Volar Wrist Research Articles

Syndactyly release with full-thickness skin graft harvested from the wrist: About 24 webspaces

The management of congenital syndactylies often requires the use of a full-thickness skin graft to reconstruct the affected web space. Traditionnally, full-thickness skin grafts are harvested from the groin region, but using the anterior aspect of the wrist may offers benefits in terms of scar quality while simplifying surgical time.This descriptive study evaluates scar quality (at donor and recipient site) associated with full-thickness skin graft harvested from the volar wrist in syndactyly release.We conducted a retrospective single-center study including patients who underwent syndactyly release with full-thickness skin graft harvested from the anterior wrist. Scar assessment was performed using the Observer Scar Assesment Scale, the Vancouver Scar Scale and the Withey Score.Overall, our results show high scores for scars at both donor and recipient sites.In conclusion, harvesting full-thickness skin graft from the volar wrist in syndactyly release is a simple and effective option for covering defects on the digits, while producing high-quality scars.

Can Offset Analgesia Magnitude Provide Additional Information About Endogenous Pain Modulation in People With Knee Osteoarthritis? An Experimental Study.

To investigate the relationship between offset analgesia magnitude and the responsiveness to conditioned pain modulation (CPM), temporal summation of (second) pain (TSP), and clinical pain severity in people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Electrical stimuli were applied to 88 participants with KOA to measure offset analgesia at the volar forearm of the dominant hand, and CPM and TSP at the most symptomatic knee and ipsilateral volar wrist. Clinical pain severity was assessed using the pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOSPAIN). Linear mixed effects models evaluated pain modulatory effects across all tests, and Spearman's partial correlations assessed associations between offset analgesia, CPM, TSP, and KOOSPAIN while accounting for covariates of interest. Participants unable to validly finish all psychophysical tests were excluded from effect and correlation analyses but were evaluated for predictors of non-valid completion using bivariate Stochastic Search Variable Selection. Significant pain modulation was observed across all psychophysical tests (P < 0.05) and no meaningful predictors of non-valid test completion were found. Offset analgesia magnitude did not significantly correlate with CPM, TSP, or KOOSPAIN (p ≥ 0.05), with a maximum partial correlation coefficient of ρ = 0.21. Offset analgesia was not associated with CPM, TSP, or KOOSPAIN in people with KOA. Despite the lack of case-control studies comparing offset analgesia between people with KOA and healthy controls, these findings suggest that offset analgesia may provide information about endogenous pain modulation beyond CPM and TSP, though its clinical translation remains uncertain.

Influences of Variability in Attenuation Compensation on the Estimation of Backscatter Coefficient of Median Nerves in Vivo.

Peripheral nerves remain a challenging target for medical imaging, given their size, anatomical complexity, and structural heterogeneity. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) applies a set of techniques to estimate tissue acoustic parameters independent of the imaging platform. Many useful medical and laboratory applications for QUS have been reported, but challenges remain for deployment in vivo, especially for heterogeneous tissues. Several phenomena introduce variability in attenuation estimates, which may influence the estimation of other QUS parameters. For example, estimating the backscatter coefficient (BSC) requires compensation for the attenuation of overlying tissues between the transducer and the underlying tissue of interest. The purpose of this study is to extend prior studies by investigating the efficacy of several analytical methods of estimating attenuation compensation on QUS outcomes in the human median nerve. Median nerves were imaged at the volar wrist in vivo and beam-formed radiofrequency (RF) data were acquired. Six analytical approaches for attenuation compensation were compared: 1-2) attenuation estimated by applying spectral difference method (SDM) and spectral log difference method (SLDM) independently to regions of interest (ROIs) overlying the nerve and to the nerve ROI itself; 3-4) attenuation estimation by applying SDM and SLDM to ROIs overlying the nerve, and transferring these properties to the nerve ROI; and 5-6) methods that apply previously published values of tissue attenuation to the measured thickness of each overlying tissue. Mean between-subject estimates of BSC-related outcomes as well as within-subject variability of these outcomes were compared among the 6 methods. Compensating for attenuation using SLDM and values from the literature reduced variability in BSC-based outcomes, compared to SDM. Variability in attenuation coefficients contributes substantially to variability in backscatter measurements. This work has implications for the application of QUS to in vivo diagnostic assessments in peripheral nerves and possibly other heterogeneous tissues.

