Measurement of gastric emptying after gastric bypass surgery using radionuclides

The pattern of gastric emptying has been assessed after gastric bypass surgery using a double isotope technique for measuring solid and liquid emptying with a scintillation camera. Eleven control subjects and 12 patients, 12 months post-gastric bypass, were studied. Stomal and gastric pouch size were assessed at endoscopy. Solid emptying was slower and liquid emptying was more rapid after gastric bypass surgery. Initial rapid emptying of solid occurred in the 4 patients with the smallest pouch diameters. There was no correlation between stomal size and rates of solid or liquid emptying nor between the weight loss produced by the operation and the rates of solid or liquid emptying, stoma or pouch size.

Strachan's syndrome 30 years after onset

While a prisoner-of-war in Malaya from 1942-1945, a 29-year-old man developed a painful sensorimotor neuropathy, bilateral central scotomata and sensorineural deafness. Examination 34 years later, after a long period of adequate nutrition, revealed considerable residual deficit. Nerve conduction studies suggested axonal degeneration with prominent collateral reinnervation. This case of Strachan's syndrome is reported to draw attention to the limited functional recovery and to focus attention on this condition at a time when famine conditions are rife in Southeast Asia.

The effect of intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate on adrenal function

The effect of intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate on adrenal function was assessed in patients with allergic rhinitis. Beclomethasone dipropionate is an effective preparation and therapeutic doses of 400 microgram/day do not cause adrenal suppression after 12 weeks of use.