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The in situFourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum of gas-phase SiO produced in silicon oxynitride fiber growth has been quantitatively analyzed. Both absorption and emission FT-IR spectra at a spectral resolution of 0.5 cm−1were produced from the reaction zone at 1450 °C. The fundamental and hot bands were observed with vibrational levels up to v= 7. For the purposes of quantitative analysis the individual vibration–rotation integrated line strengths for the three main isotopes, 28SiO, 29SiO, and 30SiO, were calculated based on ab initioquantum chemical calculations of the electric dipole moment function and the transition moment. Vibrational anharmonicity and Hermann–Wallis correction factors were also incorporated. From the line strengths at specific temperatures and the known Dunham coefficients, the absorbance spectrum was simulated with best fits giving the averaged SiO concentration in the 400 mm reaction zone of 1.0 × 1017molecules/cm3. Such quantitative measurements demonstrate the power of in situinfrared (IR) spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations. The rapid determination of synthetic calibration datasets for chemometric analysis can thus lead to correlation of gas-phase species concentrations with fiber growth properties and subsequently to real-time process control.

Hepatoblastoma was diagnosed in a 12 month old boy presenting with hepatomegaly and isosexual precocious puberty. Preoperative levels of both alpha-l-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) were highly elevated. The tumor was removed by hepatic trisegmentectomy. Tumor tissue contained high concentrations of AFP and HCG. On combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (CYC), vincristine (VCR), adriamycin (ADR) and 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) HCG dropped over a period of 9 months to normal values. In contrast, AFP was undetectable following surgery. One year after initiation of therapy there is no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence of the malignancy but the observation period is too short to draw any conclusions on the effect of therapy and the final outcome.

The clinical findings and pathological changes in a 14 year old boy who died from severe malabsorption are presented. Early signs of the illness were attacks of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and intermittent periods of constipation. Later, severe malabsorption together with chronic ileus were apparent but no organic obstruction was found at several laparotomies. X-ray examination revealed extremly distended intestinal loops and a very slow transit time of barium. Malnutrition could not be improved by dietary, medical, or surgical therapy. Microscopic examination of the tissues obtained at autopsy showed changes in the small vessels of the lungs, heart, kidneys, and intestine. Increased fibrous tissue combined with atrophy of the muscular coat was observed in the wall of the entire intestine. Although cutaneous changes of scleroderma were not evident the deposition of collagenous material and the vascular changes seem typical of systemic sclerosis.

Hydroceles of infants and children are characterized by edematous wall-thickening, caused by lacking lymph vessels and venous congestion. The morphologic and clinical differences between hydroceles of infants and children favor the following hypothesis: Pathologically increased filtration of fluid from the parietal tunica vaginalis can't be drained into the peritoneal cavity because the processus vaginalis closes too early and gives raise to hydrocele.

Abstract Over a period of 4 years, 39 children with lymphadenitis were treated surgically; in 31 cases cervical lymph nodes were the main location. In 9 cases the lymphadenitis was caused by mycobacterial infection.Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent causative organism of unspecific lymphadenitis (11 cases). The therapy of choice appears to be surgical treatment and medical care after operation. Especially in mycobacterial lymphadenitis, complete surgical excision of the lymph node is decisive for definitive healing. There was only 1 case of therapy-resistant, relapsing cervical lymphadenitis that needed a second operation. Causative organisms in this case wereMycobacterium avium andMycobacterium intracellulare. All other patients showed an uneventful postoperative clinical course. We believe that a consequent diagnostic process and cooperation between the pediatric surgeon and pediatrician are necessary for effective therapy.

Summary Operative treatment of femur fractures in 20 polytraumatized children had worse after-results than conservative treatment in 14 comparable fractures except for the CCD angle. The indication for operative treatment should be made very cautiously, also in polytraumatized children. The indications are listed. The most frequent indication for operative treatment after polytrauma was long-lasting severe motor agitation due to cerebral contusion.

Summary About 4000 cases of secondary healing in infants and children are reported. Secondary healing is found in only 1.5% of primarily aseptic operations, and 1.9% of operations involving the breaking of the aseptic chain. As expected, the highest rate of about 20% is found in primary peritonitis. In cases of primary contamination (anus praeter, gastrochisis) the percentage is relatively small (4.5%). Prophylaxis is still most important.

Summary 477 patients with soft tissue sarcomas, including 87 children (18.2%) were treated at the Surgical Center of the University of Heidelberg between 1950 and 1980. 22.8% of the patients with solid tumors (excluding brain tumors) in childhood were soft tissue sarcomas. In the pediatric age group there were 30% rhabdomysarcoma and 20% angioblastic sarcoma. Since introduction of combined tumor therapy (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) the survival rate increased impressively from 29% to 58%.

Summary Of the malignant bone tumors that occur in childhood, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma are of special interest with regard to therapeutic approach. Whereas in chondrosarcoma radical surgery is the treatment of choice, due to its resistance to radiation, the most efficient treatment for osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma has not yet been clearly defined. In the light of recent developments, delayed surgery following initial radiation in osteosarcoma, as advocated by Cade in 1947, has now been superseded by immediate amputation. In Ewing's sarcoma, radiation appears to be superior to surgical intervention, according to recent publications.

Summary The special characteristics of fractures in childhood are due to the nature of the growing bone. Therapy, especially in fractures of the diaphysis, is as a rule conservative. In order to prevent severe joint deformities, all juxta-articular fractures and joint fractures, e. g. fracture of the condylus humeri or of the head of the radius and fractures of the epiphysis, should be treated surgically. Due to the importance of the vascularization of the head of the femur, the relatively somewhat rare fracture of the neck of this bone in childhood is an absolute indication for surgical intervention.

The appropriateness of surgical therapy in polytraumatized children is influenced by a series of facts, such as severe additional injuries, the age of the child, type and localization of the fracture etc. Fractures of the neck of the femur and fractures involving extensive injuries of soft tissue are an indication for immediate operative treatment. Transepiphyseal fractures and fractures in cases of additional cerebral contusion are an indication for early treatment. Fractures of the forearm or the lower leg are treated conservatively after the stabilization of circulation (wiring, plaster cast). Bei polytraumatisierten Kindern wird die Indikation zur operativen Therapie durch eine Reihe von Fakten gestellt, wie schwere Begleitverletzungen, Alter des Kindes, Art und Lokalisation der Fraktur etc. Schenkelhalsfrakturen und Frakturen mit ausgedehnten Weichteilverletzungen sind eine und Indikation zur operativen Sofortversorgung, Epiphysenfrakturen und Frakturen bei Hirnkontusion eine Indikation zur Frühversorgung. Unterarm- und Unterschenkelfrakturen werden nach Kreislaufstabilisierung konservativ behandelt (Bohrdrahtextension, Gipsverband).

Summary Cystic duplications in the cervical region are very rare. In most cases compression of the trachea leads to severe symptoms of respiration. Two cases of cystic duplication are described - a nine months old child and a newborn baby. In the first case the cyst was localized on the right side of the thyroid. Extirpation could be done without any complications. The operation on the second case was difficult. The tumor was localized between oesophagus and trachea rotating the larynx.