Surgical Treatment of Synovial Cyst in Scapholunate Joint

Ganglion cysts are the most common soft-tissue mass in the hand and wrist, making up 50% to 70% of all masses. They are most common in individuals in their twenties and forties, with women being affected three times more than males. The primary symptoms reported by people with wrist ganglion cysts are pain, weakness, and a visually unappealing look. Approximately 10% of patients report a prior traumatic experience being linked to the emergence of a ganglion cyst. Surgical treatment is often performed on an outpatient basis, using general anesthesia or axillary block anesthesia. A pneumatic tourniquet ensures a field without blood. Using a magnifying loupe is recommended to avoid detecting the pedicle and its connection to the ligaments below. Dorsal ganglion cysts involve making a transverse incision immediately above the cyst, dislodging the primary cyst from surrounding tissues using tenotomy scissors. Angelides' approach involves making a curved cut through the capsule next to the cyst, allowing for the removal of capsular attachments and mucin ducts. To alleviate severe pain caused by dorsal ganglion cysts, it is recommended to surgically remove the posterior interosseous nerve above the extensor retinaculum. Volar wrist ganglion cysts involve making an incision along the radial side of the cyst, enabling both proximal and distal extension to reach distant capsular attachments. The ganglion is released from all adjacent connective tissue, and the radial artery is moved both towards the body and away from it. Precise control of bleeding is achieved using bipolar electrocautery, and the wound is thoroughly flushed with fluid. Skin margins are infused with a prolonged-acting local anesthetic, and the wound is sealed with intermittent 4-0 or 5-0 nylon sutures. Prompt mobilization is recommended, but a splint is not used until significant dissection has occurred. Article Details

A positioning approach to upper extremity sonographic evaluation and intervention.

Total supported abduction, or TSA, is a position for ultrasound evaluations and guided interventions of the upper extremity. It provides optimal access to the medial arm through the volar wrist and palmar hand for diagnostic evaluations of the median and ulnar nerves as well as procedures including injections for carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, and stenosing tenosynovitis. It enables ease of both ipsilateral and bilateral evaluations/interventions without the need for significant positional changes by the patient or physician. Incorporation of TSA may enhance clinical efficiency by reducing the amount of time, materials, and space required to provide such services.

Monitoring of some minor human skin lesions using a skin calorimeter

The growing interest of human skin thermal properties is motivating the development of new instruments, either by contact or by remote sensing. In this work, we show the ability of a skin calorimeter to monitor the temporal evolution of the heat capacity and the equivalent thermal resistance of the skin, in two small skin lesions. The first one consists of a forehead wound of 10 × 2 mm2. The other injury consists of a second degree burn on the volar wrist area, of 10 × 20 mm2. We studied the temporal evolution of the thermal properties of both injuries. The variation of heat capacity was significant. For first injury, heat capacity decreased by 21% and full recovery was achieved after ten days. For the second case, the heat capacity decrease was 55% and recovery was achieved after 3 weeks. These skin recoveries are monitored by the measured heat capacity value. The returning of the heat capacity to its normal value coincides with the recovery from the injury.

Comparing Peer-Taught Student Tutors to Faculty-Taught Student Tutors in Educating Medical Students on Musculoskeletal Ultrasound.

