[Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis--case reports and differential diagnosis]. / Sternocostoclaviculäre Hyperostose--Kasuistik und Differentialdiagnose.

Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis (SCCH) is a disorder related to collagenoses. SCCH is typically characterised by the triad of swelling of the sternoclavicular and/or sternocostal joints of the first or second rib, palmar and plantar pustulosis (PPP), only limited elevation of inflammation indicating laboratory parameters. Till today the etiology is unclear and no causal therapy is known. Symptomatic treatment consists of administration of NSAID and cortisone, irradiation and even limited resection of the clavicle and rib.

Palsy of the deep peroneal nerve after proximal tibial osteotomy. An anatomical study.

Iatrogenic, isolated weakness or paralysis of the extensor hallucis longus muscle is a common complication in patients who have had a proximal tibial and fibular osteotomy. To investigate why this complication occurs, we dissected the deep peroneal nerve and neighboring structures, such as the tibia and fibula and the muscles of the leg, in twenty-nine specimens from cadavera, paying special attention to the motor branches supplying the extensor hallucis longus. Of forty-six motor nerves that were identified, eight entered the muscle from the lateral side in an area seventy to 150 millimeters distal to the fibular head; all of them ran close to the fibular periosteum. We suggest that, in some patients, the nerve supply to the extensor hallucis longus is at high risk for injury during a tibial osteotomy because of the proximity of the bone to the motor branches.

[Erythropoiesis and iron metabolism in autologous blood donation]. / Erythropoese und Eisenstoffwechsel bei der Eigenblutspende.

Autologous blood donation before elective surgery has been widely endorsed as good transfusion practice. Although only 6 percent of patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery are unable to donate 3 autologous units, 40 percent cannot donate 4 units because they become anemic [1,2]. According to the results of our study this must be due to different problems in bone marrow dynamics, which cannot be overcome by unselected use of human recombinant erythropoietin alone [3].

[Hemoglobin follow-up of orthopedic autologous blood transfusion patients]. / Hb-Verlauf orthopädischer Eigenblutpatienten.

Patients undergoing autologous donation prior to elective orthopedic surgery show better Hb values during the perioperative period compared to those without autologous donation, all patients in both groups receiving no homologous transfusion. The widely assumed improvement of Hb regeneration during the postoperative period according to an erythropoiesis stimulated by preoperative autologous donation is not supported by our data.

[Spontaneous ruptures of the extensor system of the knee following joint replacement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Spontane Rupturen des Kniestreckapparates nach Gelenkersatz bei Rheumatikern.

Spontaneous ruptures of the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament following total knee arthroplasty in two patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reported. Degenerative and steroid-induced changes of tendinous tissue, circulation problems as well as mechanical changes to the patellofemoral joint by resurfacing the patella are discussed being possible causes of these complications of the extensor mechanism of the knee.

[Idiopathic talus necrosis in an infant]. / Idiopathische Talusnekrose beim Kleinkind.

A case of a spontaneous osteonecrosis of the talus in a 22 months old girl is reported. Under treatment in a non-weight-bearing leg brace the talus recovered without remaining deformities. Osteomyelitis, tumors, neurogenic arthropathy and traumatic origin were taken into diagnostic consideration, but could be excluded by clinical, radiological and laboratory examinations. According to our knowledge an idiopathic osteonecrosis of the talus occurring in an infant of 22 months has never been reported before.

[Frontal talus cleft--talus bipartitus]. / Frontale Talusspalte--Talus bipartitus.

To our knowledge, only three patients with a frontal split of the talus have been reported so far. We report on a sixteen year old patient who had some discomfort and restriction of movement in the ankle joint. X-ray examination showed an articular link between the ankle and subtalar joint. As regards the etiology, trauma, avascular necrosis, accessory bones and abnormal ossification were not evident. With respect to the phylogenesis of the foot skeleton, the frontal split of the talus may represent an atavistic malformation of the human foot. This is in contrast to the current hypothesis of a duplicated ossification in the talus.

[The triphalangeal thumb]. / Der dreigliedrige Daumen.

A theory about formal aetiology of triphalangeal thumb is emphasized. All teratological grades of triphalangism of the thumb associated with preaxial polydactyly or reduction abnormality of the thumb are to be submitted to our diagram of thumb malformations.