High-definition ultrasonography for evaluation of embryonic and fetal development in bitch

ABSTRACT In women, high-definition ultrasonography provides high-quality images of normal and diseased tissues throughout pregnancy, however there are no veterinary studies describing the use of this technology in pregnant dogs. The objective was to evaluate pregnant female dogs daily, using high-definition ultrasonography (HD) in brachycephalic, documenting daily findings of maternal-fetal structures. Twelve healthy brachycephalic females were evaluated daily by HD ultrasound until delivery. It was possible to identify and categorize all maternal, embryonic, and fetal structures and their development, including some fetal tissues not yet described in the literature. The HD exam is an excellent method to monitor the pregnancy of female dogs and identify structures early, providing safe and complete information regarding fetal development.

Applicability of ARFI elastography in the evaluation of canine prostatic alterations detected by b-mode and Doppler Ultrasonography

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of ARFI elastography for the complementary diagnosis of canine prostatic alterations. Twenty-two healthy dogs and 45 with prostatic alterations were diagnosed by the association of general and specific physical exams. Complete blood count, B-mode and Doppler ultrasound were performed. For the elastography study, tissue homogeneity and deformity were verified using the elastogram, and the shear velocities of the left and right lobes of all prostates were obtained. The change in tissue homogeneity was observed in 62.2% of the animals, while the shear speed was significantly higher in dogs with prostatic alterations, with a cut-off point > 2.35m/s as an indication of change. All animals in both groups were non-deformable. It was concluded that ARFI elastography is capable of providing qualitative and quantitative results that assist in the diagnosis of canine prostatic alterations in a non-invasive way.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of twins in two pregnant bitches: case report

ABSTRACT Multiple pregnancies in humans account for only 3% of pregnancies, 97-98% of which are twin pregnancies and the morbimortality is higher in the monochorionic twins when compared to dichorionic ones. The canine species is naturally multiparous, but the diagnosis of monochorionic twin pregnancy is not common. The objective of this report was to describe the ultrasonographic diagnosis of monochorionic twin pregnancies in two bitches [Pug (case 1) and Shih tzu (case 2)]. It was possible to verify the presence of one gestational vesicle containing two fetuses in each female by observing two heads or two bodies within the same placental site. These fetuses presented adequate viability and normal organogenesis. Their development was similar to the other fetuses. In case 1 they were stillborn and smaller than the other five live-born fetuses. The twins in case 2 were born alive, but they also appeared smaller when compared to the littermates. The gestational risks associated with this condition in pregnant bitches are still unknown, however, there are reports of fetal death in monochorionic pregnancies in this species. Therefore, ultrasonographic exam during pregnancy allows an early monochorionic diagnosis and monitoring the fetal viability could bring health benefits to both the female and the littermates.

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography of testicular disorders in dogs: preliminary results

The aim of this study was to describe the use of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in the evaluation of testicular disorders in dogs. Eighteen dogs with testicular disorders (thirty-six testicles) were assessed. Echotexture, size, contours and margins of testes were analysed by ultrasonography. Deformities and tissue stiffness (greyscale and homogenous or heterogeneous) were evaluated by qualitative elastography and shear velocity was determined quantitatively. Subsequent to orchiectomy, testicular samples were collected for histopathology analysis and thirty-six disorders were identified. Qualitative elastography revealed that normal healthy testicular tissues were homogenous and not pliable while the affected testicles had alterations in tissue stiffness and homogeneity. The values obtained for quantitative elastography of the testicular tissues were: normal/healthy - 1.30±0.12 m/s; degenerated - 0.97±0.08 m/s; atrophied - 2.00±0.35 m/s; hypoplastic - 0.82±0.2 m/s; cystic - 1.32±0.18 m/s; orchitis - 2.68±0.42 m/s; interstitial cell tumours - 3.32±0.65 m/s; sertolioma - 2.99±0.07 m/s and leydigoma - 2.73±0.37. ARFI elastography of abnormal testes proved to be an applicable and complementary technique in the diagnosis of testicular disease in dogs.

Spleen evaluation using contrast enhanced ultrasonography and Doppler in dogs with subclinical ehrlichiosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the splenic parenchyma of dogs with subclinical ehrlichiosis using Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and provide reference values for this organ in affected animals. Seventeen dogs naturally infected with E. canis were selected for this study. Splenic parenchyma echotexture and echogenicity, size and borders were determined by ultrasound scan. The vascular indices of the splenic artery were determined by Doppler. SonoVue, at 0.1mL per animal, was used in microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to determine wash in, wash out and peak enhancement time in the splenic tissue. B-mode ultrasonography revealed splenomegaly with rounded borders, heterogeneous echotexture and mixed echogenicity. The vascular indices of the splenic artery were: systolic velocity of 22.59±8.07cm/s, diastolic velocity of 5.25±4.66cm/s and resistance index of 0.71±0.14; values not yet reported in Veterinary Medicine. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography recorded wash in time of 5.31±0.7s, peak enhancement time of 18.56±2.90s and wash out time of 94.56±35.21s. The combination of conventional ultrasonography of the spleen and hemodynamic evaluation by Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is important for the diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis and could help monitor the clinical evolution of subclinical cases.