In recent years, medical education has witnessed a shift in the integration of ultrasound into the preclinical years of medical school. Given the exponential increase in accessibility to ultrasound technology, students now have the opportunity to create peer learning groups in which ultrasound concepts can be taught from peer to peer, empowering students to work together to integrate ultrasound concepts early in their preclinical education. This project investigates the efficacy of peer-taught student tutors (PTSTs) in imparting the fundamentals of basic ultrasound techniques to first-year medical students in the setting of identifying and labeling upper extremity musculoskeletal (MSK) anatomy. Methods: First-year medical students were instructed to identify volar forearm structures with an ultrasound probe. Students and instructors were given access to an ultrasound probe, ultrasound gel, an iPad, and a standardized patient. Students were taught either by an ultrasound instructor (UI) or PTST. After a hands-on demonstration by a UI or PTST, participating students were told to take screenshots and label their images as accurately as possible, identifying the aforementioned volar structures on a standardized patient without any feedback. The labeled screenshot images of volar structures were graded based on the ability to clearly visualize the intended structures. Results: The results of this study comparethe efficacy of PTSTs as educators of basic sonographic identification techniques with that of UI faculty members. A chi-square analysis was performed between the images obtained by the UI and PTST students, and there was no statistically significant difference in identification accuracy between the groups (p = 0.7538, 0.1977, 0.1812, 0.301). When using the Mann-Whitney U rank test, there remained no statistically significant difference between the accuracy of the students taught by STs compared to students taught by UIs (p = 0.7744, 0.09538, 0.07547, 0.1846). Another finding showed that students belonging to both teaching groups were generally not able to infer the pathology of volar wrist structures when given pathology identification questions regarding upper extremity ultrasound. Using chi-square with Yates correction, there is nosufficient evidence to justify an association between the ability to answer pathology-based ultrasound questions and instructor type (p = p = 0.6299, 0.8725). This study supports the interpretation that the capability of first-year medical students to learn novice MSKsonographic identification is independent of whether the educator is a PTST or UI. This interpretation reveals a promising avenue toward the integration of the fundamentals of ultrasound identification early in medical education with little to no concern for the exhaustion of institutional resources. Along with the other well-documented benefits of the utilization of STs in medical school, a peer tutoring system centered on ultrasound skills designed in the way this study describes can be an effective, resource-sparing system that enhances medical students' sonographic capabilities early in their preclinical years.

Microbial Safety Assessment of Gebauer’s Pain Ease® Spray on Invasive Procedural Sites

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Gebauer’s Pain Ease® (Gebauer Company, Cleveland, OH) topical refrigerant spray on the disinfection of skin sites, focusing on the volar wrist and lower back. The primary objective was to determine whether the application of Pain Ease would compromise the disinfection of these sites, potentially making it a suitable alternative to injectable lidocaine for invasive medical procedures. Methods: This prospective, blinded, controlled study was conducted at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. Healthy adult hospital employees were recruited, and written consent was obtained. Swabs were taken from the volar wrist and lower back sites before and after treatment with ChloraPrep™ (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ) and Pain Ease. Microbial cultures were performed, and microbial growth levels were assessed and categorized. Data analysis included comparisons of microbial growth between untreated samples, ChloraPrep-treated samples, and ChloraPrep + Pain Ease-treated samples. Results: Data were collected from 72 participants, with 6 samples per participant (2 locations, 3 treatments each). For wrist samples, there were no statistically significant differences in microbial growth between ChloraPrep and ChloraPrep + Pain Ease. Similarly, for lower-back samples, microbial growth did not significantly differ between these 2 treatment groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the application of Gebauer’s Pain Ease to ChloraPrep disinfected skin areas does not negatively affect the reduction of the bacterial load, supporting its potential as an alternative to injectable lidocaine and other superficial anesthetics for vascular access or invasive medical procedures. However, further research is warranted to explore the application of Pain Ease in various clinical scenarios and optimize patient comfort during longer and more invasive procedures.

Volar Wrist Arthroscopy Portals Using the NanoScope Are Safer than Traditional Arthroscopy.

The NanoScope, given its smaller size, may be further from critical structures when establishing volar wrist arthroscopy portals compared to the traditional 2.7-mm arthroscope. Ten fresh-frozen latex-injected cadaver specimens were utilized. The volar radial (VR) and volar ulnar (VU) portals were created using an inside-out approach. The volar radial midcarpal (VR-MC) and volar ulnar midcarpal (VU-MC) portals were created using an inside-out approach. The arm was then dissected under 3.5-mm loupe magnification. Digital calipers were used to measure the distance between the portals and the surrounding anatomic structures by two fellowship-trained hand surgeons. The median nerve was on average 1.6, 7.2, 1.8, and 5.6 mm away from the trochar for the VR, VU, VR-MC, and VU-MC, respectively. The median nerve fascia was pierced by the VR portal in one specimen. The radial artery, ulnar artery, and ulnar nerve were not pierced in any specimen. Compared to historical controls, for the VR-MC portal, the NanoScope was further from all critical structures, aside from the radial artery, and did not pierce any neurovascular structures. For the VU-MC portal, the NanoScope was further from the ulnar artery and median nerve and did not pierce any neurovascular structures. In developing volar portals, after placing the cannula through the volar capsule from an inside-out approach, we recommend making a volar incision and dissecting the local anatomic structures to guard against injury. Compared to historical controls, the NanoScope was typically further from neurovascular structures.

