New method of local adjuvant therapy with bicarbonate Ringer’s solution for tumoral calcinosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Tumoral calcinosis is a condition characterized by deposits of calcium phosphate crystals in extra-articular soft tissues,occurring in hemodialysis patients.Calcium phosphate crystals are mainly composed of hydroxyapatite,which is highly infilt-rative to tissues,thus making complete resection difficult.An adjuvant method to remove or resolve the residual crystals during the operation is necessary.CASE SUMMARY A bicarbonate Ringer’s solution with bicarbonate ions(28 mEq/L)was used as the adjuvant.After resecting calcium phosphate deposits of tumoral calcinosis as much as possible,while filling with the solution,residual calcium phosphate deposits at the pseudocyst wall can be gently scraped by fingers or gauze in the operative field.A 49-year-old female undergoing hemodialysis for 15 years had swelling with calcium deposition for 2 years in the shoulders,bilateral hip joints,and the right foot.A shoulder lesion was resected,but the calcification remained and early re-deposition was observed.Considering the difficulty of a complete rection,we devised a bicarbonate dissolution method and excised the foot lesion.After resection of the calcified material,the residual calcified material was washed away with bicarbonate Ringer’s solution.CONCLUSION The bicarbonate dissolution method is a new,simple,and effective treatment for tumoral calcinosis in hemodialysis patients.

Non-ossifying fibromas: Case series, including in uncommon upper extremity sites

AIM To investigate non-ossifying fibromas(NOFs) common fibrous bone lesions in children that occur in bones of the lower extremities.METHODS We analyzed 44 cases of NOF including 47 lesions, which were referred with a working diagnosis of neoplastic lesions. Lesions were located in the upper extremities(1 proximal humerus, 1 distal radius) and the lower extremities(25 distal femurs, 12 proximal and 4 distal tibias, and 4 proximal fibulas).RESULTS Three cases had NOFs in multiple anatomical locations(femur and fibula in 1 case, femur and tibia in 2 cases). Overall, larger lesions > 4 cm and lesion expansion at the cortex were seen in 21% and 32% of cases, respectively. Multiple lesions with bilateral symmetry in the lower extremities suggest that these NOFs were developmental bone defects. Two patients suffered from fracture and were treated without surgery, one in the radius and one in the femur. Lesions in the upper extremities(i.e., humerus of a 4-year-old female and radius of a 9-year-old male) expanded at the cortex and lesion size increased with slow ossification.CONCLUSION NOFs in the lower extremity had fewer clinical problems, regardless of their size and expansiveness. In these two upper extremity cases, the NOFs had aggressive biological features. It seems that there is a site specific difference, especially between the upper extremity and the lower extremity. Furthermore, NOFs in the radius are predisposed to fracture because of the slender structure of the radius and the susceptibility to stress.

Malignant Triton Tumor in the Abdominal Wall: A Case Report

Malignant triton tumor (MTT) is a rare variant of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation. We report the case of a 54-year-old male without a history of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who had a growing abdominal wall tumor diagnosed as MTT. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 2-[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/CT (FDG-PET/CT) were performed. The MRI and FDG-PET/CT indicated that the lateral component of the tumor was composed of many proliferative cells, corresponding to the histopathological finding of a cellular proliferation of spindle-shaped cells. In light of this case and previous reports, it is apparent that FDG-PET/CT is a helpful tool for distinguishing MTT from benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

Transmedullary Decompression for Humeral Diaphysis Solitary Bone Cysts

Solitary bone cysts are benign, fluid-filled cavities that most often occur in childhood. Several minimally invasive decompression methods have been proposed;however, performing a surgical procedure through the thinned overlying cortex raises the risk of pathological fracture and neurovascular damage, especially in lesions located in the bone diaphysis. We describe a new technique that circumvents these problems: tunneling through the normal cortex and medullary space with a flexible reamer, placing a retrograde medullary nail for cyst decompression.

System describing surgical field extension associated with flap reconstruction after resection of a superficial malignant soft tissue tumor

BACKGROUND Flap reconstruction after resection of a superficial malignant soft tissue tumor extends the surgical field and is an indicator for potential recurrence sites.AIM To describe a grading system for surgical field extension of soft tissue sarcomas.METHODS Grading system:CD-grading is a description system consisting of C and D values in the surgical field extension,which are related to the compartmental position of the flap beyond the nearby large joint and deeper extension for the pedicle,respectively.C1/D1 are positive values and C0/D0 are negative.With a known location,1/0 values can be"p"(proximal),"d"(distal),and"b"(in the tumor bed),and the description method is as follows:flap type,CxDx[x=0,1,p,d or b].RESULTS Four representative patients with subcutaneous sarcomas who underwent reconstruction using fasciocutaneous flaps are presented.The cases involved a distal upper arm(elbow)synovial sarcoma reconstructed using a pedicled latissimus dorsi(pedicled flap:CpDp);a distal upper arm(elbow)pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma reconstructed using a transpositional flap from the forearm(transpositional flap:CdD0);an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in the buttocks reconstructed using a transpositional flap(transpositional flap:C0D0);and a myxofibrosarcoma in the buttocks reconstructed using a propeller flap from the thigh(pedicled flap:CdDd).CONCLUSION The reconstruction method is chosen by the surgeon based on size,location,and other tumor characteristics;however,the final surgical field cannot be determined based on preoperative images alone.CD-grading is a description system consisting of C and D values in the surgical field extension that are related to the compartmental position of the flap beyond the nearby large joint and deeper extension for the pedicle,respectively.The CD-grading system gives a new perspective to the flap reconstruction classification.The CD-grading system also provides important information for follow-up imaging of a possible recurrence.