Giant-cell tumor of the rib cage extending to the spine : Case report.

PURPOSE: We present the case of a patient with a giant cell tumor of the thoracic wall that invaded the thoracic spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A giant cell tumor that affects the spine and the thoracic wall is very rare but can grow to a large size. We report a case of giant cell tumor of the left chest wall extending to the thoracic spine in a 28-year-old man. Positron emission tomography (PET) showed a tumor of 11â€¯× 4â€¯× 13 cm in size and the histopathology specimen of the first surgical procedure diagnosed a giant cell tumor. The tumor was treated by oblique osteotomy guided with pedicle wires. RESULTS: A giant cell tumor was histologically confirmed following radical surgery. After 1 year of follow-up the patient was asymptomatic. There has been no recurrence of the tumor. CONCLUSION: The use of transpedicular Kirschner wires could be a good technical support for transpedicular oblique sagittal osteotomy.

Finite element analysis and cadaveric cinematic analysis of fixation options for anteriorly implanted trabecular metal interbody cages.

PURPOSE: To assess, with finite element analysis and an in vitro biomechanical study in cadaver, whether the implementation of an anterior interbody cage made of hedrocel with nitinol shape memory staples in compression increases the stiffness of the stand-alone interbody cage and to compare these constructs' stiffness to other constructs common in clinical practice. METHODS: A biomechanical study with a finite element analysis and cadaveric testing assessed the stiffness of different fixation modes for the L4-L5 functional spinal unit: intact spine, destabilized spine with discectomy, posterior pedicle-screw fixation, anterior stand-alone interbody cage, anterior interbody cage with bilateral pedicle screws and anterior interbody cage with two shape memory staples in compression. These modalities of vertebral fixation were compared in four loading modes (flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation). RESULTS: The L4-L5 spinal unit with an anterior interbody cage and two staples was stiffer than the stand-alone cage. The construct stiffness was similar to that of a model of posterior pedicular stabilization. The stiffness was lower than that of the anterior cage plus bilateral pedicle-screw fixation. CONCLUSION: The use of an anterior interbody implant with shape memory staples in compression may be an alternative to isolated posterior fixation and to anterior isolated implants, with increased stiffness.

Drug dosage individualization based on a random-effects linear model.

This article investigates drug dosage individualization when the patient population can be described with a random-effects linear model of a continuous pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic response. Specifically, we show through both decision-theoretic arguments and simulations that a published clinical algorithm may produce better individualized dosages than some traditional methods of therapeutic drug monitoring. Since empirical evidence suggests that the linear model may adequately describe drugs and patient populations, and linear models are easier to handle than the nonlinear models traditionally used in population pharmacokinetics, our results highlight the potential applicability of linear mixed models to dosage computations and personalized medicine.

Effect of a plasma synthesized polypyrrole coverage on polylactic acid/hydroxyapatite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Composite biomaterials are solids that contain two or more different materials, combining the properties of their components to restore or improve the function of tissues. In this study, we report the generation of electrospun matrices with osteoconductive properties and porosity using the combination of a biodegradable polyester, polylactic acid (PLA), and hydroxyapatite (HA). Additionally, we report the effects of modifying these matrices through plasma polymerization of pyrrole on the growth and osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow stem cells. Cells were isolated, seeded and cultured on biomaterials for periods between 7 and 28 days. The matrices we obtained were formed by nano and microfibers containing up to 35.7 wt% HA, presenting a variety of apparent pore sizes to allow for the passage of nutrients to bone cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the fibers were coated with polypyrrole doped with iodine, and MTT assay demonstrated this increased cell proliferation and significantly improved cell viability due to the adhesive properties of the polymer. Our results show that PLA/HA/Pyrrole/Iodine matrices are favorable for bone tissue engineering.

Variables associated with alcohol, drug, and daily smoking cessation in patients with severe mental illnesses.

