Characteristics of thyroidectomy in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thyroidectomy is a common treatment for thyroid disorders in Taiwan, and constitutes a significant percentage of medical expenses. This study investigated the characteristics of thyroidectomy in Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 21 senior general surgeons from 16 medical centers and 5 regional hospitals participated. One surgeon from each hospital reviewed the hospital's medical records of thyroid operations performed in the year 2001. Medical records for 3846 thyroidectomies were retrospectively analyzed, including surgical indications and modalities, complications, pathology reports, and the use of antibiotics. RESULTS: Most of the patients were women (85%). Indications for surgery included proven malignancy (9%), suspicious malignancy (30%), evident compression symptoms (20%), hyperthyroidism (20%), and cosmetic reasons (12%). The majority of patients (78%) underwent a surgical procedure with lobectomy or bilateral thyroidectomy; 13% had unilateral partial thyroidectomy. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered in 46% of procedures, and continued postoperatively in 12%. Postoperative complications occurred in 12% of patients. Hypocalcemia was the most common complication (8%), and its incidence was significantly correlated with the frequency of total thyroidectomy (p < 0.01). Complete pathology reports for the thyroidectomized specimens were available in only 65% of the cases. The frequency of cosmetic reasons for surgery, unilateral subtotal resection, routine antibiotic administration, and incomplete pathology reports were significantly higher in regional hospitals than in medical centers. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in the high rates of cosmetic reasons for surgery, unilateral partial thyroidectomy, incomplete pathology reports, and use of antibiotic prophylaxis are needed to improve the quality of thyroidectomy in Taiwan.     

Alice in Wonderland syndrome as a presenting symptom of EBV infection

Four Chinese patients (2 boys, 2 girls), ages 4–9 years, who had episodes of perception error of body schema and objects are reported. The metamorphopsia, which had been named Alice in Wonderland syndrome, is the major presentation. All of them were proved to have acute Epstein-Barr virus infection, as documented by positive heterophil antibody test and/or positive IgM antibody to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen. The duration of the perception disorder ranged from 1 week to 3 months. We believe that any young child presenting with Alice in Wonderland syndrome should undergo examination for Epstein-Barr virus infection; complete recovery from the disorder can be expected.     

多种血管新生指标在肝细胞肝癌中的表达及敏感性比较

目的　探讨血管新生指标CD34、CD31、vWF、Ⅳ型胶原纤维及层粘连蛋白在肝细胞肝癌(HCC)中的表达及意义 ,同时比较上述几种血管新生因子与增殖细胞核抗原 (PCNA)、病理指标及预后的相关性 ,以便筛选出有效的临床预后指标。方法　采用免疫组化方法 ,对 5 3例肝细胞肝癌的标本进行CD31、CD34、vWF、Ⅳ型胶原纤维及层粘连蛋白的染色、计数 ,并用检测数据与患者的临床资料进行统计分析。结果　统计染色的血管面积后发现 ,CD34与多种临床病理指标无相关性 ;CD31与肝内门静脉浸润相关 ;vWF与肿瘤的TNM分期及肝内门静脉浸润呈正相关 ;CollⅣ与肝内门静脉浸润呈正相关、与术后生存期呈负相关 ;Lam与肝硬化及术中出血量呈负相关、与术后生存期呈正相关。PCNA与肿瘤TNM分期有关。结论　在HCC中 ,CollⅣ、vWF、及CD31为肝细胞肝癌的有效血管新生及预后指标 ;Lam则与肝硬化及术中出血相关 ;PCNA指数肿瘤分期有关 ;CD34不能用作血管新生或预后指标     

Photodynamic laser cyclodestruction with chloroaluminum sulfonated Phthalocyanine (CASPc) or photofrin®(PII) Vs. Nd:YAG laser cyclodestruction in a pigmented rabbit model

