Causas anatómicas inusuales de malposición de catéteres venosos centrales / Unusual anatomical causes of malposition of central venous catheters

Resumen: La malposición de los catéteres venosos centrales se asocia a importantes riesgos, a menudo infraestimados. Aunque se han descrito algunos factores que pueden favorecer la malposición, generalmente su causa no llega a diagnosticarse y parece ser de origen multifactorial. Presentamos dos casos de malposición de catéteres venosos centrales motivadas por causas anatómicas inusuales, diagnosticadas en el perioperatorio. En el primer caso, se diagnostica una agenesia de vena cava superior en el transcurso de una sustitución mitral por esternotomía, que lógicamente se asocia con una malposición de la vía central insertada. La utilización de catéteres y dispositivos a través de venas yugulares y subclavias en pacientes con esta infrecuente patología implica importantes limitaciones y complicaciones potenciales graves. En el segundo caso, la existencia de un bocio no diagnosticado provoca la malposición bilateral y simultánea de dos catéteres venosos canalizados, en el contexto de una situación de emergencia, en ambas venas yugulares internas.

Abstract: Malposition of central venous catheters is associated with important and underestimated risks. Although some factors have been related with malposition, its cause is generally not diagnosed, and it seems to have multifactorial origin. We present two cases of central venous catheter malposition due to unusual anatomical causes, diagnosed in the perioperative period. In the first case, superior vena cava agenesis was diagnosed during mitral replacement by sternotomy, which was logically associated with malposition of the inserted central line. The use of catheters and devices through jugular and subclavian veins in patients with this infrequent pathology is associated with important limitations and serious potential complications. In the second case, an undiagnosed goiter causes bilateral and simultaneous malpositioning of two inserted central venous catheters, in the context of an emergency situation, in both internal jugular veins.

A Case of Surgical Treatment of a Low-Birth-Weight Infant with Tetralogy of Fallot/Pulmonary Valve Absence, Cervical Arch, and Single Coronary Artery / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

The case is an infant referred to the mother after a fetal ultrasound at 22 gestational weeks revealed a left renal cyst and congenital heart disease. He was born at 36 weeks and five days, weighing 2,282 g, with Apgar 8/8 points, and diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot, absent pulmonary valve, pulmonary regurgitation, persistent left superior vena cava, right aortic arch, and cervical arch. He was placed on ventilatory management immediately after birth, but was extubated at age nine days. On approximately day 26, since the SpO2 markedly decreased and bronchoscopy showed only mild stenosis, we concluded that decreased pulmonary blood flow mainly caused cyanosis. Because of the low body weight and presence of a single coronary artery, we decided to proceed with a palliative surgery. However, since the patient had a cervical arch and the usual Blalock-Taussig shunt was anatomically difficult, we performed a central shunt＋main pulmonary artery ligation on day 49. Cyanosis improved and his respiratory condition was stable, but contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a tendency for left pulmonary artery enlargement and left main bronchus compression. On day 87, the Rastelli procedure＋bilateral pulmonary artery plication was performed because worsening airway symptoms were anticipated. The patient’s respiratory condition stabilized postoperatively, and he was extubated 10 days postoperatively. On day 136, the patient was discharged with a home high-flow nasal cannula.

Progress in DNA-sensing pathways in Epstein-Barr virus infection / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is generally susceptible in human beings and multi-organ systems can be involved in EBV infection, such as blood, respiratory, urinary, digestive and nervous systems. EBV infection also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of related tumors, autoimmune diseases and other diseases, posing a great threat to human health. As a DNA virus, EBV can be sensed by DNA recognition receptors to trigger a series of downstream immune responses. A DNA-sensing pathway consists of DNA sensors, adaptor molecules and downstream effector signals. Double-stranded DNA sensors mainly include absent in melanoma 2-like receptors (ALRs) and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). Adaptors were mainly stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Downstream immune responses mainly involve typeⅠIFN, inflammasomes and proinflammatory cytokines. As a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family, EBV triggers complex innate and adaptive immune responses in the host, especially the sensing pathways mediated by a variety of DNA recognition receptors, which play a key role in host immune defense and pathogen immune evasion. This review made the DNA sensor as the clue to comprehensively summarize the progress in the activation, regulatory mechanism and clinical relevance of DNA-sensing pathways in EBV infection in recent years, aiming to achieve a better understanding of the host innate immune responses during EBV infection and provide an immunological basis for the prevention and treatment of EBV infection-related diseases.

