Location, Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Algorithm and Open vs. Arthroscopic Surgery of Knee Synovial Haemangioma: A Report of Four Cases and a Literature Review

Objective: The aim was to report 4 patients with intra-articular knee synovial haemangioma (KSH) and to perform a systematic review to describe the patient characteristics, patterns of tumor location, clinical presentation, usefulness of imaging examinations, pros and cons of arthroscopic vs. open resection, and follow-up in the literature.Design: From 1996 to 2016, four patients with KSH were retrospectively reviewed. A literature search was conducted in PubMed from 2000/01 to 2020/06 using the search terms “synovial haemangioma” and “knee.” Fifty full-text articles that included a total of 92 patients were included for further discussion.Results: Four adults (20–40 years) were diagnosed with KSH. Three lesions located in the suprapatellar pouch, two eroding the patella and one the supratrochlear bone, and one in the posterior compartment. Persistent anterior knee pain was the main complain. MRI revealed a benign tumor mass in all cases except one. Open excisional biopsy and regional synovectomy were performed in three patients, and by arthroscopy of the posterior compartment in the fourth. Histological type was arteriovenous in three cases and capillary in one. A pain-free knee without recurrence was achieve in all cases except one, which was successfully reoperated. Average follow-up time was 3.5 years. A literature review showed that KSH appears most frequently in children and teenagers (64.6%) and does not differ by gender. The suprapatellar and patella-femoral joint compartment was the most frequent location (47.9%). The bony tissue of the knee was rarely affected (13.5%). Pain, swelling and haemarthrosis were frequently reported (88.2, 66.7, and 47.1%). MRI was the most commonly used imaging test (98%). Treatment consisted of regional synovectomy by open surgery or arthroscopy in 66.7 and 15.6% of cases, respectively.Conclusions: KSH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with chronic low-intensity knee pain. MRI is the most useful exam because it establishes the location, extent and benign characteristics of the tumor. Definitive diagnosis requires histological examination. We believe excisional biopsy and regional synovectomy by arthroscopy should be the treatments of choice for intra-articular tumors, but we recommend open surgery when the lesion extends to the tendons, muscle or bone.

A Unilateral Variation in Triceps Brachii Muscle Demonstrating a Fourth Head

Introduction Triceps brachii muscle is the only muscle of posterior compartment of arm, consisting of three heads—long, lateral, and medial. Radial nerve and profunda brachii artery run in the radial groove that separate lateral and medial head. Evolutionarily, triceps has many subheads which either fused or disappeared. Therefore, the knowledge of muscle is essential anthropologically and clinically, and this study aims to study the anatomical variations of triceps brachii muscle. Case Report In the present case, during routine dissections of undergraduate MBBS students, a fourth head of origin of triceps brachii muscle was seen in a male cadaver in the right arm. The variation was seen only unilaterally in cadaver. The origin was tendinous arising from the posteromedial aspect of upper part of the shaft of the humerus close to the surgical neck above the radial groove. This tendon was arching over the neurovascular bundle containing radial nerve and profunda brachii artery. Discussion and Conclusion The variations of triceps brachii muscles are mentioned in literature but are uncommon and if tendinous fourth head is present over the neurovascular bundles, it may lead to compression syndrome. Hence, these variations are of great importance to the radiologists, surgeons, and orthopaedicians while dealing with posterior compartment of arm.

Relationship between the Branching Patterns of the Radial Nerve and Supinator Muscle

The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) innervates the posterior compartment muscle of the forearm and is a continuation of the deep branch of the radial nerve. The anatomic descriptions of PIN vary among different authors. This study investigated the distribution patterns of PIN and its relationships to the supinator muscle. This study investigated which nerves innervate the posterior compartment muscles of the forearm, the radial nerve, and the PIN, using 28 nonembalmed limbs. Also, the points where the muscle attaches to the bone were investigated. The measured variables in this study were measured from the most prominent point of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (LEH) to the most distal point of the radius styloid process. For each specimen, the distance between the above two points was assumed to be 100%. The measurement variables were the attachment area of the supinator and branching points from the radial nerve. The attachment points of the supinator to the radius and ulna were 47.9 % ± 3.6 % and 31.5 % ± 5.2 % , respectively, from the LEH. In 67.9% of the specimens, the brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) were innervated by the radial nerve before superficial nerve branching, and the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) innervated the deep branch of the radial nerve. In 21.4% of the limbs, the nerve innervating the ECRB branched at the same point as the superficial branch of the radial nerve, whereas it branched from the radial nerve in 7.1% of the limbs. In 3.6% of the limbs, the deep branch of the radial nerve branched to innervate the ECRL. PIN was identified as a large branch without divisions in 10.7% and as a deep branch innervating the extensor digitorum in 14.3% of the limbs. The anatomic findings of this study would aid in the diagnosis of PIN syndromes.

