Reverse engineering techniques for cranioplasty: a case study.

This paper presents rapid prototyping and reverse engineering techniques applied to create an implant for the surgical reconstruction of a large cranial defect. A series of computed tomography (CT) images was obtained and purpose built software was used to extract the cranial geometry in a point cloud. The point cloud produced was used for: (a) the creation of a stereolithographic (STL) physical model for direct assessment of the cranial defect; and (b) the creation of a 3D mould model for the fabrication of the patient-specific implant.

Evolution of aminoglycoside resistance phenotypes of four Gram-negative bacteria: an 8-year survey in a University Hospital in Greece.

In order to determine the resistance patterns and evolution trends of four common Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp.), aminoglycoside resistance phenotypes of 8917 non-repetitive strains, isolated over an 8-year period, were analysed. Phenotypes were defined by examining the susceptibility of the strains to a panel of aminoglycosides, using disk diffusion method. A large diversity of different resistance phenotypes was encountered. A significant progressive increase in the proportions of wild-type E. coli strains was noted. Among resistant strains of Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp., the incidence of phenotype KTANt (kanamycin, tobramycin, amikacin and netilmicin), indicative of AAC(6')-I production, was very high (66.7 and 46.5%, respectively). Phenotypes indicative for gentamicin-modifying enzymes as well as broad-spectrum combinations (combinations of gentamicin-modifying enzymes with AAC(6')-I) were infrequent.

Early development of multiple epithelial neoplasms in Netherton syndrome.

We report a case of Netherton syndrome manifested as congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, trichorrhexis invaginata and atopy, who in early adulthood developed multiple, aggressive epithelial neoplasms in sun-exposed areas of the skin, in areas with papillomatous skin hyperplasia and at the left parotid region. The occurrence of cutaneous neoplasia has been reported in syndromes with congenital ichthyosis and suggests that the underlying genetic defects may cause the development of cancer in prone patients.

Contribution of 99mTc-anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibody and 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography in the evaluation of high risk palpable breast lesions.

Mammography is the screening test of choice for breast cancer. Its low specificity leads to a large number of unnecessary biopsies. Scintimammography, with either Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) or Tc-anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) Fab', has been proposed as a non-invasive test to lower the high false positive rate of mammography in certain patients. The two agents have not been compared, nor has their combined application been evaluated. We performed a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, single-centre study of 32 women with clinically and mammographically suspected breast cancer [Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS, American College of Radiology) 4 or 5]. All patients underwent Tc-MIBI and Tc-anti-CEA Fab' scintimammography, and the results were correlated with histopathology. Overall, the accuracies for MIBI and CEA scans were 90.3% (28/31) and 77.4% (24/31), respectively. The probability of disease after mammography was 0.939+/-0.081 (95% confidence interval, CI). The post-mammography probabilities after positive MIBI or CEA scan were 0.965 and 0.960, respectively, and after negative MIBI or CEA scan 0.750 and 0.875, respectively. None of the above differences is significant. The post-test probability when both scans were positive (irrespective of which was performed first) was 0.977. It can be concluded that there are indications that scintimammography with Tc-MIBI is superior to that with Tc-anti-CEA Fab' when these tests are used as screening tests for breast cancer. However, mammography remains the screening test of choice for highly suspicious clinically palpable breast lesions. In this group of patients, the application of scintimammography with either Tc-MIBI or Tc-anti-CEA Fab' (alone or in combination) offers no additional advantage.

Newer macrolides as empiric treatment for acute Q fever infection.

The effectiveness of newer macrolides in acute Q fever for 113 patients was recorded. The mean times to defervescence were 2.9 days for doxycycline and 3.3, 3.9, 3.9, and 6.4 days for clarithromycin, roxithromycin, erythromycin, and beta-lactams, respectively (P < 0.01 for macrolides versus beta-lactams). We conclude that macrolides may be an adequate empirical antibiotic therapy for acute Q fever.

Efficacy of 'two-man' FNAB technique in the assessment of patients with non-thyroid neck masses.

