Anatomical variation of a trifid (trifurcation) lateral root origin of the median nerve

Anatomic variations of the brachial plexus are common. Awareness of these variations is of paramount importance in clinical practice mainly in achieving best results in minimal invasive or surgical procedures. The aim of our study was to depict a case of a trifid lateral root origin of the medial nerve. This anatomical variation in the brachial plexus was encountered after dissection in upper extremities in a 90-year-old male cadaver

Reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Major Depression Inventory

BACKGROUND: The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is a brief self-rating scale for the assessment of depression. It is reported to be valid because it is based on the universe of symptoms of DSM-IV and ICD-10 depression. The aim of the current preliminary study was to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the MDI. METHODS: 30 depressed patients of mean age 23.41 (± 5.77) years, and 68 controls patients of mean age 25.08 (± 11.42) years, entered the study. In 18 of them, the instrument was re-applied 1–2 days later and the Translation and Back Translation made. Clinical diagnosis was reached with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE). The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) and the Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDRS) were applied for cross-validation purposes. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, the Spearman Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's α. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 and 0.94, respectively, at 26/27. Cronbach's α for the total scale was equal to 0.89. The Spearman's rho between MDI and CES-D was 0.86 and between MDI and ZDRS was 0.76. The factor analysis revealed two factors but the first accounted for 54% of variance while the second only for 9%. The test-retest reliability was excellent (Spearman's rho between 0.53 and 0.96 for individual items and 0.89 for total score). CONCLUSION: The current study provided preliminary evidence concerning the reliability and validity of the Greek translation of the MDI. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature, but further research is necessary

Reliability, Validity and Psychometric Properties of the Greek Translation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the current study was to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies- Depression Scale (CES-D). METHODS: 40 depressed patients 29.65 ± 9.38 years old, and 120 normal controls 27.23 ± 10.62 years old entered the study. In 20 of them (12 patients and 8 controls) the instrument was re-applied 1-2 days later. Translation and Back Translation was made. Clinical Diagnosis was reached by consensus of two examiners with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the IPDE. Statistical Analysis included ANOVA, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's alpha (α) RESULTS: Both Sensitivity and specificity exceed 90.00 at 23/24, Chronbach's alpha for the total scale was equal to 0.95. Factor analysis revealed three factors (positive affect, irritability and interpersonal relationships, depressed affect and somatic complains). The test-retest reliability was satisfactory (Pearson's R between 0.45 and 0.95 for individual items and 0.71 for total score). CONCLUSION: The Greek translation of the CES-D scale is both reliable and valid and is suitable for clinical and research use with satisfactory properties. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature. However one should always have in mind the limitations inherent in the use of self-report scales

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy: 10-year experience in a greek public maternity unit

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the current maternal obstetrical risk associated with different modes of delivery, concerning postpartum hysterectomy. Material and methods: In this retrospective study we collected data from the Birth Registry of the Delivery Room in our Obstetrics Department at the Perfectural General Hospital ?Tzaneio? of Piraeus. The study period was from January 1995 to December 2004. All the women that underwent postpartum hysterectomy during the study period were included in the study. Results: 13 women met the inclusion criteria during the study period. Nine of them underwent postpartum hysterectomy during caesarean section (69,24%), two of them after instrumental delivery (15,38%) and two of them after natural vaginal birth (15,38%). Two of them died during the first 24 hours after the hysterectomy. Conclusion: Surgical delivery is associated with a significantly higher rate of postpartum hysterectomy. Reducing caesarean delivery rates, may be the proper approach in reducing serious postpartum maternal complications

Anatomical variation of a trifid (trifurcation) lateral root origin of the median nerve

Anatomic variations of the brachial plexus are common. Awareness of these variations is of paramount importance in clinical practice mainly in achieving best results in minimal invasive or surgical procedures. The aim of our study was to depict a case of a trifid lateral root origin of the medial nerve. This anatomical variation in the brachial plexus was encountered after dissection in upper extremities in a 90-year-old male cadaver. Copyright © 2020 Via Medic

The chondrocoracoideus muscle: A rare anatomical variant of the pectoral area

OBJECTIVE: The study adds important information regarding the descriptive anatomy of a very rarely reported unilateral chondrocoracoideus muscle (of Wood). Additionally it highlights the concomitant muscular and neural alterations. CASE REPORT: The current case presents the occurrence of a chondrocoracoideus muscle situated left-sided, as an extension of the abdominal portion of the pectoralis major muscle (PM). The chondrocoracoideus coexisted with a contralateral atypical PM, partially blended with the clavicular fibers of the deltoid muscle. There was an accessory head of the biceps brachii while the palmaris longus was absent on the right side of a 78-year-old Greek male cadaver. CONCLUSION: The above mentioned muscular abnormalities are shown as disturbances of embryological pectoral muscle development, and their documentation is essential in order to increase awareness among clinicians of their potential impact on the diagnosis and treatment of several pathologies. Copyright © 2017 by Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina

A Rare Case of Posterior Tibial Artery Hypoplasia and Fibular Artery Enlargement and their Impact on the Arterial Supply of Posterior Crural Region

BACKGROUND: Detailed knowledge of the popliteal artery division and possible anatomical variants is of paramount importance for vascular surgery. AIM: The aim of the current study was to highlight a rare unilateral case of posterior tibial artery hypoplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dissection was performed at the posterior surface of the tibia in a 78-year-old Caucasian male cadaver of Greek origin. RESULTS: The findings were consistent with unilateral posterior tibial artery hypoplasia and fibular artery enlargement. The variant fibular artery supplied the posterior surface of the distal leg and foot. Clinical implications of the fibular artery dominance are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Rare anatomical variants of the tibial artery are of clinical significance to maximize safety and minimize intraoperative complications. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Correlation between maternal first trimester plasma leptin levels and birth weight among normotensive and preeclamptic women

Objective. To determine the connection between maternal first trimester serum leptin levels and newborn weight. Methods.The study included 37 preeclamptic women and 53 normotensive women who considered the control group. Maternal blood samples were withdrawn at 13 weeks of gestation for the measurement of leptin concentrations. Birth weights were transformed to z-scores according to maternal and obstetrical features, based on customised centiles. Non-parametric tests, student's t-test, Pearson's correlation, Spearman's correlation and linear regression analysis were performed in our analysis. Results.Pre-pregnancy body mass index and first trimester maternal plasma leptin levels were significantly higher among women with preeclampsia (p=0.015 and p<0.001, respectively). Birth weight z-score was negatively correlated with leptin levels (r-0.570, p<0.001), in preeclamptic group and in control group (r-0.477, p<0.001). The regression modelling demonstrated a significant negative association between birth weight z-scores and leptin for both groups. Conclusion.Maternal first trimester serum leptin demonstrates a significant negative association with neonatal weight in preeclamptic pregnancies and to a lesser extent in normotensive pregnancies. A possible leptin's involvement in pathophysiological adaptations that define the foetal growth potential can be supported. © 2010 Informa UK, Ltd