Cancer patterns in Jordan 1975-1979

A total of 3,604 primary malignant tumours diagnosed histologically at the Departments of Pathology in Jordan during the period 1975-1979 were analysed. The relative frequency by age, sex and site of these tumours and age-standardised incidence rate are presented. Truncated standardised incidence rates for selected tumours were compared in Jordan and other countries. Except for the urinary bladder tumours, there is a striking resemblance between Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries in the pattern of tumour-occurrence in most sites. Skin malignancies are the dominant tumours in the general and male population, breast in female population and lymphomas in children. Noteworthy are the histologically advanced bladder cancers and the relatively young females affected by breast cancer at first diagnosis. Childhood tumours comprised 7.4% of the total cancers in the present study.     

Renal growth after neonatal urinary tract infection

This study presents the result of 12–21 years' follow-up in a group of children with neonatal urinary tract infection (onset within 1 month after birth) in whom early renal growth retardation was noted without concomitant classical renal scarring. In all cases the neonatal infection was diagnosed and treated within a few days of onset and the patients were closely supervised thereafter. Renal length, parenchymal thickness and area were measured at urography. At first follow-up (22 children, mean age 4.1 years) a significant reduction of renal parenchymal thickness was noted. Long-term follow-up (18 patients, mean age 17 years) demonstrated a normalization of renal size in the entire group, although less complete in the subgroup with reflux. There were two major findings in the present study. Firstly, renal growth retardation was seen after neonatal infection, both with and without reflux. Secondly, normalization of renal size in previously small kidneys was demonstrated, suggesting that growth retardation can be a reversible phenomenon. The tendency for such normalization was slightly more marked in children without reflux. Reduction of parenchymal thickness without calyceal deformity, therefore, does not necessarily mean irreversible damage, and differentiation between permanent scarring and temporary growth retardation can thus only be made at later follow-up, possibly not until after puberty. The demonstration of renal growth retardation in spite of early diagnosis and treatment emphasizes the great vulnerability of the kidney in the newborn.     

Chylothorax after high translumbar aortography

Chlothorax is a rare complication of high translumbar aortography and a case is described here.     

Surgical revision of biliopancreatic diversion

Biliopancreatic diversion is a very effective method for weight reduction. In some instances it is too effective and needs to be revised.     

Cutaneous nerves in patients with diabetic neuropathy--an electron microscopic study

Since the role of cutaneous nerves in the pathogenesis of cutaneous diseases associated with diabetes mellitus is not well defined, cutaneous nerves in ten patients with severe diabetic neuropathy were electron microscopically investigated as a preliminary study. The specimens were taken from normal-appearing skin of their lower extremities. Cutaneous nerves were seen as axon-Schwann cell complexes in which variously degenerated axons and Schwann cells coexisted with normal ones. The degenerative changes were not, however, specific for diabetes mellitus.     

Body size, fatness, and leanness of Mexican American children in Brownsville, Texas: changes between 1972 and 1983.

Changes in the height, weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold, and arm and estimated midarm muscle circumferences in lower socioeconomic Mexican American children, 6 through 17 years of age, from Brownsville, Texas, were documented on the basis of surveys done in 1972 and 1983. With the exception of height in youths ages 14-17, all parameters show gains at most ages, and in particular an increase in fatness. Brownsville Mexican American youth are similar in height, weight, and the body mass index to Mexican American youth in other areas of Texas. These trends confirm the large proportion of relatively short but heavy children among Mexican Americans.