Single-reagent polarization fluoroimmunoassay for theophylline in serum

A polarization fluoroimmunoassay for theophylline was developed employing fluorescein-labeled drug and antiserum precombined in a single reagent. Assay was performed simply by addition of sample to an aliquot of the single reagent, incubation, and determination of fluorescence polarization. Because of the relatively rapid dissociation kinetics of the labeled drug from antibody binding, added unlabeled theophylline caused displacement within a practical time period. The precision, accuracy, and specificity of the simplified single-reagent assay were similar to those obtained by a conventional immunoassay procedure using the same reagents. Results for the assay of patients' serum specimens correlated well with those by an established enzymoimmunoassay.     

Chest Wall Implants: Their Use for Pectus Excavatum,Pectoralis Muscle Tears,Poland's Syndrome,and Muscular Insufficiency

Solid customized and prefabricated silicone implants have been used by the author for 15 years in a wide range of chest wall deformities. Chest wall implants are often used in males seeking to augment a muscularly deficient or underdeveloped chest; however, their greatest use has come in a variety of deformities both congenital and acquired, such as pectus excavatum, Poland's Syndrome, and pectoralis muscle tears. The implants can be either customized using a moulage technique or are prefabricated, manufactured implants which can be modified on the operating table to repair the contour deformity. The immediate postoperative problem of seroma and subcutaneous implant ``show' has been minimized by careful planning, gentle technique, deep insertion, improved patient positioning on the operating room table, and the use of oral anti-inflammatory medications. The long-term results of these implants seem very satisfactory. The patients are usualy physically active, and the implants show no long-term sequelae such as seroma, infection, displacement, or rupture.     

Microvascular histopathology in head and neck oncology.

A histological study of both recipient and flap vessels was performed in 30 patients with head and neck cancer, and relevant preoperative risk factors were assessed. A total of 35 free flaps were transferred in 30 patients; 16 patients had preoperative radiotherapy, 13 were smokers, eight had hypertension and six had peripheral vascular disease. No significant venous pathology was found in either the flap or the neck veins. However, over two-thirds of the neck arteries and one-half of the flap arteries were found to have microscopic arterial pathology. The only pre-existing factor significantly influencing vessel pathology was hypertension (P=0.007). All flaps survived, although in two there was some loss of the skin paddle. This study reveals that the majority of patients undergoing microsurgery in the head and neck region have pre-existing arterial damage in both the flap and the recipient arteries, but this does not have a significant effect on the overall patency of the microvascular anastomoses.     

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage: it's red but is it positive?

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether qualitative assessment could accurately determine a concentration of 100,000 RBC/mm3 in simulated peritoneal lavage fluid. The results show that the qualitative methods used are inaccurate and do not reliably predict a red cell concentration of 100,000 per mm3. We therefore recommend that the red cell concentration of peritoneal lavage fluid is always measured before the result is considered 'positive'.     

King syndrome: a genetically heterogenous phenotype due to congenital myopathies.

We report on a patient with myopathy, kyphoscoliosis, joint contractures, and a facial appearance consistent with King syndrome. Unlike other reported cases, our patient had hyperextensible joints, normal stature, and pectus excavatum. The cardiac ventricles, aorta, and pulmonary artery were dilated. Malignant hyperthermia did not occur under anaesthesia although there was a transient increase in CK levels. Muscle bulk and tone were significantly decreased but collagen and elastin fibres were normal. The variable clinical presentation of King syndrome suggests that the manifestations are caused by different congenital myopathies and in all cases there is probably an increased risk of malignant hyperthermia.