Double incision iso-anatomical ACL reconstruction: the freedom to place the femoral tunnel within the anatomical attachment site without exception

Aim: The present paper describes the rationale behind the surgical technique and the clinical results of the iso-anatomical, single bundle bone patellar-tendon bone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Method: Using a second incision on the distal lateral femur an outside-in femoral tunnel is drilled. Guided by a special aiming device it is possible to place the femoral tunnel in the centre of the ACL footprint in every single case. Conclusion: Since every crucial step of the procedure is under visual control, the technique is safe and reliable, which is mirrored by good clinical result

Isoanatomical bone-patellar tendon-bone single-bundle ACL reconstruction: the wedge that gives the edge!

The purpose of the present paper is to describe the isoanatomical, single bundle, bone-patellar tendon-bone A3B-ACL reconstruction technique (A3B=Anatomical Bruderholz, Burkart, Biedert) in detail. The technical key factors and the pitfalls are highlighted. In addition, the pros and cons of the technique are discusse

Quantification of bone strength by intraoperative torque measurement: a technical note

Introduction: Bone strength describes the resistance of bone against mechanical failure. Bone strength depends on both the amount of bone and the bone's quality, and the bone strength may be looked upon as a relevant parameter to judge an osteosynthesis' stability. Information about bone strength was barely available intraoperatively in the past. The previous work of our group reported on development and laboratory evaluation of mechanical torque measurement as a method for the intraoperative quantification of bone strength. With the clinical series presented here we intend to verify that the im gesamten Text DensiProbe™ instrumentation for intraoperative torque measurement and the related measurement method are eligible for intraoperative use based on the following criteria: application of the method may not create complications, the measurement can be performed by the surgeon himself and may only cause a limited increase in the procedure time. Patients and methods: From December 2006 until May 2007 ten patients with a pertrochanteric femoral fracture or a lateral femoral neck fracture eligible for stabilization with DHS® were included in the study after having received informed consent. Any medication and comorbidity that might have influenced bone quality or bone mineral density (BMD) in these patients was documented. Bone strength was intraoperatively measured with DensiProbe®. Complications that were obviously related with torque measurement were documented as well as any deviation from the suggested procedure; 6 and 12 weeks postoperative follow-up included clinical and radiological examination. The time required for torque measurement, the overall operating time and the number of persons present in the operating room were protocolled. BMD values of the contralateral femoral neck were postoperatively assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and compared to intraoperative peak torque values measured by DensiProbe®. Results: No major complication was observed during intraoperative application of DensiProbe®by trained surgeons. The unintended extraction of the guide wire together with the torque measurement probe was reported only once and is looked upon as a minor complication. Fracture healing was uneventful in all patients. The mean time for torque measurement was 2.35±0.9min accounting for 2.2±1.1% of total surgery time. The presence of an additional person was not required to perform torque measurement but to protocol the data. There was a tendency towards correlation between BMD values of the femoral neck and intraoperative peak torque values. Discussion: The data presented clearly indicate that the DensiProbe® instrumentation and measurement principle are eligible for routine intraoperative use by trained surgeons. Interpretation of possible correlations between BMD values measured by means of DEXA and the Peak Torque values assessed by DensiProbe® has to be considered very carefully, because BMD and Peak Torque analyse bone at a different scale. Only within the framework of a multicenter study it will be possible to include a sufficient number of patients for calculation of the methods' predictive value towards implant failure and to verify acceptance of the method by the surgeon

Spreading recruitment over time to cope with environmental variability

10 paginas, 3 figuras, 2 tablas.-- El PDF es la versión de autor.Seedling establishment is one of the most vulnerable life cycle stages, and a key component for the population dynamics in short-lived plants. In unpredictable environments, timing of emergence is critical for the success of plant performance, and different adaptive bet-hedging strategies have evolved to reduce the risk of failure in recruitment. In this study we describe the spatio-temporal pattern of seedling emergence (overall rate and timing) and survival in four contrasting Mediterranean habitats for Plantago coronopus, a small herb with dimorphic seeds. We then explore the importance of spreading germination within years, as well as the role of the two types of seeds from a broader temporal perspective. Populations strongly differed for all recruitment components analyzed in a given year, but this spatial differentiation diluted when a longer period was considered. Apical (smaller) seeds germinated later and in a significantly lower proportion than basal (larger) seeds. Both late emergents and seedlings from apical seeds had lower survival probability in a rainy year. However, our results suggest that in a population having the lowest production of apical seeds, late emergents coming from apical seeds may constitute a large fraction of yearly recruitment and that their performance was non-significantly different from that of early emergents over the 4-year study period. This study provides evidence of the importance of two related traits (spreading seedling emergence through time by producing dimorphic seeds) as bet-hedging strategies to cope with environmental unpredictability. This is at least partly accomplished by increasing the potential of recruitment in favourable years, instead of buffering such important process in extremely bad years.This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, under projects BOS2002-01162 and CGL2006-08507 to MBG.Peer reviewe

