Delayed Rupture of the Renal Collecting System Secondary to a Traumatic Hemorrhage in the Setting of Suspected Chronic Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction.

Isolated rupture of the renal pelvis secondary to blunt trauma is rare, though there is increased incidence in the setting of a pre-existing renal abnormality that predisposes the kidney to injury. We report a case of post-traumatic hemorrhage into the renal collecting system leading to delayed rupture of the renal pelvis in the setting of suspected chronic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. This case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosis of acute hemorrhage into the renal collecting system. Special attention should be given to a kidney with a pre-existing abnormality in the setting of trauma to prevent complications. A literature review of hemorrhage into the collecting system along with appropriate imaging and management are discussed.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma Presenting as a Cavitary Lung Lesion.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) typically presents in the nodal regions at an early stage of the disease. Occasionally, patients can present with disease in extranodal regions. We report a case of HL in a 25-year-old female who presented to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident with incidental findings of pulmonary cavitary lesions, fever, tachycardia, anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis. This case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosis when the disease presents in extranodal regions with nonspecific systemic symptoms. Complete workup for infectious and autoimmune etiology was performed and found to be negative. CT guided biopsy and bronchoscopy failed to yield the diagnosis; a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was necessary to obtain the diagnosis of advanced-stage HL in this patient.

Fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation for the knee: current concepts.

Fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation has been used to manage a wide spectrum of chondral and osteochondral knee disorders. Basic science and clinical studies support the safety and efficacy of the procedure. Transplantation of viable, mature hyaline cartilage into the affected area is an advantage of the procedure, which can be used to restore bone stock in complex or salvage scenarios. Indications for OCA transplantation in the knee include primary management of large chondral or osteochondral defects and salvage of previously failed cartilage repair. The procedure also can be used for complex biologic knee reconstruction in the setting of osteonecrosis, fracture malunion, or posttraumatic arthritis. Challenges associated with OCA transplantation include allograft storage and size matching, tissue availability, chondrocyte viability, the possibility of immunologic graft response, and a demanding surgical technique. Future research should focus on optimizing allograft viability and healing and refining current surgical indications and techniques.

Improved osteochondral allograft preservation using serum-free media at body temperature.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondral allografts (OCAs) are currently preserved at 4°C and used within 28 days of donor harvest. The window of opportunity for implantation is limited to 14 days due to a 2-week disease testing protocol. HYPOTHESIS: Osteochondral allograft tissues stored at 37°C will have significantly higher chondrocyte viability, as well as superior biochemical and biomechanical properties, than those stored at 4°C. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Osteochondral allografts from 15 adult canine cadavers were aseptically harvested within 4 hours of death. Medial and lateral femoral condyles were stored in Media 1, similar to the current standard, or Media 2, an anti-inflammatory and chondrogenic media containing dexamethasone and transforming growth factor-ß3, at 4°C or 37°C for up to 56 days. Chondrocyte viability, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen (hydroxyproline [HP]) content, biomechanical properties, and collagen II and aggrecan content were assessed at days 28 and 56. Five femoral condyles were stored overnight and assessed the next day to serve as controls. RESULTS: Storage in Media 1 at 37°C maintained chondrocyte viability at significantly higher levels than in any other media-temperature combination and at levels not significantly different from controls. Osteochondral allografts stored in either media at 4°C showed a significant decrease in chondrocyte viability throughout storage. Glycosaminoglycan and HP content were maintained through 56 days of storage in OCAs in Media 1 at 37°C. There were no significant differences in elastic or dynamic moduli among groups at day 56. Qualitative immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of collagen II and aggrecan throughout all layers of cartilage. CONCLUSION: Osteochondral allograft viability, matrix content and composition, and biomechanical properties were maintained at "fresh" levels through 56 days of storage in Media 1 at 37°C. Osteochondral allografts stored at 4°C were unable to maintain viability or matrix integrity through 28 days of storage. These findings suggest that storage of OCAs in a defined media at 37°C is superior to current protocols (4°C) for tissue preservation prior to transplantation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Storage of OCAs in serum-free chemically defined media at 37°C can increase the "window of opportunity" for implantation of optimal tissue from 14 days to 42 days after disease testing clearance.