Osteosynthesis of supracondylar humerus fractures in children: a biomechanical comparison of four techniques

BACKGROUND

Crossed k-wire osteosynthesis is a widely used procedure for displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children, but the rate of secondary displacements is up to 31%. Alternative techniques including casts, elastic stable intramedullary nailing, and the fixateur extern, have been used, but there are no biomechanical data comparing these methods. We developed a biomechanical model to compare four osteosynthesis techniques for stabilizing supracondylar humerus fractures in children.

METHODS

An osteotomy to simulate a fracture was made in a total of 32 adult cadaver humeri. The pseudofractures were then stabilized by crossed k-wires, elastic nailing, a fixateur extern with either k-wires, or Schanz screws. We measured the stiffness values in flexion and extension and torsion with static loading. The movements in cyclic loading were chosen to resemble the mechanism described in the development of a clinical cubitus varus.

FINDINGS

No significant differences were found with static loading. With cyclic loading all methods showed an irreversible torsional deformation less than 20 degrees . Crossed k-wires and elastic nailing showed significantly lower reversible torsional deformation than the external fixateurs.

INTERPRETATION

Our biomechanical data reveal that the crossed k-wires have the highest stiffness and lowest loss of reduction under cyclic loading. The external fixators proved to be good alternatives.

Molecular heterogeneity in fetal forms of type II lissencephaly

Type II lissencephaly (type II LIS) is a group of autosomal recessive congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) associated with defects in alpha-DG O-glycosylation, which comprises Walker-Warburg syndrome, Fukuyama cerebral and muscular dystrophy, or muscle-eye-brain disease. The most severe forms of these diseases often have a fetal presentation and lead to a pregnancy termination. We report here the first molecular study on fetal type II LIS in a series of 47 fetuses from 41 unrelated families. Sequencing of the different genes known to be involved in alpha-DG O-glycosylation allowed the molecular diagnosis in 22 families: involvement of POMT1 was demonstrated in 32% of cases, whereas POMGNT1 and POMT2 were incriminated in 15% and in 7% of cases, respectively. We found 30 different mutations in these three genes, 25 were described herein for the first time, 15 in POMT1, and five in POMT2 and POMGNT1. Despite sequencing of FKRP, FCMD, and LARGE, no definitive molecular diagnosis could be made for the other half of our cases. Preliminary results concerning genotype-phenotype correlations show that the choice of the first gene sequenced should depend on the clinical severity of the type II LIS; POMT1 and POMT2 for severest clinical picture and POMGNT1 for milder disease. The other genes, FKRP, FCMD, and LARGE, seem not to be implicated in the fetal form of CMD.

Femoroplasty--augmentation of the proximal femur with a composite bone cement--feasibility, biomechanical properties and osteosynthesis potential

BACKGROUND

Analogous to vertebroplasty, cement-augmentation of the proximal femur ("femoroplasty") could reinforce osteoporotic bones. This study was to evaluate (i) the feasibility of femoroplasty with a composite cement (Cortoss), (ii) its influence on femoral strength by mechanical testing and (iii) the feasibility of stable osteosynthesis of the augmented fractured bones.

METHODS

Nine human cadaveric femora were augmented with a composite bone cement, the surface heat generation monitored, and then tested biomechanically against their native contralateral control to determine fracture strength. Subsequently, thirteen reinforced and fractured femora were osteosynthetized by different implants and tested against their osteosynthetisized, non-augmented contralateral control.

FINDINGS

Cement could be injected easily, with a moderate temperature rise. A positive correlation between BMD and fracture load and a significant increase in fracture load (+43%) of the augmented femora compared to their native controls (6324 N and 4430 N, respectively) as well as a significant increase in energy-to-failure (+187%, 86 N m and 30 N m, respectively) was found. Osteosynthesis was possible in cement-augmented femora. Osteosynthetisized femora showed equivalent strength to the intact controls.

INTERPRETATION

Augmentation of the proximal femur with composite bone cement could be of use in prophylaxis of fractures in osteoporotic femurs. Osteosynthesis of the fractured augmented bones is a challenging procedure but has a good chance to restore strength.

La Sinusite Fongique Allergique (SFA)

OBJECTIVES

Diagnosis, nosological individualization, and treatment of allergic fungal sinusitis remain difficult and controversial despite the increasing number of publications. We present ten cases of allergic fungal sinusitis and review the literature to highlight the main clinical, radiological, biological, immunoallergological, mycological, and therapeutics features.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included ten patients (six men and four women, mean age 45 years) with allergic fungal sinusitis diagnosed on the basis of all diagnostic criteria reported in the literature.