BACKGROUND: Co-occurrence of substance use disorders and severe mental illnesses (SMIs) is a major U.S. public health issue, although the role of tobacco is usually neglected. This study explored variables associated with alcohol, drug, and smoking cessation in a naturalistic setting. METHOD: Logistic regression was used to study variables associated with cessation of alcohol and drug use disorder and daily smoking in 560 SMI inpatients and outpatients from central Kentucky facilities. Patients with a lifetime history of alcohol or drug use disorder were considered to be in cessation if they had not suffered from abuse or dependence during the last year. Alcohol and drug use disorder diagnoses were determined using the Clinician Rating of Alcohol and Drug Use Disorder. Patients were recruited from July 2000 to March 2003. RESULTS: The cessation rates for alcohol and drug use disorders were, respectively, 44% (95% CI = 39% to 49%) and 46% (CI = 40% to 51%); these were higher than the daily cigarette smoking cessation rate of 10% (CI = 7% to 13%). Drug use disorders (p < or = .02), outpatient status (p < .001), and having a medical complication of obesity (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia; p < .001) were significantly associated with alcohol cessation. Alcohol use disorder (p < .001), starting treatment with psychiatric medications after 33 years of age (p < .001), taking these medications for 14 years or more (p = .02), schizophrenia diagnosis (p < .001), outpatient status (p = .03), and obesity (p = .04) were significantly associated with drug cessation. Cessation of daily smoking was associated with hypertension (p = .02), late start of treatment with psychiatric medications (> 33 years old; p = .01), and lack of lifetime drug abuse (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These results are limited by the cross-sectional and naturalistic design but suggest that public health experts, researchers, and clinicians need to mindfully address smoking cessation in patients with SMIs. Clinicians may want to consider that medical illnesses may motivate patients with SMIs to stop substance abuse and that patients with SMIs who abuse both alcohol and drugs rarely stop abusing just one of them.

Intraneural ganglion cyst on the external popliteal nerve.

There are many causes for the paralysis of the external sciatic popliteal nerve , such as the intraneural ganglion cyst. In this case, we evaluate a 52-year-old woman with no relevant personal record, who was admitted with paresis of the right foot of 4 months of evolution associated with alterations in the sensitivity that rose up to the posterolateral region of the leg. The diagnosis was based on MR and cyst decompression and disconnection of the articular branch. Given the low incidence of these lesions, their origin is still subject to controversy. The most widely accepted theory is the unifying articular theory described by Spinner in the year 2003. Intraneural ganglion cysts must be included in the differential diagnosis of progressive paralysis of the sciatic nerve, lesions of the nerve root at L5 and nerve sheath tumours that start at the lateral compartment of the knee. The treatment of a fibular intraneural ganglion cyst must be surgical and the operation must be performed as soon as possible.

Chronic recurrent multifocal Q fever osteomyelitis in children: a case report and review of the literature: Retracted.

Q fever is a common worldwide zoonosis that is often difficult to diagnose because of its variety and the fact that its clinical symptoms are highly unspecific. We present a rare case of chronic multifocal osteomyelitis caused by Coxiella burnetti in a 2-year-old girl, which has recurred on many occasions, although the patient is under treatment with the most widely accepted approaches from other studies. A systemic review of the little published literature on this patients shows that there is no universal consensus with regard to the most adequate treatment.

Lupus nephritis in Colombians: contrasts and comparisons with other populations.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) since it is the major predictor of poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical and immunological characteristics associated with LN development during the course of SLE in Colombians. Therefore, patients with SLE followed at five different referral centers in Medellin, Bogota, and Cali were included in this cross-sectional and multicenter study. Factors influencing LN were assessed by conditional logistic regression analysis, adjusting by gender, age at onset, duration of disease, and city of origin. The entire sample population included 467 patients, of whom 51% presented with LN. The presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.06; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16-3.65), pleuritis (AOR, 3.82; 95% CI, 1.38-10.54), and hypertension (AOR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.23-5.62) were positively associated with LN, whereas the presence of anti-La antibodies was a protective factor against LN development (AOR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.19-0.85). A review of literature on LN in different populations is made. The identified clinical- and laboratory-associated factors would assist earlier diagnosis and guide decisions on therapeutic interventions on this critical and frequent complication of SLE.

Association between smoking and alcohol use in the general population: stable and unstable odds ratios across two years in two different countries.

