Meniscal abnormalities: prospective correlation of double-contrast arthrography and arthroscopy

In a prospective study conducted over a 12-month period, 30 patients underwent double-contrast arthrography of the knee followed by arthroscopic study. An 80% correlation rate was found between results. Arthrography had a higher rate of accuracy (93%) than arthroscopy (84%) and had a 7% false-positive and 0% false-negative rate. A commonly overlooked arthrographic sign--the triple-S or stuck sail sign--was 91% accurate in the prediction of meniscal tears. The complementary nature of the two examinations is discussed.     

Patellofemoral joint: kinematic MR imaging to assess tracking abnormalities

The patellofemoral joint was imaged with magnetic resonance (MR) in the axial plane while the knee was positioned from 0 degrees to 32 degrees of flexion (nine positions). These multiple sequential images obtained within the early phases of flexion of the knee were viewed in a "cine-loop" format, producing a kinematic study that clearly demonstrated the relationship of the patella to the trochlear groove. Four healthy subjects and one patient with known bilateral subluxing patellae were studied. The preliminary results suggest that kinematic MR imaging of the patellofemoral joint is potentially useful for the evaluation of patellar tracking abnormalities.     

Critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a coasted in-vitro fertilization patient

We report an instance of critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a highly responsive in-vitro fertilization patient despite the preventive measure of a 4 day 'coast' interval during which no gonadotrophins were administered while gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist therapy continued until serum oestradiol concentrations fell below 3000 pg/ml.      

Incidence and determinants of moderate COPD (GOLD II) in male smokers aged 40–65 years: 5-year follow up

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem with an estimated prevalence of 10-15% among smokers. The incidence of moderate COPD, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), is largely unknown. AIM: To determine the cumulative incidence of moderate COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio [FEV1/FVC] <0.7 and FEV1 <80% predicted) and its association with patient characteristics in a cohort of male smokers. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The city of IJsselstein, a small town in the Netherlands. METHOD: Smokers aged 40-65 years who were registered with local GPs, participated in a study to identify undetected COPD. Baseline measurements were taken in 1998 of 399 smokers with normal spirometry (n = 292) or mild COPD (FEV1/FVC <0.7 and FEV1 >or=80% predicted, n = 107) and follow-up measurements were conducted in 2003. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 5.2 years, 33 participants developed moderate COPD (GOLD II). This showed an estimated cumulative incidence of 8.3% (95% CI = 5.8 to 11.4) and a mean annual incidence of 1.6%. No participant developed severe airflow obstruction. The risk of developing moderate COPD in smokers with baseline mild COPD (GOLD I) was five times higher than in those with baseline normal spirometry (one in five versus one in 25). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of middle-aged male smokers, the estimated cumulative incidence of moderate COPD (GOLD II) over 5 years was relatively high (8.3%). Age, childhood smoking, cough, and one or more GP contacts for lower respiratory tract problems were independently associated with incident moderate COPD.     

The Resistance of Certain Tissues to Invasion: Penetrability of Explanted Tissues by Vascularized Mesenchyme

If puppy tissues are explanted onto the chick chorioallantoic membrane, those tissues which normally have a blood supply are rapidly invaded by vascularized mesenchyme of host origin. Hyaline cartilage, a tissue virtually devoid of blood vessels, is impenetrable by proliferating mesenchyme of the host, while calcified cartilage, which normally is vascularized, is penetrable. The stroma of the cornea, another normally avascular tissue, is readily penetrable, but Descemet's membrane forms a barrier to invasion by host tissues. The experimental system used permits the design of experiments in which the study of factors responsible for the resistance of tissues such as cartilage to invasion can be undertaken.     

An unusual clinical presentation of bilateral schizencephaly

Summary We present a case with a characteristic magnetic resonance image (MRI) of bilateral open-lipped schizencephaly and atypical clinical presentation. The patient is still alive and in good health in her forties, she has never presented seizures, and although the motor dysfunction is well correlated with cerebral lobe involvement, neurobehavioral dysfunction is not proportional to the MR image of the cerebral malformation.

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Un cas inhabituel de schizencéphalie bilatérale

Résumé Nous présentons un cas de schizencéphalie bilatérale ouverte caractérisé par une présentation clinique atypique et une imagerie par résonance magnétique nucléaire caractéristique. La patiente est encore vivante, en bonne santé, à plus de 40 ans, elle n'a jamais présenté de crise comitiale et, bien que les troubles moteurs soient bien corrélés aux altérations cérébrales, les troubles neuro-comportementaux ne sont pas proportionnels aux images IRM de cette malformation cérébrale.