Characterization of the Transition Zone in Short Segment Hirschsprung Disease Using Calretinin Immunostaining

Introduction: The detailed expression pattern of calretinin immunohistochemistry in the transition zone (TZ) of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) has not yet been reported. This study aims to examine the value of calretinin immunohistochemistry for more accurately determining the distal and proximal border of the TZ in short segment HSCR. Methods: Specimens of pull-through surgery from 51 patients with short form of HSCR were analyzed on two longitudinal strips using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and calretinin immunohistochemistry. Results: In all but two patients, the first appearance of calretinin expression was seen on mucosal nerve fibers before the appearance of any ganglion cells, indicating the distal border of the TZ. The maximum distance between the distal border of the TZ and the proximal border of the TZ, defined by ganglion cells in a normal density on H&E stained sections, a strong calretinin expression on mucosal nerve fibers and in >80% of submucosal and myenteric ganglion cells, with no nerve hypertrophy and absence of ganglionitis was 60 mm. Conclusion: The distal border of the TZ is characterized by calretinin positive intramucosal neurites in nearly all of short form of HSCR and not by calretinin expression on ganglion cells.

Uncommon Nail Involvement during Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most frequent autoimmune blistering disorder. The immune reaction targets BP180 and BP230 antigens, 2 components of junctional adhesion complexes at the basement membrane zone. Clinical aspect includes multiple tense bullae on urticarial plaques of the skin. Although the nail apparatus may be affected by the immune process, nail changes have been rarely reported during BP. We report a case of a 72-year-old woman diagnosed with BP who subsequently developed a secondary nail loss of the 2 thumbs and the left middle finger. Also, she presented onycholysis of the fourth left finger with the aspect of roller-coaster of the proximal border at dermoscopy. Steroid therapy at high doses was ineffective and the nail atrophy was permanent.

Sensory nerve supply of the distal radio-ulnar joint with regard to wrist denervation

The objective of this study was to determine the precise departure points of the articular branches innervating the distal radio-ulnar joint from the anterior and posterior interosseous nerves. The study sample consisted of 116 upper limbs from adult human cadavers. The articular branches were prepared under the dissection microscope to take measurements using the radial styloid process as point of reference. The articular branch departed from the anterior interosseous nerve at a mean distance of 2.9 cm proximal to the styloid for a radius length of 20.5 cm, and 3.7 cm for a radius length of 26.5 cm, respectively. For the posterior interosseous nerve, the departure point was at a mean distance of 3.1 cm (radius length of 20.5 cm) and at 4.0 cm (radius length of 26.5 cm). Apart from a single branch from the posterior interosseous nerve, all articular branches were located distal to the proximal border of the pronator quadratus. Results indicate that wrist denervation from the volar approach, if performed at the proximal border of the pronator quadratus, or from the dorsal approach at a distance of 4.8 cm (for a radius length of 20.5 cm) or 6.2 cm (for a radius length of 26.5 cm) proximal to the radial styloid process, will eliminate the nerve supply to the distal radio-ulnar joint in the majority of cases.

Mallomonas cattiensis, sp. nov. (Synurales, Chrysophyceae), a new species from Viet Nam

Mallomonas cattiensis, sp. nov. is described from Ta Lai reservoir, located in Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai Province, Southeastern Viet Nam). The description is based on silica-scale morphology studied by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy. This new species has thick, heavily silicified tripartite scales. The most remarkable features of the new taxon are thick secondary layer in form of lobate structures on the anterior flange of the scales and wide proximal border, covering the posterior flange and often overlapping the V-rib. Mallomonas cattiensis belongs to the section Mallomonas and is most morphologically similar to Mallomonas morrisonensis.

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CUBITAL TUNNEL SYNDROME CAUSED BY A CUBITUS VARUS DEFORMITY

We have retrospectively reviewed the clinical, preoperative ultrasonographic, and operative findings of eight patients who had tardy ulnar nerve palsy caused by a cubitus varus deformity. The mean varus angle on the affected side was 23°. With preoperative ultrasonography, the anterior dislocation of the ulnar nerve from the medial epicondyle was detected in dynamic scanning of short-axis images, and long-axis images revealed nerve compression and kinking in the proximal border of the flexor carpi ulnaris. Operative findings revealed compression of the ulnar nerve by a fibrous band, which was released in all cases. The cause of the tardy ulnar nerve palsy in this series of patients was constriction by a fibrous band and kinking in the proximal border of the flexor carpi ulnaris due to ulnar nerve dislocation from compression resulting from the forward movement of the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle.

ANATOMICAL STUDY OF ARCADE OF STRUTHERS

The incidence and the anatomical location of the arcade of Struthers as related to the arm length were studied in 62 arms of adult fresh-frozen cadavers. The distance between the greater tuberosity and the lateral epicondyle was designated as the arm length. The arcades of Struthers were identified in 85.4%. The mean arm length was 27.85 ± 1.3 cm. The mean of the distance between proximal border of the arcade of Struthers and the medial humeral epicondyle was 8.24 ± 2.06 cm. The mean ratio between the distance from the proximal border of the arcade to the tip of the medial epicondyle and arm length was 0.29 ± 0.07. We concluded that the anatomical location of the arcade as related to the arm length was 29% proximally, from the tip of the medial epicondyle. This report of the anatomical location of the arcade of Struthers related to the arm length can be useful to identify this structure in the arms which have differences in arm length during the surgical exploration and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve procedures.

A foregoing thenar muscular branch of the median nerve

ABSTRACTWe present a 62-year-old female patient who had an anatomic variation in the median nerve of the left hand. During surgery for releasing the left carpal tunnel, an abnormally high level of origin of the thenar muscular branch of the median nerve was detected, at 2.5 cm above the proximal border of transverse carpal ligament. It traveled between the medial side of the flexor carpi radialis tendon and median nerve and entered the carpal tunnel. After exiting the carpal tunnel distally, the nerve, was noted to course towards the thenar area. Such variations in the median nerve should be kept in mind while performing carpal tunnel release.

New species of Ptychozoon (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Nicobar Archipelago, Indian Ocean

A new species of Ptychozoon is described from the central portion of the Nicobar Archipelago, Bay of Bengal, India. It has been formerly referred to P. kuhli, a species widely distributed in Sundaland. Ptychozoon nicobarensis sp. nov. reaches an SVL of 100.3 mm, and is diagnosable from congeneric species in showing the following combination of characters: dorsum with a tan vertebral stripe, lacking dark transverse bars; supranasals in contact; cutaneous expansions on sides of head; absence of predigital notch in preantebrachial cutaneous expansion; imbricate parachute support scales; four irregular rows of low, rounded enlarged scales on dorsum; 20–29 scales across widest portion of tail terminus; three indistinct chevrons on dorsum; 7–11 pairs of preanal pores; femoral pores absent; tail with an expanded terminal flap and weak lobe fusion at proximal border of tail terminus. The curious distribution of the new species, centred around the central Nicobars is speculated to be the result of competition with and/or predation by large gekkonid species, to the north (Gekko verreauxi) and south (G. smithii) of the group of islands occupied by the new Ptychozoon from the central Nicobars.