Morphological variability of the plantaris muscle origin in human fetuses.

INTRODUCTION: The plantaris muscle (PM) is a small, fusiform muscle located between the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) and soleus muscle (SM). PM supports movements of the knee and ankle. This muscle presents a great variability, and also has a high clinical significance. Nevertheless, data concerns morphology and morphometry of the origin of PM in human fetuses are scarce. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-seven spontaneously-aborted human fetuses (23 male, 24 female) aged 18-38 weeks of gestation were examined. The morphology and morphometry of the origin of PM were evaluated. RESULTS: PM was present in 74 lower limbs (78.7%), and absent on 20 limbs (21.3%). We distinguished VI types of the proximal attachment of PM. Belly width and thickness, as well as thickness of the tendon and MT junction differed significantly between types of PM origin. CONCLUSIONS: We distinguished six (I-VI) types of origin of PM in human fetuses. The most common type was type Ia, characterized by an attachment to the lateral head of GM, lateral femoral condyle and to the knee joint capsule. Our results of PM anatomical variation in fetuses will pave the way for detailed comparisons with studies carried out on adult cadavers.

Experimental therapies in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder with still not fully understood pathogenesis. At first, the treatment of IBS was mainly focused on alleviating symptoms (with the use of laxatives, anti-diarrheals, anti-spasmodics and painkillers) and then became more specific by targeting discovered pathways responsible for proper functioning of the gastrointestinal system, for in- stance: 5HT3, 5HT4, cannabinoid and opioid receptors, guanylyl cyclase C, chloride channels and sodium- hydrogen exchanger. Nowadays, there is a growing number of experimental IBS treatment strategies and in this article we discuss these novel and therapeutic options in IBS, their efficacy and future perspectives.

Current Overview on Clinical Management of Chronic Constipation.

Constipation is one of the major gastrointestinal disorders diagnosed in clinical practice in Western countries. Almost 20% of population suffer from this disorder, which means constipation is a substantial utilization of healthcare. Pathophysiology of constipation is complex and multifactorial, where aspects like disturbance in colonic transit, genetic predisposition, lifestyle habits, psychological distress, and many others need to be taken into consideration. Diagnosis of constipation is troublesome and requires thorough accurate examination. A nonpharmacological approach, education of the patient about the importance of lifestyle changes like diet and sport activity state, are the first line of therapy. In case of ineffective treatment, pharmacological treatments such as laxatives, secretagogues, serotonergic agonists, and many other medications should be induced. If pharmacologic treatment fails, the definitive solution for constipation might be surgical approach. Commonness of this disorder, costs of medical care and decrease in quality life cause constipation is a serious issue for many specialists. The aim of this review is to present current knowledge of chronic constipation and management of this disorder.

Quadriceps or multiceps femoris?-Cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: The quadriceps femoris (QF) consists of four muscles: the rectus femoris; vastus medialis; vastus lateralis, and vastus intermediate. The tendons of all of these parts join together into a single tendon that attaches to the patella. The QF is a powerful extensor of the knee joint that is needed for walking. A growing number of publications have examined the fifth head of the QF muscle. There is no information about the possibility of other heads, and there is no correct classification of their proximal attachments. Further, the frequency of occurrence of additional heads/components of the QF remains unclear. METHODS: One hundred and six lower limbs (34 male and 18 female) fixed in 10% formalin solution were examined. RESULTS: Additional heads of the QF were present in 64.1% of the limbs. Three main types were identified and included subtypes. The most common was Type I (44.1%), which had an independent fifth head. This type was divided into two subtypes (A-B) depending on its location relative to the vastus intermediate. The second most common type was Type II (30.8%), which originated from other muscles: IIA from the vastus lateralis; IIB from the vastus intermediate, and IIC from the gluteus minimus. In addition, Type III (25%) was characterized by multiple heads: IIIA-two heads with a single common tendon; IIIB-two heads with two separate tendons; IIIC-three heads (lateral, intermediate, medial), and IIID-four heads (bifurcated lateral and bifurcated medial). CONCLUSION: The introduction of a new classification based on a proximal attachment is necessary. The presence of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth head varies.

Coexistence of a rare type of ectopic kidney with atypical renal vasculature.

Knowledge of anatomical anomalies is significant for all specialists in clinical practice and may prevent serious complications following medical procedures. This report presents the rare crossed fused renal ectopia (CFRE) with atypical renal vasculature in cadaver of a 68-year-old man. The ectopic kidney was located on right side with four renal veins, three renal arteries, two ureters, where one of them is double. The embryological background, as well as the potential clinical significance of this morphological variation, is discussed. An interventional radiological and surgical procedure should be appropriately implemented to treat anomalies of vessels and CFRE.

