Anterior Body Research Articles

Studying Annelida Body Regeneration Under Environmental Stress in Diopatra neapolitana.

The polychaete Diopatra neapolitana is a cosmopolitan annelid that can robustly regenerate both its anterior and posterior body part depending on the position of the amputation. Previous studies demonstrated that body regeneration represents a sensitive and unspecific response to environmental stresses, including contaminants and climate alterations.The posterior body regeneration of D. neapolitana is thus a suitable, ecological and relevant biomarker in ecotoxicological and ecological risk assessment assays. Here we describe the amputation process, the monitoring of the regeneration process of the polychaete D. neapolitana and the quantification of the impact of environmental stresses on its regenerative capacity.

Predictability of the preoperative lateral fulcrum radiograph of success in one-level vertebroplasty to treat painful osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Restoration of height or angle has been reported following vertebroplasty (VP). The purpose of the study was to investigate the predictive value of the preoperative lateral fulcrum radiograph (LFR) of success in one-level VP for painful osteoporotic vertebral fracture. From January 2017 to January 2018, 71 patients (mean age, 76 years) receiving VP were retrospectively analyzed. Painful vertebra was defined as pseudarthrosis or edematous change in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Fulcrum flexibility (FF) and fulcrum restoration index (FRI) of the vertebral wedge angle (VWA), regional kyphotic angle (RKA), and anterior vertebral body height (AVBH) were investigated. Back pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. The 30 males and 41 females were followed for an average of 21 months. The sensitivity of LFR and MRI to detect pseudarthrosis was 92% and 97%, respectively. Preoperative FF of VWA, RKA, and AVBH was 52.4%, 58.3%, and 60%, respectively, indicating similar potential restoration ability. Postoperative average FRI for VWA, RKA, and AVBH was 1.29 ± 2.98, 0.46 ± 1.16, and 1.04 ± 1.68, respectively. Final average FRI was 0.94 ± 2.96, -0.03 ± 2.25, and 0.6 ± 2.04, respectively. VWA and AVBH had better immediate restoration, and VWA had better final maintenance. All parameters progressive lost significant levels of restoration to similar degrees but without increase in back pain. LFR can help with evaluation for pseudarthrosis and the restoration effect of VP. VP had better immediate restoration of VWA and AVBH and better final VWA maintenance.

Measurement of Subaxial Cervical Vertebral Height using Computed Tomography for Optimisation of Anterior Cervical Plate in North Indian Population

Introduction: The morphometric analysis of subaxial cervical spine is of importance to improve the surgical outcome of the patients who undergo Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) with anterior cervical plating. The morphometric values of cervical spine vary for from population to population and so does the size of the anterior cervical plate. Aim: To analyse the average height of subaxial cervical spine and its implication in anterior cervical plating. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 70 patients who underwent Computed Tomography (CT) scan for evaluation of cervical spine between May 2021 to October 2021 in Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi. The height of subaxial cervical spine (from C3 to C7 vertebrae) was measured from superior most to inferior most bony part on the anterior surface of the corresponding cervical vertebrae in midsagittal section (A) and superior most to inferior most of the central cervical vertebral body in midsagittal section (B) using Radiant viewer version 4.2.1 software. The Indian and imported anterior cervical plate, screw hole diameter and screw hole to plate edge were measured both on ventral and dorsal aspect with vernier caliper. The data was tabulated and mean, standard deviation and other variations were calculated. Results: The smallest vertebra was C5, A (11.62±1.15 mm) and B (9.95±1.35 mm). C7 was the largest with measurements of A (14.07±1.35 mm) and B (12.46±1.29 mm). The total distance of cervical plate over the anterior cervical vertebral body measures 7.9 mm and 7.6 mm for imported and Indian implant, respectively. Considering the least cervical vertebral height of 9.95±1.35 mm, the gap remaining from the adjacent disc after mounting Imported and Indian implant was 2.05±1.35 mm and 2.35±1.35 mm, respectively. Conclusion: C7 was the largest vertebrae and C5 was the smallest. Thus, the Indian and imported anterior cervical plate leaves a gap of less than 5 mm from adjacent disc to plate at C3,C4,C5 and C6.

