In vitro contracture test for diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia following the protocol of the European MH Group: Results of testing patients surviving fulminant MH and unrelated low-risk subjects

Background: Determination of sensitivity and specificity of the in vitro contracture test (IVCT) for malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptibility using the European MH Group (EMHG) protocol has been performed in some laboratories but only on a small sample from the combined EMHG. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to determine combined EMHG sensitivity and specificity of the test. Methods: Results of IVCT of patients with previous fulminant MH and normal, low-risk subjects (controls) were collected from 22 centresof the EMHG. IVCT was performed according to the EMHG protocol. Patients were included inthe study if the clinical crisis had a score of at least 50 points with the Clinical Grading Scale. Low-risk subjects were included provided they did not belong to a family with known MH susceptibility, they had not developed any signs of MH at previous anaesthetics, and they did not suffer from any neuromuscular disease. For inclusion of both MH patientsand low-risk subjects, at least 1 muscle bundle in the IVCT should have twitches of 10 mN(1 g) or more. For evaluation of individual tests, only muscle bundles with twitch heights of 10 mN (1 g) or more were used. Results: A total of 1502 probands had undergone IVCT because of a previous anaesthesia with symptoms and signs suggestive of MH. Of these, 119 had clinical scores of 50 and above. From these 119 MH-suspected patients and from 202 low-risk subjects, IVCT data were collected. Subsequently, 14 MH-suspected patients were excluded from further analysis for thefollowing reasons: In 3 patients, the suspected MH episode could be fully explained by diseases other than MH; in 11 MHS patients, IVCT was incomplete (n=l), data were lost (n=3), or none of the muscle bundles fulfilled twitch criteria (n=7). Of the remaining 105 MH-suspected patients, 89 were MHS, 10 MHEh, 5 MHEc, and one MHN. Thus, we observed a diagnostic sensitivity of the IVCT of 99.0% if the MHE group is considered susceptible(95% confidence interval 94.8–100.0%). Of the 202 low-risk subjects, 3 were MHS, 5 MHEh, 5 MHEc, and 189 MHN. This gives a specificity of the IVCT of 93.6% (95% confidence interval 89.2–96.5%). Conclusion: The IVCT for diagnosis of MH susceptibility in Europe has a high sensitivity and a satisfactory specificity.     

Treatment of dual diagnosis patients: A relapse prevention group approach

The authors describe the successful use of an adjunctive group psychotherapy for substance-abusing patients with major psychiatric disorders (bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, psychotic depression, and atypical psychosis). The group utilizes a psychoeducational approach that focuses on substance abuse causes and consequences, principles of recovery, and relapse prevention strategies. Eight patients with prolonged histories of abuse of cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs were enrolled in this weekly group treatment at a community mental health center drug treatment program, while continuing in treatment with their current case manager or primary therapist. Six of the eight patients achieved periods of stable abstinence, documented by self-report, urine toxicology screens, continued group attendance, and improved social functioning. Case examples are utilized to illustrate the group process.     

An analysis of paediatric diagnostic decision-making: how should students be taught?

This study assesses the relative importance of history, examination and investigations in paediatric diagnosis, in the Paediatric Out-patient Department of the Central Middlesex Hospital, London, by means of a questionnaire-based record of 94 consecutive referrals. A diagnosis identical to the final diagnosis was made in 76% of referrals after taking a history. The general practitioner had proposed a diagnosis in 45% in the referral letter. Clinical examination changed the diagnosis in only 15% but increased diagnostic confidence in 33%. Ninety-one per cent of cases were diagnosed without recourse to investigations. Forty-two per cent of children referred had investigations performed. In the majority of paediatric cases the provisional diagnosis reached after taking a history was identical to that after examination or results of investigations were known. Although examination provided a final diagnosis in only 15% of all cases it played an important role in adding confidence in 33%. More educational effort should therefore be directed at clinical history-taking skills and the subsequent purpose of examination.     

原发性十二指肠肿瘤43例诊治分析

目的　探讨原发性十二指肠肿瘤 (PTD)的诊断和治疗。方法　回顾性分析我院 1995 2 0 0 3年间 4 3例PTD的临床资料。结果　十二指肠镜确诊率为 85 .7% ,B超检查的阳性率为 5 5 .6 % ,CT检查阳性率为 80 % ,肿瘤位于十二指肠降段 (乳头部或其对侧 ) 35例 ,占 81.4 % ,2例平滑肌瘤切除术后存活 5年以上 ,1例乳头部腺瘤行肿瘤局部切除术后半年出现黄疸 ,病因不详。 4例间质瘤均健在且生存 16 2 1个月 ,36例原发性十二指肠恶性肿瘤中胰头十二指肠切除 18例 ,节段切除 1例 ,手术切除率为 5 1.2 %。结论　B超、CT、纤维十二指肠镜检查是诊断PTD的主要手段。手术切除是最基本有效的治疗方法。对于良性肿瘤可行局部肿瘤切除、十二指肠节段切除或经内镜切除。对于恶性肿瘤 ,胰十二指肠切除术是首选术式。     

ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND GUIDED TRUCUT BIOPSY

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is sensitive for staging gastrointestinal malignancies and pancreatic lesions. EUS‐fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) offers a diagnostic accuracy of about 60–90% for pancreatic tumors and > 90% for lymph nodes. There are several limitations of EUS‐FNA including the need for on‐site cytopathology review. In addition, accuracy of cytologic review is hampered by the presence of blood, benign epithelial cells, desmoplasia, and well‐differentiated tumors. Furthermore, the small biopsy sample and destruction of tissue architecture limits the diagnostic sensitivity for GISTs and lymphomas. Many of these problems can be overcome with use of EUS trucut biopsy (TCB) needles. These large caliber, cutting needles acquire larger tissue samples allowing preservation of tissue architecture and histologic examination. Our recently described experience with EUS‐TCB initially in swine and later humans demonstrated the safety for acquiring histologic tissue representative of the target organs sampled enabling accurate diagnosis. These studies suggested greater diagnostic accuracy of EUS‐TCB for submucosal mass lesions and lymphoma and potentially the need for fewer needle passes for solid pancreatic neoplasms. In this paper we will review the current TCB literature, device design and technique, help troubleshoot potential problems, and offer opinion as to the utility and role of this new device.     

原发性输尿管癌31例临床分析

目的：提高原发性输尿管癌的术前诊断水平。方法：对南京医科大学第一附属医院1989-2002年间收治的31例原发性输尿管癌的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果：31例中，肉眼血尿22例(71．0％)，腰痛11例(35，5％)。B超、静脉肾盂造影(IVU)、CT和逆行造影检查的阳性率分别为输尿管腔内占位4例(13．0％)、输尿管腔内占位3例(11．5％)、膀胱或合并膀胱占位8例(36．4％)，输尿管充盈缺损6例(40．0％)。29例患者经手术治疗，其中13例行患侧肾、输尿管、膀胱袖状切除。结论：老年患者反复发作的腰痛及血尿应考虑原发性输尿管癌的可能，造影诊断对本病有较高价值，应作CT及MRU无创检查。     

肝外胆管癌的诊治分析

目的：探讨肝外胆管癌的诊断和治疗的体会。方法：回顾性总结手术治疗的32例肝外胆管癌的临床资料、手术方式、手术并发症及生存率，并复习相关文献资料。结果：本组病例获根冶性切除14例，姑息切除2例，胆道引流术16例；手术并发症10例(31.3％)，手术死亡1例(3．1％)。其中22例获定期随访，存活一年以上的有12例(12／22)，至今存活8例。结论:早期诊断、正确的评估、合理的术式选择能提高疗效。降低手术并发症及死亡率。     

Benign osteoblastoma of the occipital bone: Case report and literature review

We present a case of benign osteoblastoma of the occipital bone. Benign osteoblastoma is an uncommon primary bone tumor, which usually involves the vertebrae and the long bones. This tumor rarely develops in the calvaria, showing a preference for the temporal and frontal bones when it does. To the best of our knowledge, this case is only the eighth reported case of benign osteoblastoma confined to the occipital bone. A 20‐year‐old male presented with a mild tender mass lesion of the occipital area, just below the lambda. Plain X‐ray films and CT scans demonstrated an osteolytic mass surrounded by the sclerotic rim within the diploic space. MRI proved to be effective for the evaluation of the intracranial and intraosseous extensions of the tumor. However, it was very difficult to formulate a differential diagnosis against other osteoblastic tumors, or osteoid osteoma, in view of its radiological appearance. The final diagnosis was obtained by careful consideration of the histopathological characteristics of the tumor combined with its clinical and radiological features. Although generally regarded as benign, a complete resection is preferred over conventional curettage as this can guard against possible recurrence and malignant transformation.     

电击伤早期处理与预后的关系——附34例病例分析

本文根据34例电击伤临床资料,分析早期处理与病人全身情况、局部损伤愈合以及并发症的关系.并讨论间生态组织的处理原则.结果表明:伤后1天内与伤后3天以上就诊的病人比较,前者全身情况良好,创面感染率低,局部损伤用皮瓣或(和)皮片覆盖效果满意,并发症及截肢率均较低