The usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism]

Three cases with suspected pulmonary artery embolism are presented, in which transesophageal echocardiography showed a mass in the right pulmonary artery consistent with thrombus. The relevant diagnostic contributions of transesophageal echocardiography are discussed.     

Surgical treatment of cavernous haemangiomas of the liver

Cavernous haemangiomas of the liver were surgically treated in 36 women and 14 men over a 10-year period. The tumours were solitary in 42 cases and multiple in 8. Locations were the right lobe in 39 cases, the left one in 5 and both lobes in 6. The size of the tumours ranged from 0.4 to 14 cm in diameter. Enucleation of tumours was carried out in 29 cases, an atypical liver resection in 19 cases, anatomical lobectomy in 2 cases and a right trisegmentectomy in 1 case. There was no mortality. Morbidity rate seems to be lower in patients who underwent enucleation. The authors indicate the importance of enucleation for removal of liver haemangiomas of various sizes.

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Chirurgische Behandlung kavernöser Hämangiome der Leber

Zusammenfassung Über einen Zeitraum von 10 Jahren wurden kavernöse Hämangiome der Leber bei 36 Frauen und 14 Männern chirurgisch behandelt. Bei 42 Patienten waren die Tumoren solitär, bei 8 multipel. Sie waren in 39 Fällen im rechten, bei 5 Patienten im linken und bei 6 in beiden Leberlappen lokalisiert, ihr Durchmesser betrug 0,4 bis 14 cm. In 29 Fällen wurde eine Enukleation, in 19 eine atypische Leberresektion, in 2 eine anatomische Lobektomie und in einem Falle eine rechtsseitige Trisegmentektomie durchgeführt. Die Mortalität war gleich Null; die Morbiditätsrate scheint bei den Patienten geringer, die mit Enukleation behandelt wurden. Der Beitrag hebt die Bedeutung der Enukleation zur Beseitigung von Leberhämangiomen unterschiedlicher Größe hervor.

     

The effect of preconceptional multivitamin supplementation on the menstrual cycle

The database of the Hungarian randomised controlled trial of periconceptional multivitamin supplementation for the prevention of neural-tube defects was used to evaluate the length of the pre- and postovulatory phases of the menstrual cycle before and during multivitamin supplementation. The female cycle was more regular (i.e., the variance was lower) during the multivitamin supplementation.     

Retinopathy of prematurity over 3 decades

The authors give an account of 190 premature infants they treated in 1956-1988, suffering from retinopathy of prematurity--ROP, and for prolonged subsequent periods. As the head of the team followed up all the children, there is an integrated view of the problem. The birth weight of the infants was 640 g--1,900 g. From the total number 76.8% infants had a birth weight of 1,500 g or less, 13.7% had a birthweight of 1,000 g or less. Evidence of the increasing rate is provided by the number of patients treated since birth at the department for premature and pathological infants FNM as well as by the number of children admitted from other departments after development of ROP. In 1956-1970, i. e. in 15 years, the authors looked after 34 patients, in 1971-1988, i. e. in 18 years there were 156 children with ROP. In 1956-70 cases of ROP predominated which developed as a result of absolute or relative hypoxia. They were successfully treated by individually adjusted and carefully controlled oxygen therapy (6.9% blind children). In 1971-1975 the possibility to use this therapy declined briskly because after introduction of modern medical technique the number of findings suggesting a hyperoxic insult increased. At that time the results deteriorated greatly (50% blind children). In 1976-1980 the results were favourably influenced by individual dosage of oxygen therapy in all infants, based on regular monitoring of blood gases (10.5% blind children).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Low serum selenium concentration in a healthy population resident in Catalunya: a preliminary report

Serum selenium levels were determined in 92 healthy subjects [40 men, 52 women; mean age 33.5 +/- 1.6 (s.e.m.) years, range 16-71 years] living in the province of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. Only well-nourished individuals with unremarkable clinical history, normal blood chemistry and haematological tests were selected. The subjects were divided into 6 age groups for each sex. Serum samples were analysed using a modification of the standard electrothermal graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry method to shorten the procedure while maintaining its accuracy. A significant correlation (y = -1.31 + 1.51 x; r = 0.9967, P less than 0.001) was observed between our method and the standard assay method. The mean serum selenium concentration was 60.39 micrograms/l, 95 per cent CI 53.35-67.45 micrograms/l. There were age- but no sex-group differences (P less than 0.001). This result is similar to that found in countries whose low selenium levels have been related to an increased risk of some disease states. Clinical and health implications of this suboptimal selenium status are discussed.     

Comparison of microsurgical vasovasostomy techniques in the rat

We compared three different microsurgical vasovasostomy techniques on the rat vas deferens using absorbable and non-absorbable sutures and a fibrin adhesive technique. The best method was an extramucosal technique over a splint using vicryl. The worst results were seen using adhesive.     

Rehabilitation problems in traumatic spinal cord injuries following spinal stabilization using Harrington's fixation device

Authors describe their experiences in medical rehabilitation of 18 patients with traumatic injuries of the medulla after spinal stabilisation with Harrington instrument. The Harrington method is a classical method for spinal stabilization used in the whole world. Besides its doubtless advantages experiences are gathered on its numerous disadvantages: It is not suitable for direct reduction, its stability is insufficient against flexion and extension forces, its biomechanical characteristics are not the most favourable in respect of consolidation, it is too long and includes healthy sections of the spine in immobilization, finally external fixation is needed. For all this, the claims of modern rehabilitation cannot be fulfilled. In possession of newer, more modern methods (fixateur interne, groove plate) the use of it is not at all recommended.