Search Results (11)

Background: Although surgical digit amputations are common procedures in hand surgery, substantial differences in technical approaches have been reported, with the development of symptomatic neuromas posing a major challenge. Given the absence of a universally accepted technique, especially concerning painful neuroma prevention, this survey study’s rationale was to explore the preferred surgical approach for traumatic noninfected digital amputation injuries (excluding the thumb) at the interphalangeal (IP) joint levels. Methods: A 10-point online questionnaire was sent to ÖGH, DGH and SGH members. To provide a comprehensive overview of the preferred approach, descriptive statistics were performed, while examining differences based on years of surgical experience (≤20 years versus >20) and society affiliation (ÖGH vs. DGH vs. SGH) via inferential Pearson-chi square and Fisher’s exact tests were employed. Results: Of the 1670 experts contacted, 213 (12.8%) took part in the survey. Across different societies and years of surgical experience, there is a consensus on most aspects, including smoothing bony edges after transosseous resection (99.8%), removal of articular cartilage after disarticulation (78.9%), shortening flexor tendons (81.2%), and avoiding additional extensor tendon shortening (92.3%). No consensus was found on the technique of surgical bone transection, the reduction of the phalangeal head during disarticulation and the treatment of digital nerves including neuroma prevention. Conclusions: Although there is a broad consensus on most aspects of surgical digit amputation, the treatment of digital nerves and neuroma prevention remains an area with a lack of consensus. Future studies should focus on these aspects to uncover further benefits. Full article