Congenital corneal anesthesia: A case series

Congenital corneal anesthesia (CCA) is an extremely rare condition where the cornea is affected in isolation or as a part of congenital syndrome, or can be associated with systemic anomalies. This case series of 12 eyes provides an overview of various clinical presentations and their final treatment outcomes. The average age of presentation was 3.2 years with a female preponderance (75%). Fifty percent of the patients had bilateral involvement and 50% had corneal ulcers at presentation. Two eyes required therapeutic keratoplasty for corneal perforation. All patients had isolated CCA except for one who had an associated hereditary and sensory autonomic neuropathy.

Variation of plantaris muscle: a case report with clinical significance / Variación del músculo plantar: reporte de un caso con significado clínico

SUMMARY: The plantaris muscle is located between the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, within the posterior calf group. Due to degeneration and its loss of plantar-flexion function, the muscle is vestigial in human beings, but it retains clinical significance. Few cases of variation in the plantaris muscle have been reported, and this, therefore, appears to be rare. Nonetheless, absence of this muscle was identified via the dissection of a left lower limb (male), which also indicated the absence of an attachment in the usual position. The present report, which addresses such variation, may provide both inspiration and reference points for the clinical treatment of so-called "tennis leg", and for the use of plantaris muscle for the purposes of clinical, autologous graft repair.

RESUMEN: El músculo plantar se ubica entre los músculos sóleo y gastrocnemio, dentro del grupo posterior de la pierna. Debido a la degeneración y la pérdida de la función de flexión plantar, el músculo es un vestigio en los seres humanos, pero conserva su importancia clínica. Se han informado pocos casos de variación en el músculo plantar y, por lo tanto, esto parece ser raro. No obstante, se observó la ausencia de este músculo durante la disección de un miembro inferior izquierdo (masculino). El presente informe, que aborda dicha variación, puede proporcionar puntos de referencia para el tratamiento clínico de la llamada "pierna de tenista" y para el uso del músculo plantar con fines de reparación clínica con injerto autólogo.

Early and mid-term results of surgical revascularization of pulmonary artery in unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To summarize the early and middle terms of the revascularization of remnant pulmonary artery in unilateral absent intrapericardial pulmonary artery.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 14 patients(7 males and 7 females) with unilateral absent pulmonary artery, in which 10 were right and 4 were left, the median age at surgery was 5 months. The patients received operation from January 2009 to December 2020. 14 patients, 2 cases associated with tetralogy of Fallot, and 1 case with aortopulmonary window. The diagnosis was made by enhanced CT scan or pulmonary vein wedge angiography. The median diameter of the affected hilar pulmonary artery remnants was(3.20±0.94)mm, and the Z value was -3.92±1.64. All the patients received single-stage revascularization: group A: tube graft interposition in 3 patients, autologous pericardial roll in 5; group B: direct anastomosis in 2, unifocalization in one and main pulmonary artery flap angioplasty in the rest 3.Results:No hospital death occurred. There were no difference finds in the age and weight at operation, the cardiopulmonary bypass time, the mechanical ventilation time, and the length of intensive care unit stay between the two groups. All the patients took aspirin for anticoagulation for 6 months after the operation. The follow-up period was 1 month to 68 months. Because the neo-PA stenosis at the anastomosis was found in one patient in group B, transcatheter balloon angioplasty was performed at 41 months after surgery. Nonetheless, the results were encouraging, symptoms have improved in all patients. The diameter and Z value of the latest ipsilateral pulmonary artery was(6.25±0.99)mm and -2.34±1.18 respectively, significantly improved when compared to the preoperative value. Residual pulmonary artery hypertension was not found. The Z value of the affected side of the pulmonary artery in group B was significantly improved than that in group A.Conclusion:Early and aggressive pulmonary artery revascularization is effective at restoring normal antegrade flow to the affected lung, resulting in improved diameter of the PA, and UAPA patient’s symptoms. The use of autologous pulmonary artery tissue angioplasty may reach a more satisfying result. However, transcatheter intervention may diminish the new pulmonary artery stenosis temporarily, reoperation is still needed in the long-term follow-up.

