Cartilaginous choristoma of the nasopharynx.

A 21-year-old white male presented with persistent adenoiditis. A computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast was performed and was interpreted as normal. An adenoidectomy was performed, and histologic examination demonstrated the unexpected presence of a mature island of hyaline cartilage surrounded by lymphoid hyperplasia. The nature of this anomaly is considered in respect to the embryological development of the base of the skull and nasopharynx.

Sinus and facial growth after pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on facial skeletal growth in children. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled animal study; retrospective histopathologic study of pediatric FESS specimens. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Eight newly weaned piglets; uncinate and ethmoid bone of FESS specimens from 84 children. INTERVENTIONS: The piglets underwent unilateral FESS. When they had developed to nearly adult size, computed tomography was used to compare facial and sinus development between the surgical and nonsurgical sides. The paranasal sinus contents from children were histologically examined to analyze bone types with respect to patient age. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sinus development and facial skeletal growth after FESS in piglets; histologic maturity of sinus bone in children. RESULTS: Facial growth in piglets was significantly reduced on the side treated by FESS. When compared with the side that did not undergo the operation, growth reached only 57% in the maxillary sinus and 65% in the ethmoid region. Children younger than 9 years had woven (immature) bone; children 9 years and older had predominantly lamellar (mature) bone. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study shows that even limited surgery in the anterior ethmoid region can affect sinus and facial growth in the piglet. Review of corresponding human histologic specimens suggests that further investigation is warranted to rule out the possibility of facial and sinus growth disturbance after this surgery in children.

Myocardial characteristics of thyroxine stimulated hypertrophy. A structural and functional study.

The effects of thyroxine-stimulated hypertrophy (TSH) were studied in the porcine left ventricular myocardium. Hypertrophy was produced in six adult pigs by administration of triiodothyronine (1 mg/kg; i.v.) for eight days. Six pigs served as controls. The degree of hypertrophy, determined by left ventricular-to-body weight ratio, was 47%. With hypertrophy there was a significant increase in heart rate, blood pressure and myocardial blood flows. Minimal coronary resistance measured during adenosine infusion was lower in the TSH group compared with the control group. Anatomic studies revealed a balanced proliferative response of mitochondria, myofibrils and the t-tubular system during TSH. Analysis of the microvasculature indicated that the capillary and arteriolar beds both experienced growth which paralleled myocyte growth during TSH. These results suggest that thyroxine administration promotes angiogenesis in the microvascular bed which provides a partial anatomic rationale for the lowered minimal coronary resistance.

Regional capillary and myocyte distribution in normal and exercise trained male and female rat hearts.

Adult Sprague-Dawley male and female rats were exercise trained for five months by either treadmill running or swimming. Significant differences in left ventricular regional capillary density and myocyte cross-sectional area were found. In control rats the epicardial regions had greater capillary density than endocardial regions. Endocardial myocyte cross-sectional areas were greater than those of epicardial myocytes in both sexes. Male rats had larger endocardial myocytes and larger hearts than females. After exercise training, myocyte size increased in the epicardial region but not in the endocardial region, while capillary density increased significantly only in the endocardial region. Similar changes were seen in both male and female rats with comparable degrees of exercise induced hypertrophy. These data suggest that exercise training "normalizes" the distribution of capillaries in the myocardium. Capillary density increased only in the regions where myocyte cross-sectional area did not increase. Further, the effects of exercise on male and female rat hearts is not different when the degree of exercise induced hypertrophy is similar.

Adaptation of the left ventricle to exercise-induced hypertrophy.

