Peroneus quartus muscle: a case report and review of the literature.

The peroneus quartus is a supernumerary muscle of the lateral compartment of the lower leg. There are several variations of this accessory muscle, and its terminology is very confusing. The peroneus quartus is found with a frequency varying from 10 to 21.

[Pathologic fracture of the tibia associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease].

The authors report a case of pathologic fracture of the distal tibia associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Pathologic fracture was visible four weeks after initial pain. Treatment consisted in a short leg walking cast for six weeks.

Palmar metacarpophalangeal joint dislocation.

Palmar dislocations of the long finger metacarpophalangeal joint are extremely rare and easily missed at the first clinical examination. We describe a palmar metacarpophalangeal dislocation of the long finger following a hyperflexion injury. The presentation, aetiology and treatment are discussed.

[Electronic podometry--2-year experience: preliminary report].

The authors relate their experience with the EMED system for the dynamic assessment of plantar pressure used in clinical practice for 2 years: how the measurement device was chosen; how the examination is performed; the usefulness of this type of examination in foot surgery. They discuss the specific problems related to the application of this new diagnostic tool in clinical practice.

[Dissection of the sub-astragalar ligaments and magnetic resonance imaging].

The aim of this study is to find the different ligamentous structures in the subtalar region through dissection and to compare them with images obtained on MRI. MRI allows visualization of the different ligamentous structures with greater precision than with computerized tomography. This investigation should permit a more precise diagnosis of injuries often poorly understood in this region.

Urine excretion of methoxy-hydroxyphenylglycol: a method of measure.

A very good correlation is found between 24 hs urine excretion of MHPG and a single early morning sample. This last method appears to be sufficient for clinical purpose and much easier and safer.

Study of the diagnostic value of the dexamethasone suppression test in endogenous depression.

The diagnostic value of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in "endogenous" depression was evaluated in 209 psychiatric inpatients. A high incidence of abnormal DST results was observed in "endogenous" depressives (52%), schizo-affective (69%) and borderline patients (38%). However, 25% of the patients with other psychiatric disease also failed to suppress on the DST.

[Biomechanical study of the ankle joint].

The authors have studied the transmission of body weight in several positions. Two methods have been used - strain gauges and injection of dye into the joint capsules to show areas with contact during weight-bearing and non weight-bearing. The findings have shown the role of the fibula and of both malleoli during weight-bearing which causes a noticeable increase in the area of surface contact.