The COMPASS Core Member Ash2l Regulates the Cell Cycle of Neural Progenitor Cells / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

To investigate the role of Ash2l (absent, small, or homeotic 2-like, Ash2l) on the proliferation ability and cell cycle of mouse cerebral cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs), We examined the number and distribution of NPCs, using the radial glial cell marker PAX6 and intermediate progenitor cell marker TBR2. E16. 5 mice were labeled with EdU for 30 min to detect the proliferation ability of NPCs. Conditional knockout of Ash2l resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of NPCs and a disordered distribution. The 30 min EdU insertion experiment showed that EdU could hardly be inserted into NPCs, indicating that the proliferation ability of NPCs was severely affected. Using the mitotic cell cycle marker pH3, the distribution of dividing NPCs was observed. We then detected the expressed level of Cyclin A by Western blotting. The distribution of cell nuclei of M-phase is disordered and the expression of G

SUS de retalhos Amefricanos: A luz antirracista da ABADFAL / Amefrican patchwork SUS: ABADFAL's anti-racist light

Nesta dissertação discuto em um diálogo de primeira pessoa com meus semelhantes a presença da colonialidade e do racismo nos espaços democráticos do SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde) Discuto o universalismo europeu presente na saúde coletiva e a existência de uma sociedade amefricana no Brasil, apresenta ações coletivas e a valorização do intelectual periférico na produção de políticas públicas e como a ABADFAL se organiza para superar o racismo ainda presente no SUS e na sociedade brasiliana. Concluo que a colonialidade e o racismo ainda estão presentes na produção intelectual, política e gestão do SUS, ainda havendo a manutenção de populações subalternizadas e que uma ação coletiva tem se apresentado como forma de superar tal estrutura.

In this dissertation, I discuss, in a first-person dialogue with my peers, the presence of coloniality and racism in the democratic spaces of the SUS (Unified Health System). collectives and the valorization of the peripheral intellectual in the production of public policies and how ABADFAL organizes itself to overcome the racism still present in the SUS and in the Brazilian society. I conclude that coloniality and racism are still present in the intellectual, political and management production of the SUS, with the maintenance of subordinate populations and that collective action has been presented as a way to overcome this structure.

Lonicerin targets EZH2 to alleviate ulcerative colitis by autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation

Aberrant activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in colonic macrophages strongly associates with the occurrence and progression of ulcerative colitis. Although targeting NLRP3 inflammasome has been considered to be a potential therapy, the underlying mechanism through which pathway the intestinal inflammation is modulated remains controversial. By focusing on the flavonoid lonicerin, one of the most abundant constituents existed in a long historical anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious herb

Gasdermin D in pyroptosis

Pyroptosis is the process of inflammatory cell death. The primary function of pyroptosis is to induce strong inflammatory responses that defend the host against microbe infection. Excessive pyroptosis, however, leads to several inflammatory diseases, including sepsis and autoimmune disorders. Pyroptosis can be canonical or noncanonical. Upon microbe infection, the canonical pathway responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), while the noncanonical pathway responds to intracellular lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria. The last step of pyroptosis requires the cleavage of gasdermin D (GsdmD) at D275 (numbering after human GSDMD) into N- and C-termini by caspase 1 in the canonical pathway and caspase 4/5/11 (caspase 4/5 in humans, caspase 11 in mice) in the noncanonical pathway. Upon cleavage, the N-terminus of GsdmD (GsdmD-N) forms a transmembrane pore that releases cytokines such as IL-1

