Discal cysts of the lumbar spine: report of five cases and review of the literature

Discal cysts are rare causes of low back pain and radiculopathy. Only few reports in the literature describe these pathologies. In this article, the authors report five cases (3 males and 2 females) of lumbar discal cysts treated surgically by microdiscectomy. These patients were admitted with a history of back pain and/or sciatalgia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine of all patients revealed lumbar discal cysts, causing compression to the spinal dura and roots. All patients were treated by partial hemilaminectomy and microscopic cyst resection. Postoperatively, the complaints showed improvement, and the patients were discharged with no complications. The cases of lumbar discal cysts are described in the literature as individual case reports, therefore; the authors performed a wide systemic review of all these cases published in PubMed and MedLine, including the patients in the present report. The data of all patients were analyzed to obtain statistically based estimated information about the incidence, the epidemiology, the natural history and the optimum management of these lesions.     

The SLAP lesion as a reason for glenolabral cysts: a report of five cases and review of the literature

Introduction: Cysts in the spinoglenoidal or supraglenoidal incisura can be a cause of compression of the suprascapular nerve. There is agglomerated appearance of these cysts in combination with SLAP lesions. Hypothesis is SLAP lesions can lead to cysts in this region and should be repaired. Material and methods: MRI of five patients (all male, four 30–40 years, one 75 years) showed cysts in the supralabral region. All were in combination with lesions of the superior glenoidal labrum (Type II or more). Results: In two cases, in addition to cyst resection, the SLAP lesion was also repaired and symptoms disappeared completely and no recurrent cyst was detected in postoperative MRI. Two patients without SLAP repair showed recurrent cystic formation in MRI with similar complaints compared to their preoperative status. One patient (75 years) was treated primarily by puncture and afterwards with open resection of the cyst. His outcome was good in terms of activities of daily living without major pain. Conclusions: Our results are based on the assumption that cysts in the region of the spinoglenoidal/supraglenoidal incisura can originate from SLAP lesions. If a patient is suspected of having cysts in this region, the question of a SLAP lesion should be clarified. SLAP lesions should be repaired to avoid relapse. Arthroscopic repair of SLAP lesion can lead to the disappearance of symptoms in younger patients. In older patients puncture or resection of the ganglion alone may be an adequate therapeutic strategy.     

Simple bone cysts in childhood. Retrospective study of 15 cases and review of literature

We present a review of 15 cases of simple bone cyst treated by curettage and bone grafting or intralesional steroids injection. We analysed the localisation, cyst activity, the number of cavities and the occupied area, valuing the results according to the Neer and Chigira classification. We have noticed a higher rate' of cure with curettage and bone grafting than with steroids injection (p: 0.01). The activity of the cyst, the uni-multilocutarity and the area related to a greater index of recurrence and failure in the cases treated by steroids injection, although this is statistically non significant.     

儿童跟骨动脉瘤样骨囊肿:病例报告及文献分析

[目的]跟骨动脉瘤样骨囊肿是一种少见病，本文报告了1例儿童跟骨动脉瘤样骨囊肿患者。[方法]本文结合文献回顾性分析了跟骨动脉瘤样骨囊肿患儿的临床、影像学及组织病理学表现。[结果]肿物累及右侧跟骨，经肿物刮除术和植骨术后恢复良好。组织病理学检查确诊为右侧跟骨动脉瘤样骨囊肿。随访2年无复发。[结论]跟骨动脉瘤样骨囊肿是一种少见病，对于单纯的动脉瘤样骨囊肿，肿物刮除术和植骨术是有效的治疗方法。     

Simple bone cysts of the calcaneus. Differential diagnosis and therapy

Fifty-two calcaneal simple bone cysts from our clinic were evaluated. The lesions had a pathognomonic radiologic appearance and diagnosis was histologically confirmed in all operatively treated cases. Four cases presented with pathological fractures, three of which were treated by open reduction internal fixation and bone grafting, while one was treated nonoperatively. In addition, six patients with large cysts without apparent fracture but spontaneous pain were treated by curettage and subsequent autogenous bone grafting or calcium phosphate cement filling, and there were no recurrences. The majority of cysts (42 of 52) were however asymptomatic and thus followed up nonoperatively. This review reports on one of the largest series of cysts in this location. The results indicate that nonoperative management is justified in most asymptomatic cases. However, the potential risk of fracture as indicated by four fractured calcaneal cysts in this series suggests that large cysts should be clinically monitored and that operative intervention is useful in all symptomatic cases to prevent pathologic fractures. In the latter cases, curettage and bone grafting as well as the use of bone substitute material yielded uniformly good results.     

