Frequency and perforin expression of different lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with lower limb fracture and thoracic injury.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma with multiple injuries is associated with a high risk of complications, which may be related to excessive stimulation of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. Although the effects of polytrauma on the immune response have been well established at the cellular and molecular levels, there is little information about the changes in the cytolytic potential of immunocompetent cells, including expression of cytotoxic molecules such as perforin. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to analyse and compare differences in the frequency and perforin expression of leukocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients with lower limb fracture, thoracic injury, and simultaneous lower limb fracture and thoracic injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with trauma injury (15 patients with lower limb injury, 15 patients with thoracic injury, and 15 patients with simultaneous lower limb and thoracic injury) were included in the study. Peripheral blood of 15 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers served as the control group. Peripheral blood samples were taken from all subjects included in the study and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by gradient centrifugation. The frequency of T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) and NK T cells, and their subsets, as well as their perforin expression levels were simultaneously detected and analysed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of T lymphocytes, NK and NK T cells as well as perforin expression in the patients with simultaneous lower limb and thoracic injury compared with the other two groups, with a predominantly marked decrease in NK and NK T cells. CONCLUSION: The decrease in the frequency and cytotoxic potential of peripheral blood lymphocytes is related to the severity of trauma injury, which can explain the underlying mechanism contributing to complication occurrence.

Fluoroscopic iliosacral screw placement made safe.

AIM: Unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries should be stabilised successfully by percutaneous iliosacral screwing. The intervention takes place under intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance. The inlet and outlet views are crucial and are performed by tilting the image intensifier. Safely interpreting fluoroscopic views can be challenging in certain clinical scenarios. We demonstrated on a series of patients howpreoperative CT scans can be used to anticipate the appropriate intraoperative inlet and outlet fluoroscopic views and positioning of the patient on the operating table, thereby avoiding possible operating table obstacles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed at random 30 pelvic CT scans from patients of different ages and both sexes, utilising the sagittal reconstructions. Inlet and outlet angle measurements were calculated on the scans to determine the appropriate intraoperative inlet and outlet views. RESULTS: The analysed CT scans showed an average inlet view of 22.3° (range 10.4°-39.8°) and an average outlet view of 42.3° (range 31.5°-53.1°). Sex and age had no influence on results. The calculated required free space under the operating table for unobstructed tilting of the C-arm was a minimum of 145cm. CONCLUSION: The significant anatomic variations of the posterior pelvic ring have been well documented in the literature. The angles required to obtain appropriate intraoperative inlet and outlet views are not perpendicular and differ greatly from traditional settings, which directed the beam 45° caudally and 45° cranially. The fluoroscopic beam would need to be angled differently in each patient to obtain ideal cardinal views that ultimately assist in safe iliosacral screw placement. To avoid collision of the C-arm with the operating table, it is essential to provide secure free space under the operating table of at least 145cm.

[Croatian guidelines for perioperative enteral nutrition of surgical patients]. / Hrvatske smjernice za perioperativnu enteralnu prehranu kirurskih bolesnika.

Nutritional status of patients significantly affects the outcome of surgical treatment, whether it's about being obese or malnutrition with loss of muscle mass. Inadequate nutritional support in the perioperative period compromises surgical procedures even in patients who are adequately nourished. In this paper, particular attention was paid to malnourished patients, and their incidence in population hospitalized in surgical wards can be high up to 30%. Special emphasis was paid to the appropriateness of preoperative fasting and to the acceptance of new knowledge in this area of treatment. The aim of this working group was to make guidelines for perioperative nutritional support with different modalities of enteral nutrition. The development of these guidelines was attended by representatives of Croatian Medical Association: Croatian Society for Digestive Surgery, Croatian Society for Clinical Nutrition, Croatian Society of Surgery, Croatian Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Croatian Trauma Society and the Croatian Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. The guidelines are designed as a set of questions that arise daily in clinical practice when preparing patients for surgery and after the surgical treatment, which relate to the assessment of nutritional status, perioperative nutritional support, duration of preoperative fasting period and the selection of food intake route. Assessment of nutritional status and the use of different modes of enteral nutrition should enter into standard protocols of diagnosis and treatment in the Croatian hospitals.

Bone remodeling after supracondylar humeral fracture in children.

