HOXD13 polyalanine tract expansion in classical synpolydactyly type Vordingborg.

In 1927, Oluf Thomsen, in a classic paper, described a seven-generation family with autosomal dominant axial synpolydactyly (SPD)--the Vordingborgtyp of axis duplication and dysostosis. Expansion of a polyalanine tract in the HOXD13 gene is known to cause synpolydactyly. We have rediscovered part of the family described by Thomsen, and detected a 9 triplet polyalanine expansion within HOXD13segregating with the disorder.

Primary epiphyseal osteomyelitis in children. Report of three cases and review of the literature.

In the literature 21 children have been reported with haematogenous osteomyelitis involving only the epiphyses of long bones; in 20 the epiphyses of the knee were involved and the radiographs showed a lytic lesion. Most patients gave a history of pain, limp or refusal to walk for weeks or months without general illness. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white cell count were of little diagnostic value, but a bone scan was usually positive.

Alcohol involvement in violence. A study from a Danish community.

All cases of assaults with violence (n = 1639) from a well defined area were registered for 1 year. A positive alcolmeter test (% greater than 0.2) was registered in 488 cases (29%).

Mechanical loosening after hip replacement. Incidence after 10 years in 125 patients.

From our first 186 Charnley hip replacements 125, retained for more than 10 years, were examined clinically and radiographically. There were radiographic signs of definite or probable loosening of one or both prosthetic components in 29 per cent of the hips. However, there was a poor correlation between the clinical and the radiographic results, as 86 per cent of the hips were free from significant pain.