Analysis of free chlorine in aqueous solution at very low concentration with lateral flow tests.

Test strips are convenient tools for rapid, semi-quantitative analysis of a variety of parameters by dipping them for a few seconds in a sample solution followed by a simple colorimetric read-out. Their sensitivity is mainly determined by the reactivity of the test dyes on the reaction zone and is not sufficient for some applications. The detection limit of commercially available free chlorine test strips, for example, is at present not low enough to confirm the absence of this analyte as disinfectant in rinsing solutions after disinfection or to control required residual amounts of chlorine in drinking water.

The cholecystogastric fistula.

Internal gall bladder fistulas with a hollow viscus following dislocation of a gallstone into the intestine represent one of the late sequelae of cholelithiasis. We report the case of a 78-year-old patient, who suffered from a cholecystogastric fistula with consecutive stone transmigration into the stomach.

Measuring of immunoreactivity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in colorectal cancer by microdensitometry.

In 32 patients with colorectal carcinomas, the immunoreactivity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was measured on section preparations of the tumours by means of a computer controlled microdensitometric method. By measuring numerous single points, the intensity of the immunohistochemical staining reaction of CEA was evaluated. This method is superior to the commonly used semiquantitative method (+, ++, ) for the assessment of various degrees of staining intensity whenever the antigen to be measured is not homogeneously dispersed in the tissue.

Endoscopic decompression in "toxic megacolon".

Endoscopic decompression of the bowel in "toxic megacolon" is presented in two cases as an alternative procedure to Turnbull's technique using multiple bowel fistulas. In our opinion this technique seems to be a substantial improvement in the treatment of "toxic megacolon" and may even help to prevent ileotomy-colotomy in some cases.

[Boerhaave syndrome].

Among the different types of esophageal wall injuries Boerhaave's syndrome is associated with the highest morbidity and mortality. The classical history of retching or vomiting and retrosternal splitting pain is indicative. Roentgenograms of the chest and esophagogram with a water soluble contrast medium are able to reveal the perforation in most cases.

"Bowenoid" leukoplakia in the anal region.

A case of "bowenoid" leukoplakia in the anal region of a 31-year-old woman is presented to our knowledge for the first time in the literature. Clinically the lesion appeared as a "simple" leukoplakia. Although excision of the lesion was performed as histologically shown in toto, three recurrences followed.

[Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid gland].

Between 1969-1984 (16 years) 17 patients with "malignant haemangioendothelioma" of the thyroid were admitted to our services. This type of cancer is usually found in patients with a long history of goiter and is a very aggressive tumor. Infiltration of surrounding tissues is mostly responsible for death by asphyxia or uncontrollable bleeding.

[Results of studies in 165 patients following selective proximal vagotomy].

Selective proximal vagotomy was performed on 165 patients at the I. Surgical Clinic of Innsbruck University, between 1970 and 1984. Results of 90 patients were retrospectively evaluated.

[Percutaneous ultrasound-controlled drainage of liver abscesses].

By means of 20 liver abscesses in fourteen patients it is described how percutaneous drainage of abscesses can be applied. Method, technique, indications, contraindications as well as possible complications of this procedure are described and illustrated in four cases. In addition both principal differences and common features of percutaneous sonographic drainage and incision of the abscess are described.

[Benign scarred stenosis of the anal canal as a cause of anorectal incontinence].

At the First University Clinic for Surgery Innsbruck a benign, scarred stenosis in the anal canal was found in 14 patients between 1975 and 1981. This stenosis turned out to be the cause of an anorectal incontinence. This stenosis results in a hampering of important organs in the anal canal that are conducive to continence.

[The colostoma. Study of the technic of colostomy with special reference to physical considerations].

An analysis of the complications occurring in permanent colostomies at Surgery Departments of Innsbruck University during the period between January 1969 and December 1977 showed that approximately 72% of all complications were primarily caused by operative shortcomings. It was therefore right and proper to investigate the causes of these operative shortcomings by means of physical considerations with the model and the preternatural anus and to analyse its most frequent complications in order to develop a colostomy technique which has so far turned out to be clinically successful in 32 controlled patients.

Treatment of traumatic injuries of the anorectal sphincter apparatus.

We have reported about three patients with extensive destruction of the anorectal sphincter apparatus which were treated at the I. Surgical Clinic of Innsbruck University, Austria, between 1964 and 1981. Diagnostical methods and therapy are explained.

Successful renal revascularization of unilateral traumatic renal artery thrombosis.

We report 3 patients with traumatic renal artery thrombosis treated successfully with revascularization. The diagnosis was made preoperatively in 2 cases and intraoperatively in 1. Treatment consisted of reanastomosis with a saphenous vein patch on the side of the arteriotomy in case 1, an aortorenal artery saphenous vein bypass in case 2 and a bypass graft from the aorta to the distal renal artery in case 3.