Injuries from sea urchins.

Injuries from sea urchins result from penetration of the calcareous spines into the skin. Local pain of several days' duration is the most common symptom, but systemic reaction from toxins found in certain species can occur. There is no uniformly accepted successful treatment other than cleansing the wound. Attempts to remove the imbedded spines can increase the severity of the reaction.     

Results of hepatic lobectomy for primary epithelial cancer in 31 adults.

Hepatic lobectomy for primary epithelial cancer was performed in 31 adults from 1964 through 1977 in the surgical departments of six Scandinavian hospitals. Twenty-three patients were discharged and had a 2 year survival rate of 62 per cent and a 5 year survival rate of 16 per cent. Alternatives to surgery have not yet emerged. Further progress requires centralization.     

The fibrous proteins in various types of ichthyosis.

The stratum corneum of individuals with ichthyosis vulgaris, sex-linked ichthyosis, lamellar ichthyosis, and epidermolytic hyperkeratosis has been studied. An alpha x-ray diffraction pattern has been observed in all specimens and the solubility of the alpha fibrous proteins appears to be the same as in normal stratum corneum. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide electrophoresis of the fibrous proteins showed variable patterns within the different types of ichthyosis, while amino acid analyses of the proteins were quite similar to those from normal stratum corneum. These data suggest that the fibrous proteins in the ichthyosis are not abnormal, but further studies on the individual polypeptide chains are necessary to rule out more subtle differences.     

Transthoracic suturing of bleeding esophageal varices without esophagotomy. Preliminary report.

Suturing of bleeding esophageal varices by transthoracic esophagotomy is frequently followed by leakage in the suture line. To avoid this complication we suggest transesophageal suturing without esophagotomy. The technique was evaluated in five normal pigs and applied to two patients with bleeding esophageal varices. Esophagus both in the pigs and the patients tolerated the procedure well and the bleeding from the esophageal varices stopped. We suggest application of this procedure for bleeding esophageal varices instead of emergency portocaval shunt operation.     

Ultra-high-strip-density radiographic grids: a new antiscatter technique for mammography

We conducted a comprehensive study on the application of ultra-high-strip-density (UHSD) grids to mammography for the improvement of image contrast. These UHSD grids have strip densities of 70 to 100 lines/cm. After investigating the performance of mammographic grids with various design parameters through Monte Carlo simulation studies, we made prototypes of UHSD grids having lead strip thicknesses of 20 to 37 micron, aluminum interspacer thicknesses of 80 to 120 micron, and grid ratios of 2 to 6. The UHSD grids can be placed inside the cassette without a Bucky tray and thus will not increase geometric unsharpness. The measured physical characteristics and the phantom images obtained confirmed our findings in the simulation studies. A 40 to 90% increase in contrast was achieved at Bucky factors of 2 to 3.5; these results are comparable with those from conventional antiscatter grid techniques in mammography. The potential usefulness of the UHSD grids was demonstrated in a preliminary clinical comparison of mammograms.