Septic arthritis (SA) is considered a medical emergency. The most common etiological agents are glucose consuming bacteria, so we evaluated the clinical utility of synovial fluid (SF) glucose levels and other biochemical parameters for supporting the diagnosis of the disease and their association with a positive bacteria culture and joint destruction. Adult patients with SA diagnose were enrolled prospectively between July 2018 and October 2019. As control group, adults with knee osteoarthritis, meniscus and/or knee ligaments lesions were enrolled. SF samples were obtained from the joints by arthrocentesis/arthrotomy. Microbiological analyses of SF were performed using Brucella broth blood culture flasks, samples were incubated at 37°C with 5% CO2 for 24 hours. Gram stain, chocolate and blood agar were used for the identification and growth of the bacteria. SF glucose levels, pH and leukocyte esterase were measured as biochemical parameters using a glucometer and colorimetric test strips. The Outerbridge classification was used for grading the osteochondral injury. Furthermore, blood samples were collected from patients and control subjects for determining glucose levels.Aim
Methods
Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is a congenital disorder characterized by limb constrictions. The disorder lacks precise definition, and its exact pathogenesis is unknown. Though theories have been advanced to explain the condition’s origin, none have been scientifically validated. The “exogenous” theory, popularized by Torpin, is the most widely accepted. It suggests that early amniotic rupture leads to formation of amniotic strands, which by means of progressive compression induce formation of extremity bands. In this disorder, histological examination of the excised bands demonstrates them to be composed of fibrous tissue. Multiple clinical and experimental data reveal this theory has only low plausibility. Our purpose is to assess whether annular external compression of a fetal rabbit limb will produce a band of subcutaneous fibrous tissue characteristic of amniotic band syndrome. We operated on one limb of 10 different rabbit fetuses, each at 21 days of gestation. The extremity was ligated with a nylon suture at the infracondylar level. At 30 days gestation, each fetus was delivered by caesarean section. Limbs were analyzed histologically using different techniques. Histological analysis did not show subcutaneous fibrous tissue in the mechanically constricted zone. The distal segment showed dilatation of lymphatic vessels and edema of soft tissue. Annular external compression of a fetal rabbit limb does not induce development of new fibrous tissue; therefore this experimental study does not support the theory of a mechanical exogenous pathogenesis in amniotic band syndrome.
The continuous leakage of cerebrospinal fluid in the mielomeningocele (MMC) area produces the Chiari II malformation. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of preterm delivery and prenatal corticosteroids administration in the degree of Chiari malformation. Seventy-five out of 148 foetuses from 17 pregnant New Zealand White rabbits underwent lumbar three-level laminectomy and wide opening of dura-mater (surgical MMC). Animals were distributed in five groups: group T, foetuses with MMC, delivery at term and no other treatment; group TC, foetuses with MMC, delivery at term and prenatal administration of corticosteroids; group P, foetuses with MMC, delivery preterm and no other treatment; group PC, foetuses with MMC, delivery preterm and prenatal administration of corticosteroids; group C, controls. The degree of herniation was measured in percentage of decrease of the cerebellum between the inferior limit of the skull and the superior limit of the first vertebra, and compared among groups. We obtained 7T, 5TC, 10P, 6PC, and 28C alive newborns. All groups with prenatal delivery or prenatal corticosteroids showed statistically significant minor degree of herniation than T-group: group TC IC 95% between 25.7 and 47.2% minor (p=0.000), group P IC 95% between 30.4 and 47.7% minor (p=0.000), group PC IC 95% between 32.6 and 55.4 minor (p=0.000). There were no statistically significant differences among groups TC and P (p=0,577), TC and PC (p=0,227) or P and PC (p=0,311). Preterm delivery and prenatal administration of corticosteroids, together or separately, result in lower degree of Chiari malformation in a model of surgical MMC in rabbit fetuses.
Open fetal surgery for reparation in myelomeningocele reverses Chiari II malformation and protects exposed neural elements from secondary lesion, but the technique is associated with a high rate of complications. The aim of our study was to assess whether a simple and fast technique of coverage produces the same results as a complete and longer technique of reparation in terms of neural protection. Twelve sheep’s foetuses underwent lumbar three-level laminectomy and opening of the dura-mater on the 75th day of the gestation. Four of them were not-repaired (NR group). Eight of them underwent coverage with inert material sheet and synthetic surgical sealant on the 95th day (R group). At birth, clinical and histological examination and comparison between groups was performed. None NR animal were able to stand or to walk nor had sphincter continence; all of them showed a wide defect of closure in the lumbar area, continuous leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and histological neural damage; the mean vermis herniation was 75%. All R animals were able to stand and to walk and all of them showed sphincter continence; none of them showed leakage of CSF and showed coverage of the 93% of the defect; all of them showed regeneration of dura-mater, muscle and skin; the mean vermis herniation was 10%. A simplified technique of coverage produces the same clinical results than a more complex reconstruction in a model of surgical MMC in sheep and the histological study reveals the regeneration of several layers of soft tissues.
