MR imaging of cavernous hemangioma of the face and neck

Four patients with cavernous hemangioma of face and neck were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. Pathologically, soft tissue cavernous hemangiomas are characterized by small feeding arteries and large blood poolings. Arteriography usually fails to demonstrate the extent of the lesion. Computed tomography does not allow differentiation between these lesions and surrounding normal tissues. Magnetic resonance clearly demonstrates hemangiomas with good contrast between lesion and normal tissues. Spin-echo technique with long echo time appears to be particularly useful to delineate these lesions.     

The role of thyroid scanning in hyperthyroidism

Radionuclide thyroid imaging was performed in 872 consecutive patients with hyperthyroidism. Of these, 84% were found to have diffuse toxic hyperplasia (Graves' disease), while 12% had autonomously functioning nodules (Plummer's disease), 3% had Graves' disease developing in a multinodular gland, and in the remaining 1%, either a clear diagnosis could not be established or the hyperthyroidism was due to thyroiditis or the Jod-Basedow phenomenon. It was found that a thyroid scan seldom provides additional diagnostic information in patients with Graves' disease when a diffuse goitre is present. However, if patients are to be treated with radioiodine (131I), thyroid imaging with tracer quantitation can replace a 24-h 131I uptake measurement, this having the advantages that the patients are required to attend only once, and that the gland size can be measured. In addition, visual confirmation of tracer uptake by the thyroid is obtained and patients with thyroiditis will not receive inappropriate therapy. When single or multiple thyroid nodules are palpated, a thyroid scan is crucial in establishing an accurate diagnosis, as it is not otherwise possible to differentiate between Plummer's disease and Graves' disease developing in a multinodular gland. Indeed, in 20 of our 63 patients (32%) with single autonomously functioning nodules, the initial clinical assessment had been incorrect.     

Diagnostic value of lung uptake of indium-111 oxine-labeled white blood cells

One hundred sixty-two white-blood-cell scans were retrospectively reviewed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the test for pulmonary and pleural infection. All scans were performed 18-24 hr after injection of indium-111 oxine-labeled autologous or donor cells. Pulmonary activity was graded on a scale of 0-4: 0 = equal to soft tissue; 1 = greater than soft tissue but less than rib; 2 = equal or greater than rib but less than liver; 3 = equal or greater than liver but less than spleen; 4 = equal to spleen. Activity was also characterized as being focal or diffuse. The white-blood-cell scan findings were correlated with the clinical diagnosis on the basis of physical examination, laboratory results, chest radiographs, clinical course, and pathologic studies when available. As pulmonary activity increased from grade 1 to 4, sensitivity declined from 93% to 14% and specificity increased from 64% to 100%. The sensitivity and specificity of focal uptake were 31% and 89% vs 62% and 74% for diffuse pulmonary activity. Making a distinction between focal and diffuse activity did not improve the specificity of low grades of pulmonary activity. The white-blood-cell scan can be very sensitive or very specific for pulmonary or pleural infection, depending on the criteria selected for a positive scan.     

Treatment of senile maculopathy with etaretin

The results of parenteral treatment with Etaretin in 40 patients (79 eyes) suffering from senile maculopathy are reported. In 84% of the cases there was a degeneration of the dry type and in 16% a disciform exudative maculopathy. The cases of dry maculopathy responded well within a floow-up period of 8 to 18 months.     

Variability of antigenicity/allergenicity in different strains of Alternaria alternata

Biochemical and immunological properties were studied in crude mould extracts from 10 different strains of Alternaria alternata. The mould strains were grown on completely synthetic medium and harvested under identical conditions. The biochemical and immunological analyses (protein content, carbohydrate content, IEF, RAST-inhibition, CIE/CRIE and the content of a major allergen) showed significant variations between the individual strains of A. alternata. 32 antigens were identified in the CIE pattern of A. alternata and 19 different allergens were identified in CRIE analysis (1 major, 7 intermediate and 6 minor allergens). There was a significant variation in the content of the major A. alternata allergen (Ag-8, partially identical to Alt-I) between the different individual strains. Furthermore, a considerable variation in the content of Ag-8 was observed for a specific strain cultivated at different occasions under identical cultivation conditions during a time period of 3 years.     

Compressed collagen sponges as gastroretentive dosage forms: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The objective of the present investigations was to develop oblong tablets which expand after contact with gastrointestinal fluids within a few minutes to a length of 4-6 cm and which should remain in the stomach for a prolonged period of time due to their size. The tablets were prepared from riboflavin-containing collagen sponges using a computer controlled single punch tablet machine. The collagen material was compressed to oblong tablets with dimensions of 3.5 mm x 9 mm x 18 mm. In vitro investigations were carried out to characterise drug release. The model drug riboflavin was released from the collagen tablets over 12h. The gastrointestinal retention time of the new dosage form was indirectly estimated by determining the duration of riboflavin excretion after oral intake of the tablet. A crossover in vivo study with 12 healthy male and female subjects was performed. The renal excretion of riboflavin was measured after oral administration of collagen tablets and small sustained release hydrocolloid tablets as reference preparation. The amount of riboflavin excreted into the urine was enhanced after administration of the expanding collagen tablets in comparison with the hydrocolloid tablets. The differences were statistically significant after 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 h.     

Development of analytical methods for hydrochloride salts of cardiocyclide,a new Russian class III antiarrhythmic

Cardiocyclide, a new Russian class III antiarrhythmic agent, was developed at the State V. V. Zakusov Science Research Institute Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The aims of the present work were to study the physicochemical properties of the hydrochloride salt of this agent (N¹-(3-diethylaminopropyl)-N¹-(p-nitrobenzoyl)aminoacetic acid N,N-dicyclohexylamide HCl) and to develop an analytical method for this compound. IR, ¹H NMR, and UV spectra were obtained for cardiocyclide; its solubility was studied; its melting temperature, weight loss on drying and the transparency, color, and pH of its solutions were determined. The purity of material containing compound I was determined by thin-layer chromatography; quantitative cardiocyclide contents were estimated by non-aqueous titration. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 41, No. 8, pp. 42–45, August, 2007.     

Distraction Osteogenesis of Ankylosed Front Teeth with Subsequent Orthodontic Fine Adjustment

OBJECTIVE: Conventional therapeutic approaches to correct ankylosed anterior teeth in infraposition require compromises involving esthetics and function. The combined approach of distraction and early orthodontic fine adjustment, not yet established as a routine, promises better results concerning the bone conditions and gingival development. CASE HISTORIES: Both female patients had suffered a trauma to the front teeth during early mixed dentition resulting in ankylosed central incisors in infraposition. At the ages of 14 years and 2 months and 15 years and 2 months, respectively, we carried out segment distraction by means of a bone-supported internal distractor followed by orthodontic fine adjustment after having shortened the consolidation phase. Both ankylosed front teeth could be successfully aligned, leading to an increase in bone and harmonization of the gingival margin in the dental arch. At ten and 14 months after the conclusion of treatment, we observed only few deviations in the dental situation compared to posttherapeutic findings. CONCLUSION: From a functional and esthetic point of view, therapy involving combined orthodontics and surgery is superior to conventional therapy. Orthodontic fine adjustment should be considered as a continuation of the distraction procedure.