Neglected Scaphocapitate Syndrome

Background Scaphocapitate syndrome is a rare injury where the proximal pole of the capitate rotates 90 to 180 degrees. The proximal pole of the capitate, thought to receive its vascular supply retrograde, is rendered avascular in such cases. However, recent evidence of low rates of avascular necrosis in displaced capitate fractures, and new vascular studies of the capitate, challenge this paradigm. Case Description We report a case of a missed and neglected scaphocapitate syndrome with more than 30 years follow-up. While the patient experienced midcarpal arthritis, the injury had not resulted in capitate proximal pole avascular necrosis as per T1 magnetic resonance imaging studies. Literature Review Missed and chronic cases of scaphocapitate syndrome were reported previously. Successful outcomes were achieved with anatomical reduction in cases without midcarpal arthritis. Salvage procedures or arthroplasty procedures are recommended with the presence of midcarpal arthritis. However, there are no reports of a neglected case with more than 30 years follow-up with preserved vascularity of the proximal pole of the capitate. Clinical Relevance This case illustrates that vascularity of the proximal pole of the capitate can be preserved even in longstanding displaced fractures.

CT Scan in Subaxial Cervical Facet Injury: Is It Enough for Decision-Making

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Objectives: Assessment of subaxial cervical facet injuries using the AO Spine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System is based on CT scan findings. However, additional radiological evaluations are not directly considered. The aim of this study is to determine situations in which spine surgeons request additional radiological exams after a facet fracture. Methods: A survey was sent to AO Spine members from Latin America. The evaluation considered demographic variables, routine use of the Classification, as well as the timepoint at which surgeons requested a cervical MRI, a vascular study, and/ or dynamic radiographs before treatment of facet fractures. Results: There was 229 participants, mean age 42.9 ± 10.2 years; 93.4% were men. Orthopedic surgeons 57.6% with 10.7 ± 8.7 years of experience in spine surgery. A total of 86% used the Classification in daily practice. An additional study (MRI/vascular study/and dynamic radiographs) was requested in 53.3%/9.6%/43.7% in F1 facet injuries; 76.0%/20.1%/50.2% in F2; 89.1%/65.1%/28.4% in F3; and 94.8%/66.4%/16.6% in F4. An additional study was frequently required: F1 72.5%, F2 86.9%, F3 94.7%, and F4 96.1%. Conclusions: Spine surgeons generally requested additional radiological evaluations in facet injuries, and MRI was the most common. Dynamic radiographs had a higher prevalence for F1/F2 fractures; vascular studies were more common for F3/F4 especially among surgeons with fewer years of experience. Private hospitals had a lower spine trauma cases/year and requested more MRI and more dynamic radiographs in F1/F2. Neurosurgeons had more vascular studies and dynamic radiographs than orthopedic surgeons in all facet fractures.

Melatonin for the Management of Preeclampsia: A Review

Preeclampsia is a disease specific to pregnancy characterised by new-onset hypertension with maternal organ dysfunction and/or fetal growth restriction. It remains a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. For sixty years, antihypertensives have been the mainstay of treating preeclampsia and only recently have insights into the pathogenesis of the disease opened new avenues for novel therapies. Melatonin is one such option, an endogenous and safe antioxidant, that may improve the maternal condition in preeclampsia while protecting the fetus from a hostile intrauterine environment. Here we review the evidence for melatonin as a possible adjuvant therapy for preeclampsia, including in vitro evidence supporting a role for melatonin in protecting the human placenta, preclinical models, vascular studies, and clinical studies in hypertension and pregnancy.

Microfluidic technologies for vasculature biomimicry

An overview of microfluidic technologies for vascular studies and fabrication of vascular structures.

