Efficacy and safety of two different antifungal pastes in infants with diaper dermatitis: a randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Diaper dermatitis (DD) is the most common type of irritative dermatitis in infancy. It is frequently complicated by Candida superinfection. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of efficacy and safety of two antifungal pastes (Imazol = 1% clotrimazole; Multilind = 100,000 IU nystatin/g + 20% zinc oxide) in infants with DD. METHODS: A total of 96 infants were included in this multi-centre, controlled, randomized, evaluator-blinded phase IV trial and treated with pastes containing either clotrimazole (n = 45) or nystatin (n = 46) twice daily for 14 days. In all, 91 children (age 12.1 +/- 5.3 months; 48 females) with DD were evaluable. Total symptom score after 7 days (TSS7) was assessed as primary parameter. Secondary efficacy parameters were TSS at 14 days (TSS14), clinical and microbiological cure rates and global assessment (GA) of clinical response. RESULTS: TSS improved markedly with both pastes. Decreases in symptom score were 4.5 +/- 2.1 (day 7) and 6.1 +/- 1.9 (day 14) with clotrimazole compared with 4.2 +/- 2.3 and 5.4 +/- 2.4 with nystatin (P < 0.0001). With respect to TSS14, clotrimazole was superior to nystatin (P = 0.0434). Clinical cure rate was higher with clotrimazole [36.2% (day 7) and 68.1% (day 14)] compared with 28.6% and 46.9% (nystatin). GA was very good in 26 (55.3%) clotrimazole-treated children (nystatin: 16 [32.7%], P = 0.0257). Frequency of adverse events was comparable in both treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Clotrimazole was superior to nystatin with respect to reduction in symptom score and GA. Microbiological cure rate was 100% for both agents. Both treatments were safe and well-tolerated.

Follow-up of kidney donors who developed uremia and went on the waiting list for a transplant: should they have allocation priority?

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of living kidney donors requires knowledge about long-term effects, especially number and causes of donors with chronic renal failure (CRF), and discussion about a regular follow-up program for donors, policies giving priority to kidney donors on the waiting list for a kidney, and a national record of donors. METHODS: We performed a Retrospective analysis of 470 records of our kidney donors from the kidney transplantation unit between 1977 and 1997. RESULTS: Five out of the 470 donors developed CRF (1.1%), with a calculated incidence of 610 per million people a year. CONCLUSION: The data showed that the risk of a donor developing CRF may be higher than in the in general population. These results showed the necessity of creating an effective follow-up program for donors and a national record.

Resection of thoracic dumbbell neurinomas: single postero-lateral approach or combined posterior and transthoracic approach?

Dumbbell tumours are those with an intraspinal and a paraspinal component, connected through a frequently enlarged and eroded intervertebral foramen. Most dumbbell tumours are located in the thoracic spine, and most of them are schwannomas. The extraspinal tumour extension is usually larger than the intraspinal tumour part, but the intraspinal tumour component commonly causes the typical symptoms: local pain and symptoms from spinal cord compression in the thoracic spine. Diagnosis is best established by magnetic resonance imaging with and without contrast agent injection. Controversy exists as to whether to remove thoracic dumbbell tumours using a single posterior approach with posterolateral extension or using a combined posterior and transthoracic approach. We report the removal of a dumbbell neurinoma at T6/7 using a single posterior midline approach with laminectomy and costo-transversectomy and review the literature regarding the approaches to thoracic dumbbell tumours.

Molecular analysis of ammonia oxidation and denitrification in natural environments.

This review summarizes aspects of the current knowledge about the ecology of ammonia-oxidizing and denitrifying bacteria. The development of molecular techniques has contributed enormously to the rapid recent progress in the field. Different techniques for doing so are discussed. The characterization of ammonia-oxidizing and -denitrifying bacteria by sequencing the genes encoding 16S rRNA and functional proteins opened the possibility of constructing specific probes. It is now possible to monitor the occurrence of a particular species of these bacteria in any habitat and to get an estimate of the relative abundance of different types, even if they are not culturable as yet. These data indicate that the composition of nitrifying and denitrifying communities is complex and apparently subject to large fluctuations, both in time and in space. More attempts are needed to enrich and isolate those bacteria which dominate the processes, and to characterize them by a combination of physiological, biochemical and molecular techniques. While PCR and probing with nucleotides or antibodies are primarily used to study the structure of nitrifying and denitrifying communities, studies of their function in natural habitats, which require quantification at the transcriptional level, are currently not possible.

[Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain tumours]. / 1H-Magnetresonanz-Spektroskopie von Hirntumoren.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy facilitates non-invasive determination of metabolic changes in vivo. The main metabolites are the neuronal marker N-acetylaspartate (NAA), cholines reflecting membrane turnover, creatine, lactate, and mobile lipids. Primary brain tumours exhibit reduced NAA and increased choline resonances compared to normal brain, and these abnormalities increase with higher malignancy. Increasing choline resonances on follow-up studies correlate with tumour progression, whereas the reduction of initially increased choline resonances indicates a transition from viable tumour to necrotic tissue. Metastases as non-neuroectodermal tumours lack NAA, but demonstrate elevated choline, lactate and lipid resonances. Lymphomas are characterised by massively increased lipid resonances with markedly elevated choline. Prominent alanine resonances are often observed in meningioma. Cystic/necrotic lesions demonstrate elevated lactate regardless of their aetiology. The characteristic finding of prominent resonances from acetate, succinate, and alanine, of leucine, isoleucine and valine in untreated bacterial abscesses allows the differentiation of bacterial abscesses from cystic/necrotic brain tumours.

Gated computed tomography of the human heart.

Production of in vivo images of the human heart, with delineation of the individual cardiac chambers and myocardial wall thickness, was accomplished by coupling a relatively simple electrocardiographic gating device to a translate-rotate type of computed body tomographic scanner. Differentiation between the myocardial wall and the intracardiac blood pool was attainable in the patient with a normal hematocrit only when intravenous iodinated contrast media was used.

[Current use and possible future applications of the magnetization transfer technique in neuroradiology]. / Aktuelle Anwendungen und mögliche zukünftige Applikationen der Magnetisierungstransfer-Technik in der Neuroradiologie.

Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging is a special MR technique used for selective suppression of the MR signal of protons bound on macromolecules. The most important applications in neuroradiology are (1) detection of subtle changes in otherwise normal-appearing cerebral white matter, for instance in multiple sclerosis (MS), Wallerian degeneration, and hydrocephalus, (2) differentiation of white matter lesions with high signal on T (2)-weighted MR-images, like MS plaques, brain infarctions, and brain edema, (3) follow-up of cerebral white matter diseases using volumetric MT techniques, and (4) improvement in delineating of contrast enhancing brain lesions, such as cerebral metastases. We describe the physical rationale of the MT technique and present the most important current and possible future applications of MT imaging to answer clinical and scientific questions in neuroradiology.

Parotid fascia and face lifting: a critical evaluation of the SMAS concept.

Classical anatomists were mistaken in their description of the parotid and masseteric regions. According to their description, the fascia superficialis (or SMAS) would be in continuity with the platysma. Data from fresh cadaver dissections, histology, and embryology indicate, on the contrary, that it is the parotid fascia, which is continuous with the platysma. Comparative anatomy provides further confirmatory evidence, demonstrating that the parotid fascia is only the uppermost part of a muscle that has undergone fibrous degeneration. This muscle is the "primitive" platysma. In consequence, the sub-SMAS dissection plane is too superficial and creates a purely fatty flap. Conversely, deep dissection below the parotid fascia (and therefore below the primitive platysma) respects the true anatomic features and guarantees the solidity of the flap and the safety of the facial nerve.

[Use of polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex E-PTFE Soft Tissue Patch) for suspension of former facial paralysis and as reconstructive tissue]. / Utilisation du polytétrafluoroéthylène (Gore-Tex E-PTFE Soft Tissue Patch) dans les suspensions de paralysies faciales anciennes et en tissu de comblement.

The insertion of autogenous fascia lata to suspend the paralyzed cheek and lips remains one of the most widely practiced procedures in correction of long term paralysis of the lower facial muscles. For 34 months we used thin layers (1 mm) of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE Gore-Tex Soft Tissue Patch) to replace autogenous fascia lata, in 20 patients, with satisfactory results. 13 patients were treated by classical techniques of insertion-suspensions of the paralyzed side with a perioral loop and slings of PTFE suspended to the zygomatic arch and the infraorbital rim, by way of nasolabial angle or rhytidectomy incisions. In 7 patients, an eyelid suspension was performed with PTFE by Arion's technique, but by replacing the classical silicon thread by E-PTFE and transposing the medial part of the temporalis muscle on the external canthus, and fixing the lateral end of the sling to the muscle. This technique assures a good corneal coverage with healing of the previous ulceration and allows a voluntary occlusion of the eyelids. The PTFE soft tissue is notably successful as an implant. This biocompatible material shows excellent tissue tolerance, the porous microstructure encouraging tissue attachment and infiltration. E-PTFE holds its shape, resists to infection, and permits a notably reduction of the hospitalization because it avoids a second surgical site. We have experience of the material as a reconstructive substance in 6 cases of either bone or subcutaneous deficits, where no other satisfactory solution was available. Is these cases our follow-up is 18 months.

[Nasal reconstruction using the Converse frontal flap or a Washio retroauricular flap. Technical notes]. / Les reconstructions nasales par lambeau frontal de Converse ou par lambeau rétro-auriculaire de Washio. Notes techniques.

