Correlative anatomic and CT study of the lumbar lateral recess.

The lumbosacral nerve roots and their relation to the lateral recess in the lumbar region were studied by computed tomography both in anatomic specimens from six cadavers and in vivo in 100 patients with or without disk herniation. The anatomic and tomodensitometric correlations are discussed. The normal morphology and contents of the lumbar spinal canal can be used as a guide to radiologic diagnostic exploration, which in turn can indicate the etiology and extent of lumbar sciatica and the course of treatment.

[Synthesis and antiplatelet aggregating activity of several thiopyranylidene ketones and benzylidene indanones]. / Synthèse et étude de l'activité antiagrégante plaquettaire de quelques thiopyrannylidène-cétones et benzylidène-indanones.

Some new aryl thiopyranylidene ketones and benzylidene indanones with various substituents on the benzene ring were synthesized and their inhibitory activities in vitro on human platelet aggregation were assayed. The 2-[(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)methylene] indan-1-one is the most potent inhibitor (about seventeen times more active than aspirin, against arachidonic acid, and twenty four times against collagen).

[2-Arylidene 3,4-dihydro-1 (2H)-naphthalenones with potential platelet anti-aggregating activity: synthesis and structural and pharmacologic study]. / Arylidène-2 dihydro-3,4 (2H) naphtalénones-1 à visée antiagrégante plaquettaire: synthèse, étude pharmacologique et structurale.

New 3,4-dihydro-2-arylidene-1-(2H)-naphthalenones derivatives were synthesized and their inhibitory effects in vitro on the arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation were evaluated. The 3,4-dihydro-2-[(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)methylene]-1-(2H)-naphthalenone++ + exhibits the most potent antiaggregating activity; compared with aspirin this compound is three times more active. Its crystal structure has been determined.

Inhibitory effect of aryl thienyl-ketones and -thioketones on arachidonic acid-induced malondialdehyde formation in human platelets: biological data and molecular modelling.

A series of anti-thrombotic aryl thienyl-ketones and -thioketones was assayed in vitro for their inhibitory effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) production induced by arachidonic acid in human platelets. For several compounds MDA formation was strongly inhibited indicating that the anti-platelet target was situated on the cyclooxygenase pathway. A comparison between the inhibition constant Ki and the IC50 values revealed competitive inhibition kinetics. The molecular structure of one active compound was analysed by X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations to provide information on its electronic and lipophilic properties.

Normal CT anatomy of the spine. Anatomo-radiological correlations.

To analyse the anatomo-radiological correlation of the spine and spinal cord, 22 formalized, frozen anatomical specimens corresponding to different regions of the spinal column (8 cervical, 5 dorsal, and 9 lumbar) were studied by CT scans on axial, sagittal and coronal planes and by contact radiography after they were cut into anatomical slices in order to clarify the normal CT anatomy of the spinal column. The results obtained from CT patient scans, performed exclusively on the axial plane, were compared with those obtained from the anatomical specimens (both CT and contrast radiography). High resolution CT programs were used, enabling us to obtain better individualization of the normal structures contained in the spinal column. Direct sagittal and coronal sections were performed on the specimens in order to get further anatomo-radiological information. Enhanced CT studies of the specimens were also available because of the air already present in the subarachnoid spaces. Excellent visualization was obtained of bone structures, soft tissue and the spinal cord. High CT resolution of the spine appears to be an excellent neuroradiological procedure to study the spine and spinal cord. A metrizamide CT scan is, however, necessary when a normal unenhanced CT scan is insufficient for diagnosis and when the spinal cord is not clearly visible, as often happens at the cervical level. Clinical findings are certainly very useful to ascertain the exact CT level and to limit the radiation exposure.