Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PALPATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,765 records · Page 98Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Method of discovery of breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine how breast cancers are found according to the frequency of breast self-examination, mammography, and clinical examinations. Additionally, the means of discovery according to age, race, family history, and educational level was determined. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: The study was a retrospective, descriptive design using a nonprobability sample of 51 women diagnosed with breast cancer during 1991-1992. Anonymous questionnaires were used for data collection. RESULTS: Overall, the most frequent method of discovery was mammogram (n = 20; 39%), followed by breast self-examination (n = 18; 35%), accidental palpation by self (n = 7; 14%), clinical examination (n = 3; 5.9%), and by accidental palpation by another person such as husband/lover (n = 3; 5.9%). Only 10 of the 51 women 40 years of age and older followed all American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer detection. Of these, 60% of the cancers were found by breast self-examination. Similarly, breast self-examination was the most frequent method for white women, and for women with a high school education or higher. Mammography was the most frequent means for black women, for women with less than a high school education, and for women with a negative family history of breast cancer. Of particular concern was the fact that of the 20 women having mammograms every 1 to 2 years before diagnosis, half (n = 10) had breast cancer found by palpable means. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: All three breast cancer detection methods--breast self-examination, mammography, and clinical breast examinations--should be emphasized by health professionals given that mammography alone is not 100% accurate.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Preoperative needle biopsy: an improvement in palpable breast tumors with strong indications for malignancy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of needle core biopsy to replace frozen sections in palpable breast masses highly suspicious for malignancy. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: University Hospital Leiden, the Netherlands. METHOD: In 274 patients with 279 palpable breast masses a needle core biopsy was performed in addition to the triple diagnostic approach (i.e. physical examination, imaging by mammography and ultrasound and cytologic examination), if highly suspicious for malignancy. The core biopsy was performed by means of a 18-gauge needle in 89 lesions guided by palpation and in 190 lesions under ultrasound guidance. The results were compared with the final diagnosis: 19 benign lesions and 260 malignant lesions. RESULTS: In 63 lesions the results of the triple diagnostic approach were unequivocally malignant, this was confirmed in all cases. In 208 lesions the results of the needle core biopsy were malignant, without false positive results. However, there were 3 false negative results. The proportion of inconclusive needle core biopsies was higher when performed on palpation (35%) than when performed under ultrasound guidance (7%). When the specimen showed non-invasive carcinoma, a reliable prediction of invasion was not possible. In 264 cases excision of the lesion was performed. Given the unequivocally malignant triple diagnostic approach in 59 cases of the 264 patients operated (22%) frozen sections were not performed. By addition of needle core biopsy this percentage rose to 74%. CONCLUSION: Needle core biopsy is an important additional tool in the preoperative work-up of breast masses highly suspicious for malignancy, in order to reduce the number of frozen sections.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1996

Suspected herbicide toxicosis in a dog.

An 8-year-old 38-kg spayed female Golden Retriever was admitted for vomiting, signs of abdominal pain on palpation, ataxia, anorexia, and generalized weakness of 2 days' duration. Ten hours prior to onset of clinical signs, the dog was found standing in and drinking from large pools of an accidentally spilled herbicide that contained an octanoic acid ester of bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) and an isooctyl ester of (2-methyl-4-chloro) phenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). Appendicular muscles were firm on palpation and persistent muscle contraction (myotonia > 1 minute duration) was found on muscle percussion, using a reflex hammer. Electrical activity indicative of myotonia was identified on electromyographic evaluation. With supportive treatment, the dog eventually recovered from suspected MCPA toxicosis. Although rare, MCPA toxicosis should be considered as a cause of acquired myotonia in dogs.

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Computerized tomography in the detection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes].

The accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in detecting cervical lymph node metastases was studied. Twenty patients with squamous carcinoma of the head and neck were selected. The results obtained by cervical palpation, CT and postoperative histological study were compared. Palpation had a sensitivity of 64% and specificity of 100%. CT had a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 100%. The small gain in sensitivity does not justify the systematic use of CT to study cervical lymph nodes in head and neck squamous carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fasting/refeeding enhances the development of mammary tumors induced by methylnitrosourea in the rat.

