Treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture in Scandinavia does not adhere to evidence-based guidelines: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 138 departments.

The best treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture has been discussed for decades. During the past half decade, evidence has increased in favor of nonoperative treatment and dynamic and weightbearing rehabilitation. We hypothesized that the treatment strategies would show great variation and that adherence to evidence-based recommendations would not be as good as desired.

Complex chromosome 22 rearrangements in astrocytic tumors identified using microsatellite and chromosome 22 tile path array analysis.

Many studies have reported chromosome 22 as being abnormal in astrocytic tumors. In an attempt to map precisely the abnormal region or regions that potentially harbor tumor-suppressor genes or oncogenes, we constructed a chromosome 22 tile path array covering 82% of 22q with the use of 441 chromosome 22 clones. A 10-Mb whole-genome array consisting of 270 clones from all autosomes was included in the array.

Cytogenetic and spectral karyotype analyses of benign and malignant cartilage tumours.

To date, there have been few studies published on benign and malignant cartilage tumours using high resolution molecular cytogenetic techniques such as spectral karyotyping (SKY). In this study we have used a combination of chromosome banding, SKY and FISH to characterize the chromosomal pattern in 18 benign and malignant cartilage tumours and one small cell osteosarcoma with mesenchymal chondrosarcoma-like features. Clonal structural and/or numerical aberrations were detected in 14 of these tumours.

Structural genomic abnormalities of chromosomes 9 and 18 in myxopapillary ependymomas.

Myxopapillary ependymomas (MPEs) are low-grade neuroepithelial tumors typically occurring in the conus-cauda equina-filum terminale region. Limited molecular and cytogenetic analysis of MPEs has not demonstrated consistent abnormalities. In an attempt to clarify the chromosomal status of these tumors and identify commonly aberrant regions in the genome we have combined 3 molecular/cyto/genetic methods to study 17 MPEs.

Analysis of pilocytic astrocytoma by comparative genomic hybridization.

Very little is known about genetic abnormalities involved in the development of pilocytic astrocytoma, the most frequently occurring brain tumour of childhood. We have analysed 48 pilocytic astrocytoma specimens using comparative genomic hybridization. Only five of 41 tumours from children showed abnormalities detectable by comparative genomic hybridization, and in each case this represented gain of a single chromosome.