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Unlabelled: Therapeutic decisions in cases of arteriosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery usually depend mainly on the degree of stenosis. However, the recommendations with regard to suitable ultrasonographic criteria are so controversial that even authors of repute describe "confusion" and "chaos in methodology"., Aim: The aim of this study is to assess which of the most frequently recommended sonographic criteria for stenosis best fulfill the requirements of an exact quantification of stenoses of the internal carotid artery., Method: In 42 consecutive cases the preoperative ultrasound findings were compared with the degree of stenosis in surgically removed specimens. The sonographic technique employed consisted of the analysis of 2 direct and 3 indirect hemodynamic criteria of stenosis. In 34 of these cases planimetry was performed, too. The specimens were obtained by eversion thrombendarteriectomy or arteriotomy; for determination of the degree of stenosis a Paladur molded cylinder was prepared and measured., Results: Quantification of the haemodynamic criteria carries provided well with the endarterectomy specimens. Only in two cases there was a deviation of more than 10 %; however, in these two cases a change with time in the degree of stenosis was probably responsible for the discrepancy. In contrast, planimetry usually underestimated the degree of stenosis: In 61 % of the findings the ultrasonographic results differed by more than 10 % from the reference standard., Conclusion: Quantification of stenosis of the internal carotid artery should be made using a combination of direct and indirect haemodynamic ultrasonographic criteria.

Recent studies about the efficacy of smoking cessation programs in the workplace have brought up to common difficulties. Only long-term-programs show remarkable effects on smoking habits of the workers. Presenting ongoing long-term strategies for open discussion can improve the design of more powerful cessation programs in the future. Our program as an important part of modern "human resources management" is demonstrated and the results after 18 months are discussed.

Pulmonary sequestration is a relatively rare condition in which a part of lung tissue has no or only a secondary connection with the tracheobronchial tree. Blood supply comes from the aorta in anomalous branches. Sequestrations may be intra- or extralobar. Gerle et al. include both types in the general term congenital bronchopulmonary foregut malformation. Two surgically confirmed observations of bilateral intralobar pulmonary sequestrations are reported. The clinical features are recurrent respiratory infections with cough, fever and purulent sputum. X-rays only show nonspecific alterations. Chronic changes in the lower lobes should draw attention to pulmonary sequestration. Thoracic aortography is the procedure of choice in establishing the diagnosis and should always be carried out preoperatively. Segmental resection or lobectomy is the indicated treatment.

Due to the findings in 10 children with tuberculosis, which has been proved by cultural methods or animal test, it is advisable to take the following into consideration: The possibility of tuberculosis must be assumed for each BCG-vaccination child, that shows symptoms of disease of uncertain aetiology and that has had or might have had contact with a person with active tuberculosis. Among the diagnostic procedure proof and typing of the tubercle bacillus are considered to be most important.