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Biomedical subjects

A T Berman

Publications and source records attributed to A T Berman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Compression arthrodesis of the ankle by triangular external fixation: an improved technique.

In this preliminary report, the authors present a new application of an external tubular fixation system for compression arthrodesis of the ankle. A triangular ankle fusion frame was designed that provides rigid immobilization of the tibiotalar joint, with midfoot control provided by a metatarsal pin. Over the past 3 years, the authors have used this device to achieve solid tibiotalar arthrodesis in 12 of 14 patients. The surgical method, including step-by-step construction and application of the triangular ankle fusion frame, is presented. Early results suggest a nearly 90% union rate, including reoperative cases for failed primary fusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Gene linkage in neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a disease of protean manifestations involving tissues of ectodermal and mesodermal origin. Modern terminology divides NF into NF-1 (classically peripheral NF) and NF-2 (classically central NF). Gene linkage will provide many answers to understanding the varied and unpredictable course of NF. Gene linkage may explain phenotypic variations among NF patients, malignant transformation potential of neurofibromas, increased likelihood of malignant sarcomas in NF patients, and possible insight into learning disability in NF patients. Chromosome location has been narrowed to the pericentric region of chromosome 17 for NF-1 and to the center of the long arm of chromosome 22 for NF-2.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18↗
PubMed1988

The orthopedic manifestation of neurofibromatosis. A clinical experience and review of the literature.

A retrospective review of 47 patients with neurofibromatosis was performed to evaluate the effects of that disease on patient function and disability. Clinical manifestations were distributed as follows: cafe-au-lait markings were the most prevalent manifestation (87%), followed by a positive family history (49%), scoliosis (53%), neurofibromata (19%), and pseudarthrosis of the tibia (19%). The classic scoliosis was resistant to brace treatment; bracing failed in 70% of patients, necessitating spinal fusion. Pseudarthrosis of the tibia can be subdivided into normal, narrow sclerotic, and cystic medullary canal groups. This study supported the theory that tibias with narrow sclerotic medullary canals should be prophylactically braced until skeletal maturity to prevent fracture. Once fractured, the incidence of non-union is high regardless of treatment mode. Eighty percent of patients with pseudarthrosis of the tibia did not heal with multiple bone grafts and were amputated below the knee. Many patients in this study were educable or only mildly mentally retarded, and performed quite well in activities of daily living.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Blood loss with total knee arthroplasty.

A substantial drop in blood volume occurs in patients being treated by total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Of 140 TKAs (108 patients) studied to analyze this blood loss, 70 required transfusion and 70 did not. The average transfusion was 2.6 units per arthroplasty. Blood loss in the nontransfused group was 1.8 units per arthroplasty. The overall mean blood loss was 2.2 units per TKA. Insertion of a constrained TKA resulted in a statistically significant increase in blood loss. Preoperative diagnosis, anesthetic technique, revision arthroplasty, patellofemoral arthroplasty, and tourniquet technique did not statistically affect the blood loss. The bulk of the blood loss is collected postoperatively in the suction drainage system.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Revision total hip replacement without trochanteric osteotomy.

Revision total hip replacement has traditionally required a trochanteric osteotomy for successful cement removal and component reinsertion. In this study the authors have concluded that in most instances the revision total hip replacement procedure can be successfully performed without trochanteric osteotomy. The advantages are underscored by the high percentage of trochanteric complications with trochanteric osteotomy for revision total hip replacement and the ease of rehabilitation without trochanteric osteotomy. Also, improved functional results without trochanteric osteotomy were noted. The specific indications for the procedure included revision total hip replacement with ununited prior trochanteric osteotomy, revision total hip replacement with femoral shaft fractures, and revision total hip replacement with stem fractures requiring only acetabular revision. The contraindications to the procedure are fibrous union or ununited trochanteric osteotomy from prior total hip replacement, severe acetabular protrusion of the acetabular component, advanced myositis ossificans, ankylosis of the hip, and advanced proximal femoral osteoporosis. The operating room records, x-rays, and outpatient records of 63 total hip revisions in 52 patients were reviewed. There was a minimum 2-year follow up with a range from two years to seven years. The patients were divided into two groups, comparing 21 trochanteric osteotomized revisions to 44 with trochanteric sparing techniques. Both groups were analyzed for age, type of implant, intraoperative perforation of femur, intraoperative femoral shaft fractures, intraoperative cortical window, component malpositioning extraneous cement, intraoperative blood loss, operating time, postoperative leg length inequality, persistent abductor weakness, average first day of ambulation, wound infection, dislocation, nonunion of the trochanter, and postoperative pain. In the nonosteotomized group, there was a 21% decreased blood loss, a 14% decrease in persistent abductor weakness, a 14% decrease in subluxation and dislocation, a 30% decrease operating time and a 50% reduction in intraoperative femoral perforation. In the osteotomized group there were six cases of fibrous union of the greater trochanter, two cases requiring removal of broken wires for trochanteric bursitis. A detailed surgical technique and representative cases are presented. In carefully selected cases, revision total hip replacement is optimally performed without trochanteric osteotomy. Postoperative trochanteric problems of nonunion, broken wires, bursitis, and abductor weakness can effectively be eliminated by avoiding trochanteric osteotomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Quantitative gait analysis after unilateral or bilateral total knee replacement.

