A case of purulent pneumococcal pericarditis

Background

Purulent bacterial pericarditis is a rare and potentially fatal disease. The course may be fulminant, and the presentation may pose a diagnostic challenge.

The use of cadaver models to diagnose rib fractures: A pilot study

Background

In the emergency department, rib fractures are a common finding in patients who sustain chest trauma. Rib fractures may be a sign of significant, underlying pathology, especially in the elderly patients where rib fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To date, no studies have evaluated the ability of ultrasound to detect rib fractures using cadaver models and subsequently use this model as a teaching tool.

Pulsed ultrasound Doppler velocimetry in the assessment of microvascular hemodynamics

Pulsed ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry (20 MHz) (PUDVM) has evolved considerably in the last 10 years. Engineering development has resulted in a computer-controlled vessel-scanning instrument whose backscattered frequency shift spectra are analyzed using fast Fourier transforms (FFT). Benchtop and theoretic studies indicate accurate (error less than 5%) velocity and volumetric flow rate measurements in vessels with a lumen diameter as small as 1.2 mm. Clinical application of the PUDVM has provided transcutaneous measurements of blood flow variables in normal human digital arteries. Experimental application to arteries 1.0-1.5 mm has provided information on the hemodynamic effects of topical vasodilators, standard microarteriorrhaphy, variations in microvascular technique, interpositional grafts, and early wound repair. With improving computer capabilities and technical modifications, the PUDVM will be an increasingly important tool in clinical and experimental microsurgery.     

Mesenteric cyst with milk of calcium

A mesenteric cyst with milk of calcium in an adult patient is presented. Preoperative evaluation included plain film, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To our knowledge, the presence of milk of calcium in a mesenteric cyst has not been previously described.     

Neurons in the Primate Superior Colliculus are Active Before and During Arm Movements to Visual Targets

The activity of single neurons in the superior colliculus was recorded while a rhesus monkey made arm movements to visual targets located on a screen in front of him. It was found that the activity of a subpopulation of cells was clearly related to these arm movements. The neurons began to discharge either with the onset of the movement, during the movement period, or well before the onset of electromyogram (EMG) activity and movement, and could be active for the entire duration of EMG activity. While the discharge pattern of some of these'reach'neurons was not different for movements to different target positions, other cells showed graded changes in activity depending on the direction of movement. The peak discharge rate could rise to > 100 impulses/s. Some units received somatosensory input; other reach cells exhibited a visual response and/or presaccadic activity. It is likely that the primate superior colliculus is not only involved in the initiation and control of orientating movements of the eyes but also in reaching movements of the arms.     

Body sculpture: The words become reality

The last decade has been marked by the development of liposuction. A better knowledge of the anatomy of fat tissue, together with an improvement in different devices, has made our results more predictable. However, such areas as the chin, anterior and inner thigh, and knee have remained difficult. This is especially true when large volumes of fat need to be removed. Blood loss has remained a problem as well. The development of ultrasound (U.S.) liposuction is a big step toward even more predictable results and to where blood loss can be negligible.Lipectron B.U.S. Endotron is a device manufactured by and available from MEDICA MAT s.a., Avenue Augustin Dumont 59, F-92240 MALAKOFF.     

外周肌腱附着点超声检查在强直性脊柱炎诊断中的价值

目的 探讨肌腱附着点超声检查诊断强直性脊柱炎(AS)的价值.方法 20例AS患者,病程1-8(4.3±3.1)年.采用高频线阵探头(频率7-12 MHz)对6对肌腱附着点进行超声检查.临床检查时,患者有肌腱附着点部位自主疼痛、肿胀或压痛之一则定义为肌腱附着点炎.结果 AS患者肌腱附着点炎的超声诊断率高于临床检查(51.3％ vs.19.6％) (P＜0.05).AS患者肌腱附着点病变在超声上主要表现为肌腱插入骨皮质部位出现钙化(33.3％)、肌腱水肿(29.2％)、血流灌注(25.8％)、肌腱增厚(22.1％)、骨皮质不规则(12.9％)、骨侵蚀(9.6％)和滑囊炎(7.1％).47处临床检查肌腱附着点阳性病变中,44.7％超声检查未发现异常;而193处临床阴性附着点中,49.2％超声提示存在附着点病变.结论 超声检查可发现肌腱附着点结构和炎性病变,可作为AS患者临床检查的补充手段.     

胎儿胆囊结石的宫内诊断及临床意义

胎儿胆囊结石是胎儿期胆囊内发现结石、泥沙或回声光团,常在孕妇产检行超声检查时偶然发现。尽管每年行产科B超的人数越来越多,但胎儿胆囊结石的发病仍罕见。尽管胎儿胆囊结石的病因、发病机制、临床意义及自然转归尚不清楚,但胎儿胆囊结石结局是非常好的。多数学者认为胎儿胆囊结石是一种罕见、暂时的、发生在孕末3个月的病变,虽然它的存在不影响胎儿的预后和产科处理,但在产前及产后密切追踪超声检查是必要的。     

血管内皮舒张功能与原发性高血压危险性分层的关系研究

目的用高分辨率超声检测原发性高血压（EH）患者血管内皮依赖性舒张功能（EDD）和血管内皮非依赖性舒张功能（EIDD），探讨血管内皮舒张功能与原发性高血压危险性分层的关系。方法随机选择80例原发性高血压患者和20例正常人作对照，根据《2003年ESC／EHA高血压诊疗指南》中的危险性分层标准将EH患者分为低危组、中危组、高危组、极高危组四组。采用Celermajer等的方法，用高分辨率超声检测EH患者和正常对照者静息状态下、加压充血后和服用硝酸甘油后的肱动脉内径的变化。结果①高血压患者各组EDD功能都低于对照组（P〈0．01，0．05），高危组与极高危组要低于低危组和中危组（P〈0．05），余组间无明显差异。②EIDD只有在极高危组和高危组与对照组、低危组、中危组间有差异（P〈0．01-0．05），余组间无明显差异。结论EDD和EIDD可反映EH的危险性分层，可作为EH危险性分层的指标之一。超声是检测血管内皮舒张功能的简便、无创、可靠的方法。