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Variations in vascular anatomy are of great concern to surgeons, as proper identification of aberrant arteries can reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury and improve patient outcomes. Several studies have highlighted the irregular branching pattern of pelvic arteries, with a recent focus on the obturator artery (OA). The OA has an inconstant origin from the internal iliac artery, external iliac artery, or inferior epigastric artery. Within the pelvis, the OA can give off muscular branches and nutrient vessels to the ilium and pubis. Though occasionally described in text, few resources employ images of human donors that depict branches arising from the OAs. Out of the 34 hemisected pelves studied, we identified 1 individual with a substantial nutrient vessel branching unilaterally from the OA. Herein, we present the first image of this unconventional nutrient artery. This vessel should be highlighted given that its size and course make it particularly vulnerable during intrapelvic surgeries such as pelvic lymph node dissection or in procedures requiring arterial embolization of the OA.

A frameshift mutation in Yippee-like (YPEL) 3 was recently found from a rare human disorder with peripheral neurological conditions including hypotonia and areflexia. The YPEL gene family is highly conserved from yeast to human, but its members' functions are poorly defined. Moreover, the pathogenicity of the human YPEL3 variant is completely unknown. We generated a Drosophila model of human YPEL3 variant and a genetic null allele of Drosophila homolog of YPEL3 (referred to as dYPEL3). Gene-trap analysis suggests that dYPEL3 is predominantly expressed in subsets of neurons, including larval nociceptors. Analysis of chemical nociception induced by allylisothiocyanate (AITC), a natural chemical stimulant, revealed reduced nociceptive responses in both dYPEL3 frameshift and null mutants. Subsequent circuit analysis showed reduced activation of second-order neurons (SONs) in the pathway without affecting nociceptor activation upon AITC treatment. Although the gross axonal and dendritic development of nociceptors was unaffected, the synaptic contact between nociceptors and SONs was decreased by the dYPEL3 mutations. Furthermore, expressing dYPEL3 in larval nociceptors rescued the behavioral deficit in dYPEL3 frameshift mutants, suggesting a presynaptic origin of the deficit. Together, these findings suggest that the frameshift mutation results in YPEL3 loss of function and may cause neurological conditions by weakening synaptic connections through presynaptic mechanisms.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare inflammatory myeloid neoplasm arising from the proliferation of pathologic Langerhans cells. LCH has a spectrum of presentations predominantly affecting male pediatric patients. As LCH is a relatively uncommon diagnosis, there is no standard of care for treatment of the disease and treatment is based largely on clinical judgment, lesion characteristics, and symptoms at presentation. Here we present a case of unifocal, isolated orbital LCH in a 19-year-old young man treated initially with surgical resection. Follow-up imaging 2 months later demonstrated significant regrowth of the mass and no other sites of disease. The recurrent orbital disease was treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to 7 Gy in one fraction. Near complete resolution of the mass was achieved with no recurrence after 1.5 years of follow-up. SRS for treatment of orbital LCH is a novel treatment not previously described in the literature which may provide benefit in select cases.

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