Posterolateral arthritis of the knee.

Arthritis in the posterolateral quadrant of the knee presents typical arthroscopic findings. With careful history, physical examination, and appropriate radiographs, it can be an office diagnosis. The history, physical findings, and arthroscopic findings in 15 patients with this problem were reviewed.

The role of beta-blockade therapy for ventricular tachycardia induced with isoproterenol: a prospective analysis.

Isoproterenol is sometimes required for ventricular tachycardia (VT) induction. However, the role of beta-blockade for treatment of such VT has not been critically assessed. The use of beta-blockade was evaluated prospectively in 14 consecutive patients who required isoproterenol 2.

Phase II Radiation Therapy Oncology Group study of hormonal cytoreduction with flutamide and Zoladex in locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate treated with definitive radiotherapy.

In patients with locally advanced (bulky) carcinoma of the prostate, definitive radiotherapy is associated with a high rate of local recurrence. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) has conducted several studies evaluating hormonal cytoreduction (used as an induction regimen) as a means of improving the local control rate. RTOG 85-19 tested an induction regimen consisting of a depot LH-RH agonist (Zoladex) and an antiandrogen (flutamide).

Extrapericardial tamponade with herniated omentum after transhiatal esophagectomy.

An unusual complication following transhiatal esophagectomy for lower esophageal carcinoma is reported in which extrapericardial tamponade and profound shock occurred secondary to a herniated section of omentum in the immediate postoperative period. The two-dimensional echocardiogram was nondiagnostic, but the diagnosis was confirmed during reexploration of the abdomen. Anatomic and pathophysiologic considerations of this unusual but life-threatening complication are discussed.

Electrodissection tonsillectomy.

A prospective, double-blind study was undertaken to compare the technique of removing tonsils using cold dissection with selective cauterization vs electrocautery dissection. The length of the procedure, blood loss, degree of pharyngeal pain, otalgia, and incidence of postoperative hemorrhage was recorded for 106 consecutive patients. In addition, our experience in performing the electrodissection tonsillectomy in 2431 patients is reviewed.

Evaluation of two rapid methods to screen pathogens from stool specimens.

Two rapid methods, the Enteric Pathogen Screen (EPS) cards of the AutoMicrobic system (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, MO) and the Bactigen Salmonella-Shigella latex agglutination (LPA) method (Wampole Laboratories, Cranbury, NJ) were compared with conventional biochemical tests to screen stool cultures having suspicious colonial morphologic characteristics for the presence of Salmonella and Shigella in a study of 481 isolates from stool specimens and 104 stock cultures. Compared with conventional testing, overall, 327 of 394 (83%) clinically irrelevant organisms resulted in a report of no Salmonella spp.

Comparison of broth microdilution and agar dilution for susceptibility testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Broth microdilution was compared with agar dilution to test the susceptibilities of 170 clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to several antimicrobial agents. Percents agreement between the two methods within 1 doubling dilution were 98.8% for enoxacin, 94.

Relationship of cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremity to degree of hand preference.

The degree of hand preference, ie, the extent to which the use of one upper extremity is obligate, has not been studied previously as a possible risk factor for the development of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders (UECTDs). This case-control study was designed to test the hypothesis that strong hand preference, whether left or right, would be associated with UECTDs in a working population. Case subjects were drawn from workers who presented to one of two acute care clinics for treatment of work-related cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremity.

Sonographic evaluation of cervical length in pregnancy: diagnosis and management of preterm cervical effacement in patients at risk for premature delivery.

Sonographic measurement of cervical length during pregnancy can provide an objective, noninvasive assessment of anatomical shortening associated with premature labor and delivery. One hundred fifty normal women underwent serial sonographic cervical length measurements during uncomplicated pregnancy. The mean cervical length was 52 +/- 12 mm until 34 weeks' gestation, when gradual effacement and cervical length shortening began.

Mental confusion in the elderly.

Etiologies of confusion are discussed, including vascular, infectious, toxic-metabolic, tumorous, convulsive, and vitaminologic. Other diverse conditions are reviewed, including normal-pressure hydrocephalus.