Background and Objectives: Chronic headache after craniotomy is common and may include neuropathic subtypes (scar neuroma pain, occipital neuralgia). However, no large series has quantified these phenotypes. We conducted a single-center retrospective review (n = 5624 adult craniotomy patients) to estimate the prevalence of post-craniotomy neuropathic pain and to describe its characteristics. Materials and Methods: Institutional records were screened to identify craniotomy patients referred to a multidisciplinary pain clinic (n = 272). Eligible cases were reviewed in tiers: (1) exclusion of primary headache and noncranial pain; (2) identification of “probable neuropathic cranial pain” based on documented neuropathic features (lancinating/scalp pain, trigger tenderness, dermatomal distribution); and (3) subgroup categorization into occipital neuralgia-like, supraorbital/supratrochlear neuralgia-like, and scar-site neuropathic pain phenotypes. The supraorbital/supratrochlear subgroup was defined by frontal or frontotemporal postoperative pain in the supraorbital region, local tenderness or Tinel-like hypersensitivity over the supraorbital/supratrochlear course, and/or response to supraorbital–supratrochlear nerve block. Data extracted included demographics, timing (surgery to pain referral), pain characteristics, and treatments (blocks, radiofrequency, medications). Results: Of 5624 craniotomy patients, 272 (4.8%) had pain clinic encounters. The initial review identified 124 cases with chronic post-craniotomy headache requiring follow-up; after detailed chart classification, probable neuropathic cranial pain was present in 111 cases (2% of the cohort). Among the 111 probable neuropathic cranial pain cases, the dominant regional phenotype was occipital neuralgia-like pain. In addition, eight patients (7.2%) demonstrated a supraorbital/supratrochlear neuralgia-like phenotype, predominantly after frontal or frontotemporal craniotomies. Scar-site neuropathic pain frequently coexisted with both regional phenotypes, supporting a partially overlapping spectrum rather than mutually exclusive categories. The median time from surgery to pain referral was several months (≈12–18 months). Management commonly included occipital nerve blocks (±steroid); some patients received pulsed radiofrequency ablation of the occipital nerves, and most were trialed on neuropathic analgesics (gabapentinoids, SNRIs, etc., according to neuropathic pain guidelines). Conclusions: A clinically meaningful subset of post-craniotomy patients develops chronic neuropathic cranial pain, most commonly with occipital, supraorbital/supratrochlear, or scar-related features. Because most postoperative headaches are managed through neurosurgical follow-up and improve without pain clinic referral, the present cohort likely underestimates the true burden of neuropathic post-craniotomy pain while enriching for its most refractory neuralgic presentations. This is nevertheless the subgroup that must be recognized, discussed with patients, studied prospectively, and targeted in future prevention strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Targeted muscle reinnervation and regenerative peripheral nerve interface procedures have emerged as effective techniques for reducing post-amputation pain and preventing symptomatic neuroma formation. However, the optimal timing of these procedures remains debated. This study aims to compare complication and reoperation rates between acute and delayed advanced nerve interface procedures in lower-extremity amputees. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including 74 patients who underwent acute or delayed targeted muscle reinnervation and/or regenerative peripheral nerve interface procedures between 2019 and 2025 at a tertiary academic medical center. Procedures performed concurrently with amputation or during early-stage reconstruction were classified as acute, whereas procedures performed more than one month after amputation were classified as delayed interventions. The primary outcome was postoperative surgical complications occurring within one year. Mann–Whitney U and chi-square tests were used for group comparisons. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with surgical complications, adjusting for potential confounders. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 80 limbs, 47 (58.8%) underwent acute and 33 (41.3%) underwent delayed procedures. One-year complication rates were 23.4% in the acute group, and 12.1% in the delayed group, with wound-related complications predominantly occurring in patients undergoing amputation for infection or vascular disease. Unexpected reoperation rates were 19.1% for acute and 12.1% for delayed interventions. On univariable and multivariable analyses, early procedures demonstrated higher odds of surgical complications. However, these associations did not reach statistical significance and were limited by baseline differences in patient comorbidity and etiology. Conclusions: Early advanced nerve interface procedures were performed in more medically complex patients and were associated with higher observed rates of surgical complications, whereas delayed procedures were associated with a higher incidence of recurrent symptomatic neuromas. These findings underscore the importance of patient selection, etiology of amputation, and surgical context, rather than timing alone, when determining the optimal approach to nerve interface reconstruction following lower-extremity amputation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Finger amputation is frequently followed by complications, with reported revision rates of up to 20%. One of the most disabling sequelae is the formation of painful neuromas, occurring in approximately 3–9% of cases. Several biological and mechanical risk factors have been proposed, but the potential influence of psychological traits remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether a correlation exists between patients’ personality traits and the development of neuropathic pain or related symptoms. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a Level II Hand Trauma Center, including patients who underwent digital amputation between 2021 and 2023. Neuropathic pain and cold intolerance were assessed using the S-DN4 and CISS questionnaires, respectively. Personality traits were evaluated using the BFI-10 scale. Demographic data and other clinical risk factors, including work-related injuries, psychiatric history, infection, treatment delay, and surgical technique, were also analyzed. Results: A total of 54 patients were included. Neuropathic pain, defined by an S-DN4 score ≥ 4, was identified in 10 patients (18.5%). A significant correlation was found between the occurrence of neuropathic pain, cold intolerance, and the “neuroticism” personality trait. Patients with work-related injuries or psychiatric disorders also showed a higher risk of neuropathic pain and cold intolerance. Conversely, infection and delayed treatment were associated with an increased risk of revision procedures, whereas the type of surgical technique used for nerve stump management was not significantly correlated with pain outcomes. Conclusions: The study demonstrated a meaningful association between the neurotic personality trait and both neuropathic pain and cold intolerance after finger amputation. Additionally, work-related injuries and psychiatric comorbidities were identified as potential risk factors. Patients exhibiting these characteristics may benefit from early psychological assessment and multidisciplinary management to prevent further complications and improve postoperative outcomes. Full article

