Disease-specific definitions of new bone formation on spine radiographs: a systematic literature review.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the radiographic definitions of types of New Bone formation (NBF) by focusing on the terminology, description and location of the findings. Methods: Three systematic literature reviews were conducted in parallel to identify the radiographic spinal NBF definitions for spondyloarthritis (SpA), Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) and Osteorathritis (OA). Study characteristics and definitions were extracted independently by two reviewers. Definitions were analysed and collated based on whether they were unique, modified or established from previous research. Results: We identified 33 studies that indicated a definition for the NBF in SpA, 10 for DISH and 7 for spinal OA. In SpA, the variations in syndesmophytes included the description as well as the subtypes and locations. The differentiation of syndesmophytes from osteophytes were included in 12 articles, based on the origin and the angle of the NBF and associated findings. The definitions of DISH varied in the number of vertebrae, level and laterality. For OA, five articles indicated that osteophytes arose from the anterior or lateral aspects of the vertebral bodies, and two studies required a size cut-off. Discussion: Our ultimate aim is to create formal NBF definitions for SpA, DISH and OA guided by an atlas, through a Delphi exercise with international experts. The improved ability to differentiate these conditions radiographically will not only allow the clinicians to accurately approach patients but also will help the researchers to better classify patient phenotypes and focus on accurate radiographic outcomes.

Hip Capsulolabral Complex: Anatomy, Disease, MRI Features, and Postoperative Appearance.

The hip is a uniquely constrained joint with critical static stability provided by the labrum, capsule and capsular ligaments, and ligamentum teres. The labrum is a fibrocartilaginous structure along the acetabular rim that encircles most of the femoral head. Labral tears are localized based on the clock-face method, which determines the extent of the tear while providing consistent terminology for reporting. Normal labral variants can mimic labral disease and can be differentiated by assessment of thickness or width, shape, borders, location, and associated abnormalities. The Lage and Czerny classification systems are currently the most well-known arthroscopic and imaging systems, respectively. Femoroacetabular impingement is a risk factor for development of labral tears and is classified according to bone dysmorphisms of the femur ("cam") or acetabulum ("pincer") or combinations of both (mixed). The capsule consists of longitudinal fibers reinforced by ligaments (iliofemoral, pubofemoral, ischiofemoral) and circular fibers. Capsular injuries occur secondary to hip dislocation or iatrogenically after capsulotomy. Capsular repair improves hip stability at the expense of capsular overtightening and inadvertent chondral injury. The ligamentum teres is situated between the acetabular notch and the fovea of the femoral head. Initially considered to be inconsequential, recent studies have recognized its role in hip rotational stability. Existing classification systems of ligamentum teres tears account for injury mechanism, arthroscopic findings, and treatment options. Injuries to the labrum, capsule, and ligamentum teres are implicated in symptoms of hip instability. The authors discuss the labrum, capsule, and ligamentum teres, highlighting their anatomy, pathologic conditions, MRI features, and postoperative appearance. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Congenital tremor and myopathy secondary to novel MYBPC1 variant.

Congenital myopathy with tremor (MYOTREM) is a recently described disorder characterized by mild myopathy and a postural and intention tremor present since early infancy. MYOTREM is associated with pathogenic variants in MYBPC1 which encodes slow myosin-binding protein C, a sarcomere protein with regulatory and structural roles. Here, we describe a family with three generations of variably affected members exhibiting a novel variant in MYBPC1 (c.656 T > C, p.Leu219Pro). Among the unique features of affected family members is the persistence of tremor in sleep. We also present the first muscle magnetic resonance images for this disorder, and report muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration.

Ultrasound-guided injection and aspiration of small joints: techniques, pearls, and pitfalls.

Ultrasound (US)-guided musculoskeletal intervention of small joints or joints other than the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle can be technically challenging. Small joints produce a narrower landing zone for the needle and a smaller target that may be made even more inaccessible by bulky osteophytes. Sonographic (US) guidance offers important advantages including near-field visualization of the joint and soft tissues, ease of access, portability, ability to compare with the contralateral side, and lack of ionization radiation. This review article focuses on the performance of US-guided injections and aspirations involving small joints (joint capacity < 2 mL and/or typically evaluated or injected with a compact linear transducer). For each joint (temporomandibular, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, distal radioulnar, symphysis pubis, and joints of the digits of the hands and feet), a brief overview of the relevant anatomy, indications, procedural description, pearls and pitfalls will be highlighted. This article demonstrates the various approaches to diagnostic or therapeutic injection and aspiration of small joints with the aid of US images, cines and graphic illustrations, emphasizing joint positioning, anatomic landmarks, and needle trajectory for a safe and efficacious procedure. A brief review of available literature for each joint will also be provided.