Prospective study of posterior open pedicle screw fixation for posttraumatic thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures with spinal injury at a tertiary care center: A short-term clinical and radiological follow-up

Background: Fractures of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are quite common injuries and their management remains controversial in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) for the treatment of posttraumatic thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures with spinal injury. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 24 patients with thoraco-lumbar and lumbar burst fracture treated with OPSF, and each patient was followed up for a minimum period of 1 year. Demographic characteristics, clinical and radiological outcomes, and adverse events were evaluated. Results: There were 70.83% male patients and 54.17% patients were in the age group of 21 to 40 years. Road traffic accident (41.67%) was the most common mechanism of injury and L1 was the most commonly fractured vertebra followed by T12. The average operative time was 125.35 min with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 480.82 mL. There was a significant improvement in Sagital Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle, anterior vertebral body height, and visual analog score at 1 year follow-up. The common postoperative complications were superficial infection, bed sore, and urinary tract infection worsening. Implant loosening was seen only in one case. Conclusions: Patients with thoraco-lumbar and lumbar burst fractures can be effectively managed with OPSF. It allows earlier mobilization and shorter recovery time and hospital stay and has contributed for better neurological outcome when combined with early aggressive and proper physiotherapy.

Evaluation of the usefulness of anterior vertebral body replacement for Rod fracture at vertebrae with pedicle subtraction osteotomy in adult spine deformity

Evaluation of the usefulness of anterior vertebral body replacement for Rod fracture at vertebrae with pedicle subtraction osteotomy in adult spine deformity

Geomonhystera longisoma sp. nov. и Mongolotheristus tsalolichini sp. nov. (Nematoda, Monhysterida) из устья реки Меконг, Вьетнам

The paper provides illustrated descriptions of two new nematode species of the order Monhysterida Filipjev, 1929 found in the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam. Geomonhystera longisoma sp. nov. is morphologically similar to G. longispiculata Prado-Vera, Ferris, Subbotin, 2018 and G. chiautzingoensis Prado-Vera, Ferris, Subbotin, 2018. However, the new member of the genus has а thicker body, longer outer labial setae, and shorter spicules. Mongolotheristus tsalolichini sp. nov. is similar to M. altaicus Tsalolichin, 1985, but it has amphidial foveas located closer to the anterior body end, shorter dorsal apophysis of the gubernaculum, and papillae-shaped precloacal supplements (absent in M. altaicus). The paper discusses the possibility of maintaining a separate status of the genus Mongolotheristus Tsalolichin, 1985, previously reduced to a synonym of the genus Daptonema Cobb, 1920.

First Skeletal Fossil Record of the Red Seabream Pagrus major (Sparidae, Perciformes) from the Late Pleistocene of Subtropical West Pacific, Southern Taiwan.

Fish fossils are only occasionally found in Taiwan, and such fossils are rarely appropriately analyzed and described. Despite their sparse records, several Plio-Pleistocene localities rich in marine organisms have yielded well-preserved specimens, potentially providing insight into the rarely identified fish fauna in the tropical-subtropical West Pacific. We describe a sandstone nodule containing fish skeletons from the Late Pleistocene Szekou Formation in southern Taiwan. The specimen includes nearly complete left jaws, fragmentary right jaws, and part of the anterior body. The distinct dentition of the specimen suggests it to be a member of Sparidae family. Further morphological analysis based on dentition and a comparison with 153 recent specimens belonging to 14 sparid species in the area enabled us to assign the fossil to the species Pagrus major. We found that the characteristic sparid tooth patterns are useful in generic determination, at least in Taiwan. The occurrence of the specimen is the first evidence of P. major in the region. Finally, the specialized tooth pattern and the estimated size indicate that the fish was a middle-to-top predator that fed on small fish and invertebrates in a neritic lagoonal environment.

It is not just the category: behavioral effects of fMRI-guided electrical microstimulation result from a complex interplay of factors.