Background and Objective: To investigate Photofrin® (PII) and CASPc for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of the ciliary body in rabbits. Study Design/Materials and Methods: PII (10 mg/kg) or CASPc (1 mg/kg) was given by ear vein. Pharmacokinetics were studied in frozen sections by fluorescence microscopy (CCD camera based low light detection system with digital image processing) at 1 and 24 h (8 rabbits;16 eyes). Laser light was delivered (argon pumped dye laser;630 and 675 nm;8 rabbits;16 eyes) by contact fiberoptic. To compensate for iris attenuation, irradiance was 125 mW/cm² (20, 40, 80, or 160 J/cm²). Controls (4 rabbits;8 eyes) received laser light without photochemicals (OD) and for comparison, continuous wave Nd:YAG laser by fiberoptic (0.8–1.2J;OS). Results: Localization studies showed intravascular distribution with some selective ciliary body distribution at 24 h (PII > CASPc). Rabbits treated with PII or CASPc exhibited variable amounts of gross ciliary body edema, infarction, and necrosis by 24–48 h. This response was not seen in PDT control tissues;damage was seen in the iris and ciliary body, with partial vacuolization of the pigment epithelium. Conclusion: PDT may offer a more selective approach to ciliary body destruction. A small but significant thermal effect was seen during PDT from melanin photon uptake with damage to iris and ciliary body. Thermal damage and potential interaction with ocular visual pigments may limit use of these photochemicals and wavelengths for PDT of the ciliary body © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

THE PITUITARY-LEYDIG CELL AXIS IN MEN WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE GERMINAL EPITHELIUM

Eighteen men (mean age 27, range 18-30 years) treated for Hodgkin's disease with 6-8 courses of MVPP (Mustine, Vinblastine, Procarbazine and Prednisolone) have had Leydig cell function assessed by their steroidogenic responses to stimulation by a single bolus dose of HCG (1000 units intramuscularly). Normal age-matched men (n = 16) acted as controls. Baseline immunoreactive FSH was markedly raised in the patients (mean 18.1 +/- SD 6.9 vs 2.0 +/- 1.5 IU/l, P less than 0.0001) reflecting damage to the germinal epithelium. Immunoreactive LH was also greater in patients (10.3 +/- 3.9 IU/l) than in controls (3.9 +/- 1.9 IU/l, P less than 0.0001). There were no differences between the baseline testosterone, androstenedione, oestradiol, oestrone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations. The testosterone/SHBG ratios were similar in the two groups and there was no correlation between baseline LH and testosterone concentrations or testosterone/SHBG ratios. Testosterone, androstenedione, oestradiol and oestrone secretion in response to HCG stimulation were similar at 24 h and 96 h in both groups. In order to explain the paradox of elevated immunoreactive LH in the face of normal testicular steroidogenesis in such patients, LH biological activity (B) as well as LH immunoreactivity (I) and FSH and testosterone were estimated in a second similar group of patients (n = 17, mean age 27, range 17-43 years) and in a further age-matched control group (n = 17). Bioactive and immunoreactive LH levels were significantly increased (P less than 0.005 and P less than 0.001, respectively) in the patient group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Membrane flow within the myelin sheath in IDPN neuropathy

This report describes some aspects of beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) neuropathy in rats as observed by ultrastructural methods and X-ray diffraction. Light microscopy shows gross swelling of the axons in proximal lumbar spinal roots 8 days after intraperitoneal injection of IDPN. Mean axon cross-sectional area and mean axon perimeter increased to 280% and 160% of their control values, respectively. At the same time, myelin membrane packing was not visibly disturbed. In addition, X-ray diffraction patterns, recorded under physiological conditions, demonstrate that the myelin lipid bilayer thickness and widths of the aqueous spaces between bilayers did not change. Related observations are made on posterior tibial nerve (PNS myelin) and ventral spinal cord (CNS myelin). The various observations together are interpreted in terms of a fluid myelin membrane. It is proposed that the myelin membrane flows during axon swelling even though normal membrane-membrane contacts are maintained within the sheath. Membrane flow and slippage between membranes are explained in terms of a molecular model of the myelin multilayer.     

Metastatic septic endophthalmitis in pyogenic liver abscess

In a consecutive series of 180 patients with pyogenic liver abscess, three patients (two men and one woman, between 46 and 75 years of age) had metastatic Klebsiella endophthalmitis. The incidence of metastatic endophthalmitis was 1.7% in patients with pyogenic liver abscess, 5.2% in patients with Klebsiella liver abscess, and 7.8% in patients with Klebsiella liver abscess having Klebsiella bacteremia. Despite aggressive therapeutic measures, the men permanently lost their vision and the woman eventually required an evisceration of her right eye. Delayed recognition and/or treatment as well as the nature of bacteria probably contributed to the tragic outcome. The findings suggest that a high index of suspicion is critical and a combined effort of the internist and ophthalmologist is mandatory.     

Closed suction wound drainage and lower-segment caesarean section

Summary. In a randomized controlled study of wound suction drainage after transverse suprapubic incision for lower-segment caesarean section no significant advantages could be demonstrated for routine drainage in terms of wound infection, haematoma formation, duration of hospital stay or analgesic requirements.