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone remodeling in treated supracondylar humeral fractures in children. The study was carried out at the Department of Pediatric Surgery of University Hospital Rijeka on 58 patients with an average of 6.2 years, followed up during 1 to 7 years. The Baumann angle of the humerus was measured by five observers on the anteroposterior radiographs of the injured elbow right after the surgery, and on routine follow-up. The results obtained were compared with the results of the Baumann angle on the healthy arm, and statistically processed. There was a significant difference in number of cases that showed an increase of Baumann angle, when related to cases with no change of the angle or its decrease. The mean value change of Baumann angle in cases of its increase was 4.22 degrees and in cases of its decrease 2.65 degrees. Because of relatively low mean values of the angles of remodelation, we concluded that an adequate reduction is essential to prevent malunion in supracondylar humeral fractures.

High pressure injection injury of the foot: a role of negative pressure wound therapy.

High pressure injection injuries (HPII) of the foot are not common in every-day practice. We present a 50-year-old patient with a HPII of the left foot caused by water-gun in a self-inflicted accident working as a technical diver four meters under the sea surface. Surgical treatment included extensive debridement of necrotic tissue and fibrin deposits and removal of foreign material. A negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device was applied resulting in a good wound base for subsequent skin grafting leading to a good functional and cosmetic outcome.

Influence of arthroscopic lateral release on functional recovery in adolescents with recurrent patellar dislocation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to prove the influence of the arthroscopic lateral release on functional recovery in adolescents with recurrent lateral dislocation of patella. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2006 to 2009, arthroscopic release of the lateral retinaculum was done on 27 adolescent patients (24 women, 3 men) and 33 knees (in 6 patients on both knees). All of them were active in different sports. The severity of patellar subluxation and dislocation was analysed on X-ray; the Q angle, congruence angle, sulcus angle, patellofemoral angle and height ratio were measured. Functional scores (Lysholm, Kujala, Tegner) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. The average duration of clinical and X-ray follow-up was 4.5 years (range 3-6 years). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 14.56 years (range 11-18 years). There was an average of 4.16 dislocations (range 2-28 dislocations) before surgery. The mean Lysholm score improved from 64 to 95 (p = 0.0002), and the mean Kujala score improved from 66 to 94 (p < 0.0001). Congruence angle and lateral patellofemoral angle improved but without any significant differences. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic lateral release successfully treats recurrent patellar dislocations in adolescents, influences functional recovery and improves knee function.

[The role of core decompression for the treatment of femoral head avascular necrosis in renal transplant recipients]. / Lijecenje asepticne nekroze glavice femura u bolesnika s bubreznim transplantatom metodom dekompresije.

Avascular bone necrosis is a relatively rare but significant complication in renal transplant recipients because it causes progressive pain and invalidity. It can be the consequence of the action of numerous causative factors, but it is mostly connected to corticosteroid treatment.The underlying pathophysiologic mechanism is a diminished blood flow to the bone leading to necrosis and bone destruction. During the past 25-years period, 570 renal transplantations and five combined kidney and pancreas transplantations were performed in our centre. A part of the patients was lost to follow-up due to the separation of Croatia from the former Republic of Yugoslavia. After transplantation, we revealed aseptic necrosis of the femoral head in five female patients. All patients had a history of treatment with pulse doses of corticosteroids. At transplantation the average age of the patients was 52.2 yrs (range 46 to 62 yrs), and dialytic treatment before transplantation lasted in average 9.2 yrs (range 2.5 to 21.2 yrs). The period between renal transplantation and the development of clinical signs of avascular bone necrosis lasted in average 1.2 yrs (range 0.3 to 2.3 yrs). We will demonstrate our 62-year old female patient with terminal renal failure caused by post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, who was treated with peritoneal dialysis 2.5 years before renal transplantation. Twenty months before renal transplantation the patient received pulse doses of corticosteroids, together with immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis, for the treatment of an acute polyradiculoneuritis Guillaine Barré. After transplantation a standard immunosuppressive protocol was applied which included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, corticosteroids and induction with basiliximab. Four months after transplantation the patient started to feel pain in the right hip after longer standing, in addition to the earlier long-lasting problems caused by bilateral coxarthrosis. The pelvic radiograph showed subchondral radiolucencies in the lateral part of the head circumference spreading into the proximal part of the neck of the right femur, which indicated the presence of aseptic necrosis, but these changes could have also been caused by coxarthrosis. Unexpectedly, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not reveal changes characteristic for avascular bone necrosis. Due to the progressively worsening of pain and the radiographic finding, the patient was submitted to decompression surgery of the femoral head. The surgical procedure was performed under diascopic guidance (C-arm) which allowed the correct positioning of a Kuerschner wire. A cannulated drill (diameter 4.0 mm) was placed over the wire and we performed two drillings of the spongiosis of the femoral head through to the subchondral area. Postoperatively, the patient was soon verticalized and advised to walk with crooks during a period of six weeks. This time is necessary to allow the mineralisation and strengthening of the bone which is now better vascularised. The patient recovered well and had no more pain. In renal transplant recipients it is most important to raise suspicion and verify the presence of avascular bone necrosis early, because timely bone decompression surgery can eliminate pain and cure the patient or it can prevent or delay bone destruction. When clinical signs of avascular bone necrosis arise and radiographic or standard MRI findings are negative, additional investigations (i.e. SPECT or MRI with contrast) should be performed to confirm or exclude the diagnosis. In latter phases of the disease, surgical decompression of the femoral head cannot lead to permanent amelioration, and it is inevitable to perform more invasive surgical procedures like "resurfacing" or bone grafting in younger patients, or the implantation of total hip endoprotheses.

