Axon reflex in ocular injury: sensory mediation of the response of the rabbit eye to laser irradiation of the iris.

Laser irradiation of the rabbit iris produces an injury response consisting of prolonged miosis, uveal vasodilation and a transient rise of intraocular pressure (IOP) accompanied by a breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier. This response has hitherto been attributed partly to prostaglandin (PG) mediation and partly to mediation by a non-cholinergic nervous pathway thought to be sensory in fuction. Responses of the rabbit eye to laser irritation were examined at specified intervals after diathermic coagulation of the epigasserian nerve tract.

Agiolax bolus in the esophagus. Report of two cases.

Two cases of intermittent obstruction of the esophagus by the laxative Agiolax, proven by endoscopy and barium swallow, are described. The patients took an overdose of one and two tablespoons of Agiolax, respectively; they had no disorders of the esophagus. Symptoms of obstruction subsided spontaneously after 24 and 36 hours respectively.

Shigella endotoxin-induced ocular inflammation in the normal and sensory denervated rabbit eye.

Injection of Shigella endotoxin (2 mug) into the vitreous chamber of a normal rabbit eye induces on infiltration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, miosis, a moderately intense dilation of iris, conjunctival and limbal vessels, and a breakdown in the blood-aqueous and blood-vitreal barriers. Significant amounts of soluble blood protein and prostaglandin-like (PG) material are found in the aqueous and vitreous humours withdrawn at 24 h. Endotoxin injected into the sensory denervated eye elicits similar vascular changes which appear to occur less rapidly than in normal eyes.

Prostaglandin mediated inflammatory changes induced by alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation in the sympathectomised rabbit eye.

Topical application of 50 microliter of 0.1% noradrenaline or 10% phenylepherine to either a surgically sympathectomised or a guanethidine treated rabbit eye induced a transient increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), between 90 and 150 min, followed by a fall to hypotensive levels. These changes were accompanied by the development of conjunctival and anterior uveal hyperemia and an aqueous flare.

Planning in hair transplantation.

The size of an area to receive hair transplants can be minimized by designing a conservative hairline and by surgical reduction of the area of alopecia. A pattern of dispersion of grafts for optimal aesthetic effect is presented together will suggestions about frequency of sessions and amount of transplantation done each time. Hair transplanting begun prior to complete alopecia has advantages that are explained.

Corticosteroids in the treatment of alopecia totalis. Systemic effects.

Fifteen patients with alopecia totalis (AT) or alopecia universalis (AU) were treated with combined topical, intralesional, and oral corticosteroids. All or virtually all scalp hair regrown on seven patients, and they have been able to discontinue oral corticosteroids without recurrence of AT or AU for periods of three months to 7 1/2 years, with an average remission of 32 months. Two additional patients are currently receiving 5 mg of prednisone every two days.

Management of alopecia of the scalp by a combination of excisions and transplantations.

Since the number of grafts that are available in any given patient is a fixed quantity, significant benefits may be derived by surgically reducing the size of the area of alopecia in combination with prior and later punch hair transplantation. This paper outlines and describes techniques of excisions that achieve such reductions.

Timing of sessions in hair transplantation.

The issue of timing between hair transplantation sessions is explored. An interval of three to four months between the second and third and third and fourth sessions of transplanting is recommended. This allows the physician to see the pattern of hair growth in all previously placed grafts and enables him to completely fill the spaces left between transplanted hairs rather than between graft edges.