Importance of Translabial Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Its Correlation with the POP-Q Examination: Analysis of 363 Cases

The incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is increasing in our aging society. We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of translabial ultrasound (TLUS) by comparing the findings of POP-Q examination and TLUS in advanced POP patients and we also aimed to evaluate the prevalence of rectocele and enterocele on the TLUS. We analyzed the TLUS and POP-Q exam findings of 363 symptomatic POP patients who visited our clinic from March 2019 to April 2021. We excluded three patients who had conditions mimicking POP, as revealed by the TLUS. The most common POP type was anterior compartment POP (68.61%), followed by apical compartment (38.61%) and posterior compartment (16.11%) POP. Agreement between the POP-Q exam and TLUS was tested using Cohen’s kappa (κ). p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The incidence of rectocele or enterocele was only 1.67% (6/360) and there was no rectocele or enterocele in most patients (246/252, 96.63%) when the POP-Q exam revealed posterior compartment POP, suggesting that they only had posterior vaginal wall relaxation. The positive predictive value of the POP-Q exam for detecting rectocele or enterocele (as revealed by TLUS) was only 2.38%, whereas the negative predictive value was 100%. In conclusion, the application of TLUS is useful in the diagnosis of POP, especially for differentiation of true POP from conditions mimicking POP. The correlation between the POP-Q exam and TLUS is low, especially in posterior compartment POP, and therefore, patients with POP-Q exam findings suggesting posterior compartment POP should undergo TLUS to check for rectocele or enterocele. The use of TLUS in the diagnosis of POP patients can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of POP patients in conjunction with a POP-Q exam.

Ultrasound-guided diagnostic IPACK as a valuable tool in the management of a patient with soleal sling syndrome: a doubly rare case report

This article describes the use of an infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee joint (IPACK) to diagnose an entrapment neuropathy of the tibial nerve (TN) in a patient presenting with chronic neuropathic pain in the medial posterior compartment of the left knee, with a previous electromyography showing no evidence of tibial or common peroneal nerve neuropathy. After a positive sciatic nerve block, the patient was evaluated for a TN block, cancelled due to the presence of an abnormal leash of vessels wrapping around the nerve. For this reason, the patient was submitted to a diagnostic IPACK. A negative IPACK suggested that a compression of the TN at the popliteal fossa was the most likely source of the symptoms. After surgical decompression of the TN nerve at the popliteal fossa, the patient’s symptoms decreased substantially.

Pelvic organ prolapse surgery and overactive bladder symptoms—a population-based cohort (FINPOP)

Introduction and hypothesis It is unclear how compartment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) impacts overactive bladder (OAB) symptom severity or improvement after POP surgery. We hypothesized that anterior and apical prolapse are more strongly associated with OAB symptoms than posterior compartment prolapse. Methods A total of 2933 POP surgeries from a prospective population-based cohort were divided into two groups: (1) anterior and/or apical compartment surgery (± posterior repair), N = 2091; (2) posterior repair only, N = 478. Urinary frequency and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) were evaluated using PFDI-20 (bothersome symptom: score 3–4) at baseline, 6, and 24 months. Association between degree of POP in specific compartments and symptoms at baseline was estimated with generalized linear models and between compartment of surgery and symptom improvement with generalized estimating equations. Results At least one bothersome symptom was reported by 40% at baseline, 14% at 6, and 19% at 24 months. At baseline, urinary frequency was associated with degree of anterior and apical and UUI with anterior compartment prolapse. Women undergoing surgery for anterior/apical compartment started with worse symptoms and experienced greater improvement than women undergoing posterior compartment surgery. Bothersome frequency resolved in 82% after anterior/apical and in 63% after posterior compartment surgery. Bothersome UUI resolved in 75% after anterior/apical and in 61% after posterior compartment surgery. After surgery, symptom severity was comparable between groups. Bothersome de novo symptoms occurred in 1–3%. Conclusions OAB symptoms are more strongly related to anterior and apical than to posterior compartment prolapse, but improvement is seen after surgery for any vaginal compartment.