Histomorphometric analysis of subchondral bone of the femoral head in osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

There have been reports both supporting and refuting an inverse relationship between hip fracture and hip osteoarthritis (OA). We have investigated this relationship using histomorphometric study of femoral head subchondral bone. We studied 74 subjects with hip fracture (74% females) and 24 subjects with osteoarthritis (45% females). By histomorphometric analysis of parafined sections, we analysed followed subhondral trabecular bone parameters bone volume (BV), bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th.), trabecular number (Tb.N.) and trabecular separation (Tb.S.). The subjects with osteoarthritis and subjects with hip fracture had BV/TV 31.3% and 19.6% respectively. BV/TV of osteoarthritis group was rather uniform whereas BV/TV of hip fracture group was greatly ranged and we divided it into three subgroups, 13.2%, 19.8% and 25.9% respectively. The OA group and hip fracture groups had Tb.Th. as followed 0.205 mm, 0.148 mm, 0.170 mm and 0.183 mm respectively. The OA group and hip fracture three subgroups had Tb.N. as followed 1.454/mm, 0.897/mm, 1.170/mm and 1.425/mm respectively. The OA group and hip fracture three subgroups had Tb.S. as followed 0.518 mm, 0.681 mm, 0.620 mm and 0.550 mm respectively. The results of our study support an inverse relationship between hip fracture and hip osteoarthritis.

Application of wound dressing Molndal technique in clean and potentially contamined postoperative wounds--initial comparative study.

Because of a possible delayed wound healing, critical colonization and infection of wounds present a problem for surgeons, particularly in patients with compromised immune system or in case where the wound is heavy contaminated or poorly perfused. Molndal technique of wound dressing has proven to be effective in prevention of infection. In our study we wanted to describe the benefits of the application of Molndal technique wound dressing compared to traditional wound dressing technique at potentially contaminated and clean postoperative wounds. We examined postoperative wound after radical excision of pilonidal sinus and after implantation of partial endoprosthesis in hip fracture. Molndal technique consisted of wound dressing with Aquacel Ag - Hydrofiber. Traditional technique was performed using gauze compresses and hypoallergic adhesives. We analyzed the results of 50 patients after radical excision of pilonidal sinus. 25 patients were treated by Molndal technique and 25 patients by the traditional technique of wound dressing. In the group treated by Molndal technique only 1 (4%) patient has revealed a wound infection, proven by positive microbiological examination and suppuration. In the traditional technique group 4 (16%) patients developed wound infection as inflammation and secretion as a sign of superficial infection. In the other group we analyzed the results of 50 patients after implantation of partial endoprosthesis after hip fracture. 20 patients were treated by Molndal technique and 30 patients by the traditional technique of wound dressing. In the group treated by Molndal technique no patient has revealed a wound infection (0%). In the traditional technique group 4 (13%) patients developed wound infection. All complication in both group were superficial incisional surgical infection (according to HPSC). There was no deep incisional surgical site infection or organ/space surgical site infection. Our results are clearly showing that Molndal technique is effective in preventing the postoperative wound infection.

