Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: Incidental finding - should we Ignore?

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare entity, presenting mostly as an incidental finding. This disease has an autosomal recessive inheritance with inactivating mutations in the gene "solute carrier family 34 member 2". The present study was conducted to bring attention to this rare though preventable disease. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted at the Department of Pathology, of a tertiary care hospital in New Dehli-India. PAMs were incidentally seen in two patients diagnosed with micronodular hepatic cirrhosis leading to reanalysis of 212 autopsies, retrospectively. Statistical analysis was done using Stata 14.0. We observed three forms (Type A, B and C) of round hyaline bodies measuring in diameter with thin delicate, radiating fibrils. These bodies were PAS positive, showed black discolouration of the pigment with von Kossa stain and birefringence on polarized microscopy using Congo red stain, however the refringence was light green as compared to apple green birefringence seen with amyloid deposition. PAM has a slow progressive course leading to a high rate of incidental detection. Drugs known to inhibit the micro-crystal growth of hydroxyapatite may slow the disease progression. The family members of patients with PAM may also be kept on follow up with regular imaging. Key messages: It is important to bring out the incidental finding as, seemingly innocuous observations may provide valuable insight into incurable diseases, especially rare diseases.

Thoracic calcifications on magnetic resonance imaging: correlations with computed tomography / Calcificações torácicas na ressonância magnética: correlações com a tomografia computadorizada

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the characteristics of thoracic calcifications on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, as well as correlations between MR imaging and CT findings. Methods: This was a retrospective study including data on 62 patients undergoing CT scans and MR imaging of the chest at any of seven hospitals in the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro between March of 2014 and June of 2016 and presenting with calcifications on CT scans. T1- and T2-weighted MR images (T1- and T2-WIs) were semiquantitatively analyzed, and the lesion-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (LMSIR) was estimated. Differences between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions were analyzed. Results: Eighty-four calcified lesions were analyzed. Mean lesion density on CT was 367 ± 435 HU. Median LMSIRs on T1- and T2-WIs were 0.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.1-0.7) and 0.2 (IQR, 0.0-0.7), respectively. Most of the lesions were hypointense on T1- and T2-WIs (n = 52 [61.9%] and n = 39 [46.4%], respectively). In addition, 19 (22.6%) were undetectable on T1-WIs (LMSIR = 0) and 36 (42.9%) were undetectable on T2-WIs (LMSIR = 0). Finally, 15.5% were hyperintense on T1-WIs and 9.5% were hyperintense on T2-WIs. Median LMSIR was significantly higher for neoplastic lesions than for non-neoplastic lesions. There was a very weak and statistically insignificant negative correlation between lesion density on CT and the following variables: signal intensity on T1-WIs, LMSIR on T1-WIs, and signal intensity on T2-WIs (r = −0.13, p = 0.24; r = −0.18, p = 0.10; and r = −0.16, p = 0.16, respectively). Lesion density on CT was weakly but significantly correlated with LMSIR on T2-WIs (r = −0.29, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Thoracic calcifications have variable signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted MR images, sometimes appearing hyperintense. Lesion density on CT appears to correlate negatively with lesion signal intensity on MR images.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar as características das calcificações torácicas na ressonância magnética (RM) e as correlações entre os achados de RM e TC. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo no qual foram analisados dados referentes a 62 pacientes que foram submetidos a TC e RM de tórax em sete hospitais nos estados do Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo e Rio de Janeiro entre março de 2014 e junho de 2016 e que apresentaram calcificações na TC. As imagens de RM ponderadas em T1 e T2 (doravante denominadas T1 e T2) foram analisadas semiquantitativamente, e a razão entre a intensidade do sinal da lesão e do músculo (LMSIR, do inglês lesion-to-muscle signal intensity ratio) foi estimada. Diferenças entre lesões neoplásicas e não neoplásicas foram analisadas. Resultados: Foram analisadas 84 lesões calcificadas. A média de densidade das lesões na TC foi de 367 ± 435 UH. A mediana da LMSIR foi de 0,4 [intervalo interquartil (II): 0,1-0,7] em T1 e 0,2 (II: 0,0-0,7) em T2. A maioria das lesões mostrou-se hipointensa em T1 e T2 [n = 52 (61,9%) e n = 39 (46,4%), respectivamente]. Além disso, 19 (22,6%) foram indetectáveis em T1 (LMSIR = 0) e 36 (42,9%) foram indetectáveis em T2 (LMSIR = 0). Finalmente, 15,5% mostraram-se hiperintensas em T1 e 9,5% mostraram-se hiperintensas em T2. A mediana da LMSIR foi significativamente maior nas lesões neoplásicas do que nas não neoplásicas. Houve uma correlação negativa muito fraca e estatisticamente insignificante entre a densidade das lesões na TC e as seguintes variáveis: intensidade do sinal em T1, LMSIR em T1 e intensidade do sinal em T2 (r = −0,13, p = 0,24; r = −0,18, p = 0,10 e r = −0,16, p = 0,16, respectivamente). A densidade das lesões na TC apresentou correlação fraca, porém significativa com a LMSIR em T2 (r = −0,29, p < 0,05). Conclusões: As calcificações torácicas apresentam intensidade de sinal variável em T1 e T2; em alguns casos, mostram-se hiperintensas. A densidade da lesão na TC aparentemente correlaciona-se negativamente com a intensidade do sinal da lesão na RM.

