Height, weight and menarcheal age of Amman adolescent school children

The height and weight of 10281 schoolchildren in Amman, age [11-17] years, was measured and tabulated for both sexes according to their age using the computer facilities. Out of a total of 5797 girls asked, 79% had menstrual bleeding with a mean age of onset at 12 years and ten months. The height and weight of girls with menarche was correlated to each age group

Spontaneous fusion in spondylolisthesis: case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous intervertebral fusion as a sequelae to spondylolisthesis has not been reported in children. One such case is being reported in this article. It is thought that such a sequelae can be explained as nature's attempt to arrest forward slipping of the upper element of spondylolisthesis. Lateral tomography is an important diagnostic procedure in the assessment of such cases

School screening for scoliosis in Amman

School screening is a well accepted technique for early detection of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A sample comprising 10,287 students in the eighth grade, aged between 11 and 16 years, in Amman were screened. Using the Adams forward bending test, 1,423 students were referred to hospital for secondary testing and X-rays. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was confirmed by X-rays, with curves over ten degrees in 2.1% of the sample. The female to male ratio was two to one. Curves more than 20 degrees were detected in fifteen girls and no boys. The incidence was higher in children with light complexion

Double fractures of the fibula in bimalleolar fractures

Study of eight cases of displaced ankle fractures with double fracture of the fibula showed that these fractures constitute a separate entity with special characteristics. For the second fibular fracture to occur, it is thought that a change in the position of the foot, or a change in the direction of the injuring force or a change in both should occur. These fractures, although rare, are very serious. Closed reduction of the fibular fractures, in spite of internal fixation of the medial malleolus, is difficult and proved unstable in plaster immobilization. Open reduction and internal fixation, especially, of both fibular fractures is necessary if permanent disability is to be avoided. Ankle fractures are unpredictable in presentation. This is especially true concerning the fibular component of these fractures. Lauge-Ha-nsen classification[1], although it gives precise and detailed description of ankle fractures including ligamentous injuries, did not include all possible fractures at the ankle. Large series, classified according to it, showed that between one to seven percent of the fractures could not be classified according to Lauge-Hansen classification[2,6]. Isolated fractures of the posterior tibial edge [Bosworth][7] and Maisonneuve [1840] fracture[8] are examples. Many questions concerning especially the mechanism of injury and the pathological anatomy of the ankle injuries are still unanswered and require more investigations and considerations In this report we present eight patients with ankle fractures where the fibular fracture was double. In the available literature we could not find a report dealing with this entity. This fracture, although rare, is serious. Closed reduction of the fibular fracture proved unstable in spite of internal fixation of the medial malleolus. If permanent disability is to be avoided then proper reduction and internal fixation of medial malleolus and both fibular fractures should be performed

Analysis of limb amputations in Amman, Jordan

All amputations done at the Jordan University Hospital and the King Hussein Medical Centre during the period April 1974-1981 were analyzed. One hundred and twenty-eight limb amputations in 123 patients were performed. During this seven year period the amputation rate increased markedly. Those requiring amputation were predominantly in the young age group. Injury was the highest indication, followed by diabetes, vascular disease, and bone tumors among others. Rehabilitation was not satisfactory in over 60% of the patients. Among those who rehabilitated well were the below-knee amputees. Amputation is greatly resisted in Jordanian society. In spite of this, the incidence has increased markedly over recent years and similar observations have been made elsewhere[1-3]. Due to the increasing rate of injuries necessitating amputations as a primary or secondary procedure at a later date, plus the large number of bone-tumor patients transferred to our two hospitals for surgical treatment, an analysis was made of these patients records. In other series[1],3-8;vascular disease and diabetes were the main causes of amputation whereas injuries headed ours

Gas gangrene-first report from Jordan

During the period 1975-1981, eight patients with gas gangrene were admitted to the Jordan University Hospital [JUH]. Gas gangrene developed in one patient with leukemia, in one patient following insulin injection, in another following a venous cut-down, and in another following gunshot. Gas gangrene developed in four diabetic patients with foot ulcers. Only aggressive treatment in the form of radical surgery and high doses of antibiotic therapy may result in survival. Cas gangrene is a necrotizing infection of the soft tissues that occurs after trauma or surgery, and also may develop at the site of intramuscular injection[1-7]. It is caused by several species of clostridium frequently fulminating[8,9]. Even with ideal treatment, gas gangrene is still associated with high mortality. The early and combined use of surgery and antibiotic therapy has improved the mortality rate from 90% to only 45%[10]. The treatment of established gas gangrene cases is at best difficult. The surgical procedures required are generally formidable, and the conditions under which they are carried out often make them heroic. Recovery will result only if surgery is adequate[9]. the pattern of presentation varies from one patient to another. This depends on the general state of the patient, the time lapse before diagnosis and the virulance of the microorganism. Most of our patients presented late, hence the fulminating course of the disease. This paper reports eight cases of gas gangrene that were seen at the Jordan University Hospital. The development of gas gangrene in one patient following insulin injection, and in another with leukemia, was thought to be rare, stimulating a review of the available literature and this study