Squamous cell carcinoma of the lacrimal sac

The clinical and histopathological findings in a 40-year-old man with a lacrimal sac tumor are reported. Although the clinical history indicated a lacrimal sac obstruction and recurrent dacryocystitis, the lesion was diagnosed by light microscopy as a squamous cell carcinoma.     

ERP abnormalities of illusory contour perception in Williams syndrome

Williams syndrome is a genetic disorder in which visuo-spatial performance is poor. Theorists have claimed that the deficit lies in high-level processing, leaving low-level visual processes intact. We investigated this claim by examining an aspect of low-level processing, perceptual completion, i.e. the ability of this clinical group to perceive illusory Kanizsa squares. We then used event-related potentials to examine neural correlates of perceptual completion. While participants were able to perceive illusory contours, the neural correlates of this apparently normal perception were different from controls. Such differences in low-level visual processes may significantly impact on the development of higher-level visual processes. We conclude that, contrary to earlier claims, there is atypical neural processing during low-level visual perception in Williams syndrome.     

Cortical specialisation for face processing: face-sensitive event-related potential components in 3- and 12-month-old infants

The adult N170 is considered to be an electrophysiological marker of specialised mechanisms for face processing, but little is known about its developmental origin. Previous work has identified two face-sensitive infant ERP components (N290 and P400) (J. Cog. Neurosci. 14 (2002), 199). In the present study, we assessed the specificity (to upright human faces) of these infant components at 3 and 12 months. At 12 months the degree of specificity observed in both components was similar to that seen in the adult N170. In contrast, at 3 months of age the N290 and P400 did not show the same level of specificity for human faces as that observed at 12 months. Our findings suggest that (1) both face-sensitive components increase in their specificity for upright human faces during development, and (2) the adult N170 is not preceded by a single developmental precursor, but rather emerges as a consequence of the integration of two functionally and morphologically distinct components (N290 and P400).     

Intrauterine infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae: report of a case and literature review.

We report a case of intrauterine Klebsiella pneumoniae infection that resulted in premature rupture of membranes and fetal demise at 20 weeks' gestation in a pregnancy achieved by in vitro fertilization. Postmortem findings included massive panlobar pneumonia, the presence of abundant gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria within the pulmonary air spaces and the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, and fetal lung and blood cultures positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae. The placenta showed severe acute chorioamnionitis associated with a brisk fetal inflammatory response (umbilical cord and chorionic plate vasculitis). Marked pancreatic fibrosis was noted, indicative of a preceding necrotizing pancreatitis. In spite of this fulminant histopathologic evidence of intrauterine infection, the infection was clinically silent. This represents, to our knowledge, the 1st reported case of fatal intrauterine Klebsiella pneumoniae infection fully supported by conclusive fetal and placental histopathological evidence.     

Effect of diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver on hepatic artery resistance index

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various degrees of diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver on the hepatic artery resistance index. METHODS: One-hundred forty subjects were examined using standard color and spectral Doppler sonography protocols. Fatty infiltration of the liver was identified and graded sonographically. The patients were grouped (n = 35 in each of 4 groups) according to the degree of diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver as follows: normal (group 1), mild (group 2), moderate (group 3), and severe (group 4). The resistance index calculated for each patient was the mean of 3 measurements. Mean resistance index of the hepatic artery was then calculated for each group. RESULTS: The mean resistance index was 0.81 +/- 0.04 for group 1, 0.79 +/- 0.06 for group 2, 0.75 +/- 0.05 for group 3, and 0.73 +/- 0.05 for group 4. We found a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in resistance index when comparing groups 3 and 4 with groups 1 and 2 separately. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic artery resistance index decreases as the severity of diffuse fatty infiltration increases.     

Transsellar transsphenoidal rhino-oral encephalocele

Transsphenoidal encephaloceles are rare and the transsellar variety is the least common. We present a 1-year-old male patient with transsellar transsphenoidal encephalocele which herniated into the oral cavity through the congenital split palate. The patient was operated on using a combined transcranial and transpalatal approach without mortality or permanent morbidity. Clinical findings, imaging reviews, surgical repair techniques and postoperative morbidity are discussed with the relevant literature. We conclude that repair of a transsphenoidal encephalocele should be coordinated between a team of neurosurgeons and otorhinolaryngologists. Our surgical outcome supports a transcranial approach for the treatment of these difficult lesions, with transpalatal dissection and exposure.