Bony Suprascapular Foramen, A Potential Site for Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment: A Morphological Study on Dried Human Scapulae.

Introduction: The superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) is present above the suprascapular notch . It joins the two superior corners of this notch and converts it into suprascapular foramen through which passes the suprascapular nerve , while the suprascapular artery and vein usually pass above the ligament . The anterior coracoscapular ligament (ACSL) runs in the suprascapular notch, below the superior transverse scapular ligament. Narrowed bony foramen by ossification of STSL and ACSL is one of the predisposing factor of suprascapular nerve entrapment as well as with an injury to the suprascapular nerve in arthroscopic procedures. Aim: The aim of present study was to know the prevalence of suprascapular foramen in Indian dry scapulae and provide a knowledge on the variations along the course of suprascapular nerve which is essential to understanding the source of entrapment syndrome. Methods and Results: The present study was carried out on 73 dried human scapulae irrespective of age and sex. Visual observation revealed that 3 scapulae (4.1%) had completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament and 2 scapulae (2.7 %) had partially ossified STSL. The incidence of ossified anterior coracoscapular ligament is 1.3 % ( 1 scapula ) in our study. Conclusion: The knowledge of variations in the suprascapular region and ossification of STSL & ACSL is important for anatomists, orthopaedicians, radiologists and neurosurgeons to obtain a safe zone which would be useful to avoid iatrogenic nerve lesion and for better diagnosis and management of the nerve entrapment syndrome.

A rare case of obstructive azoospermia due to compression of the seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct by a large lower ureteric stone

Male infertility due to obstructive azoospermia is a well-known entity. It is characterised by obstruction to the outflow of sperms either in the epididymis, vas, seminal vesicles or the ejaculatory ducts. We describe a rare case of obstructive azoospermia due to compression of the ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicle by a large lower ureteric stone in a 30-year-old man who had infertility for the past ten years. The patient's azoospermia resolved after removal of the stone.

Studies on biomarkers for oxidative stress in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia [CML] is a myeloproliferative disorder with a unique genetic rearrrangement, the Philadelphia chromosome. High reactive oxygen species [ROS] levels favor oxidative stress, which could play a vital role in normal processes and various pathophysiologies including neoplasm. Biomarkers of oxidative stress are measured as products of oxidized proteins and lipids. Plasma levels of protein carbonyl [PC], thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] and total lipid hydroperoxide [LOOH] were used as biommarkers of oxidative stress in the past. The aim of this study was to evaluate the products of protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation in plasma as biomarkers of oxidative stress in CML patients. The study included 40 CML patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy voluntteers. Of 40 CML patients, 28 were in chronic phase [CML-CP] and 12 in accelerated phase [CML-AP]. Plasma levels of PC, TBARS and LOOH as biomarkers of oxidative stress were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods. There were significant differences [P<.05] in plasma levels of PC, TBARS and LOOH in CML, CML-CP and CML-AP patients as compared to controls. PC, TBARS and LOOH might reflect oxidative stress in CML patients and might be used as biomarkers in such patients