Topographic and Morphometric Study of the Foramen Spinosum of the Skull and Its Clinical Correlation.

Background and Objectives: The spinous foramen (FS) of the skull is an opening located in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull, and it includes the middle meningeal vessels and the meningeal branch of the mandibular trigeminal nerve. The FS is commonly used as an anatomical landmark in neurosurgical procedures and neuroimaging of the middle cranial fossa because of its relationship with other cranial foramina and surrounding vascular and nervous structures. Thus, specific knowledge of its topography and possible anatomical variations is important regarding some surgical interventions and skull imaging. The aim of this study was to provide further details on the morphology of the FS of the skull by evaluating its topographic and morphometric relationships and correlating the findings with clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Thirty dried skulls of human skeletons from body donors from the collection of the Laboratory of Anatomical Microdissection at a medical school were used. The metric dimensions and variations of the FS and its relationship with adjacent bone structures were analyzed with an interface digital microscope. Results: The results showed the bilateral presence of the FS in all skulls; however, differences were observed in the shape, diameter, and topography in relation to the foramen ovale and the spine of the sphenoid. The FS was present in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone; however, in one skull, it was located in the lateral lamina of the pterygoid process. The FS was smaller than the foramen ovale. A round and oval FS shape was the most common (42.1% and 32.8% of the samples, respectively), followed by drop-shaped (12.5%) and irregular-shaped (12.5%) foramina. Conclusions: In conclusion, FS variations among individuals are common and must be considered by surgeons during skull base interventions in order to avoid accidents and postoperative complications.

In Vivo Biological Behavior of Polymer Scaffolds of Natural Origin in the Bone Repair Process.

Autologous bone grafts, used mainly in extensive bone loss, are considered the gold standard treatment in regenerative medicine, but still have limitations mainly in relation to the amount of bone available, donor area, morbidity and creation of additional surgical area. This fact encourages tissue engineering in relation to the need to develop new biomaterials, from sources other than the individual himself. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of an elastin and collagen matrix on the bone repair process in critical size defects in rat calvaria. The animals (Wistar rats, n = 30) were submitted to a surgical procedure to create the bone defect and were divided into three groups: Control Group (CG, n = 10), defects filled with blood clot; E24/37 Group (E24/37, n = 10), defects filled with bovine elastin matrix hydrolyzed for 24 h at 37 °C and C24/25 Group (C24/25, n = 10), defects filled with porcine collagen matrix hydrolyzed for 24 h at 25 °C. Macroscopic and radiographic analyses demonstrated the absence of inflammatory signs and infection. Microtomographical 2D and 3D images showed centripetal bone growth and restricted margins of the bone defect. Histologically, the images confirmed the pattern of bone deposition at the margins of the remaining bone and without complete closure by bone tissue. In the morphometric analysis, the groups E24/37 and C24/25 (13.68 ± 1.44; 53.20 ± 4.47, respectively) showed statistically significant differences in relation to the CG (5.86 ± 2.87). It was concluded that the matrices used as scaffolds are biocompatible and increase the formation of new bone in a critical size defect, with greater formation in the polymer derived from the intestinal serous layer of porcine origin (C24/25).

A new heterologous fibrin sealant as scaffold to recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and natural latex proteins for the repair of tibial bone defects.

Tissue engineering has special interest in bone tissue aiming at future medical applications Studies have focused on recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and natural latex proteins due to the osteogenic properties of rhBMP-2 and the angiogenic characteristic of fraction 1 protein (P-1) extracted from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. Furthermore, heterologous fibrin sealant (FS) has been shown as a promising alternative in regenerative therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate these substances for the repair of bone defects in rats. A bone defect measuring 3mm in diameter was created in the proximal metaphysis of the left tibia of 60 rats and was implanted with rhBMP-2 or P-1 in combination with a new heterologous FS derived from snake venom. The animals were divided into six groups: control (unfilled bone defect), rhBMP-2 (defect filled with 5µg rhBMP-2), P-1 (defect filled with 5µg P-1), FS (defect filled with 8µg FS), FS/rhBMP-2 (defect filled with 8µg FS and 5µg rhBMP-2), FS/P-1 (defect filled with 8µg FS and 5µg P-1). The animals were sacrificed 2 and 6 weeks after surgery. The newly formed bone projected from the margins of the original bone and exhibited trabecular morphology and a disorganized arrangement of osteocyte lacunae. Immunohistochemical analysis showed intense expression of osteocalcin in all groups. Histometric analysis revealed a significant difference in all groups after 2 weeks (p<0.05), except for the rhBMP-2 and FS/rhBMP-2 groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in all groups after 6 weeks in relation to the volume of newly formed bone in the surgical area. In conclusion, the new heterologous fibrin sealant was found to be biocompatible and the combination with rhBMP-2 showed the highest osteogenic and osteoconductive capacity for bone healing. These findings suggest a promising application of this combination in the regeneration surgery.