Spontaneous serial fractures of metatarsal bones in female patient with rheumatoid arthritis on long-term steroid therapy.

Low-dose oral steroid therapies are very effective in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), reducing disease activity in acute crisis either while waiting for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to take effect or if it was slow in response to DMARDs. However, long-term steroid therapies are associated with serious side effects, such as osteoporotic reduction of bone mass and frequent fractures. This paper reports a female patient who has suffered RA treated with low-dose oral steroid therapy in a long-term period. Suddenly, she developed severe pain and oedema of forefeet during home distance level walking, with no history of trauma. The diagnosis of spontaneous serial fractures of the 2nd to 4th metatarsal (MT) bone bilaterally was performed by feet radiography. Furthermore, in widening the diagnostic approaches the authors had performed diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound to exclude metatarsophalangeal joint effusion and exacerbation of RA. They also made a static analysis of feet on the electronic baropodometer system in order to register biomechanical changes in bipedal standing. One year after, the same diagnostic procedures were done, on which occasion the healing of fractures were verified, with better results in biomechanical static analysis of the feet but without complete regression of static disbalance. This could lead to further disturbances during level walking and daily activities. This paper reports a unique case of the RA patient on long-term low-dose steroid therapy with previously unreported sites of spontaneous metatarsal fractures of feet which causes further static disbalance; consequently the patient might experience problems in every-day life activities.

The addition of a brief ultrasound examination to clinical assessment increases the ability to confirm placement of double-lumen endotracheal tubes.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of a brief ultrasound examination (US) in detecting the correct position of the left double-lumen endotracheal tube (LDLT). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical study. SETTING: Operating room of a university hospital. PATIENTS: 50 elective adult thoracic surgery patients who required a LDLT during anesthesia. INTERVENTION AND MEASUREMENTS: Patients were randomized to two groups: Group A, who underwent clinical assessment of the LDLT position, and Group B, who were examined clinically and by ultrasound. All 50 patients underwent the same conventional procedure of LDLT placement. In all patients, clinical assessment of LDLT positioning was made by observing chest wall expansion and checking lung compliance by manual ventilation and by auscultation of both lungs. In Group B, a very brief ultrasound (15-30 sec) examination was added. Ultrasound examination included visualization of the pleural movements ("lung sliding") and motion of the diaphragm from both sides before and after selective clamping of the bronchial and tracheal limbs. In both groups, a second anesthesiologist performed bronchoscopy to estimate actual LDLT position. MAIN RESULTS: Sensitivity and negative predictive values in detecting proper LDLT positioning for both methods were 100%. For the clinical assessment alone (Group A), specificity was 22%, accuracy was 72%, and positive predictive value, 70%; for the clinical and ultrasound assessment (Group B), specificity was 50%, accuracy was 88%, and positive predictive value, 86%. CONCLUSION: A brief ultrasound examination added to clinical assessment ensured more precise placement of LDLT than did clinical assessment alone.

Hip fractures in elderly--ten years analysis.

Geriatric hip fractures (GHP) are the major problem in the geriatric traumatology and it is estimated that treatment of GHF will spend a large amount of health care resources. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare differences in incidence of operatively treated patients with GHF, type of treatment depending of the type of fracture, early postoperative mortality, length of stay and costs of used implants within a 10 years period. Surgically treated 2478 patients, older than 65 years with hip fractures were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to the type of fracture (femoral neck fracture or intertrochanteric femoral fracture) and used implant. Results showed increasing trend in GHF in our County in the last 10 years. There was a shifting trend in used implants, and new surgical techniques were used more commonly in the last few years. In observed period there were no significant changes in revision surgery and length of hospital stay. The mortality decreased, especially in males, but generally it was not in correlation with used implant. At the 10-years period increase in patients with GHF of 179% was followed with 4 time higher increase in implant prices. Present reimbursement in health care system does not calculate the difference of implant costs in hospital expenses, therefore proper usage of modern implants and careful planning in the treatment of GHF is necessary.

Perioperative and early postoperative neurological deficit in older patients during carotid artery thrombendarterectomy.

