[Instrumental technics of exploration of the mediastinum].

Several techniques can be used for the diagnosing of diseases pertaining to the mediastinum. The diagnosis can be made in 78% of cases by mediastinoscopy. When the lesion is situated beyond the reach of mediastinoscopy, needle biopsy and pleuroscopy can be used either alone or associated to mediastinoscopy.

Diagnostic and therapeutic problems associated with hereditary deficiency of the C1 esterase inhibitor.

Six patients in a family with a history of hereditary angioedema reported swelling of the extremities and recurrent abdominal pain occurring spontaneously or after trauma. Attacks of oedema involving the airways, the greatest danger with this disorder, were present only in one case. This autosomal dominant disease is due to deficient activity of the inhibitor of the first component of complement.

[Lingering fracture of the femoral neck-a rare overstrain-injury (author's transl)].

The author refers to 2 young patients with spontaneous fractures of the femoral neck. The fatigue fracture of the healthy neck of the femur is extremely rare. The clinical picture and general problems, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.

[Studies on the pharmacokinetics and biotransformation of ipratropium bromide in the rat and dog].

The pharmacokinetics of the bronchodilator (8r)-3alpha-hydroxy-8-isopropyl-1alphaH,5alphaH-tropanium-bromide-(+/-)-tropate (ipratropiumbromide, Sch 1000, Atrovent) were studied in the rat and the dog after administering radioactive material (14C). The blood level of Sch 1000 following oral dosing showed plateaus in both the rat and the dog over a period of 2--8 h following administration. Subsequent elimination from the blood occurs with a half-life of 7h (rat) and 10 (dog).

[Studies on pharmacokinetics and biotransformation of ipratropiumbromide in man (author's transl)].

Studies into the human pharmacokinetics of (8r)-3alpha-hydroxy-8-isopropyl-1 alphaH, 5 alphaH-tropanium-bromide- (+/-)-tropate (ipratropium bromide, Sch 1000, Atrovent) following inhalation and oral and i.v. administration are described.