[Selective tomography in the study of the temporo-mandibular joint. (author's transl)]

The majority of temporo-mandibular pains and dysfunction can be related directly or indirectly to the occlusal relationship of the teeth. The first manifestation is a slight reduction of the interarticular space, that must be early diagnosed, to prevent organic changes. Tomography is the one technique able to give a exact information of temporo-mandibular joint. But if we ask to that examination to detect very slight change of the interarticular space, the technique must be accurate and established in function of morphology of the patient; we have observed great variations in direction of the axis of condyles from one person to the other, and even from one side to the other for the same subject. So that, the first stage of the roentgen examination will be a radiograph taken in submentovertical (Hirtz) position. We measure the angle formed by the axis of each condyle and the sagittal median plane. The maim beam wil be directed in the axis of the condyle for sagittal tomography and perpendicularly for frontal tomography. It is important to state precisely that for tomography "closed mouth", the patient must be in terminal occlusion during the whole examination. For tomography "open mouth" we place a wedge between dental arches.

[Comparative study of neuraminidases from "Diplococcus pneumoniae" and "Clostridium perfringens"]

Neuraminidases have been purified from the culture medium of two microorganisms, one aerobic, Diplococcus neumoniae, the other anaerobic, Clostridium perfringens. The enzymatic properties of the 2 neuraminidases have been studied (pH optimum; effect of cations; activity toward different substrates: neuraminyllactose, dilactaminyllacto-N-tetraose, gangliosides, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, Collocalia glycoprotein, ovine submaxillary mucin, porcin intestinal and human bronchial mucins).

Aspirating subdural effusions, so called brain stem shock

A shift of blood into the head during negative pressure aspiration of subdural haematomas in an infant has been demonstrated, and also that aspiration may restart bleeding. An estimate of the elasticity of a 47 cm circumference skull has been obtained. It is suggested that the observed changes in distribution of blood are sufficient to explain the occasional deaths of infants after aspiration of subdural haematomas and that so-called "brain stem shock" need not be invoked.

[Examinations of the thresholds of discomfort of the ears treated by stapedectomy (author's transl)]

Ears treated by stapedectomy often are extremely irritated by noise. To clear up this phenomenon were plotted the thresholds of discomfort by tone- and speechaudiograms in the operated ears as well as in the non-operated. All our patients being examined had the stapedius muscle tendons cut. There was no clinical otosclerosis in the non-operated ears and the audition was the same on either side. A significant increase of the discomfort threshold was seen in the operated ears (93.8% in the toneaudiograms and 78.1% in the speech audiograms). In the tone audiograms the frequencies of 500, 1000 and 2000 cps were the most concerned. We consider this increase of discomfort as a consecutive result of the stapedius tendon cutting. It verifies the protecting function of the stapedius muscle against low frequencies.

Non-otogenic cerebral abscess

Non-otogenic cerebral abscess is becoming relatively more frequent compared with otogenic. It arises in a setting of sepsis, trauma, or congenital heart disease. The onset presents a meningo-encephalitic picture, often with two stages, followed by epilepsy and/or a hemiparesis. The best investigations are an EEG and, probably, an isotope scan. The angiogram may be misleading as 40% may not have a midline shift. 'Acute localized non-suppurative encephalitis' seems to be more frequent than in the past. Antibiotics and aspiration appear to be the best treatment.