Bowler's Thumb: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic neuropathy of the ulnar digital nerve of the thumb occurs in patients who undergo chronic frictional irritation of the nerve. The condition is aptly termed bowler's thumb, as it commonly afflicts patients who bowl and keep their thumb in the ball for an extended period of time. It is a pathology that rarely appears in the literature and for which standard treatment is unclear. METHODS: A 68-year-old man with a history of avid bowling presented with a chief complaint of left thumb numbness and tingling for several months. Physical examination demonstrated a small tender mass along the ulnar surface of the left thumb with a positive Tinel's sign and diminished 2-point discrimination distal to the mass. The patient's symptoms did not improve with conservative measures. Here, we describe his surgical treatment and review the current literature. RESULTS: Our patient underwent neurolysis of the ulnar digital nerve of the thumb, with placement of a porcine extracellular matrix nerve wrap. The patient reported improvement of symptoms within 2 weeks and was able to return to his previous level of activity. In the literature, treatment has included from conservative measures such as pressure relief and splinting to surgical intervention including neurolysis, transposition, or neurectomy with nerve grafting. CONCLUSIONS: We present neurolysis for treating bowler's thumb as a viable option that may relieve symptoms rapidly while obviating need for adductor transection. Porcine extracellular matrix nerve wrap can be placed in an attempt to prevent recurrence of neuroma, but long-term follow-up is necessary.

Perils of diagnosis and detection of subungual squamous cell carcinoma.

Subungual squamous cell carcinoma often presents with atypical clinical manifestations, which can lead to delays in diagnosis. The presence of a tumor can be masked by the presence of infections or other misleading pathological conditions. The authors report on techniques for adequate biopsy and excision of such tumors. A case of subungual squamous cell carcinoma with invasion into the underlying bone is presented. Clinical histopathological evidence is reviewed along with human papillomavirus typing. Accurate diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and appropriate tissue sampling.

Mycobacterium marinum Hand Infection in a "Sushi Chef".

OBJECTIVE: We present the case of a sushi chef with pain and swelling of his index finger and wrist for a year, unresponsive to antibiotics. METHODS: Biopsy showed a xanthogranulomatous reaction and positive culture results for Mycobacterium marinum. RESULTS: He was treated with minocycline, clarithromycin, and ethambutol. In addition, he underwent radical synovectomy of the lesion. CONCLUSION: The combined medical and surgical approach resulted in a positive outcome.

Nodular fasciitis of the hand over the metacarpophalangeal joint: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes a case of nodular fasciitis involving the hand and reviews the neoplasm's pertinent clinical, histologic, and pathologic features. METHODS: The patient's chart, operative record, histologic specimens, and relevant literature were reviewed. RESULTS: We report a case of nodular fasciitis involving the hand of a 55-year-old woman that was treated with marginal excision. CONCLUSIONS: Nodular fasciitis is a self-limited, benign soft tissue tumor composed of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts that typically afflicts younger patients and rarely presents in the hand. Because of its presentation, it can be easily mistaken for a malignant neoplasm. However, most cases represent a reactive and therefore a polyclonal process. Marginal excision generally provides definitive treatment.