CT-guided stereotactic brachytherapy in deep-seated malignant gliomas--interstitial irradiation by double-catheter after-loading method

CT-guided stereotactic brachytherapy has been performed for the deep-seated malignant gliomas using the double-catheter after-loading method. The catheter system consists of two coaxial polyethylene tubes with closed tips. The outer catheter is 3.0 mm in outer diameter and 2.4 mm in inner diameter. The inner catheter is 2.0 mm in outside diameter and 1.4 mm in inside diameter, and contains the radioactive sources. Localization of the target volume is determined by the preoperative findings of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebral angiography. Dosimetry and dose planning are so finalized for the target volume as to be irradiated interstitially more than tumoricidal dose. After stereotactic biopsy of the deep-seated brain tumors, stereotactic implantation of the outer catheters is performed using Iseki Stereotactic System in the CT room. Burr holes had been previously opened in the operating room. The inner catheters containing nonradioactive sources (dummy sources) are inserted, and skull X-p is taken to confirm the position of the dummy sources, and to calculate the dosimetry by computer. The inner catheters are replaced with catheters containing radioactive sources (226Ra) in the irradiation room. 226Ra sources deliver at least 500 rads/day (approximately 20 rads/hr) to the target volume as interstitial irradiation. Two patients of malignant gliomas treated with this procedure were shown as representative cases. These patients underwent CT-guided stereotactic brachytherapy as "boost" combined with conventional external irradiation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Risk of insomnia and hypnotics use among emergency physicians

This study investigated the risk of insomnia and hypnotics use among emergency physicians. This cross-sectional study recruited physicians working in Taiwanese hospitals in 2015 and the general population as the participants. Data from 1,097 emergency physicians obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database were grouped into the case group, whereas 14,112 nonemergency physicians and 4,388 people from the general population were categorized into the control groups. This study used logistic regression and conditional logistic regression to compare the risks of insomnia between emergency and nonemergency physicians and between emergency physicians and the general population, respectively. The prevalence of insomnia among emergency physicians, nonemergency physicians and general population was 5.56%, 4.08%, and 1.73%, respectively. Compared with nonemergency physicians and the general population, emergency physicians had a significantly higher risk of insomnia. The proportions of emergency physicians, nonemergency physicians, and general population using hypnotics were 19.96%, 18.24%, and 13.26%, respectively. Among emergency physicians who used hypnotics, 49.77%, 25.57%, and 24.66% used only benzodiazepines, only nonbenzodiazepines, and both benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines, respectively. Nonpharmacological interventions to improve insomnia and reminder of safe use of hypnotics to emergency physicians can serve as references for hospitals in developing health-promoting activities.     

SALMONELLA BACTERAEMIA OCCURRING CONCURRENTLY WITH THE FIRST PRESENTATION OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

There is increasing recognition of the association between Salmonellainfections and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However,these infections have usually occurred in patients with establishedSLE who were receiving immunosuppressive therapy. We describetwo young women with previously undiagnosed SLE who developedSalmonella bacteraemia. Neither of these patients had receivedimmunosuppressive drugs. From these and two previously reportedpatients, it may be concluded that SLE per se is likely to beassociated with a defect in host defences to Salmonella bacteria. KEY WORDS: SLE, Non-typhoid Salmonella, Septicaemia     

Proteus syndrome

Abstract: This female Asian (Malay) baby had clinical features of Proteus syndrome. She had a large right facial lipolymphangioma with hyperpigmentation of the overlying skin. There was a smaller lymphangioma over the left side of her neck with excess nuchal folds, macrodactyly and bilateral talipes equinovarus. Despite the extensive hemifacial swelling, there was no evidence of upper respiratory tract obstruction. Generalized seizures developed on the sixth day of life which were controlled with phenobarbital. The lymphangiomas were excised without recurrence.     

早期清创缝合后不使用抗生素的临床分析

目的研究早期清创缝合后不预防性地使用抗生素对创口的影响。方法我科自2004年1月至2005年6月有选择性地对50例皮肤软组织挫裂伤进行了急诊清创缝合,术后未给予抗生素,并连续观察伤口的变化。结果本组所有伤口均未发生感染。结论早期清创及规范的清创缝合术后可以不必预防性地使用抗生素。     

氯胺酮麻醉前不同时间肌内注射阿托品对小儿呼吸道的影响

目的探讨氯胺酮麻醉前不同时间肌内注射阿托品对小儿呼吸道的影响。方法将2012年1月至2013年6月在廊坊市第四人民医院住院的100例患儿按随机数字表法分为两组:A组(50例)于氯胺酮麻醉前30~60 min肌内注射阿托品(0.02 mg/kg),B组(50例)阿托品(0.02 mg/kg)与氯胺酮同时间肌内注射。两组患儿均于氯胺酮肌内注射2~4 min后入室准备手术,术中观察记录两组患儿呼吸道和肺部的听诊变化及脉搏血氧饱和度(Sp O2)变化。结果 A组Ⅰ级(即呼吸道未受影响)44例,Ⅱ级以上(即呼吸道受到不同程度影响)6例,阳性率为12%(6/50);B组Ⅰ级33例,Ⅱ级以上17例,阳性率为34%(17∕50)。两组患儿呼吸道受影响程度的比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论小儿氯胺酮麻醉前30 min肌内注射阿托品,能有效降低氯胺酮对患儿呼吸道的影响,提高术中患儿的安全系数。     

Morphology of the Cardiac Conduction System in Patientswith Electrophysiologically Proven Dual Atrioventricular Nodal Pathways

Conduction System in Dual AV Nodal Pathways. Introduction: Although the electrophysiologic criteria for dual atrioventricular nodal pathways are well established, the anatomical substrate is still unclear.
Methods and Results: We examined the hearts from 10 patients who had been studied electrophysiologically prior to cardiac transplantation. All 10 patients were male, aged 22 to 60years. Nine of the 10 patients had dual atrioventricular nodal pathways according to acceptedcriteria. Histologic studies of the atrioventricular conduction system showed normal structureof the atrioventricular node in all 10 hearts, with minor variations within the node in 3 cases, within the penetrating bundle in 3 cases, and within the nonbranching bundle in 3 cases. Theatrial approaches to the atrioventricular node were generally scanty in 6 hearts. The solitarycase that was shown electrophysiologically to lack dual pathways had no obvious difference inthe structure of the nodal area other than sparsity of transitional cells. We were unable tolocate any extranodal atrial tracts as described by other investigators.
Conclusion: The anatomical substrate for conduction over dual pathways may he too subtleto be detected by gross morphologic studies. Since dual pathways were unmasked in allpatients but one during electrophysiologic studies, it may be that the potential for these pathways is ubiquitous.     

CLINICAL,PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN A CASE OF PROGRESSIVE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM DEGENERATION ASSOCIATED WITH HOLMES-ADIE SYNDROME AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

The case history is reported of a woman aged 40 years who presented with weight loss, postural hypotension and paræsthesia in the hands and feet. The diagnosis of widespread autonomic nervous system degeneration with associated peripheral neuropathy and Holmes-Adie syndrome was made from the results of a series of clinical and physiological tests. Laboratory investigation failed to disclose a cause for the degenerative changes, and symptomatic treatment with 9-alpha fluorohydrocortisone and digitalis was commenced in an effort to combat the patient's postural hypotension. On this régime there was transient improvement in her clinical state, but over a period of six months her general condition gradually deteriorated and she eventually died. At autopsy, widespread amyloid infiltration of the sympathetic ganglia, peripheral nerves, heart and alimentary canal was found, and this appears to have been the pathological basis for the clinical and physiological findings.