[en] Highlights: • Atraumatic musculocutaneous neuropathy is a very rare condition. • Differential diagnosis between osteochondroma and bone spur, with absence of the typical cartilage cap. • Multidisciplinary approach is fundamental to make an optimal diagnosis.

[en] In combining biomechanical investigations with microanatomical studies, the authors have found new evidence suggesting a mechanobiological link between the altered microstructural response of degenerate cartilage to load, and the way in which structural changes develop in the early osteoarthritic joint. This paper presents the data and background for a new hypothesis exploring the initiation and progression of mechanically-driven osteoarthritic processes.

No abstract available

[en] Purpose: To evaluate the suitability of different MR sequences for monitoring the stage of maturation of hyaline cartilage grafts in the knee joint and the early detection of complications like hypertrophy. In addition, it was analyzed whether indirect MR arthrography can indicate debonding of the graft. Materials and Methods: MRI examinations were performed in 19 patients, aged 17-43 years, with autologous transplantation of a hyaline cartilage tissue graft after knee trauma. Examination dates were prior to transplantation to localize the defect, and 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation to control morphology and maturation of the autologous graft. Standard T2- and protondensity-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequences and T1-weighted spin echo (SE) sequences were used, as well as gradient echo (GRE) sequences with and without magnetization transfer (MT) prepulses. In some cases, indirect MR arthrography was performed. Results: Cartilage defect and the hyaline cartilage graft could be detected in all 19 patients. Hypertrophy of the graft could be found early in 3 patients and debonding in 1 patient. For depicting the graft a short time after surgery. T2-weighted TSE-sequences showed the best results. Six and 12 months after transplantation, spoiled 3D-GRE-sequences like FLASH3D (fast low angle shot) showed reduced artifacts due to magnetic residues from the surgery. Difference images from GRE-sequences with and without MT pulse provided high contrast between cartilage and surrounding tissue. The quantification of the MT effect showed an assimilation of the graft to the original cartilage within 12 months. Indirect MR arthrography showed subchondral contrast medium even 12 months after transplantation in 3 patients. (orig.)

[en] Of 462 Finnhorses (age 1-20 years) evaluated and graded (scale 0-5) radiographically for ossification of the collateral cartilages of the 3rd phalanx of the front feet, 22.9% were totally free from sidebones (Grade 0), and 49.1% had minimal or mild ossification (Grade 1 or 2) at the base of 1 or more of the cartilages. Moderate ossification (Grade 3) was present in 10.2% of the horses, whereas ossification was advanced (Grade 4) or extensive (Grade 5) in 17.8%. In most horses > 1 cartilage was affected and 7.6% of the horses had separate centres of ossification in 1 or more of the cartilages. Large sidebones and separate centres of ossification were more common in females than in males (P < 0.001). The incidence of large sidebones was lower in young females (1-3 years) than in mares 4-6 years of age (P < 0.05), but did not increase significantly with age when young horses, 4-6 years of age, were compared with older ones. Grade 4 and 5 sidebones as well as separate centres of ossification were more common in the lateral than in the medial cartilage (P < 0.001), but no difference was observed in this respect between the front feet

[en] The application and the role are discussed of computerized tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of degenerative alterations of the spine, especially in changes due to osteophytes, canal stenosis, subchondrial cysts and subchondrial sclerosis, and, primarily, spine disk herniation. CT is assessed as an accurate, sensitive visualization technique usable for all patients and easily repeatable. (L.O.). 1 tab., 15 refs

No abstract available

[en] Proteoglycans (PG) have been purified by classical methods from human articular cartilage in order to set up a radioimmunoassay. Conditions of labelling, purification of labelled PG, and optimal conditions of buffer, temperature, duration of incubations and dilution of antiserum are described. Separation of free and bound PG is performed by immunoprecipitation. It is demonstrated that human articular PG can be assayed quantitatively by RIA procedure, with a sensitivity of +- 2 femto-moles (+- 5 ng) per tube

[en] Highlights: • Patients with OA possessed high levels of lncRNA-CIR. • Suppression of lncRNA-CIR decreased the level of autophagy and relieved cartilage degeneration. • Negative effects of lncRNA-CIR on surgically induced OA. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease that is regarded as a local inflammatory response caused by joint instability and accompanied by the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of articular cartilage remain a subject of debate and research. This study aims to analyze the roles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)CIR and autophagy in cartilages and determine their overall contribution to the degradation of extracellular matrix. Patients with OA possessed high levels of lncRNA-CIR and MMP3 and low level of COL2A1. The levels of autophagy-related proteins, including LC3BI/II and beclin-1, increased from 12 h to 48 h. The use of si-lncRNA-CIR reversed the trend compared with that in the OA group. The negative effect of lncRNA-CIR was assessed in vivo by establishing a model of surgically induced OA. Moreover, si-lncRNA-CIR-treated joints exhibited fewer OA changes than saline-treated joints. Results were confirmed by histopathological grading of the models by using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Scoring System and the outcomes of immunohistochemistry for LC3B-II and MMP-3. Overall, lncRNA-CIR played a negative role in the OA process by activating autophagy.

[en] Background. Reports on CT-guided percutaneous drainage within the intervertebral space for pyogenic spondylodiscitis with a secondary psoas abscess are limited. Purpose. To evaluate CT-guided percutaneous drainage within the intervertebral space for pyogenic spondylodiscitis and a secondary psoas abscess in which the two sites appear to communicate. Material and Methods. Eight patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis and a secondary psoas abscess showing communication with the intradiscal abscess underwent CT-guided percutaneous drainage within the intervertebral space. The clinical outcome was retrospectively assessed. Results. An 8-French pigtail catheter within the intervertebral space was successfully placed in all patients. Seven patients responded well to this treatment. The one remaining patient who had developed septic shock before the procedure died on the following day. The mean duration of drainage was 32 days (13-70 days). Only one patient with persistent back pain underwent surgery for stabilization of the spine after the improvement of inflammation. Among seven patients responding well, long-term follow-up (91-801 days, mean 292 days) was conducted in six patients excluding one patient who died of asphyxiation due to aspiration unrelated to the procedure within 30 days after the procedure. In these six patients, no recurrence of either pyogenic spondylodiscitis or the psoas abscess was noted. Conclusion. CT-guided percutaneous drainage within the intervertebral space can be effective for patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis and a secondary psoas abscess if the psoas abscess communicates with the intradiscal abscess