Atypical presentation of shoulder brucellosis misdiagnosed as subacromial bursitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Brucella infections in the shoulder joint are uncommon,and few have been reported in the literature.CASE SUMMARY A 26-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with complaint of recurrent pain and limited movement of the right shoulder.The patient reported the pain to have first occurred as an isolated event 6 mo previously and to have reoccurred 5 mo later,when it was accompanied by limited movement of the shoulder.Findings from physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging(referred to as MRI)suggested the diagnosis of subacromial bursitis,and diagnostic paracentesis and arthroscopic debridement were performed.Surprisingly,synovial fluid culture detected brucella,and the finding was confirmed by mass spectrometry of a colony sample.The diagnosis was corrected to brucellosis of the shoulder joint,and antibiotic drug treatment(oral rifampicin and doxycycline)was administrated for 6 wk.The 4-mo postoperative follow-up examination(MRI)yielded normal findings.The 2-year follow-up showed no signs of recurrence.CONCLUSION This rare case of brucellosis infection in shoulder highlights the importance of increasing awareness to help avoid misdiagnosis.

A Comparison of Subacromial Bursae Block, Suprascapular Nerve Block and Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block after Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of subacromial bursae block (LA), suprascapular nerve block (SSB), and interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods: 91 patients scheduled to undergo an arthroscopic shoulder acromioplasty under GA in an outpatient setting were included. The patients were prospectively randomized into 4 groups: 1) interscalene brachial plexus block, 2) suprascapular nerve block, 3) subacromial bursae block, 4) control group for comparison. Pain scores (VAS), supplemental analgesia, and side effects were recorded in the recoveryroom, 4 hours and 24 hours after surgery. Results: Group ISB had significantly lower pain scores at rest in the postanesthesia care unit than the SSB group (p = 0.037) and the control group (p = 0.0313). The same results were seen 4 hours follow-up. The LA group had significantly lower pain scores at rest in the postanesthesia care unit than the control group (p = 0.046) and after 4 hours follow-up significantly lower pain scores than both the SSB group (p = 0.021) and the control group (p = 0.037). After 24 hours, there were no differences between the two groups. Conclusion: In this prospective, randomized, blinded study we demonstrated that a single-dose interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) and a subacromial bursae block (LA) are equal and the most efficient analgesic techniques after arthroscopic shoulder acromioplasty. LA is less expensive, faster and with fewer complications than ISB and therefore we suggest subacromial bursae block is an effective, safe and easy way of postoperative pain reduction after arthroscopic acromioplasty. Level of evidence: Level I. Treatment study.

Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression for Small and Medium Size Tears of Rotator Cuff without Tendon Repair

According to our previous clinical impression, we hypothesized that patients who had symptomatic rotator cuff tendon tear in a diamemter below 3 cm would benefit from arthroscopic subacromial decompression only, without the need for the repair of the thorn tendon. From 1998 to 2003, 160 patients (168 shoulders) had arthroscopic subacromial decompression for impingement syndrome with a torn rotator cuff without repairing the tear of the cuffs (120 males and 40 females). The average patient age was 64 years and the average follow up was 30 months. At follow up, 96 patients (60%) had full recovery;55 patients (35%) had residual low grade shoulder pain on effort and 7 patients (5%) had poor outcome. In the last group of patients with unsatisfactory outcome, the postoperative Constant score was only 64 points. In 95% of patients, the average Constant score values raised from average preoperative value of 62 to postoperative average score of 82. According to these results, there is an indication that in patients in the seventh decade of life or older with symptomatic rotator cuff tear, pain relief and good shoulder function can be achieved by more conservative approach of subacromial decompression alone, providing a clear diagnosis that the diameter of the tear in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons is below 3 cm.

Posterior Positioning of a Clavicle Hook Plate Is a Risk Factor for Acromial Fractures after Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation

Purpose: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is commonly treated using a clavicle hook plate (HP). However, previous reports have indicated that acromial fractures may occur after HP fixation. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for acromial fractures. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 39 patients with AC joint dislocation who were treated using clavicle HP fixation in our hospital between 2006 and 2017. Related parameters, including Rockwood classification, hook angle, the degree of reduction, the coverage of the hook under the acromion, and the anteroposterior position of the hook under the acromion, were evaluated to identify risk factors for acromial fractures. Results: The mean age of the participants was 51.7 (range 19 - 81) years;34 were men and 5 were women. Injury occurred on the right side in 18 patients and on the left side in 21. Injuries were categorized as follows: 24 were Rockwood type III, one was type IV, and 14 were type V. Four of the 39 patients (10%) experienced acromial fractures. Statistical analyses indicated that the degree of reduction at the final follow-up was moderately correlated with the Constant score. Posterior positioning of the hook was the only identified risk factor for acromial fractures. Hook angle and the degree of reduction at the time of surgery were not significantly associated with acromial fractures. Conclusions: Postoperative shoulder function was associated with the degree of reduction at the final follow-up, suggesting that anatomical reduction is recommended for AC joint dislocation. Posterior positioning of the hook is a risk factor for acromial fractures;however, clavicle HP fixation provides a positive outcome for AC joint dislocation. Therefore, careful positioning of the hook is required for preventing acromial fractures.

Differences in the Length and Thickness of the Coracoacromial Ligament between Normal Shoulders and Shoulders with Rotator Cuff Tears

Although the relationship between the material properties of the coracoacromial ligament and rotator cuff tears has been clarified, it is difficult to evaluate these properties in the clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between rotator cuff tears and the length and thickness of the coracoacromial ligament in living shoulders, in order to assess the potential use of these parameters as clinical indicators of the possible risk or progression of rotator cuff tears. Thirty-five volunteers (46 shoulders, mean age: 52 years) were enrolled. The presence or absence of rotator cuff tears and the length and thickness of the coracoacromial ligament were evaluated by ultrasonography. Longitudinal images of the coracoacromial ligaments with the acromion and coracoid process as landmarks were obtained, and the lengths of the ligaments were measured using acoustic shadows as the index. On the same screens, the thicknesses at the center of the ligaments were measured. Ligaments in shoulders with a rotator cuff tear were significantly shorter than ligaments in shoulders without a rotator cuff tear (25.9 ± 2.5 mm vs. 28.6 ± 1.7 mm, respectively;P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the thicknesses of the ligaments. The length and thickness of the coracoacromial ligament of living shoulders were easily evaluated with ultrasonography in the present study, and the coracoacromial ligament was found to be significantly shorter in shoulders with a rotator cuff tear. The risk and progression of rotator cuff tears can be evaluated clinically by measuring the length of the coracoacromial ligament.