Abnormal pregnancy: early diagnosis by US and serum chorionic gonadotropin levels

Simultaneous sonography and quantitative serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels from 126 women with threatened abortion were compared. Of 56 women with normal outcome, 39 (70%) had a gestation sac greater than or equal to 5 mm in mean sac diameter, and in each case the HCG level was 1,800 milli-international units (mIU/ml) or greater. The serum HCG levels strongly correlated with the gestation sac sizes to a mean sac diameter of 25 mm. Of 70 abnormal pregnancies, 31 demonstrated a gestation sac. Of these, 20 women (65%) had disproportionately low HCG levels relative to sac size, including 12 in whom the HCG level was less than 1,800 mIU/ml. One woman with an early molar pregnancy had a disproportionately elevated HCG level. Correlation of sonograms with a simultaneous measurement of serum HCG level is a useful method for evaluating threatened spontaneous abortion. A disproportionately low HCG level relative to gestation sac size is evidence for an abnormal pregnancy.     

Acquired immune hemolytic anemia associated with IgA erythrocyte coating: investigation of hemolytic mechanisms

We have investigated the hemolytic mechanisms in a patient with acquired immune hemolytic anemia whose red cells appeared to be coated with IgA alone. The clinical course was similar to that of patients with hemolytic anemia mediated by warm-reacting IgG antibody. Splenic sequestration of red cells was demonstrated, and marked reduction of hemolysis occurred after corticosteroid therapy. Antibody was eluted from the patient's red cells and used to sensitize normal red cells in vitro. These sensitized red cells were not lysed by fresh autologous serum, nor did they fix detectable amounts of C3. However, red cells sensitized by eluted antibody were lysed by normal human peripheral blood monocytes in a system designed to demonstrate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Monocyte-mediated hemolysis of sensitized red cells was inhibited by the addition of low concentrations of normal serum IgA to the system, but not by IgG. The ability of the eluate to induce monocyte-mediated hemolysis was abolished by its adsorption on Sepharose-bound anti-IgA, but not by preincubation with Sepharose-bound anti-IgG. In addition, normal human monocytes were demonstrated to ingest eluate-sensitized red cells. These data demonstrate an in vitro interaction of IgA-sensitized red cells with leukocytes and suggest a possible mechanism for the patient's hemolysis.     

以光敏性癫痫为主要表现的肌阵挛性癫痫伴肌肉破碎红纤维综合征一家系分析

目的研究1个以光敏性癫痫为主要表现的肌阵挛性癫痫伴肌肉破碎红纤维综合征(MERRF)家系的临床特点、遗传学特征。方法整理一个以光敏性癫痫为主要表现的肌阵挛性癫痫伴肌肉破碎红纤维综合征家系的临床表现、辅助检查及影像学资料,分析其临床特点和遗传特征。结果该家系呈母系遗传,共4人(包括先证者3个同辈,1个子代)出现肌阵挛表现,先证者以光敏性癫痫为主要表现,其肌肉活检可见典型的破碎红纤维(RRF),先证者的线粒体DNA提示8344位点由A突变为G。结论 MERRF家系少见,可以光敏性肌阵挛癫痫为主要表现。     

经皮肤活体组织检查确诊的Lafora病五例

目的 探讨Lafora病的临床、病理特点及诊断方法.方法 总结分析5例经腋窝皮肤活体组织检查确诊的Lafora病患者的临床和组织病理学特点.5例患者都进行了腋窝皮肤活体组织检查,常规行HE、糖原(PAS)和阿辛蓝-糖原(AB-PAS)染色.结果 5例患者中4例青少年发病,1例成年起病.所有患者均表现为进行性加重的强直阵挛发作、肌阵挛和智能损害,可早期出现性格改变,构音障碍和行走不稳.腋窝皮肤活体组织检查发现Lafora包涵体存在于大、小汗腺的肌上皮细胞和导管细胞内.结论 经皮肤活体组织检查发现PAS阳性圆形或卵圆形包涵体,结合Lafora病典型的临床表现可以确诊该病;皮肤活体组织检查的部位可选择腋窝或腋窝以外的部位.     

Does preoperative needle localization lead to an increase in local breast cancer recurrence?

Between 1978 and 1981, 74 women with nonpalpable breast cancer underwent surgery after localization guides were placed. In 72 patients, guides were introduced parallel to the chest wall; in two the needle was positioned anteroposteriorly under computed tomographic guidance. Fifty-six cases (76%) were infiltrating cancer; 13 (17%), intraductal cancers; two (3%), inflammatory; and three (4%), lobular carcinoma in situ. Surgery was not used to treat the latter five patients. In the remaining 69 women, 42 (61%) were treated by means of modified radical mastectomy; six (9%), total mastectomy; 12 (17%), local excision and radiation therapy; and seven (10%), local excision alone; exact therapy for two women (3%) was unknown. At a minimum follow-up of 5 years, none of the 67 women in whom the parallel approach was used had a local recurrence. The authors conclude that preoperative placement of guides parallel to the chest wall does not appear to increase the risk of local breast cancer recurrence.     

