Foramen magnum decompression and arthrodesis in a septic, neuropathic elbow: A case report
Journal Title: Journal of Medical and Scientific Research - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Neuropathic arthropathy is a chronic progressive degenerative joint disorder associated with abnormal sensory innervation of a joint. This article presents a patient of a forty seven year old man who came with a swollen, painful, deformed elbow with discharging wound associated with fever. He had multiple consultations elsewhere for the same. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of elbow and open biopsy was done. He was advised above elbow amputation with a diagnosis of infected, ulcerated, giant cell tumour of tendon sheath. He refused amputation and presented to us with a request for limb salvage. Neurological examination revealed sensory and motor deficiencies in the left upper limb. His total leucocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were elevated. Culture of pus has shown growth of methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus. Resorption of the articulating surfaces with elbow dislocation and flecks of calcification in the diffuse soft tissue mass around the elbow were noted in the elbow radiograph. MRI of cervical spine revealed Chiari type I malformation with syringomyelia. Critical review and Second opinion of biopsy was suggestive of neuropathic arthropathy. Debridement and elbow arthrodesis was done under antibiotic cover. Foramen magnum decompression was done subsequently. Following the neuronal decompression neurological symptoms improved and bridging bony callus was noted across the elbow. To the best of our knowledge a rare presentation of septic, neuropathic elbow with Chiari malformation and syringomyelia treated successfully with elbow arthrodesis and foramen magnum decompression is not yet reported in the literature.
Authors and Affiliations
Maheshwar L, Sriramachandra D, Kiran KK, Vamshi KC
Waist line skin cancer: A case report
Squamous cell carcinoma of skin is second most common non melanoma malignancy next to Basal cell carcinoma. The occurrence of diseases is noticed in various part of the body but waist line skin is not a common site for i...
A comparative study of AFB smear and GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay in pulmonary and extrapulmonary specimens and detection of rifampicin resistance in a tertiary care hospital
Tuberculosis is a major public health problem worldwide including India causing increased morbidity and mortality. There is a need for rapid identification for early diagnosis and treatment. In this study, GeneXpert MTB/...
Omental torsion with multiple congenital anomalies
Aim: We report two rare cases with complete omental torsion with right sided inguinal hernia, maldescended testis and Meckel’s diverticulum along with review of literature. Patients: Two patients presenting with acute a...
Kocuria varians – An emerging cause of ocular infections
Purpose: We report a rare case of recurrent conjunctivitis caused by gram positive aerobic microorganism Kocuria varians, which is a nonpathogenic commensal of skin, mucosa and oropharynx. Methods: A 58-year-old male wi...
Recent advances of nanoparticles in cancer therapy and diagnosis
Recent advances in nanotechnology may offer new hope for significant improvement in the success of cancer treatment, especially in preventing tumor growth and progression. Having grown exponentially, the focus of nanotec...