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Biomedical subjects

R P Rodriguez

Publications and source records attributed to R P Rodriguez.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Amputation surgery and prostheses.

Wide surgical margins in surgery for a bone tumor can be accomplished either by local excision or by amputation surgery. Amputation surgery has less morbidity than limb salvage surgery. Prosthetic replacement in the lower-extremity amputation should provide an artificial limb that will be comfortable and stable for weight bearing. Retention of the anatomic knee joint is critical for better ambulation and less energy expenditure. Upper-extremity prosthesis should be functional and cosmetically acceptable.

Amputation, Surgical

A comparison of computed tomography-myelography, magnetic resonance imaging, and myelography in the diagnosis of herniated nucleus pulposus and spinal stenosis.

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of computed tomography (CT)-myelography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and myelography in making the diagnosis of herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) and spinal stenosis were compared in a retrospective study involving 59 surgical procedures in 57 patients who had all three tests performed preoperatively. One hundred nineteen levels were surgically explored for evidence of HNP and spinal stenosis. The results of each test were correlated with what was found at each surgical level explored. Overall, myelo-CT was the most accurate test for diagnosing HNP (76.4%) as well as the most sensitive (77.8%), whereas myelography was the most specific (89.2%). In making the diagnosis of spinal stenosis, myelo-CT and MRI were equally accurate (85.3%) and sensitive (87.2%), whereas myelography was the most specific (88.9%). In a special subset of patients who had revision surgery, the accuracy rate in diagnosing spinal stenosis or HNP was highest with MRI (84.9%), as was the sensitivity (69.2%) and specificity (95%). According to the results obtained from this series of patients, myelo-CT seems to be the most sensitive and accurate test in diagnosing HNP and spinal stenosis, whereas myelography is the most specific, although no statistical significance was noted in this study. However, because MRI did compare favorably with myelo-CT in most instances, particularly in revision surgery; it may be the procedure of choice due to its noninvasiveness and relative lack of side effects.

Adult

The Bridle procedure in the treatment of paralysis of the foot.

The Bridle procedure consists of a posterior tibial tendon transfer through the interosseous membrane to the dorsum of the foot with a dual anastomosis to the tendon of the anterior tibial and a rerouted peroneus longus in front of the lateral malleolus. This procedure is performed to restore loss of dorsiflexion and to balance the foot, preventing a secondary varus or valgus deformity. The procedure was performed in 10 patients with 11 feet with paralysis of dorsiflexion of the foot. All are brace-free. The results are better in patients with peroneal nerve palsy secondary to trauma.

Adolescent

An evaluation of the mechanical failure modalities of a rotating hinge knee prosthesis.

The clinical and metallurgical performance of 12 retrieved Noiles total knee prostheses was investigated. Clinical histories and serial roentgenograms were used in conjunction with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard implant retrieval and analysis techniques to assess device performance. All of the devices were removed because of implant loosening with pain, while two devices also had a late infection. The average time in situ for all devices was four years. Roentgenographically, all of the devices showed signs of progressive radiolucencies. Ten (83%) of the devices migrated proximally within the femur. A marked varus drift was observed in eight (67%) of the retrieved prostheses. Hypertrophy of the femoral cortex was observed in eight (67%) of the cases. Seventy-three percent of the polyethylene tibial stems exhibited extensive wear on the anterior and medial aspects of the articulating surface. Extensive wear was also seen on the anterior and extreme posterior aspects in 92% of the polyethylene tibial plateau bearings. This wear was a consequence of the migration of the femoral component leading to buttressing of the plastic components against bone or bone cement. This study indicates serious design flaws in the Noiles knee prosthesis that unless corrected would question the use of the device in either primary or revision knee surgery.

Adult

Segmental spinal instrumentation in the management of fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Eleven cases of fracture of the thoracic and lumbar spine were treated with segmental spinal instrumentation (Luque rods). The majority of these injuries occurred in motor vehicular accidents or falls from a height and were usually associated with multisystem trauma. This method of instrumentation provided immediate rigid internal fixation, which obviated the need for postoperative orthoses, allowed easier nursing care and early ambulation, and facilitated rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury. At 13 months' average follow-up, there have been no instances of wire breakage, rod deformation, or deterioration of neurologic status. This favorable experience suggests that segmental spinal instrumentation should be considered as an alternative mode of spinal instrumentation in fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Accidents, Traffic

Internal fixation of the femur in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta.

The operation of fragmentation and intramedullary rod fixation of the femur with an extensible device has proved valuable for children with osteogenesis imperfecta because it permits these children to remain ambulatory. The use of an extensible rather than a solid rod has greatly decreased the need for reoperation.

Child

Calcified soft tissue leiomyoma of the shoulder mimicking a chondrogenic tumor.

A case of leiomyoma with prominent calcification in the deep soft tissue of the shoulder is reported. The tumor showed mulberry-like calcifications on radiographs and computed tomography scans. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed well-circumscribed solid tumor with multiple signal voids. Although the signal intensity characteristics of the tumor matrix on plain MRI resembled those of chondroid matrix, the entire tumor was enhanced by gadopentetate dimeglumine and could be differentiated from chondrogenic tumors. MRI was also useful in evaluating the tumor extent.

Adolescent