Emerging and established biomarkers of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a rare, primarily autosomal dominant, late onset muscular dystrophy commonly presenting with ptosis, dysphagia, and subsequent weakness of proximal muscles. Although OPMD diagnosis can be confirmed with high confidence by genetic testing, the slow progression of OPMD poses a significant challenge to clinical monitoring and a barrier to assessing the efficacy of treatments during clinical trials. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for more sensitive measures of OPMD progression, particularly those which do not require a muscle biopsy. This review provides an overview of progress in OPMD biomarkers from clinical assessment, quantitative imaging, histological assessments, and genomics, as well as hypothesis-generating "omics" approaches. The ongoing search for biomarkers relevant to OPMD progression needs an integrative, longitudinal approach combining validated and experimental approaches which may include clinical, imaging, demographic, and biochemical assessment methods. A multi-omics approach to biochemical biomarker discovery could help provide context for differences found between individuals with varying levels of disease activity and provide insight into pathomechanisms and prognosis of OPMD.

Novel Homozygous Variant in COQ7 in Siblings With Hereditary Motor Neuropathy.

Background and Objectives: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important electron carrier and antioxidant. The COQ7 enzyme catalyzes the hydroxylation of 5-demethoxyubiquinone-10 (DMQ10), the second-to-last step in the CoQ10 biosynthesis pathway. We report a consanguineous family presenting with a hereditary motor neuropathy associated with a homozygous c.1A > G p.? variant of COQ7 with abnormal CoQ10 biosynthesis. Methods: Affected family members underwent clinical assessments that included nerve conduction testing, histologic analysis, and MRI. Pathogenicity of the COQ7 variant was assessed in cultured fibroblasts and skeletal muscle using a combination of immunoblots, respirometry, and quinone analysis. Results: Three affected siblings, ranging from 12 to 24 years of age, presented with a severe length-dependent motor neuropathy with marked symmetric distal weakness and atrophy with normal sensation. Muscle biopsy of the quadriceps revealed chronic denervation pattern. An MRI examination identified moderate to severe fat infiltration in distal muscles. Exome sequencing demonstrated the homozygous COQ7 c.1A > G p.? variant that is expected to bypass the first 38 amino acid residues at the n-terminus, initiating instead with methionine at position 39. This is predicted to cause the loss of the cleavable mitochondrial targeting sequence and 2 additional amino acids, thereby preventing the incorporation and subsequent folding of COQ7 into the inner mitochondrial membrane. Pathogenicity of the COQ7 variant was demonstrated by diminished COQ7 and CoQ10 levels in muscle and fibroblast samples of affected siblings but not in the father, unaffected sibling, or unrelated controls. In addition, fibroblasts from affected siblings had substantial accumulation of DMQ10, and maximal mitochondrial respiration was impaired in both fibroblasts and muscle. Discussion: This report describes a new neurologic phenotype of COQ7-related primary CoQ10 deficiency. Novel aspects of the phenotype presented by this family include pure distal motor neuropathy involvement, as well as the lack of upper motor neuron features, cognitive delay, or sensory involvement in comparison with cases of COQ7-related CoQ10 deficiency previously reported in the literature.

How to optimize culture media osmolality during Assisted Reproductive Technologies treatments.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to compare the osmolality in sequential and single step culture media, used for in vitro human embryo culture, covered with mineral oil and paraffin, in dry and humid incubators. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study. A total of 120 Petri dishes, with 960 droplets of culture media, were evaluated. Each dish was prepared with 4 droplets of single step medium and sequential medium. Sixty dishes were covered with mineral oil and 60 with paraffin oil. Half were incubated in a dry incubator and half in a humid. Osmolality was measured on days 1, 3, 5, 7. ANOVA test was performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Osmolality results for single step and sequential medium, that were covered with both mineral and paraffin oil and placed in the dry incubator, significantly increased throughout the study time (D7>D5>D3). In the humid incubator, the results were similar for all periods. Osmolality was significantly lower in humid incubator, in all periods, when droplets were covered with both oils. When both culture media were placed in the humid incubator, no variation was detected, using both oils. However, when single step medium was placed in the dry incubator, covered with mineral oil, we observed a higher osmolality than the covered with paraffin oil. CONCLUSIONS: TWe can conclude that humid incubator is better for maintaining osmolality and paraffin oil protect single step media from evaporation in dry incubator.

