Intraosseous Schwannoma (Neurilemmoma) of the Cervical Spine

Purpose: To report on an extremely rare tumour located in the cervical spine, its treatment and result. Review of the literature

Good results with cemented total hip arthroplasty in patients between 40 and 50 years of age: 168 hips followed for 2–19 years

Background and purpose Total hip arthroplasties in young patients have lower long-term survival rates than in older patients. We evaluated the use of a unique treatment protocol in patients aged between 40 and 50 years. In all cases we used a cemented THA, and for acetabular deficiencies we also used impacted bone grafts together with a cemented cup

Angiosarcoma With Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour Developing in a Patient With Klippel–Trénaunay–Weber Syndrome

Purpose: We discuss the coexistence of Klippel–Trénaunay–Weber syndrome with various malignancies, the possible histogenetic pathways and therapeutic implications

Effect on Tissue Differentiation and Articular Cartilage Degradation of a Polymer Meniscus Implant. A 2-Year Follow-up Study in Dogs

Background: Replacement of the meniscus by an implant could potentially avoid cartilage degeneration. Hypothesis: An implant of degradable polycaprolacton-polyurethane should act as a temporary scaffold enabling regeneration of a new meniscus by slow degradation of the polymer and simultaneous in-growth and differentiation of tissues into the typical cartilage-like tissue of the meniscus. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: In 13 dogs’ knees, the lateral meniscus was replaced with a porous polymer implant (6 and 7 for 6- and 24-month follow-up, respectively); in 7 knees only a meniscectomy was performed. In 6 knees, no surgery was performed. After 6 and 24 months, the implants and the articular cartilage were histologically evaluated. Compression-stress tests were performed on implant biopsy specimens. Results: The implants were fully integrated into the tissue without formation of a capsule. The foreign body reaction did not exceed grade I. Differentiation from fibrous- to cartilage-like tissue was pronounced after 24 months. Viable cells were particularly absent after 24 months in central parts of the most anterior part of the scaffold. The mechanical properties of the implants were intermediate between the scaffold before implantation and native meniscus tissue and were not different between 6 and 24 months. After both 6 and 24 months, small areas of the implant were not covered with tissue. Cartilage degeneration was not prevented. Conclusion: A final remodeling of tissue into neomeniscus tissue could not take place since the original structure of the polymer was still present after 24 months. The implant did not prevent cartilage degradation. Several factors are discussed that may be responsible for this. Clinical Relevance: Although clinical application of a polymer implant for the replacement of the entire meniscus is not supported by this study, the authors strongly believe in the concept, but further improvements in the implant and surgical technique are needed before such an implant can be recommended for human clinical use.