Recurrent thoracic outlet syndrome after first rib resection

Seventy-seven patients with 84 operated limbs participated in a follow-up examination on an average of about six years after the resection of the first rib for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Forty-two limbs (50%) were totally asymptomatic one month after the operation and remained so for at least half a year postoperatively. In the follow-up examination, 31 limbs were still asymptomatic, whereas 11 limbs had the same symptoms as before the operation. Of the nine patients with recurrent TOS (two with bilateral resection), seven were women and two were men. These nine patients were on average 38 years old (range = 19 to 51 years) and their jobs consisted of monotonous desk work. Seven of 11 stumps of the first rib were subluxated disclosed by the cervical rotation-lateral-flexion test. The occurrence of a subluxated stump of the first rib in the group of asymptomatic patients was far lower, only 3% (p less than .001). Of the 42 patients with persistent problems, a subluxated stump was encountered in seven (17%). Results of this follow-up examination suggest that monotonous desk work is an important factor causing kinesiologic abnormalities in the thoracic aperture. This abnormal kinesiology contributes to the recurrence of TOS symptoms even after the resection of the first rib.     

Klippel-Feil syndrome associated with pneumatocyst of the right cervical rib

A patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome reported with a pneumatocyst of the proximal epiphysis of a right cervical rib. There was no additional skeletal abnormality except for fusion of the C3 and C4 vertebral bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported instance of this particular association.     

产前超声诊断胎儿短肋多指综合征1例

孕妇27岁,孕2产1,孕25周.夫妻双方平素身体健康,无吸烟酗酒史,无不良接触史.因孕24周于外院超声检查提示胎儿四肢短小来我院复查,超声检查:双顶径6.2 cm,头围22.6 cm,股骨长1.9 cm,肱骨长2.1 cm,矢状切面腹部膨隆,腹围19.1 cm,胸腹交界处可见"切迹",胸围12.6 cm(图1),心胸面积比0.56;三维表面及骨骼成像显示胸廓较窄,肋骨短小(图2);动态观察胃泡显示较小(2 mm×3 mm),双侧肾盂分离,宽度均为0.8 cm;左手7指(图3),右手6指,双足均为6趾(图4);羊水指数269 mm.超声提示:胎儿四肢短小畸形,窄胸、多指及多趾畸形,消化道畸形可能(胃泡小),羊水过多,考虑致死性短肋-多指综合征(short rib polydactyly syndrome,SRPS).经遗传学及产前医师咨询后,考虑为致死性畸形.后引产一女婴,其胸廓狭小,腹部膨隆,左手7指,右手6指,尺侧多指,双足均6趾(图5).X线检查:胸廓窄,肋骨短小呈水平位,四肢长骨粗短(图6);证实为SRPS,考虑为Ⅲ型(Verma-Naumoff型).     

Thoracic outlet syndrome: resectioning the first rib as a last resort

1. Thoracic outlet syndrome is a general term referring to compression neuropathies of the brachial plexus and subclavian vessels. 2. The symptoms result from compression of the brachial plexus or the subclavian vessels; the most common are pain and paresthesia but these may be accompanied by complaints of muscle weakness and easy fatigability of the extremity. 3. First rib resection has been proven valuable; however, because of the possibility of severe and irreversible complications, surgery should be used as a last resort.     

Subluxation of the first rib: a possible thoracic outlet syndrome mechanism

Twenty-two cases of both the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) are described, four in detail. Each case had a hypomobile first rib on the painful side. A simple test was used to evaluate the first rib mobility. After isometric exercises of the scalene muscles, the mobility of the first rib was restored and the symptoms completely relieved in 13 patients. We concluded that the subluxation of the first rib may irritate the neural network and the stellate ganglion in the neighborhood of the first costotransverse joint. This in turn can cause the radiating pain and RSD symptoms.     

Use of rib belts in acute rib fractures

The current treatment for uncomplicated rib fractures is the exclusion of associated injuries followed by symptomatic treatment with analgesics. Encouragement of deep breathing is also recommended to avoid secondary or delayed pulmonary complications. The use of circumferential rib belts in treating patients with acute rib fractures has been discouraged because of possible complications from restricted ventilation. A review of the literature revealed no previous clinical studies to support this view. We designed and conducted a controlled, prospective, randomized pilot study to determine if there was any increased morbidity associated with the use of rib belts in the treatment of patients with acute rib fractures. Twenty-five adult patients with radiographically proven acute rib fractures were randomized into two groups. The first group was treated with analgesics and a standard circumferential rib belt (Zimmer Universal Rib Belt). The second group was treated with oral analgesics alone. Patients were contacted by telephone three days after the initial injury and then reexamined 14 days postinjury. Rates of pain resolution, compliance, and delayed complications were determined. Rib belts were not found to significantly reduce the severity of pain. Four complications (one case of bloody pleural effusion requiring hospitalization, two cases of asymptomatic discoid atelectasis, and one case of allergic contact dermatitis) were identified, all occurring in the group of patients receiving rib belts. This pilot study indicates that while rib belts are widely accepted by patients for control of pain, they appear to be associated with an increased incidence of complications. Clinical studies with larger sample sizes will be needed to confirm these findings.     

