Unusual electrocardiographic evidence of metastatic cardiac tumor resembling atrial infarction

A case of metastatic carcinoma of the left atrium is described. The correct antemortem diagnosis was made on the basis of electrocardiographic changes resembling atrial infarction. These included deformed P waves, deviation of the P-Ta segments and atrial arrhythmias.     

Corpus callosum and limbic system: neuroanatomic MR evaluation of developmental anomalies

Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a complex malformation of the brain that has been associated with varying degrees of limbic system maldevelopment. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 patients with callosal agenesis (seven total, four partial) who underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with particular attention to the associated malformations of the limbic system. Comparison was made with selected images from MR examinations of healthy volunteers and with necropsy specimens from other patients with callosal agenesis. Ten of 11 patients demonstrated limbic anomalies (severe motion artifact precluded evaluation of these structures in one patient). MR depicted not only the abnormalities intrinsic to callosal agenesis but also the frequently associated malformations of the limbic system.     

Effect of parental age on fertilization and pregnancy characteristics in couples treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection

The purpose of this study was to investigate any influence of maternal and/or paternal age on gamete characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. In all, 821 consecutive ICSI cases were analysed retrospectively. While a significant linear decline in semen volume was detected, no significant differences in the concentration, motility or morphology of the spermatozoa were found with paternal ageing. A significant decline in the number of oocytes retrieved and the number of mature oocytes obtained was found with advancing maternal age. An increase in the occurrence of digyny was noted with parental ageing, while no difference in single or bipronuclear fertilization was found. Older women had a decreased incidence of single pronucleus formation and an increase in digyny, but no significant difference in the percentage of oocytes that underwent two-pronuclear fertilization was detected with regard to maternal ageing. Pregnancy outcomes were not influenced by the age of the male partner, while a strong negative correlation was found with maternal ageing. To better analyse male partner ageing as a factor affecting pregnancy outcome, we analysed a subgroup of patients with a female partner aged <35 years who underwent ICSI. No paternal influence on ICSI pregnancy outcome was found in this subgroup of patients. We conclude that the influence on pregnancy outcome after ICSI is related mostly to maternal and not paternal age.      

A sign of subarachnoid bleeding on cranial computed tomograms of pediatric head trauma patients

Of 109 children examined by cranial computed tomography soon after an acute head injury, a density in the region of the falx was identified in 24 patients, but disappeared on subsequent studies. The density measures in the range of blood and is thought to represent subarachnoid blood. It can be confused with falx calcification in adolescents and adults, but falx calcification is normally not seen in the pediatric population.     

Mammography phototimer technique chart

A phototimer technique chart for mammography is presented along with the methodology used to design it. The chart is based on accurate measurement of breast thickness and helps overcome the inability of the phototimer to track as breast thickness varies. In clinical practice, the chart results in the consistent attainment of optimally exposed films and decreased number of retakes.