Significance of expression of AIM2, IL / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Inflammation especially the overexpression of inflammasome and inflammatory cytokines, is one of the important reasons that affect the occurrence and development of acute cerebral infarction, including the initiation of cerebral infarction, the progress and recovery of post-infarction injury. This study aims to explore expressions of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in plasma of patients with acute cerebral infarction and its significance.@*METHODS@#A total of 85 patients with acute cerebral infarction were enrolled in the cerebral infarction group. They were assigned into mild, moderate, and severe groups according to the severity of neurological deficits. They were assigned into small, middle, and large cerebral infarction groups according to the area of cerebral infarction. They were assigned into a good prognosis group and a poor prognosis group according to the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score on the 90th day after the onset. A total of 85 healthy controls were selected as a control group. The levels of AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 in plasma of the cerebral group and the control group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).@*RESULTS@#The levels of plasma AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all @*CONCLUSIONS@#Expressions of AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 are up-regulated in the plasma of patients with acute cerebral infarction, and they are closely related to the severity of neurological deficit, cerebral infarction area, and prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction, suggesting that AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of acute cerebral infarction.

Delivering a female with missing cervix: a case report

Authors received a case in our casualty, 26 years old, G2P1L1, with full term pregnancy, spontaneous conception, previous normal vaginal delivery, with labour pain. On evaluation, she was having uterine contraction, fetal heart rate normal, vitally stable, with no cervix on per speculum and per vaginal examination, with solid globular mass per rectum. She was shifted to emergency operation theatre with provisional diagnosis of uterine rupture or rectal perforation or pelvic mass. After delivering a live baby, uterus was intact, but there was an impacted mass in pouch of Douglas, it was a twisted ovarian mass, sent for histopathology examination. Post-operative period was uneventful, and patient was discharged with healthy baby with corrected pelvic anatomy.

Severe haemoptysis in a 5 year old child with Kartagener's syndrome: case report

Kartagener`s syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder is a type of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) associated situs inversus, bronchiectasis, sinusitis and male infertility. We present a case of a 5-year-old girl who came with features of bilateral glue ear, recurrent sinusitis, recurrent hemoptysis and dextrocardia. She was diagnosed to have Kartagener`s syndrome and was evaluated for recurrent hemoptysis.

Frequency of Complete Absence of Suprascapular Notch in Dry Scapulae - An Osteological Study with Clinical Significance

Suprascapular notch is a depression located in the superior border of the scapula near its lateral part, close to the root of the coracoid process. It is bridged by the superior transverse scapular ligament & serves as a path for the suprascapular nerve. The notch is commonly seen in all the scapulae with variable morphology. Sometimes, it is associated with ossified transverse scapular ligament which plays an important role for the suprascapular neuropathies which has been suggested in many previous literatures. But, its absence can also be a reason for nerve entrapment which has been mentioned less frequently. The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence of completely absent suprascapular notch among dry scapulae of north India, especially Gurugram region along with a morphometric evaluation of superior border of scapular where the notch is situated.METHODSOne hundred & ten adult dry scapulae of unknown sex from the osteology museum of SGT Medical College, Gurugram, were obtained for evaluation of absence of suprascapular notch in the superior border of the scapulae near the root of the coracoid process by subjective evaluation (visual inspection). We have also done a morphometric evaluation (length) of the superior border of all the scapulae irrespective of the suprascapular notch. Our observations were compared with other osteological studies performed on other population groups.RESULTSOf the 110 scapulae studied, 43 belonged to right side & 67 scapulae of left side. By visual inspection, 13 scapulae (11.8%) were devoid of suprascapular notch on the upper border & rest 88 scapulae (88.81%) had different variety of suprascapular notch. Among the 13 scapulae without suprascapular notch, 8 scapulae (61.5%) were of right side and 5 scapulae (38.46%) were of left sided bone. Apart from this, the average length of the superior border of the scapulae was 42.73 mm.CONCLUSIONSIncidence of completely absent suprascapular notch in our study is 11.8% which will act as a reference point among Gurugram population in north India. Clinicians should keep in mind about complete absence of suprascapular notch which can be a probable reason for the suprascapular nerve entrapment.

