Vertebral fusion is the fusion of bodies and the various elements of the vertebral arch of adjacent vertebrae. Such vertebral fusion usually is seen in cervical and lumbar region, more so between the second and third cervical vertebrae, usually asymptomatic; but may also result in features suggestive of neurological compression and might also present difficulty in procedures like endotracheal intubation. This present case series involving three cases discusses the presentations and possible consequences of such vertebral fusions. The three Fused Cervical Vertebrae (FCV) studied were all different with respect to the degree and site of fusion. With respect to fusion of vertebral bodies, complete fusion was seen in two specimens and the other had only partial fusion. This series aimed at documenting the varied spectrum of vertebral fusions and the need for earlier detection so as to avoid the anticipated age related complications like degeneration of adjacent segments and neurological deficits. The observations made in this series and the comparative analysis with other articles show that the mode of vertebral fusions are very different in each specimen and thus their clinical presentations might also vary across numerous signs and symptoms for each individual and hence cannot be generalised.
To study the normal and variant anatomy of the coronary artery ostia in south Indian population. Introduction: Sudden cardiac deaths, especially in young are on the rise in recent days. Of all causes for sudden cardiac death, anomalous origins of coronary arteries also comprise a significant percentage. A cadaveric study of the origin of coronary arteries in an unsuspected population in south India paves way for understanding the normal variants & to determine the prevalence of anomalies and the need for screening for such anomalies. Methods: Fifty adult heart specimens of unknown age and sex were dissected. The number of ostia and their positions within the respective sinuses were observed. Vertical and circumferential deviations of the ostia were observed. Results: Of all hearts,the coronary arteries arose from the aortic sinuses in 99 hearts; no openings were present in the pulmonary artery or the non-coronary sinus. In one heart, the left coronary artery was absent, wherein the anterior inter ventricular artery and the left circumflex artery had independent origins from the aortic sinuses.The number of openings in the aortic sinuses varied from 2-3 in the present study; multiple ostia were seen in the right posterior sinus. The majority of the ostia lay below the sinutubular ridge (89% for RCA & 92% for LCA) and at or above the level of the upper margin of the cusps (84%). Left ostial openings were mainly centrally located (80%), whereas the right coronary ostia were often shifted towards the right posterior aortic sinus (59%). Discussion: The usual location of the ostia was within the sinus and above the cusps, but below the sinutubular ridge. On occasion, normal variants like multiple ostia, vertical or circumferential shift in the position, and slit-like ostia may create confusion in interpreting the images and pose a difficulty during procedures like angiography, angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass surgery.
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