SPECT/CT tracer uptake is influenced by tunnel orientation and position of the femoral and tibial ACL graft insertion site

Purpose: SPECT/CT is a hybrid imaging modality, which combines a 3D scintigraphy (SPECT) and a conventional computerised tomography (CT). SPECT/CT allows accurate anatomical localisation of metabolic tracer activity. It allows the correlation of surgical factors such as tunnel position and orientation with mechanical alignment, clinical outcome and biological factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the SPECT/CT tracer uptake (intensity and distribution) correlates with the stability and laxity of the knee joint and the position and orientation of the tibial and femoral tunnels in patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: A consecutive series of knees (n = 66), with symptoms of pain and/or instability after ACL reconstruction were prospectively evaluated using clinical examination and 99mTc-HDP-SPECT/CT. Clinical laxity testing was performed using the Rolimeter (Ormed, Freiburg, Germany) including Lachman testing (0-2 mm, 3-5 mm, 6-10 mm, >10 mm), anterior drawer test (0-2 mm, 3-5 mm, 6-10 mm, >10 mm), pivot shift test (positive versus negative) and patient-based subjective instability (yes versus no). For analysis of SPECT/CT tracer uptake a previously validated SPECT/CT localisation scheme consisting of 17 tibial, nine femoral and four patellar regions on standardised axial, coronal, and sagittal slices was used. The tracer activity on SPECT/CT was localised and recorded using a 3D volumetric and quantitative analysis software. Mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum of grading for each area of the localisation scheme were recorded. The position and orientation of the tibial and femoral tunnel was assessed using a previously published method on 3D-CT. Results: Correlation of instability, pivot shift as well as clinical laxity testing with 99mTc-HDP-SPECT/CT tracer uptake intensity and distribution showed no significant correlation. 99mTc-HDP-SPECT/CT tracer uptake correlated significantly with the position and orientation of the ACL graft. A more horizontal femoral graft position showed significantly increased tracer uptake within the superior and posterior femoral regions. A more posteriorly-placed femoral insertion site showed significantly more tracer uptake within the femoral and tibial tunnel regions. A more vertical or a less medial tibial tunnel orientation showed significant increased uptake within the tibial and femoral tunnel regions. A more anterior tibial tunnel position showed significantly more tracer uptake in the femoral and tibial tunnel regions as well as the entire tibiofemoral joint. Conclusions: SPECT/CT tracer uptake intensity and distribution showed a significant correlation with the femoral and tibial tunnel position and orientation in patients with symptomatic knees after ACL reconstruction. No correlation was found with stability or clinical laxity. SPECT/CT tracer uptake distribution has the potential to give us important information on joint homeostasis and remodelling after ACL reconstruction. It might help to predict ACL graft failure and improve our surgical ACL reconstruction technique in finding the optimal tunnel and graft position and orientatio

A direct relationship between oscillatory subthalamic nucleus-cortex coupling and rest tremor in Parkinson's disease

Electrophysiological studies suggest that rest tremor in Parkinson's disease is associated with an alteration of oscillatory activity. Although it is well known that tremor depends on cortico-muscular coupling, it is unclear whether synchronization within and between brain areas is specifically related to the presence and severity of tremor. To tackle this longstanding issue, we took advantage of naturally occurring spontaneous tremor fluctuations and investigated cerebral synchronization in the presence and absence of rest tremor. We simultaneously recorded local field potentials from the subthalamic nucleus, the magnetoencephalogram and the electromyogram of forearm muscles in 11 patients with Parkinson's disease (all male, age: 52-74 years). Recordings took place the day after surgery for deep brain stimulation, after withdrawal of anti-parkinsonian medication. We selected epochs containing spontaneous rest tremor and tremor-free epochs, respectively, and compared power and coherence between subthalamic nucleus, cortex and muscle across conditions. Tremor-associated changes in cerebro-muscular coherence were localized by Dynamic Imaging of Coherent Sources. Subsequently, cortico-cortical coupling was analysed by computation of the imaginary part of coherency, a coupling measure insensitive to volume conduction. After tremor onset, local field potential power increased at individual tremor frequency and cortical power decreased in the beta band (13-30 Hz). Sensor level subthalamic nucleus-cortex, cortico-muscular and subthalamic nucleus-muscle coherence increased during tremor specifically at tremor frequency. The increase in subthalamic nucleus-cortex coherence correlated with the increase in electromyogram power. On the source level, we observed tremor-associated increases in cortico-muscular coherence in primary motor cortex, premotor cortex and posterior parietal cortex contralateral to the tremulous limb. Analysis of the imaginary part of coherency revealed tremor-dependent coupling between these cortical areas at tremor frequency and double tremor frequency. Our findings demonstrate a direct relationship between the synchronization of cerebral oscillations and tremor manifestation. Furthermore, they suggest the feasibility of tremor detection based on local field potentials and might thus become relevant for the design of closed-loop stimulation systems

