Computed tomographic findings in cerebral toxoplasmosis in adults

The clinical and computerized tomographic (CT) findings in 10 patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis are reviewed. All patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis were homosexuals and/or intravenous drug users, and all patients had other manifestations of AIDS. Two presented with focal seizures, 4 presented with focal neurological deficit which progressively worsened, and 4 had evidence of diffuse neurological dysfunction (altered consciousness, generalized seizures). CT showed a single lesion in 3 patients and multiple lesions in 7 patients. Two patients had hypodense nonenhancing lesions(s). Eight patients had hypodense lesions with peripheral or nodular enhancement. The lesions were more commonly located in the cerebral hemispheres and subcortical gray matter nuclear masses (thalamus, basal ganglia). The finding of a hypodense lesion with a central slightly hyperdense noncalcified region that showed dense nodular homogeneous enhancement was quite characteristic of cerebral toxoplasmosis, but this pattern may also be seen in other neurological conditions including brain lymphomas.     

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: Comparison of extent using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in one case

In a case of diffuse xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) were used. The MR proved to be more precise in the preoperative evaluation of inflammatory extension to the spleen and into the abdominal wall. The CT was more accurate in excluding spread to the colon.     

Serial angiographic follow-up of sirolimus-eluting stents for unprotected left main coronary artery revascularization.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the clinical and serial angiographic outcomes of patients undergoing sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis. BACKGROUND: The efficacy of SES has led to their expanded use for off-label indications, including LMCA disease. METHODS: Unprotected LMCA intervention with SES was attempted in 50 patients. Surveillance angiography was performed at three and nine months' follow-up. RESULTS: The target lesion involved the distal LMCA in 47 patients (94%). In-lesion restenosis occurred in 21 patients (42%), was focal in 85% of cases, and in 82% involved the branch ostia, sparing the LMCA itself. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) occurred in 19 patients (38%) over a mean follow-up of 276 +/- 57 days; TLR was ischemia-driven in 7 patients (14%). Late loss was significantly greater within the left circumflex (LCX) ostium compared to the parent vessel (PV) of the LMCA bifurcation (0.83 +/- 0.89 mm vs. 0.49 +/- 0.72 mm, p = 0.04). Late loss continued to increase between three- and nine-month follow-up. Final minimal luminal diameter and maximal balloon pressure were independent predictors of restenosis of the PV. CONCLUSIONS: Restenosis is a frequent finding when serial angiographic follow-up is performed after SES implantation for unprotected distal LMCA lesions. Restenosis is usually focal, most often involves the LCX ostium, and often occurs without symptoms.     

The clinical significance of sinus membrane perforation during augmentation of the maxillary sinus.

PURPOSE: Augmentation of the maxillary sinus floor is a well-documented technique and is generally accepted as a pure implantology procedure to facilitate placement of dental implants in the posterior atrophic maxilla. The objective of this report was to evaluate the significance of the sinus membrane perforations on the incidence, complications, and success rate of this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who received sinus floor augmentation and simultaneous placement of dental implant were included in this study. Subgroup I consisted of patients who had their sinus membrane perforated and repaired during the procedure with resorbable membrane. Subgroup II consisted of patients whose Schneiderian membrane was not perforated during the procedure. The patients were followed between 1 to 4 years after augmentation. RESULTS: All perforations were classified as class II or III. The success rate of the implants in the perforation group was 94.4%, and that for the nonperforation group was 93.9%. The difference between the 2 study groups was statistically not significant. A significant statistical correlation was found between the residual ridge height and the membrane perforation (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Mainly due to technical difficulties, maxillary sinus membrane perforation occurs more frequently with a small height of residual alveolar bone. In this study, no statistical difference was observed in the success rate of the immediate implants placed with sinus bone grafting in patients whose membrane was perforated versus those patients in whom an intact membrane was maintained.     

The relationship between the Stiles–Crawford effect of the first kind (SCE-I) and myopia

The Stiles-Crawford effect of the first kind (SCE-I) was measured on both emmetropic and myopic subjects at six different retinal locations. The results revealed a number of significant discrepancies in receptor alignment between the groups of different refractive errors. In myopic subjects, the receptors in the nasal retina (i.e. between the fovea and the optic nerve head) were found to be aligned nasally towards the optic nerve head, whereas the receptors in the temporal retina were aligned towards the centre of the exit pupil. In emmetropic subjects, the receptors across the retina were finely tuned towards the centre of the exit pupil. The magnitude of the receptor displacement in myopic subjects was found to be directly associated with the length of the eyeball.     

Alcohol Use among Drug Abusers: Treatment Outcomes in a Therapeutic Community

Male and female dropouts and graduates (N = 248) from a traditional drug-free therapeutic community were followed 2 years after treatment. A 4-hr face-to-face interview traced the social adjustment one year pre-, through all years posttreatment. Results showed that (a) success (no crime and no opioid and/or no use of nonopioid primary drug) was maintained through 2 years of follow-up by 34% of the dropouts and 68% of the graduates; (b) success rates were highest among opioid abusers and the lowest among primary alcohol abusers; (c) among the latter, however, abstinence rates were significantly increased and daily use of alcohol significantly decreased as did criminal involvement; (d) among the opioid abstinent group, alcohol use increased posttreatment but heavy drinking was not prominent indicating no significant shift in substance dependency. Overall, the therapeutic community appears most effective for opioid abusers but has a clear impact on a considerable number of those primarily involved with alcohol and other substance use.