The Relationship Between the Wrist Flexion Creases and the Volar Radiocarpal Joint: A Cadaveric Study.

Surgical approaches to the volar radiocarpal joint have historically entailed wide exposure, possibly contributing to poor wound healing and wrist denervation. To avoid wound complications and wrist denervation, minimally invasive and percutaneous approaches to the volar radiocarpal joint have been proposed. To help guide these minimally invasive or percutaneous approaches to the joint, we sought to characterize the relationship between the volar wrist flexion creases and the volar radiocarpal joint. We propose that the wrist flexion creases will be a reliable method for localizing the joint. Ten cadaveric upper-extremity specimens consisting of fingertip to mid forearm were obtained. Measurements from the proximal and distal wrist flexion creases were taken via fluoroscopy and gross dissection. The wrist flexion creases were located distal to the volar radiocarpal joint in all specimens. The volar radiocarpal joint was located 7 and 16 mm proximal to the proximal and distal wrist flexion creases, respectively. The radiographic anatomy correlated well with the underlying deep anatomy. The wrist flexion creases can serve as a reliable superficial landmark for the identification of the volar radiocarpal joint. These landmarks aid clinicians in performing or interpreting a physical examination or in performing minimally invasive or percutaneous approaches to the volar radiocarpal joint.

Study of the position of six volar locking plates for distal radius fracture relative to the watershed line

IntroductionVolar plate malpositioning in the treatment of distal radial fracture can lead to tendinitis or even tendon tear, especially when the plate position is very distal. We studied the impact of design on plate position in the distal radius. The primary aim was to compare the position of six volar wrist plates relative to the watershed line using the Soong classification. The secondary objectives were to assess the epidemiology of volar locking plate fixation within the administrative Département of Finistère (northwestern France) and to study whether the type of fracture played a role in plate position. HypothesisThe plate design itself influences positioning relative to the watershed line on the Soong classification. Materials and methodsA total of 2723 volar locking plate fixation cases were analyzed and categorized according to the Soong classification. Plates used were divided into six groups based on design: Zimmer Biomet®, Newclip Technics®, Stryker®, Synthes®, Medartis® and Medartis® Footprint. The number of Soong 0 + 1 plates (i.e., plates graded 0 and 1 taken together) was determined for each design, then compared using the Marascuilo procedure with a significance level of α = 0.05. ResultsOn the Marascuilo procedure, we found significant differences in the number of Soong grade 0 + 1 plates. The Zimmer Biomet and Newclip Technics® plates were significantly more often proximal to the watershed line than the Synthes and Medartis Footprint plates. Plate position with the Medartis® design was significantly more proximal to the watershed line than for its companion design, the Medartis® Footprint plate. The rate of volar locking plate fixation of distal radial fractures over the past 10 years increased in Finistère. Also, the type of fracture affected the choice of plate when different designs were available within a hospital center (Medartis® Footprint plate used in 2R3A fractures). ConclusionOur study highlights a significant difference in volar locking plate position relative to the watershed line between the various models available. Plate design is a deciding factor when treating distal radial fracture, to avoid impingement when implant removal is not routinely planned. Level of evidence3.

Case Series of Non-Specific Volar Wrist Swellings in a Malaysian Urban Tertiary Centre

We collected a series of 5 patients with non-specific volar wrist swellings which were not ganglions. These swellings were of a mean 4x4cm in measurement with a vague history. The dilemma was to decide a correct diagnosis in clinic to ensure the relevant investigations were performed and to adequately inform patients who were worried and anxious about the swelling. Symptom presentations were pain (n=4), carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms (n=3) and one had triggering of the middle finger. The mean age was 54.8 years and mean duration to surgery was 15 months. All had the swelling on their dominant wrist and underwent surgical excision. Finally, two swellings were tuberculosis (TB), one was gout and two were tenosynovitis.

