Primary lymphoma of the mandible with diffuse widening of the mandibular canal: report of a case

A case of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the mandible with unusual radiographic presentation is reported. The panoramic radiography revealed diffuse widening of the right mandibular canal with ill-defined margins and absence of edge sclerosis. Computed tomography showed infiltration of the superior portion of the canal with involvement of the vestibular cortex of the bone and of the alveolar ridge. Correspondence to: M. Bertolotto     

Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test: A method to confirm eradication in children

We evaluated an antigen-based stool assay as an indicator of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) status during treatment aimed at eradicating Hp in 22 Hp-positive patients and 63 negative control patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay was 100% and 70%, respectively, when the manufacturer's cutoff was used. When we used the cutoff calculated from a receiver operating characteristic curve, the specificity of this test increased. Under these conditions, the test could be used in monitoring treatment and verifying eradication of Hp infection. Further studies must be carried out to standardize the cutoff in children. (J Pediatr 2002;140:775-7)     

Effect of physical exercise on secretion of growth hormone, glucagon, and cortisol in obese and diabetic children.

The effect of muscular exertion of moderate intensity on blood sugar (BS), plasma levels of growth hormone (GH), glucagon, and cortisol (F) has been studied in endocrinologically normal children with short stature and compared with children with clinical diabetes mellitus and obese children with normal and diminished carbohydrate tolerance. In diabetic children, physical exertion induces a rise in plasma GH levels comparable to that in controls; in obese children with normal or with diminished glucose tolerance, the rise is considerably smaller. Physical exertion caused no change in F levels in the groups tested, although basal level in the obese children was significantly higher than in the controls. Basal glucagon levels were similar in all groups and showed no change on physical exertion. The behavior of GH and glucagon in diabetic children was comparable to that in the controls even where blood sugar level was high.     

Characterization of non-type B Haemophilus influenzae strains isolated from patients with invasive disease. The HI Study Group

Forty-one non-type b Haemophilus influenzae isolates from cases of invasive disease were characterized. By PCR capsular genotyping, 33 nonencapsulated strains, 4 type f isolates, and 4 b(-) strains were identified. By pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the nonencapsulated isolates exhibited great genetic heterogenicity, whereas the type f and the b(-) strains seemed to have a clonal spread. Occurrence of the hifA gene was found by PCR in 18% of the nonencapsulated, 50% of the b(-), and all of the type f strains. Hemagglutinating fimbriae were generally expressed by nonencapsulated isolates when fimbrial gene hifA was present. Two nonencapsulated isolates not susceptible to ampicillin were detected; no strains were positive for beta-lactamase production.     

Sonographic characterization of an accessory fissure of the left hepatic lobe determined by omental infolding.

This article describes the sonographic appearance of a very common accessory fissure of the liver located on the inferior side of the left lobe. The fissure was recognized in about 5% of 800 consecutive subjects and showed variable appearance owing to different insertion levels on the inferior hepatic surface. It extended from the left hepatic border to the Rex's recess or alternatively to the falciform ligament or the gallbladder fossa and contained the hepatogastric and hepatoduodenal ligaments, as demonstrated by laparotomy in six cases. At surgery, there was no evidence of thickening of Glisson's capsule at the fissure site, thus suggesting that the fissure is the result of extrinsic remodeling of the left lobe by omental infolding.     

Comparative effects of nonionic (iopamidol) and ionic (sodium and meglumine diatrizoate) contrast media for urography on urinary excretion of water and solutes

Urinary water and solute excretion before and for 40 minutes after intravenous bolus injection of a nonionic (iopamidol) or an ionic medium (sodium meglumine diatrizoate) have been studied in subjects with normal renal function. Iopamidol produced less urinary losses of water, potassium, sodium, and chloride than did diatrizoate; uric acid excretion was also less enhanced. Surprisingly, both contrast agents produced a comparable increase in urinary pH and bicarbonate excretion. These data show that nonionic agents produce fewer changes in urinary excretion of water and solutes; the less enhanced excretion of uric acid after a nonionic medium may be an important reason to choose the latter agents for urography in patients at risk for urate neophropathy.