The effect of fasting/refeeding on MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis was investigated. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were given i.p. a single dose of MNU (50 mg/Kg body weight) and beginning 1 week after MNU administration were exposed to 3 cycles of 3 days fasting followed by refeeding (10 days). Rats were palpated twice a week and killed when tumor diameter was about 2 cm. Tumors palpated were registered by location. The exposure to fasting/refeeding after initiation increased the total number of mammary tumors about 2-fold compared to full-fed control group. In addition, fasted rats developed about 3-fold mammary tumors in the cervical-thoracic gland chains versus the abdominal-inguinal gland chains, while no difference in tumor distribution was observed in controls. The present study reports that fasting/refeeding enhances the development of MNU-induced mammary tumors.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of thyroid nodules by technetium-99m-tetrofosmin scintigraphy.

Thyroid nodularity is a common finding. The incidence of thyroid cancer in the general population is estimated at 0.1%. Thyroid nodules are evaluated by palpation, ultrasonography, radionuclide scintigraphy and fine-needle aspiration cytology. Routine thyroid scintigraphy is made by using Tc-99m-pertechnetate or the I-131 and I-123 scintigraphic method. Tc-99m-tetrofosmin accumulates in the myocardium, skeletal muscle, liver, spleen breast tissue, kidney and normal and pathological thyroid tissue. We investigated 36 patients (28 females and 8 males) with solitary and/or multiple thyroid nodules. All the patients were euthyroid, and their thyroid nodules were diagnosed by palpation and ultrasound examination. Thyroid scintigraphy was applied by Tc-99m-pertechnetate, then thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed. Finally, Tc-99m-tetrofosmin scintigraphy was carried out. Five patients (14.8%) had differential thyroid carcinoma, 23 (63.8%) had thyroid adenoma, 1 (0.02%) had Riedel's thyroiditis and 7 (19.4%) had follicular cyst. We detected 80% uptake in the early phase and 100% in the late phase by Tc-99m-tetrofosmin scintigraphy in the differentiated thyroid carcinoma group. In summary, we claim that Tc-99m-tetrofosmin may be an important scintigraphic method to identify thyroid malignancy from benign thyroid pathologies.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

Intraoperative ultrasound in the management of liver neoplasms.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) on the management of patients with neoplasms of the liver. Fifty-nine patients with liver neoplasms (primary, 6; metastatic, 53) and without pre- or intraoperative evidence of extrahepatic disease underwent laparotomy for possible liver resection. Preoperative imaging studies included external ultrasound (n = 12), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 11), and/or computed tomography (n = 57). Intraoperative evaluation on all patients included inspection, bimanual palpation, and ultrasonography. External ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography identified all intraoperatively confirmed liver neoplasms in 33, 45, and 67 per cent of cases, respectively. Unsuspected neoplasms were identified in 12 patients (20%) by inspection/palpation and in 19 patients (32%) by IOUS. In eight patients (14%), the occult neoplasms were identified only IOUS, and in one patient the neoplasms were identified only by inspection/palpation. Occult neoplasms identified by IOUS were characterized by small size (less than 2 cm). Findings from the intraoperative evaluation, such as unsuspected neoplasms and vascular proximity or invasion, altered the preoperative plan in 20 (34%) patients. Inspection, and particularly palpation, identifies a number of preoperatively unsuspected liver neoplasms. Intraoperative ultrasound, however, is the most sensitive method for detection of liver neoplasms and influences the operative management in a substantial number of patients.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

[Decreased pain threshold and tolerance in patients with chronic tension headache].

