Is phenytoin contraindicated in patients receiving cranial irradiation ?

Three recent publications have reported the development of erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome in patients receiving cranial irradiation and sodium phenytoin. Some authors have recommended that patients receiving whole brain radiation therapy and who have had seizures should not be prescribed phenytoin but an alternative anticonvulsant. This article reviews the current literature pertaining to the development of this potentially lethal complication in patients receiving whole brain radiation and phenytoin, with reference to the single recorded case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in a patient receiving cranial irradiation and phenytoin in Auckland, New Zealand. While the clinical picture in the 16 patients reported in the literature and the current case report differed from the classical form of erythema multiforme, a similar pattern of presentation and outcome appeared in all patients reviewed, suggesting that the combination of phenytoin, cranial irradiation and the gradual reduction of concomitant steroids seem to lead to the development of erythema multiforme and/or Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The data presented, although sparse, suggest that phenytoin should not be prescribed in patients receiving cranial irradiation.     

Colonic ulcers accompanying collagenous colitis: implication of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

OBJECTIVES: A small minority of otherwise typical collagenous colitis (CC) patients also have mucosal ulceration (CC-U). We studied the association of CC-U cases with ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a possible explanation for the mucosal ulceration. METHODS: Clinical information and histological features were reviewed in nine cases of biopsy-diagnosed CC-U. Biopsies from 18 unselected cases of CC without ulceration were reviewed for comparison. RESULTS:Of nine patients with CC-U, seven (77.8%) had a history of NSAID ingestion, compared with four of 18 CC controls (20.2%) (p = 0.006). The diarrhea resolved after cessation of NSAID use in four CC-U patients, partially resolved in one patient, and persisted in one patient. The outcome was not available in one patient. Of the two CC-U patients who did not use NSAIDs, one patient was taking lisinopril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), and the diarrhea resolved after stopping the drug; the ulceration in the second patient was thought to be ischemic in origin. CONCLUSIONS: Collagenous colitis with ulceration has a strong association with NSAID ingestion. Evaluation of medications and cessation of NSAIDs should be considered as a therapeutic option in cases of collagenous colitis with colonic ulceration.     

Primary hepatic angiosarcoma: findings at CT and MR imaging

PURPOSE: To evaluate and describe cross-sectional imaging findings in patients with pathologically confirmed primary hepatic angiosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Findings from imaging examinations in 13 patients with pathologically confirmed primary hepatic angiosarcoma were retrospectively reviewed (computed tomographic [CT] images obtained in 10 patients and magnetic resonance [MR] images obtained in five patients were available for review). Two gastrointestinal radiologists evaluated lesion number, size, attenuation and signal intensity characteristics, and the pattern and degree of contrast material enhancement. Medical records were reviewed for clinical features associated with angiosarcoma. RESULTS: Angiosarcoma appeared as multiple nodules (n = 6), as dominant masses (n = 6), or as a diffusely infiltrating lesion (n = 1). Multiple nodules were hypoattenuating at unenhanced and contrast material--enhanced CT (six of six patients). When dominant masses were encountered at MR imaging, T2-weighted MR imaging demonstrated heterogeneous internal architecture (four of four patients) similar to that of hepatocellular carcinoma. Multiphase contrast-enhanced CT and MR images showed dominant masses to have heterogeneous and progressive enhancement (three of three patients). Clinical features associated with angiosarcoma included splenic metastases (six of 13 patients), thrombocytopenia (seven of 13 patients), disseminated intravascular coagulation (four of 13 patients), and hemolytic anemia (three of 13 patients). CONCLUSION: Primary hepatic angiosarcoma exhibits a spectrum of appearances that reflect its varied pathologic features.     

氨溴索治疗小儿毛细支气管炎77例

1临床资料2002-01／2004-02收治临床症状典型且无并发症毛细支气管炎患儿116例，发病年龄3-24(平均8．4)mo，男61例，女55例，按就诊时间顺序分为氨溴索雾化吸入组(观察组)、氨溴索静脉点滴组(对照Ⅰ组)和常规治疗组(对照Ⅱ组)，分别为38，39，39例．常规治疗组给予头孢噻肟钠50mg／kg，2／d及穿琥宁80-120mg／d分别静脉滴注及对症治疗(如吸氧、镇静、退热等处理)；观察组在常规治疗的基础上加用氨溴索4mg加生理盐水10mL超声雾化吸入10～15min，2／d；     

Immunohistochemistry versus microsatellite instability testing in phenotyping colorectal tumors.

