The influence of intravenous magnesium sulphate on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery by-pass operation

To examine the influence of (Mg) on hypomagnesaemia and atrialfibrillation (AF) following coronary artery by-pass surgery,140 consecutive patients were randomized to receive 70 mmolof magnesium sulphate intravenously (n = 69) or placebo (n =71). Serum magnesium concentrations fell to 0.77 ± 0.10mmol. l^–1 in the control group but rose to 1.09 ±0.17 mmol. l^–1 in the Mg group (P <0.001). The incidenceof AF was 29% in the Mg group and 26% in the placebo group (NS).The AF patients were older, more of them had had prior AF episodes,their sinus rates (SR) were slower (78 ± 10 vs 86 ±12 beats. Min^–1; P <0.01) and serum Mg concentrationshigher (0.89 ± 0.21 vs 0.11 mmol. ^l–1; P <0.05)The incidence of AF was 43% in the highest quartile of serumMg and 23% among the rest (P = 0.056). In patients experiencingAF during the first three post-operative days, serum Mg concentrationswere higher and SR slower on each day compared with non-AF patients.SR increased post-operatively less with high Mg levels (P =0.044). In the Mg group, serum Mg and SR were the only independentpredictors of AF. In conclusion, the incidence of post-operativeAF is not decreased with magnesium. High Mg levels are likelyto provoke AF probably by mechanisms that modify SR.     

MR imaging of dural arteriovenous malformations with ocular signs

Summary Four patients with dural arteriovenous malformation (AVMs) draining into the cavernous sinus, who presented ophthalmic manifestations, were studied by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In all patients signal decrease in the involved cavernous sinus was demonstrated in coronal spinecho (SE) imaging. It is attributable to rapid venous flow in the sinus, and this high velocity signal loss is a fairly pathognomonic finding in this condition. We stress the validity of MR imaging in the primary diagnosis of dural AVMs with ophthalmic symptoms.     

加味麻黄附子细辛汤治疗窦性心动过缓临证体会

追溯麻黄附子细辛汤的组方背景,分析麻黄附子细辛汤的药物组成,论述麻黄附子细辛汤和窦性心动过缓之间的联系,介绍治疗窦性心动过缓的临床用药特点,指出窦性心动过缓的发病机制与心气、心阳亏虚紧密相关,明确气阳两虚、阴寒内盛的发病病机,治疗以益气温阳散寒为主要治则,用药在益气温阳药的基础上,酌加活血药、滋阴药,收效可观,并附典型病例1则。     

Reliability of Transesophageal Pacing in the Assessment of Sinus Node Function in Patients with Sick Sinus Syndrome

The purpose of this study was to find out whether transesophageal pacing could be utilized for assessment of sinus node function in patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS). In 17 patients with SSS (study group) we compared the results of sinus node tests obtained both in the basal state and after pharmacological autonomic blockade by endocavitary stimulation and, 24 hours later, by transesophageal pacing. In another group of 17 patients with SSS (control group), we compared the results obtained by two endocavitary studies. In "study group", sinus cycle length (SCL) and corrected sinus node recovery time (CSRT) did not show significant differences between the two studies both in the basal state and after autonomic blockade, whereas sinoatrial conduction time (SACT) was more prolonged during esophageal pacing (P less than 0.01). In "control group", sinus node measures did not show significant differences between the two studies. In the "study group," the following coefficients of correlation were obtained in the basal state; SCL, r = 0.65, CSRT, r = 0.57, SACT, r = 0.52 and after autonomic blockade: SCL, r = 0.95, CSRT, r = 0.62 and SACT, r = 0.53. In the basal state, the correlation for SCL and CSRT between the two studies was lower in the "study group" than in the "control group" (P less than 0.05), whereas after autonomic blockade the correlation for sinus node measures did not show significant differences between the two groups of patients. These data suggest that transesophageal study influences the autonomic tone regulating the sinus node; however, it is not responsible for important variations in sinus node measures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Search for Optimal Frequencies and Amplitudes of Therapeutic Electrical Carotid Sinus Nerve Stimulation by Application of the Evolution Strategy

