Intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the capitulum: A diagnostic challenge.

Here, we describe the first case of intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the capitulum, which is presented as elbow pain, extension lack, and sensation of click in joint flexion. Surgical treatment either arthroscopic or open is more in use in this location of the tumor than cortical osteoid osteoma.

Multiple Schwannomas in Sciatic Nerve: A Rare Case Report.

Schwannomas are the most common nerve sheath tumors which are usually solitary enucleated lesions. Multiple schwannomas are a rare circumstance which may occur with or without other manifestations of neurofibromatosis. In this study, we report the case of a 45-year-old man presenting with pain and swelling in the thigh and popliteal space without any manifestation of neurofibromatosis or neurologic problems. Surgery was performed and revealed four separated tumors in the sciatic nerve which was characteristic of schwannoma and confirmed by pathologic findings. Although multiple schwannomas are frequently associated with neurofibromatosis, the current case demonstrated a patient with multiple schwannomas without any manifestation of neurofibromatosis.

Anatomical axes of the proximal and distal halves of the femur in a normally aligned healthy population: implications for surgery.

BACKGROUND: The anatomical axis of the femur is crucial for determining the correct alignment in corrective osteotomies of the knee, total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and retrograde and antegrade femoral intramedullary nailing (IMN). The aim of this study was to propose the concept of different anatomical axes for the proximal and distal parts of the femur; compare these axes in normally aligned subjects and also to propose the clinical application of these axes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the horizontal distances between the anatomical axis of the proximal and distal halves of the femur and the center of the intercondylar notch were measured in 100 normally aligned femurs using standard full length alignment view X-rays. RESULTS: The average age was 34.44 ± 11.14 years. The average distance from the proximal anatomical axis to the center of the intercondylar notch was 6.68 ± 5.23 mm. The proximal anatomical axis of femur passed lateral to the center of the intercondylar notch in 12 cases (12%), medial in 84 cases (84%) and exactly central in 4 cases (4%). The average distance from the distal anatomical axis to the center of the intercondylar notch was 3.63 ± 2.09 mm. The distal anatomical axis of the femur passed medially to the center of the intercondylar notch in 82 cases (82%) and exactly central in 18 cases (18%). There was a significant difference between the anatomical axis of the proximal and distal parts of the femur in reference to the center of intercondylar notch (P value < 0.05), supporting the hypothesis that anatomical axes of the proximal and distal halves of the femur are different in the coronal plane. CONCLUSIONS: While surgeons are aware that the anatomical axis of the distal part of the femur is different than the anatomical axis of the proximal part in patients with femoral deformities, we have shown that these axes are also different in the normally aligned healthy people due to the anatomy of the femur in coronal plane. Also the normal ranges provided here can be used as a reference for the alignment guide entry point in TKA and antegrade and retrograde intramedullary femoral nailing.

Development of a cartilage composite utilizing porous tantalum, fibrin, and rabbit chondrocytes for treatment of cartilage defect.

OBJECTIVE: Functional tissue engineering has emerged as a potential means for treatment of cartilage defect. Development of a stable cartilage composite is considered to be a good option. The aim of the study was to observe whether the incorporation of cultured chondrocytes on porous tantalum utilizing fibrin as a cell carrier would promote cartilage tissue formation. METHODS: Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured and seeded onto tantalum with fibrin as temporary matrix in a composite, which was divided into three groups. The first group was kept in vitro while a total of 12 constructs were implanted into the dorsum of mice for the second and third groups. The implanted tissues were harvested after 4 weeks (second group) and after 8 weeks (third group). Specific characteristic of cartilage growth were studied by histological and biochemical assessment, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative PCR analysis. RESULTS: Histological and biochemical evaluation of the formed cartilage using hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue staining showed lacunae chondrocytes embedded in the proteoglycan rich matrix. Dimethylmethylene blue assay demonstrated high glycosaminoglycans content in the removed tissue following 8 weeks of implantation. Immunohistochemistry results showed the composites after implantation expressed high collagen type II. Quantitative PCR results confirmed a significant increase in cartilage associated genes expression (collagen type II, AggC, Sox 9) after implantation. CONCLUSION: Tantalum scaffold with fibrin as cell carrier promotes chondrocyte proliferation and cartilaginous tissue formation. Producing hyaline cartilage within a stable construct of tantalum and fibrin has a potential for treatment of cartilage defect.