RESUMEN
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents the most common pediatric cancer accounting for about one-third of all malignancies in childhood. The differential diagnosis for a pediatric patient manifesting with joint pain and refusal to bear weight is wide and includes trauma, transient synovitis, septic arthritis, rheumatologic disorders, and malignancy. Overt complaints from the musculoskeletal system as the initial manifestation of ALL may present in up to 30% of cases with normal laboratory tests and without hepatosplenomegaly or lymphadenopathy, perplexing the establishment of a definite diagnosis. Herein, we report the case of a three-year-old male who presented with recurrent hip pain and fever masquerading as septic arthritis recalcitrant to intravenous (IV) antibiotics, irrigation, and debridement of the hip joint with a final diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia confirmed by bone marrow biopsy.
RESUMEN
Posterior tibialis tendon (PTT) dislocation is an extremely rare yet significant finding in cases with recalcitrant pain over the medial malleolus, usually as a consequence of trauma. The diagnosis is frequently delayed, as the patient's initial clinical presentation generally resembles benign musculoskeletal pathology of the ankle joint. Herein, we report the case of a female patient diagnosed with PTT dislocation after four weeks of conservative management for an ankle sprain. Surgical intervention, including retromalleolar groove-deepening and repair of flexor retinaculum with intraosseous suture anchors, proved to be successful after a mean follow-up of 12 months. A thorough literature review was conducted regarding the aforementioned injury, concluding that PTT dislocation-in spite of its rarity-should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with importunate pain on medial malleolus after an ankle injury.
RESUMEN
Background Spondylodiscitis is a potentially life-threatening infection that imposes a significant financial burden on healthcare systems. Current reports suggest an increase in the incidence of spondylodiscitis, which could be attributed to the aging population and the growing rates of drug abuse. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis. Materials and methods Thirty-two cases diagnosed with spondylodiscitis and treated operatively between 2010 and 2015 were enrolled in this study. Indications for surgery were progressive neurologic involvement, progressive spinal deformity or instability, impending fracture, epidural abscess, and poor response to antibiotics. Patients underwent a single-stage procedure. A combined anterior and posterior approach was used in 28 of the patients. In 20 patients, a titanium mesh cage was used for reconstruction. The mean follow-up was 5.6 years. Results There were 18 males and 14 females. The mean age of the patients was 68.4 years (range 56-78). The cervical spine was affected in two cases (6.3%), the thoracic spine in 12 cases (37.5%), and the lumbar spine in 18 cases (56.3%). The most commonly isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. There was neither mortality nor severe complications. Fusion was achieved in all the patients. There was complete resolution of the neurologic deficits that were recorded preoperatively. No signs of recurrent or residual infection were recorded until the last follow-up. Conclusions Our data suggest that early detection and surgical intervention of spondylodiskitis is associated with favorable outcomes.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Pulseless hand after a supracondylar humeral fracture (SHF) in children is well known in the bibliography. Although things are clearer in the management of a "pale pulseless hand," controversy still exists about the "pink pulseless hand" (PPH). METHODS: We reviewed the literature from the electronic database PubMed for studies with main object the vascular injuries after SHF in children and especially the pulseless hand. The primary search terms were "supracondylar humeral fracture" and "vascular injuries". In our final study, 16 articles were gathered and analyzed. RESULTS: We collected 608 pulseless SHFs, regardless of the vascular status, 203 PPHs, and 109 pale pulseless hands. We compared two different strategy methods when the hand remained pulseless after the reduction and fixation of the fracture: (1) the close observation strategy and (2) the surgical exploration of the artery. The close observation strategy was the treatment of choice in PPH, whereas the surgical exploration of the brachial artery was mostly performed in pale pulseless hands. CONCLUSIONS: Closed reduction and fixation of the fracture should be the priority in all pulseless SHFs, both pink and pale. In poorly perfused pale hands, after the reduction and fixation of the fracture, there is a chance that radial pulse may return (we found that this chance is approximately 30%). If not, immediate surgical exploration of the artery is strongly indicated. In well-perfused pink hands, the traditional dogma of "watchful waiting" should not be revisited as long as no signs of deterioration of the vascular status appear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I-Systematic review of level I studies.
