In vitro osteoblast proliferation as a predictor for spinal fusion mass.

Background Context: The biological factors determining a successful spinal fusion have not yet been fully determined.

Purpose: To determine the influence of graft cell vigor on fusion rate and fusion mass using in vitro osteoblast proliferation as a predictor.

Study Design: Animal study randomizing to posterolateral fusion with autograft with or without pedicle-screw instrumentation.

[Should fasting prior to ultrasound examination of the gallbladder, the biliary ducts and the pancreas have to include not-drinking?].

From May to September 1991, 49 patients were examined by ultrasound (Picker CS 9000, 3.5 MHz curved array transducer) before and 30 minutes after drinking 150 ml of water. The volume of the gallbladder decreased significantly from a mean of 23.

[A complication of oleothorax--after 38 years].

We present a case-history of a 50 year-old woman who 38 years earlier had been operated for pulmonary tuberculosis by plugging of the pleural cavity with oil (oleothorax). She developed a tumour under the scapula, which it turned out was due to migration of the oil plug to the subscapular area, an unusual complication to oleothorax. Other complications are described.

The etiology and possible treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia.

It is suggested that chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia is caused by virus injury to the calcium channels leading to larger quantities than usual of calcium ions entering the striated muscle cells. Should this be true, then treatment with a calcium antagonist (CA) may possibly be of value.

[Focal fatty liver. A dilemma of differential diagnosis in ultrasonography and CT].

Based on four cases and relevant background literature we partly want to draw attention to the occurrence of focal fatty liver (FFL) and its manifold appearances in connection with ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT), and partly to point out possible pitfalls in US-diagnosis of the liver in cases of extensive fatty liver, where the residual foci of normal liver may incorrectly be interpreted as abnormal lesions. US and CT examination of FFL may cause differential diagnostic problems with risk of misinterpretation and erroneous diagnosis, especially if the phenomenon is unknown. In cases of doubt in US examination, where the uncharacteristic findings together with patient information indicate further examinations, additional CT is first of all recommended.

[Clinical-chemical testing on admission to Odense Hospital].

The use of laboratory screening on admission (i.e. laboratory tests which are always requested on admission of all of the patients to the department) was investigated at Odense University Hospital.