Using a gait mat, we characterized the functional results for thirty-five patients before and after a total knee replacement for the treatment of degenerative arthritis. Preoperatively, we studied three distinct populations of patients. Group I consisted of sixteen patients who were scheduled to have a unilateral total knee replacement and who had no signs or symptoms of arthritis in the contralateral knee. Group II consisted of twelve patients who were scheduled to have a unilateral total knee replacement but who had asymptomatic degenerative arthritis in the contralateral knee. Group III consisted of seven patients who had bilateral arthritis that was to be managed by total knee replacement. The gait mat allowed us to measure stance time, step length, double-support time, swing time, swing-to-stance ratio, and velocity. A knee-rating scale was used to measure pain. The data were compared with those obtained from an age-matched control group of ninety-one subjects. Postoperatively, the gait evaluation revealed marked improvement in all of the patients. However, the patients in Group II did not improve as much as those in Groups I and III did. We concluded that even asymptomatic arthritis can impair gait, that bilateral total knee replacement can yield excellent results, and that patients tend to use the lower limbs in as symmetrical a way as possible. Gait analysis can be an important source of objective information, and it is easily performed by using a gait mat.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

The use of preoperative computed tomography scanning in total hip arthroplasty.

Computed tomography (CT) scanning is a useful tool in many areas of orthopedics. This prospective study reviews the authors' experience with CT scans in 73 patients studied prior to total hip arthroplasty. The CT scan is valuable in the primary total hip arthroplasty if the radiograph suggests medial, posterior, or superior acetabular wall defects. In some instances, bone grafting or other special procedures are required for the reconstruction of these defects. In the present study, preoperative CT identified an abnormality in 18 cases with deficient acetabular walls, while plain radiographs identified only six of these difficulties. Although important information for planning revision total hip arthroplasties was noted in this series, CT scans are indicated primarily in instances of suspected acetabular wall defects.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

"Idiopathic" scoliosis associated with congenital upper-limb deficiency.

Sixty patients with congenital upper-limb deficiency were evaluated for scoliosis in 1972. Twenty-one patients had scoliosis of 5 degrees or more and 15 had scoliosis of 10 degrees or more. Fifteen of these patients had long-term follow-up periods. Thirteen patients had idiopathic scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis associated with congenital upper-limb deficiency could be divided into three groups, and the progression of scoliosis was predictable within each group. All but one of these patients had a relatively benign course and did not require treatment. Double curves with rotation progressed throughout the growth period. Double curves with Grade 0 rotation tended not to be progressive. Single curves did not have rotation deformity and resolved spontaneously or remained stable. Magnitude of limb deficiency did not correlate with the curve magnitude, progression, or pattern. Muscle imbalance did not appear implicated as a cause for the scoliosis in these patients. Young age at discovery of the curve did not correlate with progression of the curve.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Muscle biopsy: proper surgical technique.

Muscle biopsy is often incorrectly performed despite the fact that it is a relatively simple procedure. A consistently reproducible surgical technique in 93 open vastus lateralis muscle biopsies implemented in conjunction with neuromuscular and malignant hyperthermia research demonstrated 14 cases of malignant hyperthermia and a variety of forms of neuromuscular pathology. No wound complications or disabilities have resulted from this procedure. The procedure includes careful selection of biopsy site, regional anesthesia, atraumatic dissection, and immediate processing of the biopsy sample. A new muscle biopsy clamp is described. The authors recommend the vastus lateralis for the biopsy site unless another area of involvement is specifically indicated. Careful attention to technical details is required for optimal results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The effects of epidural injection of local anesthetics and corticosteroids on patients with lumbosciatic pain.

