[Malignant teratoma of the ovary in childhood and adolescence--a case report]. / Malignes Teratom des Ovars im Kindes- und Jugendalter--Eine Falldarstellung.

This is a report on a 15 year old patient with malignant teratoma grade III of the right ovary in stage Ia (FIGO). The adequate treatment of this rare tumors which occurs preponderant in children and adolescents supposes an accurate and thorough histologic analysis. Our patient was treated initially by unilateral oophorectomy followed by an polychemotherapy with Vincristine, Actinomycin D and Cyclophosphamide. Regular monitoring of the tumor markers AFP and beta-HCG before and after surgery is indispensable to control the development.

[Hygroma colli--sonographic indication of fetal chromosome abnormality. A case report]. / Hygroma colli--Sonographischer Hinweis für eine fetale Chromosomenanomalie. Eine Falldarstellung.

Transvaginal sonography has been developed as an useful tool to recognize and define structural defects in the first trimester fetus. Fetal cystic hygromas as an manifestation of malformation of the lymphatic system are often the only sign of an severe fetal anomaly. In 70-80% of cases cystic hygroma is associated with a Turner-Syndrome (45,XO). We report a case in which transvaginal sonography has been the only instrumental in the prenatal diagnosis of a nuchal cystic hygroma. Based on this sonographic finding the pregnancy has been terminated. We point to the value of early and subtle ultrasound examination as an excellent method in finding hints for chromosome abnormalities.

[The biomechanical significance of the periosteum for the epiphyseal groove]. / Die biomechanische Bedeutung des Periosts für die Epiphysenfuge.

In a study of 72 rabbits, four, eight, twelve and 16 weeks old, the mechanical resistance of the distal radius and ulna epiphyseal plate against shear strength has been examined. On one side the extremity has been freed of all soft-tissue attachments except the periosteum, on the other side the periosteum of the epiphyseal plate additional has been removed. The mechanical strength of the epiphyseal cartilage increases with age. A decrease of the resistance during sexual maturation has not been observed. In all age groups the stability of the epi-metaphyseal junction is significantly higher with the periosteum. In younger animals it is more marked than in older ones. The biomechanical behaviour of the periosteum can be explained with the principle of a "traction strap": the fibrous periosteum, firmly attached at the perichondrial ring, is stretched from epiphysis to epiphysis and fixes the epiphysis to the metaphysis. The periosteum and its continous tension takes not only part in regulating the longitudinal growth but also increases the resistance of the growth cartilage against shear strength. The dominated influence of the periosteum on the integrity of the epiphyseal cartilage is also supported by corresponding results dealing with the occurrence of Salter and Harris-type I or II fractures in absence or presence of the periosteum.