Cardiac functional and structural adaptations to exercise-induced hypertrophy were studied in 68 pigs. Pigs were exercise trained on a treadmill for 10 wk. Sequential measurements were made of cardiac dimensions, [left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (EDD), changes in diameter (delta D%), wall thickness (WTh), wall thickening (WTh%), left ventricular pressure (LVP), time derivative of pressure (dP/dt), stroke volume, total body O2 consumption (VO2), blood gases, and systemic hemodynamics] at rest and during moderate and severe exercise. Postmortem studies included morphometric measurements of capillary density, arteriolar density, mitochondria, and myofibrils. All of the exercise-trained pigs showed significant increases in aerobic capacity. Maximum O2 consumption (VO2 max) increased by 37.5% in group 1 (moderate exercise training) and 34% in group 3 (heavy exercise training). Cardiac hypertrophy ranged from less than 15% in a group (n = 8) subjected to moderate exercise training to greater than 30% in a group (n = 11) subjected to heavy exercise training. Before training, exercise was characterized by a decreasing EDD during progressive exercise; this was reversed after exercise training. Stroke volume and end-diastolic volumes during exercise showed a highly significant increase after exercise training and hypertrophy. Morphometric measurements showed that mitochondria and cell membranes increased with increasing myocyte growth in all exercise groups, but there was only a partially compensated adaptation of capillary proliferation. Arteriolar number and length increased in all exercise groups. Intrinsic contractility as measured by delta D%, WTh%, or left ventricular dP/dt did not increase with exercise training and in some instances decreased. Therefore, left ventricular adaptation to strenuous exercise in the pig heart is primarily one of changes in left ventricular dimensions and a compensated hypertrophy. Exercise-induced increases in EDD and stroke volume can be accounted for by decreases in peripheral resistance and increased cardiac dimensions.

The effect of hemodilution with fluorocarbon or dextran on regional myocardial flow and function during acute coronary stenosis in the pig.

The effect of replacement of approximately 50% of the blood volume, in the presence of critical coronary stenosis, was investigated in anesthetized pigs. Two agents were used for replacement: 6% dextran 70 and Fluosol-DA, a fluorocarbon "blood substitute," capable of transporting oxygen by virtue of its high solubility. Critical coronary stenosis of 15-min duration was imposed on the circumflex coronary artery by means of a micrometer snare, before and after an exchange-transfusion with one of the above acellular agents, resulting in comparable reductions of myocardial blood flow (determined by microspheres) to the circumflex zone. In the ischemic zone, systolic wall-thickening (as determined by sonomicrometry) was reduced by 62 +/- 10% in the dextran-diluted pigs, but only by 33 +/- 7% in the Fluosol-diluted pigs (p less than .05). Estimated oxygen delivery-rate in this zone, during coronary constriction, was 6.2 and 7.5 ml min-1 100 g-1, respectively. Electron microscopic examination of the normally perfused zone of the heart showed no morphological change attributable to Fluosol. The findings suggest that, in the presence of critical coronary stenosis, hemodilution by Fluosol-DA can be tolerated, while similar hemodilution with dextran results in aggravation of myocardial hypoxia. In three instances, severe reactions were observed immediately following the administration of Fluosol. These were suggestive of complement-activation and were excluded from the analysis.

Cardiac vasculature and flow during pressure-overload hypertrophy.

The effects of pressure-overload hypertrophy (H) on myocardial blood flow and microvasculature were studied in the porcine left ventricle. Hypertrophy was produced in nine adult pigs by an aortic cuff constriction of the ascending aorta. Eight pigs served as controls. After 30 days the aortic cuff was released, and the hypertrophy group was studied 1 day postrelease. The degree of hypertrophy, determined by left ventricular-to-body weight ratio, was 45%. With hypertrophy, left ventricular blood flows were normal at rest. During exercise with adenosine infusion, myocardial blood flow to the endomyocardium was reduced compared with the control (C) group (H = 4.02 +/- 0.35, P less than 0.05; C = 5.33 +/- 0.41 ml X min-1 X g-1). Minimal coronary vascular resistance in the endomyocardium was increased during exercise with adenosine in the hypertrophy group compared with the control group. Anatomic studies revealed that hypertrophy causes a reduction in the endomyocardial capillary density (H = 1,654 +/- 168, P less than 0.025; C = 2,168 +/- 106, no./mm2) with a similar trend noted for the transmural arteriolar density. Arteriolar media wall cross-sectional area was unaffected by the pressure overload. These results indicate that changes in the vascular bed do not parallel myocyte growth during pressure-overload hypertrophy. The resultant anatomic imbalance compromises endomyocardial flow, making this region vulnerable to ischemia.

A rare human variation: the relationship of the axillary and inferior subscapular nerves to an accessory subscapularis muscle.

