NEONATAL THYROID FUNCTION AND ANAESTHESIA

Thyroid function in the neonate and its response to hexobarbitoneanaesthesia were studied in newborn Wistar rats between 24 hand 42 days old. ¹⁴C-labelled mixed with unlabelled hexobarbitonewas injected i.p. in anaesthetic concentrations. Serum T3, reverseT3 (rT3) and T4 and senun and whole brain hexobarbitone concentrationswere measured on wakening. A decrease in serum T3 and rT3 andan increase in T4 concentrations were observed after hexobarbitoneat 21 and 30 days. This appears to be a critical period in theneonatal rat. A significant negative correlation was found betweenthe changes in serum thyroid hormone concentrations and whole-brainconcentrations of hexobarbitone in 30-day-old male rats. Itis suggested that similar effects may occur in the human fetusor neonate subjected to anaesthesia. ^*Preliminary results of this study were presented at the 63rdAnnual Meeting of the Federation of American Societies for ExperimentalBiology in Dallas, Texas, April 1–10, 1979.     

CEA Carcinoma Monitoring by Two RIA

A comparison was made of the accuracy of two CEA assays by RIA in diagnosis of different cancers. The basis of the study was a consecutive series of 76 patients thought to have bladder, colon, stomach or pancreas pathology, or a space occupying lesion; cancer was the final diagnosis in 46. The RIA assay method of Hoffman-La Roche and the CIS (Sorin) direct double antibody RIA assay were used for CEA detection. Results were correlated with the clinical and follow up evaluation. Samples were taken before operation, immediately after, and 1,2, 3 and 6 months after. Ninety eight per cent of the patients with a negative diagnosis for cancer had no detectable CEA, or levels below 2.5 ng/ml with Roche assay, and below 8 ng/ml with CIS assay. Abnormal CEA levels were found in the different groups as follows: with the Roche assay bladder—22%, colon—45%, stomach—23%, and pancreas—40%, with the CIS assay bladder—66%, colon—61%, stomach—38% and pancreas—60%. We conclude that neither test is ideal for clinical purposes although the CIS assay is probably more sensitive than the Roche assay. Both assays are useful in the monitoring and detection of recurrent tumors.     

Diffuse lentiginosis in a patient with Werner's syndrome—a possible association with incomplete leopard syndrome

A classical case of Werner's syndrome is described. In addition to the numerous skin changes that are typically associated with Werner's syndrome, our patients also displayed diffuse lentiginosis, and several of the clinical features of leopard syndrome. Histopathological and ultrastructural findings from a hyperpigmented maculae displayed the typical features of a simple lentigo. A striking feature was the presence of melanosomes in Langerhans cells as has been reported in the leopard syndrome. A possible generalized mesodermal defect has been suggested in Werner's syndrome, while the basic defect in the leopard syndrome is thought to be of neuroectodermal origin with pleiotropic changes in the organs derived from the mesoderm. Our patient, with incomplete leopard syndrome and typical Werner's syndrome, may be an example of an association of genetic defects affecting both tissues of neuroectodermal and mesodermal origin.