Simon Bolivar's medical labyrinth: an infectious diseases conundrum.

According to history books, tuberculosis was responsible for the death of Simon Bolivar at the age of 47 years in 1830. The results of an autopsy performed by Alexandre Prospère Révérend, the French physician who cared for him during the terminal phase of his illness, have long been regarded as proof of the diagnosis. On careful reanalysis of Bolivar's medical history and post mortem examination, we reach a different conclusion. On the basis of several critical clinical, epidemiological, and pathological features of his fatal disorder, we conclude that either paracoccidioidomycosis or bacterial bronchiectasis complicating chronic arsenic intoxication was more likely responsible for his death than was tuberculous "consumption."

Movement analysis of scoliotic subjects using Fastrak.

An attempt has been made to simplify the measurement of composite movement involving abnormal rotation in scoliosis, which is considered to have an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Analysis of three-dimensional movement provides pertinent information concerning the morphological description of scoliotic deformities. The description of this movement is of clinical interest for aiding diagnosis and/or prognosis of spinal deformity evolution. Previous studies have indicated that idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity accompanied by a generalised torsion phenomenon and attempts have been made to associate the geometric torsion index with the curvi-linear shape of idiopathic scoliosis. Although previous investigations have documented the three-dimensional reconstruction of scoliotic spine, most methods either expose the subject to a high level of radiation, as in stereo-radiographs, or demand a high degree of technical input and time, as in video based gait analysis systems. This study employs an electro magnetic field capturing system (FASTRAK) to estimate the spinal movements. This simple system is inexpensive and highly portable. Furthermore, it can give instant graphic and numerical values of the composite movement. The results of this study indicate the usefulness this system in the diagnosis of scoliosis and highlights the possibility of its uses in screening school children and other surveys.

Kinematic differences in lower limb gait analysis of scoliotic subjects.

Although various factors have been attributed to the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis, studies have indicated that the kinematic differences in the spine, pelvis and lower limb may contribute to the causation and progression of idiopathic scoliosis. The aim of this investigation was to identify asymmetries in lower limb kinematics and pelvic and back movements during level walking in scoliotic subjects that can be related to the spinal deformity. The study has employed a movement analysis system to estimate various joint angles in the lower extremities and other kinematic parameters in the pelvis and back. The results of a pilot study have highlighted the potential usefulness of a range of parameters in the indication of asymmetries and their implications for spinal deformity generation. While demonstrating the value that movement analysis systems may have in investigating pathogenesis and aetiology, these preliminary findings indicate that the identified variables can also used in the kinematic analysis of spinal deformities such as scoliosis. Further studies are being undertaken to validate these findings.