Orbital Hydatid Cyst: CT and MRI

Orbital hydatid cyst is rare. We present a case with CT and MRI, emphasizing the superiority of the latter. Received: 19 August 1996 Accepted: 9 September 1996     

Safety evaluation of surgical materials by cytotoxicity testing

The cytotoxicity of three kinds of commercially available absorbable hemostats [oxidized cellulose (Surgicel, gauze and cotton types), microfibrillar collagen (Avitene), and cotton-type collagen (Integran)] and one adhesion barrier [sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethyl-cellulose membrane (Seprafilm)] were comparatively assessed by a colony assay using V79 cells and a minimum essential medium (MEM) elution assay in combination with a neutral red assay using L929 cells. Strong cytotoxicity was detected for Surgicel by both the MEM elution assay and the colony assay. For Avitene, both methods revealed weak cytotoxicity. For Seprafilm, no cytotoxicity was detected by the MEM elution assay, while a moderate degree of cytotoxicity was observed in the colony assay. For Integran cytotoxicity was not detected by either the MEM elution or the colony assay. The results of the different methods showed some inconsistency in terms of the degree of cytotoxicity of the materials. It is proposed that the combination of two or more sensitive cytotoxicity testing methods for the evaluation of biomaterials is necessary to avoid false-negative results for biomaterials at the preclinical stage. Furthermore, investigation of the correlation between the cytotoxicity and the extraction period of the surgical materials is helpful for predicting the effect of prolonged in vivo use of biomaterials on surrounding cells, tissues, and organs.     

Proteinuria and other renal functions in Wilson’s disease

Renal lesions have repeatedly been described in Wilson’s disease (WD). We investigated the excretion of total protein, albumin, low (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) proteins, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and calcium, as well as creatinine clearance, in 24-h urine samples of 41 patients with WD aged 6 – 37 (mean 17) years who had been treated for a period of 0 – 15 (mean 4.5) years with D-penicillamine (900 mg/day). The amount of all protein excreted was significantly increased compared with controls, 39% of patients presenting with total proteinuria more than two standard deviations from the mean of controls. The changes in protein excretion depended on the duration of treatment. LMW proteinuria was elevated almost exclusively in the first 2 years after the start of treatment, indicating early tubular damage. This is supported by an initially high excretion of β₂-microglobulin, NAG, and calcium. Increased excretion of HMW proteins, including albumin, persisted over longer periods, which suggests glomerular injury in some patients, possibly related to the use of D-penicillamine. Creatinine clearance remained roughly within normal limits. We propose that renal function should regularly be checked in patients with WD. Received October 26, 1995; received in revised form August 27, 1996; accepted September 20, 1996     

A fluid level in an acute extradural haematoma

We report a fluid level in an acute extradural haematoma developing after placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus. This fluid level was thought to be due to a mixture of blood and cerebrospinal fluid.     

Thrombopoietin receptor (Mpl) expression by megakaryocytes in myeloproliferative disorders

The thrombopoietin receptor (Mpl) is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD). In this study, we determined Mpl expression by bone marrow cells and megakaryocytes in CMPD by applying laser microdissection, real-time RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Mpl mRNA expression was significantly increased up to 9-fold in total bone marrow cells (p < 0.001) and up to 4-fold in megakaryocytes in chronic myeloproliferative disorders (n = 73) compared to normal controls (n = 26, p = 0.01). Immunohistochemistry revealed heterogeneous Mpl expression by megakaryocytes in CMPD with a stronger accentuation in idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) in comparison to polycythaemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). In addition to megakaryocytes, the erythropoietic lineage was prominently labelled by Mpl antiserum, with considerably stronger staining in polycythaemia vera. We conclude that, in CMPD, megakaryocytes and erythroid cells exhibit increased Mpl expression levels which may contribute to the sustained proliferation of both cell lineages in CMPD.     

Widal test in diagnosis of typhoid fever in Turkey

We studied the value of the Widal tube agglutination test for the diagnosis of typhoid fever. The subjects were all adults >18 years of age and were divided into four groups: (i) 317 healthy blood donor controls, (ii) 31 bacteriologically confirmed patients with Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi, (iii) 21 patients with a clinical diagnosis of typhoid fever, and (iv) 41 febrile nontyphoid patients. Blood donor controls were screened with a slide agglutination test for the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi O and H antigens, and positives were then tested with the Widal test. Acute- and convalescent-phase sera from patients in groups 2, 3, and 4 were obtained 7 to 10 days apart and tested by the Widal test. Using a cutoff of >or = 1/200 for the O antigen test performed on acute-phase serum gave a sensitivity of 52% and a specificity of 88% with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 76% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 71%. This increased to 90% sensitivity and specificity with a PPV of 88% and an NPV of 93% when the convalescent-phase serum was tested. We concluded that O and H agglutinin titers of > or = 1/200 are of diagnostic significance. The Widal test is easy, inexpensive, and relatively noninvasive. It can be of diagnostic value when blood cultures are not available or practical. The results must be interpreted cautiously because of the low sensitivity of the test. The Widal test done on convalescent-phase serum gave more-reliable results with higher specificity and sensitivity.     

Stature estimation based on hand length and foot length

This study was carried out to estimate the relationship between hand length, foot length and stature using multiple linear regression analyses based on a sample of male and female adult Turks residing in Adana. Measurements of hand length, foot length and stature were taken from 155 adult Turks (80 male, 75 female) aged 17-23 years. The participants were students of the Medical Faculty of Cukurova University. A multiple linear regression model was fitted to the observed data. Stature was taken as the response or dependent variable, hand length and foot length were taken as explanatory variables or regressors. All possible (simple and multiple) linear regression models for each of males, females and both genders together were tested for the best model. The multiple linear regression model for both genders together was found to be the best model with the highest values for the coefficients of determination R2 = 0.861 and R2adjusted = 0.859, and multiple correlation coefficient R = 0.928.