Thymoma originating from the cervical component of the thymus in a degu

A 5-y-old, male degu ( Octodon degus) was presented with a subcutaneous mass in the ventral aspect of the cervical area. The mass was removed surgically. Histologically, the mass was a densely cellular, expansile neoplasm, with compression of thymic tissue to the periphery. The neoplasm consisted of solid sheets of polygonal cells, mixed with fewer small lymphocytes. Rare Hassall bodies were scattered throughout the mass. Polygonal cells were positive for anti-keratin/cytokeratin AE1/AE3 antibody, and small lymphocytes were positive for anti-CD3 antibody. The histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with a thymoma. In addition, an autopsy revealed myxosarcoma of the right thoracic wall with metastasis to the lung. To our knowledge, thymoma originating from the cervical component of the thymus has not been documented previously in a rodent species.

Avaliação de uma técnica de compactação do gesso odontológico como alternativa para a correta relação água/pó

The water-powder relationship is essential to achieve a proper performance of gypsum for prosthetic purposes. The ideal measure can be obtained with a balance, but this is clinically unavailable, once it is timeconsuming. A powder-compacting technique using a volume measurement is suggested in order to substitute the balance. The technique consists of using a gypsum meter within the gypsum bag. While the operator holds the gypsum meter with one hand, the palm of the other hand is pressed over the surface of the meter, supported by the ventral aspect of the fingers of the hand that is pressing. This procedure is based upon three compactation movements for each operator, then counting the average of compacting sample. Each of the ten operators repeated six times the procedure, and the final average was defined. The resulting samples for each procedure, of each operator, were weighted, and the statistical analysis showed significant differences (p = 0,006) among the operators.

Sex Wise Morphometrical Studies on the Mid Thoracic Ribs of Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

Background: The Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) is regarded as one of the biggest antelopes in Asia and safeguarded beneath the IUCN since 2003 and under safeguard of ‘Schedule III’ of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This study focused on the detailed gross morphometrical study of mid thoracic ribs of Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus).Methods: The present morphometrical study was carried out in six specimens of adult Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) of either sex. The measurements of various parameters of ribs were taken with the help of weighing machine, thread, scale and digital Vernier’s calliper. Result: It was found that the average diameter of the head of the fourth rib was found to be 2.56±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 2.53±0.01 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 2.59±0.01 cm. The average cranio-caudal diameter of the cranial articular facet of the head of 5th rib was found to be 0.97±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 0.95±0.02 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 1.00±0.01 cm. The average diameter of the tubercle of sixth rib at the dorso-ventral aspect was found to be 1.66±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 1.64±0.02 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 1.69±0.02 cm. Similarly, the average minimum length of the neck of sixth rib at the cranial aspect was found to be 0.68±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 0.65±0.02 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 0.70±0.01 cm. The average diameter of vascular groove of seventh rib at the proximal aspect was found to be 0.56±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 0.52±0.01 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 0.60±0.01 cm.

Use of the Angularis Oris Axial Pattern Buccal Flap for the Correction of Facial Defects in Six Dogs

