Thyroid hemodynamic alterations in Egyptian patients with sickle cell disease: relation to disease severity, total body iron and thyroid function.

Background: Intraparenchymal thyroid Doppler measurements might be considered a useful index of the thyroid status as well as micro-circulation elsewhere in the body among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. The authors aim to evaluate the intra-thyroidal hemodynamic changes and thyroidal volume in SCD patients and its relation to the disease severity, and thyroid functions tests as well as iron overload state. Methods: Sixty SCD patients, randomly recruited from the regular attendants of the Pediatric Hematology Clinic, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, were studied focusing on the disease duration, the transfusion history, the recorded Hydroxyurea, and chelation therapies and the vaso-occlusive crises history. Thyroid Doppler ultrasonography [Thyroid volume, Resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI)] was performed and liver & cardiac MRI were assessed. Results: Thirteen (21.7%) of the SCD patients had hypothyroidism by thyroid function tests. SCD patients had significantly higher RI and PI values and a lower thyroid volume compared to the control group. No significant correlations were found between the thyroid functions tests and the thyroid Doppler parameters; a negative correlation of the disease duration to the thyroid volume and a positive one to RI & PI values were found. The mean serum ferritin did not significantly correlate to the thyroid Doppler indices nor did Liver and cardiac MRI results. Conclusion: The authors demonstrated an increased intra-thyroidal RI & PI and a decreased thyroid volume among SCD patients which might be related to impaired thyroidal microcirculation and vasculopathy rather than iron overload.

A Neglected Markedly Displaced Medial Epicondyle Fracture with Simultaneous Ulnar Nerve Palsy in an Adolescent.

Humeral medial epicondyle fractures constitute around 15% of pediatric elbow fractures. Up to 60% occur in association with elbow dislocations. Knowledge of potential imaging pitfalls when examining acute elbow fractures in children contributes significantly to accurate diagnosis. Nevertheless, management of missed pediatric medial epicondyle fractures has rarely been reported. We present an 11-year-old boy with a neglected and severely displaced medial epicondyle fracture with concurrent ulnar nerve palsy. We performed neural decompression, fragment excision, and muscular and capsuloligamentous reconstruction of the medial elbow. This study demonstrates that the surgical outcome of a late presenting fracture can be satisfactory in terms of function and neural recovery. It also underscores the importance of careful interpretation of elbow imaging including normal anatomic variants.

Anatomical bases of endoscopic tarsal tunnel release: anatomical and ultra-sonographic study with a preliminary clinical report.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to present the anatomical bases of a new technique for endoscopic tarsal release and to report the preliminary clinical outcome for this technique. METHOD: Anatomical study The technique was performed on 12 intact adult lower limb specimens. The location of portals was evaluated as well as the integrity of the neurovascular bundle. Ultra-sonographic study A prospective case control study was done on 10 patients (11 feet) and 14 normal volunteers (28 feet). Three parameters were measured; the thickness of flexor retinaculum, the nerve cross-section area and the depth of tarsal tunnel. Clinical study Seven patients with idiopathic proximal Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) were treated by endoscopic TTR using a modified trocar cannula and dilator system. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation was done by electrophysiological studies and ultra-sonography. Evaluation was done using Takakura's rating scale. RESULTS: Anatomical study The proximal and distal portals were located at 13 mm (±1.59 STD) and 17.91 mm (±1.44 STD) from the proximal and distal borders of FR, respectively. There was intact neurovascular bundle in all specimens. Ultra-sonographic study There was statistically significant difference in the mean nerve cross-sectional area and the thickness of the FR between the control group and the patients group (P < 0.05). Clinical study The mean TRS improved from 2.28 ± 1.11 STD preoperatively to 8.43 ± 0.97 at 2 years follow-up. The overall good to excellent results was 85.7%. CONCLUSION: Based on this preliminary clinical study, endoscopic tarsal tunnel release by the technique described could obtain excellent to good results in 85.7% of patients with idiopathic proximal tarsal tunnel. The anatomical study proved the safety of the technique on the neurovascular structures. Ultra-sonography was an effective tool for preoperative diagnosis and postoperative follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case series study, Level IV.