Incidence of unusual formation of the median nerve in Thai-Northeast embalmed cadavers / Incidencia de la formación inusual del nervio mediano en cadáveres embalsamados del noreste de Tailandia

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of unusual formation of the median nerve in Thai cadavers. Two hundred and ninety-two upper limbs were dissected and observed. The results showed that 5 out of 292 (1.71 %) arms had unusual splitting of median nerve that supplied the flexor arm muscles. Concomitantly, the musculocutaneous nerve was absent. In 4 out of 5 variant arms (80 % or 1.37 % of total upper limbs), each median nerve was unusually formed by 3 roots; the first and second roots were from lateral cord and the third one from medial cord. The union of the second lateral and medial roots to become a median nerve distantly extended in the arm. The second lateral roots gave off small muscular branches to the upper part of flexor arm muscles. Knowledge of such anatomical variations is helpful for surgeons in performing of brachial plexus surgery.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la incidencia en la formación inusual del nervio mediano en cadáveres tailandeses. Se disecaron y observaron 292 miembros superiores. En 5 casos (1,71 %) se presentó una división inusual del nervio mediano que suministraba los nervios para los músculos flexores del brazo. Concomitantemente, el nervio musculocutáneo estaba ausente. En 4 de los 5 casos (80 % o 1,37 % del total de los miembros superiores), cada nervio mediano se formó por 3 raíces; la primera y segunda raíces procedían del fascículo lateral y la tercera del fascículo medial. La unión de la segundas raíces lateral y medial formaban el nervio mediano distalmente en el brazo. Las segundas raíces laterales daban pequeños ramos musculares a la parte superior de los músculos flexores del brazo. El conocimiento de tales variaciones anatómicas es útil para los cirujanos en la realización de la cirugía del plexo braquial.

Phyllanthus emblica l. branch extract ameliorates testicular damage in valproic acid-induced rats / El extracto de la rama de Phyllanthus emblica l. disminuye el daño testicular inducido por ácido valproico en ratas

Valproic acid (VPA), widely used in treating epileptic patients, can damage reproductive parameters causing male infertility. This study aimed to investigate protective effect of Phyllanthus emblica L. branch (PE) extract on rat testicular damage induced with VPA. Male rats were divided into 6 groups (control, VPA, 250 mg/kgBW PE only, and 50, 100, 250 mg/kgBW PE+VPA, respectively). Animals were pretreated with PE for 23 days and co-administered with VPA for 10 days before all reproductive parameters were determined. The results showed all doses of PE significantly protected the decrease testicular weight and testosterone level in VPA rats. PE significantly improved the decrease sperm concentration in VPA treated rats. Moreover, testicular histology of PE+VPA groups showed declining of testicular histopathologies as compared to VPA group. Therefore, it seems that PE branch extract can prevent testicular damages including male reproductive parameters in rats induced with VPA.

El ácido valproico (AVP) es utilizado frecuentemente en el tratamiento de pacientes epilépticos y puede dañar los parámetros reproductivos que causan la infertilidad masculina. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el efecto protector de la rama Phyllanthus emblica L. (PE) sobre el daño testicular de ratas inducidas con AVP. Ratas machos fueron divididas en 6 grupos (control, AVP, PE 250 mg/kg peso corporal, APV+ PE 50, 100, 250 mg/kg peso corporal, respectivamente). Los animales fueron pretratados con PE durante 23 días y se administró AVP durante 10 días antes de medir todos los parámetros reproductivos. Los resultados mostraron que todas las dosis de PE protegen significativamente el peso y los niveles reducidos de testosterona testicular en ratas con AVP. El extracto de PE mejoró significativamente la concentración de espermatozoides en ratas tratadas con AVP. Por otra parte, la histología testicular de los grupos PE+AVP mostró disminución de la histopatología testicular en comparación con el grupo tratado sólo con AVP. Por lo tanto, parece que el extracto de la rama PE puede prevenir daños testiculares incluyendo los parámetros reproductores masculinos en ratas inducidas con AVP.