Cerebrovascular accidents, strokes in particular, are among the most frequent causes of death today in developed countries. In the last two decades, stroke was the second most frequent cause of death in Primorsko-Goranska Region in Croatia. In older patients, individuals older than 65 years of age have an increased risk of stroke, mainly because the degree of carotid artery stenosis increases with age. The most frequent complication of the high percent stenosis of the carotid arteries is thrombosis in the area of atherosclerotic changes of blood vessels. With the increase in the age of the population, there is also an increase in the number of risk factors of cerebrovascular accident. Doppler ultrasound sonography and Multi Slice CT scans have the most prominent role in the early detection of atherosclerotic changes and in the assessment of the degree of carotid artery narrowing. Today, in Croatia as well as worldwide, thrombendarterectomy holds the most important place in stroke prevention. Between 2006 and 2009, 209 patients underwent surgical intervention at the Clinical Hospital Center in Rijeka for high degree of carotid artery narrowing. In the group younger than 65 years of age, which consisted of 53 patients, a neurological deficit was noted in 4 patients (7.54%) in the perioperative and early postoperative course. In the group of individuals older than 65 years of age, which consisted of 156 patients, a neurological deficit was noted in 9 patients (5.76%). There was no significant statistical difference in the incidence of neurological deficit, nor in the mortality in individuals older than 65 years of age during carotid arteries thrombendarterectomy.

Application of wound closure Molndal technique after laparoscopic cholecystectomy--initial comparative study.

Because of a possible delayed wound healing, critical colonization and infection of wounds present a problem for surgeons. Colonized and infected wounds are a potential source for cross-infection. Molndal technique of wound dressing has proven to be effective in prevention of infection. Also the wound heal better and faster. In our study we wanted to describe the benefits of the Molndal technique wound dressing after laparoscopic cholecistectomy compared to traditional wound dressing technique. Molndal technique consisted of wound dressing with Aquacel Ag--Hydrofiber (ConvaTec, Dublin, Ireland). Traditional technique was performed using gauze compresses and hypoallergic adhesives. We analyzed the results of 100 patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 50 patients were treated by Molndal technique and 50 patients by the traditional technique of wound dressing. In the group treated by Molndal technique only 1 (2%) patient has revealed a wound infection, proven by positive microbiological examination and suppuration, mostly in the subumbilical incision. In the traditional technique group 7 (14%) patients developed wound infection also predominantly in the subumbilical incision. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Our results are clearly showing that Molndal technique is effective in preventing the infection of subumbilical incision wound and is to by recommend for regular use at designated site after laparoscopic cholecistectomy.

Targeted wire-guided chest tube placement: a cadaver study.

OBJECTIVE: Chest tube thoracostomy is a standard procedure for pleural fluid and air drainage. The aim of this study is to compare the success rate of the targeted tube thoracostomy using two different techniques: a targeted wire-guided (TWG) technique and a classical surgical (CS) technique. METHODS: The study was performed on 153 human cadavers without documented pleural pathology, mechanically ventilated during the procedure. They were divided into two groups and to each cadaver a software generated random number was assigned. The TWG technique was applied on 76 and the CS technique on 77 cadavers. The TWG and CS groups were divided into four subgroups according to the four intended positions of the chest tube tip (target position in the pleural cavity): back-down-right, front-up-right, front-up-left and back-down-left. The precise position of the chest tube tip after thoracostomy was determined by autopsy. The placement of the thoracostomy tube was marked successful if the chest tube tip was located at an intended position. RESULTS: The success rate with the TWG technique was 79%, whereas with the CS technique it was 30%. CONCLUSION: A higher success rate was achieved with the TWG than with the CS thoracostomy technique.

Giant pseudocyst of the rectus femoris muscle--repetitive strain injury in recreational soccer player.

We report a case of a traumatic pseudocyst, in a recreational soccer player, after rupture of rectus femoris muscle. 37-year-old male, with history of repetitive painful accidents, was examined because of a double fist-sized mass in the anterior thigh. Ultrasound examination revealed a cystic mass in the rectus femoris muscle. Surgical removal of the mass and proximal remnant of muscle was done. Primary healing and functional recovery was achieved. Histological analysis revealed pseudocyst filled with degenerating clot and surrounded with thick fibrous capsule. The repetitive strain muscle injury, with prolonged period of healing, can occur like pseudocyst.

