[Structure and histo-topography of meniscoid structures of the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joints].

Anatomical preparation, Pirogov's saw-cuts and serial histotopographic sections, made across the atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial joints in the sagittal, frontal and horizontal planes in 35 corpses have been used in reconstructing and studying the meniscoid structures in the area of the joints mentioned. The meniscoids are composed of fine fibrillar connective tissue with a large amount of fat and vessels. The meniscoid has a triangle form, its base consisting of collagenous fibers, gradually transfers into the articular capsule, and its apex is directed into the articular cavity.

[Use of the proteolytic enzyme papain in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis].

Twenty-nine patients with cervical osteochondrosis and reflex syndromes were treated by the method of disc puncture using the proteolytic enzyme papain in complex with dereception. Analysis of the immediate and late results showed improvement in 74% of patients. The outcomes were determined to a certain measure by the correct choice of patients to be treated with this method.

[Optimization of the preoperative diagnosis of herniated lumbar disks].

Pneumomyelography (PMG) and discography (DG) were employed to establish the exact diagnosis of Schmorl's bodies in the lumbar spine. Information concerning 101 patients with lumbar osteochondrosis is analysed. PMG was conducted in all patients.

[Physical training of patients with ischemic heart disease in a sanatorium-preventorium].

Patients with coronary heart disease were shown to benefit from short-term training sessions on the stationary bicycle (15-18 sessions within 24 days). In a group of 96 patients who exercised, the threshold power increased by 20%, the blood cholesterol concentration fell slightly (by 6.4%) and the systolic and diastolic pressure decreased in those patients who showed an initial elevated arterial pressure at rest (160/95 mm Hg).

[Characteristics of the topographical anatomical interrelations of the vertebral artery, muscles and connective tissue and neural formations in the area of the atlanto-occipital joint].

A topographical-anatomical investigation has been performed in the atlanto-occipital joint area by means of Pirogov's saw cuts and the histopographic section technique in 28 corpses of fetuses, newborns and mature persons. Peculiarities of interrelations between the vertebral artery, veins, muscles, nerves and the joint elements have been considered at the level of three horizontal and two sagittal planes made in the joint area. The vertebral artery and its venous plexus have been demonstrated to go in the nearest vicinity to the joint, the veins adhere the joint, and the common fascial vascular sheath entwines in the joint capsule.

[Use of Soviet papain enzyme in the disk-puncture treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis].

The proteolytic enzyme papain produced in other countries FRG, Switzerland, Yugoslavia) was used from 1964 for disk-puncture treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with compression of the roots. The Soviet papain was used in the recent years in 63 patients. Analysis of the results showed that Soviet papain possesses the same chondrolytic properties as papain produced in other countries.