Percutaneous elastic-dynamic fixation for the treatment of volar displaced distal radius fractures. A solution for elderly patients?

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Aim&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;The Epibloc elastic-dynamic fixation has been applied for many years at several hand surgery centres in Italy. This technique has been considered safe and reliable in the treatment of distal meta-epiphyseal fractures of the radius with dorsal displacement. The aim of this study was to evaluate an alternative use of this method in the treatment of volar displaced wrist fractures in cases where an internal fixation could not be recommended.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Methods &amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;The procedure consisted of two flexible pins with a trocar tip and an external plate for locking fixation with compression.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;The surgical technique was derived from the original procedure, modifying the placement of the pins and performing small surgical accesses to preserve the neuro-vascular structures of the volar aspect of the wrist. To achieve and preserve the reduction of the volar fragment, a third pin was inserted into the fracture with a similar procedure to Kapandji&amp;#039;s reduction technique.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Results&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;At three-month follow-up, most patients did not experience any pain. In 14 cases, the strength grip was recovered between 75% and 90%, compared to the contralateral hand (Jamar test). In 15 patients, the wrist range of motion was restored with values greater than 100. In 17 cases, forearm pronation-supination was restored to more than 120&amp;amp;deg;.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Conclusion&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;In cases of non-comminuted, one or two fragments volar displaced wrist fractures, the elastic-dynamic fixation associated with an intrafocal pinning reduction may be proposed as an alternative to open reduction and internal fixation in elderly&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;patients.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

Arthroscopic Volar Capsuloligamentous Reattachment and Reinforcement to Bone.

Background: Injuries of the volar ligaments of the wrist are not uncommon, but their arthroscopic treatment presents a significant challenge. The objective of this paper is to introduce a technique for reattaching (in acute injuries) or reinforcing (in chronic injuries) various volar wrist ligaments to the bone, using standard wrist arthroscopic dorsal and volar portals. Methods: There are three common steps for all the arthroscopic volar capsuloligamentous reattachments or reinforcements Step 1 - Volar Portal Establishment: volar radial, volar ulnar and volar central portals are used depending on which structure needs to be reattached or reinforced. Step 2 - Anchor Placement: the anchor is positioned at the site where the ligament has been detached. Step 3 - Capsuloligamentous Suture and Knotting: a knot pusher is introduced inside the joint from the dorsal portal and advanced inside the volar portal where the threads of the anchor are located. The knot pusher is loaded with the threads and retrieved to the dorsal portal. A 16G Abbocath, loaded with a loop is used to pierce the volar ligaments. The loop of the Abbocath is captured from the dorsal portal and loaded with the threads. Both threads are taken to the volar portal and knotted after releasing the traction. This way the knot is placed out of the wrist and the ligaments are reattached or reinforced to the bone. Result: This technique has been used to reinforce and reattach the scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligaments and to reattach the radiocarpal ligaments and the Poirier space. Since this procedure has been performed in various conditions and in conjunction with other ligament treatments (such as perilunate injuries, carpal bone fractures, distal radius fractures, and reinforcement or reattachment of the dorsal portions of intrinsic ligaments), specific results are not presented. Conclusions: The described technique enables the reattachment and reinforcement of most volar ligaments to the bone using standard wrist arthroscopic portals. It can be performed in conjunction with the treatment of the dorsal portion of intrinsic ligaments or other wrist injuries.

