Search

Two cases of perianal streptococcal dermatitis (PSD) occurred in a brother and sister, aged 4 and 6 years, respectively. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in the perineal area and pharynx of both patients. We emphasize the importance of a quick and accurate diagnosis of the infection because PSD is frequently confused with other perianal diseases of infancy.

The case of a twelve year-old boy suffering from "common ileocolic mesentery" with surgical finding of very serious splanchnic venous dilatation is presented. Mesenteric arteriography was the most useful test for diagnosis. The surgical technique has been compared with that described by other Authors.

The authors have reviewed 47 cases of septic non-union of the tibia treated by tibio-fibular graft, Bone union was obtained in 31 cases, 2 limbs were amputated and 13 tibiae were united after another procedure. In 17 cases the grafts were performed in the presence of a discharging sinus. These cases did as well as any others. In cases of bone loss after diaphyseal resection, tibio-fibular grafting appeared to be a better procedure than Papineau's technique. Several cases of failure of this technique were cured successfully by tibio-fibular grafting when the bone loss was extensive, tibio-fibular grafting had to be completed by a supplementary tibial graft. The authors consider that grafting procedure should be done early in cases of extensive bone loss or in cases of severe compound comminuted fracture.

Two thousand women were screened at the time of delivery for two hepatitis B markers, surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (HBsAb), in order to determine prevalence rates, define high-risk groups and estimate the cost-efficiency of routine screening. It was found that 2.2% of the women were HBsAg positive and 32% of a 20% subsample were HBsAb positive. Jewish women of North African origin had the highest rates (HBsAg, 3.8%; HBsAb, 47%) and those of European origin had the lowest (1.2 and 14%, respectively). Bedouin women had intermediate rates (HBsAg, 1.1%; HBsAb, 28%). The issue of screening pregnant women for HBsAg is discussed in light of these results.

The authors conducted a series of experiments concerning the condition of hypercoagulability of patients with a history of thrombosis, in view of determining whether or not the risk of thrombosis could be assessed by laboratory tests. To that end they assayed antithrombin iii activity and soluble fibrin complexes in their test subjects. Antithrombin activity was assayed by a chromogenic method; soluble fibrin complexes by the hemoagglutination test. The activity of antithrombon III was significantly reduced in patients with venous thrombosis, not so in arterial thrombosis. Testing for soluble fibrin complexes was invariably unrewarding, probably because the thrombosis episodes under investigation were of too long standing.