Unusual case report of seven-headed quadriceps femoris muscle.

PURPOSE: We present a case of a seven-headed quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle and a systematic review of the literature concerning this anatomical variation. METHODS: During a routine dissection of the lower limbs of a 72-year old cadaver, a QF with supernumerary heads was identified. Each head of the muscle was photographed and subjected to further measurement. RESULTS: In addition to the four traditional heads of the QF muscle, we found a tensor of the vastus intermedius (TVI) muscle and two additional muscle bellies composed of tendons. Attachments of the TVI tendon and additional tendons were localized on the superior medial border of the patella. CONCLUSION: It is important to be aware of morphological variability of the quadriceps femoris muscle. The described case assists clinicist with avoiding misdiagnoses around the knee.

Morphological variability of the palmaris longus muscle in human fetuses.

PURPOSE: The palmaris longus (PL) muscle is characterized by high-morphological variability. It is clinically important as it is routinely harvested for the reconstruction of other tendons. The study characterizes the morphology of the PL in human fetuses and creates a new classification based on its variations that would relate to the spectrum of morphological variability in adults. METHODS: Eighty spontaneously aborted human foetuses (44 male, 36 female, 160 upper limbs), aged 18-38 weeks of gestation, were examined. RESULTS: The palmaris longus muscle was present in 62.5% of fetuses. The absence was bilateral in 26.25%, and unilateral in 22.5%. Nine types of palmaris longus muscles were identified based on the morphology of its insertion (Types I-IX). All types originated on the medial epicondyle of the humerus. The most common type was Type I, which was characterized by insertion to the palmar aponeurosis (52%). The rarest types were Type VII and Type IX (1% each). Type VII was characterized by partial doubling of the muscle belly, which then turned into two separate tendons that inserted together into the palmar aponeurosis. Type IX was characterized by fusion with the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. CONCLUSION: Our findings concerning morphological variability of the PL in fetuses present a new perspective on the understanding nature of the morphological variation of the PL muscle in adults. LIST OF EVIDENCE: Basic Science Study.

Rare combined variations of renal, suprarenal, phrenic and accessory hepatic arteries.

Knowledge of the morphological variations within the abdominal cavity is significant for all medical practitioners planning surgery. This report presents the rare origin of a common trunk for the right inferior phrenic artery, and superior and inferior suprarenal artery from the right renal artery. An accessory hepatic artery was found, which served as a branch of the right inferior phrenic artery. The diameter of the common trunk was 3.95 mm, and the diameters of the inferior and superior suprarenal arteries were 1.84 and 1.36 mm, respectively. The diameter of the right inferior phrenic artery was 2.55 mm. Both the embryological background and the potential clinical significance of this morphological variation are discussed. Knowledge of this common trunk and the occurrence of the accessory right hepatic artery may be of significance in diagnostic and surgical procedures.

[Circadian profile of the prolactin concentration in the patients with end-stage renal failure]. / Dobowy profil stezen prolaktyny u chorych na schylkowa niewydolnosc nerek.

UNLABELLED: Determination of circadian of prolactine (PRL) profile and its relationship to selected clinical and laboratory indices in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis as well as those in predialysis period was the aim of the study. Investigations were carried out in 38 patients with ESRD aged 36 to 79 yr. (medium 59 +/- 11 yr.), (20 male, 18 female, 7 treated with peritoneal dialysis, 25 undergoing hemodialysis, 6 in predialysis period) and the control group consisting of 7 healthy volunteers (4 male and 3 female). Serum concentration of PRL was evaluated at 3:00, 7:00, 12:00, 18:00, 22:00. The influence of different dialysis methods, blood concentration of parathormone, hemoglobin, total protein, erytropoietin (EPO), C-reactive protein, EPO therapy and duration of dialysis therapy on the PRL profile was analyzed. Results were analyzed according to medium obtained values of daily PRL profiles and individual indexes of variation of the daily concentration. Impaired circadian PRL profile was found in the all of followed groups comparing to the control, which was based on flatting of the curve and decreasing of the nightly pick of secretion PRL. None of analyzed factors had normalized the PRL profile curve. CONCLUSIONS: The PRL profile in ESRD patients treated with hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and in predialysis period is changed. The PRL profile curve is flatted and there was no night pick of PRL secretion in the patients. PRL level was shown to increase with progress of the disease, and the highest levels were in hemodialysed patients. EPO treatment, general appearance improvement, increased hemoglobin level and any of studied different dialysis method did not normalize the altered PRL profile.