The effect of motilin on the gastrointestinal propulsion in rats

We studied the gastrointestinal propulsion in unanaesthetized rats by 51Cr method that permits the simultaneous determination of two functions of the gastric emptying and the intestinal propulsion. The results obtained are as follows: 1) The semi-logarithmic presentation of the gastric emptying showed a linear relationship with the time. 2) When synthetic motilin was subcutaneously injected at the dose of 1 microgram/kg, the gastric emptying was promoted to a statistically significant extent.

Spontaneous disappearance of gastric polyps: report of four cases

During follow-up radiologic observations of 88 subjects with benign gastric polyps, four rare cases were encountered. In two of these, the polyps had become detached; in the other two, they decreased in size. One of the latter eventually disappeared. Possible causes, though not yet established, are considered. These four cases are discussed in light of earlier reports in the literature.

Radiologic aspects of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in the spine

Radiographs of 175 patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) of the spine or ankylosing spondylitis were reviewed. DISH most frequently began in the middle and lower portions of the thoracic spine; it was rare in the upper portion. A few vertebrae were first affected, and then involvement extended, sometimes throughout the thoracic spine. The anterior and lateral aspects of vertebral bodies were mainly affected. Hyperostosis vertically spanning the anterior aspects of the vertebrae varied in thickness up to 10 mm, and the rate at which the hyperostosis proliferated was not specific for any vertebra. Males were 12 times more frequently affected than females, especially in the older age groups. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension have reportedly been associated with DISH, but no such correlation was found in this study. Despite the existence of criteria for differential diagnosis, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish ankylosing spondylitis from DISH radiologically. The radiologic features helpful in the differential diagnosis are described, and a review of the pertinent literature is included.

The further investigation on the gastric acid secretion in the primary hyperparathyroidism

The gastric acid output was studied in the 11 patients of hyperparathyroidism before and after parathyroidectomy. The gastric acid output before operation was almost equal to the normal control in our hospital. After the correction of serum calcium by parathyroidectomy, the gastric acid output and serum gastrin were decreased. The decreased gastric acid output was recovered as the days passed since operation and approached to the preoperative level. The acid output in hyperparathyroidism was less in the case whose activity of alkaline phosphatase was more, which suggested that the calcium deposition on gastric mucosa might damage the parietal cell as the result of long lasting hypercalcemia.

[A case of brain cysticerosis]

A 59-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with the history of epileptick attack of six years' duration. The seizure was associated with Jacksonian march starting in the right hand and then generalized. Todd's paresis of the right arm followed occasionally to the seizure. He was admitted to neurosurgical unit of other hospital in 1968 and 1971, but on each occasion no tumor or vascular abnormality was detected by extensive examiniations such as brain angiography, pneumoencephalography or brain scanning. He continued his hob as an engineer with anticonvulsant. He once lived in Manchuria in 1930s and had history of pulmonary tuberculosis. He was suffering from diabetes mellitus and chronic otitis media. Recentry he developed headache, forgetfulness, speech disturbance and right hemiparesis and was admitted to our department through psychiatric unit. On examination he was fully conscious but showed typical Gerstmann's syndrome and conduction aphasia. He also revealed bilateral choked disc, right hemiparesis, right hemihypesthesia and right homonymous hemianopsia. The cerebral angiograms and peneumoencephalogram suggested a left parietal cystic tumor. Brain scan with technetium 99m was negative. The spinal fluid was clear but showed slight pleocytosis (99/3/ml). Leucocyte count in the peripheral blood was 6600 per cubic meter with eosinophils of 3%. On craniotomy, small white patches were scattered at the subarachnoidal space suggesting of history of some meningitis. In the left parietooccipital region at Brodmann's area 19, a greyish yellow transparent cystic tumor was found in the subarachnoidal space which was confirmed to be one of the multilocular grape-like cystic tumors extending from area 19, gyrus angularis towards the arcuate fasciculus without continuity with the left lateral ventricle. Microscopic examination showed the racemosal type of cysticercus but no scolex was found. The fluid of the cysts was similar to the spinal fluid. He is totally symptome-free after five months' lapse from the operation except for sporadic spikes on the electroencephalogram. Although some neurosurgeons are against direct operation of the cerebral cysticercosis, we are sure it is possible to cure these patients suffering from chronic cysticercosis with tumor-like symptoms i.e. the tumor type of Stepien. But it is essential not to rupture the cysts during the operative procedure to avoid dissemination of worms which might lead to acute severe cerebral edema. Besides, echinococcus cysts harbouring many worms are often hardly differenciated macroscopically from the cysts of cysticercosis.

Chromoblastomycosis in the cisterna magna and the spinal subarachnoid space. Case report

✓ This paper reports the first case of chromoblastomycosis affecting the cisterna magna and the spinal subarachnoid space. Suboccipital craniectomy and laminectomy of T-8, 9, and 10 revealed arachnoiditis and multiple granulomas caused by Hormodendrum pedrosi.

Stimulation and destruction of the region of the interstitial nucleus in cases of torticollis and see-saw nystagmus

The interstitial nucleus of Cajal or the adjacent areas including the upper part of the medial longitudinal fasciculus was stimulated and finally destroyed in 12 cases of torticollis (mostly retrocollis) and one case of see-saw nystagmus. Stimulation of the above-mentioned area caused EMG discharges and contraction mostly of the posterior neck muscles in torticollis cases. It reproduced the see-saw nystagmus in one case of posttraumatic see-saw nystagmus. It may be stated that the interstital nucleus and the medial longitudinal fasciculus may play an important regulatory role in neck and eye movements.