Search

The influence of metabolic control (HbA1c), noradrenaline (NA) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) on renal function and size was investigated in 11 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients aged 11–17 years. Renal function was evaluated in terms of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF). Renal size was determined as renal parenchymal volume (RPV) by ultrasonography. The patients' HbA1c values ranged from 8.2% to 12.9% (normal range 5.5–8.5%) and their GFR and ERPF were higher than normal. Their IGF-II values were higher, and NA and IGF-I levels were lower than those of healthy controls. Inverse correlations between NA and GFR (r=-0.66) and NA and ERPF (r=-0.63) were found. No correlation was found between serum IGF-I and renal functional parameters. The IGF-II values correlated with GFR and HbA1c (r=0.63,r=0.70 respectively). There were linear correlations between RPV and GFR, RPV and ERPF, HbA1c and GFR, and ERPF and RPV. Decreased NA concentrations and increased IGF-II values appear to be factors contributing to renal hyperfunction in these patients.

Intravenous fatty acid supplementation 10 Intralipid®, 10 mlkg body weight was given to 10 patients with cystic fibrosis CF, in intervals for 3 years. One year of intensive treatment with supplementation every fortnight was followed by 1 year of intermission and then 1 year of the same treatment given for 2 days every 2 months. Compared with matched CF patients, the clinical course, evaluated by Shwachmann scoring, showed less deterioration in the treated group, especially during the year of intensive treatment. Single parameters, such as pulmonary function tests, pulmonary Xray films, clinical infections, bacterial growth of sputa, and sweat electrolyte concentration, showed no differences. It is concluded that if there is any benefit of this kind of treatment in CF, it has to be very intensive. At present, the psychological stress involved in repeated parenteral administrations over long periods prevents its use in clinical routine.

Intravenous fatty acid supplementation (10% Intralipid®, 10 ml/kg body weight) was given to 10 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), in intervals for 3 years. One year of intensive treatment with supplementation every fortnight was followed by 1 year of intermission and then 1 year of the same treatment given for 2 days every 2 months. Compared with matched CF patients, the clinical course, evaluated by Shwachmann scoring, showed less deterioration in the treated group, especially during the year of intensive treatment. Single parameters, such as pulmonary function tests, pulmonary X‐ray films, clinical infections, bacterial growth of sputa, and sweat electrolyte concentration, showed no differences. It is concluded that if there is any benefit of this kind of treatment in CF, it has to be very intensive. At present, the psychological stress involved in repeated parenteral administrations over long periods prevents its use in clinical routine.

The part played by genital tuberculosis, salpingitis isthmica nodosa and endometriosis tubae interna in the formation of diverticula of the Fallopian tube is discussed. The author supports the view that a radiographic differential diagnosis between the latter two conditions is not possible. A case is described in which a diverticulum of the middle portion of the Fallopian tube was revealed by hysterosalpingography in a patient, aged 28 years. She had a history of two episodes of salpingitis, two spontaneous abortions and of a tubal pregnancy on the right side which was treated by excision of the fimbriated end of the right tube. The radiographic appearance of the lesion did not resemble those of the diverticula seen in salpingitis isthmica nodosa, endometriosis tubae interna or genital tuberculosis. The genesis of the lesion could not be determined with certainty.

Among dancers it is widely believed that ballet dancing induces hallux valgus. Revision of radiographs of 63 active and 38 retired dancers of both sexes showed no increase in the valgus angulation of the hallux compared with that of nondancers.

Four patients with suspected fetal hydrocephalus in utero were examined by means of sonography and computerized tomography (CT). The diagnosis was confirmed in 3 cases, while the fourth was found to be normal. The mean radiation dose absorbed by the maternal ovaries was estimated by phantom measurements.