In humans, electrical, bipolar, bilateral carotid sinus nerve stimulation (CSNS; impulse duration 0.35 ms) was applied, using frequencies between 10 and 110 Hz and voltages between individual thresholds and maximal amplitudes of stimulation. Ten anginal patients and two hypertensive patients were studied at an interval of up to 12 years after implantation of electrodes and a radiofrequency receiver for chronic therapeutic CSNS. In search of combinations of frequency and voltage of CSNS, eliciting largest ("optimal") depressor responses of blood pressure and heart rate in the individual patient, Rechenberg's evolution strategy was applied. This strategy simulates mutation and selection of biological evolution. In each patient and on each test stimulation, a value of quality was computed from actual heart rate and blood pressure values as a selection criterion for the strategy. Either responses to uninterrupted CSNS were investigated, while stimulation parameters were adjusted every 3 min, according to the strategy, or responses to 3 min of CSNS after a change in stimulation parameters were compared to intercalated 3-min control periods. In each patient, one or more combined settings of frequency and voltage elicited "optimal" responses. In principle, "optimal" CSNS frequencies ranged between 35 and 105 Hz with large interindividual differences. Due to chronic implantation of electrodes and technical features of radiofrequency transmitted stimulation energy, interindividually different voltages led to an optimal response to CSNS. Also according to the present results, the frequency of CSNS has to be determined individually. It is concluded that the evolution strategy was applied successfully, because voltage and frequency settings leading to "optimal" responses were found within 90-180 min, whereas intraindividual systematic investigations would not be feasible due to their necessarily very long duration. So far, only short-term responses have been evaluated. A broader use of the strategy in other applications is encouraged, as for example in pacemaker optimization and especially in functional electrostimulation.     

Severe rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is diagnosed frequently in clinical practice, but the term may in fact encompass a wide spectrum of diseases. Inflammation of the nasal and sinus mucosa can arise from various causes and lead to different sequelae. Moreover, the term rhinosinusitis is more accurate than sinusitis. Causes range from a viral infection leading to the common cold to an invasive, fungal infection. An accurate diagnosis is important because effective therapy is available if recognized early and if specific therapy is used. Importantly, there is a close relationship between upper and lower airway disease and each have unique structural and functional differences that make an understanding of rhinosinusitis important not only for upper airway disease, but also for the management of asthma. All too often, rhinosinusitis becomes chronic and this becomes a challenge because medical therapy may not be sufficient to control disease. Finally, we should note that the differential diagnosis of rhinosinusitis is extensive and physicians should place heavy emphasis not only on the history, but also on appropriate imaging studies. A normal exam does not rule out the possibility or rhinosinusitis. Finally, we should emphasize that effective treatment is dependent on the etiology of the symptoms but also dependent on whether it is acute or chronic.     

Tentorial sinus

Summary The authors report a case of tentorial sinus draining the telencephalic and diencephalic tributaries of the basal vein. Dorsally the sinus joined the straight sinus and later the confluence of the sinuses. Attention should be paid to this normal variation whenever a transtentorial surgical approach is considered.

---

Sinus de la tenteAspect radiologique et anatomique, à propos d'un cas

Résumé Les auteurs rapportent un cas de sinus de la tente du cervelet drainant les affluents télencéphaliques et diencéphaliques de la veine basale. En arrière, le sinus rejoint le sinus droit puis le torcular. Une attention particulière pré-opératoire devrait être accordée à la mise en évidence de cette variété lorsqu'une approche transtentorielle est discutée.