AIMS: The main objective of this article was to compare alcohol and tobacco consumption in the US and the Basque Country (the North of Spain) with particular attention to the association between alcohol and tobacco use. The consistency of findings was considered by analyzing data from two different years. These comparisons may provide a rational basis for exploring the associations between alcohol and cigarette use that are influenced by changes in use prevalences. METHODS: Two epidemiological samples from the US, obtained in 1992 and 1996, and two from the Basque Country, obtained in the same years, were used. Sampling methodologies were similar. Questionnaires were self-administrated with the help of interviewers, and were used to define ever smokers, ex-smokers, current smokers, heavy smokers, ever drinkers, ex-drinkers, current drinkers and weekly drinkers. The associations between smoking and alcohol drinking were explored through logistic regressions. RESULTS: The associations between current smoking and current drinking in the general population, and between ever smoking and weekly drinking among current drinkers appear very stable. In 1992 and 1996, US subjects who decided to try alcohol tended to try smoking and vice versa. In US Caucasians (particularly in 1996), heavy smoking was strongly associated with ever drinking among current smokers. In the Basque Country in 1992, there was a significant association between smoking cessation and drinking cessation among ever drinkers who also were ever smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses suggest that some associations between alcohol drinking and smoking behaviours are likely to be detected in Western countries where alcohol and nicotine are legal and easily available. On the other hand, other associations may be detected only in certain social contexts. These social contexts make the associations in subpopulations who are vulnerable to addiction, influence the results in the general population. In social contexts that exert considerable social pressure to quit smoking, such as in US Caucasians (particularly in 1996), heavy smoking was strongly associated with ever drinking among current smokers. When a social environment strongly discourages smoking and alcohol initiation (as in the US in 1992 and 1996), subjects who decide to try alcohol tend to try smoking and vice versa. The lack of social stigmatization of smoking and drinking in the Basque Country in 1992 may help to explain the significant association between smoking cessation and drinking cessation among ever drinkers who also were ever smokers.

Disfunción miccional en pacientes con reflujo vesicoureteral primario / Micturition disorders related to primary vesicoureteral reflux

Introducción. La corrección quirúrgica del reflujo vésico ureteral primario (RVUP) en un gran número de pacientes no erradica el problema de la infección urinaria, lo que sugiere la existencia de vaciamiento vesical insuficiente. Objetivo. Identificar prevalencia de disfunción miccional, tipo de disfunción presente en paciente con RVUP y correlacionar hallazgos cistográficos con urodinámicos. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal, analítico y prospectivo. Se evaluó clínica, cistográfica y urodinámicamente a 19 niños con RVUP durante el periodo comprendido de 1992-1997. Resultados. La mediana de edad al tiempo de realización de urodinamia fue de 3 años (5 meses a 10 años). Se encontró disfunción miccional en 18 pacientes: vejiga hipoctiva en 1 paciente femenino; disinergia de esfínter externo en 8 pacientes femeninos; la mediana de presión miccional fue de 60 cm H2O (38-80 cm H2O) y en 1 pacientes masculino de 80 cm H2O durante la micción. Se encontró disinergia de cuello vesical en 6 pacientes masculino con mediana de presión miccional de 40 cm H2O (40-200 cm H2O) y 1 paciente femenino con presión miccional de 40 cm H2O. La urorradiología reveló falta de relajación del cuello vesical en pacientes con disinergia del cuello vesical, así como estenosis de la uretra distal o anillo de Lyon en pacientes con disinergia de esfínter externo. Conclusión. Los niños con reflujo RVUP tiene algún tipo de incoordinación miccional. Es importante realizar una completa evaluación con cistouretrograma miccional con medición de presiones en todos los casos. Tal vez la evaluación del niño con reflujo e infección de vías urinarias no es completa si nop incluye evaluación del vacinamiento vesical

Comparación de los hallazgos urodinámicos en pacientes con enuresis primaria y pacientes con reflujo vesicoureteral primario / Comparison of the urodynamic findings in patients with primary enuresis and patients with vesicoureteral primary reflux

La vejiga inestable del paciente enurético se atribuye a una alteración primaria del detrusor que no explica por qué se manifiesta, además, una contracción hiperactiva de este músculo durante lamicción; podría ser secundaria a obstrucción ureteral funcional, como en los pacientes con reflujo vesicoureteral primario (RVUP). por lo anterior, se compararon los hallazgos entre estudios urodinámicos de pacientes con enuresis primaria (EP) y con RVUP para identificar si sus patrones son similares. El estudio comparativo analítico retrolectivo se efectuó en una población de pacientes con diagnóstico de Ep y RVUP enviados para estudio de urodinamia durante el periodo 1992-1996. Las variables tomadas en cuenta fueron edad, sexo y hallazgos urodinámicos. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó la prueba de la X cuadrada (X²), y para evaluar el riesgo la razón de momios (OR). Se encontraron 18 pacientes con EP y 14 con RVUP, con edades medias de 9 años (EP) y 4 años (RVUP), respectivamante. La capacidad vesical staba disminuida en 15 de los 18 casos de EP y en 4 de los 14 con RVUP (OR 12.5, P = 0.0017). Había adaptabilidad moderada a disminuida en 14 de los 18 casos de EP y en 6 de los