Exenteration of the orbit in selected cases of severe orbital contracture.

Severe orbital contracture is treated with graft-covered conformers fixed to the orbit with wires, pins or a headcap. In spite of these vigorous techniques, failures occur. Exenteration was used in four cases of severe orbital contracture with deformity and restricted function of the eyelids.

Early recovery of function after olfactory tract section correlated with reinnervation of olfactory tubercle.

Behavioral recovery and cortical reinnervation after early olfactory tract section were assessed in the infant golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Hamster pups show strong thermotaxis at birth which declines abruptly after postnatal day (P) 8 in normal pups. Unilateral olfactory bulbectomy on P5 causes persistent thermotaxis through the second postnatal week.

Electrical slow waves and tone of guinea-pig isolated trachealis muscle: effects of drugs and temperature changes.

1 Simultaneous recordings of electrical and mechanical activity have been made from guinea-pig isolated trachealis muscle. Electrical activity was recorded both by extracellular and intracellular techniques.2 Extracellular studies showed that the spontaneous development of tone was accompanied by electrical slow waves which frequently exhibited pronounced waxing and waning.

Effects of three antacids on the bioavailability of valproic acid.

The effects of three antacid products on the bioavailability of valproic acid were evaluated. Each of seven normal, healthy volunteers received a 500-mg dose of valproic acid alone on one occasion and then with each of three commonly used antacids. Specifically, equal neutralizing capacity doses of 160 meq of Maalox (62 ml), Trisogel (97 ml), or Titralac (42 ml) were administered one and three hours after meals and at bedtime on the same day.

Phenytoin-induced hyperglycemia.

A case of diabetic ketoacidosis in a 64-year-old black woman with maturity-onset diabetes receiving phenytoin for a seizure disorder is reported. The woman was admitted to the hospital with a one-day history of polyuria and polydipsia. For the 10 months before admission, her diabetes was controlled with isophane insulin suspension 27 units daily.

Extended lower eyelid blepharoplasty.

The extended lower eyelid blepharoplasty involves the use of a large myocutaneous flap dissection well down over the zygoma. This has been found useful in eliminating large edematous bags over the cheek. It also is useful in lower eyelid blepharoplasty in selected cases of thyroid disease, orbital reconstruction, facial trauma, and certain other reconstructive procedures.

Monitoring digoxin therapy in two long-term facilities.

Digoxin monitoring was examined according to 13 criteria in two nursing homes: 1) an intermediate care facility (ICF) with private physicians, and 2) a skilled care (SCF) plus ICF with 3 housestaff physicians from a identify all patients receiving digoxin, 2) evaluate dosage patterns, 3) evaluate monitoring patterns, and 4) detect possible toxic reactions and determine whether management was appropriate. The calculated correct dosage of digoxin in both ICFs. More frequent monitoring of serum creatinine and potassium levels was associated with fewer symptoms of toxicity.

A combined orbital and antral approach to surgical decompression of the orbit.

A combined orbital decompression procedure has been found effective in treating proptosis. The procedure includes a lower eyelid incision by an ophthalmologist to expose the floor of the orbit, while a Caldwell-Luc antrotomy is performed simultaneously by an otolaryngologist. The ophthalmologist has a better view of the contents of the orbit and the anterior orbital floor.

Orbital exenteration--simplified.

In summary, a simplified technique of orbital exenteration has been presented. Results, with complications, in eleven cases have been described. The advantages of the operative method described are: (1) full thickness skin provides better cushion for self-retaining prosthesis, (2) skin with intact blood supply is much less likely to be rejected, (3) no donor site with added discomfort and care, (4) local recurrence of neoplasm is easily detected, (5) operating time shortened and (6) favorable patient acceptance.

Tenosynovial chondromatosis of the shoulder.

Two cases of tenosynovial chondromatosis of the shoulder are presented, the literature on this rare lesion is reviewed, and the differential diagnosis, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed. Synovial chondromatosis is a benign monoarticular lesion. It may also be found in tendon sheaths de novo and secondary to local extension.

The A-frame operation for acquired blepharoptosis.

The A-frame operation has been found effective in the treatment of acquired blepharoptosis. It has the following advantages: (1) it can be done easily, rapidly, and if desired, bilaterally, with a minimum of dissection; (2) corneal irritation is not seen; (3) the tarsus is not disturbed; (4) since it is done through an external incision, it can be done with a concomitant blepharoplasty or other oculoplastic procedure; and (5) the procedure is easily learned. The operation is a block resection of levator aponeurosis, Müller's muscle, and conjunctiva.

Simultaneous long-term recording of the mechanical and intracellular electrical activity of smooth muscles.

The construction and use of tissue holders that allow simultaneous long-term recordings of mechanical and intracellular electrical activity from a variety of smooth-muscle preparations is described. The tissue holders permit adjustment of tissue stretch following its fixation for recording purposes. By this means intracellular microelectrodes can be kept in position despite marked changes in the mechanical activity of the tissue.

Theophylline antagonizes some effects of purines in the intestine but not those of intramural inhibitory nerve stimulation.

1 Hyoscine- and guanethidine-treated preparations of longitudinal muscle of rabbit duodenum, guinea-pig taenia caeci and fundic strip relaxed when exposed to noradrenaline, adenosine, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or to field stimulation of their intramural nerves. 2 In guinea-pig taenia caeci and fundus, theophylline 100 mumol/l had no effect on responses to noradrenaline, adenosine, ATP and intramural nerve stimulation. 3 In rabbit duodenum, theophylline 100 mumol/l antagonized some responses to adenosine but had no effect on responses to noradrenaline, ATP and intramural nerve stimulation.

A new self-drilling skull traction device with flexion-extension modification. Technical note.

A new tong has been designed that can be attached to the skull using the three-prong principle. It may act as a rigid integral part of the skull, or may simply swivel in the same manner as all contemporary tongs. This ability to function as a rigid attachment allows for flexion or extension of the patient's neck if indicated.

A milk-borne outbreak due to Salmonella dublin.

Salmonella dublin is primarily adapted to bovines and is a relatively rare cause of human illness. An outbreak is described in which it was estimated that at least 700 persons were infected from milk which had not been subjected to heat treatment. Although the organism was isolated from retail samples of milk, investigations at the dairy farm were inconclusive and a number of questions are posed.