Aggressive angiomyxoma to 57-year old man.

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor occurring usually in women of reproductive age in pelvic-perineum region. These myofibroblastic tumors rarely affect men and non-pelvic-perineum anatomical sites. There are few literature references for aggressive angiomyxoma in men. We describe a case of a 57-year old male with aggressive angiomyxoma of the scrotum and its management.

Articular cartilage generation applying PEG-LA-DM/PEGDM copolymer hydrogels.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the human native cartilage tissue are particularly problematic because cartilage has little to no ability to heal or regenerate itself. Employing a tissue engineering strategy that combines suitable cell sources and biomimetic hydrogels could be a promising alternative to achieve cartilage regeneration. However, the weak mechanical properties may be the major drawback to use fully degradable hydrogels. Besides, most of the fully degradable hydrogels degrade too fast to permit enough extracellular matrix (ECM) production for neocartilage formation. In this study, we demonstrated the feasibility of neocartilage regeneration using swine articular chondrocytes photoencapsualted into poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDM) copolymer hydrogels composed of different degradation profiles: degradable (PEG-LA-DM) and nondegradable (PEGDM) macromers in molar ratios of 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10. METHODS: Articular chondrocytes were isolated enzymatically from juvenile Yorkshire swine cartilage. 6 × 10(7) cells cells were added to each milliliter of macromer/photoinitiator (I2959) solution. Nonpolymerized gel containing the cells (100 µL) was placed in cylindrical molds (4.5 mm diameter × 6.5 mm in height). The macromer/photoinitiator/chondrocyte solutions were polymerized using ultraviolet (365 nm) light at 10 mW/cm(2) for 10 mins. Also, an articular cartilaginous ring model was used to examine the capacity of the engineered cartilage to integrate with native cartilage. Samples in the pilot study were collected at 6 weeks. Samples in the long-term experimental groups (60/40 and 70/30) were implanted into nude mice subcutaneously and harvested at 6, 12 and 18 weeks. Additionally, cylindrical constructs that were not implanted used as time zero controls. All of the harvested specimens were examined grossly and analyzed histologically and biochemically. RESULTS: Histologically, the neocartilage formed in the photochemically crosslinked gels resembled native articular cartilage with chondrocytes in lacunae and surrounded by new ECM. Increases in total DNA, glycosaminoglycan, and hydroxyproline were observed over the time periods studied. The neocartilage integrated with existing native cartilage. CONCLUSIONS: Articular cartilage generation was achieved using swine articular chondrocytes photoencapsulated in copolymer PEGDM hydrogels, and the neocartilage tissue had the ability to integrate with existing adjacent native cartilage.

Injectable and photopolymerizable tissue-engineered auricular cartilage using poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate copolymer hydrogels.

In this study we investigated the histological, biochemical, and integrative features of the neocartilage using swine auricular chondrocytes photoencapsulated into two poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDM) copolymer hydrogels of a different degradation profile: degradable (PEG-4,5LA-DM) and nondegradable (PEGDM) macromers in molar ratios of 60:40 and 70:30. Integration of the engineered tissue with existing native cartilage was examined using an articular cartilaginous ring model. Experimental group samples (total n=96) were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice and harvested at 6, 12, and 18 weeks. Nonimplanted constructs (total n=16) were used as controls for quantification of DNA, glycosaminoglycan, and hydroxyproline. Histologically, neocartilage resembled both the cellular population and composition of the extracellular matrix of the native swine auricular cartilage. DNA content demonstrated that the photoencapsulated chondrocytes were capable of survival and proliferation over time. Both glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline contents appeared higher in the neotissue, which was supported by less degradable PEGDM hydrogel. Integration of neocartilage with surrounding native cartilage improved with time, resulting in the development of tight integration interface. PEGDM copolymer hydrogels can support in vivo chondrogenesis by photoencapsulating auricular chondrocytes.

Brucella cervical spondylitis complicated by spinal cord compression: a case report.