Nociceptive processing was studied in 40 patients with chronic tension-type headache and in 40 healthy controls. We found that pericranial tenderness recorded by manual palpation was considerably higher in patients than in controls (p < or = 0.0002). Pressure pain detection and tolerance thresholds recorded in the finger, by means of a pressure algometer, were significantly lower in patients than in controls (p < or = 0.0009), and a non-significant similar trend was observed in the temple (p < or = 0.12). Detection and tolerance thresholds were decreased to a similar degree in patients compared with controls, and pain thresholds recorded in the finger and in the temple were highly correlated (r = 0.84, p < 0.0001). The electrical pain threshold at the labial commissure, by means of an electrical stimulator, was significantly decreased in patients compared with controls (p = 0.03). All of the examined pain thresholds were significantly correlated to the pericranial tenderness recorded by palpation (r = -0.35 to -0.53, p < or = 0.03). We conclude that the present finding of a general hypersensitivity to pain stimuli in chronic tension-type headache indicates that central factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The distribution of peripheral arterial disease in a defined population of elderly high-risk Saudi patients.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the prevalence rate of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a defined population of high risk Saudi patients aged 50-80 years, using simple measuring techniques. DESIGN: A hospital-based cross-sectional study using a simple protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of patients were studied: three high risk groups (214 cases of diabetes (DS), 60 of chronic renal failure (CRF), 78 of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and 50 controls. PAD was only diagnosed if the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was < or =0.9. The contribution of a history of intermittent claudication (IC) and palpation of pulses to the diagnosis was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 402 patients was studied. Their mean age was 59.31+/-8.1 (range 50-80). There were 257 males (63.9%) and 145 females (36.1%). 171 cases of PAD were detected (42.5%) and distributed among the various groups: 105 (61.4%) in the DM, 23 (13.4%) in the CRF, 36 (21.4%) in the IHD and 7 (4.1%) in the control groups. The prevalence rate was highly significant in each of the 3 high risk groups compared to the control group; however, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PAD between the high risk groups. Questionnaires for IC and palpation of peripheral pulses were of very limited validity in diagnosing PAD. Overall, DM headed the list of significant risk factors followed by smoking and greater age. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the general impression that PAD is an uncommon disease, we found a significant prevalence rate of PAD in elderly high risk patients. Screening for PAD in aged diabetics, IHD and CRF patients is a simple and cost-effective approach.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is the rectum a conduit or storage organ?

The rectum is claimed to be a conduit; as it receives the stools, the rectoanal inhibitory reflex is evoked and defecation occurs. However, in many healthy subjects, stools could be palpated in the rectum by digital rectal examination (DRE) without the subject feeling the desire to defecate. The purpose of this communication is to study whether the rectum is a conduit or a storage organ. The study comprised 48 healthy volunteers (mean age 38.4 +/- 15.8 SD years; 30 men, 18 women). Number of stools per week was recorded and DRE was carried out followed by air enema radiography. The subjects had a normal stool frequency of 7.8 +/- 1.4 per week. Most of them last defecated a mean of 6.2 +/- 3.4 hours prior to the test. Stools were palpated in the lower rectum by DRE in 31/48 subjects and by radiography in 12/16. DRE correlated with radiologic examination in 9/12 subjects; in 3 of them, DRE revealed an empty rectum while radiography showed stools in the upper rectum. The 17 subjects with an empty rectum had their last defecation 5.2 +/- 3.6 hours before DRE, and the 31 subjects with palpable stools 15.6 +/- 12.9 hours. In conclusion, the rectum might be considered not simply as a conduit for stools but also as a storage organ. This occurs when it receives from the sigmoid colon an amount of stools too small to evoke the defecation reflex, or when this reflex is neglected due to unfavorable circumstances of defecation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Femoral artery occlusion in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate development of femoral artery occlusion in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 954 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. PROCEDURE: 1,750 cardiovascular examinations consisting of visual inspection of mucous membranes, thoracic auscultation in areas associated with the heart valves, thoracic palpation, and palpation of the femoral arteries were made at 10 dog shows on 954 dogs. Findings of clinically normal, weak, or undetectable femoral pulses were recorded. Pathologic changes in occluded femoral arteries of 2 dogs were examined histologically. RESULTS: Of the 954 dogs, 22 (2.3%) had an undetectable right or left femoral pulse on 1 or more examinations. Forty (4.2%) additional dogs had weak unilateral or bilateral femoral pulses. Only 1 dog had exercise intolerance, and it had coexistent congestive heart failure. Histologic examination of serial sections of an occluded femoral artery from 1 dog revealed intimal thickening with breaks in the internal elastic lamina proximal to the occluded segment. The occluded segment of the femoral artery was contracted and filled with an organizing, recanalizing thrombus. Similar histopathologic changes were found in sections of a femoral artery from another dog. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Femoral artery occlusion is rare in other breeds and is not clinically important in dogs because of adequate collateral circulation; however, its rather common development in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels indicates a genetic predisposition and probable weakness in the femoral artery wall.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Results of follow-up of mothers with previous surgical "total cervical cerclage" also with reference to neonatal data].

