The use of cadaver models to diagnose rib fractures: A pilot study

Background

In the emergency department, rib fractures are a common finding in patients who sustain chest trauma. Rib fractures may be a sign of significant, underlying pathology, especially in the elderly patients where rib fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To date, no studies have evaluated the ability of ultrasound to detect rib fractures using cadaver models and subsequently use this model as a teaching tool.

Neonatal pain management.

Neonatal pain management is a challenge for the clinician. Research is just beginning to uncover the neonates' capability of expression of pain, explore pharmacologic management strategies, and identify the spectrum of intrusions that may precipitate pain or distress in the critically ill neonate. This article reviews the neonatal biologic, behavioral, and physiologic responses to pain and describes recommendations for clinical management and decision-making.     

Incompatibility of contrast agents with intravascular medications. Work in progress

In vitro and in vivo precipitation of iodinated contrast agents when ioxaglate and papaverine are given together has been reported. To verify these reports and to investigate other medications not previously tested, the authors analyzed mixtures of contrast agents and medications in vitro with a light spectrophotometer and observed them for visible precipitates for up to 120 minutes. Previously reported incompatibilities between ionic or low-osmolality contrast media and medications were verified, and several new incompatibilities were discovered. No incompatibilities were found when the drugs tested were mixed with the new nonionic contrast media.     

Chlamydial etiology of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children in the Sudan

The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in 110 Sudanese children with signs of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) was investigated. Four (3.6%) had evidence of C. pneumoniae infection, of whom 3 were culture-positive, while 1 had an antibody response suggesting a recent infection. IgG antibodies at a titer of ≥1:32 to C. pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis were detected in 27 (24.5%), 27 (24.5%) and 7 (6.4%) of the 110 ALRI cases, respectively. C. pneumoniae, C. trachomatis or C. psittaci were not detected in nasopharyngeal secretions from any of 110 patients when fluorescence-labeled specific monoclonal antibodies were used. In a seroepidemiological survey, 318 healthy Sudanese persons aged between 1 month and 67 years were studied for C. pneumoniae antibodies.     

Superior mesenteric artery injury during nephrectomy for Wilms' tumor.

Iatrogenic injury to the aorta or its major branches during nephrectomy for Wilms' tumor in children is rarely reported but may be more common than is currently acknowledged. We identified four patients with ligation of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) that occurred during nephrectomy for nephroblastoma and another child in whom SMA thrombosis developed postoperatively. All of the tumors were on the left side. Interruption of the SMA was recognized intraoperatively in all four children, and primary repair was done. In three patients, appearance of the bowel remained normal before repair of the injury. Three of the arteries were repaired by primary reanastomosis, and one was joined with an interpositioned hypogastric artery graft. None of these patients had gastrointestinal complications postoperatively. In the fifth patient, SMA thrombosis developed after repair of an aortic tear during nephrectomy. This patient required subsequent small bowel resection for bowel infarction and died in the perioperative period. Every surgeon treating children with Wilms' tumor should be aware of the possibly distorted vascular anatomy and take precautions to avoid such a significant injury. Attempts at early ligation of the vessels may not be justified until the renal vasculature is clearly identified.     

Sweet's syndrome—therapy with cyclosporin

We report the case of a 39-year-old female patient suffering from Sweet's syndrome after an upper respiratory tract infection. Cyclosporin A at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day was given as initial treatment. Skin lesions and general malaise resolved within 9 days. The cyclosporin dose was decreased within 21 days, without recurrence of the eruption. Cyclosporin is a potent inhibitor of T lymphocytes, but affects granulocyte and monocyte functions as well. Success of treatment in our case shows that cyclosporin represents an alternative to steroid treatment in patients with Sweet's syndrome.     

Ultrastructure of sialadenoma papilliferum

Sialadenoma papilliferum is a rare tumor of salivary gland origin and has been reported in the parotid and minor salivary glands of the oral cavity. This tumor is morphologically similar to the papillary syringoadenoma of the sweat gland. We report the clinical and morphologic features of five cases and review the literature. Ultrastructural examination of case 1 revealed the predominant cell type to be an oncocytic cell. These cells contained numerous mitochondria, exhibited parallel filaments within the cell cytoplasm, and were attached by desmosomes. The neoplastic cells appear to exhibit characteristic features of various cell types of the salivary gland duct apparatus.