Priorities for computed tomography and lymphography in the staging and initial management of Hodgkin's disease

Thirty-five patients with Hodgkin's disease were staged with the aid of chest radiographs, bipedal lymphograms and computed tomography (CT) scans. Computed tomographic findings altered management in only two patients (6%) by indicating enlargement of their radiotherapy fields. After lymphography, five patients (14%) were changed from Stage II (clinical and CT staging) to Stage III, so altering their management. Because either technique may show more extensive disease, CT and lymphography are complementary. Computed tomography should be performed initially. If it reveals no abnormality in the lymphogram area, lymphography, too, should be undertaken. Inverted Y fields are easier to visualise and design from lymphograms than from CT sections.     

The results of combined cataract extraction and trabeculectomy using separate incisions

A method of combined cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens and trabeculectomy using separate incisions was tested in 44 operations on 38 patients. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of 28.1 ± 11.7 (range 12 to 56) mmHg on maximum medication was lowered to 13.9 ± 3.4 (9 to 23) mmHg at one year, with half the eyes still requiring topical medication. The IOP was 40 mmHg or more preoperatively in eight eyes and 20 mmHg or more in only two patients at one year. There were no rises in IOP above 20 mmHg in the early postoperative period (days 1 and 2). Visual acuity was 6/9 or better in 27 and 6/12 in three eyes. There was an expulsive haemorrhage in one case, rupture of the posterior capsule in two eyes and a choroidal detachment in one eye, but no flat anterior chambers. The two-incision method allowed placement of an intraocular lens with good postoperative pressure control.     

FK506 in combination with methotrexate for the prevention of graft- versus-host disease after marrow transplantation from matched unrelated donors

The safety and potential efficacy of FK506 in combination with a short course of methotrexate (MTX) for the prevention of acute graft-versus- host disease (GVHD) after marrow transplantation from HLA-matched unrelated donors was evaluated in a single-arm Phase II study conducted at two centers. Forty-three patients, 15 to 54 (median 41) years of age, were transplanted for hematologic malignancies. Thirty-seven of 43 evaluable patients had evidence of sustained marrow engraftment. Five patients died before day 17 after transplantation. The median time to an absolute neutrophil count of > 0.5 x 10(5)/L was 21 (range, 14 to 30) days. Nephrotoxicity (serum creatinine concentration > 2 mg/dL or doubling of baseline) occurred in 32 patients (74% cumulative incidence during the first 100 days after transplant). Other adverse effects included hypertension (n = 27), hyperglycemia (n = 27), neurotoxicity (n = 9) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (n = 2). Severe veno- occlusive disease of the liver occurred in 9 (21%) of the 43 patients. Eighteen patients (42%) developed grades II to IV acute GVHD and five (12%) developed grades III to IV acute GVHD. Twelve of 25 evaluable patients developed extensive chronic GVHD within 1 year of marrow transplantation resulting in an estimate of the probability of developing this complication of 48%. The cumulative incidence of transplant-related mortality during the first 100 days was 37%. Kaplan- Meier estimates of disease-free survival at 2 years for good-risk, poor- risk, and all patients were 65%, 4%, and 32%, respectively. FK506 in combination with a short course of MTX appears active in preventing acute GVHD after marrow transplantation from unrelated donors. Further studies comparing the combination of FK506 and MTX with cyclosporine and MTX for the prevention of acute GVHD are warranted.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: the treatment of choice for renovascular hypertension due to fibromuscular dysplasia

Twenty-three renal artery stenoses in 21 hypertensive patients, caused by fibromuscular dysplasia, were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Follow-up over a period of 1 to 30 months, including angiography, renal vein renin assay, and radionuclide flow studies, was performed in 8 patients, each with one stenosis. Dilatation was initially successful in all cases and was successfully repeated in 1 case. The mean systolic pressure decreased by 61.81 mm Hg and the mean diastolic pressure by 36.28 mm Hg in response to treatment. Thirteen patients were cured, 8 were felt to have better control of blood pressure on medication, and there was no failures. This study demonstrates that PTA is a clinically effective method of treating renovascular hypertension due to fibromuscular dysplasia.     

儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征上气道结构的MRI研究分析

目的利用磁共振成像（MRI）对儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）的上气道结构进行测量分析,探讨儿童OSAHS上气道的结构特点。方法选择原发性鼾症组（Ps组）30例和OSAHS组30例,同时随机选择30例正常儿童作为对照组,应用MRI对上气道进行空间测量和软组织测量,结果进行统计学分析。结果①空间测量：3组儿童之间相比,鼻咽气道截面积、口咽气道截面积、腭咽气道截面积、气道斜径,比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;②软组织测量：舌体截面积3组之间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;OSAHS组比Ps组及对照组腺样体截面积大、腺样体斜距长,比较有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;OSAHS组、Ps组比对照组扁桃体截面积大,比较有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论应用MRI可以判定OSAHS儿童上气道的狭窄情况,可作为诊断儿童OSAHS的重要辅助手段。