The dysmorphic lung: imaging findings

Congenital lung malformations are not infrequent and can be discovered in adults. It is, therefore, necessary to know their radiological manifestations in order to avoid diagnostic errors. We classify the congenital lung malformations in two main groups: dysmorphic lung and focal pulmonary malformations. We review the radiological spectrum of dysmorphic lung, based on a classification that emphasises the pulmonary abnormality, adding variants when diaphragmatic or venous abnormalities are present. In our opinion this approach allows for a rational use of advanced imaging techniques (CT, MRI). Correspondence to: Josep M. Mata.     

SPECT对老年人缺血性脑血管病诊断价值的探讨

本文对21例老年人缺血性脑血管病患者进行SPECT检查,并对SPECT对老年人缺血性脑血管病的诊断价值进行探讨。结果发现SPECT诊断老年人缺血性脑血管病的阳性率为95%,明显高于头颅CT。     

Clinical characteristics of rapidly progressive leuko-araiosis

Introduction – 38 patients found to have either pure leuko-araiosis (LA) or LA combined with infarction(s) on computer tomography (CT) in 1989 were re-examined in 1992 in order to evaluate the progression of LA. The follow-up period averaged 3.2 years. Material and methods - The clinical and radiological data on patients in 1989 were collected from hospital records and re-evaluated. The patients were re-examined clinically (including 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement), and neuroradiologically (CT) in 1992 for this study. Results – 11 (29%) patients were found to have significant (rapid) progression of the extent of LA on CT during the follow-up. At baseline, there was no significant difference in the mean number of brain infarctions between the groups with progressing (prLA) and non-progressing LA (nprLA) or between the number of cortical and central infarctions within these groups. At follow-up, the total number of infarctions had increased significantly in both groups, but it was mostly because of the increase in cortical infarctions in the prLA group (p = 0.043) and, conversely, the central ones in the nprLA group (p = 0.011). prLA was found to be related to heart failure (82% vs 37%, p = 0.029) and atrial fibrillation (55% vs 19%, p = 0.047), whereas nprLA was strongly associated with a sudden onset of symptoms (78% vs prLA 18%, p = 0.001) like a-true brain infarction. Other clinical factors, including mean blood pressure and heart rate, did not clearly differentiate between the groups. Conclusion - The results suggest that there are different subgroups of patients with LA associated with various vascular factors. The occurrence of LA is not related to the distribution of infarctions. The progression of LA is not related to the number of brain infarctions or to the simultaneous increase of infarctions on CT.     

Diagnostic imaging of spinal cord lesions

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has greatly facilitated morphologic evaluation of spinal cord lesions. Eleven cases representative of inflammatory, demyelinating, neoplastic and vascular diseases, are presented which illustrate and summarize important abnormal features in spinal cord imaging, particularly MR findings. Recently, specialised techniques such as MR angiography, fat-inhibiting methods, dynamic MRI and functional imaging have been developed. These methods have facilitated not only lesion diagnosis but also qualitative assessment, and are being used to analyze pathophysiology. Comprehensive diagnoses based on such modalities may be important in determining indications for surgery or defining the extent of surgery or the intensity of other treatments.     

CO作用后大鼠肺血管细胞增殖和凋亡状况的研究

目的：通过研究CO和低氧作用后大鼠肺血管细胞增殖和凋亡状况，探讨低氧肺动脉高压的发病机制及防治措施。方法：应用免疫组织化学，原位末端标记及Western杂交等方法检测常压低氧大鼠肺血管壁细胞增殖，凋亡及c-myc基因的表达状况。结果：正常组，低氧和锡原卟啉组，低浓度CO和血晶素组大鼠肺动脉均存在增殖和凋亡的阳性细胞，两类细胞在肺内呈不均匀散在分布，低氧和锡原卟啉组大鼠肺血管增殖细胞数显著升高而凋亡细胞数显著减少，细胞增殖凋亡比值分别为对照组的5倍或4倍，而低浓度CO和血晶素组肺血管增殖细胞和凋亡细胞系数均显著增加，细胞增殖凋亡比值均为1．2，c-myc在低氧和锡原卟啉组大鼠肺内表达显著增加，在低浓度CO和血晶素组大鼠肺内表达减少。结论：增殖和凋亡现象共存在于正常和处理大鼠的肺血管细胞中，也许c-myc等基因的异常表达导致了细胞增殖和凋亡的失衡，进而调节了慢性低氧肺血管结构的改建。     

