Localization of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow using new stimulator for the inching test.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the TenElectrodes, a new stimulator for inching test, in the diagnosis and localization of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). METHODS: Sixty-two ulnar nerves in 40 control subjects and 24 ulnar nerves in 23 patients with typical symptoms and signs of UNE were studied. The inching test of ulnar motor nerve using TenElectrodes was done along 8 cm across the elbow in the extended position. RESULTS: In the inching test of the control group, the mean segmental latency difference was 0.19+/-0.08 ms. Maximal latency difference over a 1 cm segment did not exceed 0.40 ms in any of the controls but exceeded 0.5 ms or more in all clinical UNE patients. In all UNE patients, the lesion sites were identified by the inching test using TenElectrodes: the retroepicondylar groove (54.2%), the humeroulnar arcade (29.2%), and dual compression (16.6%). CONCLUSIONS: TenElectrodes is a useful stimulator for the inching test in the diagnosis of UNE. The precise localization of compression was possible in all patients with UNE and the most common site was the retroepicondylar groove.     

Retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from olfactory neuroblastoma: a report of two cases

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare, malignant neoplasm arising from the olfactory epithelium. It has an aggressive biological behavior that is characterized by local recurrence, atypical distant metastasis, and poor long-term prognosis. The incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis in olfactory neuroblastoma is variable, and treatment modalities are controversial. Moreover, few reports have been published concerning retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from olfactory neuroblastoma. We present two cases of olfactory neuroblastoma with retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis. In addition, we provided a review of the current literature regarding olfactory neuroblastoma and retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from olfactory neuroblastoma.     

Pharmacological evidence, using in vivo dialysis, that substances additional to ascorbic acid, uric acid and homovanillic acid contribute to the voltammetric signals obtained in unrestrained rats from chronically implanted carbon paste electrodes

In vivo voltammetry at chronically implanted carbon paste electrodes in unrestrained rats is a particularly useful technique for evaluating neurochemical changes during spontaneous behaviour, or behaviour under experimental control. A 3 peak signal is observed in the striatum; most recently the consensus view has attributed these peaks to ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in ascending order of oxidation potential. We have used a pharmacological approach, combined with in vivo dialysis, to further elucidate the nature of the contributing species. Allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, and thus of uric acid production, has previously been reported to abolish peak 2. We now report, using dialysis, that it selectively depletes UA in the extracellular fluid (ECF). Pargyline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, reduces peak 3 transiently (max. 60%) as expected, however it results in a more sustained reduction in ECF HVA (max. 100%). It also increases peak 1 (max. 75%) and decreases peak 2 (max. 40%), although changes in ECF AA and UA measured by dialysis and HPLC are minimal. Pargyline does however reduce ECF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid by 65%. We conclude that, using linear sweep voltammetry at chronically implanted paste electrodes: (a) one or more substances in addition to AA can contribute to peak 1; dopamine can do so in some situations; (b) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, as well as UA, contributes to peak 2; its contribution is about one third that of the latter; and (c) one or more substances in addition to HVA can contribute to peak 3. 3-Methoxytyramine can do so. Since this is another methylated metabolite of dopamine, this does not prevent the use of peak 3 as an index of dopamine metabolism, and may extend its usefulness to situations where monoamine oxidase is inhibited.     

Cyclosporin-A nephrotoxicity and acute cellular rejection in renal transplant recipients: correlation between radionuclide and histologic findings

Serial radionuclide studies using both Tc-99m DTPA (perfusion) and I-131 hippuran (tubular function) were correlated with histologic findings in 25 patients with renal transplants. These cases included 15 cases of cyclosporin-A nephrotoxicity (CsA-NT) and ten cases of acute cellular rejection that were retrospectively selected on the basis of biopsy findings and favorable clinical response to therapy specific for each of these conditions. The serial radionuclide studies enabled the correct diagnosis in 12 of 15 cases of CsA-NT and eight of ten cases of acute rejection. Posttherapy radionuclide studies, furthermore, demonstrated improvement consistent with clinical response. In all cases, the radionuclide results were available at least 24 hours before biopsy findings. These results indicate that serial radionuclide studies evaluating interval changes in both perfusion and tubular function are of significant value in the diagnosis and follow-up of CsA-NT and acute cellular rejection in transplant recipients. This initial experience suggests a sensitivity of 80%.     

Polymorphonuclear leucocyte motility in patients with severe burns

Chemotaxis, chemokinesis and cellular orientation were measured for unstimulated and 10(-7) n-formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (F-met-leu-phe) stimulated polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNS) of nine patients with recent 10-80 per cent burns using a computer-assisted image analysis technique. The technique records PMN movement, as viewed with a phase-contrast microscope on videotapes, and then uses computer programs to calculate the speed and direction of up to 50 PMNS over a 5-min period. Orientation was determined visually. Cellular adherence was also measured by attachment methods. PMNS from burn patients were slower (av. speed 16.8 microns/min), responded less well to F-met-leu-phe (av. speed 20.9 microns/min, av. McCutcheon index 0.32), were less often oriented towards the chemoattractant (av. 39 per cent) and were more adherent (av. 50 per cent) than control cells (av. speed 21.8 microns/min; av. speed F-met-leu-phe 32.2 microns/min; McCutcheon index 0.61; oriented 59 per cent adherent; 16 per cent). Thus PMNS from burn patients orient less well, are significantly slower and have less directionality in response to a chemoattractant, and are more adherent suggesting activation.     

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome terminating as disseminated T-cell lymphoma

The authors describe a case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) terminated as a T-cell lymphoma in a 3-year-old girl. The clinical course was chronic and characterized by chronic eczema, persistent peripheral blood eosinophilia, organomegaly, interstitial lung change, and pericarditis. Postmortem examination demonstrated a disseminated T-cell lymphoma involving the inguinal lymph node, liver, lung, and kidney. The findings of the current case suggest a possibility that certain abnormalities in this case of idiopathic HES per se may have triggered the development of malignant lymphoma, and it may represent a transition of idiopathic HES into a T-cell lymphoma. Other possible sequences are discussed. The development of T-cell malignancy in idiopathic HES in a girl is quite an unusual presentation.