Caudal epidural neuroplasty

Epidural fibrosis and adhesions can have many causes. Postsurgical bleeding and the healing process frequently produce scarring. The associated irritation or inducement of epidural venous engorgement may contribute to pain production. Lysis of epidural adhesions could be performed after rest, drug therapies such as NSAID and muscle relaxants, physical therapy with activity programs and epidural steroid injections.     

Evaluation of alveolo-capillary permeability in thyrotoxicosis using Tc-99m DTPA aerosol scintigraphy

Surfactant secreted from type II pneumocytes plays an important role in alveolo-capillary permeability. In thyrotoxicosis, high levels of T3 receptors detected at these cells might affect the alveolo-capillary permeability due to increased serum thyroid hormone levels. The results by CO-diffusion capacity measurement in thyrotoxicosis are conflicting. Changes in alveolo-capillary membrane permeability resulting from thyrotoxicosis are not well established yet. This prompted us to investigate the alveolo-capillary permeability in thyrotoxic patients in comparison with CO-diffusing capacity. For this aim twenty-two non-smoking thyrotoxic patients (before treatment) and fifteen healthy voluntary controls underwent 99mTc-DTPA aerosol scintigraphy. CO-diffusing and pulmonary function tests were performed in all subjects. After ventilation of radiotracer through a nebulizer for 15 minutes, 30 dynamic images (1 frame/minute) were taken from both lungs. ROI's were drawn over both lung areas, and the time-activity curves were generated. Then clearance half time (CT1/2) for radioaerosol was obtained. CT1/2 of thyrotoxic patients did not differ from that of the controls: 77.9 +/- 25.9 min vs. 79.4 +/- 22.3 min; p > 0.05. Similar result was found for CO-diffusion parameters. Also there was no significant correlation between CT1/2 and CO-diffusion parameters. We concluded that in patients with thyrotoxicosis, the alveolo-capillary permeability is unaffected. Further experimental research is needed to establish the possible effects of thyroid hormones on alveolo-capillary membrane.     

Acute neck infections in children

A retrospective review was conducted on 132 patients aged between two and 15 years with cervical lymphadenitis and/or with abscess formation to determine the epidemiologic and clinical presentation of these infections. The most common locations were the upper anterior cervical space (43.2%) and the submandibular space (27.3%). The duration of symptoms ranged from 12 hours to 20 days. Results of the pus cultures were available in 31 patients (23.5%). Of these, 16 cultures (51.6%) were positive. The isolated organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (50%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (31.3%), group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (12.5%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (6.3%) and Escherichia coli (6.3%). One of the specimens yielded mixed organisms (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae). Penicillin resistance was documented in six (37.5%) of the 16 gram-positive bacteria isolated from the pus culture. Both throat and blood cultures were available in all 132 patients. Seven throat cultures (5.3%) were positive for group A beta hemolytic streptococci, whereas five blood cultures (3.8%) were reported to have bacterial growth. Sixty-seven patients (50.8%) were treated with ampicillin-sulbactam, 53 patients (40.1%) with ampicillin-sulbactam and ornidazole and 12 patients (9.1%) with ceftriaxone parenterally. The mean duration of hospital stay related to the infection was 7.30 +/- 3.89 days (range, 2-28 days). The mean period for downsizing of the cervical mass by half was 4.05 +/- 2.05 days, and the recovery period (total antibiotic usage period) was 13.72 +/- 5.33 days. All of the patients had an uneventful recovery without complications. Results of both throat and blood cultures were not predictive for etiologic agents in our study group. Since ultrasonographic evaluation of each patient has limited additional benefits in clinical management, it must be reserved for selected cases to document abscess formation.     

Different maternal serum hCG levels in pregnant women with female and male fetuses: does fetal hypophyseal--adrenal--gonadal axis play a role?

Fetal gender has a significant effect on maternal and cord blood hCG levels, particularly during the last trimester of the pregnancy. However, the reason for this difference is obscure. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether term fetal hypophyseal - adrenal - gonadal axis differs between female and male fetuses thereby causing different hCG levels. The study consisted of 60 women with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester. Thirty-one pregnant women were carrying female fetuses, whereas 29 were carrying male. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, dehydro-epiandrosteron-sulfate (DHEAS), prolactin and growth hormone levels were measured in maternal serum and umbilical cord blood. In female bearing pregnancies maternal and cord blood hCG levels were significantly higher than in male bearing pregnancies (P<0.001). Maternal and cord blood estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS, prolactin and growth hormone levels were not significantly different in either fetal gender. When all patients were considered as a group there were no correlations between fetal hCG levels and any of the measured hormones. Term fetal DHEAS, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, growth hormone and prolactin levels do not contribute to different hCG levels between female and male fetuses. It is possible that fetal hypophyseal-adrenal gonadal axis does not play a central role as the cause of different hCG levels.