RESULTS

Six patients had isolated allergic fungal sinusitis which was associated with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in the four others. Treatment combined endoscopic sinus surgery and corticosteroids, which provided good results in six patients and average results in three. Treatment failure was observed in one patient.

CONCLUSION

As in the case of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, a set of clinical, radiological, histopathological, immunoallergological and mycological criteria is necessary for precise diagnosis and to avoid fungal drift. The most appropriate endoscopic sinus surgery and the best corticosteroid regimen remain to be determined.

Anodic plasma-chemical treatment of CP titanium surfaces for biomedical applications

The anodic plasma-chemical (APC) process was used to modify CP titanium surfaces for biomedical applications. This technique allows for the combined chemical and morphological modification of titanium surfaces in a single process step. The resulting conversion coatings, typically several micrometer thick, consist mainly of titanium oxide and significant amounts of electrolyte constituents. In this study, a new electrolyte was developed containing both calcium-stabilized by complexation with EDTA-and phosphate ions at pH 14. The presence of the Ca-EDTA complex, negatively charged at high pH, favors incorporation of high amounts of calcium into the APC coatings during the anodic (positive) polarization. The coating properties were evaluated as a function of the process variables by XPS, GD-OES, Raman spectroscopy, SEM and tensile testing, and compared to those of calcium-free APC coatings and uncoated CP titanium surfaces. The maximal Ca/P atomic ratio in the coating produced with the new APC electrolyte was approximately 1.3, with higher Ca concentrations than reported in conventional APC coatings. The dissolution behavior of the incorporated, amorphous CaP phases was investigated by exposure to a diluted EDTA solution. The coatings produced in the new electrolyte system exhibit favorable mechanical stability. The new APC technology is believed to be a versatile and cost-effective coating technique to render titanium implant surfaces bioactive.

Prenatal diagnosis of a true fetal tetraploidy in direct and cultured chorionic villi

Prenatal diagnosis of a true fetal tetraploidy in direct and cultured chorionic villi: Tetraploidy is characterized by four complete sets of chromosomes (4n= 92). Although it has been frequently reported in spontaneous abortions, tetraploidy is extremely rare in term pregnancy. Most of late surviving patients are diploid/tetraploid mosaics and present severe mental and physical impairment. Up to date, only five tetraploidies were ascertained in the prenatal stage in amniocytes and/or fetal blood lymphocytes. No one has been reported in chorionic villi probably because tetraploidy is generally considered in this tissue as a false positive result due to confined placental mosaicism (CPM) or placental culture artefacts. We report here on a case of tetraploidy detected in chorionic villi because of fetal cystic hygroma. We discuss the reliability of this diagnosis and propose guidelines in the follow-up of tetraploidies detected after chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Thus a misdiagnosis of this poor condition will be avoided at best and an appropriate genetic counseling will be given to the parents.

Recurrent neural tube defects associated with partial trisomy 2p22-pter: report of two siblings and review of the literature

We report on two male siblings with partial trisomy 2p22-pter and partial monosomy 15q26-qter resulting from a maternally derived translocation t(2;15)(p22;q26). Both fetuses had different neural tube defects (craniorachischisis in the first fetus and anencephaly in the second fetus) which were detected by sonographic examination at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. This report demonstrates the importance of chromosomal analysis in the etiologic exploration of neural tube defects and supports the importance of 2p24 triplication in neural tube development.

Allelic imbalance at loci containing FGFR, FGF, c-Met and HGF candidate genes in non-small cell lung cancer sub-types, implication for progression

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and their receptors, FGFR and c-Met, are essential components of the regulatory networks between the epithelium and mesenchyme in embryonic lung, but their respective roles in tumour growth are not clear. We performed allelotyping at loci containing the candidate genes FGFR-1-2-3-4, FGF-1-2-7-10, c-Met and HGF in 36 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (20 squamous-cell carcinomas (SQC) and 16 adenocarcinomas (ADC)), by surrounding each locus with two microsatellites (MS), as close as possible to the genes of interest. Unexpectedly, SQC and ADC were frequently altered at all of these loci, and SQC showed more simultaneously altered loci. In ADC, alterations at the 15q13-22 locus (FGF7 candidate gene) were significantly more frequent. Thus, these loci showed different patterns of molecular alterations between SQC and ADC. Finally, alterations at loci containing FGFR and HGF candidate genes were inversely correlated to the lymph node status in SQC and ADC, respectively.

