Central thrombi in pulmonary arterial hypertension detected by MR imaging

Differentiation of thrombi from slow flow in the pulmonary arteries, sometimes observed in the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension, can be equivocal. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in a patient with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism and pulmonary arterial hypertension using an electrocardiographically gated technique that allowed visualization of the pulmonary arteries at the end of diastole and multiple times during systole. These images were compared with those of a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension and those of healthy subjects. Thrombi were discrete structures, seen throughout the cardiac cycle on both the first and second spin-echo images, and decreased in signal intensity on the second image. Slow flow increased in signal intensity and changed in structure during the cardiac cycle and was seen best on the second image. MR may play an important role in excluding large central thrombi as the cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is a noninvasive method for defining pulmonary arterial wall thickness and for direct visualization of chronic pulmonary thrombus.     

Pulmonary manifestations of AIDS: review of 106 episodes

We reviewed the clinical records and chest radiographs of all patients admitted to our institution between 1982 and 1984 who had pulmonary disease and who were later proved to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (95 patients). Diffuse parenchymal lung disease was the most common finding. These infiltrates were usually interstitial and caused by Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia or P. carinii combined with cytomegalovirus infection. Focal, multilobar, interstitial infiltrates were also often seen and usually caused by P. carinii or P. carinii and cytomegalovirus infections. Rarely, well-defined, multiple, interstitial nodules less than 10 mm in diameter were the only or predominant characteristic and were seen only in association with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Cryptococcus neoformans infections or Kaposi sarcoma. Hilar or mediastinal adenopathy occurred in 17 of the 21 patients with M. tuberculosis or C. neoformans infections. In contrast, only 4% of patients with P. carinii infections presented with these findings. We also found that hilar or mediastinal adenopathy was not significantly associated with peripheral adenopathy. Lung cavitation, pleural effusion, or a normal chest radiograph was uncommon.     

Regional block and DVT prophylaxis

The last few years have seen increasing concerns among anaesthetistsabout the risks of pharmacological prophylaxis for thromboembolicdisease. Increased bleeding during or after surgery is one concern,but of greater significance is the possibility of an increasedpredisposition to haematoma formation when regional block isused. Most of the recent consideration of this problem has beenin relation to vertebral canal haematoma formation after centralnerve block. Some thought must be given also to the possibilityof haematoma formation after peripheral techniques when thetarget nerve is deeply placed so that pressure cannot be usedto control bleeding after needle insertion. However, this reviewwill be focused on vertebral canal haematoma.     

Enhanced ridge preservation by bone mineral bound with collagen-binding synthetic oligopeptide: a clinical and histologic study in humans

Background: The ridge‐preservation technique has been applied with membrane alone or membrane plus graft. Synthetic peptides, mimicking bioactive growth factor or extracellular matrix protein, have been attempted to provide an active surface of the biomaterials in inducing bone formation while alleviating the limitations of whole protein such as short half‐life, immunologic responses. The aim of the present clinical study is to examine the osteogenic effect of synthetic oligopeptide–coated bone mineral compared to bone graft without peptide when applied with collagen membrane in a ridge‐preservation technique. Methods: Synthetic oligopeptide from the collagen‐binding domain of osteopontin was chemically synthesized and coated onto the surface of bone mineral particulates. Ridge preservations were performed at 44 extraction sites in 42 patients (20 males and 22 females). Analyses of clinical parameters and histomorphometric evaluations were conducted to compare the osteogenic effects of the grafts between baseline and 6 months. Results: In the bone grafts of the control group treated without synthetic peptide, new bone formation was only seen around borders and basal areas. However, new bone was observed broadly in the defects of the test group treated with synthetic peptide–coated bone mineral, as seen not only at peripheries but also in the central and coronal parts of bone cores in the defects. The average percentage of new bone formation was significantly higher in the test group (5.3% ± 8.3% versus 10.4% ± 4.6%). The contact percentages between the graft particles and the new bone were 8.2% ± 11.3% for the control group and 20.4% ± 7.5% for the test group (P <0.05). Conclusions: The ridge‐preservation approach using synthetic oligopeptide–coated bone mineral with collagen membrane effectively prevented the resorption of hard tissue with higher bone‐to‐graft contact, and the oligopeptide‐coated bone may be a choice for ridge‐preservation procedures while assuring new bone formation.     

