Osteochondral allograft transplantation is a well-accepted treatment for articular cartilage damage. However, chondrocyte viability declines during graft storage, which may compromise graft performance. We first tested the hypothesis that the composition of commonly used storage media affects the viability of articular chondrocytes over time; we then tested the hypothesis that the addition of insulin growth factor-1 or the apoptosis inhibitor ZVAD-fmk could enhance the storage properties of serum-free media. Bovine osteochondral grafts were stored at 4 degrees C in lactated Ringer's, Dulbecco's modified eagle's media (DMEM), DMEM supplemented with either insulin growth factor-1 or ZVAD-fmk, and a commercial storage media. Chondrocyte viability in lactated Ringer's declined rapidly to 20.4% at 2 weeks. Viability in DMEM declined more slowly to 54.8% at 2 weeks and 31.2% at 3 weeks. Viability in commercial storage media was 83.6% at 3 weeks and 44.8% at 4 weeks. Viability was increased in DMEM + insulin growth factor-1 (56.4%) and DMEM + ZVAD (52.4%) at 3 weeks compared with DMEM alone. These results confirm the hypotheses that media composition greatly influences chondrocyte viability during cold storage and that insulin growth factor-1 and ZVAD improve the storage properties of DMEM.

Desiccation of articular cartilage during surgery is often unavoidable and may result in the death of chondrocytes, with subsequent joint degeneration. This study was undertaken to determine the extent of chondrocyte death caused by exposure to air and to ascertain whether regular rewetting of cartilage could decrease cell death. Macroscopically normal human cartilage was exposed to air for 0, 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Selected samples were wetted in lactated Ringer's solution for ten seconds every ten or 20 minutes. The viability of chondrocytes was measured after three days by Live/Dead staining. Chondrocyte death correlated with the length of exposure to air and the depth of the cartilage. Drying for 120 minutes caused extensive cell death mainly in the superficial 500 microm of cartilage. Rewetting every ten or 20 minutes significantly decreased cell death. The superficial zone is most susceptible to desiccation. Loss of superficial chondrocytes likely decreases the production of essential lubricating glycoproteins and contributes to subsequent degeneration. Frequent wetting of cartilage during arthrotomy is therefore essential.

Osteochondral allograft transplantation is a useful technique to manage larger articular cartilage injuries. One factor that may compromise the effectiveness of this procedure is chondrocyte cell death that occurs during the storage, preparation, and implantation of the osteochondral grafts. Loss of viable chondrocytes may negatively affect osteochondral edge integration and longterm function. A better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for chondrocyte loss could lead to interventions designed to decrease cell death and improve results. Recent studies indicate that apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is responsible for much of the chondrocyte death associated with osteochondral allograft transplantation. Theoretically, some of these cells can be rescued by blocking important apoptotic mediators. We review the role of apoptosis in cartilage degeneration, focusing on apoptosis associated with osteochondral transplantation. We also review the pathways thought to be responsible for regulating chondrocyte apoptosis, as well as experiments testing inhibitors of the apoptotic pathway. These data suggest that key contributors to the apoptotic process can be manipulated to enhance chondrocyte survival. This knowledge may lead to better surgical outcomes for osteochondral transplantation.

Bedside ultrasound has become increasingly important as an adjunct to clinical diagnosis and procedures in the emergency department. It is only recently that this modality, which involves no ionizing radiation, has become incorporated into the pediatric emergency department. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy with a suspected subungual wooden foreign body. Bedside ultrasound was used to identify and characterize the foreign body before removal and then to evaluate for any residual foreign body after removal. A brief review of the technique is presented, including the use of a water bath to enhance visualization of the object and decrease the patient's discomfort. This case highlights the utility of ultrasound in detecting radiolucent soft tissue foreign bodies.

No abstract

Tetanus is a life-threatening disease that continues to have a high prevalence in developing countries. Severe muscle spasms often require patients to receive tracheostomy, high-dose sedatives, and sometimes prolonged neuromuscular blockade. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) infusion has great promise as an adjunct treatment for severe tetanus, as it may allow clinicians to decrease the dose of other sedative medications. Although the mechanism of action of MgSO4 is not well understood, it appears to attenuate both the muscle spasms and autonomic instability associated with severe tetanus infections. However, MgSO4 infusions are often managed based on serial measurements of serum magnesium levels and other laboratory tests such as arterial blood gases, which can be difficult to obtain in resource-poor settings. We describe a case of severe tetanus in Bhutan managed through the use of magnesium infusion titrated solely to physical examination findings.