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The mean wall thickness (MWT), measured by the Kragstrup technique, and the trabecular bone volume (TBV), have been measured in 50 transiliac undecalcified bone biopsies performed in 50 subjects who died suddenly (traffic accident, carbon monoxide, poisoning). Diseases affecting the skeleton were excluded in the autopsies. Our values for MWT were similar to those found in previously published studies except those of Kragstrup's group, in which values are higher. As our measuring technique was that of Kragstrup, these results could be explained either by a difference in staining methods (Solocromo cyanine R and Goldner method respectively) or by the differences in populations considered (French and Danish respectively). Our study confirmed a significant decrease in MWT and TBV with age and a positive correlation between MWT, TBV and age.

The effects of ionic and nonionic radiographic contrast media on human blood in plastic syringes were investigated in an in vitro double-blind study. Venous blood, which was drawn into plastic syringes containing one of four (iohexol, iopamidol, diatrizoate sodium meglumine, and ioxaglate sodium meglumine) contrast media, was visually inspected at predetermined time intervals before and after mixing. Aliquots of the mixtures of blood and contrast media also were evaluated microscopically. Irregular red blood cell (RBC) aggregates were observed with the nonionic contrast media. Pronounced RBC morphologic alterations occurred with diatrizoate (ionic), and marked crenation was observed with ioxaglate (ionic). Observed aggregates were freely disaggregated in isotonic saline. Recovered supernatant blood from centrifuged aliquots of the mixtures was evaluated for clot formation. There was no evidence of blood clot formation within 1 hour after blood was introduced into syringes containing either ionic or nonionic contrast media. This time period exceeded the normal clotting time, since blood in syringes without contrast media formed clots within 30 to 45 minutes. Both the nonionic and ionic contrast media prolonged coagulation.