Costilla o dedo (falange) pélvico: una serie de casos / Pelvic Rib or Pelvic Digit: A Series of Cases

El dedo (falange) pélvico es una alteración benigna resultante de una anomalía en el desarrollo óseo, donde se encuentra una estructura ósea con apariencia radiológica característica en los tejidos blandos, especialmente en relación con la articulación coxofemoral, aunque puede tener otras localizaciones. Se trata de una entidad benigna que usualmente es asintomática y se encuentra como hallazgo incidental. Conocer su origen y características imaginológicas es de gran importancia para poderla diferenciar de otras lesiones como osificaciones postraumáticas o lesiones por avulsión, que son frecuentes en esta misma localización. Se presentan seis casos con hallazgo incidental de dedo pélvico en diferentes modalidades diagnósticas

The pelvic digit is a benign entity resulting from an abnormality in bone development, where a bony structure with a characteristic radiological appearance is found in the soft tissues, especially in relation to the hip joint, although it may be found at other locations. It is usually asymptomatic and is found as an incidental finding. Knowing its origin and imaging characteristics is of great importance to differentiate it from other injuries such as post-traumatic ossification or avulsion injuries, which are frequent in this same location. Six cases, from the institution, with incidental finding of pelvic digit in different diagnostic modalities are presented.

