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Mastocytosis includes a range of disorders characterised by accumulation of tissue mast cells. These are derived from pluripotent haematopoietic stem cells. Recent research has improved the understanding of the mastocytosis pathogenesis. Organ manifestations and symptoms are highly variable.Two cases of systemic mast cell disease are presented.One patient had urticaria pigmentosa and systemic mast cell disease; the other had systemic mast cell disease and myelodysplastic changes in the bone marrow.The two cases illustrate different manifestations and different prognosis for various types of mastocytosis.

A project called Better cancer care in Buskerud was started in 1991 in the county of Buskerud, in Norway. The main objective was to improve the out-patient services for cancer patients at the central hospital. In this article we describe the activities at the out-patient clinic during the period 1991-1993. The clinic was staffed by two oncologists and two cancer nurses. A total of 8060 consultations were held with patients during the period. Breast cancer patients comprised the largest group (30%), followed by patients with gastrointestinal cancer (24%) or malignant lymphoma (13%). The hospital's Department of Surgery was particularly relieved to hand over the administration of chemotherapy. The number of patients who received radiotherapy at the nearest cancer centre did not increase, however, during the period. We conclude that the project in Buskerud was a success, and that most of the objectives were achieved.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been a major cause of post transfusion hepatitis, and is still an important cause of chronic liver disease throughout the world. How to treat patients with chronic HCV infection has been brought into focus in recent years, and a substantial amount of data has been obtained about the development of hepatitis C with and without treatment. This survey considers the diagnosis of hepatitis C, and present treatment modalities and their potential. The patients most likely to respond to treatment are described, and the authors finally discuss why treatment of hepatitis C still should take place in controlled studies.

Chlamydia pneumonia is now recognized as a species of the Chlamydia genus distinct from C psittaci and C trachomatis species. It is a common cause of pneumonia and other acute respiratory tract infections. We describe a patient with erythema nodosum secondary to infection with C pneumoniae. Since this agent usually causes a mild illness, with no distinct clinical findings, we recommend adding serological tests for C pneumoniae to other relevant laboratory investigations in patients with erythema nodosum.

During a three-year period 77 patients (43 men and 34 women, aged 21-82 years, mean age 62.0 years) were treated with mechanical ventilation in a medical intensive care unit. Three patients were treated twice. The most common diagnoses (in decreasing order of frequency) were acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular trauma and chronic ischemic cardiac disease. The mean duration of ventilation was 6.4 days. 41 patients (51.3%) survived--80% of whom could be discharged to their home. Patients with chronic pulmonary disease showed the highest survival rate, those with cerebrovascular disease the lowest, with the cardiac patients in-between. It is calculated that it cost NOK 207,000 to treat each patient who survived.

The distal ileum, the segment most frequently affected by small intestinal disease, may be difficult to visualize by conventional x-ray techniques. In recent years various methods have been described for retrograde ileography during or after colonoscopy. However, these methods require special equipment and may be difficult to perform in practice. We have therefore tried out a somewhat modified technique. Patients with suspected distal ileal disease are examined on a fluoroscopy table at the x-ray department. When necessary, biopsies are taken during the introduction of the scope. With the tip of the colonoscope in the terminal ileum (or coecum) a catheter is introduced through the biopsy channel into the distal ileum. Water-soluble contrast (Mixobar) is then instilled under fluoroscopic control and films are taken in the supine, oblique and prone positions. Owing to gas already present in the ileum a double contrast effect is obtained. The ileography is completed in 5-10 minutes and entails no additional discomfort for the patient. The technique is easy to learn and requires no special equipment. It does not obviate the need for conventional small bowel enema, but may be a valuable supplement to this examination when distal ileal pathology is suspected.

Hepatic abscesses represent the most common non-enteric complication of amebic infection, and occur in 1-25% of the patients. We describe two male patients, 44 and 47 years old, who presented hepatic abscesses after travelling in endemic regions. We stress the importance of accurate and early diagnosis. Ultrasonography and computed tomography were of major importance as diagnostic tools.

Some patients with extrahepatic biliary occlusion present high levels of serum aminotransferases indicating parenchymatous liver disease. The levels, usually in the range of 400-500 U/l, may sometimes exceed 1,000 U/l. Most of these patients have stones in the bile ducts, but the causes may occasionally be pancreatic tumours and pancreatitis. Typically the maximum enzyme levels are reached within 1-2 days, followed by a rapid fall--whether the gallstones have passed or not. The alkaline phophatase levels are initially normal or slightly elevated, usually increasing slowly to about twice the upper reference level. The pathogenesis of this rapid elevation of the aminotransferases has yet not been fully elucidated. However, the main mechanisms are probably increased permeability of the hepatocyte membrane caused by elevated pressure in the bile ducts, combined with a direct toxic effect of retinated bile acids. Increased enzyme synthesis may also be a contributory factor. Further knowledge of this not unusual enzyme pattern in acute (and sometimes also chronic) biliary obstruction will help to establish a correct diagnosis at an early stage of the disease, and thus avoid a need for invasive, potentially dangerous investigations.

Three patients with macroamylasemia and different clinical problems are presented. They illustrate the importance of recognizing the macroenzymes as the cause of elevated serum amylases. Several methods exist for confirmation of the condition, as for instance electrophoresis. It may be sufficient, however, to determine serum lipase or amylase in urine that is normal. Macroamylasemia is a benign condition requiring no treatment. It is important to recognize macroamylasemia in order to avoid unnecessary, diagnostic procedures.