Ectopic thyroid in the abdomen: Report of a case

Ectopic thyroid tissue can be seen anywhere along the path of the descending glands, but it is rarely seen in the abdominal cavity. An ectopic thyroid was encountered incidentally in the pancreas of a 50-year-old woman who underwent a bilateral truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty for a duodenal ulcer. There were no signs or symptoms of a thyroid tumor.     

Determination of serum bile acids routinely may prevent delay in diagnosis of total parenteral nutrition-induced cholestasis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Early diagnosis of development of cholestasis is a current major problem for patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Conventional tests for hepatic function such as serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase do not often reflect simultaneously histopathologic changes of the liver. The aim of this study is to find out the relationships between conventional hepatic function tests, total serum bile acid concentrations (TSBA), and the histopathologic changes in the liver during TPN administration in rats. METHODS: Forty Albino rats were divided into four experimental groups, each consisting of 10 rats, as follows: control group (C), 0.9% saline for 14 days; T7 group, TPN for 7 days; T14 group, TPN for 14 days; T7O7 group, TPN for 7 days and then 0.9% saline for the next 7 days. All solutions were administered by infusion through intraperitoneal catheter in two equal doses. During the experiment, rats also maintained on rat chow and water ad libitum. Levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and TSBA were measured. Liver was evaluated histopathologically by light microscope and then Morphological Cholestasis Index (MCI) was calculated. RESULTS: Cholestasis was present in all experimental groups except control. Levels of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were not correlated with the histopathologic changes (P > .05), but TSBA concentrations were correlated with MCI in all groups (P< .01). TSBA concentrations and MCI in all groups also were correlated with the duration of exposure with TPN (P< .01). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of TSBA seems to be more sensitive in early diagnosis of TPN-induced cholestasis. Therefore, periodical determination of TSBA during TPN administration can be done routinely.     

The effects of experimental varicocele on testicular histology and fertility in monorchic adult rats

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a left-sided experimental varicocele on testicular morphology and fertility in right hemicastrated adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-controlled experimental study was carried out using mature Sprague-Dawley rats, with 12 rats in each treated group and five corresponding controls. Group 1 underwent right orchidectomy, group 2 right orchidectomy and a left varicocele, and group 3 only a left varicocele; each control group underwent a corresponding sham operation. Two months after surgery each rat was placed with two mature female rats for one month to assess fertility. All the rats were then killed and their testes weighed; the mean testicular weight was calculated for each group and the mean seminiferous tubule diameter (STD) measured. Johnsen scores and histological abnormalities were evaluated for each testis using light microscopy. RESULTS: The mean (SEM) testicular weight and STD in group 2 were significantly lower, at 1311 (100) mg and 225 (11) microm, respectively, than in group 1, at 1771 (28) mg and 255 (4) microm (P<0.05). The mean weights of both testes in rats in group 3 were significantly lower than those in group 1 (P<0.05) and although both mean STDs were less than in group 1, the differences were not significant (P>0.05). There were no differences between the Johnsen scores in groups 2 and 3. There were severe histological abnormalities in the left testes in three of nine and two of eight animals in group 2 and 3, respectively; in group 3, changes in the right testis were detected in one rat. Six of nine and seven of eight rats were fertile in group 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Experimental left varicocele decreased the left testicular weight and STD in both hemicastrated and intact adult rats. However, the presence of the right testis is important for preserving fertility.     

Influence of chronic morphine exposure on serum LH, FSH, testosterone levels, and body and testicular weights in the developing male rat

Opiate abuse has been a matter of serious concern in male adolescents. This study investigates the effects of chronic morphine administration on serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone levels, testicular histology, and body and testes weight in developing male rats. Animals were subcutaneously injected with morphine (5 mg/kg) or saline (1 mL/kg) twice daily for 30 days. Body weight determinations and injections were carried out under light ether anesthesia. At the end of the experiments, the rats were decapitated and blood samples were collected. Serum levels of LH and FSH were measured. Chronic morphine administration significantly decreased decreased serum testosterone (p < .02) and LH (p < .01) levels, but not FSH release compared to controls. Morphine exposure reduced body weight (p < .01), but had no significant effect on the testicular weight. When the testicular tissue was histologically examined, structural features of the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells were similar in both saline and morphine-treated animals. The results suggest that opiates affect testosterone release through the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis rather than by a local testicular mechanism. Chronic morphine exposure during sexual maturation may have long-term endocrine disturbances in male rats.     