Diagnostic evaluation of CT?based non?invasive fractional flow reserve in coronary artery lesions with calcification / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the correlation between calcification factors and fractional flow reserve derived from CT (CT?FFR). And to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of CT?FFR in coronary artery lesions with calcification compared with that of invasive FFR. Methods Sixty?five patients (74 coronary artery vessels) who were admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital from July 2014 to December 2016 were included in this study retrospectively. All patients had completed CCTA (coronary CT angiography), coronary angiography and invasive FFR measurements, and had coronary lesions contain calcifications. The evaluation of CCTA data included quantitative analyses of plaque components, coronary artery stenosis, and CT?FFR measurements. The patients′basic data were grouped and compared according to the FFR values. The measurement data was tested by independent?samples t tests, and the categorical data were analyzed by χ2 tests. Quantitative measurements of plaques were compared between groups using independent?sample t tests or rank sum tests based on FFR and CT?FFR values. The reproducibility of CT?FFR measurement software was evaluated by inter?class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Youden index was calculated to determine the threshold for CT?FFR diagnosis of ischemia. Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses were used to assess the correlations between CT plaque quantitative indicators, CT?FFR and invasive FFR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the predictors of ischemia by FFR and CT?FFR. In contrast to invasive FFR results, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value (PPV) of CT?FFR in the diagnosis of coronary ischemic lesions were evaluated, and the diagnostic consistency was evaluated by the Bland?Altman method. Results Compared with invasive FFR, CT?FFR had a more significant correlation with calcification volume and ratio of calcification in plaques (r=-0.519 and－0.547, respectively, both P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that plaque length was a predictor of invasive FFR in the diagnosis of pathological ischemia ( OR=1.13, 95%CI : 1.05—1.23, P=0.002), and was associated with CT?FFR to determine pathological ischemia. In addition to plaque length ( OR=1.10, 95%CI : 1.02—1.18, P=0.010), the predictor also included ratio of calcification in plaque ( OR=1.09, 95%CI: 1.03—1.15, P=0.003). Compared with invasive FFR results, the diagnostic sensitivity of CT?FFR was 79.1%, the specificity was 80.6%, the PPV was 85.0%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.78. The result for the diagnosis of ischemia lesion by using CT?FFR had significant statistical differences with the results by according coronary artery stenosis (χ2=10.05, P=0.002; χ2=34.71, P=0.001; χ2=7.65, P=0.006; Z=2.10, P=0.029). The Bland?Altman analysis showed a mean difference of －0.01 (-0.26—0.25) between the CT?FFR and the invasive FFR. Conclusions There is no significant correlation between the proportion of calcification components of coronary plaque and the presence or absence of myocardial ischemia, but the proportion of calcification in plaque will affect the result that is evaluated by CT?FFR. However, compared with CT?based stenosis evaluation, CT?FFR can still significantly improve the ability of CCTA to diagnose ischemia lesion with calcification.

Avaliação da mineralização dos segundos molares inferiores como parâmetro para a classificação da idade biológica / Evaluation of the mineralization of permanent second molars as a parameter to classify the biological age of the individual

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar se a mineralização dos segundos molares inferiores permanentes pode ser usado como parâmetro para classificar a idade biológica do indivíduo. A amostra foi constituída por 129 radiografias panorâmicas, sendo 71 indivíduos do sexo feminino e 58 indivíduos do sexo masculino, na faixa etária de 7 anos à 12 anos e 1 mês. Para a análise da mineralização dental foi utilizada a tabela proposta por Nolla (1960). Os resultados da análise foram documentados numa planilha do programa Microsoft Excel 2010 contendo o nome completo, data de nascimento, data da tomada radiográfica, idade em anos e meses, número do prontuário, estágio de Nolla (1960) lado direito e lado esquerdo. Foi realizada a análise estatística (Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon e correlação de Spearman) e pôde-se concluir que na amostra estudada não foi encontrado dimorfismo sexual, que a mineralização dentária ocorre de forma similar do lado direito e esquerdo, e que a mineralização dos segundos molares inferiores permanentes podem ser usadas como parâmetro para estimar a idade biológica e cronológica de um indivíduo.(AU)

This paper aimed to evaluate if the mineralization of permanent second molars can be used as a parameter to classify the biological age of the individual. The sample was composed of 129 panoramic radiographs, being 71 females and 58 males, aged 7 years and 12 years and 1 month. For the analysis of dental mineralization it was used a table proposed by Nolla (1960) with X-rays on the negatoscope (light box). The analysis results were documented in a Excel spreadsheet containing the full name, date of birth, date of the radiographic procedure, age in years and months, medical record number, stage of Nolla (1960) right and left side. Performed a statistical analysis, we concluded in our survey that the tooth mineralization occurs similarly in the right and left side, there is a certain precocity when compared to chronological age and the stage of mineralization in females compared to males. We also conclude that within the same chronological age, girls and boys have different mineralization stages, indicating that the dental mineralization can be used to identify the biological age, and the same is poorly correlated with chronological age.(AU)

