Suppurative thrombophlebitis of the superior vena cava.

A 22-year-old woman, a neurosurgical comatose patient developed suppurative thrombophlebitis of the superior vena cava due to Klebsiella pneumoniae, as a complication of catheterisation for parenteral nutrition. The diagnosis was established by gallium scan, computed tomography and digital vascular imaging. Conservative treatment with antibiotics and heparin resulted in the emergence of a resistant mutant of the causative agent.

Results of a feasibility trial to achieve total immobilization of patients in a neurosurgical intensive care unit with etomidate.

In the intensive care unit of Leiden University Neurosurgical Department 52 critically ill patients were given continuous infusions of etomidate to achieve 'total immobilization'. This can be defined as a state whereby there is complete elimination of all psychic, sensory and motor unrest. Etomidate administration varied from 2 hours to 25 days and dosages began at 20 micrograms/kg/minute and were increased to 110 micrograms/kg/minute according to need and indications for varying periods of time.

A longitudinal study of bone-mineral content and intestinal calcium absorption in patients with chronic renal failure.

In 14 nondialyzed patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and at the start of treatment a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 14--47 ml/min changes in bone mineral mass (BMM), expressed in percentage of the initial value, showed a significant correlation with the mean GFR during an observation period of 16 +/- 2 mo. During a predialysis period of 6 mo BMM decreased to 97.8 +/- 3.

Intestinal calcium absorption, serum phosphate, and parathyroid hormone in patients with chronic renal failure and osteodystrophy before and during hemodialysis.

In 34 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), fractional 47calcium absorption (Fa47Ca) was measured by an external counting method. A significant correlation was found with impairment of renal function, as expressed by the creatinine clearance. There was also a significant correlation of Fa47Ca with the serum phosphate (SeP) level and of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) with renal function.