Assessment of in vivo loading history of the patellofemoral joint: a study combining patellar position, tilt, alignment and bone SPECT/CT

Purpose: The current study investigates whether patella height and tilt or leg alignment influence the intensity values as well as the distribution pattern of single photon emission computerized tomography/computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) tracer uptake in the patellofemoral joint. Methods: 99mTc-HDP-SPECT/CT and radiographs of consecutive 84 knees were prospectively obtained. Lateral radiographs were analyzed in terms of patellar height, Insall-Salvati index and modified Insall-Salvati index. Skyline views were analyzed for Laurin's lateral patellofemoral angle. On long-leg radiographs, the mechanical leg alignment was classified as varus, valgus or neutral. SPECT/CT was analyzed for each anatomical region using a previously validated SPECT/CT localization and grading algorithm. Mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum of grading for each area of the localization scheme were recorded. Nonparametric Spearman's correlations were used to correlate patellar height, lateral patellar angle and leg alignment with the tracer uptake intensity. Chi-square statistics were used for categorical data (p<0.05). Results: A patella baja correlated significantly with higher SPECT/CT tracer uptake in all patellar and lateral femoral regions (p<0.001). A higher lateral patellar tilt correlated significantly with higher tracer uptake in the superior lateral femoral parts and the tibial tubercle. In mechanically varus aligned knees, there was significantly higher SPECT/CT tracer uptake on the medial and in valgus knees on the lateral part of the patellofemoral joint (p<0.05). Conclusions: As the intensity and distribution of the SPECT/CT significantly correlated with patella baja and patellar tilt, SPECT/CT might be considered as imaging modality for evaluating patients with patellofemoral disorders and for follow-up of patients after patellofemoral realignment procedures. Level of evidence: Diagnostic study, Level II

Differential effects of α4β7 and GPR15 on homing of effector and regulatory T cells from patients with UC to the inflamed gut in vivo

Objective: Gut homing of lymphocytes via adhesion molecules has recently emerged as new target for therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases. We aimed to analyze the in vivo homing of effector (Teff) and regulatory (Treg) T cells to the inflamed gut via α4β7 and GPR15. Design: We assessed the expression of homing receptors on T cells in peripheral blood and inflamed mucosa. We studied the migration pattern and homing of Teff and Treg cells to the inflamed gut using intravital confocal microscopy and FACS in a humanized mouse model in DSS-treated NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid-Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ) mice. Results: Expression of GPR15 and α4β7 was significantly increased on Treg rather than Teff cells in peripheral blood of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) as compared to Crohn´s disease and controls. In vivo analysis in a humanized mouse model showed augmented gut homing of UC Treg cells as compared to controls. Moreover, suppression of UC (but not control) Teff and Treg cell homing was noted upon treatment with the α4β7 antibody vedolizumab. In contrast, siRNA blockade of GPR15 had only effects on homing of Teff cells but did not affect Treg homing in UC. Clinical vedolizumab treatment was associated with marked expansion of UC Treg cells in peripheral blood. Conclusion: α4β7 rather than GPR15 is crucial for increased colonic homing of UC Treg cells in vivo, while both receptors control UC Teff homing. Vedolizumab treatment impairs homing of UC Treg cells leading to their accumulation in peripheral blood with subsequent suppression of systemic effector T cell expansion

Longitudinal Recordings Reveal Transient Increase of Alpha/Low-Beta Power in the Subthalamic Nucleus Associated With the Onset of Parkinsonian Rest Tremor

Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies suggest that different subcortico-cortical circuits control different aspects of Parkinsonian rest tremor. The basal ganglia were proposed to drive tremor onset, and the cerebellum was suggested to be responsible for tremor maintenance (“dimmer-switch” hypothesis). Although several electrophysiological correlates of tremor have been described, it is currently unclear whether any of these is specific to tremor onset or maintenance. In this study, we present data from a single patient measured repeatedly within 2 years after implantation of a deep brain stimulation (DBS) system capable of recording brain activity from the target. Local field potentials (LFPs) from the subthalamic nucleus and the scalp electroencephalogram were recorded 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Importantly, the patient suffered from severe rest tremor of the lower limbs, which could be interrupted voluntarily by repositioning the feet. This provided the unique opportunity to record many tremor onsets in succession. We found that tremor onset and tremor maintenance were characterized by distinct modulations of subthalamic oscillations. Alpha/low-beta power increased transiently immediately after tremor onset. In contrast, beta power was continuously suppressed during tremor maintenance. Tremor maintenance was additionally associated with subthalamic and cortical power increases around individual tremor frequency. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of distinct subthalamic LFP modulations in tremor onset and tremor maintenance. Our observations suggest the existence of an acceleration signal for Parkinsonian rest tremor in the basal ganglia, in line with the “dimmer-switch” hypothesis