Analysis of paired serum, urine and filter paper blood specimens for presence of filarial antigen by immunoradiometric assay

Paired serum, urine, and finger-prick whole blood dried on filter paper were analyzed by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for filarial antigen using Brugia malayi-specific rabbit antibody. Nine sera and 6 urines from the 10 paired serum-urine samples obtained from individuals with microfilaremia contained IRMA detectable filarial antigen. In contrast, all serum and urine specimens from patients with chronic infections, endemic and non-endemic controls were negative. Whole blood eluted from filter paper spots contained IRMA detectable material; their degree of positivity agreed well with IRMA binding levels obtained with paired urines. Reduced recovery of antigen dried on filter paper was observed at antigen levels less than 10 ng/ml equivalents, presumably due to irreversible absorption onto the filter paper. Urine and finger-prick filter paper blood specimens can be used in the diagnosis of microfilaremic infections that have been associated with circulating antigen in the blood.     

Gastrointestinal teratomas: CT and US appearance with pathologic correlation

Gastrointestinal teratomas are uncommon, benign neoplasms that occur primarily in children. A retrospective review of five cases (two gastric, one pancreatic, one mesenteric, and one in the lesser omentum) is presented with emphasis on the computed tomographic and ultrasonographic appearances. Principal findings are a well-defined mass with separate cystic and solid components of varying proportions, discrete areas with densities similar to that of fat, or coarse, globular calcifications within the solid component. Recognition of these findings may allow the radiologist to make a correct preoperative diagnosis of teratoma.     

Anthropomorphic radiologic phantoms

A technique is being developed for the design and fabrication of anthropomorphic phantoms for diagnostic x-ray imaging. Anatomic information extracted from actual patient radiographs is incorporated into the phantoms using computer image processing and computer-assisted machining methods. In this paper, the technique is described as applied to a breast phantom, and preliminary images that closely mimic human anatomy on radiographs are shown.     

Localization of experimental ventricular myocardial lesions by the electrocardiogram

Electrocardiographic changes were studied in relation to the site of damage in thirty-four cats in which localized ventricular myocardial lesions had been produced by the electric cautery. Monophasic type curves were obtained which were classified as of the T₁ and T₃ types of Parkinson and Bedford. With almost complete consistency lesions in similar sites produced the same type of curve. Lesions on the anterior surface of the left ventricle produced curves of the T₁ type, while those on the posterior surface of the left ventricle, including the apex, yielded the T₃ type. All right ventricular sites, except the base anterior in which only a slight change was induced, gave curves of the T₃ type. At the apex posterior alone were the changes comparable in magnitude with those obtained in the left ventricle. Usually the changes produced were marked in two leads. In some the displacement of the R-T segment was oppositely directed in the remaining lead, while in others no significant deviation was observed in this lead. In a few instances an R-T elevation was present in all three leads but as a rule to a greater extent in one lead. In three experiments, in each of which the lesion was located at the base anterior, depression rather than elevation of the R-T segment occurred.     

Liver transplantation for argininosuccinic aciduria: clinical, biochemical, and metabolic outcome.

We report successful liver transplantation in a young adult with argininosuccinic aciduria but without cirrhosis. Plasma amino acid profile normalized and brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated improved metabolism after transplantation. The general well-being of the patient and his quality of life improved. We suggest that orthotopic liver transplantation should be considered for patients with argininosuccinic aciduria even in the absence of cirrhosis, with the aim of correcting (at least in part) central nervous system metabolism, thereby preventing further neurological deterioration.     

Conus perimedullary arteriovenous fistula in a child: unusual angio-architectural features and pathophysiology

INTRODUCTION: The perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas are located on the pial surface and are usually supplied by spinal medullary arteries, that is, either by the anterior or posterior spinal arteries, with no intervening nidus between the feeder arteries and the venous drainage. The clinical findings are, more commonly, caused by progressive radiculomedullary ischemic processes secondary to steal vascular mechanism. As the vascular supply to the spinal cord and to the arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) is not shared with one another, the vascular steal phenomenon cannot be implicated in this case's physiopathology. Most probably, the mass effect caused by the giant venous dilatation was the pathophysiological mechanism involved in this lesion CASE REPORT: The authors describe the case of a 6-year-old girl with an intradural ventral arteriovenous fistula, with a giant venous dilatation, fed directly by L2 and L3 radiculomedullary arteries at the conus medullaris. There was no arterial supply to the fistula from the anterior or posterior spinal arteries. Selective spinal angiography showed an arteriovenous fistula supplied directly by two radiculomedullary arteries, with a large draining vein caudally. Interposing the arterial and venous vessels was a giant venous aneurysmal dilatation located ventral to the conus medullaris and extending from L3 to T6. The patient was successfully treated by a surgical approach through a laminotomy from L3 to T11. CONCLUSION: The type IV-C spinal arteriovenous malformations or perimedullary AVFs are rare lesions predominately described at the conus medullaris with various types of angio-architecture and controversial treatment.