Background: Plantar plate injuries represent a common yet frequently underdiagnosed etiology of forefoot pain and metatarsophalangeal joint instability. Diagnostic accuracy is often compromised by nonspecific clinical presentations and significant symptom overlap with other forefoot pathologies, including Morton’s neuroma and synovitis. Early and accurate identification is essential to prevent progression to irreversible deformity. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes recent literature on the clinical evaluation, imaging modalities, and differential diagnosis of plantar plate injuries. A comprehensive literature search in a narrative review format of key databases and relevant journals was performed to critically appraise the diagnostic accuracy, advantages, limitations, and clinical implications of various diagnostic techniques. Results: Physical examination maneuvers—including the drawer test, toe purchase test, and Kelikian push-up test—provide important diagnostic insights but are constrained by operator dependency and lack of standardization. Among imaging modalities, MRI and dynamic ultrasound offer high diagnostic utility, with MRI providing superior specificity and ultrasound enabling functional, real-time assessment. Emerging techniques such as dorsiflexion-stress MRI and dual-energy CT show promising diagnostic potential, though broader clinical validation is lacking. Differential diagnosis remains a major challenge, given the clinical and radiological similarities shared with other forefoot conditions. Conclusions: Accurate diagnosis of plantar plate injuries necessitates a multimodal strategy that combines clinical suspicion, structured physical examination, and advanced imaging. Acknowledging the limitations of each diagnostic modality and integrating findings within the broader clinical context are essential for timely and accurate diagnosis. Future research should prioritize validation of diagnostic criteria, enhanced access to dynamic imaging, and the development of consensus-based grading systems to improve diagnostic precision and patient outcomes. Full article

Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs) encompass neurotized muscle grafts employed for the purpose of amplifying peripheral nerve electrical signaling. The aim of this investigation was to undertake an analysis of the extant literature concerning animal models utilized in the context of RPNIs. A systematic review of the literature of RPNI techniques in animal models was performed in line with the PRISMA statement using the MEDLINE/PubMed and Embase databases from January 1970 to September 2023. Within the compilation of one hundred and four articles employing the RPNI technique, a subset of thirty-five were conducted using animal models across six distinct institutions. The majority (91%) of these studies were performed on murine models, while the remaining (9%) were conducted employing macaque models. The most frequently employed anatomical components in the construction of the RPNIs were the common peroneal nerve and the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Through various histological techniques, robust neoangiogenesis and axonal regeneration were evidenced. Functionally, the RPNIs demonstrated the capability to discern, record, and amplify action potentials, a competence that exhibited commendable long-term stability. Different RPNI animal models have been replicated across different studies. Histological, neurophysiological, and functional analyses are summarized to be used in future studies. Full article

Background: Traumatic neuroma is a common sequela of peripheral nerve injury or amputation, which often leads to severe neuropathic pain. The present study investigated the effect of local lidocaine administration on preventing the formation of traumatic neuroma. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups. The lidocaine group underwent sciatic nerve transection, followed by an injection of lidocaine (0.5%) around the proximal of a severed sciatic nerve under ultrasound-guidance 2–7 days after neurectomy. In the control group, rats received an injection of saline following neurectomy. The autotomy score, mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, histological assessment, expression of neuroma, and pain-related markers were detected. Results: Lidocaine treatment reduced the autotomy score and attenuated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. The mRNA expression of α-SMA, NGF, TNF-α, and IL-1β all significantly decreased in the lidocaine group in comparison to those in the saline control group. The histological results showed nerve fibers, demyelination, and collagen hyperplasia in the proximal nerve stump in the saline control group, which were significantly inhibited in the lidocaine group. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that local lidocaine administration could inhibit the formation of painful neuroma due to traumatic nerve injury. Full article

Peripheral nerve injury is a potentially debilitating disorder that occurs in an estimated 2–3% of all patients with major trauma, in a similar percentage of medical procedures. The workup of these injuries has traditionally been clinical, combined with electrodiagnostic testing. However, this has limitations, especially in the acute phase of the trauma or lack of any recovery, when it is very important to determine nerve continuity and perform surgical exploration and repair in the case of the complete transection or intraneural fibrosis. Ultrasound can help in those situations. It is a versatile imaging technique with a high sensitivity of 93% for detecting focal nerve lesions. Ultrasound can assess the structural integrity of the nerve, neuroma formation and other surrounding abnormalities of bone or foreign bodies impeding the nerve. In addition, this can help to prevent iatrogenic nerve injury by marking the nerve before the procedure. This narrative review gives an overview of why and how nerve ultrasound can play a role in the detection, management and prevention of peripheral nerve injury. Full article

Arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus is a normal anatomical variant. The aim of this report is to define cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) characteristics of arrested pneumatization of sphenoid sinus in an effort to help differentiate it from invasive or lytic skull base lesions. Two cases are presented with incidental findings. Both studies, acquired for other diagnostic purposes, demonstrated unique osseous patterns that were eventually deemed to be anatomic variations in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms although the pattern of bone loss and remodeling was diagnosed as pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus by a panel of medical and maxillofacial radiologists following contrasted advanced imaging. It is important to differentiate arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus from lesions, such as arachnoid granulations, acoustic neuroma, glioma, metastatic lesions, meningioma, or chordoma, to prevent unnecessary biopsies or exploratory surgeries that would consequently reduce treatment costs and alleviate anxiety in patients. Full article

The first radiosurgical tool ever to be developed and used clinically is the gamma knife.The gamma knife has been invented by the neurosurgeon Lars Leksell for the treatment of intracranial neurosurgical conditions. The prototype was first used in Stockholm in 1968. Today, the gamma knife is used for the treatment of intracranial benign and malignant tumours, the treatment of cerebral vascular malformations and functional neurosurgery. Until now, more than 300 000 patients have been treated with the gamma knife worldwide. Over the last ten years, the use of gamma knife radiosurgery has grown exponentially. Because of its unparalleled precision, the great experience with more than 1200 publications, the minimal inconvenience to the patient and the excellent results especially in complicated and inoperable brain tumours, gamma knife treatment is the gold standard of radiosurgery today. In benign brain tumours, such as meningioma, acoustic neuroma or pituitary adenoma, long-term local tumour control is achieved in more than 90% following gamma knife treatment. In patients with skull base- and posterior fossa-meningioma, neurological function of cranial nerves may often be restored with gamma knife treatment, if the patient is referred in time. In impending neurological deficits as may occur in anterior clinoid process meningioma, a timely gamma knife treatment may prevent the impending optic nerve deficit altogether. In patients with acoustic neurinoma, gamma knife treatment allows for an effective tumour control without surgical risks, such as facial nerve palsy, postoperative infection, cerebrospinal fluid leak, etc. Therefore, gamma knife treatment is today the preferred treatment over surgery in patients with Samii Grade I–III acoustic neuromas. In patients with pituitary adenoma, normalisation of endocrine overproduction may be achieved besides local tumour control. In malignant brain tumours such as metastasis, local tumour control is achieved in more than 80%. Even so-called radioresistant tumours such as metastases of malignant melanomas or renal cell carcinomas respond with excellent local tumour control rates of more than 90% following gamma knife treatment. In patients with brain metastasis, gamma knife treatment is a noninvasive way to maintain a high Karnofsky performance score throughout the course of the disease even in the presence of multiple brain metastases. In our experience in Zurich, patients with cerebral metastasis who have been treated with the gamma knife do not die from their cerebral disease but from the systemic progression of the tumour. In cerebral vascular malformations, obliteration rates at two years following gamma knife treatment typically range from 66 to 80%. In functional neurosurgery,gamma knife treatment is now mostly used for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Success rates are around 80% with a delay for pain relief of several months. Gamma knife treatment is also used as a noninvasive way to achieve thalamotomy in patients with movement disorders.Another means of radiosurgery is the treatment with a linear accelerator. Often such treatments are performed without a stereotactic head frame, the various machines and software may differ considerably from one another and so may the treatment protocols and the experience of the team. Because of all those factors, reproducability and comparability of clinical results following linear accelerator treatments remain somewhat questionable. Full article

Previous anatomic studies of the medial heel region were done on embalmed human cadavers. Here, the innervation of the medial heel region was studied by dissecting living tissue with the use of 3.5-power loupe magnification during decompression of the medial ankle for tarsal tunnel syndrome in 85 feet. The medial heel was found to be innervated by just one medial calcaneal nerve in 37% of the feet, by two medial calcaneal nerves in 41%, by three medial calcaneal nerves in 19%, and by four medial calcaneal nerves in 3%. An origin for a medial calcaneal nerve from the medial plantar nerve was found in 46% of the feet. This nerve most often innervates the skin of the posteromedial arch, where it is at risk for injury during calcaneal spur removal or plantar fasciotomy. Knowledge of the variations in location of the medial calcaneal nerves may prevent neuroma formation during surgery and provide insight into the variability of heel symptoms associated with tarsal tunnel syndrome. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 92(2): 97-101, 2002). Full article