Initial experience with external thoracic stabilization by the "figure of eight" osteosynthesis in polytraumatized patients with flail chest injury.

The aim of this study was to describe initial experience with external thoracic stabilization by the "figure of eight" osteosynthesis in polytraumatized patients with flail chest injury. From January 2002, fifteen patients underwent this surgical procedure at the University Hospital of Rijeka. Their mean age was 52 +/- 13.69 (range 18-65) and mean ISS was 29.8 (range: 20-41). Twelve patients were weaned from artificial respiration on same day when operated, two on the post-operative day 1, and one on the post-operative day 2. Their stay within the intensive care unit following extubation was within the range of 1-12 days (mean 3.93 +/- 2.99). The early external thoracic stabilization by the "figure of eight" osteosynthesis was followed by swift extubation of patient and direct normalization of respiratory parameters. This method contributed significantly to patient's shorter stay within the intensive care unit.

Can ultrasound be useful for predicting the size of a left double-lumen bronchial tube? Tracheal width as measured by ultrasonography versus computed tomography.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To correlate tracheal width as measured by ultrasound with width measured by computed tomography (CT), and to evaluate the possible role of ultrasound in the selection of the proper size of left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes (LDLTs). DESIGN: Two independent, prospective, observational clinical studies (Study 1 and Study 2). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Study 1 included 25 patients and Study 2 included 20 adult thoracic surgery patients who required a LDLT during anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: In Study 1, CT measurements of tracheal width were made at the coronary plane 0.5 cm above the sternoclavicular joint; CT measurements of the left main bronchus diameter were made 1 cm below the carina. Ultrasound measurement of tracheal width was performed just above the sternoclavicular joint in the transversal section. In Study 2, patients' tracheas were intubated with a LDLT based on ultrasound measurements. The frequencies of incorrect selections of LDLT and unsatisfactory lung collapse were analyzed. MAIN RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between tracheal width as measured by ultrasound and tracheal width (r=0.882, P<0.001) and left main bronchus width (r=0.832, P<0.001) as measured by CT. In 5 cases (25%), the incorrect LDLT by ultrasound was selected; and one (5%) was found to have an unsatisfactory lung collapse. CONCLUSION: Measurement of the outer tracheal width by ultrasound can be a useful method for predicting the diameter of left main bronchus and for selecting a LDLT.

Bilateral fibular stress fracture in young female basketball player.

This report is a unique case of three stress fractures in a 14-year-old active female basketball player and we emphasize the importance of triple-phase bone scanning in differential diagnosis of the stress fracture. According to radiographic examination and laboratory tests, which were normal, the stress fracture of the right fibula was strongly suspected while making the diagnosis. Despite the treatment applied, recurrence, and deterioration of the symptoms were presented. Repeated laboratory test results were again normal, but the presence of an abundant periosteal reaction on the plain radiographs was confusing, so osteomyelitis or Ewing sarcoma of the fibula was suspected. We decided to perform a three-phase bone scanning; its findings were critical for the judgment and we diagnosed three stress fractures involving both fibulae. Final confirmation of the diagnosis of the bilateral fibular stress fractures in our case, however, was done by computed tomography examination.

Expression of bone morphogenetic proteins, cartilage-derived morphogenetic proteins and related receptors in normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage.

Newborn and adult articular cartilage expresses bone (BMPs) and cartilage derived morphogenetic proteins (CDMPs). These morphogenetic proteins act over membrane receptors (BMPRs). We examined the expression pattern of BMP-7, BMP-3, CDMP-1, CDMP-2 and their receptors in adult normal and osteoarthritic, articular, knee cartilage. Immunostaining was carried out using polyclonal antibodies. The expression of BMP-7,-3, CDMP-1,-2 was detected in all layers of normal articular cartilage with the strongest expression in chondrocytes of the transitional layer. BMP-7 and CDMPs expression decreased in osteoarthritic articular cartilage whereas BMP-3 expression was absent. BMPR-IA and BMPR-II were strongly expressed in both normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilage. BMPR-IB was not expressed in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. BMPs and CDMPs with intact signalling play an important role in articular cartilage homeostasis, preventing cartilage degeneration.