Fetal ovarian cysts: a report of five cases

Large fetal ovarian cysts are rare; however, widespread use of antenatal ultrasound examination has led to an increased detection rate and surgical removal. A case presenting with bowel obstruction is described along with four other cases that presented in the last 24 years. Previously reported series are reviewed and compared. It is stressed that complications are very rare and hasty surgical management of cases detected by ultrasound scanning is not warranted.     

非功能性甲状旁腺囊肿五例的临床分析

目的 了解非功能性甲状旁腺囊肿的特点，探讨其诊治方法。方法 回顾研究了1985～1999年收治的非功能性甲状腺囊肿5例患者的临床表现及血钙、B超和核素扫描等辅助检查的特点，以及病理学及免疫组织化学的特征。结果 本组5例患者均行手术切除治疗，病理学检查证实均为非功能性甲状旁腺囊肿，免疫组织化学检查嗜铬素（CgA）、突触素（Syn）、神经原特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）阳性支持本诊断。术后随访均无复发。结论 手术切除对非功能性甲状腺囊肿的治疗较为理想，而病理学检查是最可靠的诊断方法。     

Efavirenz-associated gynecomastia: report of five cases and review of the literature

The prognosis of HIV infection has improved dramatically since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, numerous adverse effects and limitations regarding tolerability remain a concern. Lipomastia (pseudogynecomastia), a breast enlargement due to central adiposity, may occur as part of a fat redistribution syndrome which has been associated with HAART regimens and several pathogenic mechanisms have been advocated in its development. Here we report an observational longitudinal study of five patients diagnosed of gynecomastia associated with efavirenz-based HAART regimens. All cases reached successful immunologic and virologic responses to HAART. The delay of appearance of gynecomastia from the beginning of HAART ranged between 4 to 15 months. In all five cases, gynecomastia regressed after efavirenz withdrawal (mean period of 5 months). In summary, we think that HAART induced gynecomastia should be suspected in HIV patients receiving efavirenz-containing regimens. Although pathogenesis is unclear, this study and a review of the English literature implicates two possible mechanisms: (a) immune restoration processes and (b) efavirenz mediated estradiol-like effects.     

Carpometacarpal dislocations: report of five cases and review of the literature

Carpometacarpal dislocations occur in less than 1% of hand injuries. Since 1973, five cases were treated at Henry Ford Hospital. Three of the dislocations were unstable and required internal fixation. Of these dislocations only one needed open reduction. The other two dislocations were successfully treated by closed reduction and cast immobilization. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 13 months. Three patients were asymptomatic, and the other two, both of whose injuries had been treated by internal fixation, reported pain with activity.     

Occipital condyle fractures: report of five cases and literature review

Occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) are uncommon and potentially fatal lesions. After the advent of CT, prompt diagnosis can be readily made and consequently better prognosis of these patients is expected. Early recognition of some types of OCF is imperative to avoid fatal results. We analyzed 121 cases of OCF (116 from the literature and five of our own). Rarely patients with a deficit of the lower cranial nerves make a complete recovery. However, quoad vitam prognosis of patients with pure OCFs remains good. Immobilization provides good recovery of most OCFs, but delay of treatment can lead to serious morbidity. We want to emphasize that not only an OCF with instability of O–C1–C2 can be a fatal injury unless prompt surgical intervention, but a displacement and migration of the fractured condylar fragment can also result in a fatal outcome. A high level of suspicion is fundamental for the early diagnosis of these fractures, so that when a posterior basal cranial or occipital squama fracture occurs, a CT study of the occipital condyles becomes imperative.     

Congenital double lip: report of five cases and a review of the literature.

Congenital double lip is a rare entity. During the last 10 years, we performed surgery on 5 patients with this deformity. The patients are reported with a special mention of the embryology, and the relevant literature is reviewed.     

Isolated hepatic tuberculosis: report of five cases and review of the literature

Tuberculosis is one of the most common and well-described infectious diseases, with a worldwide distribution and a vast spectrum of clinical manifestations. Involvement of the liver alone by tuberculosis is, however, uncommon. It usually presents as a protracted illness frequently associated with jaundice and hepatomegaly. It can, therefore, mimic primary or metastatic liver malignancies. We report five cases of isolated hepatic tuberculosis, emphasizing the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis in all subjects with suspicious liver lesions to avoid missing the uncommon but curable hepatic tuberculosis. Received for publication on Sept. 28, 1998; accepted on Feb. 16, 1999