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In two cases, one male and one female, muscular anomalies together with neurovascular variations were encountered in the gluteal regions, in each cadaver on the same side. In the male cadaver, there was a double piriformis muscle and high division of the sciatic nerve. In the female cadaver, in addition to these anomalies, the superior and inferior gemelli and obturator internus muscles, and the internal pudendal vessels and pudendal nerve passed behind the sacrotuberous ligament. Although duplication of the piriformis and high division of the sciatic nerve have been reported previously, to the best of our knowledge the other anomalies have not yet been reported. The abnormal relationship of the internal pudendal vessels and the pudendal nerve with the sacrotuberal ligament, as in our case, may cause venous congestion, arterial obstruction, dysfunction of penile erection and perineal neuralgia. These anomalies of the gluteal region are not only of academic interest, but may be of practical importance for surgical intervention in the area.

To investigate anatomic features of the inferior oblique nerve (IObN) by high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and cadaveric dissection. This study enrolled 100 consecutive outpatients, who underwent 3.0 T MR imaging equipped by the 32-channel head coil. The T2-weighted imaging data of IObN were extracted for analysis and compared with the findings of microsurgical dissection in 14 orbits. 50 male and 50 female subjects allotted to the imaging study were aged from 11 to 78 years. In 94 % sides, the IObN was found to separate from the inferior rectus muscle (IRM) at the level just behind to the posterior pole of the bulb. At the midpoint of the IObN part coursing along the orbital floor and above or adjacent to the infraorbital nerve and artery complex, the mean distance from the lateral margin of the IRM was 1.0 mm on the right and 0.9 mm on the left. The IObN showed upward direction change just below the belly of the inferior oblique muscle and innervated to it at the equator level in 78 sides on the right and 89 on the left. Dissected specimens revealed the consistent morphological findings of the IObN. The IObN seems to be a relatively consistent structure. Anatomic information on the IObN and surrounding structures that are provided by high-resolution MR imaging can be a help for safe surgery.

The “bare spot” of the glenoid cavity has recently been described as a constant reference point to quantify the amount of bone loss from the inferior portion of the glenoid cavity. In shoulder surgery this spot should help the surgeon to determine the width of the inferior portion of the glenoid cavity arthroscopically. The aim of this study was to determine the localization of the bare spot within the glenoid cavity and to prove its usefulness in shoulder surgery by means of a macroscopic study using embalmed glenohumeral joints (n=20; 12 left, 8 right). Each glenoid cavity was photographed and transferred to a commercial AutoCAD software program. The bare spot was marked and the mean distances between the center of the bare spot and the inferior (a), anterior (b 1) and posterior (b 2) inner margins of the glenoid labrum as well as its relationship (c) to the mid-point of a virtual circle formed by the inferior portion of the glenoid cavity were measured (mean values : a=9.70, b 1=10.88, b 2=13.71, c=3.2 mm). In most cases, the bare spot showed a significantly excentric position within the inferior part of the glenoid cavity (p<0.05). Due to the great variability in the shape of the glenoid cavity, an inferior circle according to previous descriptions could only be observed in half the specimens. From the results of our study the bare spot seems to be an unreliable landmark for the determination of the center of the inferior portion of the glenoid cavity, although it has a constant appearance and is probably expressed as the result of cartilaginous distribution due to dynamic shoulder activity.

A feasibility study was carried out to standardise the use of the intercostal muscle flap (ICF) for reconstruction of the posterior wall of the trachea and bronchi. The program consisted of two stages. Morphologically, in anatomic specimens, intercostal muscle flaps were dissected that could be used whatever the morphotype of the subject. Ten human cadavers were dissected after a right thoracotomy in the 6th right intercostal space, providing flaps 12 to 18 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm wide. Experimentally, studies were made on 7 dogs of the functional and anatomopathologic aspects of the reconstruction at the 20th postoperative day. The results showed impermeability and rapid healing at endoscopy on the 10th postoperative day in every case as well as regeneration of ciliated epithelium in 6 of the 7 cases. The ICF may therefore be considered for losses of tracheobronchial substance, whether accidental, spontaneous (fistulae) or deliberate (surgery for malignant or benign lesions).

During reconstructive planning for mandibular resection and reconstruction, it was noted that the left internal and external jugular veins were absent, with a considerable compensatory internal jugular vein present on the contralateral side. An accidental finding in the CT angiogram of the head and neck was assessed. Osteocutaneous fibular free flap is a well-established reconstructive surgery for mandibular defects that can involve anastomosis of the internal jugular vein and its tributaries. A 60-years-old man with intraoral squamous cell carcinoma, initially treated with chemoradiation, developed osteoradionecrosis of his left mandible. The patient then underwent resection of this portion of the mandible with reconstruction by osteocutaneous fibular free flap with virtual surgical planning. During reconstructive planning for the resection and reconstruction, it was noted that the left internal and external jugular veins were absent, and a noteworthy compensatory internal jugular vein was present on the contralateral side. We report a rare case of this combination of anatomical variations within the jugular venous system. Unilateral agenesis of the internal jugular vein has been reported, but a combined variation with ipsilateral agenesis of the external jugular vein and compensatory enlargement of the contralateral internal jugular vein has, to our knowledge, not been reported on previously. The anatomical variation reported in our study will be useful during dissection, central venous catheter placement, styloidectomy, angioplasty/stenting, surgical excision, and reconstructive surgery.

To establish normal reference values for the human Tympanic Ring (TR) during prenatal development, and to describe and interpret its growth dynamics. Fifty spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 12–37 weeks with normal external characteristics were evaluated. The parameters measured in the TR were the cephalocaudal and dorsoventral axes, total area, thickness, height, and length and angle of the notch of Rivinus (NR). Data were subjected to statistical analysis. The following values were obtained at the end of fetal development: cephalocaudal and dorsoventral axes, 10.03 and 8.3 mm, respectively; ratio between the two axes, 120%; total area, 65.63 mm2; height and thickness, 0.88 mm and 1.10 mm, respectively; and length and angle of the NR, 4.66 mm and 26.2 degrees, respectively. There were variations in the length of the dorsoventral axis throughout fetal development that affected all other parameters, except for the cephalocaudal axis. There were no sex-based differences in TR size. The prenatal development of the TR is dynamic as evidenced by the size variations noted throughout fetal development. Notwithstanding, this structure is a reliable and sensitive marker of developmental abnormalities of the external and middle ear.

To compare the mesiodistal space measurements of single-implant sites on panoramic and oblique images generated by cone-beam CT (CBCT). CBCT images for 101 single-implant sites of 66 patients referred for pre-surgical radiographic implant planning were selected for the study; 15-mm-thickness panoramic images were reformatted and used for measuring mesiodistal space dimensions. The measurements were repeated and compared with those of thin oblique images (200–300 μ) using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The correlation between measurements in addition to intra-observer agreement was evaluated by Pearson’s correlation coefficients. All mesiodistal space measurements on panoramic and oblique images generated by CBCT were strongly correlated and there were no statistically significant differences between them (P < 0.05). Both panoramic and oblique images generated by CBCT can be used for measuring mesiodistal space dimensions of single-implant sites.