Eosinophilic granuloma of the cervical and thoracic spine in a child

A case of eosinophilic granuloma affecting a cervical vertebra, thoracic vertebra and pelvis in a child is reported. We present this case because multifocal eosinophilic granuloma lesions of the spine are rare and can present as this case did with both diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Preoperative diagnosis may be made by X-ray, isotope bone scan and needle biopsy, avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention (AU)

Uterine leiomyosarcoma with intracerebral metastasis: a case report

A case of a 36-year-old woman with a past history of uterine leiomyosarcoma and an an intracerebral metastasis is reported. The patient presented with a 24-hour history of severe headache with coma, and the CT findings were consistent with a metastatic lesion. Pathological examination of the operative specimen showed features of a leiomyosarcoma. Uterine leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon tumor and metastasis to the brain is rare (AU)

Hyperprolactinemia in the Barbadian male - fact or fiction? - abstract

A significant number of men evaluated because of sub-fertility or erectile dysfunction were found to have hyperprolcatinae. Why? A hormone profile is required in the work-up of all male patients presenting with sub-fertility or erectile dysfunction. Two laboratories were used. Every patient with hyperprolactinemia had a repeat test done along with: 1. Complete history and physical 2. Thyroid function studies, 3. CT scan of the head 4. Neurosurgical consultation. Forty-eight males were seen from August 1990 to February 1991 with either sub-fertility, erectile dysfunction or both. Thirteen patients (27 percent) were hyperprolactinemic, nine with sub-fertility, erectile dysfuntion or both. Thirteen patients (27 percent) were hyperprolactinemic, nine with sub-fertility, three with erectile dysfunction and one patient had both problems. Abnormal pathology was found in 4 (30.7 percent), primary tumours in 3 and one patient had Kleinfelter's Syndrome. The number of hyperprolactinemic men in this group is alarmingly high. Seventy per cent of the group had no demonstrable pituitary lesion on CT scan. These men will be reviewed at six-monthly intervals. This pattern of hyperprolactinemia seems to be higher than the world literature would suggest. Why?(AU)

Pott's puffy tumour and subdural empyema following frontal sinusitis

A previously healthy 17-year-old lad presented with purulent sinusitis and subsequently developed subdural empyema in association with Pott's puffy tumour. Complete resolution occurred with an intensive antibiotic regime and drainage of the subgaleal space (AU)

Concepts of obesity in family practice

In this study, 502 adults (409 women, 93 men) attending a group teaching family practice were weighed, their heights were measured and they were then interviewed on their concepts and beliefs about obesity. The results confirmed other reports that the prevalence of obesity is high; 46 percent of women and 17 percent men were found to have body mass indices greater than 27.0 and 27.4 respectively. Of the obese respondents, only 94 (47 percent) considered themselves to be fat, while self-image in the non-obese was more realistic with 176 (59 percent) thinking that they were the right size; 18.7 percent of respondents though that obesity was associated with good health, 29.9 percent associated obesity with wealth and 36.3 percent associated obesity with happiness. Two hundred and four respondents (40.6 percent) believed that men preferred their women to be fat, female respondents being more often of this view. Concepts as to the cause of obesity were found to differ from medical teaching with 195 (39 percent) respondents believing obesity to be hereditary and only 215 (42.8 percent) associating obesity with overeating. These views should be appreciated by health-care providers, who should try to change them, if necessary, before making efforts to prevent and treat obesity (AU)

Attitudes to obesity in people attending family practice - abstract

Five hundred and two adults, attending a group teaching Family Practice, were weighed, had their heights measured and were then interviewed on their perception of and beliefs about obesity. The results confirmed other reports on the prevalence of obesity: 46 percent of females and 17 percent of males were found to have body mass indices greater than 27.0 and 27.4 respectively. Of the 198 obese respondents, only 94(47 percent) considered themselves to be fat, while self-image in the non-obese was more realistic with 176 (59 percent) thinking that they were the right size; 18.7 percent of respondents thought that obesity was associated with good health, 30 percent associated it with wealth and 36.3 percent associated it with happiness. Two hundred and four respondents (40.6 percent) believed that men preferred their women fat, women being more often of this view. Beliefs as to the cause of obesity were found to differ from medical teaching, with 195 respondents believing obesity to be hereditary and only 215 respondents (42.8 percent) associating obesity with overeating. The study demonstrates that incorrect self-image and beliefs were more common to women and, in the obese, we conclude that these are important factors in the prevention and treatment of the obese person (AU)

A clinical profile of infective endocarditis at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados (October, 1980 - September, 1983) - abstract

In this analysis a review was undertaken of patients admitted to the medical wards of the Queen Eliazbeth Hospital from October, 1980 to September, 1983 who were diagnosed as having definite infective endocarditis. The case notes of 15 patients were reviewed. Sixty per cent were female, with an age range of 16-63 years and a mean age of 33 years. Mean stay in hospital was 45 days. The overall mortality was 53 percent with a mortality of 23 percent in cases which were diagnosed early. There was no predominant infecting organism and all the patients had underlying valvular pathology with the dominant abnormality being mitral valve disease. Of those patients, in whom a cause of death was identified, 46 percent were caused by heart failure and 23 percent by neurological events. Efforts should be focussed on early recognition, more aggressive treatment and standardisation of laboratory investigations in an attempt to reduce the mortality. The emergence of echocardiography was noted as a useful tool in aiding diagnosis (AU)