Perception of structured optic flow and random visual motion in infants and adults: a high-density EEG study.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) was used in 8-month-old infants and adults to study brain electrical activity as a function of perception of structured optic flow and random visual motion. A combination of visual evoked potential (VEP) analyses and analyses of temporal spectral evolution (TSE, time-dependent spectral power) was carried out. Significant differences were found for the N2 component of VEP for optic flow versus random visual motion within and between groups.

Spinal changes in association with sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis.

A case of sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis was reported in a 63-year-old woman who had been followed for 15 years. Radiographic changes in the claviculo-sternal area were typical of this condition, and biopsy revealed abnormalities in the right clavicle and in the sternum compatible with infection. Radiographic changes in the thoracic and lumbar spine revealed findings compatible with infective spondylitis and a seronegative spondylarthropathy, respectively.

Synovial fluid hydroxyapatite crystals: detection thresholds of two methods.

A method of synovial fluid preparation giving optimal hydroxyapatite detection as well as definitions of the threshold masses of hydroxyapatite in viscous synovial fluid detectable by x ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analysis is reported. Use of an equal volume of 100% hydrazine with the synovial fluid optimised detection of hydroxyapatite. By x ray diffraction the threshold mass of hydroxyapatite was 500 micrograms and by scanning electron microscopy with associated energy dispersive analysis 5 micrograms.

Rapidly progressive hip osteoarthrosis--an unusual presentation of ochronosis.

A case of rapidly evolving osteoarthrosis of the right hip in a 65 year-old woman, as the presenting feature of ochronosis is described and literature reviewed. This unusual presentation may have been precipitated by an acute mechanical overload.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis, synovial cyst of the zygapophyseal joints, and sciatic syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two cases of sciatica secondary to nerve root compression by a "synovial cyst" of a zygapophyseal joint are described. In light of these 2 cases and on reviewing the literature, it appears that zygapophyseal joint osteoarthritis with degenerative (or articular) spondylolisthesis can be a predisposing factor to the formation of such synovial expansions and, consequently, the cause of nerve root compression. The coexistence of a lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with a radicular syndrome should therefore encourage early investigation by computed tomography scan, so that conservative treatment would not be unnecessarily prolonged.