Failed back surgery syndrome after lumbar diskectomy

Thirty-two patients with failed back surgery syndrome after lumbar discectomy were studied clinically and radiologically to determine factors causing the failure. In this study we found that the recurrence or persistence of low back symptoms were due to disc reherniation in two cases, disc herniation at another level in four cases, operation at wrong level is three cases, epidural scarring and spinal spenosis in ten cases, disc space infection in two cases, arachnoiditis in six cases, mechanical instability in three cases and exaggeration of degenerative changes in two cases

role of CT scanning in the diagnosis of acetabular fractures

Twenty-two patients with acetabular fracture were examined by computed tomography [CT]. Traditional classification into anterior column, posterior column, and complex two - column fractures was facilitated. CT was especially useful in evaluation of the fractures is which unique information concerning the configuration of the fracture, integrity of the acetabular roof and quadrilateral surface. CT was also useful in determination of presence or absence of loose bodies in the joint and in evaluation of the femoral head and sacroiliac joint in all types of fractures

Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee in diagnosis of meniscal tears

Retrospective analysis of thin section. High resolution magnetic resonance images of the knee joint. Produced using a solenoid surface coil. Indicates that MR imaging is an effective technique for evaluating meniscal injuries. Images of 24 patients were evaluated and the results were correlated with those of subsequent arthroscopy and or arthrotomy. The sensitivity. Specificity and accuracy of MRI were respectively, 79.9, 81.8 and 79% for tears of the medial meniscus. 80, 84 and 87% for tears of the lateral meniscus

Displaced fractures of the proximal end of the humerus

Thirty five proximal humeral fractures were reviewed in relation to the Neer classification and the treatment given. Twenty-two cases were - treated conservatively and thirteen cases were treated surgically by open reduction and internal fixation by AO buttress plate in 7 cases and by K-wire and screws in 5 cases and by arthrodesis in one neglected case. In the displaced two-part fractures and fracture dislocation there was no significant difference in the results between the surgical and the conservative groups. Closed treatment gave satisfactory results in the three part fractures [5 cases] but not in the four part fractures [6 cases]. Dislocated-fractures of the humeral head should be treated by means of osteosynthesis. In younger patients osteosynthesis by T-shaped buttress plate has been used as the method of choice. In older patients open reduction and K wires fixation could be used

Ultrasonography of rotator cuff tear

This study included twenty six patients suspected to have rotator cuff tear. Ultrasonography was done for all patients after full clinical and radiological evaluation. It has been proved that ultrasonography is a rapid and non-invasive mean of diagnosing rotator cuff tears, the technique is simple and the anatomy is straightforward in most cases