Theoretical and experimental model to describe the injection of a polymethylmethacrylate cement into a porous structure

A theoretical approach was used to determine the distribution of a poly(methylmethacrylate) cement after its injection into a porous structure. The predictions of the model were then compared to experimental results obtained by injecting a polymethylmethacrylate cement into an open-porous ceramic filter. The goal was to define a model that could predict what factors affect the risk of cement extravasation and hence how the risk of cement extravasation can be minimized. The calculations were based on two important rheological laws: the law of Hagen-Poiseuille and the law of Darcy. The law of Hagen-Poiseuille describes the flow of a fluid in a cylindrical tube. The law of Darcy describes the flow of a fluid through a porous media. The model predicted that the extravasation risk was decreased when the cement viscosity, the bone pore size, the bone permeability and the bone porosity were increased, and when the diameter of the extravasation path and the viscosity of the marrow were decreased. Experimentally, the effect of the marrow viscosity and extravasation path could be evidenced. Therefore, the model was believed to be an adequate approximation of the experimental behavior. In conclusion, the experimental results demonstrated that the model was adequate and that the best practical way to decrease the risk of extravasation is to increase the cement viscosity.

Polysyndactyly, complex heart malformations cardiopathy, and hepatic ductal plate anomalies: an autosomal recessive syndrome diagnosed antenatally

A distinct syndrome was ascertained in a 3-year-old girl and her brother. The proband was the first child of first cousin parents. She was born after an uneventful pregnancy. At birth, multiple congenital anomalies were noted: ptosis of the left eyelid, hypertelorism, anteverted nares, large fontanel, long philtrum, ungueal hypoplasia, polysyndactyly, single transverse crease, complex cardiopathy, and hepatic cysts. During another pregnancy of the mother, fetal ultrasonographic examination showed an hypertrophy of the right ventricle and atria, a dextroposition of the aorta, a bilateral renal pelvis dilatation, and a club foot. After termination of the pregnancy, necropsy showed facial anomalies, a small penis, a polysyndactyly, a ventricular septum defect, and a malformation of the ductal plate. Bonneau et al. [1983: J Genet Hum 2:93-105] described a family in which three sibs had a complex cardiac malformation, hexadactyly of the first toe, and syndactyly of the third and fourth fingers. Rajab [1997: Clin Dysmorphol 6:85-88] described two sibs with similar features in an Omani family. The sibs described in this report had anomalies of the ductal plate which were not reported in the two other families. These new findings are in favor of autosomal inheritance of this condition which is amenable to antenatal diagnosis.

Sarcoma of the thyroid gland: a case report

Sarcoma of the thyroid gland is a very uncommon malignant tumor (<1% of thyroid cancers) characterized by severe local course and rapid metastatic dissemination and very poor prognosis. We report the case of an 84-year-old woman hospitalized for expiratory dyspnea, severe malnutrition and swallowing disorders leading to bronchial infection. She had a voluminous (20 cm) extra-thoracic right-neck goiter with a considerable superficial venous pattern that had developed on an old goiter before growing recently. CEA and calcitonin levels were normal. The cervical-thoracic CT demonstrated a partially necrosed heterogeneously hypodense tumor compressing the esophagus and the trachea with displacement of adjacent structures which were not directly invaded. Large areas of necrosis and a probable metastatic image measuring 3 cm in the right median pulmonary lobe were observed. Macrobiopsy disclosed grade 3 sarcoma. Complete resection delivered a 3.170 kg tumor. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoma without neoplastic extension. Apart from right recurrent palsy, the initial post-operative period was satisfactory and the patient was discharged. Four and a half months later she was rehospitalized with local recurrence with a large metastatis in the right lung. She died two weeks later.

Biomechanical evaluation of the less invasive stabilization system for the internal fixation of distal femur fractures

OBJECTIVE

Comparison between a Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) using monocortical screws with angular stability and two conventional plate systems Condylar Buttress Plate (CBP) and Dynamic Condylar Screw (DCS) for the treatment of distal femoral fractures with respect to biomechanical properties.

DESIGN

Biomechanical study using paired cadaver femurs. In Test Configuration 1 (distal test), a ten-millimeter gap at the diaphysis-metaphysis junction simulates a supracondylar femoral fracture. Test Configuration 2 (proximal test) has the same configuration, but the gap was cut in the isthmic region. Proximal and distal plate ends were fixed to corresponding cortical bone fragments in both tests. Optical displacement transducers served to quantify the system's ability to withstand a stepwise increased load. Reversible (deflection) and irreversible deformation (subsidence) of the bone-plate construct was investigated.

RESULTS

In Test Configuration 1, LISS showed less irreversible deformation in 72 percent of the left-right comparisons. No correlation between bone mineral density, cross-section area of bones and the measured response of the construct under load was found between pairs. In Test Configuration 2, 83 percent of the left-right comparisons showed less permanent deformation but a higher elastic deformation for LISS.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest an enhanced ability to withstand high loads when using the monocortical screw fixation technique with angular stability. A higher elastic deformation of LISS compared with conventional plating systems in distal femoral fractures can be explained by the lower bending stiffness caused by different design and material properties.

