The diagnostic accuracy of 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging for detecting root avulsions in traumatic adult brachial plexus injuries.

Identification of root avulsions is of critical importance in traumatic brachial plexus injuries because it alters the reconstruction and prognosis. Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging is gaining popularity, but there is limited and conflicting data on its diagnostic accuracy for root avulsion. This cohort study describes consecutive patients requiring brachial plexus exploration following trauma between 2008 and 2016. The index test was magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 Tesla and the reference test was operative exploration of the supraclavicular plexus. Complete data from 29 males was available. The diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for root avulsion(s) of C5-T1 was 79%. The diagnostic accuracy of a pseudomeningocoele as a surrogate marker of root avulsion(s) of C5-T1 was 68%. We conclude that pseudomeningocoles were not a reliable sign of root avulsion and magnetic resonance imaging has modest diagnostic accuracy for root avulsions in the context of adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The neurotrophic effects of different human dental mesenchymal stem cells.

The current gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve injury is nerve grafting but this has disadvantages such as donor site morbidity. New techniques focus on replacing these grafts with nerve conduits enhanced with growth factors and/or various cell types such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Dental-MSCs (D-MSCs) including stem cells obtained from apical papilla (SCAP), dental pulp stem cells (DPSC), and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC) are potential sources of MSCs for nerve repair. Here we present the characterization of various D-MSCs from the same human donors for peripheral nerve regeneration. SCAP, DPSC and PDLSC expressed BDNF, GDNF, NGF, NTF3, ANGPT1 and VEGFA growth factor transcripts. Conditioned media from D-MSCs enhanced neurite outgrowth in an in vitro assay. Application of neutralizing antibodies showed that brain derived neurotrophic factor plays an important mechanistic role by which the D-MSCs stimulate neurite outgrowth. SCAP, DPSC and PDLSC were used to treat a 10 mm nerve gap defect in a rat sciatic nerve injury model. All the stem cell types significantly enhanced axon regeneration after two weeks and showed neuroprotective effects on the dorsal root ganglia neurons. Overall the results suggested SCAP to be the optimal dental stem cell type for peripheral nerve repair.

Massive gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to gastritis cystica profunda.

INTRODUCTION: Gastritis Cystica Profunda is a well recognized entity which may occur several years after previous gastric surgery. This is a premalignant condition and may lead on to carcinoma of the stomach. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 50-year-old man with epigastric pain and haematemesis. 28 years ago he had undergone partial gastrectomy and gastroenterostomy for benign gastric ulcer. An Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a possible bleeding vessel on the anterior wall lesser curve of the stomach. The lesion was injected with adrenaline 1 in 100,000. In spite of the intervention he continued to have haemetemesis with significant haemodynamic impairment. At exploratory laparotomy, an oedematous ridge on the posterior wall with a bleeding point on the posterior gastric wall. Histology showed features consistent with gastritis cystica profunda. He made an excellent post-operative recovery. CONCLUSION: We suggest that patients who are diagnosed with gastritis cystica profunda should be regularly followed up as this is a premalignant condition.