Quantitative vs qualitative muscle MRI: Imaging biomarker in patients with Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OPMD).

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a genetic muscle disease causing ptosis, severe swallowing difficulties and progressive limb weakness, although atypical presentations may be difficult to diagnose. Sensitive biomarkers of disease progression in OPMD are needed to enable more effective clinical trials. This study was designed to test the feasibility of using MRI to aid OPMD diagnosis and monitor OPMD progression. Twenty-five subjects with Dixon whole-body muscle MRI were enrolled: 10 patients with genetically confirmed OPMD, 10 patients with non-OPMD muscular dystrophies, and 5 controls. Using the MRI Dixon technique, muscle fat replacement was evaluated in the tongue, serratus anterior, lumbar paraspinal, adductor magnus, and soleus muscles using quantitative and semi-quantitative rating methods. Changes were compared with muscle strength testing, dysphagia severity, use of gait aids, and presence of dysarthria. Quantitative MRI scores of muscle fat replacement in the tongue could differentiate OPMD from other muscular dystrophies and from controls. Moreover, fat fraction in the tongue correlated with clinical severity of dysphagia. This study provides preliminary support for the use of Dixon-based quantitative MRI images as outcome measures for monitoring disease progression in clinical trials and provides rationale for future prospective studies aimed at methodological refinement and covariate identification.

Biallelic SOX8 Variants Associated With Novel Syndrome With Myopathy, Skeletal Deformities, Intellectual Disability, and Ovarian Dysfunction.

Background and Objectives: The human genome contains ∼20,000 genes, each of which has its own set of complex regulatory systems to govern precise expression in each developmental stage and cell type. Here, we report a female patient with congenital weakness, respiratory failure, skeletal dysplasia, contractures, short stature, intellectual delay, respiratory failure, and amenorrhea who presented to Medical Genetics service with no known cause for her condition. Methods: Whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing were conducted, as well as investigational functional studies to assess the effect of SOX8 variant. Results: The patient was found to have biallelic SOX8 variants (NM_014587.3:c.422+5G>C; c.583dup p.(His195ProfsTer11)). SOX8 is a transcriptional regulator, which is predicted to be imprinted (expressed from only one parental allele), but this has not yet been confirmed. We provide evidence that while SOX8 was maternally expressed in adult-derived fibroblasts and lymphoblasts, it was biallelically expressed in other cell types and therefore suggest that biallelic variants are associated with this recessive condition. Functionally, we showed that the paternal variant had the capacity to affect mRNA splicing while the maternal variant resulted in low levels of a truncated protein, which showed decreased binding at and altered expression of SOX8 targets. Discussion: Our findings associate SOX8 variants with this novel condition, highlight how complex genome regulation can complicate novel disease-gene identification, and provide insight into the molecular pathogenesis of this disease.

US and MRI of Pelvic Tendon Anatomy and Pathologic Conditions.

The bony pelvis serves as the attachment site for a large number of powerful muscles and tendons that drive lower extremity movement. Organizing the pelvic tendons into groups that share a common function and anatomic location helps the radiologist systematically evaluate these structures for injury, which can be caused by repetitive stress, acute trauma, or failure of degenerated tissues. Tears of the anteromedial adductors around the pubic symphysis and anterior flexors traversing anterior to the hip principally affect younger male athletes. Tears of the lateral abductors and posterior extensors are more common in older individuals with senescent tendinosis. The deep external rotators are protected and rarely injured, although they can be impinged. Imaging of the pelvic tendons relies primarily on US and MRI; both provide high spatial and contrast resolution for soft tissues. US offers affordable point-of-care service and dynamic assessment, while MRI allows simultaneous osseous and articular evaluation and is less operator dependent. While the imaging findings of pelvic tendon injury mirror those at appendicular body sites, radiologists may be less familiar with tendon anatomy and pathologic conditions at the pelvis. The authors review pertinent anatomy and imaging considerations and illustrate common injuries affecting the pelvic tendons. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.

