Penile calciphylaxis: a conservative approach.

Penile calciphylaxis or calcific uremic arteriolopathy is a rare urological condition often associated with patients undergoing renal dialysis for end-stage renal disease. The majority of cases are associated with systemic calciphylaxis. The pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of penile calciphylaxis as an individual entity has brought little attention. The rates of comorbidity and mortality of these patients are often particularly high. Early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach are therefore essential. We report a case of penile calciphylaxis in a 59-year-old man with end-stage renal failure on haemodialysis who was successfully managed conservatively.

Normal serum ferritin levels in a patient with HEMPAS syndrome and iron overload.

Serum ferritin levels in a patient with HEMPAS syndrome (hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity associated with positive acidified serum test) were correlated with body iron stores directly measured on spleen and liver biopsy specimens as well as by quantitative serial phlebotomy. Normal serum ferritin concentrations were found in the presence of a moderate excess in iron stores (approximately 6-12 times normal). They temporarily increased after transfusion and splenectomy with a prompt return to the normal range. As repeated phlebotomies over a period of nine months depleted the excess iron stores, the serum ferritin ultimately decreased to a subnormal concentration. The serum ferritin concentration was not a reliable index of increased body iron stores in this iron overloaded patient, but did reflect their depletion by serial phlebotomy.

A targeted parathyroidectomy using guide wire technique in a pregnant patient with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism may cause fetal demise in pregnant patients if prompt diagnosis and treatment is not initiated. The paper describes a novel guide wire technique for a targeted parathyroidectomy, which may reduce the risk to mother and fetus and be useful in other related circumstances.

Nontraumatic retropharyngeal abscess complicated by cervical osteomyelitis and epidural abscess in post-Katrina New Orleans: four cases.

Most retropharyngeal abscesses, including iatrogenic cases, are caused by trauma. Nontraumatic retropharyngeal abscesses usually occur secondary to infection of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Because these particular nodes usually disappear by the age of 4 or 5 years, a nontraumatic retropharyngeal abscess in an adult is extremely rare. When they do occur in adults, they are generally seen in immunocompromised patients and in intravenous drug abusers. Left untreated, a retropharyngeal abscess can lead to rare and fatal complications such as cervical osteomyelitis, epidural abscess, and discitis. Retropharyngeal abscesses can be diagnosed with a thorough history of risk factors, an examination for neurologic deficits, and radiologic studies, particularly magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment involves intravenous antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage. During follow-up, it is important to closely monitor the results of clinical neurologic examinations and weekly determinations of the C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in order to assess the response to therapy. We report 4 cases of nontraumatic retropharyngeal abscess complicated by cervical osteomyelitis and epidural abscess that were seen in New Orleans within 3 years of Hurricane Katrina, which struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in August 2005.

Studies on the neurosecretory system and retrocerebral endocrine glands of Ranatra filiformis Fabr. (Hemiptera), using the technique specific for cystine and or cysteine.

The number of cystine rich neurosecretory cells is about 8-10 in each brain lobe. They are of A-type cells. The lateral cells do not have cystine in their secretion. The cystine rich neurosecretory material is seen stored in the loose tissue of the aorta. The axons storing this material have a beeded structure. A pair of CC and CA, which are situated immediately behind the brain are negative to PA VB. The CA have a superficial network of neurosecretory axons and a little amount of NSM in its intercellular spaces.

Histochemical observations on the neuroendocrine complex of Heteroptera, II--The endocrine glands.

A histochemical analysis of the retrocerebral endocrine glands of four heteropteran bugs, viz. Sphderodema rusticum Fabr., Ranatra filiformis Fabr., Enithares indica Fabr. and Spilostethus pandurus has been made. Histochemical tests for various types of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, etc. have been made. The reaction of different types of cells of the endocrine glands viz. chromophil, chromophobe and CA cells have been studied.