BACKGROUND Factors determining the shape of the human rib cage are not completely understood. We aimed to quantify the contribution of anthropometric and COPD-related changes to rib cage variability in adult cigarette smokers. METHODS Rib cage diameters and areas (calculated from the inner surface of the rib cage) in 816 smokers with or without COPD, were evaluated at three anatomical levels ...

OBJECTIVE To describe a prenatal diagnostic method for evaluating spina bifida by three-dimensional ultrasonography. METHODS Two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography were used to determine the extent of vertebral defects among fetuses with spina bifida. Spinal levels were independently counted from the most caudal thoracic vertebra with a rib (e.g., 12th thoracic rib). A virtual cutting pla...

Isolated fractures of the first rib are extremely rare and are more commonly associated with either multiple rib fractures or life threatening injuries. First rib fractures are commonly caused by direct trauma, violent muscular contraction or by chronic stress. We present a case of isolated first rib fracture in a young healthy patient, where the mechanism of injury appears to be indirect trauma.

Introduction All lateral spinal radiographs in idiopathic scoliosis (IS) show a Double Rib Contour Sign (DRCS) of the thoracic cage, a radiographic expression of the rib hump. The outline of the convex overlies the contour of the concave ribs. The rib index (RI) method was extracted from the DRCS to evaluate rib hump deformity in IS patients. The RI was calculated by the ratio of spine distance...

The treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with peginterferon alpha-2b/ribavirin (PegIFN + Rib) produced larger sustained viral response (SVR) compared to the conventional (non-pegylated) interferon/ribavirin (IFN + Rib), but its cost-effectiveness was not assessed in Brazil. We developed a Markov model to mirror the natural disease history and cohorts of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), ...

BACKGROUND Congenital rib abnormalities are found in approximately 2% of the general population. Usually, they occur in isolation, when they are rarely symptomatic, but they can also associate with other malformations. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed imaging examinations performed over a period of two years (2014-2015), enabling us to identify isolated rib abnormalities in six adult patient...

Diced rib cartilage is an acceptable option in severe nasal deformities. We present our preliminary experience in KAMC in nasal septoplasties using the autologous diced costal cartilage. This is a retrospective study of the 22 cases who needed the autologous diced costal cartilage in our centre in 4 years. All our patients needed autologous diced rib cartilages. Twelve were wrapped with tempora...

The R28 protein of group A streptococcus (GAS) and the Rib protein of group B streptococcus (GBS) are surface molecules that elicit protective immunity to experimental infection. These proteins are members of the same family and cross-react immunologically. In spite of extensive amino acid residue identity, the cross-reactivity between R28 and Rib was found to be limited, as shown by analysis w...

BACKGROUND Right thoracic curvature, rib cage deformities and aortic left shift are features of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis that are correlated with each other. We recently reported that disturbance of ribcage development results in progressive thoracic scoliosis in mice. Recently, it has been confirmed that the normal spine exhibits right thoracic curvature and rib cage deformities and tha...

OBJECTIVES Patients with Type I neurofibromatosis scoliosis with intra-canal rib head protrusion are extremely rare. Current knowledge regarding the diagnosis and treatment for this situation are insufficient. The purpose of this study is to share our experience in the diagnosis and surgical treatments for such unique deformities. METHODS Six patients with Type I neurofibromatosis scoliosis w...