Characterization of process air emissions in automotive production plants.

During manufacturing, particles produced from industrial processes become airborne. These airborne emissions represent a challenge from an industrial hygiene and environmental standpoint. A study was undertaken to characterize the particles associated with a variety of manufacturing processes found in the auto industry. Air particulates were collected in five automotive plants covering ten manufacturing processes in the areas of casting, machining, heat treatment and assembly. Collection procedures provided information on air concentration, size distribution, and chemical composition of the airborne particulate matter for each process and insight into the physical and chemical processes that created those particles.

Simplified catheterization of a left common carotid artery arising from the innominate trunk.

Catheterization of the left common carotid artery arising from an innominate artery can be achieved without catheter exchange. An open loop can be created in the left subclavian artery with a preformed catheter. Withdrawal and rotation of the catheter permits catheterization of the anomalous carotid vessel.

Serpentine lumbar nerve roots.

This is a report of six patients with serpentine nerve roots found in 15 examples of near-block in 110 consecutive myelograms. None of the other myelograms showed such serpentine roots and some degree of obstruction appears necessary for their formation, leading to intermittent stretching of the nerve roots over large spurs and gradual advancement of the nerve root to a higher level. Serpentine roots are not to be confused with other lesions such as arteriovenous malformations. In patients with a high degree of block, serpentine roots are probably relatively common when investigated by methods such as those used here.

The use of bone scanning in the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The correct diagnosis of RSD can be difficult. We have found bone scanning helpful in evaluating 18 patients, making the diagnosis in 13 and excluding it in five. A characteristic pattern of uptake is demonstrated and the results summarized.

Unilateral arteriomegaly.

We have described a patient with unilateral arteriomegaly. The dilated, tortuous arteries with markedly prolonged flow are characteristic, but the unilaterality has not been previously reported. The arteriomegalic femoral artery was used for a femorofemoral graft for the opposite side, with a good result.

Variability of unilateral epiphyseal dysplasia (dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica).

Nine cases of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica (Trevor disease) are reviewed. This osteocartilaginous process arises from the epiphysis and most commonly involves the ankle and knee. While usually mild, 3 cases of greater severity were found with associated arrest of the growth plate. One mild and 2 severe cases are presented in greater detail. The term unilateral epiphyseal dysplasia is proposed as the condition may involve the upper extremity and often involves more than half the epiphysis.

Extravasation of contrast medium from traumatic laceration of the intracerebral internal carotid artery.

A single case of traumatic laceration of the intracerebral internal carotid artery diagnosed by extravasation of contrast medium is presented. The patient had associated cerebral circulatory arrest caused by increased intracranial pressure. A similar documentation has been made in only three previous cases.

Intrarenal pheochromocytoma: report of a case.

To our knowledge the first case of an intrarenal pheochromocytoma is reported. It is important to realize that an intrarenal or apparent intrarenal mass in a hypertensive patient might be a pheochromocytoma so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

Leiomyosarcoma of the thorax.

Leiomyosarcoma within the thorax is a rare lesion. This report describes an endobronchial lesion presenting with atelectasis, a parenchymal lesion presenting as a mass, and a rare extra-pleural lesion arising in the chest wall. The prognosis is generally poor; our 3 patients died within about 1 year of diagnosis.

Benign multilocal cystic nephroma.

Three cases of multilocular cystic nephroma are described. This entity differs from congenital multicystic kidney and adult polycystic disease in that it involves only a segment of one kidney. While the excretory urogram, nephrotomogram, and arteriogram show the lesion to be primarily avascular, the two cases studied by ultrasound were predominantly solid. This finding is felt to relate to the small size of the cysts as well as the presence of some solid primitive components. Because it is difficult to differentiate this lesion from an avascular renal carcinoma, surgical biopsy should be considered to help avoid a needless nephrectomy.

Visualization of vascular structures during routine nephrotomography.

Using an immediate nephrotomogram at 30 to 40 seconds, one can show the nephrographic phase and often visualized the renal vein, splenic vein, and portal vein. In a series of 200 consecutive patients, technique was adequate in 169. Some visualization of the renal veins was obtained in 54% and the splenic vein was demonstrated in 25% of the immediate nephrotomograms.

The thoracic outlet syndrome as a cause of aneurysm formation, thrombosis, and embolization.

The thoracic outlet syndrome may have a serious vascular component consisting of subclavian artery aneurysm with possible thrombosis and embolization which can result in severe ischemic symptoms in the upper extremity, gangrene, amputation, and even hemiplegia. Four cases of subclavian artery aneurysm in association with thoracic outlet syndrome are presented. Two of the patients required surgical intervention because of thrombosis and embolization, while the other two had prophylactic surgical procedure to prevent those complications.