Asymmetry of the C2 pars interarticularis: a clinical anatomical study with relevance to screw placement.

Purpose: Potential asymmetries of the C2 posterior elements pose a problem for the spine surgeon seeking to make the best choice for spinal stabilization while reducing morbidity.

Methods: A digital caliper was used to measure the pars interarticularis height and length on left and right sides of 25 adult C2 vertebrae. The pars interarticularis was defined as the bone between the posterior most aspect of the superior articular process and the anterior most aspect of the inferior articular process of C2.

Review of the Petroclinoid Ligament.

An ossified left petroclinoid ligament was found during routine dissection of the skull base in an adult male cadaver. The petroclinoid ligament is clinically and surgically important given its anatomical relationships to cranial nerves III, V, and VI, so its ossification is a risk factor for injuries due to trauma, increased intracranial pressure, and vascular and tumor compression resulting in abducens and oculomotor palsies. The causes of petroclinoid ligament ossification are yet to be completely elucidated although several reports have associated them with age-related and physiological processes.

The Longissimus Capitis Insertion as a Superficial Landmark for the Sigmoid Sinus: An Anatomical Study.

 Many external anatomical landmarks have been used for approximating deeper, intracranial structures. Herein, we evaluate the attachment of the longissimus capitis (LC) on the mastoid process as a landmark for the underlying sigmoid sinus.  Adult cadavers underwent dissection of the posterior occiput with special attention to the attachment of the LC muscle.

Chordae Willisii Within the Transverse Sinus: Morphologic Study.

Objective: Some have suggested that trabeculae within the transverse sinuses (chordae Willisii) might restrict flow and potentially contribute to thrombus organization. In addition, these structures might be encountered with endovascular procedures within the transverse sinus and are now readily seen on imaging. Therefore as anatomic studies of these structures are scant, the current study aimed to better elucidate these structures within the transverse sinus via a morphologic study in cadavers.

Nocturnal asthma in school children of south Punjab, Pakistan.

Background: At the present time, the epidemiology of the childhood asthma is of considerable interest. There is an understandable concern that changes in the geographical area, lifestyle, and environment. This study was conducted to find the prevalence of nocturnal asthma, in school children of south Punjab, Pakistan.

Simplified quantification of urinary protein excretion in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Objective: To assess the value of single voided random (spot) urinary protein to creatinine ratio in accurately predicting the 24-hour urinary protein excretion in Pakistani pediatric population with nephrotic syndrome.

Design: Cross-sectional, analytical study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Pediatric Department, Nishtar Hospital/ Children Complex, Multan, from January 2003 to November, 2005.

Hypertriglyceridemia in pediatrics.

Primary hypertriglyceridemias are very rare in pediatric age group. A case of 12 years old boy with hypertriglyceridemia is presented. He was being treated as a case of thalassemia major since 2 years of age and was picked up incidentally when his serum turned milky on standing.