Testicular heterotopia of the lumbar spine.

We report an unusual case of testicular heterotopia in a child who underwent excision of a subcutaneous mass associated with a lipomyelomeningocele in the lumbosacral region. To the best of our knowledge testicular heterotopia has never been documented in humans, and this case report provides a possible embryological interpretation for such a presentation.

The use of the ASET in the diagnosis of ventriculoatrial shunt infection.

A 38-year-old man with a ventriculoatrial shunt presented with non-specific symptoms (headache, back pain, night sweats) and inconclusive laboratory results. He showed an extremely high titre of antibody to Staphylococcus epidermidis which proved diagnostic of shunt infection. This was confirmed on shunt removal and he was successfully treated.

Extradural haematomas in children: a 10-year review.

Extradural haematomas are a significant consequence of head injuries in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographics, symptoms and signs, management and outcome of patients less than 18 years of age with extradural haematomas in our unit. We also specifically looked at repeat imaging performed, indications for this and its effect on further management.

Chondral metaplasia in calcific insertional tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon.

Objective: To ascertain whether tendon samples harvested from patients with calcific insertional Achilles tendinopathy showed features of failed healing response, and whether abnormal quantities of type II collagen had been produced in that area by these tenocytes.

Design: Comparative laboratory study.

Design: University teaching hospitals.

Conservative management, percutaneous or open repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture: a retrospective study.

Background And Aims: To ascertain the differences in patients' perceived outcomes between conservative, percutaneous or open repair of Achilles tendon ruptures.

Methods: We studied 111 patients who had been managed for a unilateral closed Achilles tendon rupture. We excluded patients with open Achilles tendon lesions, patients whose tear had occurred more than seven days from operation, patients with diabetes, inflammatory disease, systemic corticosteroids or fluoroquinolones.