Morphologische Untersuchungen an subglottischen Kehlkopfkarzinomen

Summary Serial sections of subglottic cancers show that all cases arise from the vocal cords and grow mainly in caudal direction. The conus elasticus initially can lead the tumor laterally to the cricothyroid space or more medially along the wall of the subglottic conus. There could be found no relation of the size of tumors and the frequency of metastases of the paratracheal nodes in tumors with an extension of more than 15 mm downwards.Anatomically and functionally the glottis is no own department of the larynx. It would be fully sufficient to separate supraglottic cancers from vocal cord cancers as the only two big groups of cancers of the larynx. Socalled subglottic cancers are nothing else then vocal cord cancers growing mainly in caudal direction.     

Mycobacterium ulcerans disease

Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) is an important health problem in several west African countries. It is prevalent in scattered foci around the world, predominantly in riverine areas with a humid, hot climate. We review the epidemiology, bacteriology, transmission, immunology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of infections. M. ulcerans is an ubiquitous micro-organism and is harboured by fish, snails, and water insects. The mode of transmission is unknown. Lesions are most common on exposed parts of the body, particularly on the limbs. Spontaneous healing may occur. Many patients in endemic areas present late with advanced, severe lesions. BCG vaccination yields a limited, relatively short-lived, immune protection. Recommended treatment consists of surgical debridement, followed by skin grafting if necessary. Many patients have functional limitations after healing. Better understanding of disease transmission and pathogenesis is needed for improved control and prevention of Buruli ulcer.     

Pericardial tamponade: a rare but severe complication of a vena cava catheter. Case report

A case of catheter-induced cardiac tamponade followed by successfully treated cardiac arrest is reported in a 5-month old infant with oesophageal atresia. The complication occurred after a delay of 16 h following catheter placement and was diagnosed by ultra-sound technique. Treatment consisted of direct pericardial puncture. Cardiac tamponade is an unusual, but potentially fatal complication and is always due to incorrect catheter tip position.     

Alterations of maternal behaviors of female rats caring for malnourished pups

The maternal care received by rat pups malnourished by being rotated between lactating females and nonlactating foster mothers was examined. During the 1st 2 weeks after birth there were no differences in maternal care, but during the 3rd week females caring for pups fed only 8 hr daily nursed more and built better nests than females caring for pups fed 16 or 24 hr. These differences in maternal care may interact with and diminish any effects of nutritional deprivation in the pups.