OBJECTIVE: To show the superiority of 'two-man' FNAB technique comparing to the standard FNAB technique, in order to identify the cause of non-thyroid neck masses. METHODS: Over an 18 months period, a consecutive paired study was conducted in the tertiary referral Venizelion General Hospital. Forty-four cytologic examinations were performed in patients with non-thyroid head and neck masses. The samples were taken from the same side using both techniques the standard FNAB technique and the 'two-man' FNAB technique (for which two persons carried out the procedure). The slides were seen by the pathologist and were defined as diagnostic, suggestive or inconclusive. The diagnosis was confirmed in any case by definite histology after surgical treatment or open biopsy. RESULTS: From 44 samples taken with the 'two-man' technique, 34 were diagnostic (all true) verified by histopathology, seven suggestive (five true and two false) and three inconclusive (6.82%). The correct diagnosis was confirmed in 39 cases (88.64%). From 44 samples of standard technique, 22 were diagnostic (all true), 12 suggestive (five true and seven false) and 10 inconclusive (22.72%). The correct diagnosis was confirmed in 27 cases (61.36%). The accuracy of diagnosis with the standard FNAB technique was 0.79 (SE=0.07), while with the 'two-man' FNAB technique was 0.95 (SE=0.03), a significant statistical difference (Fischer exact test, P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: 'Two-man' FNAB technique proved to be as safe and patient friendly as the standard FNAB, but more accurate and may be easier to perform than this. The 'two-man' FNAB technique could become the preferred method for fine-needle cytology, particularly for difficult to reach areas of the head and neck.

Negative pressure suction in nasal septum surgery.

Operations for the correction of septal deviations are among the most common in otorhinolaryngology. Several approaches and techniques have been proposed, for securing the mucoperichondrial flap back in place. A new method of stabilizing the septum by applying a negative pressure suction tube, without the insertion of any kind of packing, is described. The advantages of the negative pressure suction are that the patient can breathe through the nose immediately after the operation, there is no pressure sensation and the pain, if any, is reduced, there is no epiphora, no skin edema and the patient feels very comfortable. Risks for complications are minimal.

The finite element method as a research and teaching tool in the analysis of local skin flaps.

BACKGROUND: The finite element analysis (FEA) is a recently introduced method in biomechanics that permits modeling of complex structures considering them as an aggregate of small elements. Skin flaps are highly suggested to be amenable to the continuum mechanic laws that underly the development of FEA. OBJECTIVE: A combination of "large deformation analysis," based on FEA with the criteria for skin flap selection, was attempted. METHODS: Serial defects were experimentally created on piglet skin stripes, which were consequently covered through designing appropriate flaps. Skin samples were modeled after the development of a computer FEA program and they were scanned by incorporating their photographs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: On the graphic interfaces the flap movement, the closure of the defect, and the whole deformation were found to match with the skin stripe postincisional alterations. This work permits the prediction and offers planning guides for different skin reconstructions.

Triiodothyronine administration in coronary artery bypass surgery: effect on hemodynamics.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate any potential hemodynamic effect of intravenously administered triiodothyronine in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Thirty patients were randomized in this single-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Hemodynamic parameters including heart rate, stroke volume index, cardiac index, pulmonary wedge pressure, pulmonary vascular resistances, systemic vascular resistances, and mean blood pressure, were compared between the two groups preoperatively, before the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 5 minutes after the end of CPB, and 2, 4, 10, 16, and 22 hours thereafter. INTERVENTION: Triiodothyronine was administered as a bolus infusion over a 1 min period after removal of the aortic cross-clamp, (0.15 microgram/kg), before the end of CPB (0.1 microgram/kg), 4 hours after the end of CPB (0.1 microgram/kg), 9 hours after CPB (0.1 microgram/kg), and 14 hours after CPB (0.1 microgram/kg). Patients received inotropes, vasodilators, and diuretics only if specifically indicated. RESULTS: Plasma FT3 levels were higher in the T3 group, but within the normal range. No significant differences were noted in the pre and post CPB hemodynamics between the two groups for the most part of the study except that heart rate was increased in T3 group. A greater number of patients in the control group received vasodilators. No adverse reactions were noted with triiodothyronine administration. CONCLUSION: Triiodothyronine administration in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is safe, may lessen the need for pharmacological (vasodilator) therapy, but may increase heart rate.