Metastatic oat cell carcinoma of the lung producing extrahepatic bile duct obstruction.

Although carcinoma of the lung metastatic to the pancreas is not unusual in autopsy series, it is rare as a cause of extra-hepatic bile duct obstruction among the living. We have reported two cases of oat cell carcinoma of the lung in which the first sign of metastatic disease was extrahepatic bile duct obstruction. Ultrasonography provides a quick, direct, and noninvasive means of evaluating such obstruction, allowing early diagnosis and surgical palliation.

Mapping muscle protein genes by in situ hybridization using biotin-labeled probes.

The genes coding for the myosin heavy chain isoforms (unc-54, myo-1, myo-2 and myo-3) and the actins (act-1,2,3 and act-4) have been mapped on the embryonic metaphase chromosomes of Caenorhabditis elegans by in situ hybridization. The genes were cloned in a cosmid vector and the entire cosmid was nick translated to incorporate biotin-labeled dUTP. This produced a probe DNA complementary to a 35-45 kb length of chromosomal DNA.

Subtotal parathyroidectomy versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

A retrospective review of patients treated for secondary hyperparathyroidism by total parathyroidectomy with parathyroid autotransplantation (tPTX) and subtotal parathyroidectomy (sPTX) is presented. Ten patients underwent tPTX, and 22 patients underwent sPTX between 1977 and 1982. Hypocalcemia and complications of its treatment were a problem in the tPTX patients.

Arterial thromboembolic complications of peritoneovenous shunting for malignant ascites.

Peritoneovenous shunting for the treatment of malignant ascites has become increasingly popular. This technique can be complicated by tumor embolization, congestive heart failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Arterial thromboembolism has been encountered in two patients following LeVeen shunt insertion.