Hepatoma induced by thorium dioxide (thorotrast).

A case of hepatoma induced by thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) is reported. The literature concerning neoplasia associated with this agent is reviewed, with emphasis on the long latent period before the development of these tumours and the equally long latent period which preceded the recognition of their iatrogenic nature.In particular, this report is intended to illustrate the diagnosis of such tumours on radiological and histological findings, provided that one is aware of their existence and familiar with the distribution and appearance of thorium dioxide deposits in the tissues. Such a diagnosis can be made without a history of thorium dioxide administration, which often may not be available.

Recurrence of aneurysmal bone cyst of the fourth metatarsal.

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign solitary lesion of unknown etiology. Its radiographic and histologic appearance can overlap with those tumors of malignant origin. It is imperative that clinical data, radiographs, and operative and pathological findings be correlated to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Aneurysmal bone cysts occur only 7% of the time in the foot. Recurrence rates are reported to be less than 12%. A case report of recurrence of aneurysmal bone cyst in the foot is reviewed, in addition to the etiology, differential diagnosis, and treatment alternatives.

Glucose tolerance and insulin response in atherosclerosis.

Oral glucose tolerance tests were carried out on 51 men with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, none of whom were known diabetics or had suffered recent myocardial infarction. The plasma insulin and blood sugar responses were compared with 47 age and sex-matched controls. There was no significant difference in obesity between the two groups. The patient group showed an increased plasma insulin response with a delay in return to fasting levels, and the blood sugar response was similar. These results suggest that hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia are often associated with atherosclerosis, and may have a role in its aetiology.

Intermittent corticotrophin treatment: ventilatory tests in asthmatic subjects.

Ventilatory tests (F.E.V.(1)/F.V.C.) have been studied in 16 asthmatic subjects during intermittent administration of corticotrophin, and the responses correlated with the plasma cortisol levels. The improvement in respiratory function was found to last for a longer period than the enhanced adrenocortical activity.

Estimation of plasma diazepam. Critique of a method using gas-liquid chromatography and benzene extraction.

Plasma diazepam can be reliably estimated using a simple benzene extraction and gas-liquid chromatography with griseofulvin as internal standard. This gives reproducible results within the clinical range of plasma levels. Storage at minus 20 degrees C is recommended but is not essential for the 1st week.

Delayed acute measles inclusion body encephalitis in a 9-year-old girl: ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and in situ hybridization studies.

A 9-yr-old girl developed delayed acute measles inclusion body encephalitis, which was different from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in clinical course. Measles virus was demonstrated by electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. Contrary to the most previous reports, matrix (M) protein was present in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum and was demonstrated by Western blot analysis and in situ hybridization. The hybridization was performed by a nonradioactive digoxigenin method.

PCR detection and typing of genital papillomavirus in a New Brunswick population.

We have used a broad range of primers for HPV detection, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) so as to compare PCR typing of HPV with the results of cytological diagnosis in a New Brunswick population referred to the out-patient clinic of the Saint John Regional Hospital. The primers selected were found to be capable of amplification with high efficiency, therefore we did not perform further hybridization analysis for specific identification of HPV types. Amplification of selected fragments for detection of HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33 was obtained from cervical swabs collected from 154 patients. Microscopic examination was performed in duplicate samples and the results compared with the DNA-typing analysis. HPV of any of the above types was detected in 43 out of 154 patients. Among these, 32 patients showed single or multiple infections with "high-risk" HPV strains 16, 18, 31 or 33. Cytologically normal or atypical samples with any of the HPV types tested amounted to 17%, but increased to 56% in patients with CIN I, and to 100% in patients with CIN II or III. Prevalence of "high-risk" types alone increased from 15% and 10%, for normal and atypical cases respectively, to 48% for CIN I, 75% for CIN II and 100% for CIN III. Our results indicate that HPV detection and typing by this simple procedure can be a valuable indicator of cancer progression and thus can help to identify individuals at high risk in pre-malignant stages of the disease.