1/10. Recurrent intraneural ganglion cyst of the tibial nerve. Case report. Different theories have evolved to explain the pathogenesis and the cell of origin of intraneural ganglion cysts. Reportedly only three cases of intraneural ganglion of the tibial nerve have been located within the popliteal fossa, and all of these were thought to arise within the nerve. The authors report a case of a recurrent tibial intraneural ganglion in which a connection to the proximal tibiofibular joint was demonstrated on magnetic resonance (MR) images and at surgery. Surgical ligation of the articular branch and evacuation of the cyst led to symptomatic relief, and an MR image obtained 1 year after surgery documented no recurrence. This case reinforces the fact that surgeons need to consider and search for an articular connection in all cases of intraneural ganglia, especially in those that have recurred. ( info) |
2/10. Posterior tibial neuropathy by a Baker's cyst: case report. Baker's cysts are rare cause of peripheral nerve entrapment and only a few cases of tibial nerve entrapment resulting from the popliteal cyst in the calf muscle have been reported in the literature. We present a case of rheumatoid arthritis complicated by a Baker's cyst with a tibial nerve entrapment. It is important to diagnose a Baker's cyst early and to differentiate it from thrombophlebitis, a popliteal aneurysm, tumor or muscle tear to effect optimal therapy and to obviate a potential neuropathy. Prompt recognition of these cases may save the patients unnecessary procedures and delay in treatment. ( info) |
3/10. Reconstruction of a painful post-traumatic medial plantar neuroma with a bioabsorbable nerve conduit: a case report. Although nerve injuries to feet may be common, primary repair of a damaged nerve in the foot is rare. Secondary digital nerve reconstruction in the foot has not been previously reported. This report describes a patient with post-traumatic neuroma of medial plantar nerve who was treated by neuroma resection; the nerve defect was reconstructed with bioabsorbable nerve conduit. This case illustrates successful, secondary reconstruction of nerve injury in the foot using a new surgical technique. A bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid nerve conduit eliminated the need for a short nerve graft and was effective in relieving the neuroma pain by providing an appropriate distal site for neural regeneration. ( info) |
4/10. Two cases of tibial nerve compression caused by uncommon popliteal cysts. We report 2 cases of a popliteal mass of very unusual origin that induced compression neuropathy. The signs and symptoms could have been mistaken for those of a common Baker's cyst. Several recent studies have shown that the cause of Baker's cyst formation should be sought within the joint because of a communication between the gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa and the joint cavity. These 2 cysts had no communication with the articular joint, thus suggesting that the surgeon perform an open exploration of the popliteal fossa in the search for other cystic formations with origins and features different from Baker's cysts. ( info) |
5/10. Differential diagnosis and treatment of subcalcaneal heel pain: a case report. OBJECTIVE: To describe the examination and intervention strategy utilized in the differential diagnosis and treatment of a patient with subcalcaneal heel pain. BACKGROUND: The patient was a 44-year-old man with an 8-month history of left subcalcaneal heel pain. He presented with a chief complaint of limited standing and walking tolerance secondary to pain in the left heel. He had not responded to previous treatments of rest, anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections, and exercise prescription. MATERIALS AND methods: The patient's subcalcaneal heel pain was reproduced utilizing the straight leg raise (SLR) in combination with ankle dorsiflexion and eversion to sensitize the tibial nerve. These findings suggested a neurogenic component to the dysfunction. Because restricted ankle dorsiflexion, excessive pronation, and posterior tibialis weakness were also found, mechanical dysfunctions also likely contributed to the etiology of heel pain. The patient was treated for 10 visits over a period of 1 month. Treatment consisted of active and passive motions aimed at restoring pain-free soft-tissue motion along the course of the tibial nerve. In addition, low-dye taping and therapeutic exercises were utilized to control excessive pronation and reduce stress on the plantar structures of the foot. RESULTS: The patient's SLR increased from 42 degrees to 54 degrees and became pain-free. Dorsiflexion range of motion increased from 3 degrees to 8 degrees in the left ankle, and left posterior tibialis strength was normalized. Over a period of 1 month the patient's symptoms were resolved, and his standing and walking tolerance was fully restored. CONCLUSION: Assessment and potential contribution of neural dysfunction should be considered in patients with subcalcaneal heel pain. ( info) |
