Venous air embolization as a complication of pressure injection of contrast media: CT findings

Pressurized contrast medium infusion for CT carries a risk of potentially fatal air embolization if improperly or carelessly administered. Two cases of intracardiac air embolization and three cases of subclavian venous air due to faulty contrast medium administration have been seen by the authors during a 2 year period.     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-like material in human retina

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-like material was found in human retina obtained at autopsy from eyes used for corneal grafts. The TRH-like material was extracted with methanol and was found to be indistinguishable from synthetic TRH in its immunoreactivity and bioreactivity and in its proteolytic degradation by fresh human serum. The TRH concentration in human retina was similar to that reported in human cerebral cortex. These data are in keeping with the notion that the retina is an extension of the central nervous system. The physiological function of human retinal TRH in unknown: probably it acts as a neurotransmitter.     

Effects of hydrocortisone on the development in vitro of the secondary palate in two inbred strains of mice

In organ culture, hydrocortisone in a low concentration significantly retarded palatal development in mice of strain A (susceptible to cortisone-induced cleft palate in vivo), but not in the resistant strain CBA at the same morphological stage of development. The duration of closure was dependent on the developmental stages of the palates at the start of cultivation, palates of younger embryos closing more slowly. These results suggest a strain difference in tissue response to hydrocortisone. It is concluded that the rate of palatal development is not the sole factor determining the genetic differences in hydrocortisone sensitivity and that differences in the metabolism of the teratogen should be considered.     

SCHOOL NURSING FOR THE 70''S

"To face tomorrow with the thought of using the methods of yesterday is to envision life at a standstill. To keep ahead each one of us, no matter what his task, must search for new and better methods — for even that which we now do well, must be done better tomorrow."     

Naloxone as Narcotic Antagonist after Balanced Anaesthesia

Different modes of naloxone administration were studied in 100 patients following N2O-O2-relaxant anaesthesia, where fentanyl was administered for analgesia according to a standardized dose schedule (mean 4.3 microgram/kg/h). After reversal of muscular relaxation, the patients were randomly given naloxone--either 1.0 or 2.5 microgram/kg i.v. or 2.5 or 5.0 microgram/kg i.m., or none (control). Each group consisted of 20 patients. Awakening was fastest after 2.5 microgram/kg i.v. of naloxone (1.8 +/- 0.1 min), the time being significantly shorter (P less than 0.025) than in the control group (2.7 +/- 0.4 min). After 15 min, the minute volume and frequency of respiration were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in all naloxone groups than in the control group. However, the arterialized venous PCO2 did not show significant differences during the recovery. It is therefore suggested that naloxone reversal may cause an increase in CO2 production. The immediate postoperative pain (score 0-3) was mildest in the control group (1.0 mean) and severest after 2.5 microgram/kg i.v. of naloxone (1.8 mean); the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). The groups receiving 1.0 microgram/kg i.v. and 2.5 microgram/kg i.m. did not differ from each other (1.2 mean). Nausea and vomiting were reported more often after 5.0 microgram/kg im. of naloxone than in other groups. After moderate doses of fentanyl during balanced anaesthesia, routine use of naloxone does not seem to be necessary, but if rapid recovery is essential, 1.0 microgram/kg i.v. or 2.5 microgram/kg i.m. of naloxone may be recommended and these doses do not cause a higher incidence of side effects.