SMJ // January 1974, Volume 67 - Issue 1
Clinical Brief
Superior Vena Caval Obstruction with Substernal Thyroid
Clinical Brief
Infective Endocarditis in Drug Addicts
AbstractFifteen cases of endocarditis in “mainlining” drug addicts are reported. The organism most frequently cultured in this series was Staphylococcus, and the tricuspid was the valve most frequently affected. Attention is focused on the frequency of pulmonic disease as the presenting symptom of endocarditis in drug addicts. Emphasis is placed…
Clinical Brief
Fractionated Cystogram in the Diagnosis of Tumors of the Bladder Modification in Technic
AbstractLess than two decades ago, it was first shown that progressive instillation of contrast medium into the bladder symmetrically expands the distensible part of this organ. Our experience supports this. With the use of position triangles and restraining bands, we have achieved the immobilization of the patient necessary for effective…
Clinical Brief
Ciguatera Poisoning A Common Source Outbreak
AbstractTwenty-four crew members aboard a Brazilian cargo ship developed gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms 30 minutes to six hours after eating meat from a large barracuda. Initially, the men had abdominal pain followed rapidly by frequent vomiting and profuse diarrhea. Soon after, they noticed a tingling and burning sensation of the…
Clinical Brief
Gastropericardial Fistula and Pericardial Abscess unusual complications of Subphrenic Abscess Following Nissen Fundoplication
AbstractA case of gastropericardial fistula and pericardial abscess following subphrenic abscess is presented. This particular complication of subphrenic abscess has not been recorded previously. The frequent association of serious thoracic disease with subphrenic abscess is reviewed. Gastropericardial fistula is usually caused by gastric ulcer or malignancy. A discussion of symptomatic…
Clinical Brief
Tretinoin and Antibiotic Therapy in Acne Vulgaris*
AbstractThe intent of this report is to summarize our experience in treating acne with tretinoin, antibiotics, and the combination of both agents. For patients with predominantly comedonal acne or in those with inflammatory acne who for one reason or another cannot receive antibiotics, tretinoin alone is used. The majority of…
Clinical Brief
When Drinking is a Pleasure*
AbstractAlcoholism generally is considered a disease of people with psychologic disturbance. This article calls attention to the fact that alcohol is used nearly always for its pleasure-inducing effects. Its properties and use as a euphoriant are compared to heroin and the effects of stimulation of the theorized “pleasure center” in…
Clinical Brief
Arthritis of Sickle Cell Anemia
AbstractDuring a two-year period, five patients with sickle cell anemia were encountered who had a similar type of recurrent and migratory polyarthritis most commonly involving the elbow joints. The disease was characterized by severe pain of the joints, marked tenderness of the more severely involved joints, with mild to moderate…
Clinical Brief
Vascular Malformations of the Intestine An Important Cause of Obscure Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage*
AbstractCase reports of five patients are presented who had obscure massive bleeding from various vascular malformations of the gastrointestinal tract. The small size and vascular nature of these lesions make the diagnosis by routine roentgenographic studies difficult or impossible. They are equally difficult to find even during exploratory laparotomy. Selective…
Clinical Brief
General Medical Aspects of Atypical Mycobacteria*
AbstractThe atypical mycobacteria are identified readily when appropriate attention is paid to growth rates, pigment formation, and temperature requirements. They are widely distributed in nature with approximately 40 million of our population having been exposed to them as indicated by skin testing surveys. Various disease patterns are produced—pulmonary infection, lymphadenitis,…
Clinical Brief
Purulent Pericarditis A Review of Diagnostic and Surgical Principles
AbstractPurulent pericarditis is a secondary disease process which can be, and usually is, masked by the clinical findings of the primary infectious disease. Prompt diagnosis, therefore, depends primarily upon the clinician's high index of suspicion of the possibility of coexistent purulent pericarditis in a patient being treated for another infectious…
Clinical Brief
