Clinical trial of young red cell transfusions.

The lower mean cell age and prolonged 51Cr-labeled red cell survival of the top layer of centrifuged red blood cells suggest that this product may reduce blood requirements in patients with transfusion-dependent anemias. In a prospective clinical trial, we compared the effect of regular administration of young red cells with that associated with use of conventional frozen cells. Six patients with thalassemia major received 192 units of young red cells prepared from single donor units of whole blood using the IBM 2991 Cell Processor.

Intercostal herniation of abdominal contents following a penetrating chest injury.

A case of intercostal herniation of the greater omentum occurring 36 years after a penetrating chest injury is presented. The hernia was successfully treated by operative reduction and repair of the diaphragm and chest wall. This rare complication of thoracic injury is discussed and the literature reviewed.

Unsuspected exposure to asbestos and bronchogenic carcinoma.

Two hundred and fifty men admitted to a thoracic surgical centre and matched controls were questioned in detail about their occupations after leaving school and their smoking habits. Of 201 men with confirmed bronchial carcinoma 58 gave a history of occupational exposure to asbestos, whereas only 29 out of 201 men matched for age and residential area who were admitted with other diseases gave such a history. This difference was statistically highly significant.

Pleuropneumonectomy in the management of diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. Experience with 29 patients.

An analysis is made of the results of pleuropneumonectomy for diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma in 29 patients and a comparison is made with the results of non-surgical treatment in a further 17 patients. A system of tumour staging is proposed, and the results are correlated with tumour stage and with histological type. Pleuropneumonectomy does not appear materially to affect the course of the disease in cases of mixed epithelial and mesenchymal histological type.

Spotaneous rupture of an intercostal artery in a patient with neurofibromatosis and scoliosis.

A case is reported of spontaneous rupture of an intercostal artery at its origin from the aorta in a patient with neurofibromatosis and scoliosis. The possible role played by each of these conditions in the pathogenesis of the spontaneous rupture is discussed. Comment is made on the unusual radiologic appearances of extrapleural hemorrhage.