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An 8-year-old girl was admitted during the night in our emergency department for an acute episode of seizures. The patient underwent computed-tomography (CT) brain scan (Toshiba ® Aquilion 64-TSX-101A/HC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan (Philips® Achieva 1.5T). CT scan showed left frontal calcified nodules and calcified periventricular subependymal nodules. Subsequently, MRI evaluation revealed cortical and subcortical nodules that showed low signal with respect to the white matter on T1-weighted imaging sequences and high signal both in T2-weighted imaging sequences and in fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences. We also showed a herniation of cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum (Chiari malformation Type I [CMI]) with the associated hydrosyringomyelic cavity. Our report showed a rare association between tuberous sclerosis complex and CMI.

We examined the clinical and radiographic results of 93 patients affected by knee arthritis or osteonecrosis subjected to unilateral cementless mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty with the LCS prothesis (Depuy/Johnson & Johnson). The mean follow-up was 9.5 years (range, 7–12 years). Clinical evaluation was performed using the Knee Society rating system, while radiographic evaluation was done according to the Knee Society roentgenographic system. At the latest follow-up, the mean knee score was 87 points: the functional score improved from 40 to 90. Radiolucent lines were small and not progressive. The implant survival at 12 years was 88%. Six knees (7%) required revision for implant-related problems. We conclude that the mobile-bearing prosthesis is a successful device even at long-term follow-up.

The concentrations of 16 PAHs in surface sediments collected from four Italian lagoons, exploited for aquaculture and fishing activities, during the period 2004-2007, were analysed. Some molecular ratios and Pearson correlations were used in order to estimate the origin of the pollution and similar transport of PAH sources. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis were used in order to highlight dissimilarities among sampling sites. Concentrations of total 16 PAHs varied significantly among the lagoons as well as within the same basin. Sediments of Orbetello lagoon showed the highest level of contamination (mean of 98.78 ng g1), followed by that in Santa Giusta (48.15 ng g1), Lesina (31.06 ng g1) and Varano (25.19 ng g1). These results were linked to the greater industrialisation and urbanisation of the catchment area of both Orbetello and Santa Giusta compared with Lesina and Varano. A considerable predominance of 4-rings PAHs was observed for Lesina (52%,), Varano (77%), Orbetello (50%) and Santa Giusta (57%) and Pyrene was the dominant compound. On the other hand, phenanthrene is the dominant compound of low molecular weight contaminants for all the studied lagoons. A meaningful pyrolytic contribution to pollution was found in the sediments of Lesina lagoon, dominated by benzo[a]pyrene (7.27 ng g1) and benz[a]anthracene (4.14 ng g1), due to intensive traffic. For Varano, an evident petrogenic contamination was observed along the western area, due probably to accidental oil spillage. All 16 PAHs were found to be correlated in Orbetello and Santa Giusta lagoons and the compounds present in Santa Giusta sediments, near the urban centre, were shown to be mainly of pyrolytic origin. A much more complex situation was observed in Orbetello, where a mixed pattern of pyrolytic and petrogenic inputs was observed.

A new classification is proposed for post-reduction necrosis of the femoral epiphysis based on retrospective analysis of 54 cases with a mean follow-up of 15 years. Necrosis can be divided under two main headings:A) partial, involving only the epiphysisB) total, involving the metaphyseal cartilage.Four total forms have been identified:B1: eventually resulting in coxa valgaB2: eventually resulting in a short stubby neck, oval head and coxa magnaB3: eventually resulting in coxa vara and severe acetabular dysplasiaB4: eventually resulting in hypoplasia of the whole hip joint.This classification system comprises all the aspects of necrosis, while at the same time providing guidelines for treatment and long-term planning.