The Action of Droperidol and Fentanyl on Cardiac Output and Related Hemodynamic Parameters*
AbstractMany workers have noted stability of the cardiovascular system in patients receiving droperidol-fentanyl. We investigated the circulatory and respiratory influence of the narcotic analgesic fentanyl and the neuroleptic droperidol in 15 young, healthy volunteers. The variations of arterial pH, Pco2 and Po2 were in the direction of respiratory acidosis and…
Clinical Brief
Evaluation of 8–0 Chromic Collagen Suture Material*
AbstractEffectiveness of 8–0 chromic collagen suture in ophthalmic microsurgery was evaluated experimentally and clinically. In vitro and in vivo measurements of the physical properties of the material were made using rabbit corneas, and the suture was used in closing corneoscleral sections in 101 routine human cataract operations. Suture diameter ranged…
Clinical Brief
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
AbstractCongenital hernias of the diaphragm present in two distinct forms: acute pulmonary insufficiency in the newborn, and chronic recurrent respiratory disease in older children. The high mortality rate in the neonate is due to hypoplasia of the lungs, resulting in respiratory acidosis and hypoxia. In older children herniation of viscera…
Clinical Brief
Controlled Penicillin Anaphylaxis Leading to Desensitization
AbstractA patient with staphylococcal infection of an aortic valve prosthesis was desensitized to penicillin after failure to respond to alternate antibiotic regimens. Positive skin tests to benzylpenicillin were predictive of systemic anaphylaxis that occurred during desensitization. Prompt pharmacologic treatment of this reaction allowed penicillin therapy to be continued.
Clinical Brief
Extended Lateral Rhinotomy for Resection of Malignant Melanoma*
AbstractPrimary resection is the treatment of choice for patients with melanoma involving the nose and paranasal sinuses. Multiple surgical approaches are available. The technic of extended lateral rhinotomy allows resection involving the nasal cavity, antrum, and frontoethmosphenoid complex. Three cases are discussed in which tumor was removed by this approach…
Clinical Brief
Enzyme Patterns Reflecting Hepatic Response to Anesthesia and Operation*
AbstractSGPT, SGOT, and SOCT analyses were made before and after operations. Increasing enzyme levels indicated changes in hepatic function. Enzyme increases which occur postoperatively on the day of operation are associated with upper abdominal operations. Increases seen on postoperative day seven are associated with all types of operations. There were…
Clinical Brief
Technic for Prevention of Pharyngeal Fistula Following Laryngectomy*
AbstractThe high morbidity and mortality associated with orocutaneous fistula following laryngectomy have prompted a thorough reevaluation of technics designed to reduce the incidence. All of the previous technics are reviewed and a suggestion of a new technic to reinforce the pharyngeal suture line is described. This technic has been quite…
Clinical Brief
Leukemoid Reaction An Unusual Manifestation of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
AbstractA fatal case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in which a leukemoid reaction developed terminally is described. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia should be kept in mind as a possible cause of leukemoid reaction.
Case Report
Fetal Ascites Secondary to Congenital Syphilis
Case Report
Giant Cell Arteritis A Preventable Cause of Blindness
AbstractGiant cell arteritis is an inflammatory disease with multiple systemic manifestations including visual loss. Visual symptoms occur when the vascular supply to the eye is compromised causing either an ischemic papillitis or a central retinal artery occlusion. Two cases are presented to demonstrate the various ocular complications of giant cell…
Grand Rounds
Bacterial Endocarditis*
Review Article
Management of the Nephrotic Syndrome
Current Concepts
Fiberoptic Colonoscopy in the Management of Colonic Disease
Case Report
Osteogenesis Imperfecta Diagnosed in Utero in Conjunction with Rh Sensitization
AbstractOsteogenesis imperfecta congenita, diagnosed in utero, and moderate to severe Rh erythroblastosis fetalis is reported in an infant delivered from a mother with osteogenesis imperfecta. This case is unique since both conditions presented simultaneously. The obstetric management is discussed.