Postlaminectomy arteriovenous fistula masked by stenosis of the inferior vena cava

Discovery of a postlumbosacral discectomy fistula between the right iliac artery and vein was obscured by an associated severe stricture of the infrarenal inferior vena cava in a 49-year-old man. During venous stenting for treatment of peripheral edema, the fistula was suspected because of faint pulsatile right iliac vein flow and increased O₂ saturation of the venous blood. The suspicion was confirmed on subsequent iliac arteriography. Surgical closure of the fistula with arterial interposition grafting was then performed. The patient improved substantially.     

The effect of cooling on toe systolic pressures in subjects with and without Raynaud's syndrome in the lower extremities

Summary. The effect of changes in local and body temperature on the toe systolic pressures was studied in 20 subjects with and 30 without Raynaud's syndrome in the toes. The pressures were significantly lower in the group with Raynaud's syndrome under all experimental conditions (P < 0·01). The pressures were significantly lower during body cooling than during body warming in both groups (P < 0·01). The mean decrease with body cooling was 58 mmHg in the group with Raynaud's syndrome and 24 mmHg in the control subjects (P < 0·01). During body cooling pressures fell to less than 30 mmHg in 70% of subjects with Raynaud's syndrome and in 3% of the controls. Local cooling from 30 to 10°C during body cooling resulted in a significant mean decrease in pressure of over 40 mmHg in both groups (P < 0·01) and the pressure fell below 30 mmHg in over 90% of the group with and in 26% of those without Raynaud's attacks. The results indicate the importance of body cooling and local temperature in the mechanism of vasospasm in the toes. They are also relevant to the diagnosis of Raynaud's syndrome in the lower limbs and have implications for the testing of patients with arteriosclerotic occlusion since erroneously low pressure values could be obtained in tests when the feet are cold.     

A call for a gender specific approach to address the worldwide cardiovascular burden

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among non-communicable diseases are already a major public health challenge worldwide. A further increase in CVD is projected to occur over the next 25 years as a result of both adverse lifestyle changes and demographic shifts in the population age profile. The adverse impact of these health problems will affect women in particular, given the steady rise in the proportion of the aging population that will be women.The critical issue presently in the management of CVD is that we are not even adequately using the data that are available. Women still remain unaware that they are at risk, and information about women is not easily accessible to their physicians. This is a global issue and the need remains for worldwide initiatives with greater vigilance to identify these factors and make efforts to control them effectively.Currently, in scientific research, it is expected that the results of clinical research be analyzed for sex differences, sex- and gender-appropriateness, and sex- and gender-specific approaches for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and counseling. To address the care discrepancy, the global community needs to develop a conducive environment within a comprehensive policy and operational framework to achieve favorable lifestyles, and CVD risk factor reduction for both men and women.     

真皮下血管网皮瓣修复感染创面的研究

目的：探讨真皮下血管网皮瓣的抗菌能力和临床修复感染创面的应用。方法：以家猪为实验动物，在臀部两侧分别形成传统的岛状皮瓣和真皮下血管网岛状皮瓣，用细菌计数、吖啶橙荧光染色测定白细胞吞噬指数和白细胞内杀菌率等方法，进行对比。结果：真皮下血管网岛状皮瓣的抗菌力明显降低。 １９８９年起临床应用 ５例，创面彻底清创后用吻合血管的真皮下血管网游离皮瓣修复，全部成活。结论：该皮瓣抗菌力虽低于传统皮瓣，但仍可用于修复感染创面。