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Both vascular surgeons and podiatric physicians care for patients with diabetic foot ulcerations (DFUs), one of today's most challenging health-care populations in the United States. The prevalence of DFUs has steadily increased, along with the rising costs associated with care. Because of the numerous comorbidities affecting these patients, it is necessary to take a multidisciplinary approach in the management of these patients. Such efforts, primarily led by podiatric physicians and vascular surgeons, have been shown to effectively decrease major limb loss. Establishing an interprofessional partnership between vascular surgery and podiatric medicine can lead to an improvement in the delivery of care and outcomes of this vulnerable patient population.
Vascular anomalies (birthmarks) commonly involve the feet and ankles. Little is known about these anomalies among practicing physicians. In this article, vascular anomalies are described, and detailed information is presented regarding appropriate diagnostic work-up and treatment strategies. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 94(5): 477–482, 2004)
This practice memo, a collaborative effort between the Young Physicians' Program of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and the Young Surgeons Committee of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), is intended to aid podiatrists and vascular surgeons in the early years of their respective careers, especially those involved in the care of patients with chronic wounds. During these formative years, learning how to successfully establish an inter-professional partnership is crucial in order to provide the best possible care to this important patient population.
Atypical Vascularity Within a Schwannoma
A Case Study
We report on the unusual presentation of a schwannoma. Aside from the aberrant dorsolateral anatomical presentation, ultrasonography revealed not only peripheral vascularity but also internal vascularity. Internal vascularity often suggests a malignant process as opposed to a benign one; however, in the presented case, the diagnosis of a benign lesion was confirmed with S100 immunohistochemical staining. In this study, we review the literature on this pathology and present an uncommon presentation of a benign nerve tumor.
Reported here is the case of a 55-year-old woman presenting to a podiatry clinic with a chief complaint of left heel and ankle pain, who ultimately underwent operative excision of an angioleiomyoma adjacent to the tibialis posterior artery at the level of the medial malleolus. Accompanying this case are images from three modalities through which the defining characteristics of an angioleiomyoma can be appreciated. This case advocates for the inclusion of angioleiomyoma in the preoperative differential diagnosis of a mass presenting as a pseudoaneurysm in the lower extremity, particularly among women in the fourth to sixth decades of life.
A case of a vascular hamartoma occurring in the plantar aspect of the foot is reported. Surgical excision of the mass was the treatment of choice, and the surgery was performed after appropriate diagnostic measures had been undertaken. A normal postoperative course ensued, and no recurrence has been reported.
As our society becomes older, peripheral vascular disease assumes greater significance. Many patients are not surgical candidates and, therefore, must opt for medical management. The podiatrist often assumes the role of primary health care provider, and a knowledge of the disease process, its consequences, and treatment alternatives becomes paramount. The authors detail the events leading to and the treatment options for symptomatic peripheral vascular disease.
The authors present an overview of post-traumatic foot compartment syndrome with an emphasis on the importance of relieving vascular compromise immediately. The incisional approach selected should not only effectively decompress the foot, but also allow for repair of concomitant osseous and soft tissue injury as well. Vascular considerations may dictate the course of simultaneous fracture management.
Virtually no attention has been given in public education efforts to the potentially devastating effects of smoking on the lower extremities. An analysis of the epidemiologic studies that have been done by the Office of the Surgeon General and other clinical investigators has been presented, leading to the conclusion that cigarette smoking is the single most powerful risk factor for peripheral vascular disease. In the care of patients with peripheral vascular disease, the podiatric physician has an opportunity to be a participant in efforts to solve one of the nation's major public health problems.
The surgical loss of the foot or leg is vigorously resisted by podiatrists who are committed to the conservation of limbs at risk because of peripheral vascular disease. Pathologic changes in blood vessels may, however, progress to a point where no other option is available to the patient. This study assesses amputation of the extremities and investigates tissue alterations that can be identified in diseased blood vessels implicated in these circumstances. Gross pathology and scanning electron microscopy are examined in this, the first of a two-part study.