Recovery after relief of fetal urinary obstruction: morphological, functional and molecular aspects

The effects of obstruction [urinary tract obstruction (UTO)] and relief on renal development were examined in an experimental model in the fetal lamb. Bladder outlet obstruction was performed at 60 days of gestation; relief was performed by vesicoamniotic shunting at 90 days of gestation. Studies were carried out in obstructed (OF60; n = 11), shunted (SF; n = 5), and control fetuses (CF; n = 11) at 120 days of gestation. Fetal UTO produced either hydronephrosis (64%) or dysplasia (36%); dysplasia was always associated with a reduction in the number of glomeruli [950 +/- 99 (dysplasia) vs. 1,852 +/- 249 (CF) glomeruli/section]. Obstructed fetuses had lower creatinine clearance [0.76 +/- 0.41 (OF60) vs. 0.96 +/- 0.21 (CF) ml x min(-1) x kg(-1)], higher sodium fractional excretion [17.2 +/- 20.3 (OF60) vs. 2.4 +/- 3.7% (CF)], and higher urinary concentration [80 +/- 30 (OF60) vs. 43 +/- 22 (CF) micromol/l] than controls. In SF, the number of glomeruli was increased at 120 days of gestation (1,643 +/- 106 glomeruli/section) compared with nondiverted fetuses (1,379 +/- 502 glomeruli/section), and the temporal pattern of PAX2, disrupted after obstruction, was restored. In conclusion, early fetal UTO leads to either renal hydronephrosis with normal glomerular development or dysplasia with a decreased number of glomeruli; in utero urine diversion performed before the end of nephrogenesis may allow a reversal of the glomerulogenesis arrest observed.

[Congenital fetal neuroblastoma]

Neuroblastoma are pediatric tumors of neural crest origin, most often localized in adrenal glands and infrequently congenital. We report two fetal cases found at autopsy, performed at 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, respectively. The 24 week old fetus did not show any malformation; systematic histological analysis found neuroblastoma cells in both the adrenal glands and the retroperitoneal fat tissue. The 28 week old fetus was hydropic and exhibited a nodule (3 cm) in the posterior mediastinum, next to the thoracic spinal cord. This tumor responded to a neuroblastoma associated with small metastatic foci in the adrenal glands, the liver and the frontal brain cortex. The placenta was abnormally heavy and showed hemorrhagic and necrotic areas. Microscopically plugged clumps of neuroblastoma cells were found inside fetal vessels. Immunohistochemistry was employed in both cases and the cells showed immunoreactivity for NSE, NB 84, chromogranin, synaptophysin and neurofilaments, while desmin, MIC 2, and protein S-100 were negative. Congenital neuroblastomas are rare and, to our knowledge this is the thirteenth report of congenital neuroblastoma associated with placental metastasis.

About composite materials and their use in bone surgery

Composite materials consist of two or even more different material components or phases, which are combined with the aim to improve physical, mechanical and/or biological properties. Such structures are designed to fulfil very specific requirements with respect to a selected device application making full use of their higher weight-specific strength and/or stiffness. Furthermore, these materials offer an opportunity for constructing radiolucent devices. In medical technology, composite materials mainly consist of a polymer matrix and fibres as a reinforcement phase. Composites similar to those known from technical applications reveal a number of specific biological problems. This is due to the materials and manufacturing processes available for the construction of such composites preventing their unrestricted use in direct bone contact. Nevertheless, an application potential for these materials in bone surgery exists and justifies further research and development efforts.

Evaluating mechanical adhesion of sol-gel titanium dioxide coatings containing calcium phosphate for metal implant application

The adhesion of thin (< 10 microm) sol-gel calcium phosphate-titanium dioxide films bonded to a titanium substrate was studied using two different tests: a rotating-bending test and a tensile bond test. The former evaluates the impact of both the coating procedure and the surface pre-treatment on the resistance to fatigue of the substrate as well as the adhesion of the coating; the latter measures the tensile adhesion strength of the coating. Both tests gave similar results. A reduction of the thickness of the coating or an increase of the roughness of the substrate improves the quality of the interface. A comparison of the adhesion of the calcium phosphate-titanium dioxide film with that of a pure calcium phosphate coating obtained by a similar route suggests the involvement of a chemical component in the binding.

Pulmonary migratory infiltrates and pachypleuritis in a patient with Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease can be associated with several respiratory manifestations. We report here a case of pulmonary migratory infiltrates associated with bilateral pleural thickening and peripheral eosinophilia. The histopathological findings show an association of necrotizing nodules, eosinophilic infiltration in the non-abscessed lung tissue, areas of non-caseating epithelioid granulomas, and an extensive pleural fibrosis. The different histopathological findings are detailed and the responsibility of either Crohn's disease or treatment by mesalazine is discussed.

