A retroperitoneal tumor as a late complication of the use of bone wax.

Ordinary bone wax was used to stop bleeding from the iliac crest after procurement of autogenous bone graft harvesting. This gave rise to a large, symptomatic retroperitoneal tumor, which had to be removed operatively 19 years later. Microscopically, a bone wax granuloma was diagnosed. As far as the authors know this is the first case reported with such late and severe clinical complications after the use of bone wax.

Long-term results of radial shortening for Kienböck's disease.

The long-term evaluation (mean 4.5 years) of radial shortening in 17 patients with Kienböck's disease demonstrated an improvement in pain, but no patients are painfree, and mobility and force are restricted respectively to 69.5% and 72% of the contralateral side. Radiographically, further evolution of the lunatomalacia could not be prevented. The possibility of creating distal radioulnar joint dysfunction and/or ulnar impaction requires in our view a reconsideration of these leveling techniques in the treatment of Kienböck's disease.

Negative ulnar variance is not a risk factor for Kienböck's disease.

Ulnar variance was measured in standardized conditions in 125 normal wrists and in 52 patients with Kienböck's disease. No significant difference in ulnar variance between a sex/age-matched control group and a group of patients affected with Kienböck's disease was found. A positive correlation was found between age and ulnar variance. No significant difference was found between men and women. Based on these results, negative ulnar variance does not seem to be an important factor in the etiology of Kienböck's disease.

Spontaneous ruptures of the flexor carpi radialis tendon secondary to STT osteoarthritis.

Two cases of closed ruptures of the flexor carpi radialis which resulted from attrition of the tendon caused by bony spurs secondary to Scapho Trapezo Trapezoidal (STT) osteoarthritis are described. Treatment is conservative.