Syphilis serology in men attending the Andrology Clinic at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital.

The worldwide resurgence of syphilis may have serious implications on neonatal morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of syphilis in men attending an infertility clinic. Blood samples from 782 males were screened using the titrated RPR and TPHA tests.

Elbow flexorplasty: a comparison between latissimus dorsi transfer and Steindler flexorplasty.

The latissimus dorsi transfer and the Steindler flexorplasty were compared to restore elbow flexion in seven cases. All patients had sustained upper trunk brachial plexus injuries and were adults of productive age. Both operations were successful.

Extensor pollicis longus opposition transfer.

A new technique of opposition transfer uses the extensor pollicis longus tendon, which is sectioned just proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, routed through the interosseous membrane, advanced subcutaneously across the anterior surface of the forearm but deep to the extensor pollicis brevis tendon, and sutured to its distal stump with a 1 cm overlap. This technique differs from th at of Riley et al. in several significant ways, although the same motor is used.

Application of a quadriceps endurance programme to patients with femur fractures immobilised by skeletal traction.

Disuse atrophy of the quadriceps muscle and knee joint stiffness at the end of a 3-month period of immobilisation in patients with a fracture of the shaft of the femur is a common problem. A new approach to it was recently researched by applying a quadriceps endurance programme to a sample of this target population. Endurance capacity of matched experimental and control groups, consisting of 11 patients each, was tested at the end of the immobilisation period.

Sub-cervical spinal injuries with neural involvement. The Ga-Rankuwa Hospital experience.

A retrospective analysis of 48 patients with injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine and with neural involvement showed that motor vehicle accidents (62.5%) and a fall from a height (20.8%) were the most common causes of injury.

Injuries of the cervical spinal cord. The Ga-Rankuwa Hospital experience.

A retrospective analysis of 40 cervical spinal cord-injured patients showed that the commonest cause of injury was a motor vehicle accident (60%). C5 - 6 was the level most commonly injured. Eight patients had complete and 32 incomplete neurological lesions.

The value of percutaneous trephine biopsy in the diagnosis of lesions of the vertebral column.

The results obtained in 55 adult patients with sinister lesions of vertebral bodies, who were subjected to percutaneous trephine biopsy, are presented. A positive diagnosis was made on histopathological examination of specimens from 24 patients (44%). In the remaining 31 patients (56%), pathological features were seen in 25, but no specific diagnosis was possible.

Sucking pads (sucking calluses) of the lips in neonates: a manifestation of transient leukoedema.

The clinical and histologic features of sucking pads in neonates are clearly different from sucking blisters and leukoedema, both of which may also be present in neonates. We propose that the condition is due to a combination of intracellular edema and hyperkeratosis. Perhaps the alternative term of sucking calluses is more appropriate.