Liver enlargement in long-term hemodialysis patients.

Hepatomegaly was observed in most of the patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis treatment. This was confirmed and quantitated by isotope liver scanning. Liver size was normal in uremic nondialyzed patients. Common causes for liver enlargement were excluded in all reported cases, and there was no evidence for liver disease as judged by functional tests and liver histology.

The central nervous system in a case of neurolathyrism.

We examined the central nervous system of a 67-year-old man who showed symptoms of lathyrism after being imprisoned at age 35 and fed on a diet of chick peas, Lathyrus sativus. The most obvious changes were loss of axons and myelin in the pyramidal tract in the lumbar spinal cord. These alterations correlated with spastic paraparesis. Other changes at the same level were a mild degree of degeneration of anterior horn cells. Pallor of Goll's tracts and axonal swelling in Goll's nuclei were also observed. A few examples of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles were observed in Ammon's horn.

Neonatal intestinal perforation caused by congenital defects of the intestinal musculature.

Spontaneous perforation of the small intestine in the newborn is rare. In most cases the etiology is unknown. Three cases of perforation in preterm newborn infants are described. The clinical diagnosis was necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and an urgent laparotomy was performed. The histologic examination was compatible with the diagnosis of a congenital defect of the intestinal musculature. All three infants survived.

Early cervical pregnancy: ultrasonic diagnosis and conservative treatment.

Five cases of cervical pregnancy collected over an 8-year period (1971--1978) are analyzed. The incidence of cervical pregnancy at this institution is 1:7040 pregnancies. All cases were diagnosed prior to 12 weeks' gestation, and conservative treatment was instituted in each case. Etiology, criteria, definition, and clinical and pathologic signs are discussed. Several unusual features are emphasized, particularly conservative treatment and the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic aid.

Leiomyosarcoma of kidney.

The case of a seventy-one-year-old woman with leiomyosarcoma of the kidney capsule is presented. Despite lack of invasion into surrounding tissues and few mitoses, the tumor recurred thirteen months after nephrectomy. A full subjective response and an almost complete objective regression lasting eight months were achieved using a short course of combination chemotherapy. The literature on leiomyosarcoma of the kidney is reviewed.

Aberrant adrenal tissue in the wall of a hernial sac.

An aberrant adrenal, which is a supplementary to the normal adrenal, was found in the apex of hernial sacs in ten out of 350 operated children. This tissue contains adrenal cortex, which tends to atrophy and disappear during childhood, but uncommonly may persist into adult life. Rarely it may secrete abnormally or undergo neoplastic changes. The embryological development is discussed, and the literature briefly reviewed.

Cystic hamartoma of the liver.

A case of cystic hamartoma of the liver is reported. The clinical presentation and management is discussed. A review of the origin of this rare tumor and its clinical and pathological characteristics is made.