| June 12, 2003 |
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Rib deformity in scoliosis
- European Spine Journal |
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Conclusion:
The most prominent part of the rib cage deformity was at the
same level as the most rotated vertebra in two patients, and
in the rest of the patients it was one, two or three
vertebral levels lower. There was no association between the
Cobb angle, vertebral rotation and rib deformity. A CT scan
is necessary preoperatively in patients who will undergo a
costoplasty, to determine the exact levels of the
prominence. However, a scanogram or a 3D reconstruction is
required for exactly matching the most prominent part of the
rib cage deformity to the corresponding vertebral level...
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| June 11, 2003 |
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Transient marrow edema syndrome of the hip: results
after core decompression A prospective MRI-controlled study
in 22 patients
- Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
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Transient
marrow edema syndrome (TMES) of the hip is a disease of
acute onset and severe functional disability. There is
histological evidence for an ischemic etiology of TMES of
the hip. Core decompression as applied for avascular
necrosis (AVN) of the hip is therefore a therapeutic
alternative to conservative therapy, the latter leading only
to a reduction of symptoms but never a shortening of the
course of the disease. Our results demonstrate that core
decompression of the hip significantly shortens the natural
course of disease of TMES of the hip... |
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Two alternative methods for the measurement of MZ
distance on a hip radiograph
- Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
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There was a
significant correlation between the centre-edge angle and
the three measurement methods in both normal and dysplastic
hips. The lowest normal limits for MZ-m and MZ-x in adult
hips were considered to be –3 mm and –2 mm, respectively
(point Z is lateral to point M). Intraobserver and
interobserver measurement variations of both methods were
less than 2 mm. Both alternative methods were considered
more useful than the classic one in the exact determination
of the distance between the centres of the femoral head and
the acetabulum... |
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New technology for assessing microstructural
components of tendons and ligaments
- International Orthopaedics |
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This study
investigated the ability of optical coherence tomography
(OCT), a recently developed technology with micron-scale
resolution, to assess the microstructure of tendons and
ligaments. In vitro structural- and polarization-sensitive
OCT was performed on human ACL, Achilles tendon, and biceps
tendon (obtained postmortem). Histology was performed on all
imaged samples and compared to the corresponding OCT data.
OCT images correlated well with histology. Most importantly,
through polarization-sensitive OCT, the collagen in normal
tissue was easily distinguished from the surrounding,
supportive tissue due to the birefringent properties of
organized collagen. Since the integrity of collagen is an
important indicator of structural stability and pathologic
state, the ability of OCT to assess collagen could be a
powerful diagnostic tool in assessing tendon and ligament
properties... |
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Correlation between power Doppler ultrasonography
and clinical severity in Achilles tendinopathy
- International Orthopaedics |
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Twenty-five
patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy were clinically
and ultrasonographically evaluated. A positive correlation
existed between power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) and
tendon thickness and patient's age. A negative correlation
existed between PDU and a functional test (number of toe
raises to pain) and one recorded item of the Victorian
Institute of Sport Assessment Achilles score (VISA-A
questionnaire, item 6: jumping capability). Three patients
had no detectable blood flow on PDU. PDU of Achilles tendons
does not seem to be strictly related to symptoms but rather
to functionality and chronicity of tendinopathy as indicated
by toe-raises testing, jumping capability, patient age and
tendon thickening... |
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Duplex ultrasonography after total hip or knee
arthroplasty
- International Orthopaedics |
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We
prospectively studied all patients admitted for total hip (THR)
or knee (TKR) arthroplasty from July 2000 to February 2001.
No pharmacological anticoagulation was given. All patients
received a standardized postoperative rehabilitation
regimen. Forty-six patients with known risk factors for deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) were excluded. Eighty patients were
studied (22 THR, 58 TKR; 55 women, 25 men). Mean age was 68
(3090) years. Duplex ultrasonography on both lower limbs was
performed on days 57 postoperatively. Location and extent of
any thrombus were documented. In patients with distal DVT, a
follow-up scan was done on days 1014. If proximal
propagation was observed, patients received full
anticoagulation. If no propagation was detected, the distal
thrombus was considered stable and clinical observation was
continued. In the THR group, 1/22 and in the TKR group 9/58
were found to have distal DVT. All were asymptomatic. On
follow-up scanning, none showed proximal propagation. All
patients were followed up for at least 18 months, and none
showed postthrombotic symptoms. Isolated distal DVT in
"low-risk" Chinese patients after THR or TKR is not
uncommon. Clinically they are usually "silent." If routine
perioperative pharmacologic antithrombotic prophylaxis is
not practiced, monitoring with duplex ultrasonography may
need to be considered... |
| June 06, 2003 |
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PET Imaging of Osteosarcoma
- The Journal of Nuclear
Medicine |
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Because of the
relatively small number of patients enrolled in clinical
trials published to date, further research needs to be done
in larger, prospective patient series to determine the full
utility of PET in osteosarcoma... |
