A case of primary mediastinal hemangiopericytoma with computed tomography correlation is presented. Although this is rare cause of mediastinal mass, the diagnosis should be considered when computed tomography of the mass shows contrast medium enhancement, particularly if there is a curvilinear encircling structure suggesting a large feeder vessel.

Aged↗

PubMed1985

Current status of valve prostheses.

The deterioration in cardiac function caused by a valvular lesion frequently can be halted or reversed by timely surgery. This article discusses the principles used to decide when surgery is beneficial and briefly reviews current indications for operation in the more common acquired and congenital valve lesions. The factors influencing the choice of a valve prosthesis are also discussed.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1985

Treatment of nonocclusive mesenteric infarction after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Nonocclusive mesenteric infarction is a potentially lethal complication that may follow successful resuscitation of cardiopulmonary arrest. This case demonstrates that the manifestations may be delayed and that urgent surgical intervention may be lifesaving despite the precarious status of these patients. Vigilance for several days is mandatory.

Critical Care↗

PubMed1985

Functional and structural changes of the human proximal small intestine after cytotoxic therapy.

The effects of cytotoxic therapy on the structure and function of the proximal jejunum were studied in six patients receiving intravenous cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m2), methotrexate (40 mg/m2), and 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2) as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Using a steady state, triple lumen tube perfusion system the absorption of water and electrolytes was measured before and 48 h after administration of the cytotoxic agents. Jejunal biopsies were obtained at each perfusion. Median (range) water absorption fell from 126 (40-142) to 84 (46-142) ml/h/30 cm, with parallel changes for electrolytes; none of the changes was significant. Brush border disaccharidases did not change at 48 h after chemotherapy, while mature enterocytes appeared normal by both light and electron microscopy. Crypt cells and immature enterocytes, however, showed focal vacuolation by light microscopy, corresponding to the occurrence of large residual bodies (secondary lysosomes) containing partially degraded fragments of damaged crypt cells. The confinement of ultrastructural changes to the immature cell population may explain the failure of this study to show a consistent change in the absorptive function of the jejunum 48 h after chemotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Isotope phallogram: preliminary communication.

The isotope phallogram is an investigation which uses radioisotope-labelled red cells in the imaging of penile arterial blood flow. In a preliminary series of 12 impotent patients undergoing both internal iliac arteriography and isotope phallography, the penogram index described by Fannous et al. (1982) has been modified to derive an accurate indicator of vascular disease.

Arteries↗

PubMed1985