ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A novel technique of thermoablation, using a microtube to deliver pulses of hot water vapour, was tested on a large animal model in order to evaluate its efficacy and potential adverse effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical device consisted of a microtube extension connected to a hydropneumatic pump. Pulses of pure water were injected though the microtube where they were heated and delivered as vapour into the target zone. The method was tested on the liver of 12 healthy pigs, either during open surgery or percutaneously under ultrasounds. RESULTS: The technique was efficient and well-tolerated by the animals. Large volumes of necrotic tissue were created in a significantly short time compared to concurrent thermoablative techniques. CONCLUSION: Anticipating human application, this experimental study demonstrated a safe and efficient innovative thermoablation technique. The first human applications have been successfully performed and will be reported soon.
Subject(s)
Hyperthermia, Induced/instrumentation , Hyperthermia, Induced/methods , Animals , Cattle , Hyperthermia, Induced/adverse effects , Injections/instrumentation , Liver/diagnostic imaging , Liver/pathology , Liver/surgery , Models, Animal , Swine , Ultrasonography , Volatilization , WaterABSTRACT
Aneurysmal bone cysts is a benign, slow growing expansile lesion usually found in long bones or vertebrae. Only 5 cases of ABC of the ethmoid bone have been reported in the literature. Plain radiographs are not specific. CT and MRI are very useful to depict the extent of the lesion and demonstrate the presence of blood-fluid levels, which is a characteristic finding of ABC. We present one atypical case of ABC of the ethmoid bone in a 15-year-old female characterised by its extensive involvement and its rare location.
Subject(s)
Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal/diagnosis , Ethmoid Bone , Adolescent , Female , HumansABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To define MR signs of meniscal bucket-handle tears and evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 30 patients with a meniscal bucket-handle tear and 30 with a different type of tear, all proven by arthroscopy. The following MR signs of a bucket-handle tear were evaluated: "separate meniscal fragment", "double posterior cruciate ligament", "snake sign" and "double anterior hom". RESULTS: A correct diagnosis of a bucket-handle tear was only made in 18/30 of patients. Several of the MR signs were seen in the same patient in 17 cases. A double posterior cruciate ligament was present only in cases of medial meniscus tears. The 12 menisci without these signs, and therefore not diagnosed as bucket-handle tears, were all classified as meniscal tears on the basis of signal extending to the meniscal surface. Nine of these were not displaced into the intercondylar notch at arthroscopy. The interobserver agreement was excellent: kappa = 0.88. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of a bucket-handle meniscal tear, if it is displaced, can be made when one or more of the four MR evaluated signs are present. Other forms of meniscal tears are only exceptionally diagnosed as bucket-handle tears.
