Type IV Titanium Hypersensitivity: Rare, or Rarely Detected?

The presented review aims to summarize the current knowledge of hypersensitivity to titanium - a material widely used in medical applications thanks to its exceptional chemical stability, resistance to corrosion, low specific weight and high strength. The hypersensitivity to metals is usually caused by the Type IV immunopathological reaction. Case reports on allergic reactions to titanium are rare but the actual occurrence can be expected to be much higher, especially due to its problematic detection. Although cutaneous patch tests are widely accepted and used for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity of numerous metals (e.g. Ni), it is notoriously unreliable in case of allergies to titanium, which may be associated with the low percutaneous transport of titanium and its salts. The Lymphocyte Transformation Test has superior sensitivity but it remains mostly unknown among clinicians and there are not many laboratories capable of performing it. This review presents numerous case reports indicating, in combination with the above-mentioned facts, that hypersensitivity to titanium should be considered as a possible cause also in non-specific problems associated with titanium implant failure. Key words: titanium, allergy, patch test, lymphocyte transformation test.

Latex and silicone drains in surgery − is the ban on rubber drains really a step forward or rather a step back?

The use of silicone and latex drains is an integral part of surgical practice. Experience and the review of the world literature show that silicone drain is characterized by a much lower rate of fibrotic reaction of the tissue around the drain. The ability of a latex, or rubber, or popularly called rubber drain, to induce the formation of ligaments in its surroundings is advantageously used in situations where the targeted formation of scar tissue is desired. This feature is absent in silicone drains. However, nowadays the rule in most surgical departments is to use almost exclusively silicone drains, which is based on prevention of latex allergy. This article is devoted to the description of the different and mutually irreplaceable use of silicone and latex drains. Subsequently, he also discusses the question of whether the twilight of the use of latex drains in modern medicine is really progress, or rather retrogression.

Artroskopicky asistovaná osteosyntéza nitrokloubních zlomenin lopatky ­ první zkusenosti a dvouleté klinické výsledky.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Fractures of the scapula are less frequent, with the incidence reported in literature of approximately 1% of all fractures and 3-5% fractures of shoulder. These fractures are predominantly treated non-operatively. Osteosynthesis is indicated in displaced intra-articular fractures and severely displaced extra-articular fractures of the scapular body, its lateral border in particular. Apart from open reposition and osteosynthesis, also minimally invasive osteosynthesis under fluoroscopic and arthroscopic control has recently been used to treat intra-articular fractures of the scapula. The arthroscopy facilitates debridement of the fracture line in the intra-articular region and control over the insertion of the osteosynthesis material in the subchondral bone of the glenoid and it also makes visible the accuracy of reduction of fractures of the glenoid articular surface. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 2013-2017, osteosyntheses of 9 intra-articular fractures of the scapula were performed with the use of both perioperative fluoroscopy and arthroscopy. The group included 7 men and 2 women, with the mean age of 37 years (range 24-52 years). 4.5 mm cannulated screws inserted in the subchondral bone either from the cranial or dorso-caudal part of the glenoid in dependence on the type of the fracture were used as osteosynthesis material. Postoperatively, the extremity was fixed by Desault type shoulder brace for 4 weeks. Rehabilitation using standard procedures for shoulder joint followed. The patients were followed up at regular intervals, namely on 10th day, at 4 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. The clinical outcomes and radiologic signs of healing were evaluated continuously and two years after the surgery the clinical outcomes were assessed using the Constant score. Arm elevation was assessed separately, as a dominant indicator of shoulder joint function. RESULTS No perioperative complications were reported, the operative times ranged from 45 to 120 minutes. Reduction was always performed in fractures with intra-articular displacement of less than 2 mm, which was measured both arthroscopically and on perioperative and postoperative radiographs. No complications of wound healing were observed. One patient experienced temporary paresthesia in the innervation zone of the sensitive branch of the radial nerve. The mean healing time of fractures was 121 days (range 107-146 days). The mean Constant score at two years after surgery was 83 points (range 78-87 points), the resulting restriction of elevation was 12° on average (range 0-23°). DISCUSSION There are not many papers covering a similar topic in world literature, most of them present the benefits of arthroscopy in some types of osteosyntheses of intra-articular fractures of the scapula. Most frequently mentioned are osteosyntheses of the anterior portion of the glenoid in case of a bony Bankart lesion. These papers highlight the benefits of minimal invasiveness of this procedure. CONCLUSIONS By visualising the fracture line, the arthroscopy facilitates a more accurate reduction of fragments and a minimally invasive osteosynthesis of some intra-articular fractures of the scapula when compared to closed reduction with fluoroscopic intraoperative control only. The use of arthroscopy in these interventions is conditional on perfect mastering of the surgical technique and also the use of special instruments both for arthroscopy and minimally invasive osteosynthesis. If these criteria are observed and the surgical technique mastered, the authors consider this method beneficial in treating the glenoid fractures. Key words: minimally invasive osteosynthesis, glenoid fractures.

Free viral DNA in BK virus-induced hamster tumor cells.

The biological properties of nine clonal lines of BK virus-induced hamster tumor cells were studied. All clonal lines were oncogenic and showed an enhanced ability to form colonies in semisolid medium. The cells of each clonal line contained T antigen; no virus could be rescued from any of the clonal lines. The number of viral DNA copies was determined in three of the clonal lines and varied from 10 to 20 copies per diploid amount of cell DNA. The state of the viral genome was studied in these lines, and the great majority of the viral DNA molecules appeared to be present as free (nonintegrated) molecules. At least six length classes of free defective BK virus DNA molecules, which all lacked a part of the late region of the genome, were detected in these cells. Three of the six length classes of BK virus DNA molecules acquired a TaqI recognition site, which suggested substitution of cellular DNA.