Asbestos-related focal lung masses: manifestations on conventional and high-resolution CT scans

In 260 asbestos-exposed individuals evaluated by means of computed tomography (CT), 43 unsuspected pulmonary masses were found in 27 individuals. The masses included fissural pleural plaques (n = 10), dense fibrotic bands (n = 3), round atelectasis (n = 11), carcinomas (n = 3), and other presumed benign masses (n = 16). The most helpful features in the diagnosis of rounded atelectasis with CT were (a) contiguity to areas of diffuse pleural thickening, (b) a lentiform or wedge-shaped outline, (c) evidence of volume loss in the adjacent lung, and (d) a characteristic "comet tail" of vessels and bronchi sweeping into the margins of the mass. Less advanced areas of focal atelectasis had fewer classic features. Intrafissural pleural plaques were readily identified with high-resolution CT. In asbestos-related masses, the demonstration of stability over time is necessary. Careful interpretation of CT and high-resolution CT features and close surveillance can obviate the need for biopsy in the majority of instances.     

胃癌细胞增殖与腹腔灌洗液中端粒酶活性及腹膜转移的相关性研究

目的 研究胃癌增殖细胞核抗原（proliferating cell nuclear antigen，PCNA）表达与腹腔灌洗液端粒酶活性及腹膜转移的相关性，并比较腹腔灌洗液中端粒酶活性和细胞学检测游离癌细胞预测腹膜转移的应用价值。方法 应用免疫组化SP法检测60例胃癌患者胃癌组织中PCNA表达，PCR—TRAP-ELISA法检测腹腔灌洗液中端粒酶活性，同时行腹腔灌洗液脱落细胞学（peritoneal lavage cytology．PLC）检测；并分析其与相关临床病理因素的关系。结果 胃癌患者腹腔灌洗液中端粒酶活性的阳性率为41．7％；与浆膜侵犯、组织学类型、浸润深度、浆膜受累面积及腹膜转移密切相关，并随着浸润深度及浆膜受累面积的增加而升高（P〈0．05）。PLC检测阳性率为25．0％；在伴肉眼可见腹膜转移灶（P1-3）者明显增高，也随着浸润深度及浆膜受累面积的增加而升高。两种方法检测的阳性率总体上差异无统计学意义。但在未分化型癌、pT1、伴肉眼可见腹膜转移灶（P1-3）者端粒酶活性阳性率明显高于PLC。PCNA增殖指数（PI）在腹腔灌洗液端粒酶活性表达阳性者明显高于表达阴性者，伴肉眼可见腹膜转移灶（P1-3）者明显高于无肉眼可见腹膜转移灶（P0）者，浆膜受侵者明显高于浆膜未受侵者（P均〈0．05）。结论 两种方法均适用于胃癌腹腔脱落癌细胞的诊断或腹膜转移的预测，端粒酶活性检测微量癌细胞的灵敏度优于PLC法检测；胃癌端粒酶活性与恶性增殖活性密切相关；胃癌高增殖活性是浆膜受侵及腹膜转移的重要原因。     

Low rate of active treatment of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Introduction

The results of surgical resection and palliative chemotherapy use in hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) have been well publicised but the proportion of patients able to undergo these treatments and the comparative outcomes in a population of patients with HC are less well known.

Methods

Patients with HC were identified by review of all patients undergoing percutaneous cholangiography over a nine-year period (2002–2010) in a tertiary facility. The treatment undertaken and outcomes were recorded.

Results

Overall, 68 patients were identified (37 female) with a median age of 70 years. Forty-five (66%) were treated solely by insertion of a metal stent (median survival 4.73 months) and nine (13%) also received palliative chemotherapy (median survival 13.7 months). Persisting jaundice after stent insertion was noted in 18 of 35 patients (51%) tested within one month of death. Fourteen patients (21%) underwent surgical resection (median survival 20.2 months).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing surgical resection had significantly longer survival than those receiving only a palliative stent but not compared with those also receiving palliative chemotherapy, with short-term follow-up. Only a third of patients, however, receive active treatment (surgery or chemotherapy) and improvements in long-term biliary palliation are needed.     

后型尿道下裂二期膀胱黏膜半管状重建尿道术的临床研究

目的探讨采用二期膀胱黏膜半管状重建尿道术治疗后型尿道下裂的临床研究。方法81例后型尿道下裂病例采用二期手术：一期手术将阴茎海绵体完全伸直,阴茎包皮内板和背侧皮肤预置于阴茎腹侧;二期手术采用半管状阴茎阴囊皮肤＋半管状膀胱黏膜成形尿道术。结果81例后型尿道下裂患者矫形后形态几乎接近正常。手术成功率为86．4％（70／81）,尿瘘发生率为13．6％（11／81）,8例（9．9％,8／81）发生尿道狭窄,经尿道扩张治疗后痊愈。结论二期膀胱黏膜半管状重建尿道术治疗后型尿道下裂的手术成功率较高,值得临床推荐。