A case of 65-year-old farmer who presented with Brucella-related cervical spondylitis is described. Because of the advanced form of the infection resulted in neurological impairment, cervical vertebra corpectomy and debridement of the paravertebral granulomatous tissue deposits were performed followed by stabilization with anterior plating and bone grafting. In addition, double antimicrobial chemotherapy regimen was administered for 12 weeks. After one year, follow up evaluation demonstrated resolution of the infection. The authors recommend that brucellosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of cervical spondylitis, particularly in patients who reside in countries where the zoonosis is still endemic.

Engineering cartilage in a photochemically crosslinked collagen gel.

This study's purpose was to investigate whether photochemically crosslinking collagen gel to encapsulate chondrocytes (articular, auricular, costal) would permit new cartilage formation in vivo, and to determine whether this neocartilage had the ability to integrate with existing native cartilage. Chondrocytes from swine were embedded in collagen gel that was photochemically crosslinked using riboflavin and visible light. Controls were collagen gels containing cells that were not crosslinked. Cylindrical implants (0.1 cc) were placed in athymic mice for 4 and 8 weeks. To study integration, the constructs were crosslinked within articular cartilage rings and implanted in the mice. Samples were analyzed in terms of macroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical aspects. Photocrosslinking did not affect the amount of glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen produced by the cells. We found that photochemical crosslinking collagen gel enhances the physical parameters of the gel and permits new cartilage formation that can integrate with existing native cartilage.

Histomorphologic study of discoid meniscus.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the matrix collagen network of the discoid lateral meniscus in comparison with normal lateral meniscus. METHODS: Discoid meniscus samples obtained arthroscopically from 10 patients with a diagnosis of intact complete-type discoid lateral meniscus by a technique of excision in 1 piece were examined histomorphologically regarding the integrity of both main collagen fiber systems, radial and circular, because they have been described in the structure of normal knee meniscus. As a control group, intact lateral menisci excised during knee arthroplasty procedures were used. RESULTS: Histomorphologic scoring showed statistically significant disorganization of the circular collagen network in the discoid meniscus group compared with the normal meniscus group, especially along the posterior third of the specimen (P < .001). In addition, a heterogeneous course of the circumferentially arranged collagen fibers was shown in the discoid meniscus structure. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of discontinuity and inhomogeneity of the circumferential collagen network in the discoid meniscus in comparison with normal meniscus indicate that the discoid lesion represents a structural lesion rather than a morphologic variant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Disorganization of the circular collagen fiber system in the discoid meniscus matrix may contribute to the pathogenesis of the high tear and degenerative lesion rate observed among menisci with discoid configuration.

Epidemiologic, clinical and arthroscopic study of the discoid meniscus variant in Greek population.

This retrospective study was aimed to investigate the epidemiologic, clinical and arthroscopic features of discoid meniscus variant in Greek population. We reviewed the cases of 2,132 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy between 1986 and 2004 and diagnosis of discoid lateral meniscus was established in 39 patients with mean age of 31.7 +/- 9.4 years old. Incidence of the discoid lateral meniscus variant was recorded at rate of 1.8% presenting no significant differences according to patient gender or lesion body side. Regarding the type of discoid dysmorphy, 23 cases attributed to complete type, 15 were incomplete and in one case, Wrisberg type was observed. Predictive values of the most commonly recorded physical signs in the clinical diagnosis of the discoid meniscus were analysed. Comparative evaluation of the long-term results of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy performed in patients with intact or torn discoid lateral meniscus and torn normally shaped lateral meniscus was carried out using Lysholm and IKDC scoring systems. Also, we investigated any correlation between dysmorphy type and tear pattern analysing the arthroscopic findings. Results demonstrated that the discoid meniscus lesion represents an atypical clinical entity in adults and no significant predictive value of the signs encountered in the clinical examination of the patients with discoid meniscus was observed. Clinical outcome after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy regarding the intact discoid meniscus group was superior in comparison with that of torn discoid meniscus cases. On other hand, no difference in the result of partial meniscectomy between discoid and normal lateral meniscus tear groups was found. No statistically significant relationship between the type of discoid menisci and tear pattern or incidence rate of concomitant intraarticular lesions was confirmed.