From August 16, 1993 until March 6, 1995 a study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics at the Berlin-Neukoelln Womens Hospital to evaluate the status of patients who had previously undergone total cervical occlusion (TCO) for the prevention of late abortion and premature birth. Special consideration was given to the possible effects of TCO on the patients' gynecologic status, the psychological circumstances associated with TCO and the developmental status of the infants. Fifty-four women participated in the study, their ages ranging between 26 and 53 years. The mean time-span between the TCO procedure and the present study was five years and five months. In the 54 women undergoing TCO, a total of 73 such procedures were performed. An extensive early TCO was performed in 63% and an extensive late TCO in 20.5%. The gestational age at the time of delivery was > or = 37 + 0 weeks in 67.1% of the women. More than half of the patients (54.9%) experienced a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. In total, 84.5% of the infants were delivered vaginally; thus the cesarean section rate was only 15.5%. Regarding the patients' medical histories, the majority of the patients had no pathological findings on routine pap smears and pelvic examinations and, similarly, they had no complaints of menstrual irregularities. Only 10 patients (18.5%) underwent gynecological surgery in the interim; in these patients, the most common reason for surgery (in four cases) was sterilisation. The findings during speculum examination were tabulated. The majority of the patients (96%) exhibited a normal multiparous cervical portio. In 55% of the patients there was no evidence of scarring of the cervical portio. In 25% of the patients there was minor cervical scarring, in 13.5% it was moderate and in 5.8% it was severe. Except for a single case, the patients showed no evidence of vaginitis. During bimanual palpation on pelvic examination, in 82.7% of the patients the cervix was found to be at least 2 cm in length, a closed external cervical os was palpated in 65.4%, and an anteflexed/anteverted uterus that was normal in size and form was noted in 46.2%. In 95.4% of the patients, original squamous epithelium was seen colposcopically. The psychosocial status of each patient was evaluated on an individual basis. After taking all of the psychosocial circumstances associated with such a high-risk pregnancy into consideration, all the patients giving birth to a living infant described that event as a positive experience. However, this was not the case in the two patients whose premature infants did not survive. In 74.1% of the patients, the relationship with their domestic partners was described as "unchanged" when compared to the status of their relationship during the preceding pregnancy without TCO. The patients undergoing TCO described their own psychological status as "frequently strained" (61.1%) and "disturbed" (9.3%) antepartum. Postpartum, 90.7% of the patients described their psychological status as "good". In total, there were 74 births in the 54 patients included in this follow-up study. Of these 51 (68.9%) were living term infants, one stillborn (1.4%) and 22 (29.7%) premature infants. One infant weighed less than 1.000 grams while 4 (5.3%) weighed between 1.000 and 1.499 grams. Postpartum, 45.5% of the premature infants and 19.6% of the term infants were hospitalized. The primary indications for the transfer of the premature neonates were intensive care, hyperbilirubinemia and adaptation problems. The physical, emotional and mental development was unimpaired in 91.4% of the children. A capability for good social integration was displayed in 95.7% of the children. Based on the current investigation, it may be concluded that the total cervical occlusion procedure has no significant long-term negative effects.

Abortion, Threatened↗
PubMed1998

Chronic exposure of cancer-prone mice to low-level 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether chronic, low-level exposure of mammary-tumor-prone mice to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation (RFR) promotes an earlier onset (decreased latency), a greater total incidence, or a faster growth rate of mammary tumors. One hundred C3H/ HeJ mice were exposed in circularly polarized waveguides (CWG) for 18 months (20 h/day, 7 days/wk) to continuous-wave, 2450 MHz RFR at a whole body average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.3 W/kg; 100 mice were sham exposed. Before exposure, SARs were determined calorimetrically; during experimentation, SARs were monitored by differential power measurement. All animals were visually inspected twice daily and were removed from the CWG cages for a weekly inspection, palpation, and weighing. From the time of detection, tumor size was measured weekly. Animals that died spontaneously, became moribund, or were killed after 18 months of exposure were completely necropsied; tissues were fixed and subjected to histopathological evaluations. Results showed no significant difference in weight profiles between sham-irradiated and irradiated mice. Concerning mammary carcinomas, there was no significant difference between groups with respect to palpated tumor incidence (sham = 52%; irradiated = 44%), latency to tumor onset (sham = 62.3 +/- 1.2 wk; irradiated = 64.0 +/- 1.6 wk), and rate of tumor growth. In general, histopathological examination revealed no significant differences in numbers of malignant, metastatic, or benign neoplasms between the two groups; a significantly greater incidence of alveolar-bronchiolar adenoma in the sham-irradiated mice was the only exception. In addition, survival analysis showed no significant difference in cumulative percent survival between sham and irradiated animals. Thus, results indicate that under the conditions of this study, long-term, low-level exposure of mammary-tumor-prone mice to 2450 MHz RFR did not affect mammary tumor incidence, latency to tumor onset, tumor growth rate, or animal longevity when compared with sham-irradiated controls.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cost-effective hydrocele ablation.