[Increasing bone screw anchoring in the femur head by cement administration via the implant--a biomechanical study]

PURPOSE

Osteoporosis reveals a higher risk of fractures. Due to the lack of possibilities to anchor fixation elements, fracture treatment often turns out to be complicated. An experimental study served to investigate the extent to which the application of bone cement through a modified gliding screw (Dynamic Hip Screw DHS) would improve the screw anchoring in osteoporotic femoral heads.

METHODS

Quasi-static compressive and torsional load tests were used to assess the desired improvement of the screw anchoring. Cadaver femur pairs served to compare the cement augmentation to the uncemented contralateral control.

RESULTS

The improvement of the holding strength of the screw under static compressive and torsional load depended on the cement flow into the adjacent bone tissue. The filling with additional cement was only successful after having created a small hollow space at the screw tip with a special instrument. Consequently, under compression as well as torsion, the cement application yielded improvements from 17% up to several times as much.

CONCLUSION

In the application of gliding screws in osteoporotic femoral heads, the locally limited cement application through the implant has been shown to be a biomechanical possibility to improve screw fixation.

Prognostic implications of a positive bronchial resection margin

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study evaluates probability of survival and mode of recurrence in patients with a microscopically positive bronchial resection margin following resection for primary bronchogenic carcinoma, as well as influence of radiotherapy on survival.

METHODS

From January 1986 to July 1997, 40 patients had a microscopically positive bronchial resection margin following a macroscopically complete resection (17 lobectomies, three bilobectomies, four sleeve-lobectomies, and 16 pneumonectomies). Tissue diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in 32 patients, adenocarcinoma in four, adenosquamous carcinoma in two and neuroendocrine carcinoma in two. Lymph node status was N0 in 14 patients, N1 in 10, and N2 in 16. The bronchial margin contained carcinoma in situ in 20 patients, invasive mucosal carcinoma in five, and peribronchial infiltration in 15. All patients except the three most recent underwent adjuvant radiation therapy.

RESULTS

At the conclusion of the study (January 31st, 1999), 30 patients had died: two with post-operative complications, 17 with progressive disease, ten without relation to cancer, and one under undefined circumstances. Six of 10 unrelated deaths were interpreted as respiratory complications of radiotherapy. Recurrent disease appeared in 24 patients (60%). Nineteen had progression of initial disease (47.5%): metastatic spread in 12 (30%), isolated local recurrence in four (10%), and combined local recurrence and metastases in three (7.5%). Five patients developed metachronous cancer, with bronchial location in four (10%) and laryngeal in one (2.5%). 5-year survival (Kaplan-Meier) in 20 patients with carcinoma in situ was 38.7+/-13.7% (median 31 months), but rose to 55.0+/-16. 6% when excluding seven deaths not related to cancer (five of whom were secondary to radiotherapy) (chi(2)=3.080; P=0.0792). Survival in 13 patients classified N0 was 51.3+/-16.3% (median 61 months), and 71.1+/-18.0% following exclusion of unrelated deaths (chi(2)=3. 939; P=0.0472). Adverse prognosis of peribronchial infiltration was correlated to a positive N status (13 N2 and 2 N1), 5-year survival being 20.0+/-10.3% (median: 18 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Prognosis of peribronchial infiltration is similar to N2 disease. In situ carcinoma does not influence survival per se. Local control of disease is probably in part due to radiotherapy. However, the high prevalence of unrelated late deaths suggests an adverse impact of radiotherapy on survival.

[Ovarian metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinomas. A clinico-pathological study of 41 cases]

We report a series of 41 ovarian metastases from colorectal adenocarcinomas. The patients'mean age was 57.1 years at the time the metastasis was discovered, and 55.8 years at the time the primary carcinoma was found. The diagnosis of the primary tumour was anterior to the metastasis in 25 cases (mean interval 21 months), simultaneous in 13 and posterior in 3 others. The metastases formed cystic and solid masses with a mean weight of 330 g. The endometrioid architectural type was the most frequent, either pure (71%, 29/41) or associated with a mucinous component (17%, 7/41). Pure mucinous or other architectural types were rare. The endometrioid type was characterized by glands with a garland pattern, and intraluminal dirty tumoral necrosis. Immunohistochemistry helped to distinguish the metastases of endometrioid type from serous or endometrioid primary ovarian carcinoma; 71% of the former were CK7(-)/CK20(+), and 100% of the latter had the reverse profile CK7(+)/CK20(-).

Early fetal megacystis between 11 and 15 weeks of gestation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic criteria of early fetal megacystis.

