MRI in aqueduct compression and obstructive hydrocephalus due to an ectatic basilar artery

We describe a patient with an ectatic basilar artery in whom MRI showed marked indentation of the floor of the third ventricle and backward displacement of the midbrain, probably causing aqueduct stenosis. It appeared likely that the associated hydrocephalus was due not only to any water-hammer effect, but also to occlusion of the aqueduct.     

Is the retractile testis a normal,physiological variant or an anomaly that requires active treatment?

Conventional teaching states that the retractile testis is a normal, physiological variant that descends spontaneously by puberty and requires no active treatment. Critical review of the literature, however, suggests that this complacent view may be inappropriate. Substantial overlap exists between the three seemingly separate entities of the late descending, the ascending and the retractile testes. This overlapping group probably accounts for the recently observed increased incidence of orchidopexies. Retractile testes that spend most of the time in an extrascrotal position are subject to the same adverse effects of higher temperatures as true undescended testes, regardless of whether they can be manipulated into the scrotum; what matters is where they actually reside most of the time. The evidence suggests that such retractile testes suffer similar pathological changes to true undescended testes if left to await spontaneous descent. Evidence is presented to support a radical, novel proposal that the retractile testis is a variant of the spectrum of pathological maldescended testes and requires active treatment. A new strategy is proposed for the management of this common pathology. Correspondence to: D. W. Goh     

Tetralogy of Fallot with Absent Pulmonary Valve and Bronchial Compression: Treatment with Endobronchial Stents

Absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS) is a rare congenital cardiac lesion. The lesion includes ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and absence of the pulmonary valve, with resultant pulmonary incompetence. It has been suggested that the pulmonary incompetence induces intrauterine dilatation of the pulmonary artery, which leads to tracheobronchial compression. One of the presenting features in infants with APVS is severe airway obstruction, which may be difficult to manage. We report an infant who benefited from bilateral endobronchial endoscopic stent placement.     

Vascular compression of the airway: Indications for and results of surgical management

Vascular compression of the airway is a significant cause of respiratory compromise in children. While the indications for surgical repair are sometimes life threatening, they can also be subtle. This retrospective study examines 45 surgical cases of tracheobronchial compromise secondary to vascular compression at a large children's hospital between July 1983 and February 1996. A total of 34 were diagnosed with innominate artery compression, ten with a double aortic arch and one with an anomalous right subclavian artery. The 45 patients, 25 male and 20 female, ranged in age from 12 days to 11 years at surgery (average 13 months). A total of 21 (47%) presented with proven or suspected episodes of cyanosis or apnea. All 45 patients had evidence of vascular compression during microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 23/45 (51%), barium swallow in 22/45 (49%) and aortogram in 3/45 (7%). There was one death. One patient had a tracheotomy before surgery and continues to require it after surgery. Complete resolution of symptoms was achieved in 39/45 (87%) with five requiring more than one operation before their symptoms resolved completely. A total of four patients experienced a recurrence of symptoms within a variable length of time after surgery. Surgical indications and treatment alternatives will be discussed.     

Median nerve compression in Proteus syndrome

Proteus syndrome is a multi–organ disorder, a prime feature of which is localized gigantism, usually clinically obvious. Symptoms secondary to hypertrophy of nerves has not been previously recognized as a part of the syndrome. Accepted: 16 May 1997     

Reversed palmaris longus muscle on MRI: report of four cases

Muscle anomalies around the wrist, in particular the palmaris longus muscle, may cause effort-related median nerve compression. A search of the medical records at our university hospital between 1994 and 1999 revealed four patients with an effort-related median nerve compression due to a reversed palmaris longus muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging was used in the patient work-up and showed an anomalous muscle in each case that had been missed initially. All four patients were free of pain after simple excision of the anomalous muscle. Awareness of muscle anomalies at the wrist on MR imaging is essential in evaluating patients with nerve compressions at the wrist. The purpose of this article is to heighten this awareness in radiologists. Received: 23 June 1999; Revised: 30 September 1999; Accepted: 24 December 1999     

河北省部分高校大学生结核菌素试验结果分析

目的了解结核菌在大学生群体中的感染状况及PPD试验过程中存在的问题,为采取相应的干预措施提供依据。方法随机抽取河北省8所高校,对其在2001~2004年新入学大学生的PPD试验记录及监测报表进行统计分析。结果河北省部分高校大学生接种人口数量明显增多;经χ2检验,2001~2004年PPD试验的阳性率、强阳性率差异有统计学意义(P<0.005),阳性率随时间呈明显下降趋势、强阳性率随时间呈缓慢上升趋势。结论高校应进一步加强PPD试验的监测力度,提高PPD的监测质量。     

ZDY102对拟痴呆大鼠脑M受体的影响

目的　观察知母活性成分ZMS的异构体ZDY10 2对拟痴呆大鼠脑M受体及学习记忆功能的影响。方法　大鼠单侧脑基底核部位定位注射 β 淀粉样肽 (2 5～ 35 )和鹅蕈膏酸造成拟痴呆模型 ,设立不同剂量ZDY10 2治疗组、模型组和对照组 (注射生理盐水 ) ,分别用Y 迷宫测定学习记忆能力及放射配基结合分析法测定注射同侧脑内M胆碱受体密度。结果　拟痴呆模型大鼠学习和记忆成绩和脑M受体密度明显低于对照组。连续两个月喂服ZDY10 2的模型大鼠学习和记忆能力显著好于对照组 ,脑M受体密度也显著提高 ,而且脑M受体密度与动物的学习记忆能力呈显著正相关。结论　ZDY10 2能明显改善拟痴呆大鼠的学习记忆能力 ,同时能显著提高脑内M受体密度 ,从两者的显著正相关来看 ,提高脑M受体密度可能是ZDY10 2改善拟痴呆模型学习记忆的重要机制。和以往对知母活性成分的研究结果相比较可以看出 ,2 5位甲基的立体异构对上述效果无明显影响     

A Rare Presentation of a Compression Fracture or a Typical Presentation of Lateral Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome: A Diagnostic Error?

A 78-year-old woman complained of severe pain in the left costal region. Her body mass index was 23.1 kg/m². Lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (LACNES) was the suspected diagnosis because the affected area was 2×2 cm and positive for pinch sign. Seventeen days later, the patient again presented with complaints of lower back pain accompanied by back pain upon extending the spine. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed a fracture of the vertebral body of T11. We herein discuss our errors in the diagnostic process and critical tactics for avoiding such errors in the future.     

锁定加压钢板治疗老年人桡骨远端骨折32例临床分析

目的:观察锁定加压钢板治疗老年人桡骨远端骨折的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析本院2001年1月至2006年12月收治的老年人桡骨远端骨折32例的临床资料。结果:术后腕关节功能恢复良好31例,X摄片见骨痂生长的平均时间为(50±10)天,骨性愈合的平均时间为术后(10±2)月。结论:锁定加压钢板治疗老年人桡骨远端骨折疗效好,值得推广应用。