Morphofunctional and histological patterns of blood vessels in the superficial cervicofacial musculoaponeurotic system in midlateral face regions.

OBJECTIVE: The superficial cervicofacial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is a complex network formed by mimic muscles and conjunctive tissue of the superficial fascia of the face.This study aimed to introduce new anatomofunctional data on the importance of the trans-SMAS distribution pattern of the skin microperfusion of the face and to underline the role of SMAS in maintaining the homeostasis of the vascular network that crosses it. Considering the fibrous and muscular matrix of the SMAS, using COLIII and MyoH2 antibodies, together with endothelial immunohistochemistry(IHC)intercellular adhesion molecule 2 marker, we determined the correlation of these structures and their interaction. METHODS: This study included 33donors of SMAS tissues, which have been stained withregular hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and three different IHC markers have been used (collagen III, muscular tissue, and blood vessels). The samples were collected from parotid, masseteric, jugal, and zygomatic regions. Magnetic resonance angiography was used to identify the main vascular sources of the midlateral regions of the face of another 47 patients. RESULTS: Significant differences in topographic arrangement, density, and relations of the microsopic vasculature were observed between each of the four regions. Major differences were identified between the role of SMAS in each of these regions, from the parotid capsule to masseteric fascia, transition mobile part, and attaching manners in the zygomatic subunit. CONCLUSIONS: Blood vessel topography must be related with the surrounding conjunctive and muscular tissue, especially regarding facial SMAS. Intrinsic relations between these three components of the SMAS and nervous fibers can provide us important hints on the functionality of the whole system.

Improving flexor tendon gliding by using the combination of carboxymethylcellulose-polyethylene oxide on murine model.

The current approach to flexor tendon injuries is complex and is no longer limited to suturing techniques. Strategies for improving hand function currently include rehabilitation protocols, appropriate suturing materials and techniques, changing the gliding surface by using lubricants and providing growth factors. One product, originally used in spinal surgery, has been shown to be effective in preventing postoperative adhesions. It is a combination of carboxymethylcellulose and polyethylene oxide-Dynavisc® (FzioMed, Inc.). The aim of the present study was to test the effect of Dynavisc® on acute injuries of the intrasynovial flexor tendons in the prevention of postoperative adhesions and the improvement of functional results. The study was performed on 20 Wistar rats distributed in two groups. The control group, represented by 10 rats, in which after the reconstruction of the flexor tendon, the peritendinous area was injected with saline solution and the study group, in which the peritendinous area was injected with a single administration of the lubricating gel, Dynavisc® (carboxymethylcellulose and polyethylene oxide). At 4 and 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and tissue biopsy consisted of tendon fragments and adjacent tissue. The evaluation of the results was performed by measuring the adhesion score and observing histological parameters. The presence of important adhesions was found in the control group compared with the group treated with Dynavisc®, where a supple and smooth tendon, with significantly fewer adhesions were found. The differences between the two groups were significant, thus indicating the efficiency of the lubricant in preventing adhesions. This study supported the important role of Dynavisc® in the regeneration of the tendon and the peritendinous structures, by limiting aberrant fibrous proliferation in the regeneration process and helping to build a peritendinous space.

The significance of erythropoietin and insulin administration on survival of fat tissue after autologous fat transplantation in Wistar rats. An experimental study.

Autologous fat transfer is widely used by plastic surgeons for aesthetic and reconstructive purpose, but it has a great disadvantage because of its high variability rate of resorption. Numerous studies have examined the use of different agents to increase the viability of fat grafts. The results were discouraging because the use of a single angiogenic factor to stimulate fat graft angiogenesis may be inappropriate. We proposed to use two pharmacological factors, erythropoietin (EPO) and insulin (INS), in order to decrease the resorption rate, to improve graft vascularization, and to reduce the number of complications. Twenty-four Wistar male rats were randomly divided in four groups (I-IV) of six animals each. The rats belonging to control group were given autologous transfer of simple fat. In group II, the graft was improved with EPO, in group III with INS, and in group IV both pharmacological agents were administered. Histological evaluation of the grafts at two months after injection demonstrated adipocyte survival in all four groups. The volume of the graft has progressively decreased in all groups and the difference in graft volume at one and two months after transplantation was not significant. The highest maintenance of fat graft volume (95%) at two months was observed in group IV, followed by group II and group III. Necrotic cystic changes and increased fibrosis were most extensive in the control group. The combination of INS with EPO may have a synergistic and additive effect. Efficient administration and dose optimization of these growth factors are important things to consider in the future.

