Human infection with monkeypox virus: laboratory investigation of six cases in West Africa

Between September 1970 and May 1971 six cases of human infection with monkeypox virus were identified in three West African countries—Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. Four of the cases were confirmed by viral isolation, and two were diagnosed on epidemiological and serological evidence. Poxvirus strains isolated from the four cases were indistinguishable from reference monkeypox strains (Copenhagen and Utrecht), and all were easily differentiated from variola and vaccinia viruses. The isolated strains produced small necrotic haemorrhagic pocks on CAM, grew well at 39.0°C, formed large plaques in Vero cell cultures, showed markedly more virulence for chick embryos and mice than do variola strains, and produced large necrotic haemorrhagic local lesions with generalized illness and florid secondary exanthem when inoculated into rabbit skin.     

A variant of normal-pressure hydrocephalus simulating Pick's disease on computerized tomography. Report of two cases

The authors present two cases of normal-pressure hydrocephalus that simulated Pick's disease radiographically and that were initially diagnosed as cortical atrophy. In both cases, Sylvian cisternoperitoneal shunts improved the clinical picture only temporarily, but ventriculoperitoneal shunting produced dramatic relief of all symptoms.     

Microanastomotic response to needle and suture size

This study was performed to examine the microanastomotic response to needle and suture size, comparing the 10-0 (75 mu needle/22 mu suture), the 11-0 (50 mu needle/18 mu suture), and a new modified 11-0 which has a 30 mu needle and a 14 mu suture. Each artery received five full thickness sutures of either suture. The vessels were harvested at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days and checked for patency, aneurysm formation, and gross strength. Histologic slides and scanning electron micrographs (SEM) were made at 7, 21, and 28 days postoperatively. The 11-0 with the 30 mu needle gave better patency rates, less incidence of aneurysm formation, and as good or better recovery in gross strength, when compared with the 10-0 75 mu needle. Histologically and by SEM, the 11-0 with the 30 mu needle was far superior to the other two larger sized sutures, showing less trauma and inflammation. The use of the modified 11-0 suture with the 30 mu needle is advantageous in anastomosis of vessels 1 mm or smaller.     

Distal rupture of the palmaris longus tendon and fascia as a cause of acute carpal tunnel syndrome

Acute carpal tunnel syndrome is rare compared with its more chronic presentation. Previous reports in the literature have documented the most common causes. Rupture of the distal palmaris longus tendon into the palmaris fascia as a cause of an acute carpal tunnel syndrome has not been reported previous to this case report. Partial rupture of the tendon and hemorrhage around its insertion produced intrinsic compression on the transverse ligament and the underlying nerve.