Spontaneous uterine rupture secondary to recurrent haematometra from cervical stenosis

Cervical stenosis is a challenging condition that often recurs despite intervention. Multiple therapeutic options have been described, but a clearly effective and reliable treatment method has yet to be identified. Patients with recurrent stenosis are at risk of developing severe complications such as chronic pelvic pain and infertility. We describe a case of congenital cervical stenosis with secondary haematometra in which repeated cervical dilatation, hysteroscopic canalisation and administration of medications to retard endometrial development were unsuccessful in relieving the obstruction and preventing re-accumulation of menstrual blood. Total hysterectomy was eventually mandated by spontaneous rupture of the haematometra.     

Cardiovascular effects of midazolam and thiopentone for induction of anaesthesia in Ill surgical patients

The cardiovascular effects of midazolam (0.15 mg kg-) and thiopentone (3.0 mg kg₁) were compared during induction of anaesthesia in 20 American Society of Anesthesiologists class HI patients. In patients given thiopentone (N = 11), cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and systemic vascular resistance all decreased significantly over the course of the study period; mean right atrial pressure rose slightly, and stroke volume remained the same. Patients receiving midazolam (N = 9) experienced similar haemodynamic changes which were significant relative to baseline only for the fall in mean arterial pressure and the rise in mean right atrial pressure at ten minutes. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Midazolam thus appears to be at least as acceptable an induction agent as thiopentone in ill patients, from a haemoaynamic point of view.     

Recurrent Hydatidiform Mole: A Report of a Patient with 7 Consecutive Moles

A rare case of hydatidiform mole occurring 7 consecutive times in a Chinese woman is presented. She was first seen in 1979 at the age of 23 years, with a molar pregnancy and subsequently had 6 consecutive moles, the last being in July, 1986; at this visit the patient and her husband were very depressed, and convinced that a normal pregnancy was unlikely and requested a hysterectomy. They were warned earlier several times, of the possible long-term consequences of a recurrent mole and that their chance of having a normal baby was very remote. A total hysterectomy was performed at her last presentation as the patient requested one, instead of dilatation and curettage for a persistently high HCG and bulky uterus following suction evacuation. Histology revealed an invasive mole. The beta HCG level was less than 4IU/l by the end of September, 1986 and she is still being followed-up.     

Antiepileptic-induced resistance to neuromuscular blockers: mechanisms and clinical significance

Prolonged administration of antiepileptic drugs is associated with several drug interactions. In the field of anaesthesia and critical care, patients exhibit both sensitivity and resistance to non-depolarising neuromuscular blockers (NDNMBs) after acute and long-term administration of antiepileptic drugs, respectively. Although antiepileptic therapy alone has only mild neuromuscular effects, acutely administered antiepileptic drugs can potentiate the neuromuscular effects of NDNMBs as a result of direct pre- and post-junctional effects. Resistance to NDNMBs during long-term antiepileptic therapy is due to multiple factors operating alone or in combination, including induction of hepatic drug metabolism, increased protein binding of the NDNMBs and/or upregulation of acetylcholine receptors.     

Measuring quality of life in children with adenotonsillar disease with the Child Health Questionnaire: a first U.K. study

OBJECTIVE: To validate the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) and assess the quality of life of inner-city British children with adenotonsillar disease. METHODS: The primary caregiver of a consecutive series of 43 patients referred for adenotonsillar disease to a pediatric otolaryngology clinic completed the Child Health Questionnaire. Questionnaires were analyzed for data quality and completeness, items/scale correlation, internal consistency and discriminant validity, interscale correlation, reliability estimates and external validity. RESULTS: CHQ demonstrated excellent measuring characteristics in our population. In a comparison with healthy children, 11 out of 15 measures of quality of life were significantly depressed in our sample. Compared with children with rheumatoid arthritis, scores were equivalent in most areas, with the exception of the global health subscale and overall physical score, where our sample scored significantly lower. CONCLUSION: The CHQ (PF 28 version) is an accurate and reliable way of assessing the impact of adenotonsillar disease on the quality of life in children in Britain. This appears to be quite significant in most aspects of a child's life.