6/10. Heterotopic ossification of peripheral nerve ("neuritis ossificans"): report of two cases. OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Heterotopic ossification ("neuritis ossificans") is among the least frequently encountered reactive lesions in peripheral nerves. Only two cases have been described previously, one in the median nerve of a 34-year-old man, and the other in the ulnar nerve of an adult woman. The architecture of this lesion is distinctly zonal. Consisting of a central fibroblastic core, an intervening zone of osteoid production, and a peripheral layer of ossification, the pattern is remarkably similar to that of myositis ossificans. This similarity and the occurrence of the process in superficial nerves have led to speculation that trauma plays a role in its pathogenesis; this hypothesis remains unproved. We describe two additional cases of neuritis ossificans. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: One patient, a 41-year-old man, experienced pain and numbness in the left leg for several months but had no history of local trauma. A mass was detected in the saphenous nerve. The second patient, a 16-year-old boy, noted subacute onset of pain in the popliteal fossa and decreased sensation in the distribution of the lateral sural cutaneous nerve. A mass was found within the tibial nerve at the knee level. INTERVENTION: In each patient, resection of the mass required sacrifice of a segment of the nerve. CONCLUSION: In each patient, the mass was composed of fibrovascular tissue with osteoid and bone deposition arranged in a zonal pattern. The ossifying process was intraneural but encased rather than directly involving nerve fascicles. These exceptionally intact examples of neuritis ossificans underscore its resemblance to myositis ossificans. Nerve-sparing resection of such masses is not always possible. ( info) |
7/10. Bed footboard peroneal and tibial neuropathy. A further unusual type of Saturday night palsy. An uncommon cause of bilateral tibial and peroneal compression neuropathy is reported. After taking alcohol and drugs, a young heroin-addicted man lay unconscious overnight in supine position, with both legs crossing the wooden board at the end of the bed, the posterior aspect of the flexed knees pressing against its edge. The following day, he had weakness of foot flexion and extension and a sensory loss consistent with a bilateral tibial and peroneal neuropathy. Symptoms resolved rapidly in the left side; in the right side, a conduction block was still demonstrable 3 weeks later. ( info) |
8/10. An abnormal mRNA produced by a novel PMP22 splice site mutation associated with HNPP. Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant, demyelinating neuropathy. Point mutations in the PMP22 gene are a rare cause of HNPP. A novel PMP22 splice site mutation (c.179 1 G-->C) is reported in an HNPP family. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments, this mutation was shown to cause the synthesis of an abnormal mRNA in which a premature stop codon probably produces a truncated non-functional protein. ( info) |
9/10. Lateral plantar nerve injury following steroid injection for plantar fasciitis. A 41 year old man presented with pain and numbness affecting the lateral aspect of his foot after a steroid injection for plantar fasciitis. Examination confirmed numbness and motor impairment of the lateral plantar nerve. The findings were confirmed by electromyographic studies. The anatomy of the lateral plantar nerve and correct technique for injection to treat plantar fasciitis are discussed. ( info) |
10/10. Intraneural ganglion cyst of the tibial nerve. Intraneural ganglion cyst of the tibial nerve is very rare. To date, only 5 cases of this entity in the popliteal fossa have been reported. We report a new case and review the previously reported cases. A 40-year-old man experienced a mild vague pain in the medial half of his right foot for 3 years. magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated a soft-tissue mass along the right tibial nerve. At surgery, an intraneural ganglion cyst was evacuated. After 12 months, the patient was pain-free with no signs of recurrence. Trauma might be a contributing factor to the development of intraneural ganglion cysts. Application of microsurgical techniques is encouraged. ( info) |