The authors report one case of schwannoma located in the sciatic nerve, just above the popliteal fossa. A sciatic localization is rare, observed in 1% of the patients. The misleading clinical presentation of this localization causes a delay in diagnosis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice, but the final diagnosis is made by the histological examination of the tumor. Schwannoma should be surgically removed without division of the nerve trunk.

In a 61 year-old women, suffering a left calf pain for more 18 months, a diagnosis of cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery was confirmed by scanner. At the operation, we found an intramural cyst of the popliteal artery. A total resection of the cyst and of the artery (resection and end to end anastomosis) was performed. Adventitial cystic disease represents 0, 1% of the vascular diseases). The popliteal artery seems to be the most frequent site.

After total hip replacement, continued pharmacological prophylaxis following hospital discharge is controversial. The primary objective of our study was to determine the safety and efficacy of continued prophylaxis with nadroparin three weeks after hospital discharge. The secondary objective was to evaluate the association between a confirmed venous thromboembolism and risk factors for deep venous thrombosis. This study was an open-label, randomized, multicentre, prospective trial. Patients were evaluated for deep venous thrombosis with duplex ultrasonography at discharge and 3 weeks later. Walking ability (mobility score) was assessed at the same times. Patients without deep venous thrombosis at discharge were randomly assigned to continued nadroparin (n=155) versus no pharmacologic prophylaxis (n=141) for three weeks. The rate of deep venous thrombosis three weeks post discharge was significantly lower in the nadroparin group: two patients (1.3%) versus nine (6.4%) without prophylaxis (p = 0.021; relative risk reduction = 79%). No significant difference in terms of safety was observed between groups and no major bleeding occurred. Three weeks after discharge, patients who developed deep venous thrombosis were significantly less mobile (p = 0.018). In conclusion, after total hip replacement, continued prophylaxis with nadroparin for 3 weeks after hospital discharge is beneficial.