Anatomical study comparing the thickness of the volar and dorsal cortex of cadaveric adult distal radii using digital photography

INTRODUCTION:

Dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius fractures are one of the commonest in day-to-day practice. There is still no consensus among surgeons regarding the suitability of using volar or the dorsal cortex as basis for internal fixation for dorsally displaced fractures.

BACKGROUND:

We report an anatomical study, which compares the thickness of the volar and dorsal cortices of cadaveric adult radii using digital photography.

RESULTS:

Results of this study show that the volar cortex was statistically, significantly thicker than the dorsal cortex. We believe that the volar cortex may behave as the calcar of the distal radius and hence internal fixation devices applied to the volar cortex may provide a more stable internal fixation compared to those based on the dorsal cortex.

Presentation of lacrimo-auriculodento- digital (LADD) syndrome in a young female patient

BACKGROUND: Lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital (LADD) syndrome (OMIM #149730) is an autosomal-dominant congenital disorder that can be caused by heterozygous mutations in the tyrosine kinase domains of the genes encoding fibroblast growth factor receptors 2 (FGFR2) and 3 (FGFR3), and has been found in association with a mutation in the FGF10 gene, which encodes an Fgfr ligand. Clinical signs vary, but the condition is characterised by involvement of the lacrimal and salivary systems, cup-shaped ears, hearing loss and dental abnormalities. Additional features may include involvement of the hands and feet with other body systems particularly the kidneys.

CASE REPORT: Previous literature on the subject has been reviewed and this case is the first presentation of LADD syndrome in the Republic of Ireland, as a sporadic case in a 12-year-old girl who exhibited a range of dental and digital anomalies.

TREATMENT: Her general medical practitioner managed her medical care whilst her oral care necessitated a multidisciplinary approach involving restorative and orthodontic elements.

FOLLOW-UP: The initial restorative phase of treatment has successfully improved the appearance of the patient's anterior teeth using direct resin composite build-ups.

Copyright & Risk: Scoping the Wellcome Digital Library Project (peer reviewed)

Copyright & Risk: Scoping the Wellcome Digital Library is a comprehensive case study which assesses the merits of the risk-managed approach to copyright clearance adopted by the Wellcome Library in the course of their pilot digitisation project Codebreakers: Makers of Modern Genetics (http://wellcomelibrary.org/collections/digital-collections/makers-of-modern-genetics/#).