PURPOSE: To compare microsatellite instability (MSI) testing with immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Colorectal cancers from 1,144 patients were assessed for DNA mismatch repair deficiency by two methods: MSI testing and IHC detection of hMLH1 and hMSH2 gene products. High-frequency MSI (MSI-H) was defined as more than 30% instability of at least five markers; low-level MSI (MSI-L) was defined as 1% to 29% of loci unstable. RESULTS: Of 1,144 tumors tested, 818 showed intact expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2. Of these, 680 were microsatellite stable (MSS), 27 were MSI-H, and 111 were MSI-L. In all, 228 tumors showed absence of hMLH1 expression and 98 showed absence of hMSH2 expression: all were MSI-H. CONCLUSION: IHC in colorectal tumors for protein products hMLH1 and hMSH2 provides a rapid, cost-effective, sensitive (92.3%), and extremely specific (100%) method for screening for DNA mismatch repair defects. The predictive value of normal IHC for an MSS/MSI-L phenotype was 96.7%, and the predictive value of abnormal IHC was 100% for an MSI-H phenotype. Testing strategies must take into account acceptability of missing some cases of MSI-H tumors if only IHC is performed.     

Airway and body surface sensors for triggering in neonatal ventilation

Failure of neonatal patient triggered ventilation may reflect a delay in delivery of flow relative to the inspiratory effort of the infant. Transmission of diaphragmatic contraction to the sensor site (patient delay) and further transmission to and within the sensing device (device delay) both contribute to the delay in triggering. Patient and device delays were studied for different sensing systems in 36 infants, 24 of whom were intubated. Device delay was long (<40 ms) with a conventional apnoea monitor compared with sensors placed at the airway opening (2 ms), the inspiratory (12 ms) and expiratory (3 ms) pressure transducers of the ventilator, the Graseby capsule (8 ms), strain gauges (3 ms) and oesophageal pressure (6 ms). In near normal infants, the sum of patient and device delays for the latter sensors was less than 20 ms and a minor component of the total delay. However, in severe lung disease the total delay may be more than 100ms even for airway sensors.     

Outcome of untreated grade II rejection on solitary pancreas allograft biopsy specimens

BACKGROUND: The most widely used grading scheme for acute pancreas allograft rejection grades biopsy specimens from 0 (normal) to V (severe rejection). Although the more advanced grades correlate strongly with immunologic graft loss, it is unclear how lesser grades impact graft outcome. The authors therefore report the outcomes of untreated grade II (minimal) rejection of solitary pancreas biopsy specimens. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed all solitary pancreas transplants performed at the Mayo Clinic between January 2001 and November 2002. The authors selected all patients who were found with grade II findings on biopsy. Whether patients underwent follow-up biopsies, what the results were, and graft survival at the end of the study period were then determined. RESULTS: A total of 88 pancreas transplants were performed; 20 pancreas transplant recipients (23%) developed grade II (minimal) rejection and were followed for a mean of 22.8+/-8.7 months. Eighteen patients underwent biopsy for protocol purposes and two patients underwent clinically indicated biopsies. Of the patients who underwent biopsy as per protocol, 15 of the patients had a total of 25 follow-up biopsies: 10 were grade 0; 3 were grade I; and 10 were unchanged (grade II). Rejection in one patient progressed to grade III and in another patient to grade IV. The three patients who did not undergo repeat biopsy had a functioning allograft pancreas at the end of the study period. Of the two patients with grade II biopsy specimens obtained for clinical reasons, one had resolution of all inflammation noted on three follow-up biopsies, and the other patient did not undergo follow-up biopsy and died with a functioning graft. CONCLUSIONS: Grade II (minimal) rejection of solitary pancreas allograft rarely progresses to more severe degrees of inflammation. Morphologic findings in this category may not have unfavorable prognoses over a period of 2 years when untreated.     

Acquired pendular nystagmus: its characteristics, localising value and pathophysiology

Investigations were made of 16 patients with acquired pendular nystagmus and a further 32 cases reported in the literature were reviewed. Amongst our own patients two thirds had multiple sclerosis, almost one third a cerebrovascular accident or angioma and two had optic atrophy with squint. The nystagmus took forms which could be monocular or binocular, conjugate or disconjugate and could involve movements about single or multiple axes. Spectral analysis was used to characterise the amplitude and frequency of the movements and to estimate the degree of relationship (coherence) between movements of the two eyes or between movements of one eye about several axes. The oscillations ranged in frequency from 2·5 Hz to 6 Hz, with typical amplitudes between 3° and 5°. In a given patient all oscillations, regardless of plane, were highly synchronised. Somatic tremors of the upper limb, face and palate associated with the nystagmus were often at similar frequencies to the eye movement. The other ocular signs common to all our patients were the presence of squint with failure of convergence. Most patients also had skew deviation or internuclear ophthalmoplegia or both. The major oculomotor systems, that is, saccades, pursuit, optokinetic and vestibulo-ocular reflexes could be intact. It is inferred that the mechanism responsible for the pendular nystagmus lies at a level which is close to the oculomotor nuclei so that it can have monocular effects but is not part of the primary motor pathways. It is possible that this mechanism normally subserves maintenance of conjugate movement and posture of the eyes. The periodicity of the nystagmus is likely to arise from instability in a certain type(s) of neurone, for the associated somatic tremors have similar characteristics and yet involve very different neuronal muscular circuitry. Prognosis for cessation of the nystagmus is poor. In five patients with multiple sclerosis it was suppressed by intravenous hyoscine with, however, unacceptable subsequent side effects.