Association of aortic calcification with vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the association between aortic calcification and risk of vertebral fracture in Chinese postmenopausal women.Methods This study recruited 561 postmenopausal women aged 60 or older who were prospectively followed for 3 years.Based on the ACS,the patients were divided into aortic calcification group (n =236) and non-aortic calcification group (n =325).Extent of aortic calcification and incidence of vertebral fracture were quantified on the baseline lateral radiographs of lumbar spine.Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was utilized to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD).Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations between aortic calcification and risk of vertebral fracture.Results In aortic calcification group incidence of vertebral fracture was significantly higher than that in non-aortic calcification group (P ＜ 0.01).Moreover vertebral fracture presented an increased incidence while the ACS was higher.After the adjustment of age,body mass index,BMD,current smoking,current drinking,hypertension,diabetes,total cholesterol,myocardial infarction,stroke and 25-hydroxy vitamin D,aortic calcification with ACS ＞ 6(HR =3.03,95％CI 1.42-6.24),BMD (HR =2.82,95％ CI 1.75-5.68),age (HR =1.96,95％ CI 1.38-4.52),history of two or more falls (HR =1.45,95％ CI 1.24-2.79) and adiponectin (HR =1.07,95％ CI 1.22-2.31) were associated with increased risk of vertebral fracture.Conclusion Severe aortic calcification is closely associated with vertebral fracture for postmenopausal women.

Comparison of three morphology methods for observing mineralization nodules of osteoblasts / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Mineralized nodules are the mature marker of osteoblast differentiation, and the observation methods mainly use alizarin red staining. OBJECTIVE:To compare the observation results of mineralized nodules by three methods, and to explore their characteristics and advantages, as wel as further application in the research of bone disease. METHODS:The rat osteoblast-like cellline UMR-106 were cultured in the fresh medium that was changed every day, for 14 days. Alizarin red staining-light microscope, tetracycline fluorescence labeling-laser confocal scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe mineralized nodules. The calcium content of mineralized nodules was quantified using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. In addition, tumor necrosis factor alpha that could inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts was used as the control. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The three morphology methods could be used to observe the mineralized nodules of normal osteoblasts. As for tumor necrosis factor alpha, no mineralized nodules of osteoblasts were observed by alizarin red staining-light microscopy;smal mineralized nodules were observed by tetracycline staining-laser scanning confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, suggesting tetracycline staining and scanning electron microscopy were more sensitive in the observation. Scanning electron microscopy could be used to observe the submicroscopic structures of mineralized nodules in the osteoblasts, and the formation of mineralized nodules, including the calcium secretion. Additional y, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis can successful y quantify and position the mineralized nodules, indicating a potential application in the research of bone diseases.

Fisioterapia motora no tratamento do prematuro com doença metabólica óssea: [revisão] / Motor physiotherapy in the treatment of preterm infants with metabolic bone disease: [review]

OBJETIVO: Revisar o papel da fisioterapia motora no prematuro com risco de desenvolver doença metabólica óssea. FONTES DE DADOS: Trata-se de uma revisão de literatura publicada entre 1986 e 2009, utilizando as seguintes palavras-chave: prematuro, calcificação fisiológica, modalidades de fisioterapia, doenças ósseas metabólicas e os respectivos descritores no idioma inglês. Foram selecionados 29 artigos científicos, via PubMed e ISI Web, além de um capítulo de livro nacional. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: As doenças ósseas metabólicas compreendem um conjunto de condições relacionadas a alterações no processo de calcificação fisiológica, levando desde à fragilidade estrutural até ao desenvolvimento de fraturas. A aplicação rotineira de exercícios de mobilização passiva articular, massagem e posicionamento está relacionada ao ganho ponderal, ao aumento na densidade e no conteúdo mineral ósseo. CONCLUSÕES: A implementação de exercícios de fisioterapia motora parece proporcionar estabilidade ou estímulo para a formação óssea, podendo, consequentemente, prevenir e/ou minimizar as complicações decorrentes da doença metabólica óssea.