Comparison of Intravascular Ultrasound with Conventional Venography for Detection of Extracranial Venous Abnormalities Indicative of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency

PurposeTo investigate prevalence of extracranial abnormalities in azygos and internal jugular (IJ) veins using conventional venography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) being evaluated for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, a condition of vascular hemodynamic dysfunction.Materials and MethodsPREMiSe (Prospective Randomized Endovascular therapy in Multiple Sclerosis) is a venous angioplasty study that enrolled 30 patients with relapsing MS. The patients fulfilled two or more venous hemodynamic extracranial Doppler sonography screening criteria. Phase I of the study included 10 patients and was planned to assess safety and standardize venography, IVUS, and angioplasty and blinding procedures; phase II enrolled 20 patients and further validated diagnostic assessments using the two invasive techniques. Venography was considered abnormal when ≥ 50% lumen-diameter restriction was detected. IVUS was considered abnormal when ≥ 50% lumen-diameter restriction, intraluminal defects, or reduced pulsatility was detected.ResultsNo venography-related or IVUS-related complications, including vessel rupture, thrombosis, or side effects of contrast media were recorded among the 30 study patients. IVUS-detected venous abnormalities, including chronic, organized, thrombus-like inclusions were observed in 85% of azygos, 50% of right IJ, and 83.3% of left IJ veins, whereas venography demonstrated stenosis of ≥ 50% in 50% of azygos, 55% of right IJ, and 72% of left IJ veins. Sensitivity of venography for detecting IVUS abnormalities was 52.9%, 73.3%, and 80% for the azygos, left IJ, and right IJ veins, respectively.ConclusionsIVUS assessment of azygos and IJ veins showed a higher rate of venous abnormalities than venography. IVUS provides a diagnostic advantage over conventional venography in detecting extracranial venous abnormalities indicative of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency.     

The effect of 3 T MRI on microleakage of amalgam restorations

Objectives:

To evaluate the effects of 3 T magnetic field on microleakage of amalgam restorations containing three different types of silver (Ag).

Methods:

60 extracted teeth were restored with three different types of amalgam filling materials. Restored teeth were sectioned mesiodistally and divided into experimental and control groups. Experimental groups were exposed to a magnetic field of 3 T for 20 min. All samples were plunged into 2% basic fuchsin solution and examined under a digital microscope by three different observers with regard to microleakage.

Results:

Statistical analysis showed significant differences in microleakage between the groups exposed to MRI and controls, whereas differences in microleakage between amalgam types were insignificant.

Conclusions:

The primary risk of MRI systems arises from the effects of its strong magnetic field on objects containing ferromagnetic materials. An MRI of 1.5 T is known to be safe for amalgam restorations. However, our research indicates that MRI is not completely devoid of any effects on amalgam restorations.     

Differentiation of phyllodes tumors versus fibroadenomas

Purpose: To determine if mammographic and sonographic findings allow discrimination between phyllodes tumor and large sized fibroadenoma, which mimic each other in the clinical, radiologic and histopathologic appearances.Material and Methods: Thirty-one histopathologically proven masses including 12 phyllodes tumors and 19 fibroadenomas 3 cm or greater in diameter were compared. In total 28 women were retrospectively evaluated by mammography and pre-operative sonography.Results: Mammography revealed a high-density mass compared with surrounding fibroglandular breast tissue to be present in 9 of the 12 (75%) phyllodes tumors and 7 of the 19 (37%) fibroadenomas. At sonography a mass, which had a round or lobulated shape, marked posterior acoustic enhancement and intramural cystic areas, were statistically significantly more likely to be phyllodes tumors than fibroadenomas. None of the other mammographic or sonographic characteristics proved to be useful in differentiating phyllodes tumors and fibroadenomas.Conclusion: Although masses of high density at mammography, circumscribed border associated with posterior acoustic enhancement and internal cystic areas at sonography should suggest the diagnosis of phyllodes tumors rather than large sized fibroadenomas, there was a substantial overlap in the mammographic and sonographic characteristics of these two tumors. Therefore, an excisional biopsy would be necessary for equivocal masses.     

A method for the direct electrical stimulation of the auditory system in deaf subjects: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

PURPOSE: To develop a safe functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) procedure for auditory assessment of deaf subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A gold-plated tungsten electrode has been developed which has zero magnetic susceptibility. Used with carbon leads and a carbon reference pad, it enables safe, distortion-free fMRI studies of deaf subjects following direct electrical stimulation of the acoustic nerve. Minor pickup of the radio frequency (RF) pulses by the electrode assembly is difficult to eliminate, and a SPARSE acquisition sequence is used to avoid any effects of unintentional auditory nerve stimulation. RESULTS: The procedure is demonstrated in a deaf volunteer. Activation is observed in the contralateral but not the ipsilateral primary auditory cortex. This is in sharp contrast to studies of auditory processing in hearing subjects, but consistent with the small number of previous positron emission tomography (PET) and MR studies on adult deaf subjects. CONCLUSION: The fMRI procedure is able to demonstrate whether the auditory pathway is fully intact, and may provide a useful method for preoperative assessment of candidates for cochlear implantation.     

CT findings of abdominal tuberculosis in 12 patients.

Our purpose was to evaluate the Computed Tomography (CT) findings of the abdominal tuberculosis (TBC) retrospectively which was diagnosed histopatologically. This study included 12 patients. All patients were evaluated by abdominal CT study. Most findings of CT studies were mesenteric calcified or noncalcified lymphadenopathies, ascites, thickened intestinal wall located on the right lower quadrant of abdomen, thickening of peritoneum, mottled soft-tissue densities in omentum and mesenterium. In addition, one of the patients had bilateral calcified adrenal glands and one of them had calcified mass in adrenal gland. If peritoneal thickening, ascites, abdominal lymphadenophaties and thickened intestinal walls are obtained, TBC should be considered in differential diagnosis in developing countries.