Background: Reconstructive surgery is an important area of veterinary surgery because it allows the reconstruction of large cutaneous defects in areas where a primary approach is not possible. Axial patterns flaps are composed by one direct cutaneous artery and vein, leading to a better blood supply with a good survival outcome. The angularis oris axial pattern buccal flap was introduced for correction of facial defects, but its versatility is not really explored in the existing literature. This article reports the use and complications of the angularis oris axial pattern buccal flap in six dogs, to treat defects in mandibular, temporal or labial regions.Cases: Five mixed breed dogs and one Labrador, with age between 4 and 9 years’ old were submitted for surgery and the angularis oris axial pattern buccal flap was used to close the different defects. Causes of defect included a lesion caused by myiasis in three of the dogs, and tumoral removal in the other three, where two were mast cell tumors and one a keratinizing basal cell carcinoma. The regions affected included rostral mandible with oral mucosa, intermandibular region, temporal region and upper lip. Before flap confection the tissue was cleaned, resected and prepared properly, according to each cause of lesion. The flap was made with two parallel incisions, wich center was usually the labial commissure, with the dorsal limits at the ventral aspect of the zygomatic arch, and the ventral incision on the ventral aspect of the mandibular ramus. Caudal extension was based on the length needed for surgical closure, but stained between the vertical auditory canal or up to atlas wing. Suture size and pattern depend the region and patient size. Patients were observed closely for any complication in the surgical site. From the six dogs presented here, five got some complications in the surgical site, including: lymphedema (2), suture dehiscence (4) and hematoma (1); however, regardless the complication, all patients had successful wound healing in 15 to 21 days after surgery. Also in two of the four suture dehiscence episodes, the cause of dehiscence was secondary to trauma and not the surgery.Discussion: The reconstruction of facial defects is noteworthy due the limited availability of flaps that can reach the region without excessive tension or healing complications. The angularis oris axial buccal flap pattern is the nearest flap to close defect in the intermandibular, temporal or labial regions. In the cases reported, it is possible to observe that the most frequent complication was suture dehiscence, but it occurred mostly in a small proportion of the flap, allowing healing in the expected time.The surgical planning is an important factor for reconstructive surgeries, so that there is enough tissue for the closure of the recipient and donor site, without tension over the flap or interference with tissue function and aesthetics. Despite the suture dehiscence in some of the cases, all patients showed adequate final recovery, since they returned to normal function with satisfactory cosmetic appearance.The angularis oris axial pattern buccal flap was applied in the correction of defects easily and all patients returned to normal function with satisfactory cosmetic appearance.

Congenital Urethral Fistula: A Case Report and Literature Review

Male congenital urethral fistula is an extremely rare condition. It is characterized by an abnormal opening of the ventral aspect of the penis. We report the case of a 1-month-old boy with congenital urethral fistula. We will describe the surgical technique, postoperative results, and literature review.

Two new species and new records of darkling beetles of the tribe Helopini from Turkey and Cyprus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Two new species of the tribe Helopini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are described from Turkey: Nalassus (Nalassus) becvari sp. nov. (Elazığ Province) and Hedyphanes (Hedyphanes) kmenti sp. nov. (Artvin Province). The first species is characterized by strongly thickened antennomeres 2–8 and differs from all Turkish Nalassus s. str. Mulsant, 1854 in the ventral aspect of eye, which bears a weak posterior ventral impression (rather than a distinct groove of other species). The second species belongs to the species group with asperate punctation of the prothoracic hypomera and differs from all Hedyphanes Fischer von Waldheim, 1820 in the presence of suberect pubescence on both sides of elytral base. Distribution of some Helopini (the Helops genus-group, subtribe Helopina) from Anatolia and Cyprus is updated with new data. Hedyphanes mannerheimi Faldermann, 1837 is recorded for Turkey (Iğdır Province) for the first time. Helops caeruleus caeruleus Linnaeus, 1758 from Pervolia is a new record for Cyprus and the occurrence is probably a result of anthropogenic introduction.

Ventral scapular osteochondroma excision through ‘triangle of auscultation’: A case series

Introduction: Surgical intervention through the ‘triangle of auscultation’ is less morbid to patients, as it is devoid of muscles and provides an easy access to tumours arising on the ventral aspect of scapula especially near inferior angle. Method: Three patients presented to us with pseudo-winging of scapula and an audible thud on abduction of the arm. A bony mass, painful in two and painless in one patient, was palpable along the anterior aspect of the inferior angle of scapula. A clinical diagnosis of osteochondroma was made which was corroborated by X-rays and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Ventral scapular osteochondroma excision is challenging due to multiple muscle attachments, requiring extensive soft tissue dissection and muscular release. Numerous blood vessels and nerves in the vicinity may also add to the degree of difficulty. This necessitates the need of a minimally invasive and muscle-sparing procedure. We hereby describe a novel surgical approach to the ventral aspect of scapula through the triangle of auscultation for excision of scapular osteochondroma. Results: Pseudo-winging disappeared following surgery. Snapping of the scapula resolved with early, full shoulder range of motion. Quick disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score improved from mean 20.2 preoperatively to 0 postoperatively at 3 months in all the patients. Conclusion: The approach is simple with minimal blood loss as it does not involve splitting or cutting of trapezius, rhomboid major or subscapularis muscles.