Although epidural cortisone injections are commonly used for treatment of lumbosciatic pain, insufficient critical analysis of the end result can be found in the literature. The present study is a retrospective critical analysis of 367 patients with leg pain who were engaged for a minimum of two weeks or an average of two months in multifaceted conservative management without relief of pain. Injections of 10 cm3 of 0.5% bupivacaine and 100 mg of methylprednisolone were given to inpatients treated by the same anesthesiologist. The average follow-up period was 21.4 months (range, 6-36 months). Results were analyzed according to duration of pain and history of prior lumbar spine surgery. The most favorable results (approaching 70% offd-excellent) were observed in patients with subacute radicular leg pain (of less than three months' duration) and chronic leg pain (of greater than three months' duration) with no prior surgery. Negative myelograms and electromyograms (EMGs), in the absence of reflex or motor deficits on physical examination, also pointed toward optimal results. Those patients with chronic pain who had had prior lumbar spine surgery had the least satisfactory results.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1984

A comparison of CT scanning and myelography in the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation.

Computerized tomographic (CT) scanning of the fourth and fifth lumbar disc spaces with the GE CT/T8800 scanner followed by metrizamide myelography was obtained for 134 consecutive patients with suspected lumbar disc disease. There was an overall concordance rate of 85% between CT scanning and myelography. In those 52 patients treated by surgery, concordance between the CT and the myelogram was similar at 86.5%. Myelography and surgical findings were in agreement in 94.2% of cases, while CT findings and surgical finding agreed in 92.3% of cases. The authors' data indicate that the CT scan is as accurate as myelography in the diagnosis of lumbar disc disease. When the CT scan interpretation is supported by clinical findings, the myelogram may be eliminated in the preoperative patient. Myelography may be reserved for equivocal cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Thermally induced bone necrosis in rabbits. Relation to implant failure in humans.

The exposure of bone to high temperatures has become quite common, especially with the increasing use of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. With particular regard to total hip arthroplasty, many authors have commented on the temperature problem induced by the curing PMMA cement mass. Polymerization temperatures at the bone-cement interface have been measured and range between 40 degrees and 110 degrees, depending on the thickness of the cement line. Thermal bone damage is implicated as a significant cause of early loosening of implanted joint prostheses. The authors designed a fluid probe to deliver heated isotonic fluid directly over exposed cortical bone on a rabbit's proximal tibia. Scald temperatures ranged from 45 degrees-90 degrees for a standard exposure time of one minute. Bone tissue samples taken at intervals of one, two, and three weeks postoperatively were used to establish the thermal-damage threshold for living bone and assess regeneration potential. Controls were included to observe the reaction of bone to the surgical procedure. Bone necrosis was consistently seen in histologic sections at scald temperatures greater than or equal to 70 degrees. Although an inflammatory reaction replaced by a fibrous tissue scar was seen at the site of surgically damaged periosteum, no control animals showed evidence of either bone or marrow necrosis. These results led the authors to suggest that joint replacement systems in human bone, using PMMA bone cement, be designed to limit intraoperative temperature maximums to a level less than 70 degrees. By preventing excessive bone necrosis at the bone-cement interface, early loosening and subsequent implant failure may be significantly reduced.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Surgical management of lumbar disc disease.

The normal and pathologic anatomy and biochemistry of lumbar disc disease have been discussed. The use of various diagnostic modalities to support the clinical diagnosis has been assessed. Details of a conservative care program are outlined. A discussion of surgical indications and techniques for laminectomy, reoperative laminectomy, and posterolateral spinal fusion is also presented. The use of chymopapain is briefly described in anticipation of its imminent usage.

Humans↗
PubMed1980

Fracture toughness concept applied to methyl methacrylate.

Polymethyl methacrylate bone cement is tested at the Institute of Fracture and Solid Mechanics Laboratory, Lehigh University. Standard tensile coupon and compact tension specimens are molded under varying conditons of temperature and pressure. Test results are obtained for the strength and toughness of bone cement involved in total hip replacement operations.

Bone Cements↗