Image-directed percutaneous biopsies with a biopsy gun

Core tissue for histologic study is believed by many pathologists to be more diagnostic than material from needle aspiration. Recently, a biopsy "gun" has been introduced, which simplifies core biopsies. With this device, 182 biopsies of multiple anatomic sites were performed with ultrasonic, computed tomographic, and fluoroscopic guidance and 18-gauge needles. High-quality histopathologic specimens were obtained in 177 of the biopsies, and diagnostic target tissue was obtained in 167. Only three significant complications occurred: one bleeding complication that required transfusion and two cases of pneumothorax that necessitated placement of chest tubes. The biopsy gun eliminated the disjointed movements of conventional "skinny" needle biopsies, and none of the samples demonstrated significant "crush" artifact or obscuring blood, problems that are commonly associated with manual biopsy techniques. Patient discomfort was decreased with this system compared with that of manual biopsies, and the total procedure time was reduced. Because of these distinct advantages, the authors now use the biopsy gun exclusively for all percutaneous biopsies and recommend that other institutions consider the use of this biopsy method.     

The distribution of enzyme inhibitors in the joint in rheumatoid and experimental arthritis

The enzyme inhibitors alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha 2M) and alpha antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) have been demonstrated previously in the pannus-cartilage junction area in 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These deposits were present in both inflammatory cells and in the cartilage matrix. As the tissue studied came from far advanced disease removed at the time of joint replacements, the initial phase of cartilage destruction was studied in a carrageenin-induced arthritis in rabbits. Sequential studies indicated that loss of proteoglycan from cartilage was necessary before alpha 2M penetrated the matrix. Explant cultures of synovial tissue from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) joints released an inhibitor of neutrophil elastase and plasminogen activator which was neither alpha 2M nor alpha 1AT. Synovial tissue (and cartilage) enzyme inhibitors may have important implications in relation to protective mechanisms within the joint in RA and OA over and above the effect of plasma inhibitors.     

Osteosarcomatosis

A review of the 690 cases of osteosarcoma in the radiographic file of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology revealed 29 cases of "osteosarcomatosis" (multiple skeletal sites of osteosarcoma). Fifteen of these patients were 18 years old and under and manifested rapidly appearing, usually symmetric, sclerotic metaphyseal lesions. The remaining 14 patients were more than 18 years old and had fewer, asymmetric sclerotic lesions. In most patients (28 of 29), a radiographically dominant skeletal tumor was seen. Pulmonary metastases occurred in the majority of patients and were detected at the same time as the bone lesions. These 29 patients were studied with regard to demographic data and skeletal distribution and radiographic appearance of their lesions. As a result of the findings, a metastatic origin from a primary dominant osteosarcoma is favored over a multifocal origin as the basis for osteosarcomatosis. Osteosarcomatosis is more commonly encountered in the mature skeleton than has been previously recognized.     

ROLE OF EPIDURAL MEDICATION IN LUMBOSCIATIC SYNDROME

Role of epidural medication through caudal route was studied in 109 patients having lumbago with or without sciatica to highlight the value of this mode of treatment which relieved symptoms in more than 70% of cases without hospitalisation and without being off work for long periods as in usual methods of conservative treatment.KEY WORDS: Epidural medication, Backache, Lumbago, Sciatica     

Purified murine hematopoietic stem cells function longer on nonirradiated W41/Wv than on +/+ irradiated stroma

Mouse bone marrow (BM) was separated into low-density, lineage- negative, wheat germ agglutinin-positive (WGA+), Rhodamine-123 bright (Rhbright) or dim (Rhdim) cells to obtain populations that were highly enriched for committed progenitors (Rhbright cells) or for more primitive stem cells (Rhdim). When 2,500 Rhbright or Rhdim cells were seeded onto 6-week-old irradiated (20 Gy) long-term BM cultures (LTBMC), the nonadherent cell production from Rhbright cells was transient and ended after 5 weeks. Production from Rhdim cells did not begin until week 3, peaked at week 5, and ended at week 8, when the irradiated stroma seemed to fail. Termination of cell production from Rhdim cells did not occur in nonirradiated LTBMC from W41/Wv mice. During peak nonadherent cell production, 25% to 30% of the cells in the nonirradiated LTBMC from W41/Wv mice had donor cell markers. Two approaches were tested to try to enhance the proportion or number of donor cells. Addition of Origen-HGF at the time of seeding Rhdim cells caused a nonspecific increase in both host and donor cell production, but a specific increase in production of donor cells was obtained by seeding the cultures at 2 weeks rather than 6 weeks. Limiting dilution of Rhdim cells gave the same frequency of wells producing cells on both irradiated +/+ and nonirradiated W41/Wv or W/Wv cultures.     

Epidemiology of rheumatic diseases in rural and urban populations in Indonesia: a World Health Organisation International League Against Rheumatism COPCORD study, stage I, phase 2.

To determine the incidence of musculoskeletal pain, disabilities, and help seeking behaviour, a questionnaire was administered to a rural population of 2184 men and 2499 women and an urban population of 481 men and 590 women aged over 15 years by house to house interviews with completion rates of 95.2% (rural) and 97.1% (urban). The incidences of pain in the joints, back, or neck were 23.6% (rural) and 31.3% (urban). The incidence of disability due to an inability to walk, lift, carry, and dress was 2.8% (rural) and 0.9% (urban). The percentage of the population with pain who had to stop work owing to disability was 75% (rural) and 78% (urban). Official health care facilities were used by 62% (rural) and 71% (urban) of the population. Traditional health care was used by 87% (rural) and 89% (urban). The high percentage of subjects unable to work was due to a predominance of manual labour occupations (rural, 90%, urban, 80%). The age and sex specific incidence of rheumatic diseases in these populations were similar to other developing and developed countries. The primary rheumatology service was inadequate due to the low priority given by the health service to non-communicable diseases and inadequate rheumatology teaching of the primary health care doctors during undergraduate training. Musculoskeletal pain is a major public health problem in Indonesia and is still not fully appreciated.