OBJECTIVE: To review the role of motor physiotherapy in the treatment of preterm infants at risk of developing metabolic bone disease. DATA SOURCES: This is a review of articles published between 1986 and 2009, using the following key-words: premature infant physiologic calcification, physiotherapy techniques, metabolic bone diseases and the respective Portuguese-language descriptors. Twenty nine scientific articles were selected in the PubMed and ISI Web databases, along with one chapter of a Brazilian book. DATA SYNTHESIS: Metabolic bone diseases are a set of conditions related to abnormalities in the physiologic calcification process. They lead to problems going from structural frailness to fracture development. Routine application of passive joint mobilization exercises, massage and positioning exercises correlate with weight gain and increasing bone mineral content and density. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of motor physiotherapy exercises could provide stability or stimulation for bone formation and may consequently avoid or minimize the complications resulting from metabolic bone disease of prematurity.

Effect of immunosuppression on the prevention of calcification in rat aortic valved homograft / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective Calcification and graft failure may occur in aortic valved homografting as a result of immune rejection. This study was designed to examine the effects of immunosuppression in reducing immune rejection response and preventing calcification in rat aortic valved homograft(AVH). Methods Animals were randomly assigned into 3 test groups and 1 control group. SD-Wistar rats in the test groups received AVH of cryopreservation (group A), received AVH of cryopreservation followed by CsA treatment (group B), and received AVH preconditioned with monoclonal antibody against dendritic cells (DcmAb) diluted in 1:5 and cryopreserved then were treated with DcmAb postoperatively (group C), respectively. Rats in the control group(group D) were Wistar→Wistar.Rat AVH with myocardial cuff were transplanted into the abdominal aorta of rats. The rats were sacrificed in batchs at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks postoperatively. Blood samples were obzained for detecting the expression of TCR-αβ, CD28. The AVH specimens were obtained for observing the change of endotheliocyte and smooth muscle cells with light and electron microscopes. At the same time, calcium contents of AVH tissues after transplantation were measured. Results As compared with the control group, the expression of TCR-αβ and CD28 in test groups was increased significantly at each time point(P<0.01) and reached peaks 2 to 4 weeks after operation, then gradually reduced and was closed to the level of controls at 12 weeks. Calcium contents of AVH tissues in the test groups was increased gradually since 4 weeks and reached the peak 12 to 16 weeks after operation. No significant difference in calcium level was found in the control group over 5 different periods (P>0.05). Calcium contents of AVH tissues at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively were (2856±79)μg/g and (3587±168)μg/g in the groups with cryopreservation;(2518±73)μg/g,(3237±187)μg/g in the CsA treatment group;(2176±210)μg/g, (3089±176)μg/g in the DCmAb treatment group; (860±60) μg/g, (870±50) μg/gin the control group. Conclusion The immunosuppressive treatment had substantial effects on AVH calcification as a result of reduction in immune rejection response and delay in the development of calcification.

Two Cases of Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus

Caseous mitral annular calcification describes a heavy calcification of the mitral annulus with central liquefaction. This rare variant of mitral annular calcification may resemble an intracardiac tumor, abscess, vegetation, or thrombus, a resemblance that often leads to unnecessary surgery. Typical echocardiographic findings include a large, round, bright echogenic mass with a central echolucent area. It is known to have a benign clinical outcome, and it is thus managed conservatively. Because this entity is not well known and has only rarely been described, we report two cases of mitral annular calcification encountered at our institution. The first patient was an elderly woman with exertional dyspnea who was found to have a solitary pulmonary nodule on plain chest radiography. This was determined to represent caseous calcification of the mitral annulus. The other patient was an elderly woman who had a history of cerebral embolic infarction. She did not have an intracardiac thrombus, but she did have caseous mitral annular calcification. Both patients were managed conservatively.

