1/33. Multiple constrictions of the radial nerve without external compression. We report a patient with multiple constrictions within the main trunk of the radial nerve that was found after epineurectomy and speculate that the etiology is an inflammatory response. (J hand Surg 2000; 25A:134-137. ( info) |
2/33. Compression neuropathy of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. case reports. We present two cases of hypoaesthesia over the dorsal radial aspect of the hand with an associated painful mass in the wrist. At operation a dorsal wrist ganglion was compressing the superficial branch of the radial nerve at the anatomical snuff-box. After removal of the ganglion the hypoaesthesia was relieved. ( info) |
3/33. Migrant sensory neuropathy: report of 5 cases and review of the literature. There are only a few case descriptions of migrant sensory neuropathy. We report the clinical, laboratory, and electrophysiological findings observed in 5 patients whose presentation conformed with Wartenberg's description of a chronic, disseminated migrant sensory mononeuritis. In one patient, intermittent cranial motor nerve involvement occurred as well. The sural nerve biopsy in this patient showed changes suggestive of focal ischemic nerve damage and electron microscopy confirmed a vasculopathy. ( info) |
4/33. Radial entrapment neuropathy due to chronic injection-induced triceps fibrosis. We report two patients who developed progressive, severe, painless radial neuropathies (bilateral in one, unilateral in the other) as a delayed complication of chronic intramuscular analgesic injection. In each instance, exploration of the radial nerve revealed multifocal entrapment within a densely fibrotic triceps muscle at sites between the spiral groove and distal course of the radial nerve near the elbow. Release of the nerve from constriction within the fibrotic triceps muscle produced improvement in all three affected nerves. ( info) |
5/33. Severe, traumatic soft-tissue loss in the antecubital fossa and proximal forearm associated with radial and/or median nerve palsy: nerve recovery after coverage with a pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap. A total of 6 patients with complex, traumatic wounds of the antecubital fossa and proximal forearm were included in this study. All patients presented with radial and/or median nerve palsies in addition to their soft-tissue defect. Except for 1 patient with a 15-cm defect of the radial nerve, all other traumatized nerves appeared in-continuity at the time of surgery. However, the nerve injury was severe enough to induce wallerian degeneration (i.e., axonotmesis in traumatized nerves in-continuity). Three patients required brachial artery reconstruction with a reverse saphenous vein graft. Wound coverage was accomplished using a pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap, which was covered with a split-thickness skin graft. Successful reconstruction was obtained in all patients. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 6 years. The range of motion at the elbow and forearm was considered excellent in 5 patients and good in the remaining patient who had an intra-articular fracture. Motor recovery of traumatized nerves in-continuity was observed in all but 1 patient who had persistent partial anterior interosseous nerve palsy. The grip strength of the injured hand measured 70% to 85% of the contralateral uninjured hand. median nerve sensory recovery was excellent in all patients. The versatility of the pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap for coverage of these complex wounds with traumatized neurovascular bundles around the elbow is discussed. ( info) |
6/33. Bilateral transient radial nerve palsies in an infant after cardiac surgery. PURPOSE: To describe the case of an infant who suffered bilateral transient radial nerve palsies after cardiac surgery. CLINICAL FEATURES: A one-month-old baby was found to have bilateral wrist and finger drop after the removal of splints that has been applied to the right hand for 14 days and to the right hand for six days during perioperative management of Blalock-Taussig shunt surgery. The hand splints had been applied to the forearms with adhesive silky tape to keep peripheral vascular lines in place. The patient also suffered from several episodes of cardiogenic shock, hypoxemia and generalized edema relating to cardiac dysfunction during this fine period. Given the findings of no impairment of median or ulnar nerves and brachioradial muscle, it was suspected that bandaging with adhesive tapes caused peripheral radial nerve damage at the level of posterior interosseus nerve on forearm. Diminished oxygen delivery and edema may additionally have contributed to peripheral nerve ischemia. The aforementioned neurologic symptoms resolved spontaneously after several days. CONCLUSION: Prolonged compression by bandaging of splints on forearm may have resulted in ischemic damage to the posterior interosseus nerve branch combined with extensor carpi radialis longus nerve branch of the radial nerve. We should attempt to reduce the frequency and duration of splinting of the extremities, especially in sedated, paralyzed babies, given the potential risk of compression neuropathy. ( info) |
7/33. Focal myopathy mimicking posterior interosseous nerve syndrome. A 25-year-old man developed weakness of extension of the right index, middle, and fourth fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints, over 2 years. No sensory deficit was present. Nerve conduction studies, including the right radial nerve, were within normal limits. Needle electromyographic (EMG) examination showed myopathic changes that were limited to the right extensor digitorum communis and extensor indicis proprius muscles. An intravenous edrophonium chloride test had no effect on weakness and repetitive stimulation showed no significant decremental response. An EMG-guided open biopsy of the extensor digitorum communis muscle revealed severe myopathic changes. Evaluation for the cause of myopathic involvement was negative. After 13 months, clinical examination and electrophysiological studies showed no significant progression. This case exemplifies the fact that a focal myopathy may mimic an entrapment neuropathy. ( info) |
8/33. Aggressive keloid scarring of the Caucasian wrist and palm. keloid scarring of the distal upper extremity is very rare. We report a Caucasian woman who presented with aggressive keloids of the hand and wrist causing De Quervain's syndrome, superficial radial-nerve entrapment and ulnar-nerve compression at the wrist. Multiple operations were required to alleviate her symptoms. A number of management conundrums arose, requiring defensive planning to pre-empt the possible complications of recurrent keloid scarring as a result of the surgical procedures. ( info) |
9/33. Splinting and radial nerve palsy: a single-subject experiment. This study examines which of three splint designs most effectively improved hand function in a patient with radial nerve palsy, and demonstrates the application of a single-subject experimental design. The static volar wrist cock-up splint (splint 1), dynamic tenodesis suspension splint (splint 2), and dorsal wrist cock-up with dynamic finger extension splint (splint 3) were evaluated. Each splint was worn for 3 weeks, and hand function was assessed by means of standardized measures of function and disability. Statistical significance was calculated using the minimal level of detectable change (MDC) at the 95% confidence level. Only with splints 2 and 3 did a true change in function occur, compared with baseline scores (no splint). In addition, the patient completed all tasks while using splints 2 and 3 but did not complete three tasks while using splint 1. The hand therapists' goal is to fabricate a splint that improves function and that the patient will wear. Only splint 3 met these criteria. This experiment highlights the need to evaluate both the statistical and the clinical significance of treatment interventions. ( info) |
10/33. Intrauterine stab leading to a radial nerve palsy. Penetrating injuries to the gravid uterus are rare. This report documents a fetus that sustained a complete radial nerve palsy (a hemopneumothorax) after a knife wound (complete nerve transection is suspected). Surgical exploration of the nerve was delayed because of respiratory distress. Six weeks later, when exploration was scheduled to be undertaken, some recovery was noted, and exploration was thus deferred. The injury recovered completely in the absence of formal repair. ( info) |