[Chronic renal insufficiency after long term lithium treatment].

Lithium is, in the era of evidence-based psychiatry, an efficacious and, simultaneously, cost-effective treatment for bipolar disorder, despite the existence of alternative mood-stabilizers (antiepileptics, atypical antipsychotics). A prerequisite for lithium administration in patients with bipolar disorder is the patient 's cooperation, in order to ensure monitoring of drug plasma levels as well as thyroid and renal function. Lithium-related renal complications include impairment in renal concentrating ability resulting in polyuria, increase of plasma creatinine levels and, more rarely, renal insufficiency.

Tracheotomy in neonates.

The particularities and complications of tracheotomy in neonates, as well as postoperative care and follow-up are presented. During the five year period from 1991-1996, 12 urgent tracheotomies were performed on 12 neonates in the Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, 7 boys and 5 girls, ranging from 1 to 25 days. All these infants presented severe respiratory failure due to upper airway obstruction.

Intraparotid facial nerve neurilemmoma: a case report.

A case report of intraparotid facial nerve neurilemmoma is presented. The survey of this pathology is reviewed.