The 'turkey wattle' sign revisited: diagnosing parotid vascular malformations in the adult.

The turkey wattle sign describes enlargement of a facial mass on dependency of the head and when the sign is present it is pathognomonic of a vascular malformation or haemangioma. We present a case of vascular malformation of the parotid gland in which this sign was demonstrated. The clinical and radiological features of this rare parotid mass are discussed with reference to the literature.

Skin injuries afflicting three oil workers following contact with calcium bromide and/or calcium chloride.

Calcium bromide brine is a highly concentrated aqueous solution of calcium bromide and calcium chloride. It is used extensively in the oil industry. This solution and its components are recognized as causes of skin injury and information is available from the manufacturers on their safe use and handling. Two patients who were injured following unprotected skin exposure to this solution and one patient who was injured following exposure to calcium chloride powder are reported. All sustained skin injuries characterised by an absence of pain and a delayed clinical appearance of the full extent of the injury. Furthermore healing was complicated by graft loss or was slow. Although organic bromine compounds are recognized as a cause of skin injuries, no previous reports of such injuries to humans secondary to calcium chloride or bromide exposure were found in the medical literature. Our experience with these patients is described.

Sensory innervation of the little finger by an anomalous branch of the median nerve associated with recurrent, atypical carpal tunnel syndrome.

Superficial sensory communication between the ulnar and median nerves is well recognized. In the vast majority of cases this communication is from the ulnar nerve to the median nerve. We report a case in which a communicating branch passed from the median nerve to the ulnar nerve immediately proximal to the wrist to supply sensation to the little finger. The presence of this branch correlated with the presence of symptoms which had persisted in spite of conventional open carpal release 7 years earlier. Surgical decompression of this branch led to complete resolution of those symptoms.

Harvest of palmaris longus tendon: technique.

We present a modification of Bunnell's technique for harvest of the palmaris longus tendon. Using a 0.5 cm distal incision and a proximal stab incision the tendon is harvested with minimal scarring and, in our experience of over 30 cases, no morbidity.