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Biomedical subjects

G Drouin

Publications and source records attributed to G Drouin.

84 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Pathomechanics and management of scoliosis in Friedreich ataxia patients: preliminary report.

The preliminary results based on a one year study on the evolution and management of scoliosis are presented. Twenty-one patients were followed in the Neuro-Muscular Disease Clinic at Ste-Justine Hospital where standardized spinal radiographs were taken periodically with the Scoliosis Chariot and the Throne. The short period of observation as well as the relatively small number of Friedreich ataxia patients followed requires that these results and the following remarks be interpreted with caution. Pathomechanics -- Between the age groups I (5 - 10 years) and II (10 - 15 years), a substantial increase in the Cobb values occurs. Associated with it, an increase was observed in the thoracic and thoracolumbar projected surface area indices. The relative rotation between the thoracic and lumbar segments was presumed to be the cause of the sudden increase in the Cobb measurements. For the non-ambulatory patients, a decrease in the lumbar lordosis towards a thoraco-lumbar kyphosis as well as a sudden increase in the sacral angle and a drop in the lumbo-sacral angle were associated with the seated posture assumed by the patient. Management -- Prevention of the progression of established curves was our main objective. Careful examination of the spine, depending on the age of the child, in our preliminary study, stimulated early orthopaedic treatment in any curve of 20 degrees or more. There was always concern for curves of 30 degrees or more. In the growing child, bracing was recommended. In the older child, the curve was usually stable after sixteen years of age. Surgery was usually attempted in curves over 40 degrees in the growing child. The same curve was usually stable after the growth period. For the non-ambulatory patients, the present study suggested the prescription of a molded seat with the following characteristics: i) a posterior lumbar support, ii) low thoracic lateral supports and iii) a slight inclination of the seating system. This was presumed to be beneficial in maintaining stability of the spine. Presently, an evaluation of such a device is under investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Pressure dependence of "the area micrometer" method in evaluation of cruciate ligament cross-section.

The intricate geometry of the cruciate ligament and the lack of adequate description of the methods used to obtain its cross-sectional area have complicated the normalization of the load-elongation data in terms of stress and strain respectively. An experimental study was undertaken to quantify the dependence on the applied pressure of cross-sectional area in canine ligaments. Twenty-two canine preparations were compressed with a non-rotating spindle blade micrometer (Mitutoyo, 122), whose thimble breakaway tongue develops a constant force of 1.96 N. By the use of matching pairs of plexiglass blocks of various widths, the applied pressure on the ligament could be varied between 0.041 and 0.355 MPa. Data from all the ligaments were reduced to a single curve which illustrates a decrease in the normalized cross-sectional area by 25% for pressures ranging from 0.04 to 0.36 MPa. For all pressures between 0.20 and 0.35 MPa the normalized cross-sectional area remained constant.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Urethral valves as a cause of dilated Cowper's glands and perineal pain.

Symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction are the most frequent manifestation of congenital posterior valves. A case is presented in which the initial symptom was perineal pain. Diagnosis was delayed because of a false diagnosis of prostatitis. Urethrography and cystography showed posterior urethral valves and dilated Cowper's glands. Bilateral incisions of the valves with the knife electrode resulted in disapperance of the pain and regression of the dilated Cowper's glands.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Body composition in quadriplegic patients.

The nutritional state of 12 patients with quadriplegia, secondary to spinal cord injury, was assessed by determining body composition with a multiple isotope dilution technique. For comparative purposes, similar measurements were obtained in 25 normal volunteers. The mean duration of quadriplegia was 14.8 +/- 8.5 months. All the patients were hospitalized, receiving a regular hospital diet and all were on a similar rehabilitation program. Because skeletal muscle atrophy is extensive in quadriplegics, we had expected a reduced body size, which was otherwise normal in composition, with a comparable decrease in both the body cell mass (BCM) and the extracellular mass (ECM). Instead, a body composition characteristic of malnutrition was observed in an unexpectedly large percentage (58%) of patients. In the normally nourished individual, the BCM and ECM are approximately equal in size. However, in seven of the 12 quadriplegic patients, the body composition was characteristic of malnutrition, with a BCM (13.5 +/- 1.6 kg) which was reduced relative to the ECM (28.7 +/- 1.9 kg). Their body composition was significantly (p less than 0.05) different from the body composition of both the healthy volunteers and the other five quadriplegic patients, whose body composition was normal (BCM = 22.9 +/- 1.5 kg, ECM = 28.5 +/- 1.6 kg). The nutritional state of the quadriplegic patients correlated significantly with the level of spinal cord injury and not with the duration of quadriplegia.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Structural and in vivo mechanical characterization of canine patellar cartilage: a closed chondromalacia patellae model.

The purpose of this project was to study the relationship between the structure of the patellar cartilage and its response to static compressive loading with a closed chondromalacia patellae model. An animal model was used to induce degeneration of the patella that was monitored quantitatively and qualitatively as a function of time. Ten adult mongrel dogs had their left patellofemoral groove replaced by a customized metallic implant covered with a thin film of polyethylene for periods of 3 months (five dogs) and 6 months (five dogs). An indenter was designed to perform mechanical indentation testing on the patellar cartilage in situ. The animals were anesthetized and the response of patellar cartilage to a static compressive load of 4.5 MPa was monitored for 20 min and its relaxation after load removal for 20 min. Indentation tests were performed every 3 months of the implantation period. At the end of the implantation period, the patellae were processed for histology, and sections were stained with Safranin-O indicative of the proteoglycans content. Macroscopically, no apparent degeneration or fibrillation of the patellar surfaces was observed after 3 or 6 months of implantation. However, the patellar surface showed a change in coloration after 6 months. A 17 +/- 3% and 37 +/- 8% deformation of the cartilage were calculated for the 3-month and 6-month specimens, respectively. Histologically, a progressive loss of proteoglycans was observed in the matrix as a function of implantation time. These results indicated that an increase in cartilage compliance is associated with an intrinsic remodeling of the cartilage matrix and that these changes might occur without external signs of degeneration and can be quantified.

Animals↗