Dorsal lunate tilt (DISI configuration): sign of scaphoid fracture displacement

Excessive dorsiflexion (dorsal tilting) of the lunate on a lateral wrist radiograph can be an important sign of carpal injury. Lunate dorsiflexion is a well-recognized sign of an intercarpal ligamentous injury pattern known as dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI). It is less well recognized that excessive dorsal tilting of the lunate (DISI configuration) can also be produced by displacement of a scaphoid waist fracture. Since the management and prognosis of displaced scaphoid fractures may be quite different from those for nondisplaced fractures, radiologists can make an important contribution by recognizing dorsal tilting of the lunate and appreciating that it may be an important, indirect sign of scaphoid fracture displacement, which may not be directly visualized with standard wrist radiography. In this setting, computed tomography or complex motion tomography may be helpful for further evaluation of the scaphoid fracture.     

Jugular venous thrombosis: MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of jugular venous thrombosis was investigated in three patients who had symptoms suggestive of this condition; the diagnosis was later confirmed by computed tomography, by venography, and clinically. Bright intraluminal signal intensity was seen throughout the course of the affected jugular vein on MR images in all three patients, in sharp contrast to the lack of signal from the corresponding site in the uninvolved venous system. Temporal changes in signal intensity from the acute to subacute stage of thrombosis were evaluated for one patient. A relative increase in signal intensity for the subacute phase was believed to be related to a decrease in the T1 relaxation time. MR may be the imaging modality of choice in the investigation of venous thrombosis.     

Is homozygous α-thalassaemia a lethal condition in the 1990s?

Two cases of homozygous α-thalassaemia who received active treatment in accordance with parental wishes are reported. One infant survived and the other, although successfully weaned off mechanical respiratory support, unexpectedly developed portal vein thrombosis and died. Homozygous a-thalassaemia, a condition previously considered to be universally fatal, and an indication for therapeutic abortion, is now potentially curable with advances in diagnostic technology and treatment. However, active management of these cases raises serious ethical questions and has major financial implications on the health-care system. Invasive prenatal and intensive postnatal interventions should remain experimental and cannot be recommended as routine clinical practice until the questions of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, and the morbidity and mortality associated with bone-marrow transplantation have been fully addressed. As a result of advances in information technology, more and more parents of affected foetuses are likely to request active treatment.     

Thyrotoxicosis in children: thirty years'experience

Optimal treatment for thyrotoxicosis remains controversial in adults, but more so in paediatric practice. We have conducted a retrospective review of the records of 76 paediatric patients seen between 1965 and 1995 to determine management practice and outcome of therapeutic interventions. Seventeen are currently on antithyroid drug (ATD) treatment, while four have had their care transferred. Of the remaining 55, 21 (38%) achieved long-term remission with ATD alone following a mean treatment duration of 3.3 y (range 0.5-7 y). Block-replacement (high dose of ATD with thyroxine replacement) was more convenient than the titration regimen (3.4+/-0.3 visits to hospital per year versus 6.1+/-0.4, p<0.001). Surgery (subtotal/total thyroidectomy) was carried out in 27 patients, of whom 24 subsequently became hypothyroid and were treated with thyroxine. I131 was used successfully in six patients, two following surgery. ATD should remain the first-line therapy; a block-replacement regimen is more convenient. Surgery in a specialized centre carries a low risk. Caution should still be exercised in the use of I131 in young children.