[Study of bone mass with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in a population of 99 lower limb amputees]. / Etude de la masse osseuse par ostéodensitométrie dans une population de 99 amputés de membre inférieur.

OBJECTIVES: Osteopenia in lower extremity amputation is described with an increased risk of fracture and it seems to be interesting to study bone mass in a population of 99 amputees of limb. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We studied the bone mass with Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry in patients with limb amputation, above and under knee and who have been treated in the rehabilitation department of Mulhouse's hospital and more specifically the percentage of the difference of the mesure between amputed and non amputed side and the influence on this mesure of several factors like sexe; age; diabetes mellitus; delay of amputation; aetiology and use of prosthesis. RESULTS: For all the population, we find lower values of BMD (Bone mineral density) for femoral neck -10.4% +/- 12.2 (P < 0,001) and trochanter -14.9% +/- 14.5 (P < 0,001) between amputated and non amputated side, and also comparing with normal population -19.9% +/- 18.8 (P < 0,001) for femoral neck and -8.8% +/- 22 (P < 0,001) for trochanter.There is no influence of sexe, age, and time since amputation on BMD. The study of sub-groupes shows that the loss of bone mass is depending on traumatic amputation, the level of amputation (above knee) and when prothetis doesn't fit. Arteritis or diabetis are not pejoratif factors. CONCLUSION: This work confirms the mechanical factors as an important parameter of bone loss in the limb amputation.

Rapid chondrolysis after an intra-articular leak of bone cement in treatment of a benign acetabular subchondral cyst: an unusual complication of percutaneous injection of acrylic cement.

Percutaneous injection of methylmethacrylate is now increasingly employed to treat bone lesions, both malignant and benign. However, the risks of this procedure are still to be fully established. In this report, we describe a case of rapid chondrolysis appearing after the intra-articular leakage of cement during injection of an acetabular subchondral cyst, resulting in hip replacement. Although the mechanism of such chondrolysis is unknown, this event suggests a chondrolytic effect of the acrylic cement. Thus, it is essential to systematically search for the presence of an intra-articular passage before injecting bone cement into a peri-articular cyst. This unusual complication highlights the need for rigorous evaluation of the benefits and risks of percutaneous injection of acrylic cement in the treatment of benign lesions, especially close to an articulation.

[Evaluation of the calcium content of diet by frequential self-questionnaire]. / Evaluation de la teneur en calcium du régime alimentaire par autoquestionnaire fréquentiel.

A frequential type self-questionnaire enabling evaluation of the calcium content of the diet of an individual as well as of a given population was designed on the basis of 20 different types of food (items) rich in calcium and/or frequently eaten in metropolitan France. Comparison with the weekly docket system, chosen as a reference method, validated the self-questionnaire. Similarity with the weekly docket method disappeared when the size of portions was left to one side, drinks were eliminated or only dairy products were taken into account. The self-questionnaire with its 20 items thus offers a simple and rapid method for estimation of the daily calcium intake of a given individual to within an accuracy of 20% and as result is a dietetic evaluation technique suitable for both clinical and epidemiological use.