Successful Primary PCI in a Patient with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock with Super-dominant Right Coronary Artery and Absent Left Circumflex Artery

Super-dominant right coronary artery and the absent left circumflex artery is a rare congenital coronary anomaly, with only a few cases reported in the literature. Left anterior descending artery arises directly from the left anterior coronary cusp. Rare coronary anomalies are sometimes encountered during primary percutaneous interventions, which may lead to changes in the course of action. We report a case of a 38-year-old patient admitted with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. Coronary angiography revealed super-dominant right coronary artery and absent left circumflex artery. There was thrombotic occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery. The patient underwent successful primary percutaneous intervention of the left anterior descending artery with a good result, was discharged after 5 days. Our case also shows the importance of taking coronary angiogram of the contralateral artery first, before taking the shoot of the infarct-related artery.

Clinical and manometric investigation in constipated Chagasic patients with and without megacolon / Investigação clínica e manométrica de pacientes chagásicos constipados com e sem megacolon

ABSTRACT Background: Chagasic colopathy is the second most common digestive manifestation, and constipation is the main symptom. The absence of the Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex plays an important role in constipation and anal manometry is crucial for appropriate evaluation. Purpose: Evaluate anal manometry findings (mainly Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex) in Chagasic patients with chronic constipation, with and without megacolon and correlate these findings with clinical and demographic data. Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with chronic constipation who underwent Chagasic serologic test, barium enema, and anal manometry. The absence of Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex was evaluated using the mid-P Exact Test. Results: 64 Patients were included: 23 Chagasic patients with megacolon/megarectum (G1), 21 Chagasic patients without megacolon/megarectum (G2) and 20 non-Chagasic patients without megacolon/megarectum (G3). Chagasic patients with megacolon had a higher incidence of fecaloma (39%) compared to the other two groups (9.5% and 10% for G2 and G3, respectively, p = 0.03). Rectal capacity on manometry was statically higher for G1 patients. Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex was absent in 91.3% of patients in G1, 47.29% in G2 and present in all patients in G3. There was a significant difference in the absence of the Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex when comparing the groups (G1 vs. G2: p = 0.002, G1 vs. G3: p < 0.001, G2 vs. G3: p < 0.001). Conclusion: The absence of RAIR confirms the diagnosis of Chagasic colopathy and endorses surgical treatment whenever clinical treatment fails. The presence of the RAIR in patients with positive serology for Chagas disease without megacolon/megarectum might not be due chagasic colopathy and other causes should be considered.

RESUMO Fundamento: A colopatia chagásica é a segunda manifestação digestiva mais comum e a constipação é o principal sintoma. A ausência do Reflexo Inibitório Retoanal desempenha um papel importante na constipação e a manometria anal é crucial para avaliação adequada. Objetivo: Avaliar os achados da manometria anal (principalmente o Reflexo Inibitório Retoanal) em pacientes chagásicos com constipação crônica, com e sem megacólon, e correlacionar esses achados com dados clínicos e demográficos.Métodos: Estudo transversal de pacientes com constipação crônica submetidos ao teste sorológico para doença de chagas, enema de bário e manometria anal. A ausência de Reflexo Inibitório Retoanal foi avaliada por meio do Teste Exato de Ponto Médio. Resultados: Foram incluídos 64 pacientes: 23 chagásicos com megacólon/megarreto (G1), 21 chagásicos sem megacólon/megarreto (G2) e 20 não chagásicos sem megacólon/megarreto (G3). Os pacientes chagásicos com megacólon apresentaram maior incidência de fecaloma (39%) em comparação aos outros dois grupos (9,5% e 10% para G2 e G3, respectivamente, p = 0,03). A capacidade retal na manometria foi estatisticamente maior nos pacientes do G1. O Reflexo Inibitório Retoanal estava ausente em 91,3% dos pacientes do G1, em 47,29% no G2 e presente em todos os pacientes do G3. Houve diferença significativa na ausência do Reflexo Inibitório Retoanal quando comparados os grupos (G1 vs. G2: p = 0,002, G1 vs. G3: p < 0,001, G2 vs. G3: p < 0,001). Conclusão: A ausência de RIRA confirma o diagnóstico de colopatia chagásica e endossa o tratamento cirúrgico sempre que o tratamento clínico falhar. A presença de RIRA em pacientes com sorologia positiva para doença de Chagas, sem megacólon/megarreto, pode não ser devida à colopatia chagásica e outras causas devem ser consideradas.

