Forced vergence fixation disparity parameters with and without a central fusion lock

The effect of a central fusion lock on forced vergence fixation disparity curve parameters, that is, magnitudes of fixation disparity and associated phoria, curve type and the central slope of the curve, was studied in 84 subjects because of ambiguity in the previous studies. It was found that the magnitudes of exo fixation disparity and exo associated phoria decreased significantly when they were measured with the central fusion lock. The central lock had no noticeable effect on the type of the curve, although, the central slope of the curve was flatter in the presence of the central lock.     

Transient synovitis of the hip in children: role of US

Transient synovitis of the hip remains a common diagnostic problem for the clinician. The physical signs are not pathognomonic of the condition, and the classic technical examinations are of little help. Therefore, the authors retrospectively studied the value of hip arthrosonography in 46 children with clinical symptoms suggesting pathologic hip conditions. In 20 of the 21 patients with a final diagnosis of transient synovitis, articular effusion was detected on ultrasound (US). Conventional radiography showed an increased medial joint space in only eight of these patients. Increased echogenicity of the articular fluid was found in both transient synovitis and septic arthritis. The high sensitivity of US in detecting intraarticular fluid was demonstrated by cadaver studies.     

The use of a respiratory regulator in the combined therapy of obstructive lung diseases

The authors review a method for the treatment of patients suffering from nonspecific pulmonary diseases associated with the obstructive syndrome by means of a respiratory regulator which permits the building of positive pressure of 2-4 cm H2O throughout expiration. External respiration, gas exchange and hemodynamics were explored in 30 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis and in 30 patients with bronchial asthma treated by the respiratory regulator. There were clinical and functional data indicating the lowering of bronchial obstruction: an increase of the lung capacities, improvement of the velocity indicators, and improvement of the ventilation-perfusion correlations in the lungs.     

Thoracic outlet syndrome: evaluation with CT

Diagnosis of the thoracic outlet syndrome is often difficult, particularly in patients without osseous abnormalities on plain radiographs. The radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) findings were reviewed from 27 patients with thoracic outlet syndrome and 21 normal subjects. The plain radiographs and CT scans were assessed by two independent observers without awareness of the clinical history. Fifteen patients with thoracic outlet syndrome had osseous abnormalities (anomalous cervical ribs; abnormally long, drooping C-7 transverse processes) identifiable on plain radiographs. CT did not provide further diagnostic information in the patients with abnormal radiographs. Eight of 12 patients (66%) with normal plain radiographs had abnormal findings on CT scans, consisting of impingement of the C-7 transverse process on the scalene triangle or anteromedial aspect of the middle scalene muscle. Only two of 21 control patients (9.5%) displayed this CT abnormality (P less than .01). CT may be useful in patients with symptoms suggestive of thoracic outlet syndrome and no osseous abnormalities on plain radiographs.