Endoprosthesis of great joints of extremities in difficult anatomic conditions

Experience in endoprosthesis of great joints in 408 patients in difficult clinical cases associated with defects and deformations of bones of posttraumatic, oncological, dysplastic and systemic character, and also in the cases of complications after primary endoprosthesis is analyzed. Special constructions of implants, instruments, surgical technique were used depending on anatomic and functional changes. Results of endoprosthesis of great joints were accessed as successful in 95% patients in maximal period of follow-up during 13 years.     

The Effect of Surgical Weight Reduction on Functional Status in Morbidly Obese Patients with Low Back Pain

Background: Although low back (LBP) pain is not a lifethreatening disease, it is a source of significant discomfort and disability and accounts for work absences. It has been shown previously that morbid obesity is associated with increased frequency of LBP and that surgical weight loss improves the symptomatology. However, there are no studies to quantitatively assess the exact degree of functional disability caused by severe obesity and the degree of improvement of LBP that follows weight loss from bariatric surgery. Methods: 29 morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery with LBP, weight 132.5±27 (mean±SD) kg and BMI 47.2±8.8 kg/m² were examined for their functional status using psychometric instruments specifically designed to objectively assess the patients' complaints. The preoperative scores were measured by a) visual analogue scales (VAS1, VAS2, VAS3), b) Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, c) Oswestry LBP disability questionnaire, and d) Waddell disability index, and were compared with the scores obtained by the same instruments 2 years after vertical banded gastroplasty. Results: The postoperative weight (92.3±19 kg) and BMI (32.9±6.3 kg/m²) of the 29 patients were significantly reduced (P<0.001). The improved functional disability scores were statistically significant: a) VAS1 1.59±1.86 (mean±SD) vs 0.32±0.64, P<0.001; b) VAS2 5.5±1.97 vs 2.14±1.88, P<0.001; c) VAS3 0.77±1.11 vs 0.09±0.29, P=0.006, d) Roland-Morris 7.89±5.11 vs 1.89±2.13, P<0.001; e) Oswestry 21.22±15.63 vs 5.61±7.51, P<0.001; f) Waddell 2.81±1.37 vs 0.56±0.72, P<0.001. Conclusions: Surgical weight loss significantly improves the degree of functional disability of morbidly obese patients suffering from LBP.     

血管内皮生长因子与基质金属蛋白酶2在血管瘤不同生长过程中的表达特征

目的:观察血管内皮生长因子与基质金属蛋白酶2在血管瘤不同分期中的表达。方法:取自承德医学院附属医院1998-01/2005-12期间血管瘤手术切除的标本共60例及正常带血管皮肤手术切除标本10例,患者家属知情同意。①实验分组:根据Mulliken标准进行病理诊断并分类,所有标本共分4组。增生组22例;退化组20例;退化完成组18例。另取10例正常带血管皮肤组织作为对照组。②采用免疫组织化学S-P法对各组标本的血管内皮生长因子、基质金属蛋白酶2进行染色。③实验评估:以正常血管上皮细胞或肿瘤细胞胞浆出现棕黄色颗粒为阳性,检测各组血管内皮生长因子与基质金属蛋白酶2的表达。结果:①随着血管瘤病理时期的变化,血管内皮生长因子与基质金属蛋白酶2出现明显不同的表达。②增生组血管内皮生长因子与基质金属蛋白酶2的阳性表达率明显高于其他各组,且随着血管瘤的退化,两者的阳性表达率逐渐下降,至退化完成期时与对照组几乎无差别。③血管内皮生长因子与基质金属蛋白酶2的表达呈正相关。结论:血管内皮生长因子与基质金属蛋白酶2在血管瘤的不同分期中起重要作用,其表达水平与血管瘤的病理分期有密切关系。     

Rheumatoid arthritis: similarity of radiographic abnormalities in men and women

To test the hypothesis that there are significant differences in the radiographic appearance of rheumatoid arthritis between men and women, the authors blindly evaluated bilateral hand and wrist radiographs in 32 men with definite rheumatoid arthritis and 32 age- and disease duration-matched women (mean age, 56.4 years; mean disease duration, 10.5 years). Radiographically, disease distribution and severity were identical in these matched groups. Superimposed osteoarthritis was frequent in both groups and related to age. Ill-defined bone proliferation was present in 13 of 64 hands in both groups. Cystic changes and well-defined erosions were present in 12 of 64 male hands and six of 64 female hands, but this difference was not statistically significant. In women, presence of cysts and bone proliferation was related to disease duration, whereas men exhibited these atypical features independent of disease duration. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequencies of typical and atypical features of rheumatoid arthritis between the two sexes, and the authors postulate that previously reported differences relate to patient selection and lack of adequate matching.