PURPOSE: The surgical repair of hydroceles can be relatively expensive in some cases in terms of costs and initial limitation of activity. We ascertain whether aspiration and sclerotherapy of hydroceles is a safe, efficient, cost-effective treatment modality in select patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 47 patients 51 hydroceles were treated in the office with aspiration and instillation of a sclerosing solution based on a sodium tetradecyl sulfate preparation. One treatment was done in 14 cases and 2 in the remainder. Medicare data for 1995 were used for charge analysis. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 61% (34 of 51 cases) with success defined as no perceptible ipsilateral scrotal fluid reaccumulation on palpation by a physician and complete patient satisfaction. The failure rate was 39% (17 cases) with failure defined as perceptible ipsilateral scrotal fluid reaccumulation on palpation by a physician and/or patient dissatisfaction. The charge differential of surgery versus aspiration and sclerotherapy was greater than 9:1. CONCLUSIONS: The aspiration and sclerotherapy technique that we used appears to be an efficacious, safe, cost-effective treatment modality in select patients with idiopathic hydroceles.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lymphoma of the parotid salivary gland].

INTRODUCTION: Lymphomas appear mostly in lymph nodes and parenchymal organs such as liver and spleen, while other localizations are less frequent. They are classified as Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin types, and these two are divided into subtypes, according to cell morphology and the characteristics of concurrent elements. Parotid salivary gland lymphomas are rare primary tumours of this region, although 80% of all salivary gland lymphomas, appear in parotid. They originate from intraparotid or periparotid lymph nodes, or from lymphoid elements of other pathological states in the gland such as sialadenitis, cysts with the presence of lymphoid tissue, parenchymal neoplasms with lymphoid component present and autoimmune illnesses, esp. Sjögren syndrome. Many authors (2-15) who have issued publications on this topic in foreign professional literature in the past ten years, agree that the primary localization of lymphomas in parotid salivary gland is very rare, although in recent decades more frequent than earlier (5). In majority of cases they appear on one side, although there are very rare cases of described parotid salivary glands on both sides. The illness most often starts as painless, soft knob in the region of parotid salivary gland. Other discomforts are very rare, and mostly appear as a feeling of pressure and mild painful sensations in the region of the change. In case of facial nerve paresis and/or strong pains, as well as adenopathy, there is a justified suspicion of carcinoma (20). The treatment is surgical. The method chosen is parotidectomy. According to histological type and clinical stadium, it includes radiotherapy or polychemotherapy. The prognosis depends on histological type of tumour, that is clinical stadium, and shows no specific characteristics compared with other forms of disease appearing outside parotid salivary gland. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient aged 66 was admitted to the ward with a tumefaction in the right parotid region. Family case history: negative. Personal case history excerpt: over 20 years of rheumatism, chronic bronchitis and hypertension. Present discomfort: tumefaction in the right parotid region, noticed about a year and a half earlier. The tumefaction was about 3 cm in diameter, painless to palpation, rubbery and smooth. She came to the Otolaryngology ward on May 31, 1995, when it was established that she had a tumour of the right parotid region and chronic otitis media on the left side. She was admitted on August 7, 1995. Local test results: the right parotid region contained a tumor of irregular round shape, about 6 cm in diameter, soft and painless to palpation, with smooth surface, the skin over the tumor was hyperaemic and sporadically livid. ORL status excerpt: subtotal reniform perforation of the left tympanic membrane enclosing all parts except the attic, with slight transparent secretion. Enlarged lymph nodes were not palpable. On August 10, 1995, under general endotracheal anaesthesia, a pre-operative aspiration of tumor was performed in three positions. The obtained substance contained blood, after which it was decided to perform an excision biopsy, which was done in the lower portion of the tumor. Histopathological analysis did not give a clearly defined character of tumor, so that hospitalisation was indicated and scheduled for further treatment. On the second admission on October 10, 1995, general condition and local results remain unchanged. On October 12, 1995, total parotidectomy was performed under general endotracheal anaesthesia. A tumor of about 5 cm in diameter and the removed salivary gland were sent to histopathological tests. The post-operative course was normal, the function of the facial nerve was preserved. Histopathological results: well-differentiated malignant lymphocyte lymphoma. The patient was sent to polychemotherapy on Cyclophosphamide Oncovin Pronisin (COP) protocol. One year after the surgery, the local findings are regular. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical test for anterolateral rotary instability of the knee.

