Enhanced possibilities to make statements on the ossification status of the medial clavicular epiphysis using an amplified staging scheme in evaluating thin-slice CT scans

Thin-slice computed tomography provides the imaging modality of choice in analysing the ossification process of the medial clavicular epiphysis for the purpose of forensic age diagnostics in the living in the course of criminal proceedings. The classification of the ossification stages by Schmeling et al. compass the emergence of an epiphyseal ossification centre (stage 2), the partial fusion of the epiphysis with the metaphysis (stage 3), the complete fusion of these osseous elements including a visible epiphyseal scar (stage 4), and the complete fusion without a visible epiphyseal scar (stage 5). In the present study, each of the ossification stages 2 and 3 was divided into an early, intermediate and late phase. The authors evaluated the thin-slice CT scans of 185 patients aged between 13 and 26 years. In all these cases, a stage 2 or 3 had been determined in a previous study. The late stage 3, which is characterized by a fusion between metaphysis and epiphysis completing more than two thirds of the former epiphyseal gap, first appeared at age 19 in both sexes. If a late stage 3 is found, it is therefore possible to substantiate that an individual has already reached the legally important age threshold of 18 years.     

Skelettaltersbestimmung der Hand

Evaluation of the developmental stage of the hand skeleton is an essential part of forensic age diagnostics in living individuals involved in criminal proceedings. Skeletal age determination of the hand is mainly based on the development of the epiphyseal centers of ossification, growth of the individual bones and of the entire hand skeleton, modification of the various skeletal elements as well as ossification of the epiphyseal cartilage. Various procedures to determine the skeletal age of the hand as well as the different methodological approaches are presented. Several procedures which have been established in clinical practice have been studied in terms of forensic applicability. According to current knowledge the so-called atlas methods are particularly recommendable for forensic age diagnostics.     

Standard PAH therapy improves long term survival in CTEPH patients

Background

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), subsequent to pulmonary embolism is a relatively frequent cause of pulmonary hypertension. Similar to patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), CTEPH carries a poor prognosis. There is no hard evidence for any other therapy except pulmonary endarterectomy and none for those patients that are not eligible for this procedure.

Patients and methods

Fifty patients with confirmed, inoperable CTEPH receiving specific vasodilative therapy (prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, PDE 5-inhibitors or combination) were included in this retrospective study (mean age 55 years, range 16–76 years; 36 female, 14 male). Kaplan–Meier plots of these patients were compared with Kaplan–Meier plots of two historical CTEPH patient groups without any specific vasodilative treatment by log rank tests.

Results

CTEPH patients treated with specific vasodilative compounds as used for therapy of PAH were followed up for 52 ± 30 months and had a significantly improved survival compared with patients treated without PAH type vasodilators (p ≤ 0.0002).

Conclusion

Our data may generate the hypothesis that specific vasodilative treatment improves outcome in patients with inoperable CTEPH.     

Comparison of imaging planes during CT-based evaluation of clavicular ossification: a multi-center study

Determining the ossification stage of the medial clavicular epiphysis by computed tomography represents the currently recommended methodology for the question of whether a living individual has completed the 18th or 21st year of life. In the present study, thin-slice CT scans of 1078 sternoclavicular joints were reconstructed in axial and coronal image series and evaluated according to the two classification systems established for age diagnostics using the clavicle. Both image series (axial and coronal) were analyzed separately. When comparing the results of axial and coronal view, a different ossification stage was found in 35.6% of the clavicles. The results suggest an influence of the imaging plane on the process of stage determination. In order to further approximate the three-dimensional and asymmetrical structure of the epiphyseal ossification center, the usage of at least two different reformation types may be recommended. In practice, only those reference studies should be applied which exactly employed the same number and orientations of the reformation types that are going to be used in the respective routine case.

