SMJ // January 1984, Volume 77 - Issue 1
Editorial
AGAINST MALES AND FEMALES
Primary Article
Clinical Neuropsychology in Evaluating and Treating Brain Dysfunction
ABSTRACT: The current literature indicates that clinical neuropsychology offers a unique contribution to the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with brain dysfunction. This paper provides an overview of the services available and the opportunities for collaborative research, as well as case examples to illustrate diagnosis and treatment.
Primary Article
Closing the Loop: How Near Is Automated Anesthesia?
ABSTRACT: Technologic advances now make automated anesthesia delivery systems theoretically possible; clinical implementation, however, awaits development and refinement in three areas: (1) adjunctive monitoring, which needs to be extremely sophisticated; (2) automated data collection, which will obviate manual record keeping; and (3) automated therapeutic intervention, which will control drug, fluid,…
Primary Article
Rickets in Premature Infants Fed Different Formulas
ABSTRACT: To study the role of formula as a cause of rickets, we randomly assigned 46 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants (≤ 1,500 gm) to one of three groups receiving either Isomil, a soy isolate formula, Similac with Iron, a common milk-based formula, or Similac 24 LBW, a hypercaloric milk-based formula designed…
Primary Article
Health Problems During the First Year of Life in Infants Born to Adolescent Mothers
ABSTRACT: The role of maternal age at birth was investigated to determine its impact on an infants health status during the first year of life. A sample population of 112 healthy term infants born to young primiparous mothers (≤ 17 years) was compared using a chart audit with a population…
Primary Article
Thyroid Abnormalities in Patients Previously Treated With Irradiation for Acne Vulgaris
ABSTRACT: Of 1,203 patients who received radiation treatment for acne vulgaris between 1940 and 1968, 302 patients were recalled and examined, 121 at Geisinger Medical Center and the remainder by their local physicians. Radiation records were reviewed on all patients. Lead-rubber and cones had been used as shielding. Mean age…
Primary Article
Acute Carbamazepine Intoxication: Clinical Spectrum and Management
ABSTRACT: Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant drug in widespread use for the treatment of tonic-clonic and temporal lobe seizure disorders. Acute intoxication with this agent results in both neurologic and cardiovascular dysfunction. Neurologic manifestations may range from mild ataxia to profound coma with respiratory failure and are correlated with the plasma…
Primary Article
Mitral Valve Prolapse: Its Symptom Complex and Its Association With DaCostas Syndrome
ABSTRACT: Symptoms of DaCostas syndrome include effort fatigue and breathlessness, chest pain, palpitation, and dizziness. Considered purely functional and anxiety-related by DaCosta, the syndrome has since been related to the mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome and autonomic hyperreactivity. We studied these specific symptoms in similar cohorts of 68 patients with…
Primary Article
Elective Coronary Artery Bypass in the Elderly: Experience in a Community Hospital
ABSTRACT: Elective coronary artery bypass can now be safely done in elderly patients. Seventy-four patients, aged 70 to 81 years (mean, 73 years), had elective primary coronary artery bypass in a community hospital between August 1978 and November 1982. Two patients (3%) died within 30 days of operation. Late deaths…
Primary Article
Vertical Staple Gastroplasty: Experience With 100 Patients
ABSTRACT: We have performed vertical staple gastroplasty, using a modification of the technique of Laws, in 100 patients. The indications for operation were strictly defined. All patients have been observed from six months to 2½ years. There were no serious hospital complications. The postoperative weight loss has been satisfactory in…
Primary Article
Cholecystectomy in Cirrhotic Patients
ABSTRACT: Cholecystectomy is the most common intraperitoneal operation done by general surgeons in this country and is generally considered safe. The incidence of cholelithiasis is doubled among cirrhotic patients, and biliary surgery in such patients carries tremendous risk, primarily due to excessive intraoperative hemorrhage. One author has reported a mortality…
Primary Article
Penetrating Injuries of the Larynx
ABSTRACT: Patients with penetrating laryngeal trauma can present a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms. Severe trauma frequently leads to life-threatening airway compromise, whereas lesser injuries are often overlooked because of the subtlety of physical and roentgenographic findings or the severity of vascular and neurologic injuries. Increased suspicion should accompany…
Acknowledgement
BOOKS RECEIVED
Primary Article
Arterial Distensibility in Young Normotensive Subjects and in Patients With Borderline and Essential Hypertension
ABSTRACT: We evaluated the indices of arterial distensibility in a group (N=40) of normotensive subjects and patients with borderline or established hypertension by measuring intra-arterial pressure, pulse wave velocity, and a mathematical modification of MOENs formula to calculate arterial distensibility. Multiple linear regression analysis including six hemodynamic variables (systolic pressure…
Primary Article
Acute Leukemia in Adults: Cost Effectiveness of Treatment
ABSTRACT: Costs of treating 174 adult patients with acute leukemia were compiled and analyzed over the five-year period 1974 to 1979. The average overall cost per patient was $ 18,760, and increased over the period of study. Increased total hospital costs were incurred by patients who achieved a favorable response…
Review Article
Electrical Stimulation of Osteogenesis
ABSTRACT: The three electrical stimulation systems available for treating nonunion of long bones are successful in approximately 85% of cases. The percutaneous direct current bone growth stimulator is partially invasive, allows patient mobility, can be used with magnetic fixation devices, and can be monitored for proper function, but it requires…
Article
“Containing” an Infarct: Preventing the Heart Attack in the First Place
ABSTRACT: The number one health problem and killer of adults in the United States is the heart attack. Since the development of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 30 years ago, hospitals have addressed this problem by setting up coronary care units. As a result, approximately 100,000 lives are saved each year, yet…
Current Concepts
Radiologic Examination of the Small Intestine Review of 402 Cases and Discussion of Indications and Methods
ABSTRACT: An analysis of the records of 300 patients who had had 370 small-bowel radiologic examinations and a subsequent 102 patients examined by fluoroscopy and enteroclysis suggests that enteroclysis (small-bowel enema) is extremely valuable in the radiologic evaluation of small intestinal disease. Our results suggest that best results are obtained…
