A modified technique of using the dynamic external finger fixation system. Case study.

Fractures of the phalangeal joints of the hand present a challenging problem because of the small size of the fracture fragments, limiting internal fixation, and their articular nature necessitating early mobilisation to ensure good results. We present a case of a patient presenting with an open displaced intraarticular fracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint that was managed with limited internal fixation with a Kirschner wire along with the S-Quattro. The fracture united and the patient returned to his previous occupation with no limitations in his activities of daily living.

Inflammatory bowel disease and coronary artery disease.

Chronic inflammation with the presence of excess serum acute-phase proteins, cytokines and cell adhesion molecules is increasingly being implicated in atherosclerosis. The association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) is unstudied. This is a preliminary, thesis-generating cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the presence of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with IBD and CAD compared with the control population.

Extensive gastrointestinal tract and thyroid involvement with Wegeners granulomatosis.

Wegeners granulomatosis (WG) is a pauci-immune systemic vasculitis involving small to medium sized blood vessels of the respiratory tract and renal vasculature. We report a 34-year-old lady with extensive gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and thyroid involvement. Literature review revealed only two prior reports of esophageal involvement, two reports of pancreatic involvement and few cases of thyroid involvement.

Function Versus Position: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Interfocal Kirschner Wiring of Unstable Distal Radial Fractures.

Introduction: A randomized, prospective study has been carried out to determine if immobilisation in dorsiflexion following K-wire fixation of unstable distal radial fractures improves functional outcome.

Methods: Sixty patients with unstable fractures of the distal radius were entered into the trial. There were 52 female and 11 male with an average age of 60yrs (17-84).

Fasciectomy and conservative full thickness skin grafting in Dupuytren's contracture. The fish technique.

We reviewed 79 patients with a total of 100 digits affected by Dupuytren's disease, who were treated surgically in our institution between 1990 and 1998. The mean follow-up was 4.4 years with a range of 2 to 10 years.

Ischemic colitis revisited: a prospective study identifying hypercoagulability as a risk factor.

Background: Although causes for ischemic colitis have been identified, many cases are deemed idiopathic. Some reports suggest an association between ischemic colitis and coagulation disorders. Our purpose was to explore the relationship of ischemic colitis and clotting abnormalities.