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Biomedical subjects

R Kerr

Publications and source records attributed to R Kerr.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint: a radiologic-pathologic study.

Cadaveric specimens and patient radiographs were examined in order to establish the pattern and the distribution of degenerative alterations of the glenohumeral joint. Characteristic osseous changes occur in response to alterations in the articular cartilage and rotator cuff. The extent of these changes is underestimated by plain-film radiography. A strong association was found between the changes of osteoarthritis (OA) and those related to deterioration of the rotator cuff. Idiopathic OA of the glenohumeral joint was discovered in 10 (20%) of 50 symptomatic patients age 60 years and over. Theories regarding the pathomechanics and interrelations between glenohumeral joint OA and rotator cuff deterioration are discussed.

Aged

Motor skill acquisition by individuals with Down syndrome.

Motor skill acquisition of subjects with Down syndrome on a pursuit tracking task was assessed in comparison to groups of mentally retarded subjects without Down syndrome and nonretarded subjects matched for functional age and chronological age (CA). Thirty-seven male subjects performed eight trials on a subject-paced pursuit tracking task. The main finding was that subjects with Down syndrome did not respond to directional probability in the same manner shown by the retarded or the nonretarded subjects matched for CA or functional age. This difference in strategy was also reflected in their greater emphasis on accuracy rather than speed. Finally, these effects were consistent across the subjects with Down syndrome despite the large intersubject variability seen in their performance.

Adolescent

Digital arthrography of the wrist: a radiographic-pathologic investigation.

An analysis of digital arthrography of the wrist was accomplished in 10 cadaveric specimens. In each case, images were obtained during a 30-sec period in which a small amount of contrast material was introduced into the radiocarpal compartment; films were reviewed with and without subtraction technique. Pathologic examination of the sectioned specimens documented the accuracy of this arthrographic method. The sequence of contrast opacification of the various compartments of the wrist and the location and size of the defects within ligamentous and cartilaginous structures were ideally seen with digital arthrography. A previously unemphasized pattern of communication, that between the midcarpal and pisiform-triquetral compartments, was seen in two instances. Digital wrist arthrography seems to represent an excellent method to evaluate the patient with suspected soft-tissue injury.

Fluoroscopy

Complications of the Angelchik antireflux prosthesis.

Various complications have been reported recently for the Angelchik antireflux prosthesis, a silicone-gel prosthesis used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux and associated hiatal hernia. We have studied the cases of 11 patients with complications of this prosthesis and have reviewed the literature for others. Complications included 8 erosions of the device into the gastrointestinal tract, 1 migration, 1 improper placement, and 1 case believed to be surgical trauma. These complications represent those typical to reflux surgery and some unique to the Angelchik prosthesis (migration and erosion). The exact frequency is unknown, with the manufacturer estimating migration at 0.81% and erosion at 0.15%. Available data indicate that complications may occur up to several years after implantation, and physicians may not recognize the problems with the prosthesis if they are unaware of the complications.

Adult

Specific and varied practice of motor skill.

To assess the potential effect of specific and varied practice on the development of motor schema, 64 children in two age groups (8 yr. and 12 yr.) were tested on a simple throwing task at the beginning and end of a 12-wk. physical education program. For the throwing test the children were assigned to either a specificity or a schema group (varied practice). The task was performed without visual feedback, but knowledge of results was given after each trial. Prior to both tests at the criterion target, the specific group was given practice throws using the criterion target distance, whereas the schema group practiced on two other targets. No differences were found between the two groups at the beginning of the program but on the posttest those children receiving a variety of practice on the throwing task performed significantly better than the specific-practice group. Thus it was suggested that a varied practice schedule may facilitate the initial formation of motor schema, and this process may be enhanced by participation in a physical education program.

Child

Movement control and maturation in elementary-grade children.

Serial tapping by 5-, 7- and 9-yr.-old boys and girls, as measured by Fitts' Law, was recorded. 60 Ss performed a reciprocal tapping task and were assessed developmentally via hand-wrist X-rays. No significant relationship was found between the fine motor task and skeletal age. The results of the motor task suggest an improvement in movement time, with age, due to an ability to plan subsequent movements rather than simply an increase in speed of arm movement.

Age Factors

Digital arthrography in the evaluation of painful joint prostheses.

Digital arthrography was accomplished in 16 patients who had painful prostheses. In each instance, resulting arthrographic abnormalities were compared with those apparent on subsequent overhead radiographs. Results indicate the potential value of the digital technique in this clinical setting. The examination is easy to perform and rapid, and allows the examiner to view the changing images in the subtraction mode. Image manipulation and enhancement are also possible.

Aged

CT analysis of proximal femoral trabecular pattern simulating skeletal pathology.

The proximal femoral trabecular pattern was studied in 20 patients, six cadavers, and 20 macerated specimens using plain film radiography and CT. A distinctive pattern of increased radiodensity in the proximal femur is described in patients and specimens with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. The appearance is similar to that of an enchondroma or bone infarct. This pattern may be explained by biomechanical principles and is created by unmasking or hypertrophy of preexistent, reinforcing trabeculae. Confusion with osseous pathology can be avoided if the radiologist is aware of this pattern.

Bone Diseases

MR imaging in tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to demonstrate the normal anatomy of the tarsal tunnel in two volunteers and to evaluate 33 feet in 27 patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome. The tarsal tunnel is a fibroosseous channel extending from the ankle to the midfoot, through which the medial tendons and the posterior tibial neurovascular bundle pass. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a compression neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve or one of its branches and may be caused by a variety of pathologic lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a mass lesion in five feet, dilated veins or varicosities in eight feet, fracture or soft tissue injury in five feet, fibrous scar in two feet, flexor hallucis longus tenosynovitis in six feet, and abductor hallucis muscle hypertrophy in one foot. Six feet were normal on MR imaging. The findings of MR imaging were confirmed in 17 of 19 patients that went to surgery. Magnetic resonance is useful for localizing lesions within the tarsal tunnel and for determining the lesion extent and relationship to the posterior tibial nerve and its branches.

Adolescent

Calculating nursing turnover in NSW.

A study of nursing staff turnover is being carried out by the Nursing Research Team from the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education for the New South Wales College of Nursing and the New South Wales Department of Health. The general aim of the study is to provide information about the annual rate of loss of registered nurses from public hospitals and licensed private hospitals in NSW. This paper provides background details about the project and recent attempts to understand the problem of nursing staff turnover. Brief mention is made of Australian and overseas literature and recent calls for methodological and conceptual precision in calculation nursing turnover. Reference is made to 'Nursing Turnover Indices' and other statistical descriptors used to guide this research.

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