Establishing pre-language signalling behaviour with profoundly mentally handicapped students: a preliminary investigation.

The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain the effectiveness of a specific pre-language communication programming technique on the development of pre-language communication signalling behaviour in a group of profoundly mentally handicapped students. Results indicate that the procedure produced desired effects. Problems related to defining pre-language communication behaviours and communicative stimuli for this population, as well as issues pertaining to generalization, were discussed.

Sonography as an aid to diagnosis of caecal carcinoma in the elderly.

Many elderly patients with suspected colonic neoplasm are referred to radiology departments for barium enema. Despite routine use of laxatives and colonic washouts and employment of antispasmodic drugs, problems occur with faecal residue and poor retention of barium. This may lead to inadequate demonstration of the caecum.

Patency after femoral angioplasty: correlation of angiographic appearance with clinical findings.

Fifty-seven patients (34 men and 23 women) underwent percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) of the superficial femoral artery. Follow-up angiography revealed restenoses/reocclusions in 23 patients (relapsing group) and a patent, previously-dilated segment in 34 cases (patent group). These two groups were compared retrospectively regarding their clinical and angiographic state at the time of PTA.

Computed tomography of the normal and pathological thoracic inlet.

The thoracic inlet is insufficiently investigated by conventional radiographic techniques. CT clearly demonstrates this area free of superimposition. Thorough knowledge of cross sectional anatomy is essential for CT interpretation.

Unstable angina: natural history and determinants of prognosis.

One hundred one patients with unstable angina were treated conservatively without the routine use of beta receptor blocking agents, calcium antagonist drugs, anticoagulant agents or nitrates. Only two patients underwent arteriography and coronary arterial bypass surgery during hospitalization and one patient during the 1st year of follow-up study. The 28 day mortality rate was 4 percent and the total 1 year cardiac mortality rate 10 percent.

Ultrasound guided percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage.

Traditional management of abdominal abscess is according to classical surgical methods. Catheter or needle drainage of these abscesses, using ultrasound both as an imaging modality and as a monitor of technique, offers a safe and rapid method of drainage of all types of abdominal abscess and eliminates surgery in many patients. Eleven abdominal and retroperitoneal abscesses were satisfactorily drained under ultrasound control in ten patients.