The efficacy of fenbendazole for preventing an experimental infection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and for eliminating the spores from the central nervous system of naturally infected rabbits was investigated. Fenbendazole (20 mg/kg bodyweight daily) was administered from seven days before until two or 21 days after rabbits had been infected orally with 10(6) spores of E. cuniculi. Both regimens were effective in preventing the establishment of the parasites, as demonstrated by negative parasitic-specific serology and by the failure to isolate the parasite from brain tissue. In naturally infected, seropositive rabbits, parasites were successfully isolated from seven of nine untreated animals, but not from the brain tissue of eight animals treated with fenbendazole-medicated pellets for four weeks.

Background: There are concerns that the Latarjet procedure results in loss of glenohumeral rotation and strength and in subscapularis dysfunction. The long-term effects of this procedure on subscapularis quality, glenohumeral rotation, and strength are unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis: To analyze the long-term effect of the primary open Latarjet procedure using a muscle-splitting approach on internal and external rotation and strength, as well as subscapularis muscle quality as compared with the healthy contralateral side. We hypothesized that the primary open Latarjet procedure is associated with a reduction of long-term shoulder strength and function and decreased subscapularis quality. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 42 patients who underwent a primary open Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability at a mean age of 26 years (range, 18-36) were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 8.4 years (range, 5-12). The subscapularis muscle volume and fat fraction of both shoulders were assessed. Bilateral active internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER), as well as IR and ER strength, were assessed by isokinetic testing (concentric, eccentric, and fatigability). Results: Active IR (0.6-point difference, P < .001) and ER (4° difference, P = .010) were significantly greater in healthy contralateral shoulders. The IR strength of the operated shoulder was significantly less than that of the healthy shoulder in concentric and eccentric testing (range of deficit, 4%-6%; P < .05). Also, the ER strength of the operated shoulder was significantly less than that of the healthy shoulder in concentric testing (11% deficit, P < .05). Subscapularis muscle volume was significantly greater in the operated shoulder (4% difference, P = .022), and there was no significant difference in fat fraction ( P = .114). Conclusions: The primary open Latarjet procedure was associated with significantly decreased active IR and ER and strength when compared with the healthy contralateral shoulder. The clinical influence of these findings is yet to be defined. There was no increased subscapularis muscle fatty degeneration but a minimal hypertrophy on the operated side at long-term follow-up.

Purpose To evaluate autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) for isolated focal retropatellar cartilage lesions and the influence of patellofemoral (PF) anatomy on clinical outcomes at a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Methods Twenty-nine consecutive patients (31 knees) who underwent retropatellar AMIC with a mean age of 27.9 ± 11.0 years were evaluated at a follow-up averaging 4.1 ± 1.9 years (range, 2-8 years). Patient factors, lesion morphology, and patient-reported outcome measures, including Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner, Kujula score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were collected. PF anatomy was assessed on pre- and postoperative imaging, and subsequently correlated to outcome scores and failure to determine risk factors for poor outcome. Results At final follow-up, the AMIC graft failed in 4 cases (12.9%) at a mean follow-up of 21 ± 14.1 months. Patients with failed grafts had a significantly smaller patellar and Laurins’s PF angle than patients whose graft did not fail ( P = 0.008 and P = 0.004, respectively). Concomitant corrective surgery for patellar instability was performed in 29 knees (93.5%). Grafts that did not fail presented with an average Kujala score of 71.3 ± 16.9, KOOS Pain of 76.2 ± 16.6 and Tegner scores of 4.2 ± 1.8. The patellar angle was significantly associated with the patient’s satisfaction level ( r = 0.615; P < 0.001). Conclusion AMIC for retropatellar cartilage lesions in combination with concomitant corrective surgery for patellar instability results in low failure rate with satisfactory clinical outcome and patient satisfaction of almost 80% at mid-term follow-up. As most failures occurred in patients without concurrent tibial tubercle osteotomy and both a smaller patellar and Laurins’s PF angle were associated with less favorable outcome, this study supports the growing evidence for the need of unloading retropatellar cartilage repair, when indicated. Level of Evidence Case series; level of evidence, 4.