The bipartite tarsal navicular bone: Radiographic and computed tomography findings

Two cases of bipartite tarsal navicular bone are presented. The radiographic and computed tomography (CT) findings of this anatomical variant are described. Correct recognition of this entity is important, both because it may be the cause of symptoms perse, and because it may be misdiagnosed as a fracture. When plain films are not diagnostic, CT scanning is helpful in distinguishing between a fracture and this variant.     

Rupture of the posterior tibial tendon: CT and surgical findings

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 42 patients with 49 clinically suspected tears of the posterior tibial tendon. Twenty-eight of the 49 suspected tears were subsequently surgically explored and repaired. Three patterns of tendon abnormalities were recognized on CT scans: type I-intact, hypertrophied, heterogeneous tendon; type II-attenuated tendon; and type III-absence of a portion of a tendon. Types I and II correlated with partial rupture seen during surgery, and type III correlated with complete rupture of the tendon. CT findings were accurate in 96% of the patients who underwent surgery. In four cases (14%), tendon rupture was seen on CT scans, but the extent of the injury was underestimated and the rupture was misclassified. Reactive periostitis of the distal tibia was seen in 71% of diseased tendons and may represent an important factor in the diagnosis of tendon rupture.     

Malignant oncocytoma of the maxillary sinus— An ultrastructural study

A unique case of a malignant oncocytoma of the maxillary sinus is reviewed in detail. The ultrastructural findings are presented. The histologic and ultrastructural criteria that characterize onco-cytes and the clinicopathologic features of benign and malignant oncocytomas are discussed. This case represents the eleventh reported case that would truly qualify as a malignant oncocytoma of the paranasal sinuses.     

HLA polymorphisms in Nigerians

The HLA class I and class II phenotypes of a panel of 114 unrelated Nigerians have been determined. The panel was tested for all the known class I antigens and comparisons of the HLA-A and -B frequencies with those of other African Negroid populations revealed some differences. Only limited comparisons could be made for the HLA-DR and -D frequencies as these are not available for any well-defined African Negroid population. The data concerning the class II antigens of this panel are the most interesting. Half of the DRw11-positive panel members are DQw3 negative and DQw1 positive. In addition, there is dissociation of some HLA-D and -DR specificities, a number of panel members are positive for an HLA-D specificity and are negative for the corresponding HLA-DR specificity. Our results show the value of population studies in the investigation of the relationship between the different HLA class II antigens.     

Pathogenesis of infectious bursal disease in embryonally bursectomised chickens

Embryonally bursectomised and nonbursectomised chickens were infected with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) at 36 days of age. Neither clinical signs nor gross lesions were observed in the infected, bursectomised (IB) chickens. No significant changes were observed in carcass, thymus or spleen weights of IB and noninfected bursectomised chickens. A mild lymphocytic necrosis and depletion were found in the spleen, thymus and caecal tonsil of the IB chickens. Neither precipitating nor serum neutralising antibodies were detected in the sera but IBDV was reisolated from the spleen and thymus. Infected, nonbursectomised (IN) chickens developed severe depression with diarrhoea and high mortalities. Haemorrhages were found in the muscles of the breast and thigh, proventriculus and intestines. Significant changes were observed between the carcass, thymus and bursa weights of the IN and noninfected, nonbursectomised chickens. There was severe lymphatic necrosis of the bursa, thymus, spleen and caecal tonsil. Both precipitating and neutralising antibodies were detected in the sera and the virus was reisolated from the bursa, thymus and spleen. It is concluded that the bursa of Fabricius is not essential for the establishment of an IBDV infection but is required for the clinical infection.