Ectopic teeth occur because of failure of the first branchial cleft to close during development and are found mostly in young horses. Such dentigerous cysts are often located at the base of the ear, forming a notable swelling with a fistula, as it was the case with the two year old Iceland mare «Runa». In order to confirm the diagnosis, x-ray images were taken, which is also necessary to locate the ectopic tooth correctly. While operating, the whole cystic membrane should be removed and it is important to prevent adjacent nerves and blood vessels from damage. Prognosis for complete healing after removing an ectopic tooth is excellent.

SummaryScientific studies, investigating the aetiology of osteochondrosis focus mainly on the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex and the growth plate. In osteochondrosis dissecans cleft formation through the necrotic cartilage leads to the formation of intraarticular osteochondral fragments. In contrast to osteochondral fragments located at typical predilection sites, a causative allocation of fragments located at different sites may be more challenging. Only limited numbers of studies have focused on the histological appearance of osteochondral fragments. They are mainly limited to the identification of types of tissue present, but do not further investigate possible specific characteristics and differences of involved components.The aim of the present study was to histologically evaluate osteochondral fragments more in detail to identify possible characteristics which may allow a causative and topographical allocation. A total of 76 osteochondral fragments were examined by two blinded observers. Signs of bone remodeling, enchondral ossification and proteoglycan staining properties were graded semi-quantitatively. The appearance of fibrous tissue or enchondral ossification at the separation border as well as the presence of ligamentous attachments were graded qualitatively. The articular cartilage present was evaluated applying the Mankin score. Significant differences in enchondral ossification (within the fragment and at the separation border), proteoglycan staining properties, the appearance of fibrous tissue at the separation border as well as differences in bone remodeling and in the Mankin scores were detected in osteochondral fragments from different locations. It was concluded that histological evaluation of osteochondral fragments may help in their aetiological allocation and may contribute to future understanding of the disease.Keywords: osteochondrosis, osteochondral fragment, bone remodelling, enchondral ossification, histology Histologische Evaluierung von intraartikulären osteochondralen FragmentenCharakteristisches Merkmal der Osteochondrose ist eine Störung der enchondralen Ossifikation im artikulär-epiphysären Gelenkknorpel und der Wachstumsfuge. Die Osteochondrosis dissecans ist durch die Entstehung von osteochondralen Fragmenten charakterisiert. Die ätiologische Zuordnung dieser Fragmente ist an den Prädilektionsstellen der Osteochondrose in vielen Fällen zweifelsfrei möglich. Problematisch wird die kausale Zuordnung an, von der Literatur uneinheitlich beurteilten und an für die Osteochondrose untypischen Lokalisationen. Während sich die meisten wissenschaftlichen Studien auf den artikulären-epiphysären Knorpel und die Wachstumszone konzentrieren, existieren nur wenige histologische Untersuchungen der Fragmente. Diese konzentrieren sich überwiegend auf die Klassifizierung der vorhandenen Gewebetypen und nicht auf die innerhalb der einzelnen Gewebearten, möglicherweise für die zugrundeliegende Ätiologie charakteristischen Vorgänge. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war, anhand einer detailliert...

Management of rectourinary fistula is still challenging. Using biomaterials for fistula closure seems to be a promising and minimally invasive transanal technique in future. Further analysis including more patients is needed to clarify its exact role in comparison to traditional surgical techniques.

A free-ranging adult female hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was presented injured, presumably from vehicular trauma. Clinical and radiographic examination under general anesthesia revealed a lateral elbow luxation. Closed reduction was unsuccessful, so a surgical approach with circumferential suture prostheses was used to stabilize the elbow. Neither perioperative nor postoperative complications were recorded. The hedgehog regained good range of motion of the elbow and was fully able to run and to roll into a ball.

15541 Management of Stage III or IV Head and Neck (H&N) cancer is debatable. Standard of care is Radical Surgery (Sx) followed by Radiotherapy (XRT). However, cosmetic and functional complications are distressing and result in decreased quality of life. Therefore, organ preservation has become important when deciding best management. The VA larynx study, the EORTC 24891 and the 91–11 US intergroup trial have shown efficacy of organ preserving chemoradiotherapy (Cx+Rx) comparable to Sx and XRT. These studies are limited to laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers and whether same principles can be applied to other H&N sites is unknown. We conducted a retrospective study of stage III & IV H&N cancer treated at our Institution between 1996–2004 to evaluate survival, organ preservation and toxicities. 45 males between 47 to 83 years (median 59.6) were studied. 87% were white and 13% black. 82% had history of tobacco and alcohol abuse, 4% tobacco only, 11% alcohol only and 2% never smoked or drank. The sites of disease were: nasopharynx 1 (2%), oropharynx 19 (42%), base of tongue 10 (22%), larynx 6 (13%) and pharynx 9 (20%). 15 patients (33%) where stage III and 30 (67%) stage IV. The treatment was combined Cx+Rx. The mean dose of XRT was 6697 Cgy and mean cycles of chemotherapy (Cx) were 2.2. Of those, 42 patients (93%) received cisplatin and 5FU, 2 (4%) carboplatin and 5FU and 1 (2%) carbo only. 10 patients (22%) received additional Cx and 14 (31%) underwent additional Sx (neck dissection). 19 patients (42%) are alive, 19 (42%) are death and 7 (16%) were lost to f/u. Median survival is 30.6 months. 1 patient was refractory and 6 relapsed in less than a year. Among them, 4 were local relapses, 1 a neck recurrence (no prior dissection) and 1 a distant relapse. The most common acute toxicities were: Anemia 87%, neutropenia 64%, hyperglycemia 82%, transient elevation of BUN 60% and creatinine 36%, hypo/hypernatremia 64%, severe mucositis 71%, weight loss 76%, N/V 47% and severe dysphagia 27%. Cx+Rx appears to be a safe, feasible and comparable alternative to Sx regardless of the anatomical origin in locally advanced H&N cancer, with the advantage of organ preservation. Additional XRT boost, Cx or Sx could decrease relapses. Further studies are warranted to validate these hypotheses. No significant financial relationships to disclose.