Mixed (nodular and morpheic) upper eyelid basal cell carcinoma with orbital invasion - histological and clinical features.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of cancer located in the periocular area. We will present the clinical case of a 63-year-old male patient who was admitted to the 2nd Clinic of Neurosurgery, "Prof. Dr. Nicolae Oblu" Emergency Clinical Hospital, Iasi, Romania, for an ulcerated tumor of about 0.8×0.7 cm in diameter with rolled edges and central necrosis in the upper eyelid with orbital invasion. According to the patient's personal history, he also underwent Cortisone treatment for dermatomyositis. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed behind the cutaneous flap, a lesion with 15∕38∕19 mm anteroposterior (AP)∕transverse (T)∕craniocaudal (CC) diameters. The surgeons made the excision of the tumor together with the eyelid remnants, and the left orbit exenteration defect. The histopathological exam of the surgical samples revealed an ulcerated epithelial tumor having its origin in the eyelid epidermis and invading all the thickness of the eyelid toward the palpebral conjunctiva, but also the orbital tissue. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive staining for cytokeratin (CK) AE1∕AE3, CK5∕6, and CK17, but not for CK7. The Ki-67 labeling index was 12%, suggesting a moderate proliferative activity. The final pathological diagnosis was mixed (nodular and morpheic) eyelid BCC infiltrative into the orbital tissue. Although BCC of the upper eyelid is a rare cancer and generally has a low recurrence risk, in the case of a patient undergoing Cortisone treatment for an autoimmune disease, the tumor may grow more rapidly by invading the neighboring tissues including orbit.

Surgical reconstruction of post-tumoral facial defects.

PURPOSE: The face is an unfortunate location for any type of tumor - malignant or not - with significant esthetic and functional outcomes. To reconstruct a facial defect may seem simple, but can be rather complicated. The aim of this study is to analyze and discuss our results in order to conclude with specific surgical strategies correlated with the morphopathological results. The most important objective for us is to offer the highest level of expertise to our patients and to prove that the symbiosis between the surgical treatment and the work of the Department of Morphopathology is essential in order to maximize the quality of medical care provided for our patients. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 116 patients diagnosed with facial malignant tumors, 70 of which were confirmed as basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), 35 confirmed as squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and 11 malignant melanomas (MMs). Most BCC cases (57) showed ulceration, with a long clinical evolution (more than 10 years) in 48 cases. Only in 12 SCC cases, patients showed inflammation and ulceration, with a shorter evolution period (2-5 years). For complete microscopic diagnosis, immunohistochemical (IHC) examination was necessary in 46 cases. The BCC "deceiving" clinical behavior and the generally aggressive character of the MM were found in our patients as well. RESULTS: The most frequent sites were the orbital region (27 cases) and the nasolabial sulcus (26 cases). In order to reconstruct the postexcisional defects, we had to perform local flaps in 62 cases (14 frontal flaps for orbital defects, 32 glabellar flaps for medial epicanthus, lower lid and nasal region, 15 nasolabial flaps for lower lid or nasal alae and one "Z"-plasty for the submental region). Oncological follow-up was performed in all patients and in 15 cases re-excision was necessary (11 BCCs, two SCCs and two MMs). Cervical lymph node metastasis occurred in six cases (three BCCs, one SCC and two MMs). CONCLUSIONS: The cooperation between surgeons and pathologists allowed for good outcomes and the pathology examination can guide the surgical approach towards better results both functionally and esthetically.

Through Clinical Observation: The History of Priapism After Spinal Cord Injuries.