The Ability of Fluorescence Angiography to Detect Local Ischemia in Patients With Heel Ulceration

Heel ulcerations are a significant burden of care in both hospital and long-term care settings. The presence of peripheral arterial disease as a contributing factor to delayed healing is often not recognized, resulting in prolonged healing and high patient morbidity and mortality. Formal vascular evaluation and intervention is often not performed as these patients can have palpable pedal pulses while having localized ischemia of the heel. As routine noninvasive vascular studies can be affected by medial calcinosis and collateralization and do not specifically assess tissue perfusion to the heel, a false sense of security of adequate perfusion for healing can result. Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICGFA) allows for real-time visualization and objective assessment of site specific tissue perfusion not limited by the factors that can make routine noninvasive vascular studies unreliable or unobtainable. A retrospective medical record review of a subset of patients with chronic heel ulceration from a prospective institutional review board–approved study in which serial ICGFA was performed during their treatment course was performed. ICGFA was able to identify local heel ischemia and expedite vascular intervention. ICGFA should be considered as an additional vascular study in patients presenting with chronic, nonhealing heel ulcerations. Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Diagnostic, Case series

COLGAJO DE HEMISÓLEO A PEDÍCULO DISTAL: CORRELACIÓN ENTRE ESTUDIOS VASCULARES CADAVÉRICOS E “IN VIVO” DISTALLY BASED HEMISOLEOUS FLAP: CORRELATION BETWEEN CADAVERIC AND “IN VIVO” VASCULAR STUDIES

Introducción: El éxito de éste colgajo depende de la anatomía vascular de su pedículo y de la existencia de anastomosis con pedículos proximales. Los estudios vasculares anatómicos en cadáveres fundan las bases para la realización de colgajos musculares. El cirujano debe conocer cuales de los resultados de un estudio cadavérico son aplicables al paciente. Objetivos: Estudiar en cadáveres el número de pedículos distales, su topografía y la existencia de anastomosis con vasos proximales. Luego comparar estos datos con los hallados en pacientes. Material y Métodos: En 9 piernas cadavéricas se estudió la anatomía de los pedículos distales. En 5 pacientes se realizó colgajo de hemisóleo a pedículo distal y se verificó la correspondencia de los datos cadavéricos con los hallados en el vivo. Resultados: En el grupo cadavérico los pedículos distales para el músculo sóleo se originaron tanto de la arteria tibial posterior como de la peronea. El vaso mas distal se encontró en promedio a 6,32 cm de la línea intermaleolar y su origen mas frecuente fue la arteria tibial posterior. La presencia de anastomosis no fue demostrable en las disecciones cadavéricas pero si en el vivo. Conclusiones: Los resultados cadavéricos fueron comparables con los hallazgos del modelo vivo, salvo en la identificación de anastomosis, sólo evidenciables en éstos últimos. Esta información es útil para el abordaje y localización del pedículo distal que nutre el colgajo, pero no para definir el territorio anatómico del vaso. Por lo tanto, debe conocerse que datos originados de estudios cadavéricos pueden aplicarse al vivo. Introduction: The success of this flap depends on the vascular anatomy of its pedicle and on the existence of anastomosis with proximal pedicles. The anatomic cadaveric vascular studies set the foundation for muscle flap designs. Surgeons should know which results of cadaveric studies are applicable to the patient. Our objective was to study, in cadavers, the number and situation of distal pedicles to the soleous muscle and the existence of anastomosis between them and proximal dominant vessels for this muscle, and to compare this data with those found in patients. Material and Methods: The anatomy of distal pedicles was studied in nine cadaveric legs. Distally based hemisoleus flap was performed in five patients. The correspondence between cadaveric and patients data was verified. Results: Cadaveric group distal pedicles for soleus muscle were originated from the posterior tibial artery and also from the fibular artery. The most distal vessel was found at an average of 6.32 cm from the intermaleolar line. Its most frequent origin was the posterior tibial artery. The presence of anastomosis was demonstrated in patients but not in cadaveric dissections. Conclusions: Cadaveric results were comparable with those found in patients, except for the identification of the anastomosis. This information is useful for the localization and surgical approach of the distal pedicle that nourish the flap, but not to define the anatomical territory of the vessel. Therefore, it should be known which cadaveric data can be applied to the patients.