A study of prevalence and pattern of hyperactive syndrome in primary school children

Prevalence of hyperactive syndrome in 2160 primary school children between the age of 6-12 years was found to be 4.67%. The ratio of male, female distribution of hyperactive syndrome was found to be 4.74: 1. It was significantly associated with type of school (only in girls), age (only in boys) and occupation of father (only in boys). Hyperkinetic behaviour of children was not significantly associated with income of parents. Family structure and dynamics of hyperactive children studied did not reveal gross pathology. Some of the hyperactive children were found to be impulsive in their cognitive style and others experienced difficulties in visuo-spatial perception and visuo-motor coordination.

The treatment of chronic back pain. A preliminary survey of the effect of radiofrequency denervation of the posterior vertebral joints

Structures innervated by the dorsal primary ramus play a significant part in the genesis of chronic backache and associated leg pain. The features of this syndrome are described and compared with those in the more familiar clinical picture following intervertebral disc degeneration. However these clinical entities are seldom entirely separate and the diagnosis is often also complicated by psychosomatic factors and the consequences of previous back surgery. A technique of percutaneous facet denervation with a radiofrequency probe, although by no means successful in every case, is entirely safe and a very wothwhile procedure. It has helped many patients, who would otherwise have been disabled by pain and restricted in their activities.

Malignant paraganglioma of the prostate and retroperitoneum

A case of malignant paraganglioma of the prostate, metastatic to the retroperitoneal area, is reported. The literature is reviewed and the possible origin of the disease is discussed. We believe that this is the first report of this entity of prostatic origin.

Alternative methods of treating pain

The range of non-invasive methods of treatment of chronic pain which are currently available has been discussed. They fall into three categories; those dependent on counter stimulation, those which influence the higher centres and those, like acupuncture, which possibly combine both mechanisms. The empirical, but frequently successful nature of such treatments has been emphasised.

Injection into the extra-arachnoid subdural space. Experience in the treatment of intractable cervical pain and in the conduct of extradural (epidural) analgesia

The anatomy and radiological appearances of the subdural space in the cervical region are described. Recognition of this space facilitates neurolytic injections for severe cancer pain in the distribution of the cervical nerve roots. The subdural space may have significance also in explaining the extensive sensory block which follows a delayed or 'massive' lumbar extradural injection.

The medical treatment of secretory otitis media. A clinical trial of three commonly used regimes

A clinical trial was undertaken to evaluate three medical treatments commonly used for chronic secretory otitis media. The treatments compared were Ephedrine nose drops, an oral antihistamine and decongestant (Dimotapp) and autoinflation of the middle ear. Changes in middle ear compliance and pressure were used as objective criteria of the efficacy of treatment in addition to changes in pure-tone threshold and to clinical assessment. Symptoms and abnormal signs tended to remit during the trial but there was no evidence from pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry that any of the treatments was beneficial. The period of observation enabled 28% of the children to avoid surgical treatment. Good and bad prognostic features are described which should help in deciding whether to manage a case conservatively or whether to proceed directly to surgery.

Stercoral necrosis of the cecum in an incarcerated right inguinal hernia: report of a case

A rare case of stercoral ulcers of the cecum in an incarcerated inguinal hernia is described. Local resection was followed by an uneventful recovery.

Minilaparotomy: an integrated procedure for rapid diagnosis in postcholecystectomy biliary tract symptoms

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