Infantile myositis: a case diagnosed in the neonatal period

Infantile myositis is an inflammatory myopathy occurring in children under one year of age. This condition is extremely rare in the neonatal period and may be confused with other causes of generalized weakness. Creatine kinase activity is usually markedly elevated and electromyography demonstrates low amplitude, polyphasic motor unit activity. Muscle biopsy, necessary for diagnosis, documents characteristic findings of perifascicular atrophy and the presence of perivascular inflammatory cells. The diagnosis should be followed by corticosteroid treatment. The patient presented is the youngest biopsy-proved case of infantile myositis. In this report, his symptoms and clinical course are compared with those of previously described patients. The role of infectious agents and the immune state in the etiology of infantile myositis is considered.

A planimetric study on the female urethral closure pressure profile

Integration of the pressures along the functional part of the female urethral profile performed by planimetry adds information to what can be obtained by measuring functional length alone. In 43 patients with urinary stress incontinence, a statistically significant lower area of the profile was found in patients with decreased urethral resistance (diagnosed by pressure-flow study and micturition cystourethrography), whereas patients with cystourethrocele had larger areas than a control group. Patients with cystocele or bladder insufficiency did not differ from the controls.

The effect of joint position on juxta-articular bone marrow pressure. Relation to intra-articular pressure and joint effusion--an experimental study on horses

Six metacarpo-phalangeal joints of adult horses were studied. Pressure measurements were made in the joint and the metacarpal bone with simultaneous measurement of the systemic arterial blood pressure. Investigations performed to study the effect of joint position on juxta-articular bone marrow pressure showed that an increase in joint flexion was always followed by a rise in intraosseous pressure with a significant increase at flexion above 60 degrees. Increase in intra-articular pressure which was achieved by injection of saline was always followed by a slower rise in intraosseous pressure. Furthermore, it was shown that even a few millilitres of saline in the joint caused a rise in intra-articular pressure. The findings indicate that changes in joint position as well as effusion may block the drainage vessels from the bone marrow as they pass through the joint.

Treatment of diabetic cystopathy

Neurogenic bladder disorders in diabetic patients may result in insufficient bladder emptying because of loss of reflex detrusor contraction. In those who are asymptomatic or have only moderate signs of diabetic cystopathy, treatment choices are scheduled voiding by the triple-voiding technique, cholinergic treatment either daily or twice weekly, and transurethral surgery of the bladder neck. In patients with total urine retention, an indwelling catheter will decrease the overstretched detrusor muscle. Cholinergic treatment with initially high parenteral doses of bethanecol may help to diminish residual urine. Transurethral surgery is often mandatory in such cases. Decensus of the bladder in females often requires surgery. Deficient bladder sensation is irreversible in diabetics, and follow-up of treatment should be lifelong.

The failure of free muscle transplants in the treatment of urinary incontinence

Seven cases of urinary incontinence treated by a free muscle transplant are reported. The incontinence was completely unaffected in 5. One patient was able to work without using diapers, while another albeit completely incontinent, could voluntarily stop the flow after the bladder was filled with water.

Effect of ritodrine on the bladder capacity in unanaesthetized pigs

A cystometric investigation was carried out in unanaesthetized pigs. During intravenous infusion of ritodrine (10, 30 and 50 microgram/kg/min.) a dose-dependent and significant increase of the bladder capacity was obtained. A concomitant significant elevation of the heart rate followed the administration of the drug.

Urethral pressure profile in prostatic surgery

Urethral pressure profile measurements were performed in 45 men suffering from micturation disturbances with the aim of evaluating the diagnostic aid of the procedure as compared to conventional urodynamic evaluation. The urethral pressure profile seems to be of value in visualizing the diseases of the prostate and the bladder neck, but it is of no definite aid except for postprostatectomy incontinence.