Functional and morphologic characteristics of the leukemic cells of a patient with acute monocytic leukemia: correlation with clinical features

The clinical course of a patient with acute monocytic leukemia and prominent infiltration of the skin and testes is described. In vitro studies demonstrated that the circulating monocyte precursors were capable of adherence to nylon fibers, and phagocytosis of bacteria and latex particles. In vivo, migration of leukemic cells to skin windows was observed. Extreme nuclear folding, marked surface activity, and morphologic features suggesting nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation were seen by light and electron microscopy. The presence of morphologically and functionally more differentiated monocytic cells may account for the marked tiuuse invasion in this patient and, possibly, in other patients with monocytic leukemia.     

Peripheral neuropathy and monoclonal IgM with antibody activity against peripheral nerve myelin; Effect of plasma exchange

Serum IgM antibodies directed against peripheral nerve myelin were demonstrated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, mixed haemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence in 3 patients with chronic polyneuropathy and monoclonal serum IgM. Isoelectric focusing followed by antigen immunofixation and autoradiography showed that the antimyelin antibodies co-migrated with the monoclonal IgM. Plasma exchange alone, without chemotherapy, proved beneficial in 2 patients. In one patient, plasma exchange was discontinued because of low IgG levels. Serum IgM and antimyelin antibodies decreased during plasma exchange and no increase beyond initial levels was noted after cessation of treatment.     

Chronic diffuse infiltrative lung disease: comparison of diagnostic accuracy of CT and chest radiography

The accuracies of chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) in the prediction of specific diagnoses in 118 consecutive patients with chronic diffuse infiltrative lung disease (DILD) were compared. The radiographs and CT scans were independently assessed by three observers without knowledge of clinical or pathologic data. The observers listed the three most likely diagnoses in order of probability and recorded the degree of confidence they felt in their first-choice diagnosis on a three-point scale. Confidence level 1 (definite) was reached with 23% of radiographic and 49% of CT scan readings, and the correct diagnosis was made with 77% and 93% of those readings, respectively (P less than .001). The correct first-choice diagnosis regardless of the level of confidence was made with 57% of radiographic and 76% of CT scan readings (P less than .001). The CT scan interpretations were most accurate in silicosis (93%), usual interstitial pneumonia (89%), lymphangitic carcinomatosis (85%), and sarcoidosis (77%). Observers correctly predicted whether a transbronchial or open lung biopsy was indicated with 65% of radiographs and 87% of CT scans (P less than .001). It is recommended that CT be performed before lung biopsy in all patients with chronic DILD.     

飞行人员脾脏海绵状血管瘤一例（摘要）

作者报道了飞行员的脾脏海绵状血管瘤一例，脾脏海绵状血管瘤在临床较为少见，其行成基础主要是脾血管瘤组织胎生发育异常，脾血管瘤一般多无临床症状，该病的诊断主要是通过结合超声等影像学检查手段。     

Mediastinal nodes in bronchogenic carcinoma: comparison between CT and mediastinoscopy

Computed tomography (CT) and mediastinoscopy were compared in 151 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. In all patients in whom findings at mediastinoscopy were negative, all accessible nodes were either removed or sampled at thoracotomy. Several size criteria for identifying nodes as enlarged on CT scans were compared. The long axis greater than or equal to 15 mm and short axis greater than 10 mm had very low sensitivity (61%), and the long axis greater than 5 mm had a low specificity (23%). CT (long axis greater than 10 mm) allowed sensitivity equal to that of mediastinoscopy (79%) in the detection of mediastinal metastases, but the specificity with CT was lower (65% vs. 100%). In seven of 44 patients with nodes greater than 10 mm on CT scans and with positive findings at mediastinoscopy, tumor was present not in the enlarged nodes but rather in normal-sized nodes in a different nodal station. The sensitivity of CT for actual nodal stations involved with tumor was only 66%. Eighty-three percent of patients with false-negative findings at mediastinoscopy but only 33% of patients with false-negative findings at CT had surgically resectable stage IIIa disease.