Internal mammary artery harvesting using the harmonic scalpel.

Internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting using the harmonic scalpel (HS) was recently introduced. We studied 541 IMAs harvested by the same surgeon through a standard median sternotomy in 472 coronary bypass patients; 252 (47%) with the HS, while 289 (53%) were with electrocautery (EC). Patient demographics included mean ages: 67 years HS vs. 65 years EC (p = NS); male:female ratio: 3:1; and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM): 11% HS vs. 12.5% EC (NS). Mean ultrasonic IMA flow at a mean SBP of 70 mm Hg in 10 consecutive patients of each group were: preharvest, HS 11.9 +/- 2.3 ml/min vs. EC 8.5 +/- 1.6 ml/min (p = 0.256); postharvest, HS 35.7 +/- 10.7 ml/min vs. EC 22 +/- 2.9 ml/min (0.235); and postcardiopulmonary bypass (post-CPB), HS 47.8 +/- 6.2 ml/min vs. EC 41.7 +/- 2.5 ml/min (0.381). Histologic samples of 50 consecutive IMAs showed no evidence of vessel injury in either group. Clinical results revealed postoperative bleeding in 6/217 (2.7%) HS vs. 7/255 (2.7%) EC (p = 0.783), none attributed to bleeding from the IMA; phrenic paresis: 0/217 in HS but 1/255 (0.4%) in EC (p = 0.960); sternal wound infection: 5/217 (2.3%) HS vs. 6/255 (2.4%) EC (p = 0.787); postoperative IABP: 6/217 (2.7%) HS vs. 5/255 (2%) EC (p = 0.859); mortality: 2/217 (0.9%) HS vs. 2/255 (0.8%) EC (p = 0.710). Hemodynamic, histologic, and clinical results were comparable in both groups. The authors believe the HS is safe and effective for IMA harvesting.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis presenting as ulcerodestructive gastrointestinal tract lesions in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. A new association.

We describe cases of severe odynophagia, extensive oral ulcerations, and bowel perforation in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection that were caused by lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Such presentations in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals are usually ascribed to other causes and may be incorrectly treated on an empiric basis. In addition, deep tissue specimens obtained at the margin of ulcerative lesions are often necessary for definitive diagnosis. We review our limited treatment experience with zidovudine, interferon alfa, and H2 blockers in our patients. Based on the markedly increased frequency in which lymphomatoid granulomatosis is being diagnosed at our institution in the post-human immunodeficiency virus era, we postulated an association between these two entities.

Synovial osteochondromatosis. Computerized axial tomography, frozen section and arthrography in diagnosis and management.

This is believed to be the first report in the orthopaedic literature on the value of computerized axial tomography in the diagnosis of synovial osteochondromatosis. The disease, rare in young children, is described in a young girl in whom it was first diagnosed at the age of nine and who was followed for 11 years. The role of CAT scan and arthrogram in the diagnosis and management of the disease and of frozen section histology in determining its surgical correction are discussed.

Primary and secondary synovial chondrometaplasia: histopathologic and clinicoradiologic differences.

One hundred thirty-six cases diagnosed clinically as either synovial chondrometaplasia or osteocartilaginous loose bodies were reviewed. On the basis of the histopathologic peculiarities, the cases were grouped into two distinct categories, primary and secondary synovial chondrometaplasia, comprising 10 and 126 cases, respectively. In each group there was synovial chondrometaplasia but the histologic patterns were dissimilar. In cases of secondary synovial chondrometaplasia the initiating factors were usually obvious and the lesions were nonaggressive. Primary synovial chondrometaplasia, on the other hand, was aggressive and was associated with a high incidence of recurrence.

Basal cell adenoma of prostate.

A case of basal cell adenoma originating in the prostate is presented. This lesion might develop from proliferation of basal epithelial cells of the prostate gland under unknown mechanism.

The vascularity and remodelling of subchondrial bone and calcified cartilage in adult human femoral and humeral heads. An age- and stress-related phenomenon.

A quantitative study of the vascularity and a qualitative study of the remodelling of the calcified cartilage and subchondral bone end-plate of adult human femoral and humeral heads were performed with respect to age. In the femoral head the number of vessels per unit area was found to fall 20% from adolescence until the seventh decade and in the humeral head 15% until the sixth decade. Thereafter an increase was noted in the femur but none in the humerus. More vessels were present at all ages in the more loaded areas of the articular surfaces: 25% more for the femur and 15% more for the humerus. The degree of active remodelling by endochondral ossification declined 50% from adolescence until the seventh decade in the femoral head, and 30% until the sixth decade in the humeral head, rising thereafter to levels comparable to those found at young ages. More remodeling was noted in the more loaded areas at all ages.

Osteochondroma of the cervical spine. Case report.

Only 1 well-documented case of osteochondroma in the posterior elements of the cervical spine has been previously reported. Although unusual, osteochondroma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign appearing tumors in the cervical spine.

Juxtacortical (parosteal) osteogenic sarcoma: histological grading and prognosis.

In twenty-four cases of juxtacortical osteogenic sarcoma, three histological grades of malignancy were identified and correlated with the prognosis. The eighteen patients with Grade-I or II tumors had a significantly better prognosis than the six with Grade-III lesions. The three grades could not be distinguished roentgenographically. Grade I and II tumors, which showed a high cure rate after amputation, may be amenable to en block resection, provided the entire tumor can be removed with a good margin of uninvolved soft tissue and underlying bone. Grade-III tumors, on the other hand, had a poor prognosis despite early radical surgery.