14 cases of nasal reconstruction by the Converse Scalping Flap or the Washio Temporo-auricular flap technique, over three years, led us to point out details necessary to insure the quality of the results. In particular, the Converse Flap must be thin; it never needs bone neither cartilage reinforcement when used in reconstructions of the two inferior third of the nose. The pedicle weaning method described allows the replacement of the scalp on thirteenth day. New data for the Washio technique are as following: --The mastoidian skin and not the retro-auricular skin must be used; --The back-cut of the scalp follows the AC line dating from three fixed points: A = helix root B = end of incision on the frontal hairline vertically to the fronto-orbital suture, and AB = AC = BC. This new data seem to warrant the fiability of the Washio flap, however the latter cannot dethrone the Converse flap, king flap of medio-facial reconstructions.

[Correction of defects in the projection of the tip of the nose after surgery]. / Correction des défauts de projection de la pointe du nez après chirurgie.

Dropping of the tip of the nose after surgery is mainly the result of either too extensive resection of the alae or excessive resection of the septum. In the first case, the resulting round or hooked nose can be corrected by an auto or homologous cartilage graft. In the second case, following surgery to obtain functional improvement, the presence of an osteocartilaginous hump can be exploited to support the tip, or a conventional flap can be employed, composed of alar chondromucosal tissue. These remarks are but one particular feature of secondary surgery to the nose, a delicate surgery in full expansion.

[Our technique of hetero-lateral facio-facial anastomosis by means of nerve autografting in the treatment of permanent peripheral facial paralysis]. / Notre technique d'anastomose facio-facial hététrolatérale par autogreffe nerveuse dans le traitement des paralysies faciales périphériques définitives

The authors describe the technique used in 12 surgical cases of heterolateral facio-facial anastomosis by nerve autograft in the treatment of permanent peripheral facial paralyses. Their main contention is that section of 50 p. 100 of the neurones of the peripheral branches of the facial nerve on the unaffected side does not impair motricity to any extent and that it therefore is possible to anastomose the proximal portion of some healthy branches to the corresponding distal portion of the affected side by placing between them a graft from the external saphenous nerve. The principles for fascicular suture as defined by Seddon and later by Millesi are followed. The technique differs from that made popular by Smith and later by Smii inasmuch as: --the bilateral, hidden face-lift incision makes possible a final passive musculotegumentary suspension of the paralysed side immediately improving the patient's appearance while the nerve re-establishes itself; --retrograde interfascicular dissection on the paralysed side allows precious centimetres to be gained; --pinpointing of the nerve suture area is possible by the placing of a silicone-coated ring with a clip some distance away.

[Facial injuries]. / Les traumatismes de la face

In spite of a certain reduction in their numbers, facial injuries still raise frequent problems for general surgeons. Car accidents are now less commonly responsible than motorcycle accidents. In the most complex cases, one may find lesions of the soft parts and bony lesions in association. The wounds should be examined carefully, all foreign bodies removed and should only be sutured if one is certain tht the subjacent structures are undamaged, e.g. facial bony canals are often damaged in vertical wounds of the cheek situated behind the anterior border of the masseter muscle. As far as bony lesions are concerned, they rarely give rise to typical breakdowns of the suture lines described by Lefort, but more commonly cause true dislocations which are impossible to describe. Fractures are often undiagnosed owing to oedema which masks them, e.g. those of the malar bone and of the orbit and even those of the nose. This failure to diagnose them is serious for, at a later stage, surgical correction is more difficult and the prejudice is then not only esthetic but also functional, e.g. causing diplopia. Clinical examination of a patient with trauma of the face includes a series of simple gestures which a general surgeion should carry out in order to avoid failure to diagnose such lesions. Although he may not treat them all, he sould recognise them and decide which have priority in the treatment of multiple injuries. Careful inspection and palpation usually permit one to detect bony lesions which XRays then demonstrate only by careful choice of appropriate views.

The influence of tube voltage and phantom size in computed tomography on the dose-response relationship of dicentrics in human blood samples.

The aim of this study was to investigate the dose response relationship of dicentrics in human lymphocytes after CT scans at tube voltages of 80 and 140 kV. Blood samples from a healthy donor placed in tissue equivalent abdomen phantoms of standard, pediatric and adipose sizes were exposed at dose levels up to 0.1 Gy using a 64-slice CT scanner. It was found that both the tube voltage and the phantom size significantly influenced the CT scan-induced linear dose-response relationship of dicentrics in human lymphocytes. Using the same phantom (standard abdomen), 80 kV CT x-rays were biologically more effective than 140 kV CT x-rays. However, it could also be determined that the applied phantom size had much more influence on the biological effectiveness. Obviously, the increasing slopes of the CT scan-induced dose response relationships of dicentrics in human lymphocytes obtained in a pediatric, a standard and an adipose abdomen have been induced by scattering effects of photons, which strongly increase with increasing phantom size.