Life-threatening complications associated with acute monocytic leukaemia after dental treatment

It is highly recommended to conduct a prophylactic check for any dental problems on patients who suffer from leukaemia before chemotherapy begins. Bacteraemia caused by oral microflora may be very dangerous for patients with haematological malignancies. However, it should be noted that the prophylactic process itself might bring about life-threatening complications if there is only a short interval between dental treatment and the beginning of chemotherapy, or if the dental treatment is too aggressive. We present a case where this prophylactic procedure produced life-threatening complications for a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia.     

Subcutaneous zygomycosis: report of 10 cases from two institutions in North India

Background Subcutaneous zygomycosis is an uncommon condition observed in tropics. Few series have been published, particularly from the northern regions of India. Objectives The aim of this study was to describe clinical, investigative and therapeutic details in subcutaneous zygomycosis observed in two teaching hospitals in Delhi. Patients and methods Ten patients seen over a period of 10 years (1999–2009) form the material for this report. Results There were four children and six adults. In four children, the presentation was a subcutaneous localized mass or gradually spreading plaque. In the others, it was observed over nasal region of face, spreading inward into mucosal sites and paranasal sinuses, and outward to the contiguous areas. Regional lymphadenopathy was present in two with facial lesions. Majority showed a granulomatous infiltrate with admixture of other cells, mainly eosinophils. Aseptate or poorly septate hyphae were observed in seven. In one patient in whom no hyphae were observed, there was dense perivascular inflammation. Organisms were cultured from four patients, Basidiobolus ranarum in two and Syncephalastrum racemosum in two. The main therapy used was a saturated solution of potassium iodide (KI). Four received only KI of which two attained cure after 3 months and 9 months respectively, and the other two showed signs of regression. In one boy subsidence was associated with reduced circumference of thigh. Ketoconazole or itraconazole was given with KI to hasten regression when response was slow or there were side‐effects to KI. Conclusion Awareness and early recognition will prevent disfigurement produced by advanced disease, misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical intervention.     

Recompression of vertebral body after balloon kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture

The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the factors that affect recompression of operated vertebrae after percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) and assess their clinical importance. PKP has been used for VCFs with satisfactory results. Several studies about subsequent VCFs adjacent to cemented vertebrae have been reported after PKP. However, the presence and significance of recompression of operated vertebrae have not been adequately described. In total, 80 patients treated with PKP for single thoracolumbar VCFs were reviewed. The follow-up period was at least 1 year. Patients were divided into those without recompression (maintained group, n = 70) and those with recompression (recompressed group, n = 10). Plain roentgenography (preoperative, operative, and last), preoperative BMD, and preoperative MRI were checked. Age, gender, T-score in BMD, duration of symptom, compression rate (CR) of VCF, reduction rate, kyphotic angle (KA), reduction angle, intervertebral cleft (IVC), and non-PMMA-endplate-contact (NPEC) were evaluated. To evaluate the clinical results, we checked the VAS score at each follow-up period. All data were analyzed statistically. The CR for the recompressed group increased significantly after surgery and decreased at the last follow-up (p < 0.05). The last CR was not significantly different from the preoperative CR. The KA showed the same pattern. The preoperative, postoperative, and last VAS scores were significantly different from one another in both groups (p < 0.05). Between the groups, preoperative KA, postoperative KA, last KA, IVC, and NPEC were significantly different (p < 0.05). In particular, last KA, IVC, and NPEC showed highly significant differences (p < 0.001). In a correlation test for the evaluated factors, IVC (r = 0.557) and NPEC (r = 0.496) were the most significant. The presence of IVC and NPEC may play an important role in inducing recompression of treated vertebrae after PKP. Careful observation of patients with these conditions is necessary to prevent deterioration of their clinical course.     

高时-空分辨力门控螺旋相位对比MR成像评价先天性心脏病快速血流

目的探讨敏感性编码技术(SENSE)前瞻性门控螺旋相位对比MR检查序列在儿童与成人先天性心脏病检查的可行性。材料与方法当地伦理委员会批准该项研究,所有     

冠状动脉斑块与心肌缺血

目的采用心脏MR(CMR)前瞻性研究冠状动脉斑块对心肌缺血的预测价值。方法 52例行冠状动脉造影(CA)后评定为可疑冠心病(CAD)的病人进行了CMR和