation of proximal opening-wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal for correction of moderate or severe hallux valgus (HV) is described. After the opening-wedge osteotomy and bone grafting of the first metatarsal have been performed, 2 Kirschner wires are introduced for internal fixation and removed 8 weeks postoperatively. Twenty-three patients with symptomatic HV who had a proximal medial opening-wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal in combination with a distal soft tissue procedure and bunionectomy were evaluated retrospectively. All osteotomies healed without complications and satisfaction was achieved in 22 patients. Hallux varus developed in 1 patient. Preoperatively, mean HV angle (HVA) was 41° (range, 35°-61°) and mean 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) was 19° (range, 16°-24°). Postoperatively, mean HVA was 14° (range, 10°-17°) and mean 1-2 IMA was 7° (range, 5°-9°). The mean decrease in the HVA was 27° (P<.001) and the mean decrease in the 1-2 IMA was 12° (P<.001). [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(6):e1213-e1217.].

Anconeus Epitrochlearis Muscle Causing Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow: Clinical and Neurophysiological Differential Diagnosis.

Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is the second most frequent entrapment neuropathy and is considered idiopathic in most patients. However, several anatomic variations, including the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle, have been reported to cause ulnar nerve compression. The anconeus epitrochlearis muscle is a common anatomic variation, with a prevalence of up to 34%, but the clinical diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy of the elbow as a result of this variation is rare, with an unknown prevalence. It is a congenital accessory muscle between the medial humeral epicondyle and the olecranon that covers the posterior aspect of the cubital tunnel and is usually an operative finding, not a preoperative diagnosis. Ulnar neuropathy as a result of the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle usually has different characteristics than idiopathic disease, including younger age at onset, more rapid progression with a short duration of symptoms, distinct neurophysiology with velocity drop or conduction block of the ulnar nerve, and edema of the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle on magnetic resonance imaging. Neurophysiologic findings in anconeus epitrochlearis-associated ulnar neuropathy indicate subacute onset of symptoms rather than the chronic demyelinating process that is seen in idiopathic ulnar neuropathy. Medial elbow pain may be more exacerbated in these patients rather than the more common sensorial symptoms. This is probably the result of static compression of the nerve and increased cubital tunnel pressure, even when the elbow is in extension. This article describes a case of ulnar nerve entrapment of the elbow in a 28-year-old woman as a result of compression by the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle and includes magnetic resonance imaging findings, surgical correlations, and clinical and neurophysiologic findings. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(5):e988-e991.].

Neurolysis for failed tarsal tunnel surgery.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the causes of failure after tarsal tunnel release and the operative findings in the secondary interventions and the outcomes. The data from 8 patients who had undergone revision surgery for failed tarsal tunnel release at least 12 months earlier were evaluated retrospectively. Only the patients with idiopathic tarsal tunnel syndrome were included, and all had unilateral symptoms. Neurophysiologic tests confirmed the clinical diagnosis of failed tarsal tunnel release in all patients. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed varicose veins within the tarsal tunnel in 1 patient (12.5%) and tenosynovitis in another (12.5%). Open tarsal tunnel release was performed in all patients, and the tibialis posterior nerve, medial and lateral plantar nerves (including the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve), and medial calcaneal nerve were released in their respective tunnels, and the septum between the tunnels was resected. The outcomes were assessed according to subjective patient satisfaction as excellent, good, fair, or poor. During revision surgery, insufficient release of the tarsal tunnel, especially distally, was observed in all the patients, and fibrosis of the tibialis posterior nerve was present in 1 (12.5%). The outcomes according to subjective patient satisfaction were excellent in 5 (62.5%), good in 2 (25%), and fair in 1 (12.5%). The fair outcome was obtained in the patient with fibrosis of the nerve. Insufficient release of the tarsal tunnel was the main cause of failed tarsal tunnel release. Releasing the 4 distinct tunnels and permitting immediate mobilization provided satisfactory results in patients with failed tarsal tunnel release.

Retrosternal displacement of the clavicle after medial physeal fracture in an adolescent: MRI.

Retrosternal displacement of the medial clavicular metaphysis after a medial physeal fracture is a rare and potentially fatal injury because of possible damage of neurovascular structures, trachea and oesophagus. As the medial clavicular epiphysis does not ossify until 18-20 years of age and the medial clavicular physis is the last to close, around 22-25 years of age, this injury is difficult to demonstrate with plain radiographs in younger patients and is often mistaken for a sternoclavicular joint dislocation. We report on a 16-year-old boy with a fracture of the medial clavicular physis with retrosternal displacement of the metaphysis that was diagnosed with MRI, and discuss the diagnostic tools and treatment options in this rare injury.

[Treatment of acetabular dysplasia by triple pelvic osteotomy and its short-term results]. / Asetabuler displazinin üçlü pelvik osteotomi ile tedavisi ve erken dönem sonuçlari.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of triple pelvic osteotomy on acetabular coverage and its clinical implications by clinical and radiographic parameters in patients with acetabular dysplasia. METHODS: Triple pelvic osteotomy was performed in 21 hips of 19 patients (13 females, 6 males; mean age during operation 16.3 years; range 8 to 32 years). Acetabular dysplasia was bilateral in two, and unilateral in 17 patients. Etiology was developmental dysplasia of the hip in 12 patients, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in five patients, and diplegic and quadriplegic cerebral palsy in two patients, respectively. The patients were clinically evaluated by the modified Merle d'Aubigne-Postel system, and radiographic assessments were made using nine parameters. The mean follow-up period was 27.7 months (range 14 to 60 months). RESULTS: According to the modified Merle d'Aubigne-Postel system, preoperative and postoperative clinical scores were 13.14 and 15.29, respectively (p<0.001). The Trendelenburg test was positive in all (94.7%) but one patient preoperatively. At final follow-up, it was positive in six hips (28.6%), delayed positive in 12 hips (57.1%), and negative in three hips (14.3%). Of radiographical parameters, the mean corrections obtained in the center-edge angle, femoral head coverage, acetabular angle, and acetabular index angle were 21.6 degrees (p<0.05), 18% (p<0.05), 14.5 degrees (p<0.05), and 16.4 degrees (p<0.05), respectively, with an increase in lateralization (1.7 mm; p<0.05) and a decrease in cranialization (3.8 mm; p>0.05). The ratio of acetabular depth to width remained unchanged (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Triple pelvic osteotomy is successful in correcting biomechanics of the hip joint in most of the patients with acetabular dysplasia.