Trifon Totlis

Gender and Side-to-Side Differences of Femoral Condyles Morphology: Osteometric Data from 360 Caucasian Dried Femori.

The purpose of the present study was to conduct direct measurements in a large sample of dried femori in order to record certain morphometric parameters of the femoral condyles and determine whether there are gender and side differences. Three hundred sixty (Greek) Caucasian dried femori (180 left and 180 right), from 192 males and 168 females, were measured using a digital caliper. The mean age was 67.52 years. The mean bicondylar width of the femur was 8.86 cm ± 0.42 cm in men and 7.85 cm ± 0.30 cm in women (P < 0.01). The relative values for the medial condylar depth were 6.11 cm ± 0.34 cm and 5.59 cm ± 0.29 cm (P < 0.05); for the lateral condylar depth were 6.11 cm ± 0.33 cm and 5.54 cm ± 0.21 cm (P < 0.01); for the intercondylar width were 2.20 cm ± 0.18 cm and 1.87 cm ± 0.10 cm (P < 0.001); for the intercondylar depth were 2.78 cm ± 0.16 cm and 2.37 cm ± 0.12 cm (P < 0.001). No significant side-to-side difference was observed in any parameter. The femoral condyles differences in anatomy between genders might be useful to the design of total knee prostheses. The contralateral healthy side can be safely used for preoperative templating since there were no significant side differences.

Abnormal muscles that may affect axillary lymphadenectomy: surgical anatomy

Purpose The present study aimed at summarizing and presenting the anomalous muscles that a surgeon might encounter during axillary lymphadenectomy (AL). Methods For this purpose, both the anatomical and surgical literature was reviewed and an anatomical study on 107 cadavers was carried out. Furthermore, based on the anatomical features of the anomalous muscles that came up during our study and taking into consideration the landmarks of the AL, we further analyzed the complications that may arise from each of these muscles, along with their preoperative and intraoperative recognition and management. Results The literature review revealed that there are three supernumerary muscles that may affect the AL, namely the Langer’s axillary arch, the pectoralis quartus and the chondroepitrochlearis muscles, as well as the aplasia of the lower part of the pectoralis major muscle. Eight out of the 107 (7.48%) cadavers that we dissected had such an abnormal muscle in the axilla. Specifically, the axillary arch was found unilaterally in five cadavers (4.67%) and the pectoralis quartus muscle was present unilaterally in three cadavers (2.8%). One cadaver had both an axillary arch and a pectoralis quartus muscle in the right side. The abdominal and almost the whole sternocostal portion of the pectoralis major as well the pectoralis minor muscle were absent in one cadaver (0.93%). The chondroepitrochlearis muscle was not found in any of the cadavers that we dissected. Conclusions The present study offers the necessary preoperative knowledge for recognizing these muscles during AL, avoiding thus the complications that may arise from them.

Bilateral femoral hernia in a male cadaver with vascular variations: case report and review of the literature.

Femoral hernia, which is a less common occurrence than inguinal hernia, is not congenital in most cases and is uncommon in young males. It is considered to be more common in females than in males due to an enlarged femoral ring in the former. A case of bilateral femoral hernia in a 64-year-old male cadaver is described within the framework of an anatomical approach. On the right side, the protrusion of the viscus appeared as a small intestine coil, whereas on the left side the protruded viscus appeared as a pelvic colon’s appendix appiplocae. On both sides, the protruded viscus was located in front of an aberrant obturator artery, which oriented from the external iliac artery and not from the internal iliac artery as should be the case. The puberal branch of the inferior epigastric artery was absent. The cadaver’s medical history and his skin examination excluded an abdominal surgery. In the literature, case reports of bilateral femoral hernia appear only seldom, especially those of male patients who had not undergone inguinal hernia repair surgery. In femoral hernias more often than in other types of hernia, the protruded viscus is strangulated and undergoes a tissue necrosis. Morbidity and mortality for complicated femoral hernia is high. Knowledge of vascular variation such as presented by the cadaver under study is extremely useful to the surgeon because any iatrogenic injury of the aberrant obturator artery during a laparoscopic repair may result in dangerous hemorrhage.

