Psychiatric morbidity in an urbanized tribal (santal) community - a field survey

Psychiatric morbidity was studied in an urbanized tribal (Santal) community comprising 205 families in the district of Nadia, West Bengal by the method of door to door survey of each family by a team of psychiatrists. Total morbidity was 519 1000. Depression was the commonest type of illness. Neurotic illness, epilepsy and mental retaliation had a very low rate of prevalence. Married individuals were more attached than the unmarried ones. Males had a slightly higher rate of mental morbidity. The population showed a general tendency of greater vulnerability to mental illness with advancing age. Results are discussed in the perspective of relevant studies.

Lower order cities and national urbanization policies: China and India

The authors "examine the urbanization history and policies of China and India with a special emphasis on the lower order cities. [They] consider the proposition that, as the developing countries continue to urbanize at a rapid pace, the lower order cities can play a potentially effective role in guiding future urbanization and in securing a balanced economic and spatial development. Through an examination of the urbanization records, policies, and performance of the lower order cities in these two countries [the authors] discuss the 'top-down' versus the 'bottom-up' approaches to urbanization strategy and national development.... Differences between the urbanization policies of China and India and the transferability of the Chinese experience to other contexts [are also discussed]."

Superficial peroneal nerve entrapment. Report of two cases

Two cases of entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve are presented. This is an unusual cause for leg discomfort and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of leg pain.

Review of 18 years' experience with pituitary tumors

The presenting signs, symptoms, roentgenographic findings, endocrine evaluations, treatment, and results in 68 cases of presumed pituitary adenomas treated over an 18-year period are discussed. The most common symptoms were headache, acromegalic changes, visual symptoms, and amenorrhea. Most common physical findings were obesity, acromegaly, and visual field defects, usually bitemporal hemianopsia. Roentgenographic evidence of sellar erosion was almost universal but angiography and pneumoencephalography were required to evaluate suprasellar extension. Brain scan was not considered a particularly useful diagnostic tool. Endocrine status was best evaluated by a battery of tests including 17-OH, 17-KS, T3, T4, PBI, ACTH stimulation, and FSH and STH levels. (Prolactin levels are currently being obtained, also). Surgical specimens were obtained in 29 patients, with subsequent diagnoses of 22 chromophobe adenomas, five eosinophilie adenomas, one cystic adenoma, and one necrotic tumor. All five eosinophilic tumors came from acromegalic patients. Patients treated by operation alone or operation followed by radiotherapy generally had less "medical morbidity" than did patients who received radiotherapy alone.

Intracranial epidermoid tumor: discussion of four cases

Four cases of intracranial epidermoid tumor are presented. These are uncommon tumors with no specific signs or symptoms, and their diagnosis depends upon a high index of suspicion. Computerized axial tomography (CAT scan) was helpful in diagnosing one of the cases described and undoubtedly will be instrumental in identifying future cases. Epidermoid tumors are biologically benign. They are often amenable to resection, and therefore tissue diagnosis before starting any therapy is important.

Abnormal movements with hydrocephalus. Case report

The author reports the case of a pituitary dwarf with choreoathetoid movement of the tongue and both arms as results of a shunt malfunction. He had undergone craniotomy for excision of a suprasellar craniopharyngioma, and 13 years later complete cerebral angiography and Conray ventriculography showed massive hydrocephalus with no evidence of tumor recurrence. Revision of the shunt was followed by complete recovery of the movement disorder.

Nonhealing myelomeningecele in an adult

A case of myelomeningocele in a 20-year-old woman is presented. The partially healed scar continued to produce infected debris despite vigorous local therapy. She died because of eventual local and retroperitoneal invasion of squamous cell carcinoma. The possible benefits of decisive planning are discussed.

Chromophobe adenoma and chiasmal syndrome without enlargement of the bony sella

Four cases of chiasmal syndrome resulting from chromophobe adenoma with normal-sized sella turcica are reported. The predominantly suprasellar growth of these tumors was probably the result of a well-pneumatized sphenoid sinus and/or a congenitally deficient diaphragma sellae. In patients with chiasmal syndrome, a high suspicion of a surgically treatable lesion must be maintained in spite of radiographs showing a normal-sized sella. In spite of the difficulties presented by normal variations, subtle findings should be searched for on the plain films and given additional weight in the patient with a chiasmal syndrome. An aggressive diagnostic work-up, including pneumoencephalography with thin-section tomography, should be pursued in all such patients before accepting some alternate explanation, such as demyelinating disease, for visual impairment.

Sciatic entrapment neuropathy. Case report

A case of sciatic entrapment neuropathy is discussed. When evaluating patients with unilateral leg pain and paresthesias, one should consider the possibility of entrapment of peripheral nerve. Electrodiagnostic studies are helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: discussion of operating technics

A case of carpal tunnel syndrome's is presented. Histologic examination of the volar carpal ligament showed fibrocartilaginous changes suggesting a progressive degenerative phenomenon. Operative intervention relieved the pain and disability. It is implied that biopsy of the carpal ligament and/or the synovial sheath often will be helpful in making a complete diagnosis. The results of this simple operating technic are contrasted with other procedures.

Oblique muscle splitting incision for cervical laminotomy

A muscle-splitting incision for cervical disc disease is described. It is based upon sound surgical principles. There have been no wound complications in the last 60 patients treated by the authors. Its most stringent demand is that the surgeon be familiar with the anatomical planes to be certain of the level which he wishes to explore.

Fluorescence microscopy in tumors of central nervous system: a method of recognizing malignancy with acridine orange

Tumors of the central nervous system were stained with acridine orange. Photographs were taken during observation through ultraviolet light. Cellular detail was not recognizable but malignant tumors fluoresced more than benign tumors.

Partial agenesis of the corpus callosum simulating a neoplasm. Case report

✓ A case of partial agenesis of the corpus callosum is reported. The differential diagnosis is discussed and the significance of correlating clinical signs with the angiographic findings in the lateral view is emphasized.

Spinal cord sarcoidosis. Case report

✓ A case of spinal cord sarcoidosis simulating an intramedullary tumor is presented. Surgical intervention increased the neurological deficit which was subsequently decreased by steroid therapy. The common complications are discussed and the need for extensive physical therapy emphasized.