Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) Syndrome : the medical imaging perspective

Introduction: Sports persons, physicians, orthopods and radiologists have become increasingly aware of the extra stress that is imposed on the hip joints with excessive activity particularly when superadded weight bearing and asymmetrical variations from the normal hip joint anatomy are present leading to Femoroacetabular Impingement. Subject: Presentation of the abnormalities within the ball and socket areas of the hip joint and the resultant types of impingements, the predominant cam, the predominant pincer or mixed types femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) are discussed and illustrated. The different kind of sportspersons that are prone to FAI and the risk factors involved are discussed. Method: The main methods of investigation: The radiological techniques and radiological signs of the disease entity utilizing plain radiography and computerised transverse scanning techniques are elaborated and graphically depicted. Within the ball part of the hip joint, measurements for femoral head asphericity, that is, the Alpha (?) angle and the offset distance between the femoral head and neck are presented. With regard to pincer type FAI affecting the socket part of the hip joint, the acetabular version angle and the depth (or shallowness) of the acetabulum with their methods of quantification are discussed. Conclusion: Femoroacetabular Impingement is a syndrome which is currently more appreciated within the sports medicine field and various approaches to assessment have been devised regarding how to diagnose and quantify congenital anomalies and developmental abnormalities within both the ball and the socket regions of the hip joint.peer-reviewe

Apprehending narcotic smugglers in Malta

This is an account of the experience of the radiological department in identifying heroin smugglers coming from the African continent in transit through Malta. The method of preparation and ways of concealment of drugs in the alimentary tract are described and their radiological appearances illustrated. Conventional and alternative methods of investigation are discussed.peer-reviewe

A Proof of the S-m-n theorem in Coq

This report describes the implementation of a mechanisation of the theory of computation in the Coq proof assistant which leads to a proof of the Smn theorem. This mechanisation is based on a model of computation similar to the partial recursive function model and includes the definition of a computable function, proofs of the computability of a number of functions and the definition of an effective coding from the set of partial recursive functions to natural numbers. This work forms part of a comparative study of the HOL and Coq proof assistants

Three published books of sermons delivered in Malta between 1694 and 1754

The identification of texts of sermons delivered in Malta during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries would make possible a study of the oratorical styles, themes treated, and languages used in their delivery. This, in turn, would enable a better understanding of the impact that such an important albeit ignored means of verbal communication had on its contemporary audience. In the present short study three unrecorded published books containing sermons are described and briefly discussed.peer-reviewe

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A 45 year old businessman presents at your clinic with a 2 year history of recurrent abdominal pain, associated with frequent bouts of diarrhoea. The pain is relieved by defaecation, but there is often a feeling of incomplete evacuation. Between these episodes he is often constipated, with infrequent bowel motions characterised by hard stools. During stressful situations, symptoms get worse and are associated with abdominal bloating and increased flatulence. He researched his problem on the internet and thinks he might have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.peer-reviewe

Orations on the victory of the Order of St John over the Turks in 1565 and on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of Valletta in 1566

The first Chapter General meeting of the Order of St John held after the victory over the Turks in the Great Siege of 1565, took place on 10 February of the following year. Before dealing with the agenda of the day, orations were delivered. One of these was presented by Augustinian Fr Spiritus Pelo Anguisciola who would yet deliver another oration, a month later, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of Valletta, in March 1566. The text of the latter had been published by Gian Francesco Abela in 1647. The texts of both orations -taken from original manuscripts discovered by the present author -are being reproduced in this paper. The text of the former is being published herein for the first time.peer-reviewe