Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral arteries following cervical manipulation: a case report.

Neck manipulation may uncommonly be associated with serious and even fatal vascular complications. Although well recognised, the nature of the vascular injury has only rarely been directly established by pathological examination. The case is reported of a 43-year-old man who died following neck manipulation, and in whom multiple dissecting aneurysms within both vertebral arteries were demonstrated radiologically and found at necropsy. Bilateral dissecting aneurysms were found both at the level of atlanto-axial articulation and close to the origins of the vertebral arteries. No predisposition was found, other than early atheroma consistent with the patient's age.     

Patellofemoral joint: kinematic MR imaging to assess tracking abnormalities

The patellofemoral joint was imaged with magnetic resonance (MR) in the axial plane while the knee was positioned from 0 degrees to 32 degrees of flexion (nine positions). These multiple sequential images obtained within the early phases of flexion of the knee were viewed in a "cine-loop" format, producing a kinematic study that clearly demonstrated the relationship of the patella to the trochlear groove. Four healthy subjects and one patient with known bilateral subluxing patellae were studied. The preliminary results suggest that kinematic MR imaging of the patellofemoral joint is potentially useful for the evaluation of patellar tracking abnormalities.     

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral bolus doses of L-carnitine in healthy subjects

Summary The pharmacokinetics of single intravenous and oral doses of L-carnitine 2 g and 6 g has been investigated in 6 healthy subjects on a low carnitine diet.Carnitine was more rapidly eliminated from plasma after the higher dose. Comparing the 2-g and 6-g doses, the t_1/2 of the elimination phase () was 6.5 h vs 3.9 h, the elimination constant was 0.40 vs 0.50 h^–1 and the plasma carnitine clearance was 5.4 vs 6.11 × h^–1 (p<0.025), thus showing dose-related elimination.Saturable kinetics was not found in the range of doses given. The apparent volumes of distribution after the two doses were not significantly different and they were of the same order as the total body water. Urinary recoveries after the 2-g and 6-g doses were 70% and 82% during the first 24 h, respectively.Following the two oral dosing, there was no significant difference in AUCs of plasma carnitine. Urinary recoveries were 8% and 4% for the 2-g and 6-g doses during the first 24 h. The oral bioavailability of the 2-g dose was 16% and of the 6 h dose 5%. The results suggest that the mucosal absorption of carnitine is already saturated at the 2-g dose.     

Coagulation changes following hepatic revascularization during liver transplantation

The coagulation changes during liver transplantation have been studied in 14 selected patients. Blood usage in all cases was limited to 8.5 liters, and the preoperative coagulation results were only minimally deranged. Bleeding during the operative procedure was easily managed in all cases. Nonetheless, even in this selected group of "low risk" patients, we have demonstrated that during the anhepatic phase and particularly following hepatic revascularization there is activation of both coagulation and fibrinolysis. These findings imply that if bleeding occurs following revascularization, in addition to the use of replacement blood products, treatment should be directed at reducing the consumptive coagulopathy and inhibiting fibrinolysis. We suggest as a first step antithrombin supplementation to maintain activity above 70%, and an antifibrinolytic agent, such as aprotonin, should be considered as adjuncts to therapy at revascularization.     

Critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a coasted in-vitro fertilization patient

We report an instance of critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a highly responsive in-vitro fertilization patient despite the preventive measure of a 4 day 'coast' interval during which no gonadotrophins were administered while gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist therapy continued until serum oestradiol concentrations fell below 3000 pg/ml.      

Incidence and determinants of moderate COPD (GOLD II) in male smokers aged 40–65 years: 5-year follow up

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem with an estimated prevalence of 10-15% among smokers. The incidence of moderate COPD, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), is largely unknown. AIM: To determine the cumulative incidence of moderate COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio [FEV1/FVC] <0.7 and FEV1 <80% predicted) and its association with patient characteristics in a cohort of male smokers. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The city of IJsselstein, a small town in the Netherlands. METHOD: Smokers aged 40-65 years who were registered with local GPs, participated in a study to identify undetected COPD. Baseline measurements were taken in 1998 of 399 smokers with normal spirometry (n = 292) or mild COPD (FEV1/FVC <0.7 and FEV1 >or=80% predicted, n = 107) and follow-up measurements were conducted in 2003. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 5.2 years, 33 participants developed moderate COPD (GOLD II). This showed an estimated cumulative incidence of 8.3% (95% CI = 5.8 to 11.4) and a mean annual incidence of 1.6%. No participant developed severe airflow obstruction. The risk of developing moderate COPD in smokers with baseline mild COPD (GOLD I) was five times higher than in those with baseline normal spirometry (one in five versus one in 25). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of middle-aged male smokers, the estimated cumulative incidence of moderate COPD (GOLD II) over 5 years was relatively high (8.3%). Age, childhood smoking, cough, and one or more GP contacts for lower respiratory tract problems were independently associated with incident moderate COPD.