O papel da vitamina D3 e da osteocalcina no metabolismo ósseo: uma análise necessária para se otimizar a osseointegração / The role of vitamin D3 and osteocalcin in the bone metabolism: a necessary analysis to optimize the osteointegration

A necessidade de uma melhor compreensão do metabolismo ósseo tornou-se crescente na Odontologia. O advento da implantodontia demandou a busca por boas condições de tecido ósseo visando à colocação de implantes osseointegráveis e também pela necessidade de preparo prévio de leitos receptores em áreas que necessitam de enxerto ósseo até as grandes reconstruções no campo da cirurgia buco-maxilo-facial que buscam reconstruir estruturas ósseas perdidas decorrentes de trauma ou de destruição tumoral tendo como área doadora a região ilíaca. A osteocalcina, produto da ação osteoblástica, intimamente relacionada à mineralização da matriz óssea tem sua ação estimulada pela vitamina D3 e é imprescindível para o processo de mineralização do tecido ósseo. Neste trabalho procurou-se fazer uma revisão dos aspectos mais importantes relacionados à atuação destas duas substâncias no metabolismo ósseo.

The need of a better understanding of the bone metabolism became growing in Dentistry. The coming of the implantology demanded the search for good conditions of bone tissue seeking to the placement of implants and also for the need of previous preparation in order to receive bone grafts in areas that need bone to great reconstructions in the of maxillofacial surgery which looks upon to rebuild bone structures lost by trauma or tumoral damages, which tends as donor area, the iliac bone. The osteocalcin, product of the osteoblastic action, intimately related to the mineralization of the bone matrix, keeps its action stimulated by the vitamin D3 and is indispensable for the process of the bone tissue mineralization. This paper intend to a revision of the most important aspects related to the performance of these two substances in the bone metabolism.

Você conhece esta síndrome? / Do you know this syndrome?

A osteodistrofia hereditária de Albright é caracterizada por calcificações cutâneas, obesidade, baixa estatura, braquidactilia associada ao pseudo-hipoparatireoidismo do tipo IA entre outras alterações hormonais como hipotireoidismo e hipogonadismo. O diagnóstico é baseado no quadro clínico associado aos achados de hipocalcemia e níveis elevados de hormônio da paratireóide. Os autores relatam caso em que a avaliação dermatológica foi de grande contribuição para o diagnóstico.

Albright hereditary osteodystrophy is characterized by subcutaneous calcification, obesity, short stature, brachydactyly and pseudohypoparathyroidism type IA. Hypothyroidism and hypogonadism may be present. The diagnosis is based on clinical characteristics associated with hypocalcemia and high levels of parathyroid hormone. The authors report a case in which the dermatological evaluation contributed to diagnosis.

Avaliação do efeito do ibandronato na consolidação de fratura: estudo experimental em coelhos / Evaluation of ibandronate effects in bone healing: experimental study in rabbits

