Osteoclast-like giant cell tumor arising in the soft tissue of the breast: Report of a case

Extraosseous manifestations of osteoclast-like giant cell tumors (OGCTs) in soft tissue are unusual, especially in the breast. However, multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells have been described in association with epithelial malignancy, as a variant of breast carcinoma. We report a case of OGCT of the soft tissue of the breast, not associated with epithelial elements. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second such case reported.     

Quantifying normal ankle joint volume: An anatomic study

Background:

Many therapeutic and diagnostic modalities such as intraarticular injections, arthrography and ankle arthroscopy require introduction of fluid into the ankle joint. Little data are currently available in the literature regarding the maximal volume of normal, nonpathologic, human ankle joints. The purpose of this study was to measure the volume of normal human ankle joints.

Materials and Methods:

A fluoroscopic guided needle was passed into nine cadaveric adult ankle joints. The needle was connected to an intracompartmental pressure measurement device. A radiopaque dye was introduced into the joint in 2 mL boluses, while pressure measurements were recorded. Fluid was injected into the joint until three consecutive pressure measurements were similar, signifying a maximal joint volume.

Results:

The mean maximum ankle joint volume was 20.9 ± 4.9 mL (range, 16–30 mL). The mean ankle joint pressure at maximum volume was 142.2 ± 13.8 mm Hg (range, 122–166 mm Hg). Two of the nine samples showed evidence of fluid tracking into the synovial sheath of the flexor hallucis longus tendon.

Conclusion:

Maximal normal ankle joint volume was found to vary between 16–30 mL. This study ascertains the communication between the ankle joint and the flexor hallucis longus tendon sheath. Exceeding maximal ankle joint volume suggested by this study during therapeutic injections, arthrography, or arthroscopy could potentially damage the joint.     

Increase in Vertebral Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women Using Omeprazole

Proton pump inhibitors are taken by millions of patients for prevention and treatment of gastroesophageal diseases. Case-control studies have suggested that use of omeprazole is associated with an increased risk of hip fractures. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the risk of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women using omeprazole. We studied 1,211 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Osteoporosis and Ultrasound Study from the general population. Information on omeprazole and other risk factors for fractures including prevalent fractures and bone mineral density was obtained at baseline. Vertebral fractures were assessed on X-rays obtained at baseline and at the end of the 6-year follow-up and analyzed centrally. At baseline, 5% of this population was using omeprazole. Age-adjusted rates for vertebral fractures were 1.89 and 0.60 for 100 person-years for omeprazole users and nonusers, respectively (P = 0.009). In the multivariate analysis, omeprazole use was a significant and independent predictor of vertebral fractures (RR = 3.50, 95% CI 1.14–8.44). The other predictors were age higher than 65 years (RR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.02–5.34), prevalent vertebral fractures (RR = 3.62, 95% CI 1.63–8.08), and lumbar spine T score ≤ −2.5 (RR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.03–5.49). Omeprazole use is associated with an increased risk of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism of the association between the underlying gastric disease, omeprazole use, and risk of osteoporotic fractures.     

Coping strategies used by hypersexual patients to defend against the painful effects of shame

This article reports the findings of a study investigating coping strategies used by hypersexual patients (n = 71), compared with a control group (n = 73), in their attempts to defend against shame. Coping strategies were measured using the Compass of Shame Scale (CoSS) and hypersexual behaviour was measured by the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI). A multivariate analysis of variance of between‐group differences was significant, and examination of post hoc univariate tests revealed that the sample of hypersexual patients defended against shame with higher levels of withdrawal and higher tendencies to attack self and others when compared with the control group. The effect sizes of these differences were moderate to large. A categorical analysis of the patient group indicated that the greatest percentages of elevated shame scores were clustered on the Withdrawal and Attack Self subscales of the CoSS. Between‐group differences on the Avoidance subscale of the CoSS were not significant. The results of this study are discussed as they pertain to clinical practice, and future recommendations for research are offered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.