DESIGN

A prospective, transvaginal ultrasound, cross-sectional study at 11-15 weeks of gestation at a tertiary referral fetal medicine unit.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixteen pregnancies out of a total of 5240 were identified with early fetal megacystis. Fetal biometry, morphology, amniotic fluid, bladder size and volume were also evaluated. The karyotype was available in 15 cases. Vesicocentesis was performed in six fetuses and three had concomitant cystoscopies.

RESULTS

In six fetuses, the megacystis was isolated. In the remaining ten, we detected associated hygroma (n = 5), nuchal translucency (n = 3), omphalocele (n = 1), mild pyelectasis (n = 1) and bilateral talipes (n = 1). In three cases the fetuses demonstrated renal hyperechogenicity with cysts, and in two cases oligohydramnios was found; four cases (25%) had chromosomal abnormalities; 47, XY + 13 (two cases), 47, XY + 18 and 47, XY + 21. Only one fetus from this study survived. In the remaining 13 cases, termination was proposed after counselling of the patients on the poor prognosis. The mean gestational age at termination was 15.5 +/- 2.4 weeks (range 12-20). Three fetal transabdominal cystoscopies did not allow us to view the valves; one urethral atresia was suspected, and confirmed postnatally.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high rate of associated malformations, especially intestinal malformations. The systematic evaluation of the intestinal enzymes in the amniotic fluid and urine samples might be an important aid in the diagnosis of multiple malformations, such as cloacal dysgenesis.

Hereditary renal adysplasia in a three generations family

Renal agenesia is one of the more common urinary malformations. Renal agenesia can be unilateral, more frequently, or bilateral. This malformation can be isolated or present with other urinary and/or extra urinary anomalies. We report a family with renal agenesia. The proband was a fetus. Ultrasonographic examination at 15 weeks of gestation showed a left renal agenesia and a right multicystic kidney, absence of bladder and oligohydramnios. The same features were found at 19 weeks of gestation. The couple asked for termination of pregnancy. On pathologic examination the absence of left kidney was confirmed whereas the right kidney which measured 3.5 cm was filled with numerous cysts of 0.2 cm to 1 cm. of diameter and fibrosis. According to the Potter's classification these images are characteristic of a dysplasia type II. There was no hepatic fibrosis. Family history revealed that the mother is in good health, she had previously a normal son. The father had a unilateral renal agenesia which was diagnosed after he had arterial hypertension when he was 25-years-old. The paternal grand father and his brother had unilateral renal agenesia which was shown by screening. This family shows that renal agenesia can be autosomal dominantly inherited and that the expressivity of this anomaly is variable.

Repeated inhalation of low doses of cat allergen that do not induce clinical symptoms increases bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil cationic protein levels

The aim of this study was to investigate whether repeated exposure to subclinical doses of cat allergens, not inducing asthma symptoms, could affect eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or in peripheral blood, without the appearance of clinical symptoms. Twelve patients with mild asthma, all sensitized to cats and not exposed to cat allergen at home, underwent a series of inhalations of cat allergen or placebo for 8 days over 2 weeks. A methacholine challenge was performed before and after the allergen and saline exposures, and BAL and blood were sampled for ECP measurements and eosinophil counts. No patients experienced asthma symptoms. However, PD20 methacholine (geometric mean) decreased significantly from 263 microg before to 126 microg after inhalation of allergen. Inhalation of saline did not induce any significant change in PD20. The change in log PD20 before and after cat allergen exposure was statistically different from the change in log PD20 before and after saline. Median ECP levels in BAL and serum increased significantly after allergen exposure, from 0.8 to 3.1 microg/l (p<0.02) and from 15.9 to 31.4 microg/l (p<0.05), respectively. No change was observed after saline inhalations. The change in BAL and serum ECP levels was statistically significant compared to that in the control group. The number of eosinophils did not change, however, nor did IL-5 and RANTES levels in BAL and serum. In conclusion, our results show that (1) exposure of asthma patients to repeated low doses of allergen, which did not provoke any clinical symptoms, is capable of inducing a local eosinophil activation associated with an increase in nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness and (2) the increase in serum ECP levels due to eosinophil activation precedes the occurrence of asthma symptoms and may thus be a marker of allergen exposure in allergic asthma.

Familial association of camptodactyly, mental retardation, whistling face and Pierre Robin sequence

Two sibs are reported with severe developmental retardation combined with the clinical triad of camptodactyly, whistling face and Pierre Robin sequence as clinical signs of fetal hypokinesia. In spite of tracheotomy, the first child of the family died 10 hours after birth. A sister of this child was born 1 year later. During pregnancy prenatal diagnosis of hydrocephaly was made by ultrasonographic examination. MRI scan showed holoprosencephaly. At 15 months of age psychomotor development is severely impaired, birth and length are delayed.

Local control of disease and survival following bronchoplastic lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to determine whether bronchoplastic resection could be an alternative to pneumonectomy in patients with operable primary lung cancer.