A simplified test for anterolateral rotary subluxation of the knee is largely based on the concepts described by Galway and McIntosh although performed in a different manner. The examiner places the right hand gently on the lateral side of the knee with the thumb overlying the posterior aspect of the fibula and the index finger palpating the anterolateral aspect of the joint line to determine the the tibiofemoral relationship. The left hand embraces the lateral side of the distal end of the femur with the thumb over the posterior aspect of the lateral femoral condyle. With equal pressure on the lateral femoral condyle and fibular head the knee is pushed gently forward into flexion. When anterointernal tibial luxation is present, a reduction phenomenon is felt as the knee passes into the 25 to 40 degree flexion range. This may occur as a sudden palpable and occasionally audible repositioning which is responsible for such terminology as a "pivot shift" or "jerk sign." We have experienced many instances where the reduction phenomenon is more subtle and is determined by palpation alone. The pathologic mechanics are determined by observations at surgery in 45 patients with a positive test. This test has improved our diagnositc ability and is easly taught to those unfamiliar with knee joint disorders.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Apparent primary ossification of the menisci in a dog.

A 2-year-old Collie was examined after it developed acute lameness in the right hind limb. Palpation of the right stifle elicited signs of pain, but a cranial drawer sign could not be elicited during palpation of the joint. Radiography revealed mineralized opacities in the craniolateral and caudal portions of the right stifle joint. Exploratory arthrotomy of the right stifle joint revealed a firm mass in the cranial horn of the lateral meniscus, which was characterized as osseous metaplasia in the cranial and caudal menisceal horns on histologic examination. Other abnormalities were not identified during surgery. Results of histologic examination, radiologic evidence, and observations during exploratory surgery supported a diagnosis of primary lateral meniscal ossification of the right stifle joint. Radiographs were obtained of the contralateral stifle joint when the dog was clinically normal (5 weeks after arthrotomy), and mineralized opacities were found in the lateral meniscus of this limb as well. Clinical signs may not be associated with primary intrameniscal ossification initially; type and location of ossification may affect likelihood and severity of clinical signs and secondary joint damage. Initial treatment for menisceal ossification is conservative (anti-inflammatory medications) unless there is a concurrent pathologic process that requires surgical repair.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of clinical and psychologic features of fibromyalgia and masticatory myofascial pain.

The aim of this study was to investigate common symptoms and divergent features in fibromyalgia (FS) and masticatory myofascial pain (MFP) in patients affected by craniomandibular disorders. Twenty-three women with MFP and 23 women with FS were studied. All patients were examined by a dentist and by a rheumatologist. Craniomandibular disorders were assessed with a subjective symptoms questionnaire, detailed history interview, joint function examination, and manual palpation of masticatory and cervical muscles. The Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire was used to obtain personality profiles of the patients. The craniomandibular disorders questionnaire revealed various similarities in the two groups, the most striking of which were pain during mandibular function, articular noises, and headache. Both groups had muscle pain upon palpation; the mean scores (on a 0 to 4 scale) did not differ significantly between the two groups and ranged between 1.39 (SD 1.2) and 2.86 (SD 0.75). The mean value of active mouth opening was 40.9 mm (SD 9.1) in MFP patients and 44.6 mm (SD 7.2) in FS patients, while the mean value of passive opening was 49.6 mm (SD 6.0) in MFP patients and 49.8 mm (SD 3.5) in FS patients. These values did not differ significantly between the two groups, but did differ from the normal population, similar to the trend of the psychologic profile. The authors conclude that the physician should be alert to the need to conduct interdisciplinary evaluations in the diagnosis and management of FS and of MFP.

Adolescent↗