The literature on the biomechanics of the intervertebral disk is reviewed with emphasis on biomechanical--biochemical--morphological correlative studies. The deficiency of definitive correlative studies is apparent and an appeal is made to interested investigators to fill in the voids in this extremely important area of study. A comprehensive theory of intervertebral disk failure awaits application of existing biomechanical, biochemical and morphological techniques in a detailed and methodical manner to the normal and early degenerative human intervertebral disks.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comprehensive radiological equipment management program.

The increasing cost and complexity of state-of-the-art radiological equipment, and the need for more comprehensive safety and performance assurance, have increased maintenance expenditures to a level where they have become one of the largest operating expenses of radiology departments. To cope with this ever increasing expenditure, a comprehensive in-house maintenance program was implemented in our institution. This program properly balanced the capability of the radiology department's in-house technical personnel with support provided by equipment manufacturers' service organizations. Quality assurance activities are also included as an integral part of the entire program. Since the implementation of the program, an average 40% reduction in the annual maintenance expenditure has been observed.

Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Abnormalities of the spine in Goldenhar's syndrome.

The vertebral abnormalities present in 35 patients diagnosed with Goldenhar's syndrome are reported. There was no absolute correlation between the presence of any of the formative or segmentation vertebral defects and that of other concomitant malformations. This study supports the conclusion that patients with various groupings of Goldenhar-related anomalies should be considered as a single entity, to which the name Goldenhar association could be applied.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of glycosaminoglycans across the normal and the scoliotic disc.

This paper reports on our investigations of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (hyaluronic acid, chondroitin-6-sulfate, and keratan sulfate) of 13 adjacent zones of normal and scoliotic discs obtained at necropsy. The isolation and separation of these GAGs on the microgram scale was achieved using the different solubilities of the calcium and cetyl pyridinium chloride complexes. In normal discs the distribution of these GAGs is symmetric about the nucleus pulposus where their concentration is highest, and lowest in the outer annulus regions. A shift in this distribution profile was observed for the GAGs of the scoliotic discs, particularly at the apex of the curve. On the concave side of this disc the chondroitin-6-sulfate was elevated relative to discs at a lower level. In those annulus zones on the convex side of the curve, the keratan sulfate and hyaluronic acid levels were elevated and chondroitin sulfate depressed. These results suggest the presence in these respective regions of at least two different species of proteoglycans accompanied by elevated hyaluronate levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Misuse of the dexamethasone suppression test as a diagnostic tool.

The diagnostic reliability and appropriateness of use of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) were assessed by a retrospective chart survey of ninety-nine psychiatric admissions to a community hospital. A change in psychiatric diagnosis between admission and discharge occurred in one-third of the patients. The diagnostic change appeared to be associated with the DST result more than the clinical findings. Such reliance on the test was not justified as the observed diagnostic confidence of the DST in supporting a diagnosis of major depression was only 38 percent. These findings suggest a misuse of the test as a diagnostic tool in routine practice.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intravertebral spinal neurenteric cysts: a unique radiographic sign--"the hole-in-one vertebra".

A well-defined circular defect in the midst of a complex vertebral anomaly, visible on a plain radiograph, is diagnostic of an intravertebral extension of a neurenteric cyst. It may represent a connecting stalk between a mediastinal cyst and an intraspinal lesion. The "hole-in-one" vertebra is an indication for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. When surgical excision of a mediastinal cyst is undertaken, the intravertebral tract should be curetted to avoid recurrence.

Child↗