Association of a sylvian arachnoid cyst and trigonocephaly in a developing child: importance and management

Introduction Trigonocephaly and arachnoid cysts are two different entities that may cause intracerebral pressure elevation: one by space occupying and the other by space restriction. The true incidence of association of trigonocephaly and sylvian arachnoid cyst is not known. We present a rare case of trigonocephaly associated with a sylvian arachnoid cyst in a patient that underwent forehead reconstruction and fenestration of the arachnoid cyst in the same operation.Case report Investigation of an 11-month-old girl suffering from triangular appearance of the forehead since birth revealed metopic suture synostosis and type II sylvian arachnoid cyst. Neurological examination was normal. There were no seizure history and no other systemic malformation that could be a part of any syndromes associated with cranial synostosis. Forehead reconstruction with forehead advancement for trigonocephaly and fenestration of the arachnoid cyst to the basal cisterns were performed in the same operation. Satisfactory outcome was achieved.Conclusion The coexistence of craniosynostosis and arachnoid cyst is rare. They can be treated surgically in a single session.     

In vitro effectiveness of different chemical agents on scolices of hydatid cyst.

In the surgical history of hepatic hydatid disease, multiple scolicidal agents have been used for sterilization of the cyst contents. However, none of these agents can be safely used, because most have unacceptable side effects, such as toxicity, caustic sclerosing cholangitis, bile duct stricture, and hypernatremia. Protoscolices were aseptically removed from liver hydatid cysts obtained from sheep slaughtered at the municipal abattoir in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. In this study, the effects of 0.9% NaCl (control group), 20% NaCl (hypertonic saline), 20% silver nitrate, albendazole 20 mg/cm3, 50% dextrose (hypertonic glucose), and 20% mannitol and aminomix-1 solutions on echinococe cysts were investigated under in vitro conditions. After 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, and 60 min for each concentration, the first 100 protoscolices were counted on the 10x microscopical field. Protoscolices, which showed positive staining by eosine were considered as dead ones. The averages of dead and total protoscolices were calculated. Our results showed that all observed protoscolices were dead after the treatments by 20% silver nitrate in 20 min, by 50% dextrose and by aminomix-1 solution in 30 min, and by 20% NaCl and by 20% mannitol in 45 min. Albendazole at 20 mg/cm3 was observed to lead to death of 65% of protoscolices in the first 5 min and 70% of protoscolices at the end of 60 min. Compared with 0.9% NaCl (saline), all of these scolicidal agents were significantly effective (p < .05). Aminomix-1, 20% mannitol, and 50% dextrose solutions may be used in percutaneous and surgical treatment of hydatid cyst. They may be preferred because they are readily available, can be administered intravenously, and have an equal or greater effectiveness than 20% hypertonic saline.     

Measurement of the response of HeLa cells towards the radiomimetic activity of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

The sensitivity of HeLa cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle towards the radiomimetic activity of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (Kinzel et al. (1980) Science, 210, 429–431) has been utilized to establish dose response relationships. This was accomplished by analysis of mitotic curves and determination of cells not affected, a measurement known to be dose dependent in the case of very low X-ray doses. Half maximal activity was exerted by TPA at approximately 5 × 10^?9 M concentration. Mechanistically, however, TPA seems to exert its activity through a route different from that of X-rays or other radiomimetic drugs for 2 reasons: (1) the cellular response does not increase proportionally with dose; (2) cells recover from G₂ blockage even in the presence of TPA. Therefore it appears as if the tumor promoter acts indirectly by triggering an exhaustable cellular activity which leads to the radiomimetic response.     

Gastroprotective and antioxidant effects of usnic acid on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Usnea longissima, a medicinal lichen of Anatolia (Turkey), is used in the treatment of gastric ulcer in local folk medicine. In this paper, the gastroprotective effect of usnic acid (UA) isolated from Usnea longissima was investigated in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. The gastric lesions were significantly reduced by all doses of UA as compared with the indomethacin (25 mg/kg body weight) treated group. In the stomach tissues of treated animals, the in vivo antioxidant levels were evaluated. The administration of indomethacin caused a significant decrease in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH), and an increase in the lipid peroxidation (LPO) level (p < 0.05). The administration of all doses of UA reversed the trend, inducing a significant increase of SOD, GSH and GPx levels and a reduction in LPO level in tissues. However, catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and myeloperoxidase (MPx) activities, increased by indomethacin, were found to be lower in the UA- and ranitidine-treated groups. The gastric mucosal constitutive NO synthase (cNOS) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activities were also investigated in tissues of UA- (100 mg/kg), ranitidine- (50 mg/kg) and indomethacin-treated rat groups. The administration of UA and ranitidine increased the cNOS activity and lowered the iNOS activity as compared with indomethacin-treated group. These results suggest that the gastroprotective effect of UA can be attributed to its reducing effect on the oxidative damage and neutrophil infiltration in tissues.     

Ureteral membranous band causing ureteral obstruction after the ureterolithotomy

A 45-year-old male admitted to our clinic of symptoms with moderate left flank pain and intermittant macroscopic hematuria. During the last 6 months these complaints had worsened. He had history of open retroperitoneal ureterolithotomy 2 years previously for ureteral stone. He was investigated for calculi, infection and other urinary abnormalities. Although direct urinary system graphy was normal, excretory urography revealed left ureteric obstruction. On ureteroscopy membranous band like an ureteral valve causing ureteral obstruction was observed and removed with biopsy pens without resection.     

Nondermatoscopic digital imaging of pigmented lesions

Background/aims: Pigmented lesions are often difficult to evaluate clinically. Improvement of diagnostic accuracy by dermatoscopy has attracted much interet. With advanced digital imaging measurement of assymmetry, border irregularity and relative color as well as texture characteristics, lesional depth and changes in lesional area are now possible, the object of this review is to conclude the present status of these techniques and their potential.
Conclusions: Digital imaging of pigmented lesions to this date include acquiring and storing of images, quantification of clinical features including asymmetry, and teledermatology with transfer of images. Predicted uses include malignancy evaluation, delineation of depth of invasion and the development of large collections of pigment lesions observations. The field is rapidly expanding. As of 1994, it is unknown what role digital imaging will ultimately play in clinical dermatology.