An arterial island pattern of the axillary and brachial arteries: a case report with clinical implications

The variability of axillary and brachial arteries is often associated with neural anomalies in arrangement of the brachial plexus. The current report is focused on the coexistence of two brachial arteries of axillary origin with an atypical median nerve formatted by three (two lateral and a medial) roots in the right arm of a 68-year-old male cadaver. Medially, the brachial artery located in front of the median nerve was named superficial brachial artery and anastomosed with the brachial artery situated posterolateral to the median nerve, hence it is referred as the main brachial artery or brachial artery. Subsequently, the two arteries were recombined and the created arterial complex, like an island pattern, ended dividing into radial and ulnar arteries, at the level of the radial neck. To our knowledge, the combination of the above-mentioned arterial pattern to an abnormally formatted median nerve has not yet been cited. The current neurovascular abnormalities followed by an embryological explanation may have clinical implications.

Chondroepitrochlearis: an abnormal muscle that may affect axillary lymphadenectomy

Professor Mellick is to be complimented for his biographical sketch of Sir Kenelm Digby, the exceptionally talented 17th-century polymath who dabbled in medicine among many other things. Digby lived in a tumultuous time when science as we now know had begun to emerge. Much has been written about Digby and his extraordinary accomplishments. He was the subject of the Wilkinson Lecture at Worcester College, Oxford, in 2005. This was given by Lesley Le Claire, the scholarly former college librarian. Le Claire had access to the treasure trove of Digbiana in the college. The college holds nearly all of Digby’s publications and many of them are first editions. The erudite lecture added some further insights into the life of this man for most (?all) seasons. As a Catholic, Digby could not become either a full member of Oxford or of one of its colleges. Neither could he take a degree. However, in the early 17th century, provisions were made for Catholics to attend Gloucester Hall, Oxford, an organization with a chequered Benedictine-linked history and which later evolved into Worcester College. It was at Gloucester Hall that Digby came under the influence of the mathematician Thomas Allen who dubbed him ‘the Mirandola of his age’, an extraordinary anointment for the intellectually precocious 15-year-old. Le Claire records that Digby was far from alone in his contention that the Powder of Sympathy was efficacious in promoting wound healing. He also stated, ‘The fact that healing often did occur has a simple explanation. Digby insisted that the wound itself should be kept absolutely clean with no application of the extremely dubious ointments in current use. Unwittingly, he was aiming at asepsis – a lesson that our modern hospitals are having to re-learn’. Le Claire makes a notable point in his observation that ‘Perhaps his greatest legacy is to the world of literature – not only at the material level of his generosity to libraries and his patronage of contemporary writers – but also in a more subtle sense: his vivid personality caught the imagination of writers long after his death’. It is well recorded that Digby more than dabbled in epicurean delights of the table and this may well have contributed to his eventually fatal trouble with ‘the stone’. Nevertheless, the Englishspeaking world is, perhaps unknowingly, forever indebted to this bon vivant for it was he who was ‘the first to recommend bacon and eggs for breakfast’ – still the unbeatable, gustatory quinella with which to start the day. References

Bilateral rectus femoris intramuscular haematoma following simultaneous quadriceps strain in an athlete: a case report

IntroductionBilateral rectus femoris haematoma following a simultaneous strain of the quadriceps muscles is a very rare condition.Case presentationWe report the case of a 21-year-old Greek Caucasian female rowing athlete who was injured on both thighs. She complained of pain and inability to walk. Physical examination revealed tenderness over the thighs and restriction of knee movement. The result of a roentgenogram was normal, and there was no evidence of fracture or patella displacement. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed haematoma formation in both the rectus femoris muscles. The diameters of the left and right haematomas within the muscles were 6 cm and 5 cm, respectively. Therapeutic approaches included compression bandages, ice application, rest, elevation, and administration of muscle relaxant drugs. Active stretching and isometric exercises were performed after three days. The patient was able to walk using crutches two days after the initiation of treatment. On the seventh day, she had regained her full ability to walk without crutches. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered on the fifth day and continued for one week. Six weeks later, she had pain-free function and the result of magnetic resonance imaging was normal. She was able to resume her training programme and two weeks later, she returned to her previous sport activities and competitions.ConclusionThere are references in the literature regarding the occurrence of unilateral quadriceps haematomas following strain and bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture in athletes. Simultaneous bilateral rectus femoris haematomas after a muscle strain is a rare condition. It must be diagnosed early. The three phases of treatment are rest, knee mobilization, and restoration of quadriceps function.

