[Changes in portal circulation in experimental prehepatic portal hypertension]. / Zmeny v portální cirkulaci pri experimentální prehepatické portální hypertenzi.

In a long-term experiment on dogs the lumen of the portal vein was reduced to one fifth by insertion of a metal spiral. The thus created disorder of the portal circulation was succeeded by the development of abundant hepatofugal collaterals and the development of mild portal overpressure without clinical manifestations. The altered portal circulation was followed up by dynamic hepatobiliary scintigraphy for a period up to 12 months. It was revealed that the curve of isotope movement through the liver was altered in a way suggesting slower perfusion of the liver by portal blood. This observation resembles those in patients with prehapatic portal hypertension and their confirmation. The investigation is documented by morphological, X-ray and isotope methods.

Preliminary experimental experiences with xenotransplantations.

In our xenotransplantation experiments has been a major aim to induce specific tolerance. The results from the meeting of the donor's and the recipient's immunocompetent systems already in the period of embryonic development and/or the influence of methylprednisolone are described.

A contribution to the problem of atypical polymyositis in children.

The diagnostics of polymyositis has frequent difficulties, first af all in atypical forms. These can be presented under different names, which lead clinicians to an erroneous way. For example, "climacteric myopathy" (Kaeser) is considered an endocrinous myopathy, "late onset myopathy" a disease joined with old age (as well as "Werner's disease") or "benign children myopathies" (Walton Natrass). In the last years, a distinctive clinical picture is, due to almost causal therapy by cytostatics and immunosuppressives, worn out and therefore these diseases are called "near states" or "overlap syndrome". In our patients, the correctness of the diagnose was confirmed, apart from electromyographic and histopathological findings, primarily by treatment response and the course of the disease.

The experimental contribution to the study of the portal circulation by means of dynamic hepatobiliary scintigraphy.

Report is given on a group of dogs the portal vein of which was narrowed to 1/5 by putting on a metal spiral. A disorder of the circulation of the portal blood induced in this way was followed by opening of the effective hepatofugal collaterals and forming of slight portal hypertension without clinical manifestation. The changed portal circulation was studied by means of dynamic hepatobiliary scintigraphy within 12 months. It was found out that the curve of progression of the isotope through the liver had been changed in a way which corresponded to slowing of perfusion of the liver by the portal blood. It is analogous to observation of patients with PPH and its verification. The study is documented by morphological, X-ray and isotopic methods.