Ultrastructural analysis of Lyophilized Human Spermatozoa.

OBJECTIVE: Lyophilization is potentially more practical and cost-effective alternative for sperm preservation. However, there are no studies that evaluate the ultrastructure of human spermatozoa after lyophilization. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the ultrasctructure of lyophilized spermatozoa using Transmission Electron Microscopy. METHODS: From a total of 21 donated seminal samples, 30 aliquots were originated and divided into two aliquots so that one could have been submitted to cryopreservation/thaw and the other for lyophilization/rehydration. The liquefied aliquots were homogenized at room temperature. Samples assigned for cryopreservation were placed in straws and samples assigned for lyophilization were placed in the appropriate vials. Cryopreservation samples were placed at -30oC for 30 minutes subsequently for 30 minutes at vapour phase and then plunged into liquid nitrogen. Lately, were warmed in water bath at 37oC for 10 minutes followed by 10 minutes centrifugation. The pellet was resuspended and analysed in a Makler chamber. The semen vials assigned for lyophilization were loaded into a pre-fixed freeze-drying chamber. Following lyophilization, vials were removed from the freeze-drying chamber and kept at 4oC until rehydration. TEM was performed after rehydration and thawing. Sperm samples were fixed, rinsed in buffer, post fixed and dehydration was carried out in escalating concentrations of alcohol solution, acetone and then, embedding in Epon resin. Ultrathin sections were stained and examined in a Transmission Electron Microscope. RESULTS: Analysis of sperm after freezing/thawing using Transmission Electron Microscopy showed lesions to the midpiece, with some mitochondria degeneration and random rupture of plasma membrane. In the head, we identified intact plasma membrane, nucleus and acrosome, as in the flagellum all main structures remained intact including the plasma membrane, the longitudinal columns of dense fibers and the semicircular fibers. Analysis by Transmission Electron Microscopy showed that spermatozoa heads had ruptured plasma membranes, absence of acrosomes, nuclei with heterogeneous and decompressed chromatin. Mitochondria were deteriorated in the midpiece. Longitudinal columns of dense fibers were absent in the flagellum. Axonemes, in cross-sections, were disrupted with disorganized structures. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, our study demonstrated, for the first time, the structure of the human spermatozoa after lyophilization using Transmission Electron Microscopy. The use of a fixed lyophilization protocol with media containing cryoprotectants might explain the damage to the structures. More studies are necessary to improve the results of sperm lyophilization. In the future, the use of lyophilization of spermatozoa might reduce the costs of fertility preservation, since there will be no need for storage space and transportation is simpler.

Four consecutive minimal ovarian stimulation (TetraStim) is a feasible alternative to increase the number of oocytes and improve live birth rates in poor responders who do not accept oocyte donation.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience using four consecutive minimal COS (TetraStim) followed by oocyte retrieval and vitrification to increase the number of oocytes in patients with POR for whom oocyte donation is not an option. METHODS: We performed an observational study evaluating 128 poor responders submitted to TetraStim instead of oocyte donation cycles. Patients were submitted to four consecutive minimal COS started at luteal phase, oocyte retrieval, oocyte vitrification/warming, ICSI, endometrial priming and embryo transfer. We evaluated the number of vitrified oocytes, survival rate after warming, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, number of embryos transferred, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and live birth rate. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.1 ± 3.1 years. A total of 791 oocytes were recovered (6.1 ± 2.7/patient), 682 (86.2%) Metaphase II (5.3 ± 2.4/patient) were vitrified, 95.3% survived warming (5.1 ± 2.3/patient), 82% showed normal fertilization after ICSI (4.2 ± 2/patient), 79.2% reached cleavage stage (3.3 ± 1.6/patient), 313 cleavage stage embryos were transferred to 115 patients (2.7 ± 0.7/patient) and 14.7% of the patients had surplus embryos that were vitrified. Clinical pregnancy rate per patient was 31.3% and live birth rate per patient was 22.6%. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first study that demonstrates that TetraStim can be an effective alternative for patients with POR with an indication to perform IVF with donated oocytes, but do not agree to use. TetraStim is a feasible alternative to increase the number of oocytes and embryos and improve pregnancy rates with no dropouts and very low cycle cancelation rate. However, randomized controlled studies must be performed to compare TetraStim with other treatments.

