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The aim of this study was to identify the G6PDH-active sinusoidal cells in the rat liver described by Rieder et al. (1978). Because of their number and distribution in the liver parenchyma, endothelial cells and pit cells could be excluded. Fat-storing cells were specifically marked by vital staining with vitamin A and identified by fluorescence microscopy. Kupffer cells could be detected after vital staining with carmine. Both staining methods allowed a subsequent incubation for the demonstration of G6PDH activity in the same unfixed cryostat section. Whereas more than 80% of the fluorescent particles were found outside the enzyme-positive cells, all G6PDH-active cells contained carmine particles. After counting the G6PDH-active cells, an estimation of 0.217 x 10(8) cells/g liver tissue was obtained. The results indicate that high G6PDH activity is common to all Kupffer cells, and is therefore a highly specific marker enzyme for this class of sinusoidal liver cells.

A 70-year-old patient with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma, appearing as a pulsating tumor of the upper lateral neck is reported. Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) demonstrated a highly vascularised tumour with occlusion of the internal carotid artery.

A simple method of preoperative documentation of nasal septal defects is described. The borders of the defect and the surrounding regions of the nasal septum are marked with an X-ray contrast medium and a lateral radiogram is performed. The perforation is outlined and the image allows evaluation of the size, shape and location of the septal defect. Some clinical examples are presented.

Primary bone tumours are comparatively rare lesions. The diagnosis of these bone tumours as well as of tumour-like lesions is supported particularly by radiological investigations on the one hand and by the histological analysis of the tissue on the other. In addition to the traditional methods of radiography, intraosseous vessels can be demonstrated in vivo by the new method of intraosseous angiography. Intraosseous angiography shows the actual size of the tumour which sometimes cannot be seen by normal X-ray-appearance including peripheral angiography. Furthermore by intraosseous angiography valuable informations may be obtained for differential diagnostic considerations. Both, peripheral and intraosseous angiography represent useful radiological methods for supplementary investigation of bone tumours.

A total of 118 detailed questionnaires sent out to patients 3-5 years after endoscopic endonasal maxillary sinus surgery were evaluated. Forty-four patients (37.3%) were re-examined endoscopically. The procedure involves no complications, and 87% of the patients judged the endoscopic treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis to have been successful. Supraturbinal antral windows remained patent, and a higher percentage were functionally intact compared with infraturbinal ones. The mucociliary pathways of the maxillary sinus via the antral window were restored postoperatively.

Five standardised mucosal biopsies were taken on each side during endoscopic sinus surgery from twenty-two patients with severe hyperplastic paranasal sinusitis. The different samples from the ethmoidal and maxillary sinus mucosa were compared with regard to the uniformity of histological changes. Each histological component of the sinus mucosa was involved to a different extent in local pathological changes. These analyses support the view that the character of the chronic inflammatory process is influenced by local pathogenetic factors. Preoperative biopsies do not give information about the general condition of the sinus mucosa.

Nasal polyposis has to be considered as an advanced form of chronic ethmoiditis requiring surgery. Its proliferation starts in the osteo-meatal complex of the lateral nasal wall, and follows typical routes. Depending on its extension endoscopical partial resections of the ethmoid may be carried out. For diffuse polyposis of all sinuses a complete endonasal ethmoidectomy together with the fenestration of the frontal, sphenoidal and maxillary sinuses (pansinus operation) is indicated. The importance of preoperative imaging by CT or polytomography, and of flanking measures, is stressed. Fair results concerning subjective relief and objective proof of lasting mucosal recovery are reported against the background of a low incidence of surgical complications.

Endonasal endoscopic surgery of the paranasal sinuses for chronic sinusitis has been accepted as the treatment of choice by many authors, but detailed evaluation of the results is often lacking. Of a consecutive series of 220 patients with diffuse chronic paranasal polyposis who had undergone endoscopic pan-sinus operations, 90 were re-examined endoscopically after 1-7 years. Normal respiratory mucosa was found in 57% of cases and minor circumscribed mucosal hyperplasia in a further 25%. Unsatisfactory healing or recurrence of polypi was found in 18%. A questionnaire completed by all 220 patients showed that 49% were completely relieved, 33% reported a marked improvement, 12% remained unchanged, and 6% claimed a deterioration. Of those patients with polyposis and bronchial asthma, 57% achieved marked relief. The very low incidence of surgical complications after complete endoscopic ethmoidectomy should be emphasized.

For decades the origin of the branchial cyst has been attributed to an abnormal involution of derivatives of the second branchial cleft. More recently the cyst has been thought to be the result of tonsillitis and lymphadenitis, stimulating a lymphatic spread of squamous epithelium from the tonsil to the regional lymph nodes. We reviewed the histopathologic reports of 81 branchial cysts and 19 fistulas and re-examined 30 cysts and 5 fistulas by light microscopy. Similarities of morphological features between the epithelium of tonsillar crypts and of the branchial cysts were striking and emphasize the close relationship of the tonsils (2nd branchial pouch) to branchial cysts and fistulas. These observations and a review of the literature support the well-known branchiogenic origin of branchial cysts.