Pediatric patients with achondroplasia: CT evaluation of the craniocervical junction

Twenty-six patients (4 months to 6 years old) with achondroplasia complicated by sleep apnea and/or other neurologic manifestations underwent plain computed tomography (CT) of the craniocervical junction; six also underwent CT myelography. For objectification, multiplanar reconstruction was used to complement axial plane measurements by providing coronal and sagittal measurements; multiplanar reconstruction also improved perception of the longitudinal relationships between the brain stem and subarachnoid space. A narrow subarachnoid space was found in all 26 patients; marked cord compression was present in nine, six of whom underwent CT myelography. These six had marked focal obliteration of the subarachnoid space on both plain CT and CT myelography. Since the subarachnoid space immediately above and below the craniocervical junction is normally capacious, when marked constriction was present, no additional information could have been gained from CT myelography. Thus, plain CT was shown to be sufficient for surgical planning (suboccipital decompression) in nine patients with cord compression due to achondroplasia.     

Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis: a review and report of 11 cases

Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis is a benign ossifying diathesis of unknown etiology characterized by hyperostosis and soft-tissue ossification between the clavicles, anterior portion of the upper ribs, and manubrium, with variable hyperostosis or ankylosis in the spine and sacroiliac joints. Our cumulative experience with 11 cases is reported, with emphasis on radiographic features of the condition. Scintigraphic results in five patients and computed tomographic findings in one patient are presented. A review of the literature and our own material indicates that sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis may be more common than has been previously recognized.     

Significant others benefit from preoperative information

Little attention has been given to the preparation of the patient's family prior to surgery, even though nurses' clinical experience suggests that family members are often more anxious than the patient. This study explored the knowledge and anxiety of spouses and significant others of patients preparing for cardiac surgery. The subjects were selected by convenience from a preoperative class offered at the hospital where surgery was to occur. Before and after the class, the subjects completed a cardiac-surgery knowledge test and an anxiety test. The significant others were significantly more anxious than the patients prior to the class. The anxiety level of significant others was significantly reduced after the class. There were no statistically significant differences between patients and significant others on the cardiac-surgery knowledge test. These results suggest that significant others may benefit from preoperative instruction.     

脱氢氯甲睾酮人体内代谢研究

本文叙述了用GC-MS联用技术研究脱氢氯甲睾酮人体内代谢的方法。尿样中的甾体化合物经大孔树脂吸附提取后,酶解。浓缩并衍生化,进行GC-MS分析。在服药后8～30h的尿样中,检出了脱氢氯甲睾酮原型,并发现了七个代谢产物。分析色谱和质谱数据,得到了这些代谢物的结构及其浓度变化趋势,推测了脱氢氯甲睾酮可能的体内代谢模式,确定了筛检尿中脱氢氯甲睾酮的特定代谢物和特征检测离子,比较了不同的样品处理方法对分析结果的影响。     

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Neurodevelopmental Approach

TOPIC. Attention-deficitlhyperactivity disorder is frequently overdiagnosed when a complete evaluation by a knowledgeable clinician is not undertaken. Because of the recent negative media campaign regarding psychos t im ulan t medication, it becomes more imperative that a thorough and accurate evaluation be completed before starting children and adolescents on psychostimulant medications.
PURPOSE. To describe the neurodevelopmental perspective in the assessment and treatment of ADHD.
SOURCES. Published literature and clinical experience.
CONCLUSION. It is useful in practice to conceptualize the dmelopmental path of children with ADHD not as disordered but as delayed, and to build on each child's strengths. The neurodmeloprnental approach provides the child psychiatric nurse a child-focused framework for assessment and development of individualized interventions.