     

上颌窦的胚胎发育

对46例(92侧)12～40周胎儿标本的上颌窦,行冠状切,HE染色,光镜观察:(1)原始上颌窦在胚胎第20～22周由原始筛漏斗底部扩展而成,上颌窦位于钩突和中鼻道外侧壁的外侧,窦腔与眼眶之间的骨板最薄,且骨化较晚.(2)窦口位于上颌窦的顶部(壁),随胎龄增长,”钩突角”变小.向外下的筛漏斗渐近水平位.(3)出生时,上颌窦大小约3.0×5.0×6.5mm.窦内粘膜上皮细胞呈立方形或矮柱状,其纤毛稀疏,,固有膜增厚、疏松,内含极少量血管和腺体.结果表明:出生时,上颌窦虽已出现,但粘膜厚,窦腔小,且与眼眶的毗邻关系密切,上颌窦粘膜的组织结构与鼻腔粘膜的结构有所不同.     

Gaps and fragmentation of the superficial cortex in the abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes of elderly Japanese

Gaps and fragmentation of the superficial lymph node cortex are considered to provide intranodal shunt flow between the afferent and efferent vessels. Using serial sections of 205 nodes obtained from 27 donated cadavers more than 70 years of age, we examined the histological architecture of the abdominal and pelvic nodes in elderly Japanese. Secondary follicles were rare in the specimens. Cortex gaps were, to a greater or lesser degree, found in all nodes. We classified these nodes into three types according to how often the gap occurred. Type 1 nodes, with a relatively complete shield for the afferent lymph, were most frequently found in gastric nodes, whereas type 3 nodes, with numerous gaps, were often observed in the colic, para-aortic and pelvic nodes. The type 3 nodes showed a specific architecture characterized by a fragmented superficial cortex, three-dimensionally assembled cords and a common sinus between them. Primary follicles were located in the assembled cord structures as well as at the superficial cortex. Irrespective of the type, B and T lymphocyte areas were intermingled in the cortex-like areas. The present results reveal region-specific histological heterogeneity in aged human visceral nodes. Due to increased surface areas, the type 3 architecture seemed to accelerate systemic immunity rather than act as a local barrier in the para-aortic and pelvic nodes, which are located centrally along the lymphatic drainage routes. However, thick trabeculae often seemed to develop in the type 3 sinus to decrease nodal function with aging.     

Anatomic variations of surgical importance in ethmoid labyrinth and sphenoid sinus. A study of radiological anatomy

Summary The present study was performed on axial and coronal CT scans of 100 patients, most of whom were affected by nasal polyposis. Five observers had to analyse the radiograms and answer a questionnaire including the following items: presence of a supraorbital recess; identification of anterior and posterior ethmoidal canals; dehiscences in the lamina papyracea; pneumatized middle turbinate; presence of a spheno-maxillary plate; presence of Haller's cells; presence of Onodi's cells; relationships of the optic canal; relationships of the internal carotid artery; relationships of the maxillary nerve; relationships of the vidian nerve; level difference between the ethmoid roof and nasal vault; depth of the sphenoethmoidal recess. The data obtained were compared with those drawn from anatomical studies. The fair agreement between them proves the value of CT as an alternative method for studying paranasal sinuses anatomy.

---

Anatomie radiologique des variations du labyrinthe ethmoïdal et du sinus sphénoïdal et leurs conséquences chirurgicales

Résumé Cette étude a été réalisée sur 100 patients dont la plupart présentait une polypose nasale étudiée en coupes T D M axiale et coronale. Cinq lecteurs ont revu les clichés et répondu au questionnaire suivant: présence d'un récessus supra orbitaire; identification des canaux ethmoïdaux antérieur et postérieur; déhiscence de la lame papyracée; pneumatisation du cornet moyen; présence d'un plateau sphéno maxillaire; présence de cellules de Haller; présence de cellules d'Onodi; rapports du canal optique; rapports de l'artère carotide interne; rapports du nerf maxillaire; rapports du nerf vidien; dénivelé entre le toit ethmoïdal et le toit nasal; profondeur du récessus sphéno-ethmoïdal. Les données obtenues ont été comparées avec celles provenant de travaux anatomiques. La concordance acceptable entre les deux démontre la valeur du scanner comme méthode d'étude alternative de l'anatomie des sinus para nasaux.