Kidney transplantation in patients travelling from the UK to India or Pakistan

Sir, I read with great interest the letter by Higgins and co-workers[1].     

Effect of compression of spinal cord on brain rhythms

Electroencephalographic changes were studied in anaesthetised rats, subjecting them to the mechanical compression of spinal cord. The EEG waves that were studied-Alpha, Theta, and Delta. The changes in these waves and shift from one pattern to another after the compression of the spinal cord at the Lumbar level. These waves were subjected Fourier analysis. The results show remarkable changes in wave patterns and a shift in the dominating wave pattern. With 50% compression the EEG showed a slight increase in the amplitude in all three wave forms-- with Delta wave pattern being more dominant. At 100% compression there is a marked decrease in the Delta amplitude compared to normal. We tried to observe the changes in activity of the brain--the effects of spinal lesion and its relationship with tonic activity changes in EEG.     

Common bile duct calculi: updated experience with dissolution with methyl tertiary butyl ether

The authors describe their experience with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in a larger series of patients than previously reported in order to acquaint physicians with both its effectiveness for dissolution of common bile duct calculi and the limitations of its use. Ten patients with 13 biliary calculi underwent percutaneous stone dissolution treatment with the experimental cholesterol solvent, MTBE. Three stones completely dissolved within 30 minutes, seven were reduced in size, and three were visibly unaffected. All stones not completely dissolved were easily extracted by means of a stone basket except for one in a patient taken to surgery. Although MTBE perfusion is an effective technique for management of biliary calculi, practitioners should be aware that its use is quite time consuming and its odor difficult to control.     

Clinical MR imaging with a Helmholtz-type surface coil

Limited-field-of-view radio-frequency receiver antennas provide improved near-field sensitivity for magnetic resonance imaging by decreasing the antenna volume. The Helmholtz-type surface coil, consisting of two flat rings, is an organ-encompassing antenna that takes advantage of this principle to yield an improved signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). The coil was tested in a group of 50 patients and 16 healthy volunteers. Images obtained with the Helmholtz coil demonstrated quantitatively superior S/N of 2.2-fold or greater than that of comparison body coil images, as well as qualitatively superior anatomic resolution.