Heart in anatomy history, radiology, anthropology and art.

BACKGROUND: Anthropologic, artistic and medical significance of heart inspired usto undertake this multidisciplinary study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Amongst the 24 obtained echocardiograms and phonograms, 1 was used for a Photoshop processing. In addition, over 20,000 art work reproductions were examined in this study. RESULTS: Artistic and symbolic presentation of heart started some 15,000 years ago. First heart models were made by the Egyptian and Olmec civilisations. Ancient cultures regarded heart as the seat of the soul, spirit and intelligence. First anatomical and artistic images of heart were created by Leonardo da Vinci in the15th century, and first wax models by the Italian anatomists in the 17th century. Mediaeval religious symbolism of heart was replaced in the Renaissance and later on mainly by its role in the romantic love. Anatomical heart art continued in the 18th and 19th centuries through the works of Sénac, Cloquet, Hirschfeldand Bourgery. Some modern artists, such as Dalí, Kahlo, Rivera, Warhol, Ivanjicki, Vital, Kober and Mastrlova, created the anatomical heart images or sculptures, whereas some others, such as Duchamp, Klee, Miró, Matisse and Dine, presented heart symbol in their artworks. New radiologic technologies produce fine images of heart, some of which are similar to the works of modern artists. CONCLUSIONS: Heart biology and symbolism have had a tremendous influence on our culture, including art and medical sciences. New radiologic techniques and computer technology have produced such images of heart, which substantially improved diagnosis, but also enhanced the heart aesthetics.

Volume changes of corpus striatum, thalamus, hippocampus and lateral ventricles in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients suffering from headaches and without therapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the present study, we have hypothesized that volume changes of the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, thalamus, and lateral ventricle in newly-diagnosed, male PTSD patients without therapy are more pronounced in those with headaches. To confirm or reject our hypothesis, we have undertaken an extensive study of forty-nine PTSD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To confirm or reject our hypothesis, we have undertaken an extensive study of forty-nine PTSD male patients that underwent MRI scanning immediately upon admittance for the treatment. Based on headache frequency, they were classified into three groups: group 1 included patients with headaches at least twice a week; group 2 consisted of patients with headaches less than twice a week; and group 3 consisted of patients without headaches. All MRI scans underwent software-based volume compute and statistical processing. RESULTS: 39 out of 49 patients with PTSD suffered from headaches. Bilaterally, volume decreases were noted in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3 for the caudate nucleus, putamen, hippocampus and lateral ventricle. Differences in globus pallidus and thalamus among groups appeared to be insignificant. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a bilateral volume decrease of the caudate nucleus, putamen and hippocampus in PTSD male subjects without therapy. Intensity of volume alterations correlated with Hamilton's depression rating score; regression analysis uncovered correlated changes in the caudate nucleus, putamen and hippocampus, and an inverse correlation with the volume of the lateral ventricle in the PTSD patients.

[Correlation between femur's length and morphometric parameters of distal femur important in rupture anterior cruciate ligament].

INTRODUCTION: Frequency of anterior cruciate ligament rupture depends of anatomical parameters of distal femur and intercondylar notch. PURPOSE: Purpose of this work is identification relation between femur length and morphometrical parameters intecondylar notch, measuring in two levels. METHOD: A hundred femur's (medley population of 48 right and 52 left femurs), from osteological collection Department of Anatomy "Dr. Niko Miljanic" in Belgrade measured. Measurement was in two levels. Epicondilar width, width of medial and lateral condyls and intercondylar width, had been measured in level of popliteal sulcus and on the widest place, after that notch width index had been determinated. RESULTS: Absolute values of morphometrical parameters distal femur's are in positive relation with her length (p < 0.01), but notch width index is not, as in level of popliteal sulcus, as on the widest place (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Femur's length increasing also produces increasing of absolute anatomical parametars of distal femur which can produce rupture of anterior cruciate ligament, while relative dimensions do not show femur's length increasing.