Functional imaging and electrophysiological studies in primates revealed the existence of patches selective for visual categories in the inferior temporal cortex. Understanding the contribution of these patches to perception requires causal techniques that assess the effect of neural activity manipulations on perception. We used electrical microstimulation (EM) to determine the role of body patch activity in visual categorization in macaques. We tested the hypothesis that EM in a body patch would affect the categorization of bodies versus objects but not of other visual categories. We employed low-current EM of an anterior body patch (ASB) in the superior temporal sulcus, which was defined by functional magnetic resonance imaging and verified with electrophysiological recordings in each session. EM of ASB affected body categorization, but the EM effects were more complex than the expected increase of body-related choices: EM affected the categorization of both body and inanimate images and showed interaction with the choice target location, but its effect was location-specific (tested in 1 subject) on a millimeter scale. Our findings suggest that the behavioral effects of EM in a category-selective patch are not merely a manifestation of the category selectivity of the underlying neuronal population but reflect a complex interplay of multiple factors.

Gastrocutaneous fistula after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: An unforeseen mishap

A middle-aged woman presented to us with complaints of purulent discharge which was coming from the epigastric port site for two years following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which was performed at an outside hospital for asymptomatic gall stone disease. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the fistulous sinus track communicating with the anterior body wall of the stomach. At re-laparotomy, the sistulous sinus track was found and excised with primary repair of the defect in the stomach wall. The patient had an uneventful post-operative recovery and was doing well on follow-up. This was the second such case reported in literature where a common surgical procedure like laparoscopic cholecystectomy has led to the formation of gastrocutaneous fistula, which is a rare complication and was successfully managed.

Image quality and acquisition time assessments for phase oversampling in compressed sensing sensitivity encoding: Comparison with conventional SENSE

This study compared sensitivity encoding (SENSE) and compressed sensing sensitivity encoding (CS‐SENSE) for phase oversampling distance and assessed its impact on image quality and image acquisition time. The experiment was performed with a large diameter phantom using 16‐channel anterior body coils. All imaging data were divided into three groups according to the parallel imaging technique and oversampling distances: groups A (SENSE with phase oversampling distance of 150 mm), B (CS‐SENSE with phase oversampling distance of 100 mm), and C (CS‐SENSE with phase oversampling distance of 75 mm). No statistically significant differences were observed among groups A, B, and C regarding both T2 and T1 turbo spin‐echo (TSE) sequences using an acceleration factor (AF) of 2 (p = 0.301 and 0.289, respectively). In comparison with AF 2 of group A, the scan time of AF 2 of groups B and C was reduced by 11.2% and 23.5% (T2 TSE) and 15.8% and 22.7% (T1 TSE), respectively, while providing comparable image quality. Significant image noise and aliasing artifact were more evident at AF ≥ 2 in group A compared with groups B and C. CS‐SENSE with a less phase oversampling distance can reduce image acquisition time without image quality degradation compared with that of SENSE, despite the increase in aliasing artifact as the AF increased in both CS‐SENSE and SENSE.

Blunt force trauma in the human mandible: An experimental investigation

There exist sparse data associating known points of mandibular impact with resultant fracture patterns. These data may provide an important foundation for interpreting mandible fractures in forensic cases. The current study illustrates results of experimental blunt force impacts to five locations on the mandible: the ramus, posterior body, mid-body, anterior body, and midline. The experimental sample comprised thirteen intact heads from non-edentulous, unembalmed human adult male cadavers. Three key findings resulted from this study: (1) each impact produced a fracture at or adjacent to the impact site; (2) ramus and midline impacts produced more fractures than mandibular body impacts; and (3) fracture locations varied among mandibles impacted at the same location and exhibited similarities among mandibles impacted at different locations, suggesting there are limitations in estimating mandibular impact sites based on fracture location alone. Overall, these results contribute a comparative sample of known blunt force trauma cases for practitioners evaluating mandibular fractures in forensic cases.

