An investigation into the need for supplementary steroids in organ transplant patients undergoing gingival surgery. A double-blind, split-mouth, cross-over study.

Organ transplant patients are frequently medicated with triple immunosuppressive therapy that includes both cyclosporin and the corticosteroid, prednisolone. Many of these patients experience gingival overgrowth that necessitates surgical intervention. Chronic dosing with corticosteroids can lead to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and subsequent adrenocortical suppression.

Permanent neurological sequelae despite haemodialysis for lithium intoxication.

THREE PATIENTS WITH LITHIUM TOXICITY ARE REPORTED, TWO OF WHOM WERE EXPOSED TO TOXIC LITHIUM LEVELS FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD: both survived with permanent damage to basal ganglia and cerebellar connexions despite effective lowering of lithium levels by haemodialysis. Data obtained during dialysis treatment show prolonged haemodialysis to be the treatment of choice. If facilities for haemodialysis are not available or the patient presents with toxic lithium levels and minimal symptoms peritoneal dialysis will effectively lower serum lithium levels, but more slowly than haemodialysis.