Neuroblastoma metastatic to the liver in infants

Four infants are described who presented with rapid enlargement of the liver. This was found to be due to neuroblastoma which had metastasized to the liver; the condition was associated with high levels of urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA). In 3 infants the primary tumour was in the adrenal gland and in one it was not identified. One infant died after laparotomy and 2 infants survive disease free with normal VMA levels, one after adrenalectomy and hepatic irradiation and one after a short course of chemotherapy. The fourth patient responded initially to hepatic irradiation and chemotherapy, but relapsed 2 years later with recurrent disease; at the same time the VMA level which had been normal, again rose. The importance of screening for an abnormal VMA level in any infant with a rapidly enlarging liver in order to obtain an early diagnosis is stressed. Careful follow-up, with serial VMA estimations, is essential to detect recurrent disease. The prognosis for some infants with this distribution of neuroblastoma which has metastasized to the liver, but not to the bones or oribt, is good.     

Uncooked cornstarch--efficacy in type I glycogenosis

Uncooked cornstarch (UCCS) loads in 14 patients with type 1 glycogenosis revealed that satisfactory glycaemia was achieved for a median of 4.25 hours (range 2.5 to 6). Length of glycaemia was related weakly to UCCS dose, but not to patient age or measures of metabolic control. Careful monitoring is required during UCCS treatment.     

Temporomandibular joint arthrography: comparison of morbidity with ionic and low osmolality contrast media

We compared patient morbidity associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrography using both meglumine/sodium diatrizoate (60%) and the new monoacidic dimer, Hexabrix, in a double-blind randomized clinical trial in 31 patients. Patients experienced maximal discomfort from TMJ arthrography with the initial joint filling and joint distension; this rapidly resolved over 10 minutes. Delayed exacerbation of pain is less than described for shoulder arthrography. The newer contrast media promise to decrease patient morbidity with arthrography.     

锌缺乏对神经病理性疼痛模型小鼠行为学的影响

目的研究饮食锌缺乏对神经病理性疼痛模型小鼠痛域的影响。方法制备饮食锌缺乏小鼠,采用小鼠坐骨神经分支选择损伤模型,金属自显影和原子吸收光谱检测小鼠脊髓后角锌稳态,检测小鼠痛域。结果 AMG结果证实,与假手术组相比,模型组小鼠和锌缺乏组小鼠脊髓后角游离锌离子减少,与模型组小鼠相比,锌缺乏小鼠脊髓后角游离锌离子减少。原子吸收光谱结果表明,锌缺乏组小鼠总锌含量较假手术组减少。痛域检测结果表明,锌缺乏小鼠痛域下降。结论锌离子可能参与小鼠脊髓后角痛觉专递。