Limited added value of whole spine MRI in spondyloarthritis for disease activity assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the added value of whole spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for disease activity assessment in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHOD: Spine and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) MRI scans requested by rheumatologists between 2012 and 2018 were screened retrospectively, and patients who had known diagnosis of AS or PsA were included, if the MRI was done for disease activity assessment. All MRI scans were reviewed by two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists independently, blinded to patients' diagnosis and to the other MRI. Comparisons were done for the presence of active and structural lesions. In addition, radiologists were asked to rate for "confidence level for active inflammation related to SpA." Analysis was done using the consensus scores. RESULTS: Ninety patients with known diagnosis of AS (n = 55) or PsA (n = 35) were included. The frequency of active and structural lesions was not significantly different both in AS vs PsA, neither in the cervical/thoracic/lumbar spine or the SIJ. The percentage of people only with any inflammatory changes on the spine MRI without any inflammation in the SIJ MRI was 24% in AS and 23% in PsA. However, considering the confidence level of the radiologists on active inflammation, only one patient's spine MRI was scored as active, while SIJ MRI being negative for inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The spinal MRI had limited added value to the SIJ MRI in SpA, when performed to assess disease activity, limiting its value in routine practice unless clinically indicated. Key Points • Spine MRI adds limited value to SIJs in SpA, when performed for disease activity assessment. • SpA disease activity assessment may be restricted to sacroiliac joint MRI, unless clinically indicated.

Do different culture intervals (2 × 24 hours) after thaw of cleavage stage embryos affect pregnancy rates? A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether selecting embryos for transfer after prolonged culture after thaw (18-24 h) has better pregnancy rates than selecting embryos for transfer after short culture after thaw (2-5 h). We performed a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial, evaluating 388 patients submitted to ART treatment who had embryos frozen on day-2 and subsequently transferred. All patients received the same endometrial priming with estradiol valerate followed by vaginal progesterone. Patients were randomized for Frozen embryo transfer 2-5 h after thaw (Group D2) or 18-24 h after thaw (Group D2/D3). The main Outcome Measure was ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) at 20 weeks' gestation per embryo transfer. A total of 179 patients had embryos transferred 2-5 h after thaw and 209 patients had embryos transferred 18-24 h after thaw. The mean age in group D2 was 36 ± 4.4 and 36 ± 5.4 in group D2/D3. Ongoing pregnancy rate was 28% and 33.5% (p = 0.2) for groups D2 and D2/D3, respectively. These results suggest that increasing the culture time of embryos in one day to improve selection before transfer does not increase ongoing pregnancy rate. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03381001.

Psoriasis is an independent risk factor for entheseal damage in axial spondyloarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To understand whether psoriasis has disease modifying effects on disease features and/or severity of enthesitis and spine disease in axial SpA (axSpA). METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis axSpA were included. Demographics, patient and physician reported outcomes were collected. Radiographic damage in the spine was assessed using modified Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS). Twelve entheses of the upper and lower extremity were assessed using ultrasound, focusing on inflammation and damage separately. The association between mSASSS, enthesitis scores and extra-articular manifestations such as psoriasis was analyzed using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 120 axSpA patients 114 (95%) had axSpA according to The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria. Sixty-two were classified as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), fulfilling the modified New York criteria. Thirty-one patients had psoriasis. For spinal damage, entheseal damage was an independent and the strongest predictor (B = 0.52, p = 0.025), in addition to longer disease duration (B = 0.22, p = 0.045) and male gender (B = 6.1, p = 0.041) but not psoriasis. For enthesitis, psoriasis was found as an independent risk factor to increase the entheseal damage (B = 4.38, p = 0.009), in addition to age (B = 0.17, p = 0.007), male gender (B = 2.8, p = 0.032), mSASSS (B = 0.11, p = 0.035) and body mass index (B = 0.57, p < 0.001), but not entheseal inflammation (B = 2.0, p > 0.05) when corrected for HLA-B27. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis is an independent risk factor to increase the severity of entheseal damage, but not spinal damage. Peripheral enthesitis predicts spinal damage, regardless of the subtypes of SpA.