Age, Sex, and Cerebral Microbleeds Affect White Matter Integrity Across Adulthood After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

The contributions of age, sex, and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) to WM changes after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have not been studied. We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to map WM fractional anisotropy (FA) changes across the first ~6 months post-mTBI in 109 subjects aged 18-77 (46 females; age µ: 40 y, σ: 17 y) imaged within ~1 week post-injury and ~6 months later. After partialing out age, sex, and CMB counts, significant mean FA decreases were found in the anterior body, posterior body, and splenium of the corpus callosum (CC; p = 0.003, 0.009 and 0.015, respectively), left superficial frontal fasciculus (p = 0.008), and left branch of the corticospinal tract (CST; p = 0.007). Age contributed to mean FAs measured acutely in the CC body (p = 0.04), and chronically in the CC genu (p < 0.001), CC body (p = 0.01), and middle longitudinal fasciculi (p = 0.04), older adults exhibiting larger decreases. CMB counts were positively associated with mean FA decreases in the CC body (p = 0.04) and middle longitudinal fasciculi (p = 0.04). Significant age-by-sex and CMB count-by-age interactions mediated FA decreases in the CC genu (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively), older males exhibiting larger decreases. Thus, the CC, longitudinal fasciculi, superficial frontal WM and CST are particularly vulnerable to post-traumatic neurodegeneration moderated by age, sex and CMB count, men and older adults being at highest risk for adverse effects. Future research should investigate our findings relative to cognitive function.

The radiological outcomes of short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with transforaminal interbody fusion for treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture

Objective: This study aims to evaluate radiological outcomes of short-segment pedicle screw fixation with transforaminal interbody fusion (TIF) using bone chip graft for treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture, Denis type IIB. Subject and method: The data in this study were retrospectively collected from all patients with isolated unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures treated by posterior short segment pedicle screw fixation and TIF from January 2013 to January 2017. All patients were followed up for a minimum time interval of 1 year. For radiologic outcome evaluation, a loss percentage of anterior vertebral body heights (%ABC), vertebral kyphotic angle (VKA) and regional kyphotic angle (RKA) were collected preoperatively, postoperatively and at final follow-up. Result: There were 36 patients who met the inclusion criteria with a mean follow-up duration of 53 months (range, 17-73 months). The mean % ABC, VKA and, RKA at the time of admission were 49.9%, 24.6o and 19.7o, respectively. These values were 17.6%, 11.5o, 8.5o postoperatively, and 27.5%, 14.4° and 14.1° at final follow-up, respe­ctively. Fusion rate at final follow-up was 91.7% based on Bridwell’s criteria. There were 6 patients (16.7%) with hardware failure at final follow-up. Conclusion: Short-segment pedicle screw fixation with TIF using bone chip graft is an effective surgical management for unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture with the acceptable radiological outcomes in Vietnamese patients.

Reduced White Matter Integrity in Patients With End-Stage and Non-end-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease: A Tract-Based Spatial Statistics Study.

Background and Purpose: Reduced white matter (WM) integrity has been implicated in chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, whether the differences in WM abnormalities exist in ESRD and non-end-stage CKD (NES-CKD) remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the WM microstructural changes between the two stages using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and explore the related influencing factors.Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging’ images were prospectively acquired from 18 patients with ESRD, 22 patients with NES-CKD, and 19 healthy controls (HCs). Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was performed to assess the voxel-wise differences in WM abnormalities among the three groups. The relationships between DTI parameters and biochemical data were also analyzed.Results: Compared with NES-CKDs, FA value was significantly decreased, and AD value increased in ESRDs mainly in brain regions of bilateral anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), the genu and body of corpus callosum (CC), bilateral anterior corona radiata, superior corona radiata, and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Besides, extensive and symmetrical deep WM damages were observed in patients with ESRD, accompanied by increased MD and RD values. Multiple regression analysis revealed that uric acid and serum phosphorus level can be used as independent predictors of WM microstructural abnormalities in clusters with statistical differences in DTI parameters between ESRD and NES-CKD groups.Conclusion: In the progression of CKD, patients with ESRD have more severe WM microstructural abnormalities than NES-CKDs, and this progressive deterioration may be related to uric acid and phosphate levels.

