Head trauma

Computed tomography is currently the modality of choice in imaging acutely traumatized patients. This is based upon CT's documented ability to detect surgically significant lesions. Furthermore, the use of MRI is limited by a lack of bone detail, the degradation of MR images in frequently uncooperative patients, and a limited supply of nonferromagnetic monitoring equipments. CT and MRI are largely equivalent in their ability to diagnose epidural hematoma, but CT is readily available and quick. MRI provides information in addition to that obtained by CT in many instances, such as subacute and chronic subdural hematomas, contusions, and intracerebral hematomas.     

Beta-2 microglobulin and amyloid osteoarthropathy in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis

The incidence of beta-2 microglobulin amyloidosis was assessed in two populations of chronic hemodialysis patients. Out of 34 patients who underwent biopsy during orthopedic surgery (33 cases) or autopsy (1 case), 26 had amyloid deposits which fixed anti-beta microglobulin serum. Out of 55 unselected patients treated for over months at the dialysis centre, 14 (25%) had clinical symptoms suggesting amyloidosis and out of 43 patients who had a systematic radiological skeletal survey, 23 (53%) had bone deposits. The plasma beta microglobulin concentrations (about 20 times the normal value) we not significantly different whether or not the patients had histological proven amyloidosis, clinically or radiologically probable amyloidosis, no detectable amyloidosis. However, the duration of hemodialysis was longer in those with proven or highly probable amyloidosis. The finding illustrate the indirect role of elevation of beta-2 microglobulin in the genesis of this pathology and also the necessity of lowering its concentration in order to avoid the long term complications of osteoarticular deposits, the functional consequences of which may be very serious.     

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus during PUVA therapy for psoriasis: case report and review of the literature

Lesions typical of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus developed in an elderly woman after 6 months of PUVA (8-methoxypsoralen and longwave ultraviolet light) therapy for psoriasis. Pancytopenia, antibodies to double-stranded DNA, and hypocomplementemia developed concurrently with the appearance of the cutaneous lesions. With discontinuation of photochemotherapy, the cutaneous lesions disappeared and the pancytopenia improved.     

Retrosternal epiphyseal disruption of medial clavicle: case and review in children

Retrosternal dislocations of the clavicle have been reported previously in adults throughout the orthopedic literature. However, in children few cases have been noted in either the pediatric, emergency, or orthopedic literature. The potential for great vessel injury as well as acute airway compromise makes the retrosternal disruption of the sternoclavicular joint a surgical emergency that must be diagnosed quickly. Diagnosis is enhanced by the cephalic tilt view and by computed tomography (CT scan), as planar x-ray and tomography do not always reveal this potentially life-threatening condition. Surgical consultation must be sought acutely; however, management may need to begin prior to definitive repair. Emergency management begins by suspecting the injury, and with immediate airway and circulatory support for the patient.     

Lyme arthritis

Evanescent arthralgias and myalgias are common early symptoms of Lyme disease. Transient, intermittent episodes of monoarticular, oligoarticular, or sometimes migratory polyarticular arthritis, lasting weeks to months, with disease-free intervals, are frequently observed in untreated patients with erythema chronicum migrans. A minority of patients develop chronic joint involvement, most commonly affecting the knee. Antibiotic therapy given during erythema chronicum migrans is often protective with regard to late joint manifestations. In chronic Lyme arthritis, however, the response to antibiotics is variable.     

A patient with right and left atrial membranes: the role of transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis

A patient who had right and left atrial membranes was examined. The diagnosis and the hemodynamic significance of both membranes were detailed by transesophageal echocardiography and were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Transesophageal imaging was found to be superior to routine echocardiography in visualization of these atrial structures.     

A preliminary report of the short-term effect of carbonated beverage consumption on calcium metabolism in normal women

A variety of nutritional factors influence the bioavailability of calcium and increase a woman's risk of osteoporosis. Eight healthy women completed an 8-week metabolic study designed to investigate the effect of nonalcoholic carbonated beverage consumption on calcium metabolism. Compared with women receiving a control diet, women consuming a diet high in nonalcoholic carbonated beverages demonstrated similar mean serum levels of calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and osteocalcin. Twenty-four-hour urine volume, creatinine clearance, calcium-creatinine ratio, and phosphorus-creatinine ratio were similar during consumption of the diet high in nonalcoholic carbonated beverages and the control diet. Twenty-four-hour cyclic adenosine monophosphate-creatinine ratio was significantly lower in women consuming the diet high in nonalcoholic carbonated beverage compared with women receiving the control diet (342 +/- 27.4 nmol/mmol vs 409 +/- 22.1 nmol/mmol). Consumption of a diet high in nonalcoholic carbonated beverages on a short-term basis does not appear to affect adversely the serum or urinary markers of calcium metabolism.