Pharmacokinetics of two per cent rectal methohexitone in children

Plasma methohexitone concentrations were determined in 60 children, aged one to six years, following administration of 15 mg.kg-1, 20 mg.kg-1, 25 mg.kg-1 or 30 mg.kg-1 two per cent rectal methohexitone. Time to the onset of sleep was determined by a blinded observer and venous blood samples obtained 15, 30, 45 and 120 minutes following drug administration. Fifty of 60 children were asleep within 15 minutes. Nine of the ten children that did not fall asleep were sedate and could be separated easily from their parents to undergo inhalational induction of anesthesia. Time to the onset of sleep was inversely related to the dose of rectal methohexitone administered. Sleep was achieved more reliably following the use of 25 to 30 mg.kg-1 rectal methohexitone. In addition, plasma methohexitone concentrations following 30 mg.kg-1 rectal methohexitone were significantly higher for up to 120 minutes following drug administration than the plasma concentrations achieved after 15 mg.kg-1 or 20 mg.kg-1 methohexitone. There was no difference in the incidence of complications. The authors recommend that clinical circumstances be carefully considered and the dose of rectal methohexitone administered be individualized to meet the specific anaesthetic requirements of each child.     

Spinal anaesthesia in a child with Job''s syndrome, pneumatoceles and empyema

We present a case of acute bowel obstruction in an immunocompromised child, who also had lobar pneumonia and a giant unilateral pneumatocele. She was successfully managed with subarachnoid anaesthesia for exploratory laparotomy to relieve a colonic obstruction. This proved to be a safe alternative to general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation in this patient and should be considered in infants and children in selected cases whenever a contraindication to general anaesthesia exists.     

Large colloid cyst in lateral ventricle simulating brain tumour

Summary This case report describes a patient presenting with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, whose computerized tomographic (CT) scan was highly suggestive of a large low-grade glioma invading the basal ganglia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-demarcated space-occupying mass of increased intensity in the left lateral ventricle and adjacent white matter. Following stereotactic biopsy, which yielded a homogeneous jelly-like material, the mass was removed microsurgically and was found to be most like a colloid cyst on histological examination. Discussion focusses on the clinical and differential diagnostic implications of this very unusual combination of findings.     

Stereotactic craniotomy and intraoperative lesion localisation using the Brown-Robert-Wells frame

Summary A simple technique of stereotactic craniotomy and intraoperative lesion localisation that uses the Brown-Robert-Wells (BRW) stereotactic frame is presented. The method optimises craniotomy placement and facilitates localisation of small intracerebral lesions. Using the system, 16 patients have had resection of intracranial neoplasms from deep and/or eloquent areas of the brain with no neurological morbidity.     

Laparoscopic repair/peritoneal toilet of perforated duodenal ulcer

Summary Laparoscopic techniques have been refined to the point where exposure, haemostasis and tissue approximation by suture approach those obtained at open access surgery. We report a patient with acute perforation of an ulcer in the first part of the duodenum who was successfully treated by laparoscopic oversewing and omental patching. The clinical indications for contemplating use of laparoscopic surgery for acute ulcer perforation, techniques employed and the areas for potential improvement of instruments, needles and sutures are discussed.     

Insights into the assessment of myocardial perfusion offered by different cardiac imaging modalities

Myocardial perfusion may be very broadly defined as the tightly regulated nutrient delivery to cardiac tissue. The different components of perfusion are myocardial blood flow, oxygen delivery, myocardial oxygen consumption, and myocardial blood volume. Historically, focus has been placed mostly on the assessment of blood flow. In many instances, knowledge of flow without information about these other aspects is inadequate. This review discusses the various cardiac imaging techniques used for the assessment of myocardial perfusion that represent diverse physiologic measures of “perfusion.” Their strengths and limitations are discussed as is their relevance to specific clinicopathologic conditions. Significant work still needs to be performed before all the aspects of myocardial perfusion can be precisely measured in human beings. Supported in part by a grant (R01-HL48890) from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. Dr. Lindner is the recipient of a Fellowship Training Grant from the Virginia Affiliate of the American Heart Association, Glen Allen, Va. Dr. Kaul is an Established Investigator of the National Center of the American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas.     

神经导航在经单鼻孔入路垂体腺瘤切除术的应用

目的 探讨神经导航系统在经单鼻孔入路垂体腺瘤切除术中的应用技术及对鞍区解剖结构识别的价值。方法 对39例垂体腺瘤使用StealthStation神经导航系统进行指导定位、识别入路相关的解剖结构并引导手术操作。结果 平均注册误差为2．3mm（1．6～3．3mm），肿瘤全切除32例，次全切除4例，大部切除2例。部分切除1例。未全切除病例主要是肿瘤巨大、向海绵窦侵袭性生长、质地坚硬或血供异常丰富者。结论 神经导航系统提供了准确可靠的定位，能够准确指示中线结构、鞍底和颈内动脉，有效地减轻了创伤，使之成为良好的手术辅助工具。     

正常腹内压影响因素的临床研究

目的　探讨正常腹内压的影响因素 ,建立腹内压回归方程。方法　应用膀胱测压法测定 10 6例住院患者的腹内压 ,并对年龄、性别、身高、体重、体质指数、既往和近期腹部手术史、住院原因、合并症情况及数量等 14项因子与腹内压的关系进行分析。结果　住院患者平均腹内压为 5 .5mmHg( 1mmHg =0 .133kPa) ,范围为 0 .4～12 .8mmHg。各级体质指数相应的腹内压差异有显著性意义 (F =5 .5 5 0 ,P<0 .0 1)。男性腹内压比女性高 2 .0mmHg ,差异有显著性意义 (t=3.12 2 ,P<0 .0 1)。其他 12种因素对腹内压无明显影响 (P>0 .0 5 )。结论　正常腹内压可能受性别和体质指数影响 ,存在明显的个体差异