Natural History of Pediatric Hand and Wrist Ganglion Cysts: Longitudinal Follow-Up of a Prospective, Dual-Center Cohort

This investigation describes the outcomes of pediatric ganglion cysts in a prospective cohort that elected not to undergo cyst aspiration or surgical treatment. Our primary aim was to investigate the rate of spontaneous resolution over time among the subset of patients who did not undergo specific treatments. Children (aged ≤18 years) who presented to the clinic with ganglion cysts of the hand or wrist were enrolled in a prospective two-center registry between 2017 and 2021. Enrolled subjects who never elected to undergo cyst aspiration or surgical treatment were analyzed. The data collected included age, sex, cyst location and laterality, hand dominance, Wong-Baker pain scale scores, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System upper-extremity scores. Follow-up surveys were completed for up to 5 years. A total of 157 cysts in 154 children, with an average age of 9.4 years and a female-to-male ratio of 1.4:1, were eligible. The most common ganglion location was dorsal wrist (67/157, 42.7%), followed by volar wrist (49/157, 31.2%), the flexor tendon sheath (29/157, 18.5%), and the extensor tendon synovial lining (8/157, 5.1%). The average follow-up duration was 2.5 years after initial presentation to the clinic, and 63.1% (99/157) of the patients responded to follow-up surveys. Among them, 62.6% (62/99) of cysts spontaneously resolved; the resolution rates ranged from 51.9% of volar wrist ganglions to 81% of flexor tendon sheath cysts, with an average time to resolution of 14.1 months after cyst presentation. Cysts were more likely to resolve in the hand than in the wrist (84.0% vs 55.4%, respectively). Cysts present for >12 months at initial evaluation were less likely to resolve spontaneously (41.2% vs 67.1%). Of children who elected not to undergo aspiration or surgical treatment, approximately two-thirds of families reported that their child's ganglion cyst resolved spontaneously. Cysts that resolve spontaneously usually do so within 2 years of presentation. Therapeutic IV.

Biopsies for Soft-Tissue Sarcoma of the Hand: Dangers, Hazards, and Outcomes.

Excisional biopsies for soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) of the hand are commonly done outside of sarcoma centers and can compromise incorporation of the biopsy site into standard limb salvage or amputation flaps. We sought to identify risk factors for these suboptimal biopsies. We analyzed prospective data on all patients (N = 109) who underwent definitive resection of primary STS of the hand between 1995 and 2019 at our institution. Biopsies were classified by type (excisional vs. incisional/needle), whether they were done before referral, and whether the incision could be incorporated into standard limb salvage or amputation flaps (ILS biopsies) or not (NILS biopsies). Analyses examined potential predictors of NILS biopsies and whether outcomes differed by biopsy type. Biopsies done before referral (N = 91) were more likely to be excisional (79% vs. 17%). Excisional biopsies were associated with smaller tumor size (median, 2.0 vs. 3.15 cm; P = 0.025) and longer time to first intervention (1.88 vs. 1.17 months; P = 0.001). Forty-eight percent of excisional and 29% of incisional biopsy sites required soft-tissue coverage at the time of definitive surgery ( P = 0.07). Biopsy type was not associated with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score or need for amputation. Risk factors for NILS biopsies included larger tumor size, deep tumor, and excisional biopsy. High-risk areas for NILS biopsies included the carpal tunnel, volar wrist, first webspace, radial palm, and proximal thumb. NILS biopsies were associated with positive margins, need for soft-tissue coverage, and lower Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores. This study informs referral guidelines for patients with STS of the hand. Patients with tumors that are deep, large, or in high-risk locations should be referred to a sarcoma center before biopsy. If that is not possible, incisional biopsy in line with standard resection incisions or radiology-guided core needle biopsy is preferable to excisional biopsy. Prognostic study. Level II.

Volar wrist ganglion associated with radial artery atherosclerosis: A case report.

There have been no reports of volar wrist ganglions being associated with atherosclerosis of the radial artery. Good results were obtained with radial artery reconstruction through ganglion excision and autogenous vein grafting. Hence, we report a previously unreported case, along with a review of the literature. A 58-year-old female presented with the chief complaint of a mass on the volo-radial side of her right wrist. The patient complained of a tingling sensation in the thumb, index, and extensor zones that worsened when pressing the mass. Sonography revealed a well-defined, anechoic cystic lesion adjacent to the radial artery. Exploration was performed using a zig-zag incision on the mass. The superficial radial nerve (SRN), which innervates the thumb, was distorted by the mass and the nerve dissected from the mass. However, the artery and ganglion cysts were not separated completely in a part where hardening of the artery wall progressed as a result of degenerative changes, showing multiple small, hard, and yellowish masses. We resected the radial artery (approximately 1.5 cm) along with the ganglion and sent it for histological examination. The radial artery was then reconstructed using an autogenous venous graft. At the 34-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic. Radial artery patency was normal without recurrence of the ganglion cyst. In patients with risk factors for radial artery atherosclerosis, a more careful diagnosis is required for the surgical treatment of the volar wrist ganglion. In addition, if the ganglion and radial artery are not completely dissected, excision of the radial artery and subsequent reconstruction of the radial artery using an autogenous vein may be a good surgical strategy.

