The role of the neonatal intensive care nurse in the delivery room

The experienced Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse is a crucial member of the delivery room resuscitation team. In a survey of tertiary centers, the neonatal nurse was the most consistent member of the team in attendance at high risk deliveries. This nursing role, including rationale, preparation for, and future potential, is explored in this article.     

Bone scintigraphy in chondroblastoma

Scintigraphy in 3 patients with chondroblastoma showed that the tumors were hyperemic and avidly accumulated the radionuclide. These changes were also present in adjacent normal bone, but to a lesser degree. This suggest that radionuclide uptake in chondroblastoma is a function of the blood supply to the tumor rather than primary matrix extraction.     

Congenital hepatic artery aneurysm simulating pancreatic carcinoma

The authors report a case of a hepatic artery aneurysm that simulated a mass in the head of the pancreas. The correct diagnosis was made preoperatively based on several findings: curvilinear calcification within the mass on CT, a well-defined cystic collection on ultrasound, absence of biliary duct dilatation or jaundice, and presence of other aneurysms.     

Complications of preoperative high-dose-rate iridium-192 irradiation in cervix uteri carcinoma

A report is given about the experience in preoperative, nonfractionated high-dose iridium-192 irradiation in cases of carcinoma of the cervix uteri. A few days prior to radical hysterectomy a dose of 20 Gy (in 2 cm distance) was applied locally by means of a loop-applicator (afterloading technique, Buchler). In cases without postoperative irradiation severe vaginal necroses, in cases with postoperative irradiation severe local and peripheral lesions were observed. In 8 of 10 cases irradiated pre- and postoperatively, another surgical intervention was necessary because of complications in the urinary or intestinal tract. This publication is presented as a warning for preoperative high-dose irradiation with 20 Gy applied locally in cases of carcinoma of the cervix uteri.