Restricción de crecimiento intrauterina selectiva tipo III, en gemelos monocoriales: serie de casos y revisión de la literatura / Monochorionic twins with type III selective intrauterine growth restriction: case series and review of the literature

We present four cases of monochorionic twin pregnancies with diagnosis of type III selective intrauterine growth restriction, highlighting the ultrasonographic characteristics (evaluation of the umbilical artery intermittent reverse diastole and the superficial arterio-arterial anastomosis), its evolution during pregnancy and its follow-up during the first month of life.

Se presenta cuatro casos de gestaciones dobles monocoriales afectadas con restricción selectiva de crecimiento de tipo III, con énfasis en las características ecográficas (evaluación de la diástole intermitente reversa de la arteria umbilical y la anastomosis superficial arterio-arterial), evolución durante la gestación y seguimiento hasta el mes de vida.

EYA1 inhibits malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells by regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#Objective:To explore the mechanism of EYA1 (eyes absent 1) inhibiting the malignant progression of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells through regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methods: Twenty-nine pairs of gastric cancer tissues and para-cancerous tissues collected at the General Surgery center, Southwest Hospital Affiliated to Military Medical University during June 2016 and June 2018 were used in this study. Wb and RT-PCR assays were used to test the mRNA and protein expressions of EYA1 in gastric cancer tissues and the paired para-cancerous tissues; Transfection with plasmid or siRNAs were used to up-regulate or down-regulate EYA1 or PTEN expression in gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells; MTT, Flow Cytometry, Wound Healing and Transwell assays were carried out to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and invasion abilities, respectively. Results: EYA1 expression was decreased in gastric cancer tissues as compared with the para-cancerous tissues at both mRNA and protein levels (P<0.01); EYA1 over-expression significantly enhanced the proliferation, metastasis and invasion of SGC-7901 cells (all P<0.05), and inhibited cell apoptosis (P<0.05); moreover, its over-expressionsignificantly increased the expression of PTEN, and inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway (all P< 0.05 or P<0.01). However, the above effects mediated by EYA1 up-regulation were significantly impaired after the knockout of PTEN (all P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: EYA1 can inhibit the malignant progression of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells through promoting the expression of PTEN and activating PI3K/AKT pathway.

Absent right superior vena cava and persistent left superior vena cava in a patient with bicuspid aortic valve with aortic stenosis

Persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) with absent right SVC (RSVC) is a rare congenital anomaly. If undetected, the condition may pose difficulties in central venous catheter insertion, pacemaker electrode insertion, and cannulation during cardiopulmonary bypass. We describe a case of persistent LSVC with absent RSVC, who was diagnosed to have bicuspid aortic valve with aortic stenosis.

An Osteological Study Of Foramen Transversarium Of Cervical Vertebrae And Its Clinical Significance

Introduction: Seven cervical vertebrae constitute the skeletal framework of the neck. Along with the otheridentification points, the cardinal feature of a cervical vertebra whether typical or atypical is the presence ofForamen transversarium on the transverse process. This foramen transmits the Vertebral artery, Vertebral veinand Sympathetic nerves. These foramina are known to have variations in size, shape and numbers and may beabsent, incomplete or duplicate, which may lead to various symptoms. Their etiology is related with the variationsin the course of the Vertebral artery due to developmental reasons.Materials and methods: Three hundred dry human cervical vertebrae were collected and studied in the departmentof Anatomy, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore. We included all the Cervical vertebraeincluding Atlas, Axis and all other cervical vertebrae. We observed the presence, size, shape and variations ofForamen transversarium of cervical vertebrae during our study.Observations and results: Out of three hundred Cervical vertebrae, One hundred and twenty five cervical vertebrae(42%) had variations of Foramen transversarium like Complete / incomplete Accessory foramen, triple foramenon one side, absence of foramen on one side and unequal size of foramen on both the sides. The different typesof shapes of foramen transversarium were also analysed and tabulated. The areas of foramen transversariumwere measured after measuring all the diameters.Conclusion: Variations in the Foramen transversarium may indicate, the variation in the course of the Vertebralartery. The present study was important clinical implications for Head and neck and vascular surgeries. Thesevariations should be kept in our mind during surgeries on cervical spine.