Osteosarcoma of the nude rat. A model for experimental magnetic resonance imaging studies of bone tumors.

A 144cerium-induced osteosarcoma was transplanted to athymic nude rats (Han:rnu/rnu). Nineteen of the tumor-bearing animals were used to demonstrate the characteristics of the osteosarcoma on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in comparison with a group of nine animals that had not received any tumor transplant. The tumor-free animals showed homogeneous results in the measurements of their lower legs (T1, 800-898 mseconds; T2, 33-45 mseconds). The osteosarcomas of the tumor-bearing rats were clearly demonstrated and delineated from adjacent structures by MRI at tumor volumes between 0.3 and 7.5 cm3. A significant increase in T1 and T2 relaxation times was found, which corresponded to the increase in tumor volume. T1 relaxation times decreased slightly when tumor volumes reached greater than 5 cm3, whereas T2 relaxation times remained constant at tumor volumes greater than 2.5 cm3. Histologic changes in the structure of the tumors, occurring naturally during their growth, were proven by immersion-fixed sections embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The water content of small and large tumors was determined by lyophilization and heat drying. Both histologic changes and differences in water content were reflected in the variations of relaxation times.     

Anatomic study of femoral vein occlusion during simulated hip arthroplasty

Summary An anatomic study was undertaken to establish whether positioning of the leg and surgical approaches for total hip replacement (THR) cause changes in the femoral v. which may contribute to the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The patency of 32 femoral vv. of 18 cadavers was inspected at different levels during simulated THR. Before and after removal of the femoral head through a transgluteal or posterior approach, a wide-angle endoscope was inserted into the femoral v. via the external iliac v. Blood flow was simulated by proximal irrigation with saline through the popliteal v. After removal of the femoral head distinct changes were observed in both approaches. In the transgluteal approach the changes were dependent on the degree of adduction and the body build of the cadaver. Initially, an oval form was seen in a constricted lumen with an increasingly oblique oval deformation and a final facet-like closure, usually at about 5 to 7.5 cm below the inguinal ligament. In total adduction this stenosis occured regardless of build. Using a posterior approach, the necessary internal rotation caused a closure of the vein in 50% of cases. In combination with flexion and adduction there was stenosis in all cadavers regardless of body build. Our results indicate that the duration of the adducted position of the thigh during THR via a transgluteal approach should be minimised, as there is a reduction in blood flow with even minor degrees of adduction. In the posterior approach the stenosis occurs earlier, and is independent of the build of the cadaver.

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Étude anatomique de la sténose de la veine fémorale au cours des arthroplasties totales de hanche

Résumé L'étude anatomique a été réalisée pour établir la relation entre les différentes positions du membre inférieur au cours des arthroplasties totales de hanche et la survenue d'une thrombose veineuse profonde. Cette étude a été réalisée sur 18 cadavres, dont 32 vv. fémorales ont pu être examinées à différents temps de l'arthroplastie totale de hanche, avant et après ablation de la tête fémorale, par voie trans-glutéale ou par voie postérieure. Un endoscope (grand angle) a été introduit dans la v. fémorale par la v. iliaque externe. Le flux sanguin a été simulé par irrigation antérograde avec du sérum salé à travers la v. poplitée. Après l'ablation de la tête fémorale, il a été noté des différences significatives entre la voie d'abord trans-glutéale et la voie d'abord postérieure pour ce qui concerne l'aspect de la lumière de la v. fémorale et le flux sanguin. En ce qui concerne la voie trans-glutéale, ces modifications dépendaient du degré d'adduction et de la corpulence du cadavre. L'aspect de la lumière de la v. fémorale était initialement ovale, puis évoluait progressivement vers la sténose complète qui se situait à peu près entre 5 et 7,5 cm audessous du ligament inguinal. En adduction complète de la cuisse, la sténose se produisait, quelle que soit la corpulence du cadavre. En ce qui concerne la voie d'abord postérieure, la rotation médiale, indispensable à l'accès pour la mise en place de l'élément prothétique fémoral, causait une sténose de la v. fémorale dans 50% des cas. En ce qui concerne la combinaison des mouvements d'adduction et de flexion de la hanche, elle était responsable d'une sténose de la v. fémorale dans tous les cas, et ceci quelle que soit la corpulence du cadavre. Nos résultats indiquent que le durée de la position d'adduction de la cuisse durant l'arthroplastie totale de hanche par voie transglutéale devrait être diminuée car la réduction du flux sanguin dans la v. fémorale survient, même pour des petits degrés d'adduction. Dans la voie d'abord postérieure, la sténose survient plus tôt, elle ne dépend pas de la corpulence du cadavre.

