Bony hydatid disease of superior pubic ramus with extension into pelvis and proximal thigh.

Hydatid disease is caused by the tapeworm of genus ;Echinococcus. Genus Echinococcus has different species including Echinococcus vogeli, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilucularis. Echinococcus granulosus is the most common cause of hydatid disease in humans. This disease can take place either directly through ingestion of parasite eggs from contact with infected dogs or indirectly from the ingestion of contaminated water or food. Infestation of hydatid disease in humans most commonly occurs in the liver (55-70%), followed by the lungs (18-35%). Bone hydatidosis however is very rare,whenever it occurs; it is usually secondary to visceral involvement. We present herein a case of primary hydatid cyst involving superior pubic ramus in a 43 years male patient, which is not a common site for the occurrence of this disease. Diagnosis is usually delayed if high index of suspicion is not there. MRI is a good tool for reaching diagnoses.

Outcome of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children treated by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning.

Supracondylar fractures of humerus in children are common injuries. Displaced fractures are inherently unstable. Conservative treatment results in malunion. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is more invasive and recovery is prolonged. From September 2004 to September 2005, 102 displaced supracondylar fractures of humerus, aged between one and half year to 13 years, were treated using close reduction and percutaneous Kirschner (K) wire fixation under c-arm fluoroscopy. Seventy nine patients were treated by cross K-wires and in twenty three cases lateral two K-wires were put. Above elbow plaster of paris back slab was applied in all cases for at least four weeks. Back slab, K-wires were removed after four weeks and elbow range of motion exercise was started. Results were analyzed using Flynn's criteria. All patients were followed up to 14th week postoperatively. In cross K-wire group(N=79) 70.8% had excellent, 22.7% good, 3.8% fair and 2.5% had poor results at eight weeks follow up which was improved to 91.1% excellent, 6.3 good, 1.2% fair and 1.26% poor results at 14 weeks follow up. In lateral K-wire group (N=23) 70% had excellent, 21.7% good, 4.3% fair and 4.3% had poor result at eighth week which was improved to 91.3% excellent, 4.3% good, 4.3% fair and no poor result at 14th week follow up. Eight patients got superficial pin tract infection and seven patients sustained ulnar nerve injury post operatively. We recommend this procedure for displaced supracondylar fractures in children as it is safe and cost effective procedure with acceptable complication rates.

Histological changes of the skeletal muscle due to muscle tension: a study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of muscle tension in the histological changes of the skeletal muscle. METHODS: Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. The left gastrocnemius muscles of the rats were dissected with only the neurovascular pedicles intact; the tibial nerves were cut and immediately repaired by epineurial suture. Then the Achilles tendons were isolated and treated accordingly; the Achilles tendon were lengthened by 0.5 cm in lengthened group, shortened by 0.5 cm in shortened group and left alone in normal (control) group. In the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks after operation, the specimens were taken from gastrocnemius muscle for histological study by light and electron microscope. RESULTS: In comparison between the groups, the gastrocnemius muscles in the shortened group showed less severe muscle atrophy and connective tissue proliferation, bigger diameter and cross section area of the muscle fibre than those in the normal and lengthened groups in all the postoperative periods. CONCLUSION: A proper high tension of the muscle may decrease the muscle dystrophy and stops the histological changes of skeletal muscle by having much longer fibre length and bigger cross sectional area. Also increases the muscle function as the muscle active force-generating range is determined by muscle fibre length, while maximum muscle force is determined by physiologic cross-sectional area.