A case of bilateral occurrence of a variant subscapularis muscle is reported. The superior lateral aspect of each subscapularis muscle presented a small accessory muscle with an accompanying tendon that inserted into the lesser tubercle of the humerus along with the primary tendon of the subscapularis muscle. Each accessory subscapularis muscle was separated from the primary subscapularis muscle by the axillary and inferior subscapular nerves. No branches of the axillary or inferior subscapular nerves supplied the primary subscapularis muscle or the accessory muscle while the nerves passed through the myotendinous tunnel. The relationship of the nerves with the variant subscapularis muscles has clinical significance with regard to entrapment neuropathy.

Exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy: a correlation of blood flow and microvasculature.

The effects of exercise conditioning on the myocardium were studied in seven instrumented pigs strenuously exercised for 12 wk by treadmill running. Data were compared with eight instrumented untrained pigs. O2 consumption measured during maximum exercise effort was significantly elevated in the trained pigs (71.7 +/- 4.0 vs. 56.3 +/- 3.0 ml X ml-1 X kg-1). Absolute right and left ventricular mass increased by 20 and 13%, respectively, in response to exercise. Myocyte cross-sectional area increased by 21% in the trained hearts compared with the untrained hearts. Transmural left ventricular myocardial blood flow (ml X min-1 X g-1) was not significantly different at rest, during maximum exercise, or during exercise with adenosine infusion. However, training caused an elevation of the regional epicardial blood flow noted during exercise and exercise with adenosine. In the trained pigs mean aortic pressure during maximum exercise with adenosine infusion was not significantly different compared with untrained pigs. Coronary resistance during exercise with adenosine infusion was the same in both animal groups. In the trained group capillary numerical (no./mm2) and length (mm/mm3) densities were reduced, whereas arteriolar numerical and length densities were significantly increased compared with the untrained group. Measurements of capillary luminal surface density (mm2/mm3) in the trained group were unchanged compared with the untrained group. These results suggest that strenuous exercise does not stimulate the production of new capillaries, but this is modified by the ability of existing capillaries to increase their luminal surface area to parallel increases in myocyte growth. The arteriolar data suggest that exercise promotes the formation of new arterioles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Myocardial characteristics of pressure overload hypertrophy. A structural and functional study.

The effects of pressure overload hypertrophy were studied in the left ventricular myocardium of young adult cats. Hypertrophy was induced by a 90% constriction of the ascending aorta, and animals were studied 4, 7, 30, 120, and 248 days after constriction. Cardiac hypertrophy, as determined by heart weight, was evident at each experimental time period. Ultrastructural data indicate that during the early stages of hypertrophy (4 and 7 days) there is an enhancement of the myofibrillar volume relative to the mitochondrial volume. After 30 days the normal balance between the myofibrillar and mitochondrial volumes has been reestablished. The later stages of hypertrophy (120 and 248 days) are characterized by a reduced mitochondrial volume relative to the myofibrillar volume. This late stage of hypertrophy (248 days) is also characterized by reduced surface densities of the T-tubular and diadic junctional systems. Analysis of the microvasculature indicated that capillary density decreased with increasing time of hypertrophy. The effects of chronic hypertrophy on myocardial blood flow were also measured. In hypertrophied hearts, coronary reserve, measured as the percentage increase in blood flow from control to near maximal flow during adenosine infusion, was reduced. Left ventricular minimal coronary resistance (per gram) was elevated during hypertrophy. These results indicate that the alterations in flow reserve are largely due to the reduced capillary density. This, combined with the inability of the myocardium at the cellular level to maintain normal structural parameters, may play an important role in the transition of a compensated heart to a failing heart.

Ultrastructural morphometry of the myocardium of Thunnus alalunga.

