Corrosive oesophagitis: an analysis of 50 cases

A total of 50 consecutive patients who were treated in JIPMER Hospital between 1970 and 1981 for corrosive injuries of the oesophagus and stomach were analysed. There were 23 males and 27 females. All but seven presented with dysphagia due to an established stricture. In addition seven of them had associated stricture of the stomach. They were treated with either repeated dilatations or, in selected cases, oesophageal replacement. Perforation of the oesophagus is an important complication associated with oesophageal dilatation indicating the need for oesophageal replacement in multiple or long dense strictures. Results are quite satisfactory with both modalities of treatment. However, oesophageal replacement surgery, performed properly in selected cases, offers a permanent solution to these unfortunate victims.     

Clinical versus ultrasonographic evaluation of scrotal disorders

Clinical and ultrasonographic examinations of scrotal disorders were compared in 166 patients in order to determine their ability to distinguish between those diseases requiring surgery and those requiring clinical follow-up only. Ultrasound examinations were efficient in discriminating between normal and pathological findings. Extra-testicular lesions were readily differentiated from testicular ones. Although both clinical and ultrasonographic examinations had high sensitivity (90%) in detecting testicular cancer, the number of false positive findings was smaller after ultrasound examination. This gave a predictive value of a positive test of 53% after ultrasound examination but only 33% after clinical examination. Ultrasound examination may, therefore, reduce the number of surgical explorations in the scrotum and should be performed in patients with suspected testicular pathology based on history and palpatory findings.     

Surgical aspects of the implantation of catheters for acute peritoneal dialysis in premature, newborn and young infants

Ten years experience with acute peritoneal dialysis in 39 preterm-, newborn and small infants shows advantage and low risk of surgically implanted single dacron cuffed silicone catheters compared to trocar catheters.     

Adrenal and pseudoadrenal masses: CT and US findings

Computed tomography (CT) is currently the imaging modality of choice for assessing the morphology of the adrenal glands in adult patients. Much useful information can be gained using CT in disease processes which primarily involve one or both of the adrenal glands, such as adenomas, as well as in entities which secondarily affect the adrenals, such as pituitary or metastatic disease. The size and configuration of the glands can be readily determined, and masses may be detected. We discuss CT of normal and abnormal adrenal glands with sonographic (US) and pathological correlation, when available. Entities which may mimic adrenal abnormalities are emphasized. Relative advantages of US over CT in the pediatric patient are discussed.     

Memory clinic attenders: A review of 150 consecutive patients

The Dundee Memory Clinic was established in 1991. This paper reviews the diagnosis of the first 150 attenders and compares the findings with those of other memory clinics.     

Influence of Inhaled Corticosteroids and Dietary Intake on Bone Density and Metabolism in Patients With Moderate to Severe Asthma

Objectives Compare the effect of high doses of inhaled corticosteroids on bone loss in subjects with moderate to severe asthma or mild asthma, and examine the influence of dietary intake on bone metabolism. Design A survey on the effects of corticotherapy and nutrition on bone density was conducted in 74 subjects currently being treated for asthma in the asthma clinic of Hospital Laval (Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada). Fifty-eight subjects completed the study (attrition RATE=15%).

Main outcome measures In all subjects expiratory volumes were determined and urinary analysis was conducted for hydroxyproline, calcium, phosphorus, and cortisol levels. Osteocalcin, calcium, phosphorus, cortisol, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyltransferase levels were measured in blood samples. Bone density of the lumbar spine was determined by means of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Nutrition evaluation was based on a 3-day food diary analyzed using progiciel Nutri 91. The nutritional parameters examined were calcium; phosphorus; magnesium; zinc; vitamins A, C, and D; protein; total fiber; oxalates; energy; caffeine; and alcohol in relation to bone density.

Subjects Thirty-one patients with moderate to severe asthma who had been taking more than 1,000 μg beclomethasone per day or the equivalent for more than 2 years and 27 patients with mild asthma who were taking less than 500 μg beclomethasone per day or the equivalent.

Statistical analyses performed Four factor analysis of variance with hierarchized interactions of four levels, Duncan's test, Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results Blood levels of osteocalcin and protein intake were lower in patients with moderate to severe asthma than in those with mild asthma (P<.05). Significant correlations (P<.02) were observed between bone density and calcium intake (r=.40), phosphorus intake (r=.35), protein intake (r=.30), and serum alkaline phosphatase level (r=−.30). Bone density was not significantly different between the two groups of patients with asthma.

Applications A follow-up of patients with asthma who are taking inhaled corticosteroids is needed to assess bone density, osteocalcin levels, and dietary intakes of calcium. Verify if osteocalcin level decreases over time in patients with moderate to severe asthma, monitor possible modifications in bone density, and verify if the correlation between dietary calcium and bone density is maintained. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97:1401–1406.     

Regulation of fibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction by interleukin-1β

Fibroblasts incorporated within collagen gels induce a cell-mediated contraction of the gel to form a three-dimensional, tissue-like structure by a mechanism thought to mimic wound contraction in vivo . In this study a gel contraction model was used to investigate the ability of fibroblasts derived from adult gingiva, adult skin and fetal skin to organise a collagen matrix. In addition the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on the contraction process was also investigated. Over the concentration range 5-50 U/ml, IL-1β induced a statistically significant inhibition of gel contraction in all fibroblast cell types ( P <0.05), although fetal fibroblasts appeared least responsive and gingival fibroblasts most responsive to the inhibitory effects of this cytokine. Comparison of gel contraction by the different fibroblast strains indicated that fetal and gingival fibroblasts shared similar contraction kinetics. For the adult skin fibroblasts, three of five strains studied showed significantly diminished levels of gel contraction compared to fetal and gingival cells. This apparent difference in fibroblast phenotype may, at least in part, explain the fetal-like wound healing pattern seen in the oral mucosa.     

Encouraging Underscreened Women to Have Cervical Cancer Screening: The Effectiveness of a Computer Strategy

Background.Computers that collect data from patients and provide both patients and practitioners with printed feedback on a range of health risks are a tool for assisting general practitioners with preventive care. This study assessed the impact of computer-generated printed feedback on cervical screening among women who were underscreened for cervical cancer.Method.Female attenders at two Australian general practices were randomly allocated to Experimental or Control groups. Women in both groups completed a health risk survey on a touch screen computer prior to their consultation. Those in the Experimental group received printed pages summarizing their results, including their eligibility for cervical screening and last Pap test, for themselves and their doctor. The number and proportion of underscreened women who had a Pap test in the 6 months after completing the computer survey, as determined by pathology records, were examined.Results.Of the 679 participants, 139 were classified as underscreened on the basis of self-report (74 Experimental, 65 Control) and 272 on the basis of their pathology records (148 Experimental, 124 Control). Overall about one-third of women had a test in the 6-month period, and the differences between the groups were not significant for women overall (18–70 years) or for women 18–49 years. Among women 50–70 who were underscreened based on self-report, those receiving the printout were more likely to have a Pap test in the next 6 months (P< 0.05). This pattern was also evident, but did not reach statistical significance, for older women who were underscreened based on pathology records.Conclusions.We are unable to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of the computer system due to the modest proportions of women screened, the small numbers, and the fact that the computer survey may have created an intervention effect in the Control group. As the study suggests the computer system is acceptable to women and may be effective for encouraging screening among older women, further exploration of the system is desirable.