Histologic evaluation of high speed burr shavings collected during spinal decompression surgery.

In spinal decompression and fusion surgery, a high speed burr is often used to remove bony material. The generated bone shavings are typically washed away and discarded. This study histologically examined the content of burr shavings to determine whether the collected tissue has the potential to augment local autograft. Our findings verified that burr shavings collected during spinal decompression are primarily composed of bone (65%) with blood product (32%). The bone shavings appear to remain viable after burring, as there was no microscopic evidence of damage to the cells. These findings indicate that bone shavings can be easily collected and could be added to local laminectomy bone with minimal cost. This technique is also beneficial given that it does not increase morbidity, as does iliac crest bone graft harvesting. Furthermore, the putty-like consistency of the bone shavings may facilitate the placement of morselized autograft bone. Despite these advantages, collected bone shavings are by no means a substitute for autograft or allograft bone. Their osteogenic potential is not comparable to that of iliac crest bone and the shavings lack the structural scaffolding of allograft bone. This technique, however, provides a resource for augmenting local autograft during spinal fusion, and is not associated with any significant cost or effort. Future studies should compare the clinical and radiographic fusion outcomes of high speed burr bony shavings combined with local laminectomy bone versus either iliac crest autograft or local laminectomy bone used with other bone graft extenders.

Low-grade cartilage tumors: diagnosis and treatment.

As a result of reading this article, physicians should be able to: 1. List the features that are useful in differentiating a low-grade chondrosarcoma from an enchondroma. 2. Describe the treatment principles of low-grade cartilage tumors based on the anatomic location and stage of the tumor. 3. Discuss the characteristics of a local recurrence after initial treatment and the general consequences.

Inlet patch of gastric mucosa in upper esophagus causing chronic cough and vocal cord dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: An inlet patch of gastric mucosa in the upper esophagus is usually an incidental, congenital finding found during upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy. Although it has been reported to cause dysphagia, strictures, adenocarcinoma, and webs, it has never been associated with cough and vocal cord dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To report the first case of a patient with an inlet patch of gastric mucosa in the upper esophagus as the cause of a particularly troublesome, chronic cough that was initially missed on 2 upper endoscopies. METHODS: The patient is a 50-year-old man with a 7-year history of chronic cough associated with hoarseness, shortness of breath, and globus sensation. For diagnostic evaluation, pulmonary function tests, chest computed tomography, rhinolaryngoscopy, upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy, and histologic examinations were performed. RESULTS: A multidisciplinary approach revealed several possible causes for the chronic cough, including vocal cord dysfunction, postnasal drip syndrome, allergic rhinitis, and mild gastroesophageal reflux disease that was only partially responsive to therapy. The results of 2 initial upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopies were interpreted as normal. A third endoscopy detected an inlet patch of gastric mucosa in the upper esophagus. Treatment with a high-dose histamine type 2 receptor antagonist and a proton pump inhibitor alleviated the patient's symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: An inlet patch of gastric mucosa in the upper esophagus is not uncommon, but it is often overlooked or believed to be an incidental, congenital finding. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of an inlet patch resulting in a troublesome, chronic cough.