     

The impact of economic progress and modernization in medicine on the ossification of hand and wrist

One of the main criteria used for age estimations of young living subjects is the developmental status of the ossification of hand bones. The impact of economic progress and modernization in medicine on ossification rates in a given population still requires further clarification. We selected 36 samples from literature for which the ossification status had been determined with the Greulich–Pyle method and analyzed specific economic data (per capita income) and demographic data (life expectancy at birth) as parameters of modernization. To describe the influence of these parameters on the rate of ossification, we performed a regression analysis and found that a relatively high level of economic progress and modernization in medicine coincides with high ossification rates, while relatively low modernization seems to delay ossification. When performing age estimations, the expert opinion should therefore pay attention to the issue of different modernization levels.     

Reference data for the Thiemann–Nitz method of assessing skeletal age for the purpose of forensic age estimation

The aim of this study was to determine the statistical parameters of deviation in the Thiemann–Nitz method for use in forensic age diagnostics. To this effect, 402 hand radiograms, originally taken in two large German cities between 1983 and 2002 for the purpose of diagnosing trauma, were analyzed. At the time of examination, the patients were aged between 10 and 18 years. The study presents the mean, standard deviation, and median, with lower and upper quartiles, for the skeletal ages of 11.0 through 18.0 years. The simple standard deviations range between 0.2 and 1.2 years. To increase the accuracy of age estimates and improve the identification of age-relevant developmental disorders in forensic age estimation practice, the methods for determining skeletal age should always be combined with a physical and dental examination. In addition, the expert opinion should pay attention to the issue of different modernization levels in relevant populations.     

Tibial fracture during removal of a tibial intramedullary nail.

SUMMARY: As tibial intramedullary nailing becomes the preferred treatment for tibial shaft fracture, removal of tibial nails will become more common. Removal of tibial intramedullary nails is not without complications, but a review of the literature found only one recent report of a fracture of the tibia during removal. A case report of a tibial fracture during removal of an Alta tibial nail is presented.     

Patellaluxation bei Sportlern

Most dislocations of the patella occur during sports activities. The entities instability, maltracking and loss of tracking should be defined by patient history, clinical examination and radiological evaluation including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on these criteria a new classification of patella dislocations (5 types) was established which allows a standardized treatment algorithm. Type 1 is a simple (traumatic) dislocation without maltracking and without instability. Type 2 has a high redislocation risk (defined as instability) without maltracking. An isolated stabilizing surgical procedure, such as medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) augmentation is successful in most cases. Type 3 is characterized by instability and maltracking. Maltracking can be caused by soft tissue contracture or muscular deficits (type 3a), patella alta (type 3b), pathological tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance (type 3c), genu valgum (type 3d) and torsional deformities (type 3e). In these types an isolated soft tissue procedure is usually not sufficient. The bony pathologies additionally need to be addressed to regain physiological patella tracking. Type 4 includes severe trochlea dysplasia with loss of patella tracking. Usually trochleaplasty is needed to stabilize the patella and to prevent redislocation. Type 5 is based on patella maltracking without instability and can be found in patients with a pathological knee baseline or special forms of torsional deformities. Although patella dislocations in trained athletes are seldom due to the stabilizing muscular status, the treatment strategy is similar to that of normal persons. Additional cartilage injuries, type of sports and time for rehabilitation have to be considered for optimal treatment.     

Forensic age estimation in living individuals using 3.0T MRI of the distal femur

To increase the reliability of forensic age estimations in living adolescents and young adults where there is no legitimation for X-ray examinations, it would be desirable to establish radiation-free imaging methods. In the present study, the ossification stage of the distal femoral epiphysis was determined retrospectively in 166 male and 124 female individuals in the age group 10 to 30 years using 3.0T MRI. When evaluating the ossification stage, a combination of the classifications proposed by Schmeling et al. and by Kellinghaus et al. was used. Within the study population, stages 3b, 3c and 4 did not occur in the male sex before the 14th birthday, although the validity of the results is distinctly limited relative to stage 3b in view of the small number of cases. In females, stages 3c and 4 did not occur before the 14th birthday. Stage 4 did not occur in males before the 18th birthday. Should this result be confirmed in future studies, there would be an additional criterion providing evidence that the age of 18 years has been completed.