Intraosseous ganglion cysts of the ankle: a report of three cases with long-term follow-up.

Three cases of intraosseous ganglion cysts of the ankle are presented with an average follow-up of 68 months (range, 48-78 months). Review of the literature revealed 251 cases of intraosseous ganglion cysts, with 75 located in the ankle and a recurrence rate of 6.1%. In the three cases presented, a satisfactory long-term result was obtained with bone graft and curettage in two cases and currettage alone in one case. No recurrences or complications occurred.

The National Polyp Study. Patient and polyp characteristics associated with high-grade dysplasia in colorectal adenomas.

The National Polyp Study (NPS), a randomized clinical trial to evaluate effective surveillance of patients discovered to have one or more colorectal adenomas, was the framework for this statistical analysis which used a multiple logistic model to assess the independent risk factors of patient and polyp characteristics associated with high-grade dysplasia in adenomas. The database included 3371 adenomas from 1867 patients. Adenoma size and the extent of the villous component were found to be the major independent polyp risk factors associated with high-grade dysplasia (p less than 0.0001). The adjusted odds ratios were 3.3 for medium-sized adenomas and 7.7 for large adenomas relative to small adenomas and 2.7 for villous A adenomas, 3.4 for villous B adenomas, and 8.1 for villous C and D adenomas relative to tubular adenomas. Increased frequency of high-grade dysplasia in adenomas located distal to the splenic flexure was attributable mainly to increased size and villous component rather than to location per se. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.4 (p less than 0.11) for left-sided location. Multiplicity of adenomas affected the risk for high-grade dysplasia in patients but was dependent on adenoma size and villous component and was not an independent factor. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.3 (p less than 0.17) for multiplicity. Increasing age was associated with risk for high-grade dysplasia in patients, and this effect was independent of the effect of adenoma size and histological type. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.8 (p less than 0.0016) for age greater than or equal to 60 yr. Gender was not associated with high-grade dysplasia. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.0 (p less than 0.95) for men. The size of the patient series, the prospective nature of the data collection, the completeness of information on all patients, the requirements of complete examination of the entire colon and pathological examination of all lesions encountered, and the exclusion of patients with previously diagnosed adenomas are, collectively, features unique to this study. The detailed model provided by the analysis integrates multiple patient and adenoma factors associated with high-grade dysplasia in colorectal adenomas.

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using a torn meniscus.

In eighty of 100 patients, reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using a torn meniscus was successful in restoring stability. The length of follow-up ranged from two to six years and the mean interval from injury to operation was two years. Preoperatively, all but one patient had a positive (2+ or 3+) Lachman test and a positive pivot-shift test. Only ten patients had evidence of major instability, as seen on either test. The result was the same regardless of whether the patient had had a concomitant extra-articular (Ellison) procedure. The results of arthroscopic biopsy in eleven patients did not support the hypothesis that the meniscus underwent metaplasia to ligamentous tissue. Although this procedure yielded results similar to those of other procedures in which autogenous tissues are used to reconstruct the ligament, the meniscus should rarely, if ever, be used for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. The procedure is indicated only for patients who, in addition to needing reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, also have a torn meniscus that would otherwise have to be totally excised.