The value of SPECT imaging in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma.

Radionuclide flow studies, planar, and SPECT hepatic blood pool imaging were performed in 23 patients with 39 hepatic hemangiomas, 23 patients with primary and secondary liver tumors, 12 patients with hepatocellular disease, two patients with hepatic cysts, and 10 patients with no evidence of liver disease. The hepatic SPECT imaging identified all 39 hemangiomas as having a sequestration pattern compared with a yield of 69% (27 of 39 cases) for the planar imaging. None of the 47 other patients demonstrated this pattern.

Knee bracing.

Bracing the knee is a controversial, complex, and often confusing subject. Knee braces are categorized as either prophylactic, rehabilitative, or functional. Bracing goals are to prevent, assist, restrict, align, or simulate function of the knee.

The role of social factors in affective disorders: a review.

A number of researchers, dissatisfied with traditional models of affective illness, have developed multidimensional systems models that more accurately reflect how genetic, biological, and social factors may interact to increase vulnerability or resilience to stressors and illness. The role of five social factors in this process--demographics, early childhood experiences, life events, social support, and families--is reviewed. Serious methodologic difficulties hamper the study of social factors in affective illness, prompting the authors to suggest that researchers develop a new research paradigm that attempts not only to quantify social factors but to understand their meaning to the individual.

Single photon emission computed tomography and transmission computed tomography in the evaluation of liver disease.

To assess the relative strengths of hepatic SPECT and transmission computed tomography (TCT), a comparison of these methods was made in 88 patients during a 20-month period. The scans were classified into four categories: normal, solitary focal, multifocal, or diffuse hepatocellular patterns. The final disease category was determined by histologic evaluation-biopsy/autopsy, surgery, or a combination of ultrasound, laboratory, and clinical follow-up for a minimum of 6 months.

Immunoglobulin inclusions in Burkitt's-like malignant lymphoma: a case report.

A case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Burkitt's-like lymphoma (BLL), demonstrating an as yet unreported occurrence of intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin inclusions, is reported. Histologic, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural features are described with a review of the literature on signet-ring cell lymphoma.

Clinical trials in acute musculoskeletal injury states. An analysis of methodology.

Therapeutic evaluation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of acute musculoskeletal diseases and injuries requires the use of adequate models for clinical trials. The objective of a short-term pain study is to determine whether a new treatment is effective and how it compares with a standard or reference drug for the indication being evaluated. Among the requirements for the pain model study are proper protocols and adequate, homogeneous patient populations.

Perspectivism and the methods of psychiatry.

In their book, The Perspectives of Psychiatry, Paul R. McHugh and Phillip R. Slavney propose four basic perspectives to undergird and inform the practice of psychiatry.

A study of urban bicycling accidents.

This study was undertaken because of the large number of bicycle accident victims treated in our emergency room. Its aim was to assess the type, frequency, and mechanism of occurrence of bicycle accidents as well as characterization of the type of injuries sustained and the expense incurred by such accidents. One hundred seventy-two patients injured over a 10 month period were studied.

An unusual presentation of acute monocytic leukemia: a case report.

We present a rare case of acute monocytic leukemia (AMoL) in which the initial finding consisted solely of cutaneous leukemic infiltrates without obvious bone marrow involvement. Eight months later a definitive bone marrow diagnosis of AMoL was made. Findings of histologic, immunohistochemical, cytochemical, and ultrastructural studies including postmortem examination are described.

Optic nerve dysfunction in familial dysautonomia.

We examined 12 patients with familial dysautonomia who had clear corneas to determine if there was any optic nerve involvement. The patients ranged in age from 6 to 34 years. Visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/100.

Bilateral rupture of extensor pollicis longus. A case report.

Bilateral rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon is a rare entity. Most case studies in the literature have been reported in patients with an underlying systemic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or following an episode of trauma. An interesting and unusual case is presented and theories concerning etiology, various operative techniques, and recent cases in the literature are discussed.

Role of coronary angiography and coronary artery bypass surgery prior to abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy.

It is well recognized that patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms have a high incidence of coronary artery disease, and that the major cause of death in patients undergoing aneurysmectomy has been acute myocardial infarction. In order to assess the incidence of significant coronary artery disease, cardiac catheterization was performed on 42 consecutive patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Thirty-six patients (85.

Group and the Hispanic prenatal patient.

A small group approach was implemented to meet the educational and emotional needs of a Hispanic prenatal hospital population, which staff characterized as hysterical and hard to manage during labor and delivery. Group sessions revealed that this behavior was due largely to lack of preparation and emotional support. Staff-patient communication improved, enhancing the quality of the medical care provided.