Ultra-structural alterations of the palatal mucosa in rats subject to a diet of alcohol / Alterações ultraestruturais da mucosa palatina de ratos submetidos a dieta alcoólica

Objective: To evaluate the possible morphological alterations of the palatal mucosa in rats subject to a diet of alcohol. Methods: Twelve adult male animals were used, divided into two groups: control and treated. The control group received food and water ad libitum, while the treated group received the same solid diet and a solution of water and ethanol diluted to 25%. After 160 days, the animals were sacrificed and the samples of palatal mucosa were submitted to methods of transmission electronic microscopy. Results: In the macroscopic results, a coloring alteration was seen in the palatal mucosa in the alcoholic group. In addition, the control animals presented a greater gain in body mass in relation to the treated animals (p<0.05). However, the treated animals did not lose weight during the experiment; on the contrary, they gained body mass, despite gaining less when compared to the control. In the ultra-structure of the treated group, an increase in inter-cellular space, fusion of the secretory granules and the presence of cells in a degenerative state were observed.Conclusion: It may be deduced that there were serious morphological alterations in the palatal mucosa of rats subject to an alcoholic diet.

Objetivo: Avaliar as possíveis alterações morfológicas da mucosa palatina de ratos submetidos a uma dieta alcoólica. Métodos: Foram utilizados doze animais adultos, machos, divididos em dois grupos sendo um controle e outro tratado. O grupo controle recebeu ração e água ad libitum, enquanto o grupo tratado recebeu a mesma dieta sólida e uma solução de água e etanol diluído a 25%. Após 160 dias, os animais foram sacrificados e as amostras da mucosa palatina foram submetidas aos métodos de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Resultados: Nos resultados macroscópicos, notou alteração da coloração da mucosa palatina do grupo alcoolizado. Além disso, os animais controle apresentaram maior ganho de massa corporal em relação aos animais tratados (p<0,05). Todavia, os animais tratados não perderam peso durante o período de experimento, ao contrário, os mesmos ganharam massa corporal, apesar de menor quando comparado com o controle. Na ultra-estrutura do grupo tratado, notou aumento dos espaços intercelulares, fusão dos grânulos secretores e presença de células em processo degenerativo.Conclusão: Pode inferir que houve graves alterações morfológicas na mucosa palatina de ratos submetidos à dieta alcoólica.

Sphenomandibular muscle or deep bundle of temporal muscle? / ¿Músculo esfenomandibular o fascículo profundo del músculo temporal?

The muscle designated by a group of authors as the sphenomandibular or, according to recent studies, the deep bundle of the temporal muscle, presents important anatomical relationships, especially in a medical-odontological context. In view of this divergence, the aim of the present study was to observe the morphology by means of dissection of the formaldehyde-preserved heads, using two different techniques to access the muscle region in question, designated as trans-zygomatic and frontal access routes. The results permitted, by observation of the dissections frontally, the presence of fascicles standing apart from the deep bundle muscle venter, which was named intermediary bundle. This bundle presented two portions, a meaty upper portion and a tendinous lower portion, which continues with the tendinous part of the superficial bundle present on the internal surface of the coronoid process. In view of the material observations, it can be concluded that, due to the total absence of muscular fascia between its bundles, the temporal muscle is a unique entity presenting three bundles ­ the deep, the intermediate and the superficial.

El músculo denominado como esfenomandibular por un grupo de autores o de acuerdo con estudios recientes, de fascículo profundo del músculo temporal, presenta importantes relaciones anatómicas, especialmente en un contexto médico-odontológico. En vista de esta discusión, el objetivo fue observar la morfología mediante la disección de cabezas conservadas en formaldehído, utilizando dos técnicas diferentes para acceder a la región del músculo, designadas como vías de acceso trans-cigomáticas y frontales. Los resultados mostraron, por la observación de las disecciones frontales, la presencia de fascículos que se ubican independientemente al vientre muscular del fascículo profundo, denominado fascículo intermediario. Este fascículo presentó dos porciones, una superior carnosa y una inferior tendinosa, que continuó con la parte tendinosa del fascículo superficial presente en la superficie interna del proceso coronoides. En vista de las observaciones realizadas, se puede concluir que debido a la ausencia total de la fascia muscular entre sus paquetes, el músculo temporal es una entidad única que presenta tres fascículos, el profundo, intermedio y superficial.