Long-term results of open reduction for residual subluxation in congenital dislocation of the hip: A new open reduction method involving 360° circumferential capsulotomy

We report satisfactory results with a new operative treatment, conducted via an extensive anterolateral approach, involving 360 degree circumferential capsulotomy, for residual subluxation in congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH). Long-term radiographic results of this procedure (group A) were compared retrospectively with the results of partial capsulotomy (group B), which preserved the posteroinferior joint capsule. The mean center edge angle in group A (22.5°) was greater than that in group B (16.0°). Satisfactory results were achieved in 11 of 15 hips (73%) (Severin class I or II) in group A, and in 5 of 12 hips (42%) in group B. These results suggest that whole circumferential capsulotomy can remove obstacles to complete reduction, and that acetabular development can be expected in hips reduced by the procedure, without the performance of innominate osteotomy. We believe that our technique is a useful alternative for the treatment of residual subluxation in CDH.     

Relationship between neurological diseases due to aluminium load, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and magnesium status.

The correlation between kinetic metal behaviour and the degenerative process in the central nervous system (CNS) tissues of magnesium (Mg) deprived animals was examined, with particular reference to the levels and ratios of Mg, calcium (Ca), and aluminium (Al). Al content in the CNS tissue was high in the groups fed low Mg and low Mg + low Ca diets, as well as those supplemented with Al. In the group given a normal Mg, normal Ca with high Al diet, Al content in the CNS tissue showed no difference compared with that of the control group, although the concentration of Al in the serum was high. It was observed that Al content tended to rise with an increase in the Mg/Ca ratio in the CNS tissue. There was neither atrophy nor degeneration of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, nor demyelination of the pyramidal tract, which are characteristic of the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The cell body, nucleus, and nucleolus of the spinal neurones, however, appeared to diminish in size in the groups fed a low Mg diet and low Mg, low Ca with surplus Al diet. On the basis of these findings, it is speculated that Mg depletion, by increasing the Ca/Mg ratio in the CNS tissues, accelerates the uptake of Al into the brain, and this may later be involved in the development of the degenerative process.     

A case of chest wall rhabdomyosarcoma]

A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with right chest pain. Chest X-ray, CT scan and MRI revealed a chest wall tumor and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Percutaneous lung biopsy was performed, and the pathological diagnosis of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma was obtained. The only significant abnormal laboratory finding was elevation of serum NSE (24.5 ng/ml). Although chemotherapy (VAC-ADM) and radiation therapy were performed, the patient died about 7 months after admission. To our knowledge, only 17 cases of chest wall rhabdomyosarcoma have been reported in Japan.     

Retroperitoneal schwannomas simulating adrenal tumors.

Tumors in the area of the adrenal were detected by chance in two patients who underwent a regular physical check-up. On arteriography the tumors were found to be fed by the adrenal artery. The diagnosis was retroperitoneal schwannoma, but in both patients it was difficult to differentiate the schwannoma from an adrenal tumor preoperatively.     

Differential induction responses of delta-aminolevulinate synthase mRNAs during erythroid differentiation: use of nonradioactive in situ hybridization.

Expression of mRNAs encoding the erythroid-specific delta-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS-E) and the nonspecific delta-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS-N) were examined in murine Friend virus-transformed erythroleukemia (MEL) cells using nonradioactive in situ hybridization. Following dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment, ALAS-E mRNA increased markedly, while ALAS-N mRNA did not increase in wild-type MEL cells. In contrast, in a DMSO-resistant clone of MEL cells, ALAS-E was not detectable before and after DMSO treatment. These findings suggest that ALAS-E and ALAS-N mRNAs are under separate controls and that the expression of ALAS-E mRNA is a critical event in erythroid differentiation.