Freehand Minimally Invasive Pedicle Screw Fixation and Minimally Invasive Decompression for a Thoracic or Lumbar Vertebral Metastatic Tumor From Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective: To compare freehand minimally invasive pedicle screw fixation (freehand MIPS) combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), minimally invasive decompression, and partial tumor resection with open surgery for treatment of thoracic or lumbar vertebral metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with symptoms of neurologic compression, and evaluate its feasibility, efficacy, and safety.Methods: Forty-seven patients with 1-level HCC metastatic thoracolumbar tumor and neurologic symptoms were included between February 2015 and April 2017. Among them, 21 patients underwent freehand MIPS combined with PVP, minimally invasive decompression, and partial tumor resection (group 1), while 26 patients were treated with open surgery (group 2). Duration of operation, blood loss, times of fluoroscopy, incision length, and stay in hospital were compared between the two groups. Pre- and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, ambulatory status, and urinary continence were also recorded. The Cobb angle and central and anterior vertebral body height were measured on lateral radiographs before surgery and during follow-ups.Results: Patients in group 1 showed significantly less blood loss (195.5 ± 169.1 ml vs. 873.1 ± 317.9 ml, P = 0.000), shorter incision length (3.4 ± 0.3 vs. 13.6 ± 1.8 cm, P = 0.000), shorter median stay in hospital (4–8/6 vs. 8–17/12 days, P = 0.000), more median times of fluoroscopy (5–11/6 vs. 4–7/5 times, P = 0.000), and longer duration of operation (204.8 ± 12.1 vs. 171.0 ± 12.0 min, P = 0.000) than group 2. Though VAS significantly decreased after surgery in both groups, VAS of group 1 was significantly lower than that of group 2 immediately after surgery and during follow-ups (P < 0.05). Similar results were found in ODI. No differences in the neurological improvement and spinal stability were observed between the two groups.Conclusion: Freehand MIPS combined with PVP, minimally invasive decompression, and partial tumor resection is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive method for treating thoracolumbar metastatic tumors of HCC, with less blood loss, better pain relief, and shorter length of midline incision and stay in hospital.

Comparative analysis of long-term outcome of anterior reconstruction in thoracic tuberculosis by direct anterior approach versus posterior approach

Study Design:Retrospective study.Aim:To retrospectively evaluate and compare the long-term outcome of anterior vertebral body reconstruction in tuberculosis (TB) of the dorsal spine by direct anterior-versus-posterior approach.Materials and Methods:A total of 127 patients operated by posterior approach, 118 by anterior for TB-thoracic spine with at least 1-year follow-up were included and retrospectively analyzed. Patients were assessed clinically, radiologically and data regarding age, sex, levels involved, surgical approach, operative time, blood loss, neurological recovery using Frankel grade, pre- and post-operative kyphosis, % correction of kyphosis, time for fusion, fusion grading using Bridwell criteria, % loss of correction, mobilization time and complications if any were collected, analyzed, compared in anterior-v/s-posterior approaches.Results:The mean age in anterior-approach was 36.03 and 39.83 years in posterior. Mean operative time in anterior-approach was 6.11 and 5 h in posterior. Mean blood loss of 1.6 L in anterior approach and 1.11 L in posterior. Mean preoperative kyphosis angle in posterior-approach was 34.803°and 11.286° (P < 0.001) at 3 months postopandtotal correction of 67.216%. Mean preoperative kyphosis angle in anterior-approach was 41.154° and 9.498° at 3 months postopandtotal correction of 77.467% (P < 0.001). Mean loss of correction at 1 year was 4.186°in posterior-approach and 6.184°in anterior. The mean time for fusion was 4.69 months in anterior-approach while 6.34 months in posterior as per Bridwell criteria. Meantime for mobilization in posterior-approach was 1.18 and 2.51 weeks in anterior. Significant improvement in neurology was seen in patients operated by either approach, slightly better in anterior. Complications were more in posterior-approach.Conclusions:Anterior-approach allows for thorough debridement, neural decompression, better anterior column reconstruction, and deformity correction under direct vision than posterior. Direct cord visualization while correcting kyphosis reduces the chances of neurological complications significantly. Both approaches have unique advantages and limitations. Though the posterior approach is easy to master, results shown by the anterior cannot be overseen. To conclude, better functional outcome and significantly better kyphosis correction are seen with anterior-approach, which are strong pointers favoring it.

