Impacted morsellized bone grafting and cemented primary total hip arthroplasty for acetabular protrusion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an 8- to 18-year follow-up study of 36 hips.

Between 1979 and 1989, we performed 36 primary total hip replacements in 31 rheumatoid arthritis patients with protrusio acetabuli. The deficient acetabulum was reconstructed with autologous morsellized bone grafts from the femoral head. 3 patients were lost to follow-up. 12 patients (13 hips) died within 8 years postoperatively, none had a revision. 16 patients (20 hips) were reviewed at an average follow-up of 12 (8-18) years. In 2 hips, a revision was performed for aseptic loosening of the acetabular component, 65 and 8 years after primary surgery, which means a 90% (95% CI: 77%-100%) survival rate at 12 years (Kaplan Meier analysis). This technique is a good option in cases with protrusio acetabuli due to rheumatoid arthritis.

Fine-needle aspiration of parotid gland lesions.

The results of 49 specimens obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy of parotid gland lesions were compared with the pathologic diagnoses of the surgically resected specimens. Cytologically, 33 lesions were diagnosed as benign, with 30 of these confirmed histologically and three false-negative results. Fourteen cytologic specimens were called malignant or suspicious for malignancy, with 11 of these confirmed histologically and three false-positive results. The concurrence rate for distinguishing benign from malignant disease was 87.2%. The sensitivity for malignancy was 78.6% and the specificity 90.9%. The pathology of the misdiagnosed lesions will be reviewed. Based on our data and a review of the literature, we conclude that fine needle aspiration biopsy of parotid gland masses, with the observation of certain caveats, is a helpful adjunctive test for diagnosis and treatment planning.

[Surgical resection as treatment of spinal intramedullary tumors]. / Resectie als behandeling van spinale intramedullaire tumoren.

The authors retrospectively report the results of surgical treatment of spinal cord tumours in the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Utrecht, Holland and review the recent literature. Twenty-eight patients were operated on for an intramedullary spinal cord tumour between 1981 and 1990. The mean follow-up period was 31 months. Neurological evaluation was done using the grading system described by Cooper and Epstein, immediately postoperatively and after 6 months. A total or subtotal resection could be performed in 22 (79%) of the 28 patients. Postoperatively, the neurological function of the legs improved or remained stable in 21 of the 28 patients, and the function of the arms in 26 of the 28 patients. After six months the neurological function in arms and legs had improved or remained stable in 19 of 21 patients. The most frequently occurring tumour, ependymoma, could be radically resected more often (82%) than astrocytoma (33%). Postoperative morbidity is closely related to the level of involvement. Microsurgical exploration at the cervical level is far less dangerous than has always been believed. Surgical mortality was 0%. Radical resection of intramedullary tumours should be attempted and can be achieved with stabilisation or improvement of neurological deficit in the majority of patients.