The endonasal midline inferior intercavernous approach to the cavernous sinus: technical note, cadaveric step-by-step illustration, and case presentation

Purpose Traditional endoscopic endonasal approaches to the cavernous sinus (CS) open the anterior CS wall just medial to the internal carotid artery (ICA), posing risk of vascular injury. This work describes a potentially safer midline cellar entry point for accessing the CS utilizing its connection with the inferior intercavernous sinus (IICS) when anatomically present.Methods The technique for the midline intercavernous dural access is described and depicted with cadaveric dissections and a clinical case.Results An endoscopic endonasal approach exposed the periosteal dural layer of anterior sella and CS. The IICS was opened sharply in midline through its periosteal layer. The feather knife was inserted and advanced laterally within the IICS toward the anterior CS wall, thereby gradually incising the periosteal layer of the IICS. The knife was turned superiorly then inferiorly in a vertical direction to open the anterior CS wall. This provided excellent access to the CS compartments, maintained the meningeal layer of the IICS and the medial CS wall, and avoided an initial dural incision immediately adjacent to the ICA.Conclusion The midline intercavernous dural access to the CS assisted by a 90 degrees dissector-blade is an effective modification to previously described techniques, with potentially lower risk to the ICA

The minimum follow-up required for radial head arthroplasty

AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to define the standard minimum follow-up required to produce a reliable estimate of the rate of re-operation after radial head arthroplasty (RHA). The secondary objective was to define the leading reasons for re-operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four electronic databases, between January 2000 and March 2017 were searched. Articles reporting reasons for re-operation (Group I) and results (Group II) after RHA were included. In Group I, a meta-analysis was performed to obtain the standard minimum follow-up, the mean time to re-operation and the reason for failure. In Group II, the minimum follow-up for each study was compared with the standard minimum follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 40 studies were analysed: three were Group I and included 80 implants and 37 were Group II and included 1192 implants. In Group I, the mean time to re-operation was 1.37 years (0 to 11.25), the standard minimum follow-up was 3.25 years; painful loosening was the main indication for re-operation. In Group II, 33 Group II articles (89.2%) reported a minimum follow-up of < 3.25 years. CONCLUSION: The literature does not provide a reliable estimate of the rate of re-operation after RHA. The reproducibility of results would be improved by using a minimum follow-up of three years combined with a consensus of the definition of the reasons for failure after RHA

Causes for early and late surgical re-intervention after radial head arthroplasty

PURPOSE: The primary objective was to describe the reasons for surgical re-intervention after radial head arthroplasty. The secondary objective was to analyze the radiographic and clinical outcomes after surgical re-intervention at the elbow with implant conservation. METHODS: Among the 70 radial head arthroplasties with bipolar radial head implant performed between 2002 and 2014, 29 required surgical re-interventions. Reasons for surgical re-intervention were gathered from operative notes and follow-up documentation. Patients who underwent re-intervention with implant retention were reassessed via clinical and radiographic examinations by an independent reviewer. RESULTS: Twenty nine re-operations were performed at a mean follow-up of 16 ± 11.7 months (0.2-36 months). The prosthesis was removed in 18 cases and retained in 11. There was a significant difference in mean time to re-intervention between the implant removal and preservation groups, 23.1 ± 8.3 months (7-36 months) and 4.4 ± 4.7 months (0.2-13 months), respectively (p < 0.001). The primary reason for surgical re-intervention was painful loosening (13 cases). Radio-capitellar instability was the most frequent reason for re-intervention with implant retention (5 cases). Midterm quickDASH and MEPS after surgical re-intervention with implant retention were 15.4 ± 5.4 and 82.27 ± 7.3, respectively. At least one degenerative lesion was reported in nine cases (81.8%) (i.e. 5 periprosthetic osteolysis, 5 capitellar wear, 5 periarticular heterotopic ossification). CONCLUSIONS: Painful loosening and capitellar instability are the primary reasons for surgical re-intervention with or without implant removal. Midterm clinical results are favourable despite an elevated rate of degenerative lesions after surgical re-intervention with implant retention

Short to midterm outcomes of one hundred and seventy one MoPyC radial head prostheses: meta-analysis

The MoPyC implant is an uncemented long-stemmed radial head prosthesis that obtains primary press-fit fixation via controlled expansion of the stem. Current literature regarding MoPyC implants appears promising; however, sample sizes in these studies are small. Our primary objective was to evaluate the short- to midterm clinical outcomes of a large sample of the MoPyC prostheses. The secondary objective was to determine the reasons for failure of the MoPyC devices. METHODS: Four electronic databases were queried for literature published between January 2000 and March 2017. Articles describing clinical and radiographic outcomes as well as reasons for reoperation were included. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain range of motion, mean Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS), radiographic outcome, and reason for failure. RESULTS: A total of five articles describing 171 patients (82 males) with MoPyC implants were included. Mean patient age and follow-up were 52 years (18-79) and 3.1 years (1-9), respectively. Midterm clinical results were good or excellent (MEPS > 74) in 157 patients. Overall complication rate was low (n = 22), while periprosthetic osteolysis was reported in 78 patients. Nineteen patients returned to the operating room, with implant revision being required in ten patients. The two primary reasons for failure were (intra-)prosthetic dislocation (n = 8) followed by stiffness (n = 7); no painful loosening was described. CONCLUSION: Short- to midterm outcomes of MoPyC prostheses are satisfactory and complications associated are low. The use of stem auto-expansion as a mode of obtaining primary fixation in radial head arthroplasty appears to be an effective solution for reducing the risk of painful loosening

