Closed tibial pilon fractures treated with external fixation

Fractures of tibial pilon are due to a high energy trauma. Associated skin complications are frequent as those of surgery of this pattern. Thus we performed external fixation as treatment for these fractures. Authors report a retrospective study of 17 closed fracture of tibial pilon, type C of Ruedi and Heim classification, treated by osteotaxis using external fixation of Hoffman with osteosynthesis of fibula by screwed plate. Our patients are of a mean age of 34 years with 11 men and 6 women. The right side was most frequently involved (12 patients). Skin injuries as phlyctena were seen in 6 patients. Delay of treatment did not exceed 72 h. We performed a closed reduction of the fracture of tibial pilon after internal fixation of fibula by screwed plate. Results were assessed after 24 months of study. Track pins infection was noted in three cases. Reduction was usually good, despite one case of recurvatum, one case of valgus, one case of Sudeck’s atrophy, three cases of arthritis have been noticed. Mobility decreased at about 30%. External fixation is a real alternative solution for treatment of these fractures for which osteosynthesis is not suitable. It allows us to avoid skin complications despite mobility decreasing.      

Automated Classification of 6-n-Propylthiouracil Taster Status with Machine Learning

Several studies have used taste sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) to evaluate interindividual taste variability and its impact on food preferences, nutrition, and health. We used a supervised learning (SL) approach for the automatic identification of the PROP taster categories (super taster (ST); medium taster (MT); and non-taster (NT)) of 84 subjects (aged 18–40 years). Biological features determined from subjects were included for the training system. Results showed that SL enables the automatic identification of objective PROP taster status, with high precision (97%). The biological features were classified in order of importance in facilitating learning and as prediction factors. The ratings of perceived taste intensity for PROP paper disks (50 mM) and PROP solution (3.2 mM), along with fungiform papilla density, were the most important features, and high estimated values pushed toward ST prediction, while low values leaned toward NT prediction. Furthermore, TAS2R38 genotypes were significant features (AVI/AVI, PAV/PAV, and PAV/AVI to classify NTs, STs, and MTs, respectively). These results, in showing that the SL approach enables an automatic, immediate, scalable, and high-precision classification of PROP taster status, suggest that it may represent an objective and reliable tool in taste physiology studies, with applications ranging from basic science and medicine to food sciences.     

Use of a matrix to form directly applied resin composite to restore worn anterior teeth

The technique of using directly applied resin composite is increasingly being chosen to restore worn anterior teeth. This paper describes the use of a vacuum-formed matrix ('suck-down') to shape the directly applied resin composite, avoiding demanding freehand build-ups.     

Solitary subcutaneous hydatid cyst of gluteal area: an unusual localisation. A case report

Subcutaneous localization of hydatid cyst is uncommon even in endemic zone. Symptoms are often discrete. Diagnosis is confirmed by imaging: ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, thus avoiding any untimely gesture. The treatment is surgery. Authors report a case of unusual subcutaneous localization of solitary hydatid cystis in the gluteal area.     

Luxation traumatique isolée de la tête radiale chez l’adulte : à propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

The authors report a case of isolated dislocation of the head radial road at a patient of 34 years following an injury in pronation and extension of the left elbow in a match of handball. After reduction, as a matter of urgency, the patient is immobilized during 15 days by a brachio-ante-brachio palmaire plaster in 100°. At recession of one year, the clinical examination finds amplitudes comparable to the elbow controlatéral. Only 20 cases of dislocations of the head radial road at the adult were reported in 30 years, among which 13 of them were reduced without surgery and without recurrence. The mostly found mechanism is a hyperpronation, the typical clinical case is a complete blocking of the prono supination without important deficit of the flexion extension.     

Dislocation of the Carpometacarpal Joint of the Thumb Associated with Trapezium and Bennett’s Fractures

We report a case of a 30-year-old man with a carpometacarpal joint dislocation of the thumb associated with trapezium and Bennett’s fractures. This combined injury pattern appears to be very rare. Since, to our knowledge a similar case was not found in the literature. The lesion was managed with closed reduction and percutaneous pining, resulting in good functional outcome.