Mechanical Analysis of Ultrasound-Activated Pins and Resorbable Screws: Two Different Techniques to Fixate Osteosynthesis in Craniosynostosis Surgery.

Purpose: Ultrasound activation of resorbable pins directly into drilled holes of the calvarium was introduced to overcome the time-consuming installation in the resorbable osteosynthesis fixation in craniosynostosis surgery. There is paucity in the data comparing the mechanical properties of resorbable screws and ultrasound-activated pins produced by different manufacturers. The aim of this experimental study was to compare the mechanical properties of ultrasound-activated pins and resorbable screws.

Mesh-based method for measuring intracranial volume in patients with craniosynostosis.

Purpose: Craniosynostosis may lead to reduced intracranial volume (ICV) and disturb normal brain growth and development. Thus, ICV is an important parameter with respect to the surgical outcome. Current methods for ICV determination from computed tomography (CT) images have drawbacks.

Vascular invasion is an early event in pathogenesis of Merkel cell carcinoma.

This study investigated vascular and especially lymphovascular invasion in primary Merkel cell carcinoma and its value as a prognostic factor. Paraffin-embedded blocks prepared from tumor samples obtained from 126 patients diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma in 1979-2004 were immunohistochemically stained using antibodies CD31 and D2-40 to detect intravascular tumor emboli. This finding was compared with the clinical data and the disease outcome.