Nanotoxicology of metal wear particles in total joint arthroplasty: a review of current concepts

Metal-on-metal (M-M) joint replacement has raised concerns about the long-term effects of metal wear debris and corrosion products. This review summarizes the current concepts in biological reactivity to metal wear particles, ions, and corrosion products. Attention is focused on Co-Cr-Mo alloy since it is the most diffused and discussed material in arthroplasty.

Plasma cell granuloma in cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth: a report of two cases with immunohistochemical positivity of interleukin-6 and phospholipase C-gamma1

We report two cases of gingival plasma cell granuloma in a 34-yr-old and 40-yr-old two male renal transplant recipients with cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth (GO). Histologically, these lesions were composed of mature plasma cells, showing polyclonality for both lambda and kappa light chains and fibrovascular connective tissue stroma. In addition to the fact that CsA-induced plasma cell granuloma is rare, the salient features of our cases were the secretion of interleukin-6 and overexpression of phospholipase C- gamma 1 of the tumor cells, which may explain the mechanisms of CsA- induced GO.

[Pseudotumoral enterocolic phlebitis of the cecum and rutoside. A case report]

INTRODUCTION

Enterocolic phlebitis is an entity characterized by ischemic injury of the gastrointestinal tract caused by thrombophlebitis of the mesenteric veins without arterial involvement or systemic disease.

EXEGESIS

We report a case of enterocolic phlebitis in a 57-year-old female treated by rutoside, revealed by intestinal obstruction related to a pseudotumoral lesion of the caecum.

CONCLUSION

This case adds to the four cases of enterocolic phlebitis under rutoside already reported in the literature, suggesting a possible involvement of this drug in this rare disease.

Validation of volume measurements in esophageal pseudotumors using 3D endoluminal ultrasound

The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy and reliability of volume measurements using three-dimensional (3D) endoluminal ultrasound (ELUS) in canine pseudotumor esophageal specimens in vitro. Pseudotumors were created by injecting various volumes of US gel (0.1-1.0 ml) into canine esophageal specimens. A stepping-motor was used to pull either a 9, 12.5 or 20 MHz transducer through the lumen of the specimen at 1.5 mm/s. Images were downloaded to a LIFE computer system for 3D reconstruction. Volume measurements were made by two investigators and compared to spiral CT images. Averaging across all measurements, the average magnitude of error was 8.7% in individual US determinations and 11. 9% in CT measures. Volumes estimated from images spaced 0.5 and 1.0 mm apart, from images in the original and reconstructed planes, and from different scan frequencies, produced percentage errors that were not statistically significantly different from each other on ELUS. 3D ELUS can be used accurately and reproducibly to measure tumor volumes with a low mean percent in vitro.

[Pseudotumor manifestation of metallosis in a hip prosthesis]

A pseudo-tumour due to metallosis is described in association with an iso-elastic hip replacement. This is a relatively rare lesion which may be difficult to diagnose. Scintigraphy and radiography may be helpful in distinguishing the lesion from a primary or secondary neoplasm, but the presence of osteolysis adjacent to the prosthesis will suggest the true nature of the lesion.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the parapharyngeal space: case report and review of the literature

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the upper airway is an uncommon lesion of unknown etiology, clinically mimicking a neoplastic process. We document a case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the parapharyngeal space, occurring in a patient with history of cocaine abuse. Corticosteroid treatment was successful in reducing the symptoms. The difficulties in establishing this clinicopathologic diagnosis are discussed and the pertinent literature is reviewed.