METHODS

From 1980 to 1996, 63 patients (59 males and four females; mean age 62 +/- 7 years) underwent a bronchoplastic lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer, indicated because of a disabled respiratory function in 34 patients, and performed electively in 29 patients. There were 38 right upper lobectomies, four bilobectomies, one middle lobectomy combined with lower lobe apical segmentectomy, ten left upper and ten left lower lobectomies. The bronchoplasty was a full sleeve in 24 patients, and a bronchial wedge resection in 39.

RESULTS

A single patient died post-operatively (1.6%). Specific procedure-related complications are summarized as follows: six anastomotic complications managed conservatively (9.5%), 15 space problems (23.8%), nine sputum retentions (14.2%). Pathologic staging classified 30 patients in stage I, 21 patients in stage II, and 12 in stage IIIA. Estimated 5-year survival was 69.7 +/- 9.8% in stage I, 37.1 +/- 12.1% in stage II, and 8.3 +/- 8.0% in stage IIIA. Fourteen patients (22.2%) developed locoregional recurrence. Three of them died with local recurrence alone, whereas 10 developed metastatic progression; a single patient is alive following completion pneumonectomy. According to stage, three recurrences occurred in stage I (10%), six in stage II (28%), and five in stage IIIA (38%). Actuarial freedom from local recurrence was significantly higher after elective procedures (P = 0.019); there was a trend towards improved outcome following right-sided procedures (P = 0.079) and following wedge bronchoplasty (P = 0.055). Five patients experienced a second primary cancer (7.9%), which was resected in four.

CONCLUSION

Bronchoplastic resections achieve local control and long-term survival comparable to standard resections in patients with stage I or II disease, and may be considered as a valuable alternative to pneumonectomy.

Imaging of chest wall disorders

Pathologic processes that may involve the chest wall include congenital and developmental anomalies, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and soft-tissue and bone tumors. Many of these processes have characteristic radiologic appearances that allow definitive diagnosis. Sternal deformities can be visualized at radiography and their severity quantified with computed tomography (CT). In cervical rib, CT with multiplanar reconstruction may demonstrate relevant anatomic detail and the relationship between bone deformity and arterial compression. In Poland syndrome, radiography reveals an area of hyperlucency on the affected side, whereas CT demonstrates the absence of the greater pectoral muscle and clearly depicts associated musculoskeletal anomalies. Tuberculosis typically manifests at radiography and CT as osseous and cartilaginous destruction and soft-tissue masses with calcification and rim enhancement. Aspergillosis involving the chest wall manifests as pulmonary consolidations and permeative osteolytic changes of the rib and spine at CT and as an area of increased signal intensity at T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Neurogenic tumors and hemangiomas also typically have high signal intensity at T2-weighted MR imaging. Apparent mass extension or unequivocal bone destruction seen at CT or MR imaging may indicate chest wall involvement by lymphoma. Radiologically, soft-tissue sarcomas typically appear as areas of soft-tissue density or attenuation, often associated with necrotic areas of low density or attenuation. At radiography, plasmacytoma typically manifests as well-defined, "punched-out" lytic lesions with associated extrapleural soft-tissue masses. Chondrosarcoma frequently appears as a large, lobulated excrescent mass arising from a rib with scattered flocculent calcifications characteristic of its cartilaginous mix. Familiarity with these radiologic features facilitates accurate diagnosis and optimal patient treatment.

Human bronchial smooth muscle cells in culture produce stem cell factor

A mast cell infiltration of the bronchial smooth muscle layer has been reported in patients sensitized to common allergens. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a chemotactic and survival factor for mast cells. SCF is expressed as a soluble (sSCF) and a membrane-bound (mSCF) form, after alternative splicing of the exon encoding the proteolytic cleavage site. SCF expression by human bronchial smooth muscle cells in culture was evaluated, comparing it to that of human lung fibroblasts in culture. sSCF released in the culture supernatant was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total SCF messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was measured by competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after reverse transcription. Expression of the two forms of SCF mRNA was assessed by PCR, with primers spanning the alternatively spliced exon. Smooth muscle cells produced sSCF (21.9+/-2.6 pg x mL(-1)), although at lower levels than fibroblasts (35.9+/-3.5 pg x mL(-1)); the expression of total SCF mRNA was also at lower levels than in fibroblasts (8.6+/-0.2 and 19.0+/-2.0 amol x fmol glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase complementary deoxyribonucleic acid(-1), respectively). However, smooth muscle cells expressed proportionally more (1.7-fold) mSCF mRNA than did fibroblasts. In conclusion, this study shows that bronchial smooth muscle cells express stem cell factor, with a relatively high expression of membrane-bound stem cell factor. This might be related to the presence of mast cells within the bronchial smooth muscle layer, i.e. at the site of bronchoconstriction, with possible implications in the pathophysiology of asthma.