Yasuyuki Ueba

Osteochondritis dissecans of the shoulder in a tennis player.

Osteochondritis dissecans is a rare cause of shoulder pain. In reviewing the literature of the past 60 years, we found only four cases involving the articular surface of the humeral head. 2,8,13,16 All theories as to the etiology of this disease have been open to criticism on the ground of validity. In general, these theories may be divided into those pointing to a traumatic origin and those pointing to a nontraumatic origin. Although a number of authors have suggested the possibility of nontraumatic theories3,6 11,18 centering around a bland embolism occluding the arteries supplying the articular plate, more recent studies accept the traumatic theories as more reasonable. 7,9,12,17 This report describes the case of a male who developed osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral head after playing tennis. The case in this study had a clinical course strongly suggestive of a traumatic origin for this disease.

Interaction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals deposited in chondrocalcinosis cartilage

SummaryElectron microscopy was used to investigate the characteristics of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals in chondrocalcinosis (pseudogout syndrome). Crystals in midzone cartilage were frequently seen adjacent to chondrocytes. Great variation in crystal size and shape was observed. Most of the pyrophosphate crystals that had been phagocytosed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes of synovial fluid from patients with acute pseudogout were small (≦1 μm), indicating that small crystals can cause intense inflammation. Large numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes became attached to the eroded articular surface and phagocytosed microcrystals. Interaction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with CPPD crystals in the superficial region of articular cartilage may stimulate the release of inflammatory mediators.

An intra-articular rheumatoid nodule in the hip. A case report.

Although subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules are frequently found in patients who have extensive polyarthritis and strongly positive serological tests3’6’8”#{176}, intra-articular rheumatoid nodules are rare2’3’5’7. Also, although intra-articular rheumatoid nodules have been demonstrated in the knee2’5’7, as far as we know they have not been observed previously in the hip. We are reporting the case of a patient who had a large rheumatoid nodule in the hip that originated in a subcutaneous nodule in the skin overlying the greater trochanter.

Effect of One Hand Sanding on Cardiometabolic and Ventilatory Functions in the Hemiplegic Elderly: A Preliminary Investigation

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of sanding upon cardiometabolic and pulmonary functions in eight elderly patients with cerebral vascular disease. This exercise consists of five grades with two factors: velocity and incline of board. Cardiometabolic and pulmonary indexes, METS, Pressure Rate Product (PRP) and Expiratory Volume (VE) are presented. In comparing basal position and any other grades in METS and VE, a significant difference at the 1% level was found. Concerning velocity and incline only the former was statistically significant at the 5% or 1% level. The results obtained suggest that the responses to sanding in the CVD patients could be more influenced by changing velocity than by angle of board.