Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Intracranial Aneurysm clips

Six different types of Intracranial Aneurysm Clips representative of those used in South Australian Neurosurgical practice were tested for their ferromagnetic quality measured by deflection at the portal of a 1.0 Tesla superconductive M.R.I. unit. One clip (Sugita) exhibited no deflection and was regarded as non-ferromagnetic. Radiographic identification of the Sugita Intracranial Aneurysm clip appears possible.     

ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION OF PREMATURE NEWBORN RABBITS; EFFECTS OF POSITIVE END-EXPIRATORY PRESSURE ON LUNG MECHANICS AND LUNG MORPHOLOGY

Abstract. Nilsson, R., Grossmann, G. and Robertson, B. (Department of Paediatric Pathology and Department of Paediatrics, St. Goran's Children's Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden). Artificial ventilation of premature newborn rabbits; effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on lung mechanics and lung morphology. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69: 597, 1980.—44 premature newborn rabbits, removed by hysterotomy on day 27 of gestation, were ventilated with positive pressure under differing standardized conditions, with or without application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP; 5 cm H₂O). After 10 min ventilation, compliance of the lung-thorax system was significantly higher in fetuses ventilated with PEEP than in controls. The application of PEEP also resulted in a significantly lower maximal expiratory air flow compared to controls in groups ventilated with standardized tidal volume. Morphometric evaluation revealed bronchiolar epithelial lesions to be less prominent in fetuses treated with PEEP. Our findings show that application of PEEP has a beneficial effect on lung mechanics during artificial ventilation and that it reduces the risk of epithelial damage to the airways, presumably by promoting uniform expansion of the lung parenchyma.     

PARA-INFLUENZA PNEUMONIA IN DiGEORGE SYNDROME TWO YEARS AFTER THYMIC EPITHELIAL TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract. Beard, Lorraine J., Robertson, Evelyn F. and Thong, Y. H. (Department of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide and Department of Chemical Pathology, Adelaide Children's Hospital Inc.). Para-influenza pneumonia in DiGeorge syndrome two years after thymic epithelial transplantation. Acta Paediatr Scand 69:403, 1980.—A patient with DiGeorge syndrome developed pneumonia caused by para-influenza virus type 3 two years after immunological reconstitution with foetal thymic epithelium. There was a transient reduction of mitogen-induced lymphocyte transformation at the time of the pneumonia. Although she recovered from the pneumonia, bronchitis persisted and the virus could still be isolated from her pharyngeal secretions 3½ months later.     

CLINICAL USE OF THE WIDE FIELD SPECULAR MICROSCOPE

The Pocklington (Keeler-Konan) wide field specular microscope has been in use for 18 months at the Corneal Diseases Unit, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne.
In this study, the microscope has been applied clinically to assess the state of the corneal endothelium and to evaluate comparative endothelial cell density and morphology in certain anterior segment microsurgical procedures. The clinical conditions studied are primary posterior chamber intraocular tens implantatbn, secondary intraocular lens implantation, intraocular lens exchange, and penetrating keratoplasty.     

Emotions and skin (II)—the conditioning of scratch responses in cases of lichen simplex

Lichen simplex is generally regarded as a condition initiated and perpetuated by scratching and emotional tension. It was felt that the scratching might partly be a conditional response to itching and other signals, and that feelings of guilt, anxiety and hostility would be prominent features in these patients. Conditioning experiments designed to establish scratch responses to an itch stimulus (UCS) and a tone (CS) showed that lichen simplex patients conditioned more readily and extinguished more slowly than controls. These finding were more marked when the itch stimulus was applied to affected as compared with normal skin. It was not possible to distinguish differences in the psychological tests between patients and controls. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.     

Use of Alcohol Among High School Students in Lesotho—a health promotion perspective

A recently published article on alcohol use among young people in Lesotho highlighted an important public health issue—the changing pattern of alcohol consumption in many Third World countries. In this commentary I wish to consider some of the factors which might be contributing to this growing problem and some of the steps that need to be taken to address this issue. In particular I will focus on the role of the alcohol industry and the tactics used to create and develop new markets.     

Cytomegalic Inclusion Disease: A Report of Two Cases

Two cases of generalized cytomegalic inclusion disease are reported. The first was a 5-day-old boy with gastro-intestinal symptoms and multiple perforation of the small intestine. Autopsy disclosed advanced cytomegalic changes in the kidneys, and dispersed inclusions in the lungs, liver, pancreas and hypophysis. The other case was a 7-week-old boy with a clinical picture of respiratory distress, who died after three weeks of respirator therapy. The autopsy showed interstitial pneumonia and cytomegalic changes in the lungs, kidneys and liver. With regard to the possibility of diagnosing the disease intra vitam by cytologic analysis of the urinary sediment, the presence of isolated cytomegalic cells in renal tubules is a feature of interest in both these cases.