In CHD (Congenital Hip Dislocation), the elements which determine the degree and quality of acetabular growth are not clear. This has caused a great deal of controversy on the capability of development of the cotyloid cavity, hence on the indications to reconstructive surgical treatment. In order to study the behavior of che cotyloid cavity, two groups of patients were taken into consideration: normal subjects and subjects with CHD. In normal subjects the median value of the Hingelreiner angle was 19°–4'± 1° (normal limit), at 1 year old. The acetabular index decreases rapidly until becoming stable at adult values at the age of 8-10 years of age. The distinctive characteristics of the hip with spontaneous recovery from cotyloid dysplasia could be defined as follows: a) the higher critical value on average is reached after 24 months of treatment; b) once the borderline is reached, the dislocated hip evolves in the same way as the healthy hip; c) the earlier treatment is started, the sooner correction of the H angle is obtained; d) the cotyloid cavity continues to develop even after 5 years from reduction. In CHD with terminal residual dysplasia, an initial correction of the H angle is followed by a sudden interruption in acetabular development, which remains inadequate and will never reach normal values. These data allow not only the definition of the acetabular growth potential, but also the establishment of more precise indications for reconstructive surgical treatment.

Good results have been reported after both primary repair and conservative management of grade III ankle sprains. This prospective study found no advantage of operative treatment compared to taping; no significant differences were found between the groups with regard to objective or subjective stability, functional scores, or the overall result.

In this first, introductory study we established the parameters with which to develop an in-depth study of the mechanical interpretation of roentgenographic images of osteoarthritic hips. Our choice of parameters, and in fact our whole approach, parted from the theories of morphobiomechanics advanced by Pauwels and by Bombelli

The aim of this study was to define the characteristics of the diseased hip through a series of roentgenographic parameters measured on X-rays taken from a group of patients suffering from primary osteoarthritis. The arthritic hips were divided into three groups: superolateral OA, concentric OA, and medial OA. In light of the anatomo-roentgenographic characteristics this study proposes a new classification of osteoarthritis based on the direction of migration of the femoral head. Analysis of the data has highlighted the extreme polymorphism which characterizes the course and evolution of osteoarthritis and the serious modifications brought about in the hip-joint region. The clinical impression at the conclusion of this study is of a direct correlation between primary alterations of parameters of the hip and development of osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to establish the point at which a hip is at risk of developing osteoarthritis and the percentage of hips which run such a risk. 253 hips of 164 adults (average age 43) suffering from pathologies not involving the coxofemoral joint were examined. The most important data were: The WBS presented a greater obliquity than the medio-normal; the S. S. surface was narrower; all parameters presented considerable standard deviation. A hip was considered “at risk” when at least two parameters were outside the “normal” limits established in our previous study.

The electromigration performance of the Al-1 per cent Si/TiN/Ti metal scheme is investigated both for contacts and for stripes and compared with the results for the standard Al-1 per cent Si metallization. Statistical extrapolations at the operating conditions for a device have been performed to calculate the useful life of contacts and stripes. The results indicate that the most severe limitation to the interconnection reliability is given by the contacts without the diffusion barrier layer.

With the aim of defining the roentgenographic characteristics of a “normal” hip - meaning an articulation able to fully respond to static and dynamic stress without wear, we examined 60 hips of people over 70 years old from a population of Southern Italy. The parameters considered were: width of WBS, inclination of WBS, height of Gothic Arch, width of Gothic Arch, angle of aperture of Gothic Arch, a angle of Gothic Arch, diameter of femoral head, CE angle of Wiberg, neck-shaft angle, offset, angle of aperture of spherichal sector (SS), surface area of SS, volume of SS, radius of the spherical bowl, height of the spherical bowl, distance from the “tear drop” image of the fundus acetabuli. The main findings are: a) the WBS is horizontal; b) the gothic arch is orthogonal to the WBS; c) the spherical sector presents wide individual oscillations; d) the female hip has specific characteristics, being mainly smaller.

It is the first time that a case of simultaneous and bilateral avulsion of the iliac spines is described in the international orthopaedic literature. The X-ray diagnosis was made by means of traditional techniques and tridimensional CT.

A case of isolated dorsal dislocation of the fifth carpometacarpal joint treated conservatively is reported. The mechanism is thought to be a force hitting the head of the fifth metacarpal in a dorso-palmar direction, along the longitudinal axis of the metacarpal. Both clinical and radiological results 1 year after injury are satisfactory.

En preliminaires au developpement d'une technologie MOS complementaire submicromique, la fiabilite de bandes d'aluminium de 1,5 a 8 μm est etudiee et comparee avec de nombreuses techniques. En particulier, la methode resistometrique est comparee a la technique du temps moyen avant cassure pour les plus fines bandes