We reviewed 30 patients with subungual glomus tumours of the hand operated on between 1964 and 1997. Seven patients were male and 23 were female. Their age ranged from 16 to 78 years. A transungual approach was selected in 27 patients, and a periungual approach in three. Pre-operative pain subsided in all of the patients, but recurrence of the pain was observed in nine. Nail deformities were observed in nine patients before surgery. After surgery, it disappeared in three patients, persisted in six, and new deformities developed in five. To avoid recurrence of pain, it is important that the accurate pre-operative localisation of the tumour and a complete extirpation should be performed. To avoid nail deformity, it is better to apply a periungual approach for tumours developing in the peripheral region, and a transungual approach followed by meticulous repair of the nail bed for tumours developing in the central region.

Introduction The number of cases of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) with intravertebral cleft (IVC) with delayed neurologic deficit (DND) is increasing as the population ages. However, the cause of DND is poorly understood, and no definitive treatment of the disease has been established. The purpose of this study was to clarify the radiographic parameters contributing to the occurrence of DND, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty for this pathology. Methods Percutaneous vertebroplasty was prospectively performed for 244 patients with OVCF with IVC; 30 had DND and 214 did not. Radiographic parameters of local kyphotic angle, percent spinal canal compromise and intravertebral instability were investigated for correlations to DND. Procedural outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and modified Frankel grades. Results Before vertebroplasty, no substantial difference in local kyphotic angle was seen between OVCF with IVC with and without DND, but percent spinal canal compromise and intravertebral instability were greater in OVCF with IVC with DND (P \ 0.001). After vertebroplasty, 25 of 30 cases (84 %) of OVCF with IVC with DND achieved clinically meaningful improvement (CMI), but 5 (17 %) did not. Patients with CMI showed substantial improvements in intravertebral instability (P \ 0.001), and no change in local kyphotic angle or percent spinal canal compromise. In five patients without CMI, four showed an initial improvement, but subsequent vertebral fracture adjacent to the treated vertebra caused neurologic re-deterioration. One patient with percent spinal canal compromise 54.9 % and intravertebral instability 4°achieved no neurologic improvement following vertebroplasty. No serious complications or adverse events related to the procedure were encountered. ConclusionsIntravertebral instability is the dominant cause of DND. Percutaneous vertebroplasty appears effective and safe in the treatment of OVCF with IVC with DND. Patients with less intravertebral instability and severe spinal canal compromise could be candidates for conventional surgical treatment.

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