The influence of post-fixation on visualising vimentin in the retina using immunofluorescence method.

BACKGROUND: Post-fixation of sections is especially required for cryostat sections of fresh frozen tissues. Vimentin is an intermediate filament in both fibrillary and non-fibrillary form, expressed in Müller's cells and astrocytes of the retina. Our aim was to determine the best post-fixation method for visualising vimentin in archival mouse eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used an archival mouse eye, slightly pre-fixed with paraformaldehyde and stored at -80°C for 4 years. We tried three fixatives (pa-raformaldehyde [PFA], alcohol/acetic acid [AAA] and methanol) for post-fixation of eye sections. RESULTS: We showed that post-fixation alters the labelling properties of vimentin expressed in the retina. In the sections with no post-fixation, vimentin positivity was observed in and around the nuclei in non-fibrillary form. In PFA post-fixed sections, the vimentin in the retina was not observed as fibrils. Positivity was observed in the nuclei and in perinuclear regions of the cells. In AAA post-fixed sections, positive labelling was observed around the nuclei as fibrils. In methanol post-fixed sections, labelling was observed around the nuclei as fibrils. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that post-fixation with AAA is more convenient for immunofluorescent labelling of vimentin in the retina for slightly PFA pre-fixed and long-term stored retina. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 246-252).

Morphometric analysis of the uncinate processes of the cervical vertebrae.

BACKGROUND: Uncinate processes (UPs) are distinct features unique to cervical vertebrae. They are consistently found on posterolateral aspect of the superior end plate of 3rd to 7th cervical vertebrae. In this study, we investigated the morphology of the UPs with a particular emphasis on the regional anatomy and clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 63 vertebrae. The width, height and length of UPs were measured with a digital calliper. We also assessed inclination angle of UP relative to sagittal plane, angle between medial surface of UP and superior surface of vertebra, angle between long axis of the UP and frontal plane, angle between long axis of UP and sagittal plane. RESULTS: Average width of the UPs ranged from 4.25 mm at C3 to 6.33 mm at T1; average height ranged from 4.88 mm at T1 to 7.54 mm at C4; and average length ranged from 6.88 mm at T1 to 11.46 mm at C4. We measured the inclination angle of UP relative to sagittal plane, and found it to be relatively constant with T1 having the largest value. The average angle was 41.39°, and the range was 17° to 85°. The angle between the long axis of the UP and the sagittal plane was increasing signifi-cantly from C5 to T1. The average angle was 20.74° and the range was 6° to 65°. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomy of UPs is significant for surgeon who operates on the cervical spine. Hopefully, the information presented herein would decrease complications during surgical approaches to the cervical spine.

Formation of the sural nerve in foetal cadavers.

The purpose of this study was to provide a morphologic description and assessment on the formation level of the sural nerve (SN) and its components. Also we aimed to reveal histological features of the SN components. An anatomical study of the formation of the SN was carried out on 100 limbs from 50 embalmed foetuses. The results showed that the SN was formed by the union of the medial sural cutaneous nerve (MSCN) and the peroneal communicating branch (PCB) in 71% of the cases (Type A); the MSCN and PCB are branches of the tibial and common peroneal nerve (CPN) or lateral sural cutaneous nerves (LSCN), respectively. Formation level of the SN was at the distal third of the leg in 43% of the cases, at the middle third of the leg in 46% of the cases, and at the upper third of the leg in 11% of the cases. The PCB originated in the CPN in 68% and the PCB originated in the LSCN in 3% of the cases. The SN was formed only by the MSCN in 20% of the cases (Type B). Type C was divided into four subgroups: in the first group the PCB and fibres of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve joined the MSCN in 4% of cases; in the second group the MSCN, PCB, and sciatic nerve did not unite and coursed separately in 1% of cases; in the third group the SN arose directly from the sciatic nerve alone and the MSCN made a little contribution in 2% of cases; and in the fourth group the PCB, fibres of the sciatic nerve, and the MSCN formed the SN in 1% of the cases. The SN was formed only by the PCB in 1% of the cases (Type D). Distances of the formation level of the SN to the intercondylar line and the lateral malleolus were measured and also noted. A detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the SN and its contributing nerves are important in many interventional procedures.

Double superior vena cava.

Duplication of superior vena cava (SVC) is a rare anomaly. The incidence of double SVC in general population is 0.3% whereas in patients with congenital heart disease it varies between 10-11%. Double SVC cases have clinical importance if especially the one on the left side drains into the left atrium. Moreover, double SVC is surgically important in the presence of congenital heart disease. In this article, we presented adult patients who incidentally diagnosed with double SVC, one drained into the right atrium while the other into the left atrium and discussed the embryologic basis of these patent vessels.

Anatomical analysis of azygos vein system in human cadavers.

The azygos system veins vary greatly in their mode of origin, course, tributaries, anastomoses and termination. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the types of azygos system in this study. Our research was made in Anatomy departments on 48 conserved cadavers aging between 27-70 years, of which 35 were males and 13 females. In the research, the diameters and levels of the azygos vein, the hemiazygos vein, the accessory hemiazygos vein and the superior intercostal vein were investigated. The subjects were classified in Anson's system with a basis of vertical and horizontal connections in the azygos venous system the classification included primitive or embryological types, transient type, unicolon type as three basic types and their eleven subgroups. According to this classification (amongst 48 cadavers), one (2.1%) of our subjects was found to be Type I, 44 (91.7%) of them were found to be Type II, and one (2.1%) was found to be Type III. These values were similar to those in the literature, however two (4.2%) subjects did not fit in any otherwise defined groups and were named as atypic group. It is very important to identify the variations of the azygos system in the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of mediastinum. The abnormal azygos venous system may easily be confused with aneurysm, lymphadenopathy and other abnormalities like tumor. It is important to keep these kinds of variations in mind while performing the mediastinal operations or surgery of large vessels.

Clinical and anatomical aspects of possible mylohyoid nerve injury during genioplasties.

Damage to the cutaneous branch of the mylohyoid nerve (CBMN) during genioplasties is possible but rare. The aim of this cadaveric study was to demonstrate possible mechanisms of injuring the CBMN during genioplasties. Mandibulotomy access was used to carry out sublingual and lateral cervical dissections on 10 formalinized cadavers with a mean age of 65 years. The length of the mylohyoid nerve was measured at three sections on the mandible. The posterior section of the mylohyoid nerve was 8.7+/-0.5 mm; the middle section was 14.5+/-0.9 mm and the anterior section was 15.6+/-1.2 mm in length. The submental skin island of 7 specimens had unilateral innervation by the CBMN. The bilateral innervation pattern was detected in 3 of the specimens. Damage to the sensory and the motor branches of the mylohyoid nerve can occur during genioplasties by transaction of the soft tissue pedicle attached to the mental spine and inferior border of the symphis. Surgeons should pay attention during dissection and osteotomy of the chin to avoid complications of the mylohyoid nerve and its branches.