Bilateral fractures of the infracalcaneal exostosis

A case study of bilateral fractures of the inferior calcaneal spur is provided. The patient healed uneventfully after immobilization, cessation of activities, and oral medication. Thirteen months after initial presentation she remains asymptomatic. A brief literature review and discussion of the possible mechanism(s) of injury is included.     

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Arising in Association With the Sural Nerve

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is a rare sarcoma of peripheral nerves found most often in deep soft tissue. This aggressive tumor is difficult to diagnose clinically and must be surgically excised for therapy. An incisional biopsy will allow for testing and in most cases, diagnosis. The authors present a case of a 39-year-old African American woman with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in association with the sural nerve. The tumor was surgically removed and sent for pathologic studies. The patient reported to her first postoperative appointment and was referred to an oncologist for follow-up. Despite multiple attempts at contacting the patient and explaining the prognosis of the diagnosis, the patient refused further follow-up care including referral to an oncologist.     

Disorders of cognition, attention and learning

The inability to successfully navigate the educational system can cause serious problems for children, their parents, the Indian society, and the world at large. When children are required to engage in academic exercises which require attention, specific cognitive abilities and processes, and demonstrations of learning, a subset of these children are unable to perform due to some type of intellectual, emotional, behavioural, physical, or environmental deficit. Any combination of these factors can result in school failure. Although, resources for remedial or special education services in Southeast Asia and India are particularly meager, efforts must be directed towards the retention and achievement of those children who do enroll in primary and secondary schools. Learning disability represents a major form of impairment in society, and much more needs to be done to bring about a general awareness of its consequences. An urgent priority is the education of physicians and teachers about disorders of cognition, learning, and attention.