Cough-induced rib fractures

OBJECTIVES: To define the demographic, clinical, and radiological features of patients with cough-induced rib fractures and to assess potential risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For this retrospective, single-center study, we identified all cases of cough-induced rib fractures diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, over a 9-year period between January 1, 1996, and January 31, 2005. Bone densitometry data from patients' medical records were analyzed, and T scores were used to classify patients into bone density categories. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD age of the 54 study patients at presentation was 55+/-17 years, and 42 patients (78%) were female. Patients presented with chest wall pain after onset of cough. Rib fracture was associated with chronic cough (> or =3 weeks' duration) in 85% of patients. Rib fractures were documented by chest radiography, rib radiography, computed tomography, or bone scan. Chest radiography had been performed in 52 patients and revealed rib fracture in 30 (58%). There were 112 fractured ribs in 54 patients. One half of patients had more than one fractured rib. Right-sided rib fractures alone were present in 17 patients (26 fractured ribs), left-sided in 23 patients (35 fractured ribs), and bilateral in 14 patients (51 fractured ribs). The most commonly fractured rib on both sides was rib 6. The fractures were most common at the lateral aspect of the rib cage. Bone densitometry was done in 26 patients and revealed osteopenia or osteoporosis in 17 (65%). CONCLUSIONS: Cough-induced rib fractures occur primarily in women with chronic cough. Middle ribs along the lateral aspect of the rib cage are affected most commonly. Although reduced bone density is likely a risk factor, cough-induced rib fractures can occur in the presence of normal bone density.     

电视胸腔镜辅助肋骨内固定术治疗多发肋骨骨折的效果

目的探讨电视胸腔镜辅助肋骨内固定术治疗多发肋骨骨折的效果。方法将60例多发肋骨骨折患者随机分为胸腔镜组(n=30,电视胸腔镜辅助肋骨内固定术)与开胸组(n=30,传统开胸手术)。比较两组治疗效果。结果术后2个月,胸腔镜组的MVV、FEV1/FVC、FVC均高于开胸组(P<0.05)。术后1 d,两组的SaO2、PaO2/FiO2均较术前升高,且胸腔镜组高于开胸组(P<0.05)。术后3 d,胸腔镜组VAS评分低于开胸组(P<0.05)。胸腔镜组并发症总发生率低于开胸组,骨折愈合率高于开胸组(P<0.05)。结论胸腔镜辅助肋骨内固定术可明显改善多发肋骨骨折患者的肺通气功能及血气指标,术后疼痛程度较轻,并发症较少,骨折愈合率高。     

颈肋综合征患者臂丛神经功能分析及其治疗策略

目的:探讨颈肋综合征的局部病理改变及对相应支配区运动、感觉及血管功能的影响。方法:回顾分析1990-01/2003-12南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院骨科手术治疗的颈肋综合征11例患者的临床表现,与X射线片表现、手术探查所见和手术方法,并根据Roos的标准对手术疗效进行优、良、可、差4级评定。结果:术中探查见颈肋、前斜角肌、中斜角肌均有病理改变。在1例全臂丛受压型,颈5,6神经根前后紧贴前、中斜角肌,并有纤维索带从其表面横跨。手术疗效优4例,良5例,可2例。结论:臂丛下干支配区的运动和感觉障碍是颈肋综合征主要和早期的特征表现。颈肋可分为横突增长、不完整颈肋、完整颈肋和其他形态等4种。临床发现颈肋综合征的局部病理改变包括颈肋、斜角肌的异常和对臂丛神经的卡压。需要和尺神经卡压症相鉴别。手术是主要的治疗方法。     

Diagnosis of short rib polydactyly syndrome type IV (Beemer–Langer syndrome) with cystic hygroma: A case report

Short rib polydactyly syndrome (SRPS) is a very rare congenital autosomal recessive inherited disease, classified into four subtypes. It has distinct imaging findings on prenatal sonography (US) and ancillary findings on both pre‐ and postnatal examinations may help classify individual cases into one of four subtypes. We report the US findings in a case of SRPS type IV (Beemer–Langer dysplasia) in a male fetus with multiple congenital anomalies, including cystic hygroma. The postnatal ultrasound, radiographic, and postmortem examinations helped to classify the SRPS as type IV. We believe this is the first documented case associating cystic hygroma and polydactyly. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2009     

双侧真性胸骨角伴颈肋、叉状肋变异1例

患者男,43岁。单位常规体检来我科拍胸片,问诊无既往史、外伤史及现病史。胸部多体位X线透视及CR检查所见：胸廓及双侧胸锁关节不对称．右侧锁骨形态略粗大。胸骨柄上缘两侧各有一个骨性突起．均位于第1前肋和锁骨胸骨端之间,其内可见骨小梁结构．骨皮质与胸骨柄皮质延续,左侧突起横向走行,长约1.0cm;右侧突起呈牛角状上翘．长约4．5cm。