Levator claviculae muscle: a case report

In the current study a levator claviculae muscle, found in a 65-year old male cadaver, is presented. We describe the topography and morphology of this accessory muscle, which may be found in 1-3% of the population. Moreover, we discuss the embryologic origin of the muscle along with its clinical importance.

Incidence and morphometry of sellar bridges and related foramina in dry skulls: Their significance in middle cranial fossa surgery

PURPOSE The current study investigated the incidence, morphology and morphometry of the ossified ligaments expanding between petrous bone and posterior clinoid processes and in between the anterior, middle and posterior clinoid processes. Side symmetry, gender dimorphism and age influence were also studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 123 adult Greek dry skulls were observed. RESULTS A caroticoclinoid bar (CCB) was found in 60.2%. Partial CCBs appeared more commonly (36.6%) than complete (23.6%). The caroticoclinoid foramen (CCF) was symmetrical on both sides and genders. An anterior interclinoid, a posterior petroclinoid and a partial posterior interclinoid bar appeared in 19.5%, 6.5% and 2.4%, respectively. Osseous spurs posterolateral to the posterior clinoid process were present in 5.7%. CONCLUSION The study highlights important morphometric details about osseous bars of the sella region and the related CCF in Greek skulls. Notable differences in the incidence of these bars in Greek individuals compared with findings from other populations highlight the growing awareness of ethnic differences in skull base landmarks. Variations and surgically oriented measurements provided by this study may benefit clinicians involved in the treatment of the middle cranial fossa pathology, enriching understanding of the complicated regional anatomy. Preoperative sellar area mapping is essential, by using computed tomography images, since modification of the surgical approach may be required in cases of severe ossification.

Reliability of the posterolateral corner of the acromion as a landmark for the posterior arthroscopic portal of the shoulder

HYPOTHESIS The present study aimed to evaluate the variability of the posterolateral corner of the acromion (PCA) position in relation to the glenohumeral joint, in a craniocaudal direction, to assess whether the universal use of a certain distance from that point will always lead to a consistent placement of the posterior arthroscopic portal of the shoulder. METHODS The study used 140 dried scapulae (36 women and 34 men). Measurements included the glenoid height and the perpendicular distance between the PCA and the most superior point of the glenoid. The percentage of coverage of the glenoid by the acromion was defined as the ratio between the 2 measurements. The Student t test was used to examine for significant differences between the sexes and the Student paired t test between sides (P < .05). RESULTS The average glenoid height was 3.37 ± 0.29 cm (range, 2.69-4.00 cm). The perpendicular distance between the PCA and the most superior point of the glenoid was 0.82 ± 0.69 cm (range, -0.35 to 2.27 cm). The percentage of coverage of the glenoid by the acromion was 24% ± 20% (range, -10% to 64%). CONCLUSIONS The position of the PCA in relation to the glenohumeral joint is quite variable. Therefore, the use of a universal distance from the PCA will not always lead to a consistent placement of the posterior arthroscopic portal of the shoulder. Future research is needed in this area to develop techniques to individualize placement of the posterior portal.

A systematic classification of the vertebral artery variable origin: clinical and surgical implications

Several congenital anomalies regarding the right (RVA) and left (LVA) vertebral artery have been described. The current paper aims to perform a systematic literature review of the variable vertebral artery (VA) origin from the aortic arch (AOA) and its branches. The incidence of these variants and the ensuing AOA branching pattern are highlighted. Atypical origin cases were found more commonly unilaterally, while LVA presented the majority of the aberrancies. The LVA emersion from the AOA (3.6%) and the RVA from the right common carotid artery (RCCA) (0.14%) were the commonest origin variations. Aberrant RVA origin as last branch of the AOA is very rare. Eighteen cases (0.12%) with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSCA) were found. Among them, the RVA originated from the RCCA and right subclavian artery in 94.4 and 5.6%, respectively. Sporadic cases had an AOA origin bilaterally; RVA and LVA had a double origin in 0.027 and 0.11%, respectively. A dual origin was detected in 0.0069%, bilaterally. The atypical VA origin may coexist with: (i) an ARSCA, (ii) a common origin of brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery (the misnomer bovine arch) and (iii) a bicarotid trunk. The aberrant VA origin favors hemodynamic alterations, predisposing to cerebrovascular disorders and intracranial aneurysm formation. Detailed information of VA variants is crucial for both endovascular interventionists and diagnostic radiologists involved in the treatment of patients with cerebrovascular disease. Such information may prove useful to minimize the risk of VA injury in several procedures.