The objective of the study was to evaluate MRI for visualization of acromioclavicular (ac) joint structures in cadaveric shoulders, asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with trauma of the ac-joint. Three cadaveric shoulders were examined to find adequate planes and sequences for MRI. Afterwards, MR images were correlated to corresponding anatomical sections. Six asymptomatic volunteers and 13 patients were scanned in a 1.5 T Magnetom Vision with three sequences in the following planes: (1) parallel to the clavicle; (2) orthogonal to the ac joint, each time a fat-suppressed proton density-weighted + T2-sequence (TR/TE 4,000/15 ms) was performed; (3) parallel to the clavicle, T1-SE (TR/TE 817/20 ms). The parameters were: slice thickness 3 mm, field-of-view 180 mm, matrix 210x256 pixels. Standard of reference in the patients was clinical examination and conventional X-rays. Classification was by Rockwood grades I-VI. MRI allowed excellent visualization and diagnoses of ac-joint structures in volunteers and patients (n=6 normal, n=1 Rockwood I, n=5 Rockwood II, n=3 Rockwood III, n=4 Rockwood V). On MRI, in one lesion type II and III each, a lower lesion type was suspected clinically and by X-ray. In one patient additional information by MRI led to surgery. MRI allows excellent anatomical display of ac-joint structures and can give clinically relevant information on type and extension of ac-joint trauma, which may influence therapy.

Standard X-ray views in combination with standardized aiming of screw entry position and final screw thread position enable the surgeon to find the "safe zone" for iliosacral screw insertion and to prevent iliosacral screw malpositioning with high accuracy.

No abstract

PFN are better suited to 31A1 fractures because of their higher rotational stability from the use of dual screws. A short femur and high antecurvation can cause insertion problems in PFN because of the nail design. It is advisable to choose the type of implant during preoperative planning after considering fracture type and patient anatomy.

Between 1970 and 1988 surgery was performed on 124 patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities and trunk in the University Clinics of Hamburg. Liposarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, fibrosarcoma and malignant schwannoma were the most common histological types. High-grade sarcomas (G3) predominated, with 41%, while 26% were graded G2 and 33% G1. Resection with wide margins all round was achieved in only 54% of the patients. The quality of the operation proved to be only therapy-related prognostic factor. In addition, tumour grade, size, regional lymph node and distant metastasis and histological type proved to be relevant to the prognosis. With multivariate analysis, distant metastasis, grade, resectability and histological type retained prognostic significance. The efficacy of adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy was related to the quality of the preceding tumour resection. In case of gross tumour the rate of either partial or complete response was 28% for chemotherapy and 22% for radiotherapy. The mean survival time was 102 months; the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 48% and 37%, respectively.