Psoas abscess caused by Escherichia coli pyelonephritis, A Case Report.

An iliopsoas abscess is a rare accumulation of pus in the iliopsoas muscle compartment and can be divided into primary and secondary abscesses. Considering the rarity and nonspecific symptomatology, as well as the generally insidious subacute onset, a delay in diagnosis and treatment frequently occurs. We present a case of a 74-year-old woman with a psoas abscess due to an E. coli pyelonephritis. Psoas abscesses resulting from genitourinary tract infections are infrequently described in literature. The aim of this case report is to raise awareness of the nonspecific presentation and the importance of a thorough history and clinical examination to reduce delay in diagnosis. Clinicians should also keep in mind that a psoas abscess is often diagnosed prior to detection of the primary disease and should be attentive for these primary lesions. A follow-up of at least 1 year is recommended due to the reported relapse in 15% to 36% of the cases up to one year after initial presentation.

Effects of pearl millet silage ammoniation with urea on carcass and meat quality of lambs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pearl millet silage ammoniated with urea on lamb carcass characteristics and meat quality. Thirty-two noncastrated crossbred lambs at 4-5 months of age, with an average initial body weight of 17.39 ± 2.16 kg, were distributed into four treatments in a randomized block experimental design with eight animals per treatment. Experimental diets were composed of pearl millet silage ammoniated with four levels of urea (0%, 2%, 4% and 6%, on dry matter basis (DM). Carcass conformation and fatness decreased linearly (p < 0.05). Except for the fat content, the proximate composition was not influenced (p < 0.05) by the diets. Meat lightness and yellowness increased linearly (p < 0.05). There was no effect of diets (p > 0.05) on cooking losses or shear force. The levels of oleic and erucic fatty acid levels in the meat decreased linearly (p < 0.05), whereas linoleic and eicosadienoic acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA:SFA ratio and ω6 contents increased (p < 0.05). Pearl millet silage ammoniated with urea allows for the production of good-quality lamb meat, with greater concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, lambs fed diets with pearl millet ammoniated with up to 6% lead to a reduction of carcass characteristics without significantly affecting loin-eye area possibly associated with low palatability of the additive used. The lower acceptance of the silages with higher levels of urea is due to the ammonia retention in the material is attributed to the ammonization process. Thus, in spite of the benefits on lamb meat quality, it is suggested that the use of this additive in the ammonization of tropical forages be carried out with care, in limits of up to 6%.

CT scan of the knee: correlation with clinical and arthroscopic findings.

CT was performed in a series of 150 consecutive clinically diagnosed meniscal lesions of the knee. Six to 12 contiguous slices, each 1 mm thick, were obtained starting from the tibial plateau and proceeding cranially to the intercondylar fossa. The medical imaging team was not informed of the medical history of the patients nor of the relevant clinical diagnosis. Arthroscopic findings were subsequently correlated with the CT findings. With the arthroscopic diagnosis defined as correct, a CT sensitivity rate of 80% was obtained. The specificity of the test was 93%. This study of 75 consecutive meniscal tears was designed to evaluate arthroscopic meniscal suturing using an inside-out technique.

Ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament with severe myelopathy and fatal outcome.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is rare among Caucasians. We describe a new case with lethal outcome and we discuss the radiographic and pathologic findings. Posterior longitudinal ligament ossification is a benign disease in most cases, but it may cause severe myelopathy due to spinal stenosis. Diagnosis may be suspected or made on lateral views of the cervical spine and ascertained by CT.

Traumatic lumbosacral nerve root meningoceles. The value of myelography, CT and MRI in the assessment of nerve root continuity.

A case of traumatic lumbar meningoceles at four levels in combination with total and partial nerve root avulsion and with preservation of a nerve root is reported. Several diagnostic imaging techniques (myelography, CT, myelo-CT and MRI) are compared and their value in demonstrating the continuity of the nerve roots is discussed. MRI could assess the continuity of a nerve root in a traumatic meningocele, not demonstrable by myelography or myelo-CT. The combination of myelography, myelo-CT and MRI is likely to provide a complete diagnostic evaluation of nerve root lesions.

Cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

A case of cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is presented. This disease is rather frequent among Japanese, but rare among non-Mongolian persons. To our knowledge, this is the first published Belgian patient with a myelopathy. The clinical and radiographic data are discussed together with a review of the literature.