Gated MR imaging of left atrial myxomas

Two cases of left atrial myxoma were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In both cases, the myxoma was clearly defined as to its location, origin, and size. In one case, the myxoma prolapsed through the mitral valve. Our study indicates that MR imaging is valuable in the diagnosis of myxomas.     

A Phase I Study of Weekly Cisplatin and Whole Abdominal Radiation for the Treatment of Stage III and IV Endometrial Carcinoma: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Pilot Study

A Gynecologic Oncology Group Phase I study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of whole abdominal radiation therapy with concurrent weekly cisplatin in patients with surgical International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage III and IV endometrial carcinoma. Cisplatin 15 mg/m²was given once weekly during radiation therapy to the whole abdomen with a pelvic boost and optional para-aortic radiation. All eight patients received the prescribed dose of radiation therapy. Cisplatin chemotherapy was halted in one patient due to increased serum creatinine after three cycles. Acute adverse effects were within acceptable limits, with one patient admitted to the hospital after completion of treatment for diarrhea. Hematopoietic toxicity was clinically unimportant. Serious late toxicities included one radiation enteritis requiring a bowel resection and chylous ascites in one patient. There was no late renal damage reported. This regimen appears to be tolerated acutely and the late toxicities were similar to those seen with whole abdominal radiation therapy alone.     

Generalization of treatment effects following masturbatory training with erotic stimuli

Three married women were treated for situational orgasmic dysfunction in a laboratory-clinic through masturbatory training with erotic stimulation. Rate of orgasm was monitored via heart rate and verbal report. Treatment resulted in improved ability to attain orgasm by self-masturbation in the clinic and home. Husbands could not consistently stimulate their wives to orgasm until successive approximation programming with the couples was completed. This effect reportedly generalized from clinic to home and from masturbation to coitus. Follow-ups at two and six month intervals indicated maintenance of treatment effects.     

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease on the Navajo reservation, 1962-77.

The occurrence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among Navajos was ascertained for the period from 1962 through 1977 by means of hospital discharge diagnoses and patients'' charts. The annualized attack rate for ARF was 12.4 per 100,000 population, with no clear evidence of an overall secular trend. The proportion of recurrences (19.6 percent) and clinical features were similar to those reported elsewhere, but no seasonal variation in attack rates was noted. Between 1962-71 and 1972-77, the age of RHD patients increased, suggesting few newly diagnosed cases and the aging of known patients. A streptococcal disease control program was instituted in many Navajo elementary schools before 1975. In the program, throat cultures were performed routinely for some asymptomatic children and for all symptomatic children. During the subsequent 3 years, ARF rates declined from 13.5 to 8.2 per 100,000 in areas covered by the program, while in the noncovered areas the rates showed little change-9.5 to 10.1 per 100,000.