Digital intravenous substraction angiography of intracranial arteriovenous malformations

Twenty-one intracranial arteriovenous malformations (17 pial, 3 dural, 1 mixed) have been studied by digital intravenous subtraction angiography (DIVA). A comparison with conventional arteriography has been performed. In this series DIVA was 100% diagnostic for AVM. However DIVA missed some small arterial pedicles (1 lenticulostriate, 1 thalamoperforating, 1 anterior choroidal artery and 2 pharyngeal arteries). Sectorial analysis of AVM needs selective arteriography. DIVA is a good method for screening and follow-up of intracranial AVM, but selective arteriography is often still necessary to complete the pre-operative evaluation.     

Ultralong, reverse-curve angiographic catheter

An ultralong, reverse-curve angiographic catheter has been developed to facilitate selective internal pudendal arteriography for evaluation of vasculogenic impotence. The catheter has enabled successful selective catheterization of the internal pudendal arteries in 95% of more than 200 attempts. The catheters have also been used in approximately 100 vascular procedures other than pudendal arteriography.     

Comparison of the metabolism of oltipraz in the mouse, rat and monkey and in man. Distribution of the metabolites in each species

4-Methyl-5-(2-pyrazinyl)-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (35 972 R.P., oltipraz) and its metabolites were extracted from human urine and from mouse, rat and monkey urine using Amberlite XAD4 resin. The metabolites were identified by GLC, TLC and HPLC and isolated by preparative TLC or HPLC. The structures of 11 compounds were determined by spectroscopic examination (MS, IR, NMR). Six of the principal metabolites isolated in sufficient quantity from human urine were administered to the mouse, confirming the metabolic pathways of oltipraz.     

Bilateral coronary-pulmonary fistula and tritruncal stenotic coronary atheroma. Apropos of a new case with review of the literature

In a 62 years old patient suffering from stenocardia and paroxysms of atrial fibrillation, coronary angiography disclosed two coronary-pulmonary fistulas associated with a tritruncal stenotic coronary atheroma. During the operation consisting of a double aortocoronary shunt and closing the anomalous pulmonary ostium, a control coronary angiography confirmed the shunt permeability and showed the absence of opacifications at the passage of the fistulas. In the immediate postoperative period the recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was no longer accompanied by stenocardia which did not reappear one year after operation. This observation illustrates the fact that coronary-pulmonary fistulas may aggravate a fortuitously associated coronary insufficiency.     

Haloperidol decanoate. Results of an open-ended multicentric study in chronic psychotic states

An open multicentric study of 196 in-patients was carried out in 9 centres. After an initial stabilization (min. 15 days) with oral haloperidol, patients received haloperidol decanoate IM for at least 24 weeks (or a minimum of 9 injections). Results: - esterification of haloperidol increased the duration of its efficacy (interval between 2 injections: average 4 weeks) without interfering with its therapeutic activity (global appreciation scale, BPRS at each injection and at the end of the treatment); - equivalent quantities of haloperidol injected at a time were 15 to 20 times those administered daily during the initial stabilisation period; - side-effects were not different with haloperidol decanoate as compared to those of the previous period (haloperidol).     

Impaired emotional facial expression recognition is associated with interpersonal problems in alcoholism

AIMS: Emotional facial expression (EFE) recognition has been shown to be impaired in abstinent alcoholics. The present study investigated the relationship between EFE recognition impairments and interpersonal difficulties in recently detoxified alcoholics (RA). METHODS: Thirty recently detoxified alcoholics were compared to 30 normal controls (NC) matched for age, sex and educational level on an EFE decoding test. This test involves 16 photographs depicting EFE of happiness, anger, disgust and sadness. Subjects were asked to fill in the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems evaluating six dimensions of interpersonal problems (assertiveness, submissiveness, intimacy, reliability, control and sociability). RESULTS: RA had EFE recognition deficits and more interpersonal problems, compared to NC. Reported interpersonal difficulties were correlated with EFE decoding problems. CONCLUSIONS: Interpersonal difficulties serve as a mediator between EFE accuracy problems and alcoholism. Impaired EFE recognition could have a role in the interpersonal difficulties encountered by RA and may therefore constitute a relapse factor.