OBJETIVO: Determinar a presença de efeito favorável do ibandronato de sódio na consolidação óssea, contribuindo assim para estudos futuros visando sua utilização terapêutica no tratamento de fraturas e pseudartroses. MÉTODOS: Vinte coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia Albino foram submetidos à osteotomia transversa mediodiafisária da fíbula direita e divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos com 10 animais cada. Os animais do grupo I receberam 2ml de solução contendo ibandronato de sódio e água destilada; os animais do grupo II receberam somente água destilada (grupo controle). Os coelhos foram sacrificados após 30 dias. Os calos ósseos formados no local das osteotomias foram avaliados por densitometria e histomorfometria. Utilizou-se na avaliação estatística dos resultados o teste t para a inferência sobre a diferença das médias de amostras paramétricas e a prova de Mann-Whitney para as amostras não paramétricas. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que a quantidade relativa de osso foi maior e a quantidade relativa de fibrose foi menor nos calos ósseos formados no grupo medicado com ibandronato do que no grupo controle. Não houve diferença na quantidade relativa de cartilagem e na densidade mineral dos calos ósseos comparando-se os dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Neste experimento a administração do ibandronato de sódio favoreceu a consolidação de osteotomias da fíbula em coelhos, aumentando a quantidade relativa de osso nos calos ósseos formados e diminuindo a quantidade de fibrose.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of a favorable sodium ibandronate effect in bone healing, thus contributing for future studies of its clinical use in the treatment of fractures and pseudoarthroses. METHODS: 20 New Zealand white rabbits were submitted to transverse mid-diaphysis osteotomy of the right fibula and divided at random into two groups of 10 animals each. Animals in group I were given 2 ml of a solution containing sodium ibandronate and distilled water; animals in group II were given distilled water alone (control group). The rabbits were sacrificed after 30 days. Bone calluses found at the osteotomy site were evaluated by densitometry and histomorphometry. Statistical analysis of the results was made with the "t" test to make inferences about the mean differences of the parametric samples, and the Mann-Whitney for non-parametric samples. The significance level adopted was 5 percent. RESULTS: The relative amount of bone was greater and the relative amount of fibrosis was lesser in bone calluses formed in the group that was given sodium ibandronate than in the control group. There was no difference in the relative amount of cartilage and in mineral density of bone calluses between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this experiment, the administration of sodium ibandronate favored the healing of fibula osteotomy in rabbits, as it increased the relative amount of bone in calluses formed and decreased the amount of fibrosis.

The Association between Coronary Artery Calcification on MDCT and Angiographic Coronary Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The assessment of CT-derived coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been used as a surrogate measurement for coronary atherosclerosis. However, the blooming artifact caused by CAC on MDCT is the potential limitation when evaluating the coronary artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to classify the morphologic characteristics of CAC on MDCT and to test whether this new classification predicts the stenotic severity on coronary angiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 73 CAC lesions were observed on 64 slice MDCT in the 56 enrolled patients (M:F=33:23, mean age: 66+/-9.3 years) who underwent coronary angiography. The morphologic types of CAC on 64-slice MDCT were classified into four groups [degree of stenosis (S), shape of the calcification (M), length of the calcification (L) and the number of calcified vessels (N)] with using a scoring system, and this morphologic classification was compared with the angiographic severity of coronary stenosis. RESULTS: Diffuse (L3), elongated (M2) and multi-vessel (N2) calcified lesions were significantly associated with angiographic coronary artery stenosis (p=0.03, p=0.019 and p=0.002, respectively) On the multivariate regression analysis, multivessel CAC was the only independent predictor for significant coronary artery stenosis [p=0.019, beta=3.77, CI: 1.23-11.5 (95%)]. The type of stenosis (luminal narrowing > or =50%) accompanying CAC on MDCT was not correlated with the angiographically determined stenosis (p=0.13). A total morphologic score less than 4 had a negative predictive value of 78% for predicting significant coronary artery stenosis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the diffuse and multi-vessel CAC on MDCT can predict the coronary artery stenosis; however, the stenosis severity of the lesion accompanying CAC on MDCT might not coincide with the angiographic severity. Therefore, the morphologic classification with this scoring system should be considered for use when evaluating lesion with CAC on MDCT.

Coronary-artery Calcium Scores Using Electron Beam CT in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

We evaluated the risk of coronary-artery disease in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) by measuring the coronary-artery calcium scores with electron beam CT (EBCT). A total of 81 CRF patients were divided into three groups; pre-dialysis (group I, n=35), hemodialysis (group II, n=31) and peritoneal dialysis (group III, n=15). The several serum biochemical markers and calcium score levels by EBCT were determined. The Ca x P products were significantly higher in groups II (p 400 was significantly higher than the 66 patients with a score < or =400 (p<0.01). The calcium score was significantly higher in the 15 patients with cardiovascular complications than in the 66 patients without cardiovascular complications (628.9+/-904.8 vs. 150.4+/-350.9, p<0.01). EBCT seemed to be a good diagnostic tool for evaluating the risk of coronary-artery disease ''noninvasively'' in CRF patients who are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.