Microelectric Treatment by Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in a Rat Model of Acute Spinal Cord Injury

STUDY DESIGN: Animal study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of microelectric treatment by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on functional recovery and histological changes in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The effects of TENS on spasticity and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SCI was induced by a 1.5-mm impactor with 200,000–260,000 dyne after laminectomy. Rats were divided into the following groups: group I (normal control), group II (microelectric treatment of 0 A), group III (microelectric treatment of 100 µA for 1 hr/day), group IV (microelectric treatment of 400 µA for 1 hr/day), and group V (microelectric treatment of 400 µA for 24 hr/day). After inducing SCI, rats were assessed by a sensory test with von Frey filaments and the locomotor recovery test (BBB rating scale) at 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. To evaluate spinal cord damage, histopathological studies were performed with hematoxylin and eosin. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB immunohistochemistry studies were performed at 28 days. RESULTS: In groups IV and V, the BBB score had significantly improved on days 21 and 28 after SCI, and the TENS-treated groups showed significant neuronal recovery. After SCI, groups IV and V showed a significant recovery of locomotor function and the motor sensory response of the withdrawal threshold to 3.5 g. In addition, necrotic tissue and cystic spaces in the spinal cord were significantly reduced and BDNF/TrkB-positive cells were highly expressed in groups III, IV, and V. CONCLUSIONS: Microelectric treatment can play a role in facilitating the recovery of locomotion following SCI.

Cytologic Findings of Breast Carcinoma in Fine Needle Aspiration: Comparison with Histologic Findings, Stage and Lymph Node Metastasis / 대한세포병리학회지

In order compare cytologic findings of breast carcinoma in fine needle aspiration cytology (FANC) with histologic findings and prognostic factors including histologic grading, lymph node metastasis and stage, 79 cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma diagnosed by FANC and confirmed by histology were analysed. We especially attempted to correlate nuclear grade, cellularity and smear pattern with histologic grade, type, status of lymph node metastasis and stage. The results are as follwos : 2. Individual cell pattern was more frequently identified in high histologic grade and scirrhous or solid-tubular type than in low histolgic grade and papillotubular type. 3. Cellularity increased with higher histologic grade and lymph node metastsis. However cellularity was low in scirrhous type. 4. There is no relationship between nuclear grade and histologic type, between smear pattern and lymph node metastasis or stage, and between cellularity and stage. These results suggest that cytologic findings of breast carcinoma such as nuclear grade, cellularity and smear pattern are indicative of histologic findings in relation to histolgic grade and type. Especially, nuclear grade of FANC may yield valuable prognostic information.

Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head : Correlation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Radiograph, Radionuclide Imaging, and Histological Findings / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) appears to be the most sensitive modality for early diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head and has recently been recommanded as a means of strengthening individual treatment decisions, However, MR signal patterns in AVN has been described to vary widely. And the understanding of the anatomic and pathologic structures represented on the MRI thus appears desirable for improved tissue characterization, staging of disease, and therapeutic planning. The object of this study was to analyze the correlation of MRI, radiographic staging, radionuclide imaging, and histological findings in AVN of the femoral head. The authors analyzed retrospectively 30 patients(36 hips) of AVN of the femoral head who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty or total hip replacement arthroplasty at Korea University Hospital from Nov. 1990 to Oct. 1993. The radiographic stage was evaluated according to Ficat and Arlet classification, and MRI was evaluated according to Mitchell et al. classification. The histologic changes corresponding to MRI abnormalities were assessed in 10 fresh surgical specimens. The obtained results were as follows; 1. Nine cases (25%) were class A, 3 class B (8%), 6 class C (17%) and 18 class D(50%) by Michell et al. classification on MRI and typical double line sign was found in 20 cases(56%). 2. Most of the cases of Ficat and Arlet stage II in simple radiograph showed MR class A or B, and stage III and IV showed class C or D. 3. There cases(10%) showed false negative studies in radionuclide imaging. 4. The necrotic bone & marrow and amorphous cellular debris represented the low signal intensity on both T1WI and T2WI, and repairing tissue, thickened trabeculae with mesenchymal cell infiltration was low signal intensity in T1WI and intermediate signal intensity in T2WI, and fibrous tissue was low signal intensity on both T1WI and T2WI. 5. MR classification by Mitchell et al. was not correlated with histological finding in respect of progression. Above results suggest that MRI provide the information about accurate anatomical location and involved site of necrosis, while MR classification by Mitchell et al. was not useful for staging of pathogenic process of AVN of the femoral head. The therapeutic plan and modalities have to be estabilished by comprehensive analysis of MRI, simple radiograph and other diagnostic modalities.