Expandable intraluminal graft: a preliminary study. Work in progress

To overcome the problem of recurrence of stenosis after vascular balloon dilatations, we developed an expandable, intraluminal graft that allows dilatation of the lesion and simultaneous placement of a supportive endoprosthesis to prevent recoil of the arterial wall. The graft is made of continuous, woven, stainless steel wire. The resulting tubular mesh has a wall thickness of 200-450 micron and 80% open surface. The grafts, mounted on angioplasty catheters, are introduced through 8-12-F Teflon sheaths. Eleven grafts of 6, 8, and 10 mm in diameter by 20 mm long were placed in the aorta, common carotid, superior mesenteric, iliac, and renal arteries of dogs. Six grafts showed no stenosis in follow-up studies of up to 8 weeks. Two grafts had moderate stenosis as a result of neointimal hyperplasia. Two partial and one complete graft thrombosis occurred in nonheparinized animals in which the graft outflow was restricted. Anticoagulant was not used on a long-term basis. Light and electron microscopy studies showed complete covering of the graft's inner surface by endothelium at 3 weeks.     

Adrenal abscess in the neonate

Adrenal abscess in the neonate is a rare complication of adrenal hemorrhage. The radiographic and clinical findings of 12 previously published cases and two new cases of adrenal abscess in the newborn are presented. Sonography was the most helpful examination in distinguishing a suprarenal lesion from an intrarenal lesion and in demonstrating the morphology of the abscess.     

Anatomy of the perirenal area

The authors comment on the use of the renal bridging septa as a sign in distinguishing compartmentalization of the perinephric space. They also address new concepts regarding the spread of pancreatic effusions and provide information on other anatomic features of the perirenal area.     

Surface coil MR imaging of abdominal viscera. Part I. Theory, technique, and initial results

Prototype surface coil magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained from phantoms and 42 subjects at 0.6 T to assess the feasibility of imaging relatively deep abdominal structures. Surface coil images demonstrated a two- to fourfold improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when compared with whole-body coil images with the same resolution elements. This improvement in SNR allowed us to obtain images with thinner sections, higher in-plane resolution, or, alternatively, a decrease in image time. Compared with body images, surface coil images demonstrated greater anatomic detail and reduction in motion artifacts. Despite the limited field of view in very large patients, the use of surface coils improves the diagnostic capability of MR imaging of the abdomen.     

视觉诱发电位在眼科学中的临床应用价值——Christchurch医院的经验

目的 探讨视觉诱发电位在眼科临床中的应用价值.方法 总结Christchurch医院30年来视觉诱发电位在临床应用的经验.结果 视神经炎是视神经的炎症病变,表现为单眼的突发性失明并伴随眼球移动时疼痛.视神经炎的电生理表现为视觉诱发电位的潜伏期延长,这种延长在发病3周视力恢复后仍存在.由于视神经炎关系到多发性硬化症的并发,对其正确的鉴别诊断十分重要.视神经诱发电位一个重要的临床应用,是能发现已痊愈的视神经炎的电位异常.在视觉诱发电位中,P100潜伏期的延长可从急性期延迟很长时间,它在占位性视神经疾病的诊断中有重要的诊断价值,也可作为视交叉占位性病变的确诊手段.另外,视觉诱发电位在功能性失明或装盲(尤其是儿童)有重要应用价值.结论 视觉电生理在眼科临床中的应用应得到肯定.(中国眼耳鼻喉科杂志,2007,775～78)