Meniscal tear repaired with Fast-Fix sutures: clinical results in stable versus ACL-deficient knees.

AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the results of meniscal tears repaired with Fast-Fix All-inside suture in stable versus anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees. PATIENTS: Forty patients, everybody professional players, all underwent arthroscopic surgery, were divided into two groups and followed-up for at least 24 months. Group A (stable knee affected with isolated meniscal tears) consisted of 20 patients treated exclusively with Fast-Fix suture. Group B (ACL-deficient knees affected with meniscal tears) consisted of 20 patients in which we performed a Fast-Fix suture with concurrent ACL reconstruction (hamstring duplicated). Comparing both Groups together, we have noticed that the good clinical result of meniscal sutures with ACL reconstruction associated has occurred faster than isolated meniscal suture, regardless of the meniscus, the knee, and age of the patient. In fact 6 months after surgery, in Group A, there was a success by 65% against 85% for the Group B with 8.3 points International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) difference in favor of the latter. Whereas 24 months after surgery, the percentage was increased achieving 90% in Group A and 95% in Group B with 12.6 points IKDC difference in favor of the Group B. A statistical analysis of variable, both after 6 and 24 months, showed a significant improvement of knee conditions for patients with ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, other than observing the better results in meniscal tears with ACL-deficient knee, we observed that among all cases the best healing occurred in patients affected by meniscal longitudinal vertical tears located in Red-Red zone of external meniscus with an extension of 10 mm in ACL-deficient knee, treated with Fast-Fix suture and ACL reconstruction associated.

Thermal neutron dosimeter by synthetic single crystal diamond devices.

We report on a new solid state dosimeter based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) single crystal diamond fabricated at Roma "Tor Vergata" University laboratories. The dosimeter has been specifically designed for direct neutron dose measurements in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The response to thermal neutrons of the proposed diamond dosimeter is directly due to (10)B and, therefore, the dosimeter response is directly proportional to the boron absorbed doses in BNCT. Two single crystal diamond detectors are fabricated in a p-type/intrinsic/metal configuration and are sandwiched together with a boron containing layer in between the metallic contacts (see Fig.1). Neutron irradiations were performed at the Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) using the 2.5 MeV neutrons produced through the D(d,n)(3)He fusion reaction. Thermal neutrons were then produced by slowing down the 2.5 MeV neutrons using a cylindrical polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) moderator. The diamond dosimeter was placed in the center of the moderator. The products of (10)B(n,alpha)Li nuclear reaction were collected simultaneously giving rise to a single peak. Stable performance, high reproducibility, high efficiency and good linearity were observed.

Neutron detection and dosimetry using polycrystalline CVD diamond detectors with high collection efficiency.

Polycrystalline chemical vapour deposited (CVD) diamond film is an interesting material for neutron detection and dosimetry. However, the use of CVD diamond detectors is still limited by the low-level signal pulse produced because of the high energy required to produce an electron-hole pair in diamond (13.2 eV) and by the reduced charge collection efficiency owing to several types of traps for electrons and holes in CVD films. A new type of CVD diamond detector with high gain (HG) contacts was produced as part of the collaboration between the ENEA Fusion Division and the Faculty of Engineering of Rome 'Tor Vergata' University. In this paper the performance of the HG CVD diamond detector is presented and possible applications of CVD diamond detectors to neutron dosimetry are also discussed.

Development and application of CVD diamond detectors to 14 MeV neutron flux monitoring.

CVD diamond is an interesting material for radiation detection, its atomic number (Z = 6) is close to that of soft tissues (Z = 7.1) and it can also work in harsh environments. Since many years CVD diamond films have been grown at the Faculty of Engineering, Rome 'Tor Vergata' University, and in 1998 a collaboration with ENEA Fusion Division was established to develop fast neutron monitors to be used in fusion tokamak environment. In this paper the first test of a 120 microm thick polycrystalline CVD diamond detector used for monitoring 14.7 MeV neutrons emission produced with the Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) is reported. The detector operates in air and in pulse mode. The time irradiation profiles recorded with the CVD diamond detector were compared with those recorded by the standard monitors available at FNG (SSD, fission chamber, NE-213). Good stability and capability to operate in neutron flux up to 1.5 x 10(8) n cm(-2) s(-1) was observed. The radiation hardness property was also investigated using a 460 microm thick film and these results are also reported.