Gelenkzwischenscheiben. Pathologie der Gelenke und Weichteiltumoren. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 1984. pp. 723-921. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-69547-6_2]

Anatomical basics, variations, and degenerative changes of the shoulder joint and shoulder girdle

This paper summarizes the anatomical basics of the shoulder, their variations, and precise definitions, including differential diagnoses. It also describes the characteristic degenerative changes caused by aging. A typical variation (7-15%) is the os acromiale, which forms the triangular epiphysis of the scapular spine. This abnormality must be differentiated from a fracture of the acromion or a pseudarthrosis. Because ossification of the acromion is complete after age 25, the os acromiale should be diagnosed only after this age. The shape of the acromion is a further important feature. In a recent anatomical study, the following frequencies of the Bigliani-types of the acromial shape were anatomically determined - type 1 (flat), 10.2% and type 2 (curved), 89.8%. Type 3 (hooked) was not observed, which indicates that this type is probably a misinterpretation of the so-called acromial spur. Minor dehiscences and perforations in the infraspinate or supraspinate fossa should not be confused with malignant osteolyses. The scapula has three ligaments of its own, (1) the coracoacromial ligament and its osseous fixations form an osteofibrous arch above the shoulder joint, which plays a part in impingement syndrome; (2) the superior transverse scapular ligament or its ossified correlate arches the scapular incisure and can cause a typical compression syndrome of the suprascapular nerve; (3) the inferior transverse scapular ligament is of no great clinical importance. Two intraarticular structures (glenoid labrum and tendon of the long bicipital head) must be mentioned. The glenoid labrum consists of dense connective tissue and surrounds the margin of the glenoid cavity. Two areas exhibit specialized conditions, cranial at the supraglenoid tubercle an intimate relationship exists to the tendon of the long bicipital head and in about 55% of cases, the labrum is stretched over the glenoid rim at the ventral side. At the area of the biceps-tendon-labrum complex, so-called SLAP-lesions may occur and at the glenoid rim, where the labrum is often not fixed to the bony margin, avulsions of the labrum may occur. This well-established anatomical condition must not be mistaken for a manifest Bankart-lesion. The glenohumeral ligaments, which are located in the ventral articular capsule, have a stabilizing function for the ventral part of the glenoid labrum. The glenohumeral ligaments lift the articular lip where it crosses the glenoid notch. This 'labrum-lift effect' supports the stabilizing features of the articular lip and the glenohumeral ligaments. The rotator cuff is composed of the tendons of the teres minor, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, and subscapularis muscles. This cuff has a poorly vascularized area, due to mechanical conditions, about 1.5 cm from the major tubercle, which causes degenerative changes and eventually may lead to ruptures. Results of the impingement-syndrome and the osteoarthrotic changes of the shoulder and acromioclavicular joint are also presented and discussed. Finally, the coracoclavicular joint, which probably represents no congenital entity but appears due to a changed, lowered position of the shoulder girdle, is discussed. The paper also presents instructive figures of anatomical preparations that can be used to make more precise radiological and differential diagnoses. All preparations were done by the author and are part of a series of more than 300 preparations of the shoulder joint and girdle.

Localized amyloid in the menisci of the knee joint

This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report on amyloid deposits in menisci. Fragments of menisci gained by arthroscopy from 316 patients between 20 and 80 years of age were examined. Amyloid was found in 70% of the cases from male, as well as female patients. The amyloid amount found was always very small, but the deposits seemed to increase with age. Patients more than 50 years of age all had menisceal amyloid. Two types of deposits were observed: a)stroma-deposits in the deep central portions of the menisci (tiny dots of intensely stained amyloid and/or ill defined patches of low staining intensity) and b) surface associated deposits: band-like amyloid imbibition of the collagenous stroma immediately beneath the surface of the menisci but not deeper than 0.2 mm. In all cases, amyloid was resistant when pretreated by KMn04 and immunohistologically antisera against amyloid types AA, AB and AF were negative. 3/25 cases showed a reaction with an amyloid-lambda-antibody. We assume, that amyloid in menisci is a further type of localized senile amyloidosis.

Changes of the elastin compartment in the human meniscus

We report on the elastin, collagen and ground substance compartments in the human meniscus and their interrelationships. Elastin is found in neonates and shows both an arrangement parallel to the collagen fibre and into net-like structures. Branching, caliber inconstancy, rupture and the phenomenon of the "rubber band" are findings within the different forms of the meniscopathy. The function of the elastin compartment cannot be visualised without suggesting "puncta fixa". The morphology of the collagen-elastin-junctions has been described and their possible mode of function is discussed with the help of a model.