The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Examination.

The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Examination.

The Hand Hug: A Novel Test for Linburg-Comstock Syndrome and Wide-awake Correction of the Anomaly.

In 1979, Linburg and Comstock1 described an inability to flex the interphalangeal joint of the thumb without simultaneously flexing the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger, caused by a congenital anomalous connection between the flexor pollicis longus tendon and the flexor digitorum profundus tendon to the index finger. The “hand hug test” is a novel clinical test for this condition. The palm of the affected hand of the patient is placed on the ipsilateral palm of the examiner’s hand with all the digits lined up in extension. The thumbs are abducted. The patient is asked to bend the thumb around the examiner’s hand while the examiner does the same action—as if the hands are “hugging.” Because the index finger of the patient and the small finger of the examiner are aligned and blocking each other in extension, the thumb of the patient with the Linburg-Comstock anomaly is not able to make a “hand hug.” We report the case of a 20-year-old, right-hand dominant carpentry student who had a complete inability to move his right thumb and right index finger independently. The patient did have the anomaly on the contralateral side, but it was far less pronounced. Specific activities affected by the anomaly were piano, typing, and rock climbing. The phenomenon had always been present but was progressively becoming more pronounced, with no clear history of an inciting traumatic event. We performed a point-of-care ultrasound examination and observed a pathologic band in both the coronal and sagittal view, which was 4 cm in length. We agree that magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan can be helpful to characterize the anatomy, but high-frequency ultrasonography is sufficient to localize the congenital band.2 We performed wide-awake surgery with subcutaneous local anesthesia infiltration of 10 mL lidocaine 1% with 10 mg/mL of epinephrine with 20 mL saline buffered with 2 mL 8.3% bicarbonate [wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique].3 The local anesthesia was allowed at least 45 minutes to take effect before the procedure. The patient was positioned supine with the affected limb on an arm board without a tourniquet. The surgical field was prepared and draped using field sterility. A linear incision was made along the radial aspect of the distal forearm over the flexor carpi radialis tendon, just proximal to the volar wrist crease. The anomalous connection was confirmed by the synkinesis of the tendons on both active and passive intraoperative testing. We observed the fibrous type anomalous connection, which is the most common type among the classification of Yurasakpong et al.4 We sharply divided the connection, which immediately corrected the anomaly. The thumb and index finger could now move independently, and the patient was able to make the “hand hug” with the surgeon [See Video (online), which displays the preoperative clinical and ultrasound examination, surgical procedure, and final result with the “hand hug test” for each step]. The patient was mobilized immediately, using principles of hand elevation, early cessation of postoperative analgesics, and “pain-guided healing.” Hand therapy was used to encourage independent tendon gliding. He made a complete recovery and was able to return to normal activities without restrictions. {"href":"Single Video Player","role":"media-player-id","content-type":"play-in-place","position":"float","orientation":"portrait","label":"Video 1.","caption":"This video displays the preoperative clinical and ultrasound examination, surgical procedure and final result with the « hand hug test” for each step.","object-id":[{"pub-id-type":"doi","id":""},{"pub-id-type":"other","content-type":"media-stream-id","id":"1_pcsm1wze"},{"pub-id-type":"other","content-type":"media-source","id":"Kaltura"}]} PATIENT CONSENT The patient provided written consent for the use of his image.

Ultrasound‐based measures in carpal tunnel syndrome: What to measure?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy and is caused by compression of the median nerve (MN) at the level of transverse carpal ligament of the volar wrist. Radiomics is an advanced semi-automated image analysis method that is utilized to identify characteristics in the MN that can detect CTS with considerable reproducibility.