Ovarian metastases: computed tomographic appearances

Computed tomographic scans of 34 patients with ovarian metastases were reviewed to assess the radiographic appearances and to correlate these with the primary neoplasms. Primary neoplasms were located in the colon (20 patients), breast (six), stomach (five), small bowel (one), bladder (one), and Wilms tumor of the kidney (one). The radiographic appearance of the metastatic lesions could be described as predominantly cystic (14 lesions), mixed (12 lesions), or solid (seven lesions). There was one false-negative examination which showed no ovarian enlargement, although neoplastic deposits were found on the ovary at laparotomy. The cystic and mixed lesions tended to be larger in overall diameter than the solid. The metastases from gastric carcinoma appeared solid in four of five cases. The metastases from the other neoplasms had variable appearances simulating primary ovarian carcinoma.     

Constitutive expression of platelet glycoproteins by the human leukemia cell line K562

The human leukemia cell line K562 was derived from a patient with chronic granulocytic leukemia. This cell line has subsequently been shown to possess phenotypic markers typical of erythroid and myeloid cells. Using a rabbit antiserum directed against purified platelet glycoproteins (PGPs), we have obtained evidence for the constitutive expression of PGPs on the surface of K562 cells. PGPs expressed have been tentatively identified as IIa and III based on their apparent migration in a 7% sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel. K562 may become an important tool for the study of early events involved in megakaryocytic differentiation.     

Functional evaluation of the rectal ampulla with ampullometrogram

An ampullometrogram (AMG) was done in 20 patients to evaluate the rectal ampulla as a functional unit. Results were compared to a cystometrogram (CMG). The AMG displayed a normal curve (capacity 230 to 330 ml; pressure 47 to 80 cmH₂O) in 14 of 16 patients having a normal CMG. The AMG was hyporeflexic (variable capacity; no increase in pressure at capacity) in 3 of 5 patients having a hyporeflexic CMG and hyperreflexic (capacity less than 175 ml, pressure over 80 cmH₂O) in one patient having a hyperreflexic CMG. This technique might represent a useful clinical adjunct in the evaluation of bladder dysfunction, the evaluation of neurogenic type bowel dysfunction, and in the possible use of functional electrical stimulation for treatment of faecal incontinence or constipation.     

Nonspecific ulcers of the colon

Summary Two cases of nonspecific cecal ulceration are presented. The lesions tend to occur in the right colon, produce pain or bleeding, and generally are best managed surgically. Etiology of the ulcers is unknown, but a vascular theory of origin is favored. Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Diego, California, June 11 to 15, 1978.     

Renal trauma found during laparotomy for intra-abdominal injury

Whether renal injury found during a laparotomy for intra-abdominal injury should have surgical or nonsurgical management is controversial. Five hundred twenty-one renal injuries were found during laparotomy for such injury in 513 patients. Blunt external trauma was the cause in 88%. A modified operating room table enabled performance of immediate intravenous pyelogram during the laparotomy. More severe degrees of renal injury (laceration, rupture, pedicle injury) were present in 135 (26%) of the renal injuries. Immediate surgical management of 102 more severe renal injuries resulted in nephrectomies in 37 (36%), delayed renal surgery in one (0.9%), and renal salvage in five of 18 (27%) main renal artery and/or vein injuries. Nonsurgical management of the remaining 23 resulted in nephrectomies in three (13%), delayed renal surgery in six (26%), total renal loss in seven of seven (100%) main renal artery injuries and an overall nephrectomy/total renal loss rate of 39%. With immediate surgical management of the more severe degrees of renal injury there was a slight increase in the salvage of kidneys and a marked decrease in delayed renal surgery and morbidity.     

Antibiotics for intraabdominal sepsis. Selection of an effective combination

Optimum management of intraabdominal sepsis requires the judicious use of appropriate surgical procedures and simultaneous antibiotic administration. A number of appropriate antibiotics and antibiotic combinations are available for intraabdominal sepsis, but most data still favor combinations of an antiaerobic drug, most often an aminoglycoside, and an antianaerobic drug--and possibly a third agent effective against enterococci.