Hand surgery after axillary lymph node clearance for breast cancer: contra-indication to surgery?

Introduction: Breast cancer patients who have had prior axillary lymph node clearance (ALNC) can present with ipsilateral hand conditions that could easily be treated with surgical intervention. These patients are often advised to avoid interventional procedures due to risks of complications such as lymphoedema, infection and cellulitis.

Subjects And Methods: Between April and June 2009, we conducted an online survey of hand surgeons, breast surgeons and breast-care nurses to obtain their views on hand surgery after ipsilateral axillary lymph node clearance.

Radiographic changes at the elbow in primary osteoarthritis: a comparison with normal aging of the elbow joint.

A retrospective case-control study was undertaken to evaluate the pathologic radiographic changes that occur in primary osteoarthritis of the elbow. The radiographs of 50 patients with primary osteoarthritis of the elbow were compared with an age- and sex-matched control group to distinguish those features specific to elbow osteoarthritis from those occurring as a result of normal aging. We assessed 100 radiographs (50 anteroposterior and 50 lateral views) in both the study and control groups for 10 radiographic features.