Anal canal to pubis angle: a novel clinical ultrasound technique for the assessment of the anorectal region

Introduction and hypothesis Posterior compartment prolapse is associated with severe morbidity including faecal incontinence and defaecation dysfunction. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a novel ultrasound marker (anal canal to pubis angle) for the assessment of the anal axis in the context of posterior compartment prolapse in women and in controls (healthy, nulliparous, non-pregnant volunteers). Methods Anal canal to pubis (AC/Pubis) angle is measured with 2D transperineal ultrasound in precisely the midsagittal plane. The image was inverted and zoomed out and the angle opened to 107° (maximum). The image includes the pubis, urethra and anal canal. The angle measurement starts from the anal canal, pivots on the anorectal junction and ends at the shadow of the pubis. Inter- and intra-observer agreement in AC/Pubis angle measurement was assessed and the angles measured in the two groups compared. Results Forty women with posterior prolapse and 17 controls were included. Close agreement was observed in inter- and intra-observer AC/Pubis angle measurements assessed with Bland-Altman analysis. AC/Pubis angle is significantly wider in prolapse patients compared to controls (t-test, p < 0.001), with mean AC/Pubis angle in prolapse patients 122.9° (SD 15.6°) and controls 98.2° (SD 15.9°). Conclusion The AC/Pubis angle is a novel validated 2D ultrasound technique for the assessment of the anorectal axis that potentially can be performed using equipment that is widely available in routine clinical practice. The AC/Pubis angle is significantly wider in prolapse patients compared to controls.

Independent of physical activity, volumetric muscle loss injury in a murine model impairs whole-body metabolism

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries result in a non-recoverable loss of muscle tissue and function due to trauma or surgery. Reductions in physical activity increase the risk of metabolic comorbidities over time, and it is likely that VML may reduce whole-body activity. However, these aspects remain uncharacterized following injury. Our goal was to characterize the impact of VML on whole-body physical activity and metabolism, and to further investigate possible muscle-specific metabolic changes. Adult male C57Bl/6J (n = 28) mice underwent a standardized VML injury to the posterior compartment of the hind limb, or served as injury naïve controls. Mice underwent longitudinal evaluation of whole-body physical activity and metabolism in specialized cages up to three times over the course of 8 weeks. At terminal time points of 4- and 8-weeks post-VML in vivo muscle function of the posterior compartment was evaluated. Additionally, the gastrocnemius muscle was collected to understand histological and biochemical changes in the muscle remaining after VML. The VML injury did not alter the physical activity of mice. However, there was a noted reduction in whole-body metabolism and diurnal fluctuations between lipid and carbohydrate oxidation were also reduced, largely driven by lower carbohydrate utilization during active hours. Following VML, muscle-specific changes indicate a decreased proportion of fast (i.e., type IIb and IIx) and a greater proportion of slow (i.e., type I and IIa) fibers. However, there were minimal changes in the capillarity and metabolic biochemical activity properties of the gastrocnemius muscle, suggesting a miss-match in capacity to support the physiologic needs of the fibers. These novel findings indicate that following VML, independent of changes in physical activity, there is whole-body diurnal metabolic inflexibility. Supporting future investigations into the chronic and overlooked co-morbidities of VML injury.

Modified laparoscopic lateral suspension with a five-arm mesh in pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Background Laparoscopic lateral suspension (LLS) is a laparoscopic technique used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in apical and anterior compartment defect with the use of a synthetic T-shaped mesh graft. The posterior compartment is repaired using a second mesh or a procedure along with LLS, such as posterior colporrhaphy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of LLS for POP using a five-arm mesh instead of a T-shaped mesh graft to repair the defect of the posterior compartment in addition to the apical and anterior compartments. Methods Data from 37 patients with a diagnosis of advanced-stage (≥ 3) POP undergoing LLS with the use of a five-arm mesh were retrospectively analysed. Pre-operative and post-operative examinations and, surgical outcomes were determined. The results of measurements and examinations, reoperation rates, erosion rates, lower urinary tract symptoms, and complications were analysed. The Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL) was also used. Results The median post-operative follow-up was 20 (13–34) months. There was a significant improvement in POP-Q scores in all treated compartments, with overall objective cure rates of 94.5% for the apical compartment, 86.4% for the anterior compartment, and 91.8% for the posterior compartment. The median operative time was 96 (76–112) minutes. The median length of hospitalization was 2 (1–3) days. A significant improvement in vaginal bulge, urinary urgency, incomplete voiding, urinary frequency, and constipation was observed after surgery. The sexuality among patients increased from 13 (35.1%) preoperatively to 22 (59.4%) post-operatively. De novo stress urinary incontinence developed in 7 (18.9%) patients. The P-QOL scores improved significantly after surgery. Conclusions In advanced-stage POP patients, the posterior compartment damage can also be repaired in LLS with the use of a single five-arm mesh without the need for an additional procedure, and the recurrence rate can be reduced.