Notch 1 Receptor, Delta 1 Ligand and HES 1 Transcription Factor are Expressed in the Lining Epithelium of Periapical Cysts (Preliminary Study)

Periapical cyst is a chronic inflammatory disorder of periradicular tissues. The precise pathological mechanisms involved in periapical cyst enlargement remain unclear. Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway with a regulatory role in cell fate decisions during development and in carcinogenesis. To date, there are no published data available on the expression of Notch signaling components in periapical cysts or any other jaw cyst. In this immunohistochemical study we have examined the expression of the receptor Notch 1, the ligand Delta 1 and the transcription factor HES 1 in the epithelium of well defined periapical cysts. Immunostaining reaction of Notch 1, Delta 1 and HES 1 was observed in the cytoplasm and/or the cytoplasmic membrane and occasionally in the nucleus in the majority of epithelial cells of all periapical cysts. The present observations indicate that Notch pathway is active in the epithelium of periapical cysts. It can be speculated that activation of epithelial cells of periapical cysts is associated with activation of Notch pathway and imply involvement of this pathway in periapical cyst growth and expansion

Non-surgical interventions for lumbar spinal stenosis leading to neurogenic claudication: a clinical practice guideline

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) causing neurogenic claudication (NC) is increasingly common with an aging population and can be associated with significant symptoms and functional limitations. We developed this guideline to present the evidence and provide clinical recommendations on nonsurgical management of patients with LSS causing NC. Using the GRADE approach, a multidisciplinary guidelines panel based recommendations on evidence from a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews published through June 2019, or expert consensus. The literature monitored up to October 2020. Clinical outcomes evaluated included pain, disability, quality of life, and walking capacity. The target audience for this guideline includes all clinicians, and the target patient population includes adults with LSS (congenital and/or acquired, lateral recess or central canal, with or without low back pain, with or without spondylolisthesis) causing NC. The guidelines panel developed 6 recommendations based on randomized controlled trials and 5 others based on professional consensus, summarized in 3 overarching recommendations: (Grade: statements are all conditional/weak recommendations) Recommendation 1. For patients with LSS causing NC, clinicians and patients may initially select multimodal care nonpharmacological therapies with education, advice and lifestyle changes, behavioral change techniques in conjunction with home exercise, manual therapy, and/or rehabilitation (moderate-quality evidence), traditional acupuncture on a trial basis (very low-quality evidence), and postoperative rehabilitation (supervised program of exercises and/or educational materials encouraging activity) with cognitive-behavioral therapy 12 weeks postsurgery (low-quality evidence). Recommendation 2. In patients LSS causing NC, clinicians and patients may consider a trial of serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants. (very low-quality evidence). Recommendation 3. For patients LSS causing NC, we recommend against the use of the following pharmacological therapies: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methylcobalamin, calcitonin, paracetamol, opioids, muscle relaxants, pregabalin (consensus-based), gabapentin (very low-quality), and epidural steroidal injections (high-quality evidence). Perspective: This guideline, on the basis of a systematic review of the evidence on the nonsurgical management of lumbar spine stenosis, provides recommendations developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Safe and effective non-surgical management of lumbar spine stenosis should be on the basis of a plan of care tailored to the individual and the type of treatment involved, and multimodal care is recommended in most situations. © 2021 The Author

Sealing effectiveness of materials used in furcation perforation in vitro

Objectives: In this study the sealing ability of various materials used to repair furcation perforations was evaluated. Design: Ninety human molars were endodontically treated and a perforation was made in the pulp chamber floor using a round bur. The teeth were inserted into a moistened flower sponge and perforation sites were sealed with one of the following materials: Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (ProRootM∼), Super-EBA, Vitremer, Hemarcol together with Super-EBA, Hemarcol together with Vitremer, Tricalcium phosphate together with AH26, Cavit W and amalgam. After eight months, the sealing effectiveness of the materials was evaluated in a double-blinded trial under a video-microscope by detecting the penetration of silver nitrate solution (50%w/w) in longitudinal tooth sections. Results: Perforation sites filled with Hemarcol together with Vitremer or with MTA exhibited statistically less silver stain penetration while Cavit W or Tricalcium phosphate together with AH 26 sealer failed to effectively seal the perforation sites. Conclusions: MTA alone or Vitremer in combination with a collagen sponge can be used effectively in the treatment of perforations in a furcation area. © 2005 FDI/World Dental Press