Conhecimento de médicos e enfermeiros da Atenção Básica sobre avulsão dental / Knowledge of primary care nurses and physicians regarding dental avulsion

Objetivo:Avaliar o conhecimento e a conduta de médicos e enfermeiros atuantes no serviço público de atenção básica à saúde da zona urbana da cidade de Vitória da Conquista ­ BA, sobre avulsão dentária. Métodos:60 profissionais responderam a um questionário autoaplicável contendo questões biodemográficas e perguntas a respeito do conhecimento sobre o significado de avulsão e reimplante dentário, conduta em casos de avulsão dental e interesse em receber orientação sobre o tema. Resultados:A maioria dos entrevistados demonstrou não saber o que é avulsão dental, reimplante dental e que atitude tomar no caso de uma situação envolvendo avulsão (70%, n = 42; 51,67%, n = 31; 56,67%, n = 34, respectivamente). Consideraram-se incapazes de reimplantar um dente avulsionado em seu local de origem (83,33%, n = 50). Poucos foram capazes de responder corretamente o tempo ideal de reposicionamento (6,67%, n = 4) e local de armazenamento de um dente avulsionado (5%, n = 3), mas saberiam conduzir corretamente sua limpeza (28,34%, n = 17). Relataram nunca ter recebido orientação sobre a conduta diante desses casos (93,33%, n = 56) mas consideram informações a respeito do tema importantes e necessárias (96,66%, n = 58). Conclusão:Os médicos e enfermeiros possuem conhecimento insatisfatório sobre o significado de avulsão e reimplante dental e fatores que permeiam a conduta dessa situação.

Aim:To evaluate the knowledge and behavior of primary health care physicians and nurses working in public healthcare services in the urban area of Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil, regarding dental avulsion.Methods:Sixty professionals answered a self-administered questionnaire containing questions about biodemographic data, knowledge about the meaning of avulsion and tooth replantation, conduct in cases of dental avulsion, and interest in receiving training or guidance on the subject. Results:Most participants did not know what tooth avulsion and dental reimplantation were, not did they know what action to take in case of an dental avulsion situation (70%, n = 42; 51.67%, n = 31; 56.67%, n = 34, respectively). They found themselves unable to redeploy one avulsed tooth in its place of origin (83.33%, n = 50). Few were able to correctly answer the ideal time repositioning (6.67%, n = 4) and storage location of an avulsed tooth (5%, n = 3), but would know how to properly conduct its cleaning (28.34%, n = 17). They reported never having received guidance on how to proceed in these cases (93.33%, n = 56) but consider information regarding this issue important and necessary (96.66%, n = 58). Conclusion:Primary care physicians and nurses have little knowledge of the meaning of dental avulsion and replantation, as well as factors that underlie proper conduct in this situation.

Neurolymphomatosis of the lumbosacral plexus and its branches: case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a direct process of invasion of peripheral nerves by lymphoma. It occurs in roughly 5% of patients with lymphoma and represents a particularly difficult diagnostic dilemma when it is the presenting focal manifestation of occult lymphoma. CASE PRESENTATION: We present 3 examples of invasion of the lumbosacral plexus and its branches. These cases demonstrate a protean clinical picture with regards to the time relationship to the clinical course of lymphoma and the neuroanatomical extent of lumbosacral plexus invasion. We demonstrate the complementary role of different imaging modalities. A review of the literature summarizes 23 reports where lumbosacral plexus invasion was the index manifestation, at the time of first diagnosis or recurrence of lymphoma. This series confirms the strong preponderance of B-cell type (92%). There is a marked predilection for involvement of the sciatic nerve (74%), either focally or in a longitudinally extensive fashion, from the ischium to the popliteal fossa. There can also be restricted and discrete involvement of tibial and fibular branches. In recent years, ultrasound and CT have been given a more limited role, as screening tools or as a guide for biopsy. MRI neurography and PET-CT have become leading diagnostic modalities for diagnosis, staging and assessment of treatment response. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of NL may be challenging, and it was once only reached at autopsy. Improved diagnostic imaging of focal or even asymptomatic disease offers new hope for earlier diagnosis and successful targeted therapy.