Since ancient times, physicians of antiquity noted the occurrence of priapism in some spinal cord injuries. Although priests saw it as a consequence of curses and witchcraft, after clinical observations of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the first medical hypotheses emerged in the 17th-19th centuries completed and argued by neuroscience and neurology developed in the European laboratories and hospitals. This study aims to present a short overview of the history of clinical observations of posttraumatic male priapism after spinal cord injuries since antiquity until the beginning of the 20th century.

A review of analogies between some neuroanatomical terms and roman household objects.

Wishing to contribute to an easier remembrance of the name, shape, location and function of some neuroanatomical structures, this paper aims to identify the origin of eight Latin terms (pulvinar, capsula, infundibulum, operculum, flocculus, forceps, falx, habenula). Therefore, we analyzed the etymology of these Latin neuroanatomical terms in brief, and searched the possible correlations between the shape of different household objects used in Roman Antiquity and the shape of neuroanatomical structures bearing those names. We also perused the literature to identify the first anatomist who made such an analogy when searching to give a name to the anatomical structure he had discovered at dissection, as well as the time context of his discovery. We found knowledge of few neuroanatomical structures tracing their origin to Antiquity, but most of the nervous structures we have studied were discovered in the 19th century, when the German school of anatomy played a distinctive part. However, the multitude of Latin words designating neuroanatomical structures by analogy is an undeniable proof of neuroanatomists' amazing imagination.

[Functional reeducation of flexor tendons with associated lesions in zone II--comparative study]. / Reeducarea functionala a tendoanelor flexoare cu leziuni asociate în zona II--studiu comparativ.

UNLABELLED: Regaining satisfactory digital function after flexor tendon laceration and repair has long been one of the most important problems in hand surgery. But optimal therapy is often difficult to ascertain, given the plethora of immediat postoperative protocols published in the scientific literature. AIM: The purpose of this study is to compare the functional results between Kleinert, Silfverkiöld, Gratton and Strickland protocol towards evaluate them by interconnection and with the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective study enorolled 75 patients who presented in our cabinet consecutives during 1.05.2008-1.12.2010. The subjects were evaluated regarding Total active motion test and Grip strenght test at 12 weeks postoperative. RESULTS: We found the best results to Gratton group, followed by Strickland, Silfverkiöld-May and Kleinert groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, for the tendinous lessions with associated injury (nervs and vessels) in zone II, our first therapeutical indication is to use the Gratton protocol.

[Surgical therapeutic strategy in vital risk polytrauma with multiple organ injuries, case report]. / Strategia terapeutica chirurgicala in plagile cu risc vital cu leziuni multiple de organ. Prezentare de caz.

The medical interest for trauma pathology is incresing, due to the gravity of the given injuries. The surgical therapeutic strategy used is directly related to the localization and to the type of the trauma. The supplementary lesions and their vital risk also matter. The multidisciplinary team approach is the key to resolve this type of lesions with a good outcome. We recently observed an increasing tendency toward the rise of number and variety of patients with trauma, due to the great diversity of the etiopathogenic agents. The most important factor, during the assessment of a politraumatised patient is to diagnose correctly the functional deficits of vital organs and establish the vital prognosis. It is necessary to adopt the best and fast therapeutic strategy in order to obtain rapid life-saving decisions.

[Necrotizing fasciitis]. / Fasciita necrozanta.

The management of a right foot necrotizing fasciitis and severe sepsis in an old diabetic patient is presented. The early and aggressive surgery, adequate antibiotherapy and correction of organic disfunction (cardio-circulatory, renal, respiratory) eliminated the vital risk and resulted in a satisfactory morpho-functional recovery of the foot.

[Bifocal non-union of the forearm as of consequence of an open fracture type 3 B - a case report]. / Pseudartroza bifocala de antebrat secundara fracturii deschise cu leziuni de parti moi tip III B.

We present a 26-year old patient who suffered an accident while at work, his forearm being almost completely separated because of an electrical circular saw. Admitted at our hospital 8 hours after the accident occurred the forearm was temporarily stabilized by means of k-wires and the radial artery and vein as well as the median nerve were anastomosed.