The common ventricle in the heart of the Thunnus alalunga was studied. The ventricular myocardium consists of an outer compact layer and a thick inner spongy layer. The compact layer has slightly larger cells (4-6 microns diameter) than the spongy layer (2.5-5 microns diameter). Ultrastructurally the myocardium displays normal arrangements of myofibrils and mitochondria. The sarcoplasmic reticulum is poorly developed. The intercalated discs are simple with the fascia adherens being the most frequent junctional type observed; occasionally a desmosome was seen. Nexus type junctions are present but are unassociated with the intercalated discs. There are no t-tubules evident but the plasmalemma exhibits numerous caveolae which rarely form couplings with the sarcoplasmic reticulum. A morphometric analysis of the volume percent of mitochondria and myofibrils showed that the myocardial cells in the spongy layer of the heart have a significantly greater volume percentage of mitochondria than the compact layer. No significant differences were found between myocardial regions when the volume percentages of myofibrils were compared. The physiological studies revealed that the albacore tuna has heart rates (120 bpm) and ventricular blood pressures (100 mmHg) that are among the highest reported for fish.

Myocardial lysosomes in pressure-overload hypertrophy.

Combined electron microscopic and cytochemical studies were used to investigate the effects of chronic-pressure overload hypertrophy on myocardial lysosomes, mitochondria, and myofibrils in the left ventricle of the cat. Myocardial hypertrophy was induced by an 84% banding constriction of the ascending aorta. After one month of aortic constriction the experimental animals demonstrated a 51% increase in left ventricular mass. No qualitative ultrastructural differences were noted between the myocardial tissues of the hypertrophy and normal group. However, the cytochemical reaction product to acid phosphatase appeared more frequently in the myocardium of the hypertrophy group compared to that of the normal group. By use of quantitative morphometry the percentage of mitochondria, myofibrils and lysosomes per myocardial cell was determined in both hypertrophy and normal groups of animals. Despite significant increases in the left ventricular mass of hypertrophy animals, a normal balance of mitochondria and myofibrils was maintained within the myocardium. Further analysis indicated an enhanced lysosomal population in the hypertrophy group compared to the normal group.

Resting potential changes associated with Na-K pump in failing heart muscle.

Microelectrode and single sucrose gap techniques were used to measure transmembrane potentials in normal and failing papillary muscles. Six muscles from control animals and 10 from banded animals were cooled (2-4 degrees C) and subsequently rewarmed to 37 degrees C. Normal muscles demonstrated significantly greater increases in maximum diastolic potential (--Emax) on rewarming than those from failing animals. In muscles subjected to transient periods of rapid stimulation, --Emax depolarized initially on stimulation but eventually plateaued at a depolarized level and then hyperpolarized beyond prestimulation levels. These changes in --Emax were altered in failing muscles. The initial rate of depolarization (delta -- Emax/delta t) on stimulation and the magnitude of this depolarization (delta -- Emax) was decreased at all rates studied. The time necessary to arrive at the plateau (time to delta -- Emax) was significantly lengthened in failing muscles. The hyperpolarization seen on rewarming cooled preparations and the changes in --Emax during stimulation have both been related to an activation of an electrogenic Na-K pump suggesting that this ion-transport system is altered in failing heart muscle. The decrease in delta -- Emax/delta t and delta -- Emax seen in failing muscles indicates that K efflux may be lower or that the volume of confined intercellular spaces is greater in failing heart muscle.

Myocardial blood flow and capillary density in chronic pressure overload of the feline left ventricle.

The effects of chronic pressure overload hypertrophy on myocardial blood flow and capillary density was measured in the feline left ventricle. Myocardial hypertrophy was produced by and 84% banding constriction of the ascending aorta 2.8 +/- 1.2 months before the experiments. In seven cats with aortic constriction, cardiac hypertrophy produced a 40% increase in left ventricular mass. Seven cats served as normals. Our findings show that, in chronic pressure overload hypertrophy, coronary blood flow at control (resting) levels is increased compared with normals. In both normal and hypertrophy cats endocardial/epicardial flow ratios were equal at the control level. In the hypertrophied hearts, coronary reserve, measured as the percentage increase in myocardial blood flow from control to near maximal flow during adenosine infusion, was reduced. In the hypertrophy group a shift in the transmural distribution of blood flow in the left ventricle was noticed, as indicated by a reduced endo/epi flow ratio, during adenosine infusion. A decreased capillary density in hypertrophy, most marked in endocardial tissue regions, was demonstrated by this study. These findings indicate that capillary growth does not parallel myofibre growth in the endocardium of pressure overload hypertrophied left ventricles. The resultant anatomical imbalance causes a compromise of flow reserve in the endocardium, making this region vulnerable to ischaemia.