     

Über das Verhalten von Herzglykosiden in der Niere als Ursache ihrer unterschiedlichen diuretischen Aktivität

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Does a pressure increase translate into an adjacent compartment? A cadaver study

Objectives

The influence of local pressure elevation on the adjacent compartment of the lower limb is poorly described. We examined these effects in a non-fractured cadaver model.

Methods

Paired legs of unfrozen specimens were used. The pressure in the anterior and in the peroneal compartment of the contralateral limb was raised by bolus injections of saline (5cc bolus/60 seconds. Pressure changes in the adjacent compartments were measured.

Results

Pressure increase in the anterior and peroneal compartment, up to 100 mmHg did not affect the mean maximum pressure changes in the other compartments. Exceeding 100 mmHg in the anterior compartment, the peroneal pressure was 13.67 mmHg(range 8–20 mmHg), the deep posterior 7.50 mmHg(5–13 mmHg) and the superficial compartment pressure was 6.67 mmHg(4–9 mmHg). In cases of raised pressures in the peroneal compartment above 100 mmHg, the anterior, deep and superficial posterior compartments showed pressures of 12.5 mmHg(11–15 mmHg), 7.5 mmHg(4–11 mmHg), and 7.5 mmHg(4–12 mmHg).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that increased pressures in the anterior tibial or peroneal compartments do not directly influence the neighbouring compartments. It appears that in an intact compartment, the fascia seals pressure elevations in the range that is clinically relevant. Whether or not this may have clinical impact on the indications for single versus multiple compartment fasciotomy should be subject to further studies.     

Morphometric study of the scapular free flap and the free rib osteomyocutaneous flap

The scapula free flap is often the first choice for reconstruction of bony defects of the facial skeleton. However, the vascularised rib as part of a free rib osteomyocutaneous flap may be a suitable second choice. We have investigated the morphology and clinical dimensions of the 7th rib and the scapula, and the ability of the available bone to carry dental implants. The age and sex of the cadaver, and the donor side, were also recorded. The dimensions of the scapulas and 7th ribs (n = 130 of each) from 65 cadavers were measured at 4 different points using osteometric methods. Examination showed that bone from the scapula and 7th rib were sufficient for placement of implants. The 7th rib gave reliable measurements for both height and width, and a consistent relation between compact and cancellous bone. Although the scapula provided adequate compact and cancellous bone, there were variations depending on the segment of bone chosen. Bones from male cadavers were more suitable for implantation. In both the scapula and the 7th rib ageing had a significant adverse effect in only one dimension. Most points of measurement have satisfactory bony dimensions for insertion of dental implants.     

Computed tomography of the inner ear: size of anatomical structures in the normal temporal bone and in the temporal bone of patients with Menière’s disease

The purpose of the study was to obtain reference values for the sizes of anatomical structures of the inner ear on computed tomography (CT) images and to compare these values with those obtained from patients with Menières disease. CT images of the temporal bone of 67 patients without inner ear pathology and 53 patients with Menières disease have been evaluated. CT was performed in the sequential mode (1-mm slice thickness, 120 kV, 125 mA). Anatomical structures, such as the length and the width of the cochlea and of the vestibule, the height of the basal turn, the length and the width of the cochlear, the vestibular and the singular aqueduct and the internal auditory meatus and the diameter of the semicircular canals, were measured, using a dedicated postprocessing workstation. Reference values from the control group could be obtained. In the patients with Menières disease, the length and the width of the vestibular aqueduct were smaller, compared with the values from the control group. The values obtained from the control group can serve as reference values for adult patients. The different sizes of anatomical structures of the control group and of patients suffering from Menières disease suggest that functional impairment might be related to subtle morphological changes.     

Die beidseitige dislozierte intraartikuläre Kalkaneusfraktur eines 13-jährigen Jungen

Zusammenfassung Die beidseitige dislozierte intraartikuläre Kalkaneusfraktur im Kindesalter stellt eine absolute Rarität dar. Dieser Fallbericht schildert beispielhaft, dass nach adäquatem präoperativen Weichteilmanagement die offene anatomische Reposition und laterale Plattenosteosynthese durch einen erfahrenen Chirurgen entsprechend den Prinzipien der Erwachsenenchirurgie mit einem guten funktionellen Ergebnis einhergeht.