Inclusion of the fractured level into the construct of short segment fixation in patients with thoracolumbar fractures: clinical and radiological outcome

BackgroundThoracolumbar fractures represent a widespread injuries that can cause significant disability and strain the healthcare system. Different surgical approaches are described in the literature. This study was conducted to evaluate the fractured level inclusion in short-segment fixation of thoracolumbar junction spine fractures.ResultsPreoperative neurological deficit was reported in seven patients ranging from ASIA grade C to D. All of these patients improved to grade E by the end of the follow-up period, except for one patient who improved from grade C to D. The mean Oswestry Disability Index was 19.87%. The mean postoperative Cobb angle was 11.77° which significantly improved compared to a preoperative value of 19.37°. There was a significant improvement in the postoperative anterior and posterior vertebral body height compared to the preoperative values. The vertebral body compression ratio significantly improved during the postoperative period to a mean of 84% compared to 76% preoperative.ConclusionsThere was significant improvement of the postoperative values of the mean Cobb angle, the anterior and the posterior vertebral body height as well as the vertebral body compression ratio compared to the preoperative values.

Early operative morbidity in 184 cases of anterior vertebral body tethering

Fusion is the current standard of care for AIS. Anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) is a motion-sparing alternative gaining interest. As a novel procedure, there is a paucity of literature on safety. Here, we report 90-day complication rates in 184 patients who underwent AVBT by a single surgeon. Patients were retrospectively reviewed. Approaches included 71 thoracic, 45 thoracolumbar, 68 double. Major complications were those requiring readmittance or reoperation, prolonged use of invasive materials such as chest tubes, or resulted in spinal cord or nerve root injury. Minor complications resolved without invasive intervention. Mean operative time and blood loss were 186.5 ± 60.3 min and 167.2 ± 105.0 ml, respectively. No patient required allogenic blood transfusion. 6 patients experienced major (3.3%), and 6 had minor complications (3.3%). Major complications included 3 chylothoracies, 2 hemothoracies, and 1 lumbar radiculopathy secondary to screw placement requiring re-operation. Minor complications included 1 patient with respiratory distress requiring supplementary oxygen, 1 superficial wound infection, 2 cases of prolonged nausea, and 1 Raynaud phenomenon. In 184 patients who underwent AVBT for AIS, major and minor complication rates were both 3.3%.

Sexual dimorphism patterns of the White Sea threespine stickleback (&lt;em&gt;Gasterosteus aculeatus&lt;/em&gt;)

Sexual dimorphism (SD) in the threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus reflects the different roles of the sexes in reproduction and their adaptations to different ecological niches. We quantified SD in one population of marine stickleback from the White Sea, collected during the spawning period from three spawning grounds, each at a distance of 5 km or less from the others. We used a landmark-based approach to quantify variation in 44 morphometric linear traits. In total, 749 females and 693 males were analyzed. In males, anterior body parts are larger — the base of the caudal fin and armor structures such as the first and second dorsal spines and the pelvic spine. Females have larger posterior bodies — the abdomen, pelvic girdle and the third dorsal spine. The SD of caudal body parts exhibits complex patterns. In White Sea threespine stickleback, SD patterns are generally similar to other populations of the species, but more often show male-biased patterns. Female-biased size SD may be associated with the female biased sex ratio of White Sea stickleback.

Texas beetle larvae (Brachypsectridae) – the last 100 million years reviewed

Larvae of Brachypsectridae (Texas beetles) have often been considered rare. However, they are known from North America, Asia and Australia in the extant fauna, and from Miocene, Eocene and Cretaceous ambers. We review the overall record of extant and fossil larvae of Brachypsectridae represented in the literature. Furthermore, we present three new specimens, which were all documented via light microscopy. Two of the specimens are from Baltic amber, and the third one is from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar; the latter was additionally documented via synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography. The number of known extant specimens, more than 20, is unusually high compared to other small groups of beetles and with respect to the low number of eight formally described species. The number of fossil specimens from the Miocene, Eocene and Cretaceous is low, two to three specimens per time slice. This makes a comparison of morphological diversity difficult. Still such an analysis of overall body shape as well as of the anterior body region revealed no significant quantitatively recognisable changes over time. However, some qualitative changes in the morphology of the antenna and lateral processes from the Cretaceous to younger faunas could be identified.