Effect of acupuncture on respiratory mechanisms in patients with bronchial asthma

Simultaneous recording of the spirogram, pneumotachogram and transpulmonary pressure as well as total plethysmography were applied in 30 patients with bronchial asthma to study the respiratory ventilation and mechanism before and after single procedures of acupuncture. The bronchodilatory action of acupuncture has been proved, related, in particular, with a significant decrease of non-elastic resistance of the lungs. At the same time pronounced changes in the elastic resistance were noted. However, they appeared to be of different directions. The improvement of ventilatory function was determined not only by a decrease in the intrapulmonary resistance but also by shifts in respiratory regulation and in the activity of the respiratory musculature, confirmed by an analysis of the curves of the respiratory work obtained before and after acupuncture. The curative action of acupuncture in bronchial asthma cannot be adequately explained by the placebo effect.     

Diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma of the thoracic spine--differential diagnostic difficulties

Spinal Ewing's sarcomas are rare and cause problems in differential diagnosis. The radiologic, nuclear medicine and CT findings in two children with histologically proven Ewing's sarcoma are presented and problems in differential diagnosis discussed. Biopsy should be done early.     

Histology of port wine stains after copper vapour laser treatment

We report histological changes in four patients with port wine stains treated with 578 nm yellow light from a high power copper vapour laser. Histology showed that selective damage occurred to the ectatic blood-vessels in the dermis, without haemorrhage and damage to non-vascular structures, and without scarring. The initial damage to the overlying epidermis was not permanent, and the damaged ectatic vessels returned to normal size or were completely necrosed and replaced by collagen.     

The place of colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis in inflammatory bowel disease

The present status of total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis in the surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease is examined. Special reference is made to the different indications for the use of the operation in Crohn's disease and in ulcerative colitis. The late results are illustrated by the outcome in the 59 patients in a personal series, and other published results.     

Controlled study of haloperidol, pimozide and placebo for the treatment of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome

The results of this controlled study of the treatment of 57 patients with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome suggested that both haloperidol and pimozide were more effective than placebo, but that haloperidol was slightly more effective than pimozide. Adverse effects occurred more frequently with haloperidol vs placebo than with pimozide vs placebo, but the frequency was not significantly different for haloperidol compared with pimozide. Clinically significant cardiac effects did not occur at a maximum dosage of 0.3 mg/kg or 20 mg/d for pimozide and 10 mg/d for haloperidol. However, the QTc interval was prolonged during pimozide treatment compared with that during haloperidol treatment, although the values for both medications were not in an abnormal range.     

Chronic myopathy with a partial deficiency of the carnitine palmityltransferase enzyme

To date, chronic myopathy has not been reported (to our knowledge) to occur in carnitine palmityltransferase (CPT) deficiency, a disorder of muscle lipid metabolism. We describe two patients with CPT deficiency: a mother, who had a partial CPT deficiency associated with fixed proximal weakness but without rhabdomyolysis, and her son, who had a complete CPT deficiency (95% reduction in enzyme activity) and who suffered from classic attacks of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis but had normal strength on recovery. Careful examination of family members of patients with complete CPT deficiency is suggested in order to identify clinically affected heterozygotes.     

Medullary paracoccidioidomycosis: report of a case

Paracoccidioidomycosis of the central nervous system presents either as meningeal or pseudotumoral lesions. Although occurring more frequently in the brain and meninges, they can occasionally involve the spinal cord. A case of paracoccidioidomycosis in the cervical spinal cord is reported in this paper. Difficulties in establishing the etiologic diagnosis, the importance of radiologic examination of the thorax, and the treatment of the patient are commented. In an extensive review of the literature on the subject, only three other cases have been found, which are also discussed.