Browsing by Author "Aleksić, Dubravka (55887215500)"

Background/Aim. The radial nerve (RN) is the largest terminal branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. Upon leaving the axilla, the RN moves to the posterior compartment of the arm, where it makes close contact with the humerus. By penetrating the lateral intermuscular septum, RN enters the anterior compartment and, in the very proximity of the lateral epicondyle, divides into two terminal branches. The anatomy of this nerve is characterized by remarkable variability, the knowledge of which is of utmost importance in the fields of orthopedics and traumatology. The aim of the study was to examine the anatomy of the RN, including two parameters: the location and the way the RN divides into terminal branches, with a particular emphasis on the clinical implications of this data. Methods. The research was conducted on 27 cadavers, 15 female and 12 male, with a total of 54 upper extremities. After careful dissection, variations in the location and way of termination of the RN were observed on both the right and left hands. Collected data were then analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel. A classification where the division of the RN into terminal branches above the biepicondylar line (BEL) is defined as type A, while the division of RN below BEL is defined as type B was used. Results. According to the proposed classification, we observed a higher incidence of type A (66.7%) compared to type B (33.3%) in the total sample of 54 extremities. In addition, a higher prevalence of type A was observed in the female population, while a higher prevalence of type B was observed in the male population. There were differences in the distribution of types A and B between the left and right arms, but there were no variations in the way of termination of the RN. Conclusion. The present study showed an important complexity in the domain of RN anatomy with significant clinical implications. With that in mind, it is crucial for every patient that the limits of safe zones be defined while performing surgical procedures in the elbow to protect the RN and its branches from iatrogenic injuries. © 2023 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Background/Aim. The iliopsoas muscle [musculus (m.) iliopsoas] originates from the Greek word psóa, which means loin and represents the only muscle in the body with anatomical preconditions to simultaneously and directly contribute to the stability and movement of the trunk, pelvis, and legs. M. iliopsoas belongs to the inner thigh muscle group and forms part of the posterior abdominal wall. This muscle is the major flexor of the hip joint, and it is functionally essential for proper posture, walking, running, and other physical activities. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the anatomical parameters of the pelvis and nervus (n.) femoralis, as well as the relationship between the same pelvic parameters and m. psoas major. Methods. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, on cadaveric material of the Institute of Anatomy “Niko Miljanić”. For measurement purposes, 14 cadavers were used, seven of which were male and seven female, aged 67–79 years. The measuring instruments used in this study were a ruler and an electronic digital caliper (measuring range 0–500 mm, resolution 0.01 mm). Statistical data processing was performed in the SPSS 11.0 program using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results. The results of this study indicate a significant statistical difference in pelvic width between male and female cadavers, which was observed in the reduction of the bituberal line in females, while the parameters of the bispinal line showed no significant difference between the two genders. The decrease of the bituberal line in females was followed by an increase in the width of the proximal origin with a statistically significant decrease in the length of the proximal origin of the m. psoas major. Furthermore, the vertical distance of n. femoralis from the exit point of the muscle to the bispinal line was significantly reduced in the male cadavers. Conclusion. Based on our results, we can assume that, in most cases, due to the smaller bituberal and bispinal line or narrower pelvis, a shorter proximal attachment of the m. psoas major will occur with greater width (L2–L5 level) in the female than in the male gender, resulting in a longer vertical distance of n. femoralis. Such results indicate a close correlation between the anatomical parameters of the m. psoas major, which may affect the distance of n. femoralis exit from the muscle. © 2023 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Background: Studies imposing rigorous control over lifetime alcohol intake usually have not found smaller hippocampal volumes in persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since the majority of negative studies have used adolescent samples, it has been suggested that chronicity is a necessary condition for such findings. We have hypothesized that the volumes of hippocampus, amygdale, prefrontal cortex and the intracranial volume are reduced in the patients with PTSD and excessive alcohol intake. Subjects and methods: Study has been carried out on 54 therapy naive PTSD suffering subjects and healthy controls, divided in two groups: 29 with PTSD and consequent alcoholism, 25 with PTSD but without problems of excessive alcohol intake, and 25 healthy volunteers. All of the patients underwent same magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol and volumetric evaluation of the region of interest. Results: Only hippocampal volume appeared to be significantly reduced in patients with PTSD and alcoholism. Other differences in the volumes obtained remained to be insignificant. Conclusion: Alcohol intake definitely worsens the deterioration of the hippocampal formation in PTSD suffering patients. Nevertheless, other structures of interest for this study did not manifest any kind of statistical differences in volumetric analysis. © Medicinska naklada.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the difference in the concentrations of testosterone, 17-β estradiol and progesterone between male patients with and without ACL rupture, as well as the possible effect of these hormones on generalized joint laxity. Methods: Male subjects with non-contact knee joint injury were included in this study. Two groups were formed: the examined group, consisting of subjects with ACL rupture and the control group consisting of patients without ACL rupture. After this, the patients from these two groups were paired off on the basis of three factors, level of professional involvement in sports (including the type of sports activity), left or right side of the body and the age of the subjects. In the end, there were 29 pairs (58 subjects). The concentration of sex hormones was determined from saliva specimens with the aid of the Salimetrics enzyme immunoassay. The testing of generalized joint laxity was performed with the aid of the “laxity score” according to Beighton et al. Results: Subjects with ACL rupture have highly statistically significantly greater concentrations of testosterone (p < 0.01), statistically significantly greater concentrations of 17-β estradiol (p < 0.05), and a highly statistically significantly greater generalized joint laxity score than subjects with an intact ACL (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Increased concentrations of testosterone or 17-β estradiol may be a risk factor leading to ACL rupture. Also, generalized joint laxity may be a factor leading to ACL rupture, but none of the monitored hormones can be set down as the cause of its existence. Young male athletes with higher concentrations of testosterone and greater hyperelasticity should plan preventive programs of physiotherapy for ACL preservation since they present a vulnerable group susceptible to ACL rupture. Level of evidence: Diagnostic study, Level II. © 2014, European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy (ESSKA).