Incidence of metopism in adult Thai skulls / Incidencia de metopismo en cráneos tailandeses adultos

The persistent metopic suture on adult skull (also known as metopism) can confuse the clinicians during diagnosis of the frontal bone fractures in emergency conditions. The incidences of metopism have been documented in many populations except in Thais. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the incidence of metopism in adult Thai skulls. The identified 706 Thai dried skulls (481 males and 225 females) were carried out for metopic suture observations. The results showed that 53 skulls (7.51%) were present of the metopic sutures. The metopism observed could be classified into major two types (complete metopic suture (20 skulls [2.83%]) and incomplete metopic suture (33 skulls [4.67%]). For the incomplete metopic suture could be further classified into two subtypes, bregma-incomplete metopic suture and nasion- incomplete metopic suture. This incidence maybe a basic information for Thai radiologists to concern about metopic suture in emergency diagnosis of frontal bone fractures.

La persistencia de la sutura metópica en el cráneo adulto (también conocido como metopismo) puede provocar confusión en los médicos durante el diagnóstico de las fracturas de los huesos frontales en situaciones de emergencia. La incidencia de metopismo se ha documentado en muchas poblaciones, excepto en individuos tailandeses. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la incidencia de metopismo en cráneos tailandeses adultos. Se identificaron 706 cráneos secos (481 hombres y 225 mujeres) y se llevó a cabo la observación de ls sutura metópica. Los resultados mostraron que en 53 cráneos (7,51%) estaba presente la sutura metópica. Según nuestras observaciones, el metopismo podría ser clasificado en dos tipos principales: sutura metópica completa (20 cráneos [2,83%]) y sutura metópica incompleta (33 cráneos 4,67%). A su vez, la sutura metópica incompleta podría ser clasificada en dos subtipos: sutura metópica incompleta "bregma" y sutura metópica incompleta "nasion". Consideramos que la indicedencia de metopismo registrado en este trabajo configura una información de relevancia para los radiólogos tailandeses en relación a la sutura metópica y el correcto diagnóstico en la emergencia de fracturas óseas frontales.

Variation in origin of the obturator artery and corona mortis in Thai

Objective: To determine the variation in origin of the obturator artery and incidences of arterial and venous corona mortis among Northeast Thais. Methods: Dissection of 204 cadaveric Northeast Thai pelvic halves between 20 and 95 years-old at decease. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The respective origin of the obturator artery was the internal iliac (77.5%) and inferior epigastric arteries (22.5%), while double origins (from both arteries) in one pelvic half and bilateral abnormal origins (from the inferior epigastric arteries) were 5.4 and 9.6 percent, respectively. Sex and side made no significant difference (P>0.05). The occurrence of the arterial corona mortis, venous corona mortis and both structures was 22.5, 70.6 and 17.2 percent, respectively. The arterial corona mortis while crossing over the iliopubic ramus was frequently found anterior to the venous corona mortis. Conclusion: The incidence of an anomalous obturator artery forming the arterial corona mortis among Northeast Thais was 22.5% although a venous corona mortis (70.6%) was more frequent. Seventeen percent had both arterial and venous corona mortis. Nevertheless, both their courses, crossing over the iliopubic rami, would be at risk of damage during an ilioinguinal approach or operation of the anterior ring of the pelvis.

A retrospective study of a skeleton featuring ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

The skeleton of a Thai male teacher who died aged 75 was studied. The skeleton showed severe spinal fusion and deformities. We studied the pathological features and hypothesized a diagnosis through a retrospective study of the case history. Pathological findings showed severe spinal ankylosis due to continuous fusion of the vertebral bodies from T2 to L3 and L4 to L5, the apophyseal joints from T2 to L1, the sacrococcygeal and atlantooccipital joints, and ankylosis of the bilateral sacroiliac joints. Ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligaments from T2 to L3 and the supraspinous ligament from T6 to T12 and L4 to L5 were observed. Kyphosis and costovertebral ankylosis which obliterated the intervertebral foramina were found at T7, T8 and T9. Synostosis of C2 to C3 and ossification of the right sacrotuberous ligament were observed. Enthesopathy was seen in the sternocostal radiate ligaments and also the lower limb ligaments and tendons. These features are characteristic of severe progressive ankylosing spondylitis. The case history recorded no report of clinical manifestations of spinal problems. The patient was healthy until the last 2 to 3 years of his life, when he exhibited difficulty leaning sideways, breathing, and had chest pain. He was diagnosed and treated for ischemic heart disease but suffered from breathing difficulties until he died. He was never diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis.